Work seems to take more and more of my time lately. Maybe it is just that my time at work is not as crazy busy, as it was just before Christmas. I don't have 300+ orders to get framed. I only have to take 3-5 orders during an entire 8 hour shift. I have had time to re-stock shelves, and even do my counts. This means that we will get new frames to fill in some of the holes made from holiday shoppers. Those crazy shoppers who DID come out in the snow and ice.

On the 26th, we made it to my sisters for my nephews birthday party. We also swapped gifts with my side of the family. I was so happy to get an espresso machine from my parents. SCORE!! :)
It felt really good to give presents this year, even to some that didn't give themselves. I was able to enjoy giving for what it is, not feeling like we were just swapping $$.
The kids got things they really enjoy. New remote control cars, skateboard ramps (Teck decks for those that know what those are), and a barn set for Meghan's new (plastic) horses.

I am not sure what we are up to for New Year's Eve. Probally just a good movie, popcorn, and some sparkling cider with the kiddos. I hope to get some organizing done in my scrap area AND actually scrap a layout or two. Wouldn't that be a GREAT way to spend a holiday!!! I get time-and-a-half working on Thursday, so I am thinking about spending the extra and getting a few new shelves for my wall.

Ok... I am rambling now. LOL

Hugs to all!!

We'll we have a "white Christmas!". Woohoo! LOL
I am over the snow. My car is stuck up the hill from our house, and will have to wait out the rest of the snow melting process... before I can go get it. I was doing a good deed, and taking a co-worker home last night. He failed to explain that when we went up the hill, then started downhill... that I would have to go back UP to get home. Yep... I got stuck, high centered, and had to leave my car on the roadside. It is a neighborhood, and right outside my co-workers house, so I am fine. I just hate not having my car, whether I could drive or not. Anyhoo... back to the holiday pics...

The kids got their annual "PJ's" last night. This year, I got all the right sizes!!!

The kids got what they wanted. :)

Lucy got a new bone! (It's nearly GONE already LOL)

I think one of my favorite presents that I gave this year, is the Basketball poster that I framed for Jordan. I did a baseball one for Sean a few months ago, and thought Jordan would enjoy this one. I plan to start decorating the boys room, bit by bit with things they can keep as they get older. :)


For all the things I could learn at this time in my life... I love what I heard Amy Roloff (Mom from Little People, Big world)say the other night "I could spend my time and have a clean house, but I wouldn't have the times that I have shared with family and friends. Just getting to know the people around me!"
I always cringe when people come by or might come by... is my house clean, what will they think. Well... I am striving to think "I don't care about the house, I don't care what they might think; I only care about enjoying the time I have to spend TODAY!"

more snow pics...

It's been a nearly a week of snow and fun. Sean is working today, and supposed to the next four day s too. I am a little nervous to have him on the road, but I have faith and prayers said for his safe arrival after travel.
My parents anniversary vow renewal has been cancelled, and will possibly happen at a later date. SO, no cake to bake for me. Two days off of work and simply time to spend with my kids.
We took the dogs on a walk (a bit of ice under the snow made for fun slipping and sliding as the dogs pulled in excitement). I am SO glad that I took the extra time this last spring to really train them on leash manners. :)
We returned to the house and took them to run in the back yard. Meghan and I made snow angels. A true MUST for any adult that is willing to remember their childhood days of life wonders.


I was taking a pic of the beautiful snow around my backyard, when Meghan has the idea to slide down the snow-filled slide.


"Oh NO!, THAT is COLD SNOW". To which I replied "Is there any other kind"?
She says "No, but does it HAVE to go in my PANTS"?

In the house we went, for Hot Cocoa (with half n half YUM!)
The boys quickly followed from where ever they had gone to chuck snowballs at one-another. Now here we are... warm, and "BORED!" again. LOL

It's SNOWING!! AGAIN!

Yeah... it is snowing. It's beautiful! I am hoping that we won't get the sleet and ice that is predicted, and for now... I want to think about the beauty of this snowfall. :)
Sean made it to work today. He hopes to get there one more day this week too, to make up for his no-pay day on Sunday. I work tomorrow and Friday too, but luckily I am just blocks from work.
My parents anniversary party has been rescheduled to the afternoon on Sunday, instead of the evening. I just heard there may be another storm come through this weekend. Sure is a wait and see kinda week around here.
I am running to the store in a minute to get baking supplies (target had sugar, but not FLOUR last night.) Then to pick up Jordan at his friends house. Am I serious crazy to have allowed him to go there last night, in this weather. LOL
Anyways... that's life for us. How's everyone else??
Is your shopping and wrapping done? I have one more gift for Jarod, to get. BUT... that one could wait for his birthday in January. Then I still have to figure out if I am getting anything more than sweet baked goods for family and friends on my decreasing gift list. :)

Molar pulled...

Oh yeah... Meghan had to go to the dentist today too. Her cheek/ gum has been sore for about two days. Slowly swelling. I headed to work and Sean called the dentist. Sure enough, it was infected. Her baby molar was pulled after two x-rays to ensure the right tooth being the issue. The dentist was impressed that Meghan knew which tooth it was, and he thought it was another. He said she should become a dentist, just fof good instincts! LOL
She is still swollen and may need antibiotics tomorrow, but for tonight she is sleeping with Motrin. :)

Snow, ICE, and no electricity!

It started last week, with the weatherman saying "It's going to be a winter storm, and snow too!" Sunday at 8am... it started snowing! Somehow without warming above freezing... ice filled the streets. It's slick out there. Diane's daughter slipped, fell, and broke her arm. My friend at work drove her car off the road, and banged her forehead on the steering wheel. Wrecks litter 82nd ave, just up the street. Firetrucks litter the Linen's n things parking lot (near walmart) and I saw firefighters on the roof there too. We got a brown out at about 5:30pm and full black out at about 8:30pm. Everything, including our heat was back around 9pm.
It's been a rough few days, and I am now hearing more snow is in the Wednesday forecast. So sad... a 15 year old girl crashed while sledding, into a parked car. Head injuries! :(

On a lighter note... my dogs loved the snow! Dash loves his winter jacket. Lucy didn't know what to do with this stuff... it is her first experience with this white stuff. The kids were able to get in a few good snowball fights with the neighbors before the ice rink showed up. :)

Direct TV !!! is getting installed today.

I can watch ER tonight, when I get home from work. I can watch Survivor too. WOOHOO!! I am going to enjoy DVR services! LOL

Our weather is changing, we have a "cold front" moving in. The beginning of next week is not supposed to get above freezing for about 4 days. Lower than this area has been in 15 years, I heard last night on the news. Oh my!! Gotta get the trailer antifreeze put into the water tanks. UGH!

Anyone else watching the "casey anthony" case. They found the little girl today. So sad!! Ok... yes they only found a body near her home, and haven't confirmed the identity as of yet. But, I was really hoping that she might have sold the poor little girl.

Well... guess I should get off here and listen to the guys discussion with DH. LOL

The kids have started their annual chocolate "calendar". I get these every year, and for the past few years... Michaels is the only place I find them. Good thing I work there and grab them before they get put out. Hee-hee!
This is Sqeakers. He is Jarod's class pet, and was our visitor over Thanksgiving break. He will visit again over Christmas break too.

Sean went to the Oregon coast with his dad, overnight on Friday. They enjoyed a little father / son time and got to shop for all the grandkids too. They stopped by the "Tillamook Cheese Factory" and brought us back beef jerky. YUM!
Lucy decided that my newly folded towels and clothes were a great pillow for a nap. Oh my!!

This is our family, in clay. Meghan and I made it today... out of "Crayola Model Magic". We even made the pets. Everyone became a snowman / snowpet. LOL

Direct TV

We officially signed up for Direct TV today. We have wanted to reach through the phone line and throttle the comcast employees for more than a year now. I am a horrible procrastonator. Well... today was enough. I want a DVR. I want to watch movie channels. I want to watch the Oxygen network. I want to veg in front of the "TUBE" with a blanket and a cup of coffee. I want to finish an entire show without it getting fuzz or scrolling "we are currently doing upgrades in your area, sorry for the inconvinence". LOL

SO... I am now saving money! I actually decided to reduce my download speed on my internet service too. Do I really need to pay $46 to download things about 60 seconds faster. No not really. I can pay $35 and put in a load of laundry during a download. :)

Oh... I also got a free YEAR of Showtime (9mns. more then the advertised deal). Yep... I can be a *itch at times. But, if your company advertises "NO out of pocket money" to sign up, then please don't ask me to a pay a fee for "shipping n handling" of the equipment. I happened to tell dh, (while on the phone with the sales guy) that "they weren't quite HONEST in their ad... GO FIGURE!" they want $19.95 for shipping. The guy says "let me see if I can wave that fee." Of course, they can't. Well... "No, wait... (the guy says) I can charge you for the s/h ing BUT give you another 9 mns of Showtime FREE!" OK... that works for me!! "Sign me up!" LOL

Dh's friends wants me to call them back and re-sign them up, now. LOL

So... that is my news for today. Oh, and my computer is STILL getting adware, trojans, and worms. UGH!!! Anyone know a CHEAP computer repairman? LOL

What a crazy hour!

So I have had the most stressful hour. I got a call from my mom. She wanted to confirm with me, that it was OK for my siblings and I to NOT buy for each other. I am so frustrated with gift giving. I love doing it. Yes, it is stressful sometimes, to find the perfect gift for everyone. BUT... I love the hunt, the search, the wrapping. I even enjoy the opening. LOL
I have really worked on not looking at who got what for who. I have worked on appreciating what I get, but also what I am able to give. I still want to get things. I want to give the PERFECT things I already found this year. Yet, now I will feel like I shouldn't get anything for my siblings and parents; because it would make them feel funny. I don't want that. I just want to enjoy giving what I give. I LOVE that feeling. UGH!
My biggest fear is that as we begin to stop all our tradition holiday meet-ups; that we will not see each other anymore. How close are we really? Do we even know each other at all? No not really I guess. :(
That is something we should look at working on I guess. At some point though, I guess some families just aren't as close as others. Noone has the perfect relationship. I just worry about this all being even more stressful on my parents too.
So... what traditions do you have for the holidays? Do you gather together and drive around to see lights? Do you go caroling with a church group? Do you cut down the annual holiday tree?

Sometimes I feel like the older I get, the more I find I am loosing. That isn't supposed to be how this season works, is it??

On a better note... I am excited to be going to the annual Christmas Bazaar this weekend. Not just once, (with my mom, sister, and nieces) but TWICE... going with my daughter, my friend, and her daughter. WOOHOO!!! :)

a weeks gone by!

In the flash of an eye... a week had gone by. I worked a ton this week. Since I work for a retail store, it is to be expected and surely is a bonus in the paycheck at this time of year. We were able to share a great Thanksgiving with just my immediate family, in my home. We told our families that we were staying home this year. I was working at 6pm, and decided that I didn't want to make dinner, rush through that, and run all over town to visit people we see on a fairly regular basis already.
Luckily they were all really good about it, atleast to our faces. LOL

Sean and I did a 5 hour shopping spree on Black Friday. Nothing to big to tell. Decent sales, no horrible scenes, and only a 90 minute line at ToysRUs. Ok, maybe no TRuS run next year. LOL
I am prepping to go wrap some of the purchases, in just a few minutes. I love wrapping! I love going back over the things I bought and thinking about the ones I am giving to. It the best part! No wait... starbucks while shopping is the best part. LOL

Sean will be going to the beach for a night, just him and his dad... on Friday. The kids and I are planning on renting some movies when I get off work. Then Saturday is the annual Christmas Bazaar. I am hoping to get to go again on Sunday with a friend too. I take Meghan with me every year, along with my mom, sister, and niece(s). It fun to just wonder through the crafts and decor, etc. The kids generally find something they can't live without, as do the adults. :)

Only other thing going on around here is my 10 year old babysitting the class guinea pig... and our two male hamsters got into a fight last week. One ate the foot off the other (ack! I know!) We kept the peg-legged one and took the other back to the pet store (my sister works there and will re-adopt it out again, to a single pet caged home). Well... the poor "peg leg" (renamed) didn't make it through the trama. He passed yesterday. The kids are ok... just bummed. Hamsters don't make it long around here. :(
Oh... and my 9 mn old DOG keep EATING the Christmas lights. You would think it would shock her! But no, it must not be effecting her. Ding dong!!! So, I have now redown the location of the railing lights and am crossing my fingers. The dog is now banned to the outside kennel for the season, if she is allowed outside. Anyhoo... Hugs to all!!

Been a little busy!!!

Hey all!

Teenagers & Dating...

Oh wow... Jordan is 13 and has his 2nd girlfriend. They went to see the movie Twilight last night. Sean and I went shopping in the complex next to the movies. I asked 20 questions when he got back in the truck. Of course, I am his mom. At this point, I don't care if he likes it or not. I expect answers to what I ask. I hope that he will ask questions, if he has them. I hope we keep open communication. I hope if I remain the crazy mom, that I atleast remain the crazy mom that cares to ask crazy probing questions. LOL
Has anyone else noticed that the "80's" are back??? Oh my... I wonder often what WE were thinking, wearing things we wore. Now, I see teenagers wearing the SAME things. LOL
Jordan said last night, when we were discussing this; that it is a little wierd to have parents that know the style and how to dress in it. LMAO
I told him that his little SISTER will probally like that I understand her and what she thinks looks good. Even if he doesn't get it. :)

Look at what my friends son did with "Fruit Roll-ups". His mom is a scrapbook store owner, his dad is a chef. Of course he would inherit some art in his blood, but WOW!! Great job Robbie!! (Oh yeah, He is only 7!)

Home is where the heart is.

It's been said before... but which one do you live in?

A House- a building in which people live; residence for human beings. A place you can get out of the rain, eat, and sleep. A coldness fills the coming winter air.

A Home - The place in which a persons domestic affections are centered. Where love is shared, not always spoken but it floats in the air. A place where chilly winter air is wiped out as you snuggle together under your favorite blanket.

I live in a neighborhood of I guess lower income, lower expectations on beautiful yards, interiors, exteriors, etc.
What strikes me about these houses is that they are not just houses.
They are transformed nearly every holiday, into homes for celebration. The sounds of music and that occasional banter among siblings and childhood friendship. It's about living life. I often get upset at the condition of our house. The clutter, the mess, the chores to be done. BUT... would I want to give up these things for something more grand, beautiful? Maybe for something with more closet space, that is a possibility, but I don't think so. The more I think about it, the more I enjoy my HOME.
Somehow behind everything that I could say goes wrong, there is a longer list of things that go right.
So... I guess it is time to do a little cleaning and prep the yard for our holiday lighting plans. (I bought NEW LED lights, to save $$ this year and for many to come... to get to enjoy time spent with my kids... decorating our time!)
BTW... I am NOT saying that bigger more beautiful homes can't be HOME, I am saying that I need to look at my HOME a little different. :)

Here is an updated pic of our Lucy Loo! She turned 9 mns. on the 16th. I was taking pics of her laying with Jarod, and she sat up and started poseing. Too funny! When I stopped taking pics, she starting whimpering and whiny, until I took another. She was literally modeling for me. Oh she's such a ham!

So, these next pics show just how silly we sometimes are. The kids were bored. Jarod was trying to slide on his socks, across my dining room/kitchen floor. I told him, "it isn't waxed enough you are going to hurt yourself." Then, my brain thought back to the big slide at summer camp as a kid. We used to sit on sheets of wax paper to wax the slide more. So... I told Jarod to cut a popcan box apart to make a slider. We waxed the slider, and away they went. I then reminded them "I really DON'T want to make a trip to the ER tonight, so no breaking anything!". LOL
This probally won't win me "mother of the year", but it was sure fun!! Hee-hee!


These pics are from a special time for Jordan and I. He gets an assignment at school, and we get to spend time crafting it into life. This assignment was to make an advertisement poster for the book he just read. We, of course, had to break out the tools. Embossing powder, a light table, etc. Something everyone has, right! LOL (you can see the MESS in the background of the pic, that I often talk about.)

Getting anything good on sale lately?

How's your seasonal shopping going? Mine is started, and off to a good start... but nothing I am running out for yet. I really need to remember to start the Oregonian newspaper again. I don't keep it most of the year, but I get it for about a month this time of year... just for the ads. I just my memory newspaper hunt, when I do get it. Whether I find it in the street, under my front deck, in a puddle... or actually on the porch in the dogs mouth. Oh, yeah... FUN times! LOL

So... I am off to google for BF day ads. http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/

Woohoo I love this time of year. I love shopping for everyone, wrapping gifts, it brings such joy to my life! :)

Count your blessings... Name them one by one.

There is something to be said for thinking this way... "Count your blessing, Naming them ONE by ONE!" People around me are often upset, depressed, etc. There are simply SO many reasons to be lately. Yep... our economy SUCKS. Our political world is changing so fast, and with such uncertainty. But, how bad are things in your life, really??
Count your blessings... list them. Wow! Makes a difference in the way we are looking at life, doesn't it. I bet you have more positives than negatives on your list. :)
I know I do. I just have to remind myself of it, ALOT. Hee-hee!

My son are I just started reading the first Twilight book. Oh my!! I am hooked. I was told I would be. The author is a really great writer. I plan to go to walmart and check for the 2nd and 3rd books, in the series. I plan to then finish reading them, and take Jordan to see the movie. Finally both a connection for mom & son, and something he has gotten interested in reading. Win-win!!!

Anyone else battling the flu / cold bug?? My family is sharing it right now. Luckily, I haven't gotten it. I had a cold a few weeks ago, and I think my immunity got built up. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Jarod is home today. Meghan was sick over the weekend. Sean has had it for about 2 weeks (though he won't take anything for it). Jordan got a sore throat, but he tends to not get as sick as others. Hopefully it will leave the house now.

Hugs to all... thanks for stoppin' by!

DEQ...

So tomorrow is my day off. I get to enjoy a trip to the DEQ, to renew my car registration and have my car tested. I swear this is the DUMBEST thing. Every two years I take my car through, to get tested. I then leave and drive by OLD cars that no longer have to be tested (due to age). Now, how is it that MY newer car should have to be charged, and an older badly running car is OK? UGH!!
Oh and next month, Sean gets to take his truck too. :)
Woohoo!!

I will then run to the tire store and rotate my tires and maybe stick around to get my oil changed too. FUN!

I would SO rather go shopping at the mall. LOL

I will probally procrastinate AGAIN, and end up having to go after the cops pull me over for not renewing my license plates. LOL

Anyhoo... I plan on scrapbooking at some point in the next 36 hours too. :)

It's my birthday!!

Jarod as a Bloody Scream.
Jordan as a color changing skeleton. I wish my camera would have been able to pick up the color changing. It was neat! He basically wore a mask and went with the younger two. Every-so-often he went to a door too though. It was interesting to watch him decide if he is too old or still young enough for Trick-r-Treating.
This was the neatest house to find. The guy had built a roman looking pyramid, and he was dressed as the lion king. I still wonder what he is doing with the area for the next 11 months of the year. LOL REALLY neat though!!
Miss THANG, as a flower fairy. Can't beat $1 for a costume (the wings were from dollar tree!)
These were in a gift from my SIL. She always knows what to get me for my birthday. :)
Yep... I am 34 today. Another year of life under my belt. Twenty-nine was a hard age for me. Since then, birthdays have been thought of as more celebration. I don't have huge parties, big events, etc. I go to my parents for cake, ice cream, and time with family. Mostly though, I find time to reflect on myself. To think about the changes over the last year. This year...
* I went to work full-time.
* My job became a joy again. I actually enjoy going to work.
* I made it through another year of motherhood, feeling like I am succeeding more than failing most days.
* We bought our camping trailer.
* We actually went camping in it too!! (several times)
* We decided to stay in Oregon and not move cross-country.
* I grew a garden that produced this year.
* I am learning to grow my friendships again (I was really bad about this).
* My husband and I are getting along again, feeling a little less like an uphill climb... and in a down-hill fun time. (meaning marriage is FULL of up and down hills)

Well... that's about it. I am spending the next few hours googling online... I am in a scrapbooking mood again and need to find ideas. :)
Oh... anyone been to Crater Lake in the fall? Dh had the idea of driving there tomorrow. Humm...

So sad...

Sorry I have been MIA... and not posting. Life just got away from me. There sure is lots of good TV on these days, if you were able to ignore the smear ads. I am so darn frustrated with our political process. It seems like the electoral votes process is what picks the President. It has nothing to do with #'s of votes. Can anyone shed light on why electoral voting was the way to go??? I really don't trust political big wigs anyways... but I think every vote should count. Not some # of votes assigned to each state, in basically seperate elections. Maybe I should don't get it. :(
I do HOPE for change in the coming 4 years. Am I scared YEP. Would I have been less scared is McCain won, not so sure. I think LIFE is scary, the unknown is scary. We all have ideas of what life should be... I guess I just try to remember that we atleast have some freedoms and choices here, that others don't.

So... I got a new washer and dryer this past week. Long story short... the timer went out, my inlaws bought the new set, I poked a screw through my hand (healing) and we will give part of our tax return to my in-laws. LOL
We did get a matching set (not that our old dryer was dead, just old and dh replaced it). Now I am looking for a good charity or something to send it to. :)

Work is busy lately. I spent yesterday installing the power cords and power strips in the Holiday trees and lighting isles / grids. FUN!! I enjoy it, but up and down the ladder hollared louding in my knees when I tried to fall asleep last night.

My computer is INFECTED with the STUPID "Antivirus Pro 2009" program. It comes up and downloads like a cool spyware program, even gives you something to click on and buy (when it finds ITSELF) in files you should remove. LOL Dh kindly installed it, while browsing ESPN yesterday. UGH! I spent about 6 hours already, getting a decent program to find all its mess. BTW... "PC Tools, Spy Doctor" is a great program. IMO!! My dad bought it for three computers, last week... while fixing my sisters computer. He was kind enough to give me a code so I didn't have to buy it too. :)

I still have slowing and locking issues, but I am getting to the end of these current computer issues. LUCKILY, I have made it through with my Kodak picture folder intact. I gotta get those onto a disk. So next time I can just DUMP the darn computer and start over. LOL

Hugs to all... hope Halloween was good for you all... pics of my kiddos to come soon. Thanks for stoppin' by!

Pumpkin Carving...

Here are our pumpkin carving pictures. The warm Portland weather has made them quite icky already. Luckily this year I took them out to the porch the same night we carved them. Jordan said he found a slug in his tonight. Eww!!
These pictures will remind us of great memories from this weekend.
Jordan carved his all by himself this year. He did talk Jarod into grabbing out his really gooey pumpkin guts. LOL
Meghan even gutted her pumpkin this year too. I enjoyed watching the kids work on their own creations. They have grown up so much this past year!
Jarod really enjoys the feeling of the guts. He talked and talked about how many seeds we had to roast. I always roast seeds. We spread them on a cookie sheet (or two) and sprinkle them with "Red Robin seasoning" and salt. They get a spray of cooking oil and head into the oven. Hours later, after the kids have stopped asking when they will be done... they exit the oven. YUM!!!
Good times! I tell ya! We ended up with a spider, a cat & pumpkin in a window, and hands creeping from below a RIP tombstone. Oh and the mini pumpkin is the one we grew in our garden this year. It was too cute not to become a jack-o-lantern. :) Happy Halloween to all!!

What a beautiful day today...

Our weather is giving us two wonderful sunny fall days. The kids and I went to the store today and bought pumpkins. We came home and carved them too. Of course, the seeds are roasting in the oven as I type.
Not sure what tomorrow will become. I could sleep in, but yet don't want to waste my day off either. We will take Jordan's signup paperwork in for basketball. A hassle that has been, but long story short... he will be on a team. That is all that matters. :)
Sean and I went to see Saw V this afternoon. It was good. Nothing to horrible, nothing to bad. It definitely is set up for Saw 6 to come to life. LOL
Can you believe that those movie makers have made yet ANOTHER "jason" movie. LOL My, oh my!! It doesn't come out until Feb. 13th, 2009. Bummer. That's a bit to wait. Hee-hee! There were quite a few new horror flicks coming soon. Yeah!!

Last night at Crop I did get 5 or 6 cards made. Nothing spectacular IMO. I had more fun chatting with Diane than stamping. Knock me in the head if I ever decide to NOT take my photos again. LOL

Hugs to all, thanks for stoppin' by.

I'm packed for Crop Night tomorrow night. I am a scrapbooker, and an occasional card maker. Tomorrow I have decided will be a card making crop. Oh my, the supplies I NEED. LOL
I have been looking into different techniques using "Gumsol" & colored pencils. I hope to share my good experience with you soon. :)

My BIL is HOME!!!!

(click on photo to enlarge and read poem)
Yep... Patrick landed home today. After his third tour in Iraq. He has been awarded the brownze star this time. I am not sure what for yet. It will be pinned on him soon. I know my MIL and "grandma" are flying to Germany in a few weeks. Hopefully in time to go to the pinning cermony. :)
He will be in Germany soon, to see his wife and kids. Oh, what a wonderful day!!!

As for me, I am battling my cold. I got a new box of meds. and slept completely through the night. In bed at 9:30 I think. LOL That is so NOT me. Felt good though. I woke with the kids and the dogs, etc. but slept off and on until about 11:30am. Hopefully that will give me enough energy to make it through the next few days of work. I have a crop night on Friday, that I really want to go to.

I think I am going to work on some cards, instead of scrapbooking though. I need to get pics printed and work on some more updated scrapbooking. But... I thought I would try out some watercoloring on cards for Christmas. Who knows... I will share pics when I get something done. LOL

Hugs to everyone, and hope all is well with you and yours... (Hey, Tell someone you LOVE them today) (Say it out loud, it feels so good!)

New Coffee creamer flavors are out!!!!

I went to buy coffee creamer. Oh Yeah! New flavors are out again! Woohoo. This time I choose "Chocolate Mint" and "Almond Toffee" YUM!!!
I am also sharing my favorite gift from my wedding showers. It is the "I hate to cook cookbook". Best most simple recipes ever. It has a really quick recipe for "maui" banana bread. The mom that I used to babysit for so much, as a teenager; thought this would be the perfect wedding gift for the young woman I was. :)

The Cold Bug flew here today :(

Oh my... I thought I had licked the onset of my seasonal cold. NOPE... I woke to its presence in full forth. I have a dry cough, runny nose, sneexing, the works. UGH! I am sitting here instead of getting off to work... trying to decide if I will take a cold pill and be drowzy all day, yet somewhat clear headed... or shall I see how it goes and regret that entirely. LOL

Hope you all are well. :)

It's Pumpkin time... foam pumpkins that is...

We bought foam pumpkins from the craft store. We will still buy a real pumpkin right before Halloween. We will still get carving fun and it'll provide seeds for roasting too. But... foam pumpkins will now come out year after year, and be a memory of time spent just mom and kid. :)
Meghan made a Kitty kat out of her pumpkin. A design we found in a craft magazine at Michaels.
Jarod choose to make a vampire. Complete with dripping blood and fangs. :)

Injuries...

My kids are 2 for 3 this week. Knocking on WOOD!!! Jordan won't hurt himself. Jarod got stung by a bee. Meghan hurt her foot (still diagnosing). I am not one for going to the doctors. I just HATE the fees, just to walk out feeling like nothing was really done for them. :(
I am not against doctors, just not willing to give away what money we have. I also barely use medicine. I am not against it, just prefer my body to heal itself. I think my body was made to do things that are beyond my comprehension; beyond anyones comprehension. Why mess with that. LOL

Ok... that took a wierd twist.
Maybe some of my thoughts come from my income. We make too much for help of any kind. We have a house, two cars, a trailer, etc. We by no means, are missing out. BUT... my kids don't get school lunch because we can't afford it. We don't even qualify for reduced lunches. YET... illegal aliens get FREE lunches. No questions asked. We have medical and dental coverage, but can only afford to go to the minimal visits. Jordan is in braces however and that is only $2000 from our pocket. I am not complaining, it could be worse. But somedays worse feels like a better deal. Other days I am thankful for every last thing I have and will have.

Time to shower and run off to work. :)

What's for dinner?

Yep... I feel like blogging but have little to blog about. I had the day off from work. All I got done, was to take a shower and make dinner with Meghan. We peeled potatoes and made mashed potatoes. We sliced pork loin and stuffed them with cheese and ham slices. I baked those in the oven. YUM! Add in some corn and gravy... and we had dinner! :)
So what did you do? Any fall baking started yet? I hope to make some banana bread tonight. Hugs to all...

Text messaging...

We have entered the technological world of "Text messaging". Sean found out the his company gets him a 25% discount on our cel service. We used that discount to pay for text messaging services on all our phones. We also bought a new phone for the house (Jarod to use on occasion).
I love technology, but I am scared of the unlimited things that my kids can do with it also. I am really learning alot about the idea that "a parent raises a child as good as they can, and then must trust their child will make the right choices". How do we choose where we draw the line, between trusting and continuing to need to parent. Oh my!!

Jarod got stung by a bee tonight. Poor thing. His finger is a bit swollen, and a little sore a few hours later. I think he is going to make it, and atleast we now know two of our kids did not inherit my dad's bee allergies. :)

Ok... off to find new ringtones for my new phone. Oh yeah... did I forget to mention, that part of the perks at the cel store for $60. BUT they came with $100 in rebates!! woohoo! :)

Pics of the day...

A trip to the park, nail and makeup makeovers, crafts, games, holding hamsters and cats, and much much more... Fun times were had at Meghan's sleepover. I slept in this morning to make up for the uneasy sleep I had while the girls were all here. Meghan's favorite activities were going to the park for frisbee, and the crafts. Her least favorite was her feeling of upset when the girls made a mess of her room. She was so upset about the thought of how much time she spent in there, cleaning lately... and having to redo it. I told her I would help her, and she just needed to go enjoy her friends.
She enjoys "free choice" at school, but I think she is a controlling type person in her friendships and play. UGH! Maybe she gets that from me??? LOL
Anyhoo... here are some pics from the day. :)