One more time now

here we go again scrapping makes her happy you know ;)

Happy Fake Birthday to ME

Yep today is my BIG day. My fake birthday. Kevin refuses to acknowledge it..says that it doesn't exist except in my mind..hello it's MY bday of course it exists...

So my birth certificate was miraculously changed when I was young because I missed the cutoff by 4 days (Dec 5th - the actual day of my appearance) to the 1st...for years I thought it was the 5th - which it is but then had to bring my b.c. into school for some stupid project and was "really" annoyed that it said the 1st....and from that day on celebrated with my friends on the FIRST..and they coined it my FAKE Birthday. Hey double the presents and double the cake..what's not to love as my friend Carole told me ;)

Since no one else cares about this day it's back to the cooking and cleaning for me! I did spend a lot of time today scrapping. I LOVE my new desk..right next to my dining room windows..so bright and cheery. The dumb letters fell off and ruined a picture...go figure they'll stick to a photo but not to the dang wall! So those are down now..but it's still my room. I got my "friends" canvas that Bonnaroo and I both have and my beloved ipod above it and I can *almost* drown out the kids in the next room playing video games I'm gonna load you down with photos now that it's working again ;) I fully expect it to break once more!













See how nice it looks with all my ribbons and flowers stacked? And those iris carts from the Container Store rock! They are drawers but when you pull them out each "drawer" is a case that is totally lockable and closed. YAY And they are deep and 12x12! The whole system is from The Container Store and it's their Elfa system. I highly recommend it. One more for this entry of Anna at her new desk.....she tells me all the time now...Scrapping makes me happy Mama, me too baby, me too!!!!!

Ok so it's broken..I'll do anna's desk later maybe..stupid blogger!

Poor neglected soul!

this Blog..that's what's neglected ;)

I used to LOVE blogging but unfortunately every time I came it would never upload photos..we'll try again today and see if it's better...we'll start with the photo of my father I wanted to upload last time..if I still have it! AHA It works..I was almost going to switch to the beta version but that one scared me..anyone else do it yet?

So that's Dad..at my brother's wedding..he looks ok..but to me personally he looks so sick..not the big, stocky guy he always was. I had a nice dream of him last night..where he wasn't dead anymore...not that it was a miracle or anything he just wasn't dead but we had already put the house in probate, etc and I was explaining why he had no change of clothes..but I was SO relieved to see him. And he didn't look sick like this anymore. I think he was coming to me in my dreams to tell me he was ok. I'm glad I could tell him I'm doing ok too! Love you dad!

In Remembrance

Of my father.....Michael J Czuprynski...he was born on 10/22 and died on 10/21 when he was 63. It's been a long health battle for him...7 years of decay I guess...going from the man he was to the man he hated being I think...weak and sick all the time. And in the end he still had one last surprise for us- his official cause of death was actually lung cancer...something NONE of us knew he had although my stepmom and myself had speculated at his wake.

The single most thing I could have done for him was bring him home...he was near family when he finally passed away. And the best thing we did at the wake was have it teeming in photos...I realized as Carole helped me go through photos that I came by my camera and photo obsession honestly ;) Anyway when you walked in there was a frame my Aunt had put together for us. And behind that table was an organ that we rested 1 of 2 photo boards on (those french memo boards?) and when you walked up I had taken 3 old windows and put the photos behind it in a collage (I'll take pics..I promise) and it was a glimpse into his life through all his years..from childhood through to the end. On the end tables around the room we had photos in frames..the ONLY photo I have of Dad with AnnaGrace was in one of these. And then his coast guard photo on his coffin with a framed photo of the last time we as a family stood in a picture- at Dave's wedding. It was beautiful..especially since it was a closed casket.

I wasn't prepared for how much his death would sap me of my energy..I still find myself crying throughout the day and have little to NO patience for people in petty fights with their parents...part of me wants to scream how senseless it is and to embrace those you hold dear.

I also thought today how interesting it is that we spend our whole lives waiting to be old enough to be on our own...and have little tantrums if our parents even *dare* to tell us how to live our lives but at some point we sit there in judgement of them. Who are we to say that how our parents choose to live - be it gambling, smoking, love life and so on when we don't allow them that same courtesy. We spend our teen years striving for the very independence we want to strip our parents of later in life.

I realize now how futile it was to ask my father to please stop smoking...he already had terminal lung cancer and hid that from all of us for TWO years. To beg him to come home...I wasted a PRECIOUS year not listening to the signs and fighting with a man already in a fight for his life. I think now and it's all so stinking clear ya know? I could have had a good few years with my father--instead I wasted it all on bitching and moaning...being sanctimonious...and to what end? My father is still dead and I feel I squandered that time we could have had. It's so easy to sit and say..I should have gone to visit more and call more and support him more. And yet in the end he knew that I would be there for him. I fought for over two months to get him home and to help manage his care. When his dementia made him so far gone he always remembered my phone number and me and turned to me. So I have that comfort at least.

If you still have your parents around...please I beg do not squander this time...no matter what our parents' life choices they still brought us into this world and irregardless of our feelings deserve our love and respect. Daddy....I'll miss you and know that I love you..I'm glad that you were able to be here for Dave's wedding and we got to spend time together before you passed away. I hope you will be watching out for me and our family from Heaven.

Love forever,
Felicia

I've been tagged

Thanks Laura...remind me again NOT to read your blog ;) Ok so to answer quickly:

the 7 songs I am listening to recently:

1. how to save a life- the fray
2. Bad Day- daniel something
3. London Bridge- fergie
4. My Humps- Black eyed peas
5. Hollaback Girl- Gwen Stefani
6. everyday - dave matthews band
7. avril lavenge (spelled probably totally wrong...but I love her stuff)

YUM-o and other ramblings

EVOO- who knew? I've been watching Rachael Ray now on daytime and I've never watched her before..but man we just had a condensed version of her Ravioli Lasagna and YUM-o it was delish....I can't wait for Kev to try it!!!!!

I am going to be ordering her books now..love the 30 min dinner ideas..so up my alley!

What have we been up to? An impromptu visit to Herrin to visit my dad who was doing poorly..he's still in the hospital...I took all of his bills...visited his house and got him set up to come here for rehab (hopefully)...I left him in the VA there - confused and dazed and hopefully will have him near us soon..it's SO frustrating to deal with a loved one's medical care from hours away :(

I did manage to scrap ONE page while I was there...am I in a giving mood to SNEAK peek an upcoming kit? Hmmm....

My type A Personality

LOL

You Have A Type A- Personality

You are one of the most balanced people around Motivated and focused, you are good at getting what you want You rule at success, but success doesn't rule you. When it's playtime, you really know how to kick back Whether it's hanging out with friends or doing something you love! You live life to the fullest - encorporating the best of both worlds

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Yep it's true...AG got 7 inches cut off her beautiful head. Why? Am I nuts? I am of course nuts..that goes without saying...BUT my baby kept scratching herself - in sleep, during the day and if her nails were even a little long she'd scratch it raw...when I figured it out her back was a series of little jabs and nail marks and all red and bloody. So what's a Mom to do? I took her in finally and asked them to cut it to her shoulders. Now I did almost cry! And Katie DID cry but what can you do? She loves it shorter and still scratches her back like a cat on the carpet, bed, etc when she's getting changed but I'm hoping in time she's not doing it in her sleep anymore.

Just to be safe I switched out all of our detergents at home too and the only thing left to take out of the mix is our OxyClean which I adore...so we'll see if it works with Tide Free first!

In other news...my life.....a mess...I'm somehow the liasion for my Dad during this latest health crisis..except he's not doing well at all. He's in a nursing/rehab facility right now but is currently not making ANY sense and is kind of out of his mind and he's constantly thinking things are happening that aren't and consequently is getting up and ripping out his wound vac (he had to have a toe amputated due to a staph infection- complications from diabetes)....and then FALLING..thankfully he's only ripped open skin at this point..but my gosh!

Anyway I never realized how hard it is to manage someone's healthcare with no advance directives..with only a POA document he signed upon going into the hospital 2 mos ago and that I still haven't seen...and being 6 HOURS away (12 hours round trip)...we are making another trip out to his place this weekend to deal with all of this..and I might have to retain an attorney now. I'm so annoyed. He hasn't payed any bills (i'll be doing that) and all this other stuff.

My brothers have been as helpful as they can be...but when dad's lucid he demands I handle it all..not them. Annoys me to death too.

Anyway if I am not around that is why. It sucks up every minute it seems...I'm either on the phone...or getting called or emailing my family updates...scary when you have to say update #2 and list a date. *meaning multiple updates throughout the day*

And this past weekend Kev's company rented out Six Flags...it turned out to be a beautiful day for going...the kids all got to ride on rides..AG went on her first roller coaster- the kiddie one and hated it...pretty funny considering she only wanted to ride the batman adult one :) But she loves rides....and kept saying that was most awesome or GUACAMOLE (short for Holy Guacamole!)

She also was too funny at Scarf and Barf after (Steak and Shake LOL)- she asked her daddy for some Uglin Rings...(onion rings- she calls onions UGlins) and he said I thought you didn't like Uglin's...and she told him..Daddy (patiently like explaining it to the simple minded LOL)- I don't like Uglins but I like uglin rings...makes perfect sense to me!

Katie went on big roller coasters....I refused to let her go on Superman and Viper and a few others but she did the Eagle, Whizzer and some Cajun one. Fun..she's a thrill seeker..must get that from her Uncle Tom. I went on more rides than I ever have and my neck hurts to prove it but I hate coasters!

Mikey is just like me..nothing too spinny or roller coasters and the poor guy was too TALL for the kid rides so he was bummed out.

Here ya go with some photos! :)
Doesn't even seem too short now does it? But it is! :) Ok I had two more to show ya but you'll have to see em scrapped..stupid blog....I'm about to switch to a PAID one if this keeps up....
Anyway the one was of anna putting her hand in front of my camera telling me NO more pictures LOL and the other was a group shot of the kidlets :)

One more

sorry gotta share it..my fave layout lately..but also one other for the girls..they'll know who they are.....but this is what scrapbooking is and how it works withOUT photos on a page also :) Ok so this is it..my work...the bliss layout is one I did for my brother and his new wife....I can't wait to help them get it together actually! :)



Enjoy.....if I do this gift album I'd do it as below...not to be confused with the quilt project :) Thanks!

Death to Smoochy

or death by layouts ;) I have a few more I want to share...not sure which ones to start with. And this blog is acting tempermental. Kev got a new toy..that's one layout I need to share and lucky you- it just HAPPENS to be a sneak peek of an upcoming kit! And then one on our trip to the apple orchard..fun time...it really was a wonderful day..and then a layout of Katie that I fussy cut again and my new favorite layout :) Hmm I'll do them in bits and pieces maybe :)

Depending on how much y'all nag me!

Hmm do I share more than one here? Do I huh, huh? Do I sound like Bonni? Do I ? LOL it's the curls..we can't help how we are you know!

Ok maybe ONE more for now..which one..decisions, decisions.... ok so this is the one I meant..with more fussy cutting...it also shows you that colors are not just boy/girl ones..this paper just screamed to me to be put with this photo..probably cause her jacket is beige ;) So my night tonight...well it's GREY's anatomy and I stupidly scheduled us to work. Duh! :) But we'll muddle through and I've tivo'd it...I love my PVR (for us Dish network ppl) what did I do with the tv before I could pause it? LOVE it! We've been swamped in preorders arriving all the time..I can't wait til we can catch our breath a little....and we totally rearrange the store..I mean moved tons of stuff and everything's a jumble these days..can't wait to get some more organization done down there! Ok that's it for now..will sign on again in a few days with more sneaks :)

Wanna a sneak?

Hmm should I? It's a blackmail pic of my eldest :) But it's so dang cute..poor kid..ok I will...it's an upcoming novie kit :) Loving it! isn't she stinking cute? I'm a lucky mom! :)

Be Original

That's all I'm saying...a recent layout I did that totally rocks..I can say that since it took me HOURS to cut all of it..thanks JESS :) So that's fussy cutting! And believe me I got pretty dang fussy with it. Where I have been? Well it's been an eventful month so I will try and summarize :)

Around 8/20 my dad entered the VA hospital system in a different state....what a horrid experience...he's doing much better and the great news is that today they are transporting him BACK to the VA hospital near his house in Marion, IL. I've had nothing but calls to make the whole time he was there....his belongings got stolen (cell phone, clothes, checkbook, wallet, etc) and I've been arguing with them up to today to try and get it resolved. They think I am going away..no one bothered to tell them tenacious is my middle name! :) So then Kev went to Vegas..and what happens in Vegas so does NOT stay in Vegas...cause if it did he'd not have brought back his stomach flu last week..this 1 week after the last flu he gave me (notice a trend? I do! ;) Anyway he came home on a friday after a week away and I honestly thought we'd have a romantic evening. Let me preface this by saying..three kids...so getting them all in bed was trying to get my planets aligned correctly and Pluto not being a planet anymore....it took some doing.

So set scene: Kids in bed..me getting a nice apple dessert together (folks mind out of the gutter..it was apple crisp..not a code word ) ....and then I get "the" call....he's sick and oh btw..he's spewed all over his car...um ok..he said he did not want me touching it..to just leave stuff out on the porch. Which I did and had a little pity party for the fact that I'd not be getting anything but vomit...maybe even shedding a few tears ;) And then I pulled myself up by my bootstraps (not those kinds of boots..geez Bonni..knock it off...figuratively speaking) and put a jacket on over my sexy lingerie (yes this time it's the real mcCoy) and cleaned his car. Ugh. And double ugh. In vents, down steering column. Anyway. About 1 1/2 days later..guess who gets it. That's the thanks I get. I begged him next trip to please leave all souvenirs there ;)

I managed to steal Anita's mojo (scrapping) that is and now I've done a few good layouts..i'll upload them here and there

More from me in a bit!

How we've spent our fall time so far...

school's been back for one week...we managed to take them out of school last tues to go hear Uncle Tommy play on navy pier...isn't Tom's girl Nic a beauty? She's a doll too in personality! We all love Aunt Cole :)

anyway it was dreary and cold and rainy but me, mom, riss and the kids braved the rain to meet up w/Tom, Nic and Dave's wife Vicky there...it was good to see her..she looked great too....but I think by then it was raining harder and I put the camera away...but my brother's camera has lots of pics of all of us because the kids took over the camera :) That's always scary...Vicky and I were laughing about them shooting our nose hairs...:)

Tom played a great 2 sets and then we headed back to our little town an hour away..thank goodness Mom drove as I was beat....this weekend we headed to Herrin, Il where my dad lives to pretty much scrub his house clean. :( He's in the VA hospital with some serious medical issues (what else is new) and we tried to convince him to sell the house and move back up by us. The 6 hour drive (one way) is killing all of us..but I don't think we made any headway :(

That's about it here..I have to head to the grocery store possibly or at least out to lunch...and then I hope to come back and scrap this afternoon...I owe Laura pages for Dennis's album but I really want to scrap something personally for me too...sigh Nothing like guilt.....hopefully I can accomplish both!

The last time I scrapped it wasn't my own pics. :) Ok that is it for me...headcing out here soon!
isn't this one just screaming for a layout? LOL I had just said no pizza...mean mommy- of course nice nana caved! 2 times I might add!

You know it's bad/Lia Sophia/and Katie's first dance!

when they make you do word verification when you click on image and give me some bs about how I might be hijacking this blog ROFLMBO Oh man..maybe I should quit..nah......

So Mom is selling Lia Sophia jewelry...if you'd like to do a party of her please email her or me....she's at siggy2@sbcglobal.net She loves what she does and I love the jewelry. I just did a show for her and earned $300 worth of jewelry..and you can do a book party too!

And the last thing..Katie had her FIRST boy/girl dance for the whole middle school 2 days after she started...I was hyperventilating as was another mom..we sent them off together..with strict rules and another mom there watching them ;) And of course SHE loved it...me- not so much. Not looking forward to the next few years!

so it worked finally

and I wasn't gonna be picky kwim? So no zoo pic...look for it online on a layout some time :) This is K's first day of MIDDLE school...wah wah sob sob..I mean it was as hard sending her as it was to kindergarten the first time...why is that???????! Also the bus arrives here at 6:41 am...you've gotta be KIDDING me..that's gonna make for a fun year right? She already missed it one day when the bus driver decided to come earlier and just start the route....I had quite a few choice words for them when I called them :)
Mikey..my middle guy...Grubtart all cleaned up..he looked so HANDsome his first day...you'll notice in layouts he had two different shirts on...he had to change because his breakfast was WIPED onto his shirt...grr....it was also hard to let him go..the little guy at the bus stop without his big sister to watch out for him... I worry about him constantly.
And little tootsie here...this was after I told her she wasn't going to school this year..her response after this..."duh Mo-om I am TOO going to school this year...WITH Mikey". Poor thing...she's not even going to preschool because she refuses to enter a class without me or apparently Mikey now. She's handling the adjustment well I think...thank goodness! ;)

Apparently I am sucking up

all the server power with my photo uploading because now it's acting wonky again..here's the zoo pic and some others...if it works I'll come back in and edit what y'all are looking at! :)

Playgroup fun

We are finally getting our act together to actually be at a playgroup..we belong to two groups now for parents who adopted internationally...and we've made it to all of one playgroup outing..our Chinese New Year's Party in Feb I think? That's a bad, bad track record right?

Well I found a unique way to make sure you attend at least one more outing- HOST it ;) Here you can see Anna being oh-so-sweet to push one of her little friends on a swing....what you do NOT see is that for some reason Anna dislikes the younger kids and babies and walks around being mean to this innocent angel. Yep my kid a bully..great...she got a timeout at playgroup. I am so glad we aren't adopting again..how to explain that the baby that you are terrified of is now your sister? LOL She's literally terrified of our neighbor's baby.....what is the deal ? She's also afraid of trees and bushes...our future trip to the aboretum should be a blast

Seriously we had a ton of kids here and after the house looked like toys threw up all over but it was FUN...I can't wait til our next outing!

Oh and we took the kids to the zoo...we have a membership....it's great fun! We are going to renew too...but here they are with Katie's best friend after jumping onto the polar bear :)

Sick of me yet?

now we get to Tall Ship Festival and the fountains of Navy Pier...I've scrapped a few of these..will have to share a latest layout or two also huh? I'm a little behind. I've done my layouts for the 3 scrappers, 3 ways of Freakie's..but I'm not allowed to share those...I've also done the auction layout that Joan won but alas I haven't scanned that one yet.

And may I say I surprised myself..because she sent me dreaded WINTER pics...the pics themselves..adorable but I am not a winter girl. So therefore I jumped out of my comfort zone to do them.

Ok, ok the Tall Ship Festival..find August to read about it..sorry I'm not retyping..just sharing photos of it!

Some of my faves if you will!

This little cutie

almost got Kev to say he wanted to adopt again...but we are pretty much on the no track again. I keep waffling too. SIGH...the timing is all wrong right now..but I'd love to go back.

This is our friends' new adorable baby! :) Her big sister is from AnnaGrace's town..and we all adopted together there.....made for a nice reunion. You can see the three girls below :) The big sister also shares AnnaG's bday and wore AnnaG's baptism gown at her baptism....which was from China...following all that?

Anyway we hosted and had one big family stay with us..it was a riot..and amazingly calm considering the parents were outnumbered by kids two to 1 :)

We took them to Riverwalk near us...it was nice to walk around..I'd like to do that again when we have time to visit the fountains, etc

We can't wait to see how everyone's grown in a year or so!

More CHA stuff

Hey I am behind...this dumb blog was broken forEVER! Here are some more. I particularly love Linda fondling MY personal scrap stuff LOL

For the first time ever I brought Katie with me....she was a wildwoman doing make and takes with Mom for the first day..by day 2 she was WORN out and bored. :) She hung out with Jess (I think her personal idol!) and had a great time though overall.

The Chatterbox Guys were so jealous that we kept taking pics w/the My Mind's Eye Guys..so we had to share the love :) Even Jess got out from BEHIND the camera on that one...

I think we even broke Linda of thinking how much fun it was!


I love the picture of the DT...I must have been working on that first order with Janet at Am Crafts at the time. It's amazing how stressed I am and it's only the first booth. Of course the bagpipe playing dudes walking through scared the beejesus out of me as did my mom after she picked up her motorized cart..she came whipping around the corner on TWO wheels....Lance was having a laughing fit over the site of her yelling..outta my way ;)

Overall a fun time...I was with a HUGE entourage so I didn't get to spend as much time with any of them that'd I have liked to. CHA is a horrid busy time for me with placing orders and such but at least there is plenty to see and do to amuse yourselves...right? I hope? LOL

Kung Fu Grip

yep it's the man who caused us to have a giggle fest at 2am during CHA....what can I say..we are easily amused, no?

:) HOLY cannoli it worked..I get images again..consider this a warning..it's gonna be a photo fest for a while now ;)

well it's official

no matter what I do I can't get the *(&%&% image uploaded..something is odd in Denmark...so you get me in all my glory writing. BORING ;) Bonni said she couldn't believe I updated....HA she never does her blog.....

I cleaned my scrap desk this past week...got a big ol box to donate and labeled everything. Did that stop me from loading up on new stuff? Heck NO...I've got Basic Grey, Cosmo Cricket and Heidi Swapp filling my drawers..it's all so pretty. Anna has her own drawer now and loves to "scrap" with me. She told Jess- scrapping makes me happy.... LMBO The kid has got it honestly at least!

She's SO funny lately. I mean just so much fun to be around. Knock on wood she's in her own room after I lay down with her at night and mainly sleeping mostly through...the sleep for ME is amazing. I'm much nicer to be around! ;)

Ok this blows..come on admit it..no photos...man I am steamed....and I don't know how to fix it....I'm hitting the dumb image button..but nothing! Nada, zip...Kev won't look at it I bet...hmm

Has it been that? long????!

I mean long enough that your friends and family email you and tell you- um update the blog dangit LOL I've been busy ok? I mean truly busy....July was jam packed with one thing or another! Then we caught our breath in August and I swear it's almost over!!!!!

I'll try and upload some photos of the things we've been doing. Just wrote this whole thing about adopting and decided to erase it...when I have something to say I'll say it enough said!

Ok so what have we been up to? Well Kev's mom got out of the nursing home- YAY to her..months ahead of schedule and she's walking with a walker! So we saw them in the beginning of August..and then we went to the Tall Ship Festival..what a wonderful day. I'd advise skipping eating on Navy Pier- rip off city....but the festival was so nice...and then the kids literally played for 3 hours in a fountain in a free park right in front of Navy Pier..they loved it!!!!!
Ok so I am remembering why I didn't update..I was doing this before and the dang thing would not load my images! So it's happening again..will try one more time!!!!!
Hmm still not working..not sure what I am doing wrong....one more chance and then forgetaboutit!

a HA the wedding pics

of course part of my week...here's just a glimpse:

1. The laser printer breaking when I had 50 boxes to label that HAD to ship
2. Me throwing a hissy fit at said printer and getting paper jammed.
3. Me grabbing a pen and getting it all exploded on my hands...
4. Me grabbing my head with said hands and getting it on my face- ink that is.
5. Losing my whole long post on the wedding for my blog....ARGH
6. Riss going nutso and saying she wanted to move into her own place- she can't even remember where she put something and thinks she can live alone
7. Riss trying to quit babysitting for me and yet still wanting me to pay. Um what?
8. Fixing scanner -who knew that restoring the settings after not having it scan right for months would work.

Needless to say that's why I've been so absent....that and CHA...so the wedding was so NICE. :) I got over the fact that the coordinator was SO rude to me - and luckily for her I didn't just step out of the aisle on her runner but had to WALK on it all the way down the aisle to the crying 3 yr old to get her up the aisle for the wedding. :) I apologize now to my brother and Vicky for my butt being on their video. But i did warn the videographer that I'd have to go and do it...I just KNEW.

Anna looked adorable..the kids looked great...Mikey danced the night away. What a guy..he won over quite a few ladies hearts there.

I had fun dancing my legs off..too bad we had one family member pick a fight with his mom in front of everyone....ppl just don't know how to behave. The band was awesome...and I can't wait to see the professional pics....I have a few I'll share but not today..everyone is in the pool waiting for me and the damn alarm clock that Anna set and woke me up with this am is ringing like crazy. it's this huge number from limited too that katie's friend got her for her bday. it sucks if you ask me ;) It's loud and like a fire alarm. UGH

Peace and out...one pic for ya Ok two or three :) I love them all and you'll see some on recent layouts too.......
forget it..twice now I've uploaded two things and it's disappeared....so I'll do more later!

Having quite the week

it's been a doozy...let's hope this weekend is better...we have kev's college reunion for his friends..they do this yearly so it'll be nice to catch up with everyone and it's at a house only minutes from here so that is nice too. :) But it's gonna be 90 something and I will be crabbing i am sure! So I have lots of layouts to sneak...here's one or two with an upcoming August kit...it took forever and lots of blood, sweat and tears with the company but they finally came through with the papers! I hope you enjoy these sneak peeks...it's always fun to give them to you. I got these two layouts done today lickedty split too...using a Kim sketch and a Monica sketch..luv you both..thanks for the continued inspiration. :) I scrapped 2 layouts yesterday too..felt good...since I've been so wrapped up in CHA ordering. SIGH Here's hoping next week is better. I have half my dt coming in to stay with me..should be interesting...should I warn them that Kev's bark is worse than his bite :wink:

More sneaks from me in a bit. The next two if you are REAL nice are very NEW kits..Sept ones...whoo hoo! Even the DT hasn't seen these yet!

Weekly Blog Challenge #2-

Have your kids describe you in 5 words:

Mikey:
1. Nice
2. Funny
3. Cool
4. hardworking
5. giving

Katie:
1. Creative
2. Smart
3. Beautiful
4. Kind Hearted
5. joyful

AnnaGrace:
1. cheetah
2. mommy
3. (when asked if I am pretty she says no I am ugly - oh boy)
4. nice
5. good

OMGoodness is that funny or what? They came up with some real good ones...I disagree with the UGLY and CHEETAH though ok?????

And on my kids:
What *I* Say about them:

Mikey:
1. Smart
2. Handsome
3. Good hearted
4. Polite
5. hysterically funny

Katie:
1. Poised
2. Beautiful
3. Good hearted
4. Polite
5. super smart

AnnaGrace
1. A pistol
2. Beautiful
3. Funny
4. Polite
5. Hellraiser

Kevin:
1. Funny
2. Very, very smart
3. Sexy and handsome
4. Hard working
5. Good hearted
6. Kills bugs
7. Shops for me
8. tall and handsome
9. Bluest eyes I've ever seen (next to my brothers)
10. Kissed by angels (tons of freckles that I love)
11. The best bald head in the world...and the cutest mustache
12...ok so the list for him can go on and on..... :)

Blog Challenge Fab FIVE

Our first week it's to list 5 things we like about ourselves...sigh I HATE thinking about me...goes against my grain ya know? But I will try...the cool part is that we are to take our list and do a layout or two based on it..either the whole list or a section of it. Should spark my creativity!

1. My generosity
2. my hair (Yes I've finally made peace with it!)
3. that I am always willing to lend a hand
4. the love I have for my family
5. My honesty

There ya have it..only sort of like pulling teeth :)

Blog challenge #5- What Crayon Color Would I Be?

If I was a crayon what color would I be? Wow..only one color? I could be red: Fiery, fierce and bright. Or even Blue- calming, cool and happy, or Yellow- bright and sunshiny. And even some days gray- dark and tired. I guess in all honesty I am ALL colors - a rainbow....64 pack of crayons- sharp with new points on them (I'm picky about my crayons ;) I can be all colors.....for different reasons on different days ;)

Challenge #4 - Going Cheap, Slightly Damaged

For sale: A 33yr old "well-rounded" woman. Likes to get her sleep, needs help in the store usually....she's fiesty and fiery and fun loving. She comes with four dependants and only wants serious inquiries for people willing to help support those other dependants. In other words no more dependants :) She's loyal and honest and hard working....fairly messy but the cleaning people come with her. A great cook and a fierce friend....and attentive wife. No returns ;)

sneakie peekie?

ok so I said I'd give ya one right? Here's one upcoming kit that I love!!!! It's called Funk and Spunk..love this paper ...love our upcoming SDJ...I just LOVE kits..ScrapADDICT.com kits that is ;)

I might have another one or two lurking about..but not now ;)

Hotter than Hades

That about sums up our trip to AZ. You know Kev has been kidding me that I am bad mojo to these places we visit. We went to FL two years in a row and both years hurricanes hit the places we stayed at and were to stay at...demolishing the one. (think ground zero) :( Last year was the Ft Myers one where we couldn't go due to hurricane damage.

And this year I picked AZ..I know that the month wasn't ideal..although we had hoped it wouldn't be too hot yet (ha..it was the highest it's been - unseasonably warmer than what it usually is) but figured it would be good to see it. Kev has been hankering to have his retirement state picked out and I nixed Florida. I've got news for him...AZ isn't on my shortlist either LOL

Anyway we go...we had a hard time of it trying to find a hotel with not a lot of notice for our trip in..esp in the mtns where hello everyone in az goes to cool off..but we muddled through. Saw the Grand Canyon and that was INSPIRED because we went in the early am..man was that line to get IN long when we left.

Ok so it's a natural wonder. yadda yadda...but frankly I hate heights and get sick and sure enough I was nauseous for the long 4 hour drive back to Phoenix. Seriously sick. I got some nice photos I think. I digress...the reality was we passed Sedona on our way down and decided to skip it for Thurs...um by then the Brins Fires were out of control and seemed to have started the day we passed the town. SIGH So now I get ribbed that I started the fires LOL My Mojo does not appear to be good...bad enough that family has asked me to skip their particular areas for vacationing

What else we did in AZ? After going with the flow and NOT exiting the condo during the daytime...we shopped, went to a water playground and swam- a lot and scrapped of course. 20 layouts done is not bad..I had wanted 30 but the dang time change really screwed me up!

What a HOLE...that is what Kev told the kids to say when we got there. A little funny.....there is this awesome stone tower you can go up and see better from there right? Well I stay on the ground level with Anna and I see ppl all over going up there and also ppl going around the guardrail for better photos- are you NUTS???! Anyway I look up and see this kid hanging from the top (my camera was up w/Kev) and I am thinking..what idiotic parent *allowed* their kid to hang over the side like that...I look again and you can hear me yell..Michael Edward Anthony...it was MY idiot son. With my dh no where near him. I laughed so hard after scolding him to not do that again. Just a clear reason why Kev should NOT watch the kids ;)

We had no internet access..it was going to be $10 a day. Ouch so we skipped that. And then the pool bar and grill? Closed by 5pm each day..not cool when we made it there by 6pm..just little things that didn't endear me to this location. I loved Prescott and also Old Scottsdale.....I'd live in either one of those..but Phoenix was not that good.

Cheap Entertainment

It's amazing how this one little toy - in perfect condition from a garage sale can become a beloved toy in literally 2 min :) But it's true..total cost? $8 and I didn't even buy it - Nana did.
She loves this thing...and it even reminds her to put back the toys when she forgets....put your lipstick where you got it...it talks and the lights light up too. Ah Bliss. I've been a bad blogger again but in my defense I was dealing with vendor issues and separating Prima flowers- hello go plastic please..because the glass is breaking every which way. And then doing subscription. Why so much work? We leave for Arizona tomorrow at 4am. 3 days of driving (24 hours total) and then we get to relax in 115 degree heat and return home a week later :) I'm angling for CABO WABO baby - I might have Kev convinced but he insists on us alone. I really want our kiddies to go too. We'll see who wins out. Katie also had her bday party. Omgoodness....7 girls make a LOT of noise...they stayed up til 4am and were wiped the next day. Mom still made her come down and work in the office (mean mom!). I'll include a shot of her too before I leave!




I can't believe how grown up she looks..everyone says she does not look 11...I am in BIG trouble..look for this and lots of other photos to be scrapped SOON. I love how long her hair is getting btw..I'm so gladI am making her grow it out. She loves having me use the flat iron on it..looks cute..time to put her back into carter's clothes and make her look younger!

Stay out of trouble while I am gone ;) As for Splurges..our #3 blog challenge here : http://www.scrapaddict.com/forum I have to say I get pedicures and my hair colored. I did have a massge for the first time ever in Nashville and could easily be addicted. But my hair being colored is a splurge..so are new bras for the first time in a long time being in the RIGHT size..highly recommend getting fitted. Mine were done at Lane Bryant and my girls are up high again and proud. Love it! Go out and splurge for yourself too.....makes you a happier wife, mother and friend, daughter, etc.

I'll miss you all....any bets on how many layouts I get done? I hope a lot!

3 Obscure facts about me- Blog Challenge #2

Ok folks..check in at http://www.scrapaddict.com/forum so you can visit our Gotta Chat forum and join in the fun ok?

This week's challenge: 3 Obscure facts about me....

Not sure so I'll do a free association list of me:

1. I used to bite my nails
2. I worry about everything
3. I scratch my head when I am nervous
4. I was a HS state soloist and placed 2nd division in the IHSA competition using an Italian opera song
5. I was heavily involved in musical theater in high school
6. I finally got a good nickname at the age of 3o-something- FEE - thanks to my nashville sisters for it.
7. My nickname was Fish in HS..I hated it.
8. I'm the oldest of three and the only girl
9. I am an over achiever and highly competitive

Hope that works! Thanks for reading!

Sneak Peek, Arizona, In Laws

Where to start...a lot of you know that my MIL fell over Memorial Day weekend (also Katie's bday)....and broke her hip. We rushed up north (3 hours one way) to be there for her emergency hip surgery and and were there and back...me personally going up on Sun, back on sun alone, back on Mon with kids and Mom in tow and then back again that night and back up again 1 day later with Kev for the week...I'm exhausted still thinking about it.

We were able to get meals made and frozen (when I say we I mean ME) for him for when she's home (he's eating at the nursing home with her now)..and she was able to get a partial hip replacement...it was harrowing because the meds made her SO groggy so they were worried about another stroke. They did say she had suffered a heart attack a few months back too.

She's in a nursing home/rehab place now until she can walk and get around. We are very appreciative of those who have been keeping us in their thoughts and prayers. It's meant the world to us.

We leave in a week or slightly less now for AZ...it's gonna be great to relax and see D again...she's one of my nashville sisters. Her daughter was also adopted and is a cutie pie..it'll be nice to get the girls together. :) Expect lots of photos - you know me! Oh speaking of photos..Miss Jess is flying in for CHA along with half my DT and I've already roped her into taking family pics of my kids and me and Kev...so fingers crossed we have some good shots..I'd love to get one to frame on my wall....Please from my mouth to God's ears..esp with these four jokesters!

Let's try the sneak peek again..I'm about to give up girls! Yay it worked...and this kit is my fave for now...I love Ginger's stuff :) And this kit is coming up in a month..YUM

Who said three is easier?

You know it dawns on me that it can also apply to the number of children I have and not just Anna's age....but I digress..which I tend to do a lot also. Besides I consider Kev a kid too so I technically have four and he's my biggest baby :)

This is one recent layout I did..I'll include another at the end as a MAJOR sneak peek if you gals are nice to me ok? I appreciate people reading my blog and I've heard from some family and friends who say they read it to keep up to date on everyone..so this will be a catch up one of sorts...yes the baby is making me nuts..she's teething and it appears that she teeths for a year for each darn tooth..it takes FORever to come in and she's a raving beast while it happens..so based on that you are correct..she's never agreeable. :) But I love her anyway. She's settling down now hopefully after no nap either. Three has been hard..she's VERY vocal btw...but a stinker too...very smart..never, ever a good combination!

A few recent Annaisms: She wanted into the bathroom where Daddy was um going...and why he thinks HE can go with the door locked is beyond me..I haven't had a bathroom experience withOUT kids since 1993! SO he refuses to open the door and Anna looks at the lock...goes to the pantry with a chair..gets a box of spaghetti out and brings a noodle to the door and pops the lock and proudly tells daddy she broke in on him. LOL He was laughing SO hard. The little imp!

She also was singing for Daddy tonight and the "guys" (k and m)...this is always bad as she sings fine...and perfectly on key...head, shoulders, knees and toes and they are all laughing and encouraging her and somewhere it goes south..to the boobies to be exact! So it becomes head, shoulders, boobies, toes. She gets a laugh and does it over and over ad nauseum. She's really into us and the family now..she likes to wake up every night and says...we are a flamily mommy- snuggle me..aww heart wrenching and yet so dang annoying to be up at 2am each night...her wall drawings have ebbed (please oh please let this stay true)....and she's talking about her painting class in a month "without you right mommy? You wait outside? I go by myself....I'm a big girl?" All said as questions ..we'll see...

Mikey- will turn officially 8 on our vacation to AZ - he's going under the water...taught himself with Katie's help a few days ago and is swimming like a fish now. He did really good in school and is getting so big!

Katie...got the excellence award from the school and the president of the US...for having a 3.5 grade pt average since grade 3....(or above..she's actually straight a's) and also for being in the 85% tile or higher on her terra nova tests...she's 11 now and boy oh boy do I feel old. :) She's still doing well in piano and swimming like a fish also.

Kevin....hey I said he was my biggest baby :wink: He's still at the same place and he also loves the pool.....he is also working out more this year :)

Me..hanging in there :)

Ok the sneak peek now!ok it's not working..maybe later BWHAHAHA

About Me Blog Challenge #1

So they are doing a blog challenge on MY boards..hello..I'm a little slow..figured my blog was neglected so I would catch up and do this! Plus I have some cute layouts to share :)

favorite color: blues and yellows..bright colors

word I most liked to be described as: thoughtful and caring I guess....generous..

best meal I cook: my lasagna is what made Kev fall in love with me..I love to cook so I hope I do things well..mozzarella chicken

favorite dessert: love chocolate cake

favorite book: to kill a mockingbird..for humor the janet evanovich series..one for the money, etcI have TONS of faves though....huge reader!

favorite outfit: used to be my sweats and tee shirt but then Lucy had to go and get me purdy'd up :) So now my peasant tops and jeans with a little jean jacket over it (but I am holding those CROCS)- remind me..they need an entry of their own :)

usually in bed by: 9pm as I lay down with Anna :) Since she gets up at 5am-6am it evens out right?

favorite sounds: rain, music

I wish: anna would go to sleep and sleep through the night each night!

What I crave: sweets right now :)

Surround me with: I'd always say family but ANNA is making me nuts lately....she's playing pixel chix and it's not enough it's loud she's yelling to it over it. So surround me with quiet and sleeping children :) and lots of chocolate ;)