4.19.2006

how much is that doggy in the....

don't ask...I am so, so annoyed....mind you the big sister was to be
watching little Miss THANG while I was working in the office...right around the corner from her.
I turned around and I swear big sis was gone for 1 second...and I heard big brother go - uh oh...she drew with crayon on your wall. We've been having issues lately...any ideas on how to stop it?? Anyway when I looked it was a perfectly drawn dog of all things...I mean better than the other two could draw....so now dilemma....mad because she used my WALL or freak out because she has serious talent? It beats the scribbling she's done on walls, doors and dressers.....after this she drew a fish and grass on my bedroom wall..and when I examined my mom's oil painting (one my mom painted btw) I noticed that the duck pond that A's so fond of had a new inhabitant...a large non-scale duck..but a freaking duck nonetheless. SIGH We erased that one off..but this - um found out the hard way that magic eraser does NOT work on builder's paint that is flat. :( Oh well my little artiste....

Little Brothers Rock!

I've neglected my little blog. Sniff sniff..but I am back with a few posts :) My brother Tom is so nice....I've been sick - with a sinus infection/fever/bronchitis for like 2 months...from Feb 12th...finally went back to the doctor a 2nd time and got more antibiotics. BUT I had Wicked tickets right? I had gotten them as a surprise for K's 11th bday...and sure 'nough I am sick as can be. I was so dizzy....and not feeling well.....

Anyway Tom volunteered to take her...of course they were like 4th row $80 tickets....but she had a great time withUncle T lavishing her with attention and we rescheduled our girls' night out to when I was feeling better. Thanks Tom...you're a peach.

And he'd shoot me if I didn't mention it..but if you are looking for property he's a real estate agent and is a good guy too...call him at 773-616-6488 ;) Public service announcement off!

4.05.2006

It's my party and I'll sleep if I want to



Yep she slept..I should have known and had her party at midnight when she's usually awake..she slept while the girls ran around screaming around her. We took few pics....I was SO tired and Mom didn't make it - but we visited her later that day.

Notice in our 2nd pic she has NO desire to be doing her candles and cake? Mikey and I blew out the candles..what a crabby gus. :) I'm very lucky that a good customer Scrapnsmile (Laura) is driving in from MI this weekend to help me pack kits. There might be a chance that I catch up after all ;) Tomorrow it's scrap day here..I'm not getting up til I scrap at least 2-3 pages :)
Wish me luck.




3.31.2006

My Baby is turning THREE

I can't believe it...she looks so cute in her new clothes and I got some awesome photos of the two who were here (K is out at a friends). She is getting so big....her phrases and everything and has a total understanding of things...it's like it clicked in her head finally and when you explain something she goes ok.

Yesterday we were outside after eating out and the kids were going to ride bikes...she said..I want to ride MY bike....and we said ok..and she goes Ok? and we say yes and she says; Don't worry I'll be careful - waving her hands like we were going to leave her out there. ROFL

Another cute one...The alarm goes off this am and I get to it to turn off and she goes Whew..that was close. :)

Here ya go..one photo from the shoot and the rest you'll have to see on layouts!

Future's So Bright



I've gotta wear my shades...it looks SO many different colors of yellow in different light- it's amazing..It's sure as heck NOT boring ;) And the fireplace wall has been primed a nice dark grey and will be going bold blue shortly. We want to do the entry in a burgundy red but that's a lot of work on real high ceilings.

Here ya go though!

She's too sexy for our boards

no way she's disco dancing ;)
Holy cannoli woman...yeah you are taking it off the boards never to be seen again right? HAHAHAHA

Doncha love technology? I figure it's payback for NOT getting your ticket to Chicago yet. So get on that would ya? My dear friend Anita here teases me that she is coming in to help out with "our" Mom and to visit and then nothing but net. SIGH

And then one day I open my boards to go read and see this image of Anita as her AVATAR and almost fall out of my seat. You totally suck girl you know that right? I mean that adorable face, those kissable lips and that come hither look? Who took this photo? If it was the little one- please bring her with ya ok? I need some pics. :) Dang straight hair of yours..you are too freaking hot for words. Smooches Love! :)

3.28.2006

mellow? yellow?

ok it's NOT mellow---think mustard but you know how when you get a wild hair? Well I got one and had to get the kitchen painted. Obscene with all the other stuff going on in my life....for those following- riss came through the surgery with flying colors...she was released on Monday and is now resting at home..those that sent cards- thanks so much she's so thrilled with each new one that arrives :)

No new photos of the kitchen..although it's relatively clean. I hired a cleaning lady last week and she starts tomorrow. I think I am totally in love with her. :) She's been working in this area (and lives near here) for over 10 years....and I got along with her great when she came out for a quote. Praise be...finally someone to help me out. You know how you get so sick of your OWN voice always nagging everyone to clean up while you do it all yourself? I figured it was time to get help!!!!

So that wild hair. I don't know what to start with...but I decided that the fireplace wall should be painted..at *least* that wall..figured it was easy...and that kitchen was daunting to me. So I picked red....and then taupe for the entry and dining room and um I forget the color now for the kitchen....some other color..thought about doing the kitchen red too and Kev freaked..man he wanted white..that was it. No creative vision in this man's head So ok I go and get paint and while I went to get it I saw a picture of wedgewood blue and some other color so I commit to the blue in the kitchen now- following me yet? LOL So I buy a quart of the blue and decide- I hated it. I know it's stupid right? I painted a wide swatch on the kitchen wall and part of the fireplace wall. I could never see it that color..so odd.

So Kev said let's go check out our Menards (I had gotten the stuff from Home Depot)...get to the place and decide on yellow LOL the rest is history. Now what colors look good with a bright mustard yellow? I got a different like caribbean blue for the fireplace wall and might do the whole family room that color to make it be more toned down :)

Anyway that is my whole day yesterday in a nutshell...whee

Tomorrow the house will be sparkling..I'll pack orders probably and scrap please? LOL I have to make all the to-go boxes for Anna's bday party on Sun and then get the treats in them. Plus I have to get the cake made (a flower cake) and hang the streamers, get balloons and hang the chinese lanterns :) oh yeah and make the sauce - we are having pot stickers and homemade pasta sauce, veggie tray and other goodies..might need to make more food..oh yeah a salad :)

3.19.2006

Spring Flop and I'm too sexy...



oops I mean festival....Mom will tell you- what a joke...it was um over $50 we'll never see again. LOL

I think I expected this show in a theater..unfortunately it was more like a dance recital of kids in chinese dance in a gym at the college..it was OVERsold and crowded and disorganized.

They had some games for the kids but we literally sat from 12noon until it started at 3pm and I didn't even last the whole time...and we were squished in like sardines.

Longest day of my life. And I am still not feeling 100% so I was wiped out after.

So I am back..and NO I didn't go password only but thought for a while that maybe I had locked myself out. :)

I tried this am to get a decent shot of the kids...give me a break...25 shots later...omg they were beasts....all in their nice clothes and acting like morons LOL

So what's been going on since I've been locked out? I did subscription and it took me about 3days with all the stopping from being exhausted ;)

I had quite the day last week and I was all set to write about it..but it seems so stupid now anyway -I did book my ticket to Nashville...a group of us who met when we were all adopting are getting together for a GIRLS ONLY weekend. It's amazing but I am flying alone and spending time away from the barnacle baby.

I realized after this past week that we are probably done having kids..lots of little things and a nice compliment from my brother Tom convinced me.....now if he'd just get himself married and him and Nic can have all the babies..I'm ready to spoil some nieces and nephews :) And with Dave getting married this summer- sigh...soon right? Someone will make me an aunt again.

Anna has her flower girl dress ordered..it's cute....with this tulle with flower petals in it..and when I asked if she was going to be in Uncle dave and aunt vicky's wedding she said- where's my princess dress...alas she hated it on and told me it scratched her....I can't wait to see what hysterical thing she does on the wedding day. She threw a 15 min tantrum when she realized that on Sat it wasn't uncle dave's wedding. :)

And yes I got my dress for Dave's wedding..it was getting more and more obvious that I had NOTHING fancy enough....it's a pretty formal wedding I think...at this nice hotel in downtown Chicago and well my um wardrobe runs to stains and sweats - so we went to Von Maur- that store ROCKS (think free alterations) and found a black silk beaded number. Fancy schmancy. :)

So I wrote that friday I went to the doctor? Or maybe I didn't..but i was so sick on friday that I sucked it up and went. Yep..3 weeks sick and finally went to my new doctor who is a doll...I love that man...of course he gave me antibiotics...so maybe that is where my love stems from? I have bronchitis and a nasty sinus infection- yeah yeah yeah the same crap Bonni had about a week or so ago..I was jealous what can I say? It's funny cause I gave her *such* crap when she was sick and didn't go in and then I wait 3 weeks..and have the same dang thing. LOL

I took Gram to the store this weekend and then to lunch..she's such a dollface..I wish you all could meet her..too funny and sweet...I showed her the layout with her in the big book from Joanns and she kept saying...would you look at that...doesn't that beat all...LOL I'm so glad they chose a layout with Gram....she's my doll :)

Ok So what do you get when you have three hams and no smiles? Dad...who sings behind me I'm too sexy for my body..which gets them giggling and we end up with this:

3.17.2006

where did my blog go?

ok so I ignore it for a few days and now it's telling me I am not authorized to view it...pretty sad state of affairs....

Oh well maybe it will return with this post? If not I am going to scream...well maybe not since my throat is sore still and I feel like crud.

3.04.2006

Children are overrated

Yep I said it....maybe it's cause it is winter still and cold and the kids are all cooped up but they are making me batty....

A thinks throwing a fit guarantees her whatever she wants.....M tells her no and they are like oil and water and K is mouthy. I need a vacation :) Doesn't help that I've been pulling 10 hour days for the business..what the heck. A hobby indeed ;)

We took them to the park today to get the heck outside for a while. Anna slept soundly when we returned. :) I'm ignoring the computer after today and heading to mom's to scrap and watch the OSCARS..it's tradition with us..we dish on all the dresses, etc :)

NO KIDS - repeat after me- NO Kids :) Even though she's mouthy at times she's a doll right? She's a huge help with Miss Nastypants too :) Poor kid...does a lot around here.....no excuse though LOL. Any not feeling very sage so I will just sign off for now. Filling preorders for Basic Grey and Chatterbox and American Crafts can do that to ya. If you haven't ordered that stuff do it soon as it's flying out the door here. Peace and OUT

2.23.2006

Held Hostage?


It's true Carolyn posted a comment that she's holding my blog hostage and if I post no ONE will get hurt! So here ya go ;) I listen when ordered around. I know I haven't updated in a big..I've been in a MOOD...man oh man. I have a moody - overemotional 10 yr old...who is obnoxious to be around and now the almost 3 yr old has been a beast..chicken pox for her and then the 7 yr old has been ok actually.

Don't read if you don't have time..fair warning it's gonna be long LOL So this past weekend I went to Mikey's Blue and Gold dinner...I wish I had brought more reading material..seriously - it's that long. But the food was good and Mikey was *so* proud to make both his bobcat and his wolf at the same meeting. He did NOT want to go up there though. I had to push him up there to get it. Then the rest of my weekend was subscription. Ah my least fave thing to do next to packing kits

But it's all done. YAY...then my week was spent at doctor's. People wonder why we help Riss with her healthcare...she's nuts...she fell over a toolbox at my mom's a week or so ago and never told anyone. She's limping around like an invalid and mom finally asked what was wrong. Her leg was freaking 3x the normal size and all shades of black and blue, etc..so off to the doc and hospital then on Monday from 2:30-9pm. Yep 9pm...

While there I can say without a doubt I had a Grey's Anatomy moment and while I'd love to be able to say it was an Alex- closet-sex moment it was more of the -code Yellow moment and what the hell is yellow? Is that like Black? The staff wasn't amused but I sure had a chuckle over it.

Hospitals are so much LESS glamorous than that show..seriously!

So on Tues I had to go to Riss's doc appt for her mass. It is a mass and is presenting like cancer :( The doc wants her in for surgery- she'll be in the hospital for 5 days and then we'll see when he's in there if he takes the kidney or just the mass. It's on the outside of the kidney so that's good. Not sure til the surgery on the 23rd of March if it's cancerous or not. Please keep her in your prayers.

Then on to the doctor for mom- this was a funny one- she'd probably kill me but do you know the amt of material at a behind doc? I mean seriously! I could NOT stop giggling. Did you know you can just drop trou and kneel on a table that moves up and down and angles for his viewing pleasure? OH MAN I am so eating her high fiber diet with her...no visits for me. He told her that in bolivia they are considered married now.

He came in saying mom looked familiar and I felt like saying...do you say that to all the butts you see? All holes look alike? See what I mean? I couldn't stop giggling. So at one pt I tell him that the poop is knee deep in here w/his compliments ;)

Poor mom...but if I had to suffer in there like that. Oh and a funny about the waiting room- it's jam packed...but they have 3 normal chairs and then this space age type thing.it's like a seat sling ok? And they are all attached together onto metal. I really should grab a photo of them. I took one look and grabbed one of the two chairs that were normal but this guy comes in and takes mom's chair. Being the good daughter that I am i go sit in the damn thing and would you know I almost fell...not very comfy and the guy behind me kept bouncing like mad. One new guy comes in not realizing the new age nature of this beast and falls into his chair and almost snaps my neck. Mom was laughing so hard.

So anyone like chicken? If I get enough requests I will go type by beloved Chicken/Broccoli casserole here..it's SO dang good...I mean you shred munster and then use a cream sauce and omg it's good :)

What else? I will tell you that 10 yr olds and mouths are overrated! What is it with them? It's all the end of the world and it's all a drama. I am so sick of arguing with her. Projects due at the last minute she forgot about because you know MO-OM I can remember and rarely write it in my assignment book...she forgot the papers today too. Am I bringing them to her? I doubt it. We'll see if she remembers she forgot it. :(

At any rate she better settle down soon or I am raffling her off..no returns on that one ok?

And finally my final thought- If you are bold enough to ask me how much my adoption costs and to say you are going to "get one of those" do not even presume to think I am going to want your jerkoff of a dh to COLD call me to sell crap for you. Um hello???

Yep so I get a call yesterday on my biz line....it's some guy and did I remember his wife from "happy nails" in dec..we talked about adoption. Takes me a minute or two but I did finally place the obnoxious woman. And it wasn't at happy nails idiot...it was a different name..but anyway I digress....this gal did say to me she wanted to get one of those..and meant my daughter. Unfortunately my mom came in after and when I was explaining to this gal I didn't have a card (yeah right) mom whips one out. It's all her fault ok?

So this guy goes on to snip at me - do you remember. I'm like yeah but we have lots of ppl who ask us about adopting- duh. So ok he asks if I am interesting in options and do I have 8-10 hours a week to devote to his streamline marketing..where they cut out the middle man by adding me the middle man to sell things to consumers from like best buy. I was dumbfounded and he heard silence so now he's like- HELLO are you there. I'm like YES i am listening. He says so let's get together for coffee and interview each other..I'm like HELL No. So I say I don't have an hour for myself let alone 8 a week and I am sorry. He's like incredulous and says we are talking 6 figures here. I'm like no thank you and do you know that SOB hung up on me without even a goodbye.

I'm like...oh no you don't and go look at my caller id and no freaking number registered so therefore I couldn't call his behind back and ream him out. How freaking dare you?

It's an imposition enough to call me and ask me about china adoption- but to think that gives you license to then cold call me and get nasty when I am not interested is just plain absurd. Hope I see that broad again in happy nails...I'll use my happy nails on her face. And if they allow her to adopt I'll vomit.

MAN
that's it...how do you like that???

LOL
so ladies are you sorry now that Carolyn hijacked me? See why I was ignoring my blog? I'll end with ONE layout I like and that's it...since the other two are poop!

2.16.2006

Mea culpa

Ok so I ignored you all a bit...I have been working like a dog seriously And for the last two days have walked on the treadmill....walking 3x a week is not working for me but now I've set it up that I walk everyday..no more excuses..just get down there.

Read Amy is on a soup diet but it's hard enough ignoring the brownies and other goodies...can't fathom eating only soup right now...don't think I am not saving that diet though for the future if I don't drop the weight before my brother's wedding ;)

Of course A is as thin as a rail and I am not so I better start the soup diet now

Ok so my week so far...pedicure on Monday- love Mario Tricoci...best pedicures around. So now my feet are not offensive to myself....but it's subscription time and I am tired. Plus I am working on my weight and then worrying about a possible 4th child and my brain will NOT relax.

So we were in the Chinese buffet place today....odd waitress...fawned over Anna - deliberately misunderstood Anna's province (I know I am saying it right for cry pete) and then told me...oh she a banana....white on the inside and yellow on the outside...ok first..if I am going to compare my kids to food - why not a twinkie...and 2nd....wtf? I was seriously annoyed......and then she asks the million dollar question- oh she no speak chinese no more--- um yeah just as well as you speak english. I politely point out- she was brought to the US at 8 mos of age...not too much Chinese was being spoken yet as far as I knew but she just didn't get it.

Then again here's the rest of the day there...the bill comes and I about pass out...it was $41 for me and three kids to eat the buffet and I am not even stuffed because hello I am eating 1/2 of my normal intake....omg I was floored...turns out that 4pm there must be dinner and there were no signs posted..and well frankly the food was crap..what a disappointment...esp with this new budget we are on.

So when I left I thought to myself...so we are comparing ourselves to fruits are we? I am a prune- sucked dry from my overpriced, horrible dinner LOL

How's that for fruity?

That's it's I am in such a funky mood I am not fit for polite company (then again some of my readers..)

OH yeah..forgot the main reason for my foul mood...I get an envie the mail with a gift subscription from my outlaws..I'm thinking - cool maybe Soap Opera Digest...or whatever right? It's the freaking Portals of Prayer- their Lutheran um I guess daily devotions book. Now I am steamed.

Why you ask? These ignorant people have an incredible knack of badgering Kevin on issues and usually right after I convince him we need to find a Church..sure 'nuff...anyway I emailed the publisher and pointed out that I've been catholic my whole life much to my outlaws dismay and that since I was just going to chuck their information into the trash they might as well remove me from the mailing list even if my dh's parents are too stupid to figure it out. And they removed me.

So how to deal with it? Talking to them won't net me anything....so I have decided to fight fire with fire..first catholic charities magazine...and then some other religions too. Those (**%^%^%$%$$%$% idiots.

2.10.2006

pretty cool!


saw this on another blog..thought the words were very TRUE :) Go to this site to add it to your blog :)

http://www.snapshirts.com/custom.php

What's new....? Nothing much...today I am scrapping if it kills me..but I have a pile of work sitting next to me....a huge pile..that really should be entered into qb before taxes are done.

The house is a mess...what else is new? I am hoping we get it cleaned soon...and this weekend we have lots going on....packing kits on sun (love ya mom) and tomorrow a CNY celebration...Anna's first playgroup. YAY we are bringing these awesome easy to make pot stickers (Ling Ling) from costco..they and the plum sauce that comes in there are delish.

Contemplating signing up for thegrocerygame.com Elaine mentioned it on our boards and it sounds good...esp if I can save 65% on groceries. :) Hey if any of you sign up use Elaine's name if you know her or mine please...we can earn free weeks...

I am hoping it saves me SOME money somehow.

That's it...ok off to scrap :)

Maybe I'll post a layout later.

If you haven't visited the store lately- Basic Grey preorder is up as well at Cbx...MM going up later this weekend and we are hoping to have the product soon.....we are almost sold out of BG and we also are offering the new American Crafts rubons for sale....not too many of those left either...they have a TON of letters! And are packaged so smartly!

Also lots of other new stuff in the store now. :)

More from me later and hopefully more pics soon!

2.04.2006

Santa Baby


I've been singing this crazy song all season. And I saw a layout in some magazine that had that title and I said..bingo :)

So here's my sneak peek..totally UNlike an xmas layout. :) using an upcoming kit name is hush hush LOL

Using Bonni's awesome sketch which I think might meet a Catherine challenge too!
Enjoy!

2.01.2006

Paved with good intentions

I thought today...Wed..Anna would to go visit Rissi..I'd get my few orders cleared off the desk..do the Post office and head home and SCRAP...well the best laid plans right? Monday Kev was sick with the stomach flu...I was determined to NOT get it. Yesterday Anna wakes up w/a fever...turns out she was probably our first sick one...Katie comes home sick after school...Mikey follows..I'm fine...hahaha...until about dinnertime when I get super nauseous and then get sick. Fun! NOT...three kids home..kev is well enough to go back to work and Anna is healthy enough to be a PITA...and I am sitting here miserable. I am going to try and scrap later...working on laundry now and just sitting and staring ;)

Never a dull moment...of course we have play tickets friday..we got the subscription series for Broadway in Chicago - but alas haven't been to one play yet. They have changed every date and it's been a disaster. What was supposed to be Me, Mom, Riss and Pat has turned into 4 other tickets for Pat's friends and no one is ever available at the same time. We had to forgo the tickets the first play cause Mikey was at the ER for his foot. Now I'm sick. I better feel better...I want an ADULT dinner :)

The past week in review: Katie's concert was fast but nice...she really has stage presence...um with me and her Nana as her relatives is it any wonder? (for those that don't know..placed 2nd in state solo competition in hs/have had professional singing lessons/mom and i have been in tons of plays..and musicals- it's in the blood ;) Even Mikey who has to attend with Katie each week was singing along to all the songs...I know his future too!

Other than that and cleaning the basement..nothing much.

Sorry I've ignored the blog for a few days...maybe I'll upload a sneaky again later :)

Sneaky Peeky


What is this? A sneak? This is one of our upcoming Feb kits...I'm going to be sneaking some here and there - you never know where you will catch one ;) This is from one of my talented DT- Carrie..and her adorable little one! I finally did a layout w/this kit but you'll have to wait for that one :)

Gung Hay Fat Chow



No matter how you spell it or pronounce it..it's the YEAR OF THE DOG...We suspect now that Anna had the stomach flu when we celebrated - which would explain her odd behaviour and not eating, etc. But we had fun nonetheless :) No parade for us this year which was sad because of rain. I had the cutest book for Anna about her first CNY and she kept asking us to read it and wanted to go see the dragon and lion...when we read the books she kisses them both. :) The local restaurant was pleased that we celebrated the day and accepted our "Gung Hay Fat Chow"s and told us it wasn't Happy New Year but the phrase means to have a prosperous and rich new year. So I told them I wished that for them. Of course Miss Anna had them enchanted. And she was her usual shy self except when she was yelling Happy MY New Year ;)

Here's the little one in her Chinese silks. Katie had an asian top on and Mikey had no silks this year..we'll get some for next year. And we found a chinese playgroup- it's a miracle....we belong to the FCC - Families with Children From China and there was a link for playgroups..hope it turns out to be a great group of people...we meet them for a CNY part in a week!

It'll be nice to be active with other families that resemble us :)

So that was our CNY- out to dinner with family and friends and next year we may bring food in and do it here....reading books and sweeping out the old year for a prosperous new one.

It is truly amazing that we were chosen to be Anna's parents and that we have the joy of knowing her culture...they are truly an amazing culture and people. I can't wait to show my baby China...(Stace- plan on that trip in a few years :) Kev and I talked and we think we'll go back to China in about 3 years with the whole family. And no I don't think to adopt again but stranger things have happened I guess ;)

1.22.2006

Soggy cereal and other ramblings

I told you I was inane :) I was able to sweet talk the new papers from American Crafts...well I traded it for a pizza...you all KNOW you would too if you had the chance ;) I am really bummed that I can't go to Vegas..almost contemplated getting a ticket at this late stage. Next year I'll probably do two shows..but for now this works.

So Lance met with me and we placed our order and it will be shipping while all the other folk are just getting to the show. Make SURE to check out the rubons..they rock. I loved them....the serif type font..everything. And they are in matchbooks and each strip is sliced so it's easy to use!

Here's a layout I did with their stuff!!! Love it..from the Bookshelf line ...look for this in an upcoming kit for sure! Of course it helps to have the cutest kid possible right? People ask if she takes a bad picture and the funny thing is that YES she does but people love those too! LOL I always take pics of her crying and pouting or throwing a fit.

Life has been busy so I've been neglectful of my blog. It's a no-win situation..we were ahead at ScrapAddict for all of one week maybe. :) Subscription is out for Feb though..thank goodness and I have to mail international pkgs tomorrow. So I've come to realize that when that is all going on - nothing much is going on here. :) And YES it's true..my dang tree is still up....I actually have two trees...I think about taking it down and then I forget. It's making Mom nuts. I think it will come down eventually. Maybe.

I've threatened Bonni that she can help me in July when her family comes to visit for a week. YAY we are going to have so much fun. It will be so nice to just kick back here. And finally my goal is to head to China again with the whole FAMILY in a few years- no not to adopt but we will probably buy out the place. And also next year if we are lucky- Cabo Wabo baby. I saw pics of the place and now am thinking..why have I been saying NO so much. LOL Yes honey, yes...I'll go..it's BEE YOU TI FUL :)

More sneak peeks later from me if I get any scrapping time in around laundry!

Oh and an image for you all! Of mom with the stroller....

Tag...

Ok so I was in a roundabout way tagged...I hate when they sneak that in..anyone who hasn't done it (ahem Carolyn F) consider yourself tagged..because then I feel guilty if I don't do it... LOL So here goes:

4 Jobs You Have Had in Your Life:

banquet waitress, long john silvers, bank- office, proof dept and customer service, scrapaddict.com ;) being a mom too!

4 Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:
Actually I don't tend to watch movies over and over..but I love Galaxy Quest, Adam Sandler ones, Austin Powers.

4 Places You Have Lived:
Chicago, Bridgeview, Port Hueneme, Ca, Park Ridge, Lisle, Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich and Pleasanton, Ca(loved it there)

4 TV Shows You Love to Watch:
hmm what's pvr'd? Lots of home improvement shows...Starting Over (thanks Carrie), Project Runway, Rock Star INXS (over now), Apprentice, Grey's Anatomy, Lost once in a while.

4 Places You Have Been on Vacation:I've been to a lot of places actually with the timeshare...myrtle beach, canada, hawaii, florida (all the time), indiana, missouri, cincinnati, california, china

4 Websites You Visit Daily:
ScrapAddict - the gallery, the forum and the admin area :) And the blogs of my friends.

4 of Your Favorite Foods:
Chinese
Mexican
Italian
dessert


4 Places You Would Rather Be Right Now:
Sleeping
Mexico or anywhere warm
CHA WINTER (wah wah wah)
scrapping!

4 Bloggers You are Tagging:
-TheNANA- Mom simply highlight and copy mine into your blog by ctrl c-ing it and then pasting it like word into the blog post once you get in there and delete out my answers and post yours ;)
-ANITA
-BONNI
-LAURA

1.19.2006

I know



It's been a long time right? :) I have some sneak peeks and other goodies but for now will upload two recent pics of the little one :)

Life w/her is NEVER dull!

1.14.2006

Just a Quickie from me

Before I head to bed :) We have had a BEAUTIFUL weekend so far. Got my kits mainly packed on Fri...we are packing March now. :) Got the orders packed and mostly ready to ship. My wonderful, adorable dh made omlettes...yum a specialty of his..wowee was it good. One bad thing..he has this insane habit of asking me for things every two seconds so I spend most of my time saying it's here or there or did you want me to do it instead. LOL

After we ate Kev said he wanted to do something fun so we decided the ZOO :) We have a membership there and going twice with a family of 5 pays for it. It was one of the first sunny days we've had. So it was brisk (30- still a major high in our midwestern state) and some of us were NOT dressed warm enough (think 10 yr old :) But it was FUN! We saw monkeys and alligators and walked through a few buildings. Then we decided we were hungry and hit Omega..YUM YUM YUM.

The kids behaved like angels..we had saganaki- love that flaming cheese and had fun hanging with Mom and Riss..just a picture perfect day. Kev drove me to GapKids in downtown Naperville without BEEPING the horn every two seconds and voila..perfection and bliss :)

I was trying to figure my camera out..I wanted to try setting the f-stop thingy differently..forget it. I did manage to find raw mode but it made the photo blurry. And I did figure out ISO sort of in a roundabout accidental way. SIGH I have GOT to learn better photography with this camera. I just know I am missing the boat so to speak. So I took tons of shots and will upload some this weekend.

We have a bday party for a close friend tomorrow and will meet their new daughter for the first time. They just got back from China in December! And then on Monday I *think* that we'll do the Children's museum unless I can convince mom to just scrap here. WHEE

just a nice fun weekend....ah bliss!

1.11.2006

The faces behind ScrapAddict

so I can't pay employees but I adore the two who work for me...Monica and Carrie...I mean seriously...they aren't around as much because they are ALWAYS behind the scenes doing about 10 million things to make sure our store runs smoothly...so share the love girls with our two technogirlwonders please I adore them and they make my life so, so much easier!

Just me

Yep it's all about me baby...or at least it seems that way as I get older. I've done and done for others so much in my life that as I get older I seem to be more stingy with my time and not bashful about taking ME time. It's something we've all gotta do folks!

Case in point...a neighbor came over last week and asked me to watch her son. Keep in mind that this same neighbor when they moved in had me watch him one day and then asked me to watch him after school one day..when I said sure it turned into a M-Thurs gig. I said I didn't know and then w/the holidays it never came up. I thought it was an imposition to do it from 4pm - 6pm ok...so this past week I was told how she has this huge dilemma...her SIL is moving out of state and she needs someone for her son asap. Turns out this would be til 10pm at night..from 4-10 EVERY night. Um no. So I said straight up there isn't an amt you could pay me (which btw she said her dh said to ask if I'd charge..um HELLO)...and I was SO proud of myself because in the past I'd be cursing and moaning that I got roped in.

Anyway it's ME time - I only get one life and intend to live it the way that *I* want. And I am so over having to be friendly to all the neighbors....just put me on a float in my POOL with a drink and my kids splashing and that's a pretty damn good day. Add Kevin in early from work fanning me with a banana leaf and feeding me bon bons and it'd be perfect ;)

Have a good one and take time for YOU...don't feel bad....we all need a little time for ourselves!!!!!

10 years long :)




It's amazing to me how long Anita and I have been friends. What's even more amazing is that she joined my message board at ScrapAddict without even *telling* me and I am mortified to admit it took me months to realize who she was. I didn't get midmomama at all. :) I'm a little slow I guess right?

So anyway we had this Diva contest a year ago or so and I figured it'd be a hit..needless to say we did away with it because of all the hurt feelings, etc. But Anita entered this contest. By this time I knew who she was on my boards but while some might think or say she got the position because of KNOWING me for 10 long years...that was so far from the truth. Because I never told her but I was prepared to be even more picky with her entry. Then her entry starting coming in and I noticed. And when it came time to pick a Diva I knew without a doubt that she couldn't be one...there was only one spot for her on the team and that was on the actual Design team.

I've known her for 10 yrs and never knew she had this kind of talent. And her work just keeps getting better and better. I've learned so much more about her in the last year or so than in all the 10 years we've known each other.

I met her when Katie was only 6 weeks old. She's going to be 11 in May. Ouch that makes me feel old. But Anita has *always* been there for me...I'm glad she's sharing the "real" her with me too...and wow her work is inspiring. And her life is interesting and she always makes me laugh.

Thanks Anita for 10 great years...it's great sharing Mom with you...you get her when she's old though ok????







I can't believe that your Katy is wanting to date! I am so lucky that I have you around to help me learn to say Because I said so! :)

For our greedy sneak peek crazed girls another look at our Tainted Love kit :) Coming in a week or so...ooh maybe it's time to release more layouts Bwhahaha


1.10.2006

It's my favorite mistake....

LOL ok that's NOT true...but we picked this kit up as a late contender. I was torn between this and the company's blue line. But picked this one. OMG the dt has been rocking it. And I know it's a hit because they've been buying up the extras and it's an SDJ that might not even MAKE it into the public sale arena!

So here's a quick sneaky...I might have to remove it later but I *had* to prove to Catherine I did her ad challenge. Girls and guys and scrappers...if you are looking to be motivated - we have it all..sketches, journaling ideas, challenges galore...I can't believe how freaking creative these girls are. And it's all there for you waiting...so my challenge to my customers is to break open that kit that you've been wanting to try and DO it! Make sure to upload them so I can see too!

This is called contemplation. I have hidden journaling that asks what my little peanut was thinking. She had been taking tons of photos smiling and then lapsed into that. :) Probably sick of mommy taking photos. BTW..as an aside..this kid has her "own" fisher price camera (real 35mm one for kids) and she puts it on her neck (like mommy) and says...ok move over by the tree...a little that way..just a second..perfect..let me take your picture. OMG who do you think says all that all the time???! LOL ME. Little mimic!

Ok ok I know you are like...get to the good stuff already right? I have a ton more of her in these poses so expect more layouts and I've used only ONE yummy sheet of this SDJ so far..amazing..it's not even broken into yet. And Karen has done beach layouts, xmas layouts and so on..so it's VERY versatile...am I killing you yet? SNORT

OK ....off to scrap some more!

1.09.2006

But of course

What scrapbook company should you design for...?


KI MEMORIES DESIGN TEAM!Innovated and inspiring...two words that best describe your scrapbooking style. You are always growing and evolving to the next level with your pages and it shows with each and every layout you create.
Take this http://www.quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=20&url=http://www.quizilla.com/makeaquiz.php">Make A Quiz More Quizzes Grab Code

Well duh I say...I love their stuff..wasn't too happy with the # of patterned papers question because I use always 3 and sometimes 4 - but never 5 :)

So there ya have it! Now if I could only get time to SCRAPBOOK I did about geez...5 or 6 layouts so far this year and I've moved a lot of my crap onto the kitchen table (as Kev points out daily) but I like it there and am doing more there. Just ordered a Cropper Hopper cart on wheels to help keep it movable better. The sheer amt of goodies I have! :) I am trying to get to the table to do some layouts so I can give some more sneak peeks. If not I will just have to sneak one of the girls' awesome layouts. :) Start bugging them and I'll allow ONE sneaker ;)

I've been in a black mood..which isn't helped when my best friend answers her phone snarling at me ;0) I thought about hanging up but knew she has caller id and she'd have phoned me back..so I did the *right* thing and let her bitch and moan. I'd be snarling too after she gave me an earful. Poor sweetie. But I did tell her to start packing sooner and nagged her to death (but what good does I told ya so do? LOL) She'll be hitting me for that one for SURE.

I need to pull out my camera more..I feel like I am so behind and then I slow down on photo taking...gonna get it up online soon. The kids are running circles in my family room making me CRAZED right now. No one listens to me at all. Well those voices in my head answer me sometimes ;)

Ok so I have nothing to say - it's official. I got the parts ordered I needed for the kits....Anita has been teasing our board members with our beautiful upcoming feb or march kit...yum that I named Moulin Rouge...hmm what could it be? or would K be more appropriate? Hmm another hint for you devious women.

I'll post another layout here soon..I did finish a few that I can't share right now but hope to soon and the best news..my layouts were returned today from Cantata. YAY I have been worried about those puppies.

I spent the earlier part of today labeling my gallery with all the layouts- where they went and when I sent them. In addition to linking to the kit used and I didn't even get half of them done. But that's my goal for 2006- BE more and keep track more....

I forgot...saw Rumor Has It...gimme a break...spoiler alert but the premise is INSANE...girl goes to find dad (based on graduate) and then SLEEPS with man..i mean what if he WAS the dad? omg I hated it. Kev hated it..and the ppl next to us were freaking annoying. They had to be in our row..the whole theater was empty and we were there 20 min early and then they are pushing past us...and then they whip out bowls to SHARE the popcorn and there is a seat btwn me and this guy and he throws his coat over the railing in front of us and then they start tossing their garbage on the seat btwn us and they keep hitting me. So I held my arm in front of me the WHOLE time. LOL And I immediately remembered why I watch movies in the privacy of my OWN home...cheap food...good surround sound and large screen tv with PAUSE -what more can you want????

And what the crap is it with previews? Either they are so freaking scary at a kids show that your kids are screaming (cause they are adult shows) or they show us Ice Age on ours...makes so stinking sense to me. A funny..this couple comes in with their kid and I am thinking they HAVE to be in the wrong theater..she's like 5. The show starts and gets a bit raunchy and sure enough they hightail it out of there. I am sure that the Ice Age preview confused them a bit. ;)

Nothing more to say so I'll say goodnight gracie (george burns) for now. Let's be careful out there (remember Hill Street Blues?)

1.04.2006

Sneaky Peeky for my peeps



:) I will share...the first is NOT a kit..just a teaser...


So the next layout was done using Annette's Diva sketch. Yummy. I've been wanting to try the different title like that for a bit!

I used our new upcoming kit for Feb- Tainted Love :) I loved that song in the 80's.

I didn't even use the whole kit yet...all the yummy's are still there (a love wood word and coaster). So I have enough to do a 2nd layout!


And I just counted up my layouts for 2005 and I did 129 layouts. That's not half bad at all is it? I am very proud of myself and hope to do MORE for 2006.

Here ya go..I've tormented ya enough now haven't I? I have some march kits on my desk that you *might* get a sneaky of if you bug me enough!

As a quick aside...Bonni has been non-existent since she's been home so I've been teasing her and today her dh was fixing the fan. Well I wasn't thinking and told her to go help her dh hang the fan. Which is what my mom started calling ahem something else here..so it was QUITE funny to say that to Bonni who started laughing. Of course only Bonni and I would laugh that hard at that. :) Here ya go...there's my Techno McDreamy..isn't he handsome? I love those blue eyes and that smile! I should go turn on my fan ;) I added the sticker letters and chipboard heart only (the kit has a chipboard coaster and a wood word (love))


New Year's Pictures


Here's a few New Year's photos..I went to bed at 11:20pm :) Big partier that I am!

Me with my wild hair and in my pjs LOL and my honey!

The kids were up partying until 1am - they tried to stay up for Hawaii new year but they didn't quite make it (That would have been 4am) Can you imagine how nasty they would have been the next day? ROFL

Aren't they the cutest things ever? You should have *seen* the confetti all over the floor and M's joy at being able to use gunpowder poppers :) Typical boy!

I heard Dick Clark on the tv..how sad and yet poignant when it rang in the new year they cut to him kissing his wife and then left them alone!

Happy 2006 to all of you!

Ho Ho Ho Merry KISSES

Yep that is how our little one says it. It's so stinking cute but you know...not so much so when it's like a week past xmas. :) And of course she's been saying it all morning as she is handing me another ornament from my tree. I am about to scream. I will SO be taking these decorations down this weekend.

I have cute photos from New Year's on my camera...hopefully I can upload them in a bit. And I scrapped! I did it :) At mom's I did 5 layouts and then did an adorable one on Monday while hanging out with Kev. I moved my scrap stuff from the living room (just temporarily and only part of it) to the KITCHEN so I don't have to be alone while I scrap and can still see what's going on. YAY SO I did an awesome layout of Anna with Blitzen stuff from Basic Grey. I just adore their stuff...I grab three patterns and 10 min later have a kick butt layout (with my sketch help ;)

I even did the matchbook album and am going to mount it on the main xmas pages. I think I am overcompensating for our sucky xmas last year (no ornaments on the tree...everything down quickly due to house on the market, etc) I have layouts with the same photos for all three kids books. Then again events pages tend to be re-created for all the kids. I don't want fighting when they are grown over who gets *what* layout.

Technique Tuesday stamps- so totally cool...we did a preorder and got a bunch in and I am loving them so much better than my foam stamps. Too kewl. For my loyal customers I did pick out ALL the feb kits and even a bunch of March stuff. Maybe I'll scrap with March stuff and put a sneak peek up here later this week.

I worked from 10am-4pm in the store yesterday cleaning it and picking kits and packing orders. Today I am taking OFF to scrap hopefully - although Anna is being a beast....and trying to power my laptop down. So any orders placed before Tuesday will ship on Thursday. I have another batch of orders to pack and will work on that this week :)

Ok time for me to sign off...pictures later I promise!!!!

12.29.2005

Year in Review

My Year in Review:
I am taking Annette's challenge....so no griping I didn't ;)


JANUARY
1. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?
To SURVIVE my move probably. Otherwise NO.
2. Who kissed you at midnight? The kids and Kev I am sure. :)
3. Did it snow where you live?Um hello..middle of midwest suburbia..hell yes!
4. Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop?
Not a snowball's chance in hell :) And won't ever either.

FEBRUARY
1. Who was your valentine? Kevin of course and my rugrats
2. What did your valentine get you? Jack diddly squat..he doesn't celebrate hallmark holidays!
3. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your whole class?
Um yes.

MARCH
1. Are you Irish? No way!
2. Did you wear green on St. Patty's Day? Um no...we don't celebrate that at all.
And we didn't really do much for easter either- think MOVE on 4/1!
3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day? Blessedly NOTHING

APRIL
1. Do you like the rain? It's ok...if I am indoors of course!
2. Did you play an April Fool's joke on anyone this year? Yes the kids and we really got them. But don't remember now what I did!
3. Did you get tons of candy on Easter? Nah..the kids get books and toys too..cause I hate having that much candy.

MAY
1. What's your favorite kind of flower? I used to love tulips..but like gerber daisies now...my mind immediately thinks SCRAPBOOK page. :) I don't like getting fresh flowers- waste of money!
2. Do you like the spring?Nope...Fall is my fave season!
3. Finish the phrase: "April showers bring...": well duh...May Flowers or tons of mud.
4. What would you think of as a spring color?:anything pastely

JUNE
1. What year did you graduate from school?: 1985 for grade school or 1989 from high school.
2. Did you go on any vacations last June?: Yep we went to Nashville for CKU....and I am sure we went somewhere else...no idea where though!

JULY
1. What did you do on the 4th of July? I think we were at mom's..or my house...can't remember for the life of me!
2. Did you go on any vacations during this month?: No I don't think so!

AUGUST
1. Did you do anything special to end off your summer? Nope
2. What was your favorite summer memory of '05? MOVING and getting the pool!
3. Did you go swimming a lot in the summer?Yep once that pool was in- got put in Sept and we swam til October.

SEPTEMBER
1. Did you attend school/college in '05? Nope
2. Who is/was your favorite teacher? I had a lot of faves.
3. Did you like fall better than summer? hate the heat so there! So yep I loved fall but sept was HOT still

OCTOBER
1. What was your favorite Halloween costume ever? I was a harem girl in an outfit myg gram made that Katie wore..It'll probably fit anna when she's 50 ;)
2. What's your favorite candy?chocolate and peeps
3. What did you dress up like this year? A witch.no costume needed.

NOVEMBER
1. Whose house did you go to for Thanksgiving? My own house and I love that!
2. Do you like stuffing? Stove top is good!
3. What are you thankful for? My family, health and friends!

DECEMBER
1. Do you celebrate Christmas? Absolutely..my fave holiday too!
2. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe? Yep
3. What did you want this year for Christmas? I wanted an ipod, pots and pans and other goodies and got them all
4. What's the best present you ever got for Christmas? Um not sure
5. Do you like cold weather? Cold not so much...breezy and indian summer like- love it
6. How would you rate your year on a scale of 1-10?10! :) I got everything I wanted and didn't let others bah bumbug attitudes get me down. :)

ARGHHHHHHHH MOM

Ok I feel better now...if y'all haven't seen mom's blog be sure to visit. She somehow created one when trying to leave a comment on Bonni's and has NO idea what the HECK in blazes she is doing. OMG I am going to kill her. Ok I feel a little better. She's now asking me-should I click leave comment. Uh no mom..I left you photos, changed the name of your blog and tried for 2 hours to get her damn photo in her profile. I gave up on that one.

Now she's still bugging me. I am about to kill her. Anyway all of you should visit it:
http://siggynana.blogspot.com and make sure to leave TONS of comments

Good luck Mom.

You Know It's Bad...

When your best friend goes from a Blog drought to an over-abundance of entries and you *still* haven't updated your blog from Christmas! :)

So this is my update- MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy NEW YEAR!

Christmas was interesting. My inlaws were their usual sullen selves....I wonder each year why we even *bother* to invite them. Of course getting into an argument with my FIL before xmas probably didn't help matters. But I was *steamed* from their last visit where my MIL helpfully told me that I should divorce Kev and that she knew I was going to. Ah yes..that's not the best part- IN FRONT OF MY CHILDREN. Add to that when she said that she prays everyday that she'd just DIE and again- IN FRONT OF THE kids..and I was livid. Kev hadn't said anything to them or called her on it (we'll ignore her cornering him in the living room to complain of my mothering abilities) and I lost it. Especially when FIL said that MIL was praying for advice on her eyesight and whether or not to have surgery on her cataracts..um which is it? Give me Eyesight or give me death. Even poor God is confused.

Needless to say she did NOT apologize. FIL said I was making it up. Yes in my spare time I dream up these obnoxious things she says. ;) Then when she did call it was to claim she didn't "recall" saying it but if she did it was wrong (notice no I'm sorry) and then proceeded to tell Kev that we offend her because we take the lord's name in vain and it says in the bible..yadda yadda yadda (think we've heard all this crap before?) So my brother - who is clueless God love him....is here watching the Bears/Packers game (think kev/FIL packer fans...tom NOT)...and he is Jesus H Christ-ing everything and I about fell over. That's xmas in my house and miracuously I stayed SOBER!

Do they LOOK happy to you???!

Seriously..the kids totally enjoyed their holiday. One minor issue when I realized that Mikey had only THREE gifts wrapped and Katie had a MOUNTAIN with Anna. Well it turns out I didn't wrap mine so I didn't do the spotcheck I always do to make sure they are fairly even. To be fair his games were like $50 each..so ouch!




Isn't she the BEST gift a person could ask for? Makes up for the sourpusses doesn't it??? So my December can be summed up as follows: Awesome bday..Kev spoils me....awesome anniversary (in Nov), and awesome Xmas. I got far more than I thought. Kev got me a Dept 56 house (the m&m one) which I collect and also those pots/pans and an Ipod. Totally spoiled. :) Anna's Santa gift was her Diego Rescue playset thingy..the kids got games for the Xbox 360- which we don't have yet. Nana gave them all a gamecube...and they have like 7 new games for it. Jewelry for Katie and Anna's big selling gift...the Baby I'm Yours from Uncle Tommy and Aunt Nicole. Fun, fun, fun. We made three batches of xmas cookies..here's Anna during one- I don't know if you can see the flour on her little nose..she was eating the spritz cookie dough as fast as I was pressing it out! LOL
I am sad that the holidays are over but at the same time happy. Our New Year's is a quiet one...Mom and Riss will be here to play cards and board games all night and we eat steak and then eat tons of appetizers. YUM. I usually fall asleep before Midnight. We'll see if I last this year or not.

So New Year's Resolutions? Well I am avoiding the biggest one as I sit on my behind- WORKING out..Kev got us a membership to the local gym and he's gone 1 time. Yep Once...which now makes him an exercising guru or something and decided I needed to go. I'm dressed and *finally* done with subscription (9 hours of packing kits and then boxes on Tues) - invoicing all day yesterday and today. YAWN and I go to leave and he's in a poker tournament. Maybe my behind is destined to be large??? I am hoping Mom will watch the monkeys while we go out to eat and movie. Wouldn't that be nice? How come when they are at Nana's the only thing I want to do is be left alone in peace and quiet in my OWN house. LOL

So I promise the following for 2006:
1. Yell less or more quieter - nah yell less
2. Eat less or exercise more- yeah both!
3. work on my own FREE time
4. Build up subscription numbers (felt like work should be in there ;)
5. Get out to see Bonni's new place!
6. Swim and swim some more (and bonni honey- you ARE wearing a swimsuit into the pool this summer!)
7. Enjoy my family and the little things (maybe inlaws not included ok?)
8. Scrap more
9. Clean more.
10. BE more.

Just two more photos to leave you with. I can't believe how big my BABIES are getting. Katie a stylish fashion maven..and Mikey- that impish look you could just EAT up. I love all my children dearly and they are the light of my life! Sometimes life is going *so* quickly I just want to yell out STOP..or at least slow to a crawl please!

Be safe and happy this holiday season- whatever you all celebrate. (and yes my trees are still up) probably will be til Feb ;)

I have to say that without the support of my family and friends and loyal customers I don't know where I'd be- life and work-wise. So thanks and I love you all!!!!

12.20.2005

Chain Letter - Blog Style

So I've been tagged..but I am a party pooper..no I really am..I'll answer but I don't have even 5 more people to ask to do this. All of them have been tagged. LOL And frankly did you *ever* get back a dishtowel in those chain letter things? A sticker or a kids book? I've gotten jack. Nada zip!

So here goes:

What were you doing 10 years ago?
Probably about 2 weeks overdue delivering Katie. I was married and had that baby on the way. :) I remember that I watch that stupid newstory all the time about the mom who drowned her sons. Susan Smith. Witch.

What were you doing one year ago?
Packing...we had no ornaments for our tree and it was a sad xmas- I cried a lot because I just wanted to be done with moving ya know??? I think we had sold the house but maybe not yet.

Five snacks you enjoy:
1. chocolate
2. cookies
3. ice cream
4. jamba juice
5. frappucinos

Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
1. Geez lots of them....One Sweet World
2. That Bitch song by Meredith Brooks
3. Hollaback Girl- Gwen Stefani
4. Perfect Situation- Weezer
5. Sk8er Boi- Avril Lavenge

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1. buy my moms' house
2. put aside money for college for the kids
3. adopt more babies
4. buy a summer home
5. hire a personal trainer for kev and I and a cook!

Five bad habits:
1. scratch my head
2. Bite my nails
3. bad at cleaning
4. clutter
5. swearing like a sailor

Five things you like doing:
1. baking
2. scrapping
3. hanging with my kids and dh
4. sales and shopping
5. blogging

Five things you would never wear, buy, or get new again:
1. LEG warmers
2. hot pink jacket
3. high heels
4. anything white
5. red rimmed FAKE glasses

Five favorite toys:
1. my camera
2. scrap supplies
3. IPOD!
4. my laptop
5. all my board games :)

Thanks Deanna :)

12.18.2005

Um Yeah- NOT

Ok so I took that last one over from someone else's blog but I am SO not Rudolph :) It's been a heck of a week...I mean seriously. I find that sometimes when I have to *do* my job and actually step in for something I get responses ..makes me irked and then irritated that I feel like I am managing high school and really I've left that ya know? Drama sucks. I already have a 10 yr old who gives it to me..the 2 yr old thinks she runs the show (who am I kidding she does) and my dh who is junvenile to the nth degree at times. :) I am *living* a drama.

At any rate I think that one is all squared away just in time to deal with an irate customer. Compared to another customer whose box was destroyed and just applauds my packing skills. I like being treated nicely. For this job I am in debt and have NO salary..doesn't make me too happy at being yelled at by an irate customer. So my answer was to send me the stuff back and I'd make a full refund..this appears to be the subject at hand..because their reply was to resend them more stuff and then the wildcard- Jesus..ah yes..it's behind every irate person right? They insist that the items get resent or I think it was that I can send them a partial refund back and send more product. Um what part of SEND ME THE ITEMS BACK do you not get?

It was very amusing actually. They are mounting an even nastier email campaign when they could have had click and ship to their door already. I don't care if they have Jesus's personal BlackBerry info....you want a refund -give me the product. Simple. End of discussion. I know..that makes me a bad christian right? Merry freaking Christmas and all that jazz...makes you LOVE being in a people industry. NOT.

So the store is officially closed this week and my day will not be ruined by nastiness....It's Jesus's birthday soon you know and we have a cake to bake.

TTFN :)



You Are Rudolph



Sweet and shy, you tend to be happiest when you're making someone else happy.



Why You're Naughty: You sometimes stick that nose where it doesn't belong



Why You're Nice: Christmas would be a sad affair without you!

12.14.2005

Hey There

it's only been a day or two I mean come on :) I was busy....cleaning the house one day and working the other two. Not much going on- what can I say I am boring. So Kev tells me that tonight is some work xmas party. Um ok..I love when they don't have a spouse function. So being the smart ass that I am..I told him without missing a beat that this friday was MY work party for ScrapAddict.com- no spouses invited and oh I'd be gone most of the night if not the whole weekend. Then I tried saying it was being held in Hinesville, GA but he caught on. Told me I was very funny- which *I* obviously think so. :) Witty and all that. So my brother is mad at me..which is really funny-- which in turn is making him MORE mad at me. I told his gf things *supposedly* he told me in confidence..the same stuff he said to all of us -mom, me and gf on the weekend..so it's freaking semantics and we won't *even* discuss crappy things he said or did to my "bf" at the time- years ago it was Kev. How freaking high schoolish. It's christmas- lighten up. He's just annoyed that I don't agree with him- ever- and not even as a rule ya know? Poor guy. I love him dearly - I truly do. But today he freaked the kids out with his yelling at me. Please for the love of pete knock it off numbskull.

What else? I forgot an international pkg for a customer..felt like a dunce..so had to go back ot the PO for another 45 min marathon wait after I told them last time I'd see them in the new year.

I am very close to just shutting down for xmas. Next week is horrid w/things to get done.

I did get asked for one of my layouts for Legacy - they seem to like me and you know I've never seen a magazine or my layouts back yet ;) Anyway they took my Spring layout- which reminds me to take it down in the next few days.

Ok I am anal..I'm looking at my tree and hating it..the lower branches are now almost bare (anna) and the upper ones have 2 ornaments on them sometimes...it just looks WRONG. 2 yr old terror going cheap...kidding!

Other than that I am all done xmas shopping and MOM wrapped it all- gotta love moms! I have to make my gram a card and get it together and finish cookies but that is it..oh and finish cleaning. Yick.

I'd like to scrap a page this week too ya know? No new years plans either. Think we'll spend it at home with our kids and playing games....

I'll end with 5 things that annoy me lately:
1. Bonni's blog.
2. Bonni's blog
3. Customers who rip me off
4. Mean people
5. bonni's blog - who is by definition mean because I have NOTHING to read...ok that's an exaggeration but PLEASE an intervention.

Oh and I adore Bonni still- just not her blog. The sneak took her assignment for me at ScrapAddict and actually made me a sketch box..how sweet is that? Even called to ask me how I organize my sketches and I still had NO clue.

Oh and one other little thing...Lucy....invites me to a travelgroup but I miss it or it never made it and then we fought...she's in China right now with her new little one....anyway I may have forgiven her but will still for all eternity tell her how she snubbed me :) LOL

12.12.2005

The Whole Fam Damily


OnThanksgiving that is...all of us...amazing how old we are all getting :)

I need to start taking MORE pictures...it seems that I never do that as much anymore. I have some on the camera of Miss Anna eating all my COOKIE batter...the little sneak. She loves spritz cookies....for that matter we all do. Yesterday- even though half of us are sick with colds we made: Krans Kuchen- 8 cakes, spritz cookies- 2 batches (almost all gone already), Italian spice cookies (yuck- but mom's faves..10 c of flour and that's just 1/2 a recipe!!!!), Toffee cookies, chocolate chip cookies, Magic bars, pb blossoms and pb cookies. And I still am not done. I still have 2 pumpkin pies to make and also another 2-4 batches of spritz cookies.

I love holidays. Esp Christmas..all that cookie baking. :) We went to Lorenzo's yesterday with friends and Nic and had a great time. Yummy food and great conversation and no kids :) Everyone here is doing well....except for our colds. Mikey is walking all over, sitting on his foot all day and being yelled at for walking without the boot.

I've been pestering Bonnaroo to update her blog..kinda boring to visit MINE So get on that will ya lady. Shame on you!

Is anyone else's kid hitting their tree with glee? Every two seconds the little imp either breaks an ornament or hands me one telling me : "No touch Mommy right? Right? look only" Um you are handing it to me. And she has NO talent at re-hanging them so needless to say there are ornaments everywhere.
Ok off to take a nap before the kids come in and chaos starts. I swear today we *will* clean up that basement - at least their toys or I am throwing them all out!!!! I am sure you can hear their protests all the way in your own houses.

Have a great week!

12.09.2005

Odd sight to see

A plane on a road I traveled many times in my *short* life. The Southwest airlines crash is RIGHT by my mom's old house---2 blocks away close. That is the corner I'd take to go to Baskin Robbins, Dominicks....I was on it as early as last year. My gram still lives in the neighborhood...that runway is just too dang short...it feels like the landing gear hits the roof of your car as you drive somedays it's that low (as mom says).

Anyway very surreal..and I am very sad about the young boy's death. Amazing that was all that died though. And thank goodness the plane didn't go off the runway in other directions..like into the homes!

Mikey has no pins...only a "shoe" to wear to keep his toe stable while it heals and we get to visit them again in 2 weeks. The visit was so quick I was blinking...I didn't ask any questions either..the doctor was there and then gone in a flash. After some teasing to Mikey about pins of course. :)

Snow...it's a blizzard out there..we go to the doctor and it's clear out..come back out 10 min later and it's a blizzard..I have GOT to stop watching the kids' shows and watch some more news. Seems everyone knew about it but me!

And finally..yes there is school today so yes there is a God. Thank you! :)

12.07.2005

This Little Piggy...

has a hairline fracture. What to do??? Poor Mikey...yep it's true...Sat was Nana's housewarming party- My goodness...seeing people you hadn't seen in like 10 years means a lot of catching up! Kimmie hasn't changed a dang lick. And mom's friend Margie...her daughter Angie...was hysterical. I had an awesome time..we were up til 2am or so and during that time the kids ALL got along (minus Anna who was a beast to Kaitlyn- not mine that is).

Anyway Mikey comes upstairs crying that he's hurt himself with his remote control HEAVY jeep..the spiked tires went into his toe. We ice it and put him on the couch. Next am he can't walk at all and asks for meds. I call the ped...and he says head to the ER. Of course..so Kev was a little annoyed due to the high co-pay but we went...Edward Hospital ROCKS - they were awesome. No broken foot or toe they said but follow up with Ped in a few days for hairline fracture check.

We go in today...he still can't walk on it and we have to go for MORE x-rays...sure enough there is a hairline crack on his big toe. Due to that we see a ped. orthopedic specialist tomorrow (just the three names together make me think- $$$$ LOL). He's being a trooper..even after hearing his great-uncle mention PINS :( I'll keep you all posted. He's been off school all week and this after missing 2 weeks for our vacation at the beginning of the month- not good.

It's just been quite a week....horrible 34th bday with Anna being a beast and probably coming down with something..Mikey's toe and then almost forgetting A's Gotcha Day. And then getting Dad's newsletter w/our ages in it (and Tom's listed wrong) Nice that the world won't go along with my 29 age :)
Oh well...keep your fingers crossed for NO pins please!

2 years ago today


A little bundled baby was handed to me in a crowded room...this little baby was the same one who haunted my dreams for weeks before we traveled halfway around the world (17 hours) to get her in Fuzhou, China. We were at the hotel and we heard the babies come in. All the Nannies carrying them and then the babies crying. I picked her out right away from her referral photos. In a purple sleeper (that we still have) and smelling strongly of fish with her cheeks bright red.

She let up a wail and didn't stop until much, much later! I remember we had to decide who should go do paperwork (really dumb actually) as she was just given to us and I left her with Kev and she screamed the whole time. I had to go because I knew the information and it took forever and all we wanted to do was go back to our kids! When I got back to her - Kev and Gahn went to the local market for formula and AnnaGrace and I got aquainted. She was unable to sit up at all and her range of delays really worried me. So I worked with her on making great noises with the toys we had. I had to show her how to hold her toy and then told her it was ok to bang them onto the desk...she did this with the same concentration she does most mischievious things to this day! She fell asleep in her stroller in her purple sleeper holding a blanky we gave her to her nose and sucking BOTH thumbs. I spent hours watching her sleep.

It took a good 2-3 days for that personality to break through....she ate like a champ at the breakfast buffet but she wouldn't take her formula until Onalyce helped us make a bottle- poor thing was starving and if that bottle wasn't perfect we could just dump it out.

After that we couldn't keep her quiet or calm. She'd be happy and babbling over the guide, etc...little did we know how full of life she'd continue to be.

It seems like a flash that went by and I can't believe how much older she is now. She's still my little peanut and we adore her!

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day sweetie!!! We're glad you allowed us to be your parents!


12.05.2005

"X" Marks the Spot with a dot dot dot

You know before I do the "x" game I wanted to say I have some of the strangest sayings...like the subject :) Or ouchie mama the kids repeat them all...it's fun and will be interesting to see if it becomes our little traditions..I should do a layout called..Mama Said or something....I have at least 20 I could think of....

hmm

Silly little thing, just put an X next to what you HAVE done
(x) smoked a cigarette -didn't inhale and burned my boob too..thanks Lisa for throwing a lit one at me ;)
( ) crashed a friend's car
( ) stolen a car
(x) been in love
(x) been dumped
(x) shoplifted as a chil
( ) been fired
( ) been in a fist fight
( ) snuck out of your parents' house
(x) had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
(x) gone on a blind date
(x) lied to a friend
(x) skipped school
( ) seen someone die
( x) been to Canada
( ) been to Mexico
(x) been on a plane
( ) purposely set a part of yourself on fire WHAT???!
( ) eaten sushi - HECK NO
( ) been skiing
(x) met someone from the Internet- met Kev on the internet...
(x) been at a concert
(x) taken painkillers
(x) love someone or miss someone right now
(x ) laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by
(x) made a snow angel
(x) had a tea party
(x) flown a kite
(x) built a sand castle
(x) gone puddle jumping it's FUN
(x) played dress up
(x) jumped into a pile of leaves
(x) gone sledding
( x) cheated while playing a game as a kid
(x) been lonely
(x) fallen asleep at work/school
( x) used a fake ID
(x) watched the sun set
( x) felt an earthquake
(x) slept beneath the stars
(x) been tickled
(x) been robbed have had cars broken into??
(x) been misunderstood
( ) petted a reindeer/goat/kangaroo/deer Goats...
(x) won a contest
(x) run a red light/stop sign
( ) been suspended from school
( ) had braces
(x) felt like an outcast/third person
(x) eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night
(x) had déjà vu - have this all the time
( ) danced in the moonlight
(x) liked the way you
(x) witnessed a crime probably!
(x) questioned your heart in HS heck yeah!
(x) been obsessed with post-it notes love THEM and highliters!
(x) squished mud through your bare feet - feels cool and fun!
(x) been lost
(x) been on the opposite side of the country - maine and CA
(x) swam in the ocean(x) felt like dying
(x) cried yourself to sleep all the time as a teen
(x) played cops and robbers probably as a kid
(x) recently colored with crayons - Ok I will admit that for years my mom has bought me a new box of crayons and I color in secret still..the kids are banned from MY crayons :)
( ) sang karaoke
(x) paid for a meal with only coins..yep in college
(x) done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(x) made prank phone calls? Um yes..is your fridge running...
(x) laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose? um heck yeah and out my eyeball too once- ouchie mama
(x) caught a snowflake on your tongue every winter I do!
(x) danced in the rain
(x) written a letter to Santa Claus - yep I believe in santa
(x) been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) watched a sunrise with someone you care about - yep Kev- hawaii
(x) blown bubbles with the kids
( ) made a bonfire on the beach
( ) crashed a party
(x) gone roller-skating we had lessons but i stunk at it..held onto the wall for dear life..and I skated with that boy...he had sweaty palms but at least held me up!
(x) had a wish come true
( ) jumped off a bridge Uh- No I am a wimp..but watched my drunk brother and best friend do it as a teen at Olive Park...with two gay men who were um naked...Tom lost HIS shoe that day jumping. Amazing he didn't die since it was all rocks under there.

KIM ROCKS and Freak is back!

It's a birthday miracle...

Kim changed my header....all praise the queen. I tried and it was all squished together. Isn't my girl just beautiful???? And she's upside down and has MY logo on it..it's just the cutest freaking thing I've ever seen!!!! Big smooches to Kim- she keeps her dt position forever for this one

And Freak! I couldn't believe my eyes..not only is she bacccccck she's got a hot new avatar also..be sure to check her out....

So Kev remembered about um 1pm to call and say Happy Birthday..I think my hanging up on him TWICE was a wee hint he screwed up. It's bad enough there is no cake or meal planned for me...and that my presents were bought a month ago but not even a hb? Shame! He apologized up and down.....

Btwn that and the outlaws phone call I'm in a crabby mood. :) And no ONE gave my 2 year old the memo - it's Mommy's bday (34th to be exact) so please oh please behave...oh no..she's the queen of the beasts today.

Happy Birthday to ME!

12.04.2005

My Bday Present

According to Kev was spending the day before at the ER with M. :) Yep it's $100 co-pay and he hurt his toe at mom's house yesterday (at about 2am)...and today the Ped said to bring him on into the ER. They said it's not broken...we won't know about hairline fractures for a few days but he did a number on it. They said to keep him home til 12/7 and he's hanging onto that one for dear life :)

But he was playing with a truck and chasing the kids at the party and he hurt his big toe. The spikes on the wheel of this remote control thingy (big honkin thing has fallen on my toe before - ouchie mama) went into his toe hard between his big toe and 2nd toe...and he wasn't putting any weight on it. You know he was in extreme pain when he asked for meds and slept all day today!

Anyway he's snug as a bug at home and we have to make a follow up appt in 2 days at the peds...never a dull moment! :) I feel older already!

Weekend Update :)

Not as funny though...so I left off on Thurs..my fake bday..no presents or cake were had :) We went to Naper Settlement on friday with M's class. It was colder than a witches **t out there (why do people say that anyway?) and I realized for sure why no other parents came forward to chaperone. Think 30 kids and 1 teacher and ME. And all of us in an 1800s settlement. 2nd graders could care LESS about old times....and we got out of there and only broke ONE piece in the Mitchell Mansion on the fireplace. Yay! LOL I loved this place and will for SURE go back in the summer - I've always been intrigued by old times. I've often felt I should have lived in the olden days. Anyway it was so neat to see actual homes, etc and if you stood just so you could almost see the kids running down the halls past the maids, etc.

Of course if *I* lived in those times I'd be in the one room log cabin w/ a mud floor. ;) It kind of humbles one to think of the hardships that our ancestors survived to make a better life for us. And how much harder it was back then..when your days consisted of living and working and sleeping only....not as much free time at all.

After we left there I was so worn out I literally slept on the bus..thank goodness I had eyebrows and nothng thrown into my head when I awoke. :) I could not get WARM that day though....it was nuts. I came home and packed orders again...quitting halfway through a 9 pg- $300 order...my eyes were crossing. So I took the two older ones for haircuts and then got A from Rissi's house and we went to Pepe's with Daddy. What a sweetheart- Kev drove us there because I was falling asleep on my feet. It took 4 hours to get A to sleep that night because she took a 2 1/2 hour nap near 5pm. Argh.

Sat I woke at 5am again....it makes me more tired but it is the ONLY time I get time to myself without a 2 year old wanting my every attention. So I get up and sneak downstairs where I work on orders and some xmas shopping online :) Got myself together to get out to Kohl's (I love that store) and get my nails done and eyebrows waxed.

Speaking of waxing...(no not brazilian - work with me people :) But did you know my first time getting waxed omg....no one told me that it would be so painful to get my eyebrows waxed and here I am thinking it means no more tweezing right? When she starts tweezing at the end. ROFL Not so much fun ya know????

Ok so get that all done and had a field day at Costco...cheap, awesome cakes...not so much fun during holiday season. It was a madhouse in there. I get all my pics done there..love uploading there- ordering and getting instant gratification. Had to get my mom's housewarming cake...and my photos. The photos were a joke..because the damn ppl forgot to give my dh the photos the day before. So I got HALF my order. So I stand in line- with my cart because they were a little thin right? And some old geezer comes BARRELING through the dang place yelling move outta my way I've got things to do and slams me and the cart. I start to double take and think what the heck..and he's like snidely saying EXCUSE me...he goes and grabs a pack of photos from the paid area and proceeds to signal over the 3rd guy in the photo area .....so no one is waiting on anyone. I was steamed beyond belief and said some nasty stuff about him on the way to the car because my card wouldn't scan and the guy insisted I had it maxed out. Duh enter the numbers son, enter them manually. I go out to the car and stomp back with my purse to stand in line AGAIN (can we say holiday photos?) and he gets to me and is like..picking up holiday photos ma'am? I'm like I was JUST here and you had my photos and my card expired..he's like..."Last name please" PULEEZE...can you tell me what is going on? So we get fixed up and the guy is totally rude to me when I pointed out I'd have avoided all this mess if they had given my dh the WHOLE order...

Grab the cake and then ruin the cake by throwing a loaf of bread onto it to carry LOL Get to the car and get to my mom's in enough time to hang MORE freaking pictures and all her guests start pouring in and I start serving. Her party started at 2pm and went til 3am..it was rockin! I got to see ppl I hadn't seen in years and years and we laughed and laughed...Kimmie lives near me as does Angie so I am hoping we keep up with each other..nice to know others in this foreign place we live in.

You know what? I think this is starting to be more and more like home and familiar! I love it here!

Stole this from Amy! :)

More from me in a bit!

Do you celebrate Christmas? Heck yes....um 8 tubs of decorations and counting and 2 trees you think?

What are your favorite "holiday" colors? burgundy and green...I have a snowman collection LOVE them and am getting into SANTAS too..like the older old fashioned looking ones

Favorite Christmas song? White Christmas maybe- Jingle Bells, Carol of the Bells...Love xmas :)

Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Vacation, Elf, White Christmas when it snows...sigh

Favorite Christmas cartoon? Rudolph and Grinch oh and the absolute best...Charlie Brown Xmas...

Real tree or artificial? Artificial all the way...both trees..but people always ask if it's real..guess all those hours of fluffing branches really DOES work!

Special family traditions? New ornaments..from the year before that we buy the day after xmas.....making cookies...and krans kuchen....opening 1 present on xmas eve...pasta on xmas eve and ham on xmas day. And matching pjs for the kids on xmas

Travel or stay home? Stay home...mom's on xmas eve usually for dinner and cards..always cards :)

Does Santa wrap presents? um not..we wrap his.

Do you do an advent calendar? Yes we have three I think now..but with nothing in the pockets.

Do you send Christmas cards? Store bought or handmade? Christmasletter? Pictures? Pictures- yes...at least one! And a newsletter only...gotta do that one ya know?

What do you put in stockings? Little items if i remember!

Typical holiday meal? Ham ALWAYS on xmas day....pasta on xmas eve....um calamari is traditional but they make only a small pot of that as I won't eat it. :) And hash brown potatoes....and yum..lots of goodies.

Are you done shopping yet? Have you started? Almost done..have a few more odds and ends and need to find an xbox 360 LOL But otherwise yes!

12.01.2005

Happy Fake Bday To Me

Wow I almost missed it...gotta be quick...Kev doesn't like hearing about the blog :) He's just jealous. Today was a waste of a day ....snowed and was just enough and icy enough to take FOR-ever to get K to her chorus. What teacher thought that having it before school at 7:50am was a GOOD idea and then do it on Wed and Thurs am. I am beat.

On the plus side the 2 yr old pip squeak was moved to her bed last night again and slept though..woke up like maybe 2 times in that half sleep stated and put herself back to sleep. YAY - if she'd only NOT kick our wall between us. LOL I might have to move that bed away a bit.

My brother Tom came over...bless his heart and worked in the wind to get the pool cover back on for us...yeah you can buy them and put them up but taking care of them- well we did the best we could but the bungees all broke in the wind.

So my dumb moment this am...we get up in time for Chorus..I get clothes folded and put away and then head out to take them and then A and me to her class and get almost halfway there and realize that DUH the dish people are coming today..so then I slowly make my way back home. OMG I am a dork!

They come out (we had to pay for this visit) only to NOT get on the roof at all...it's too icy so I say I am not paying them and they will return when it's better weather. I did manage to do some loads of wash, clean up the family room and kitchen and went through the pit that is my office (upstairs..not the store..that place scares me )

That's about it...Oh yes...my fake bday...yep ....it's true..after finding out as a kid that my mom changed my birth certificate so I could go to Kindergarten a year earlier....I refused for a LONG time to acknowledge my REAL bday (the 5th). So my friends started celebrating my Fake bday complete with gifts and cake and song. :) But that hasn't happened for a while..I don't even talk to those friends anymore...Kev used to wish me a Happy Fake Bday..but really..the poor guy has enough to do with our Annibirthmas right?

So I am off to eat some delish candy mom brought me...from See's..their victorian toffee is to die for. YUM

Tomorrow I get to go to an outdoor field trip with the boy - freezing my patootie off. :) Wish me luck.

He's very excited..I'm not so much so...but am realizing why NO other parent volunteered LOL

And my friends PJ and Stace and Livi have made it safely to China! For their 2nd daughter....I can't wait til my REAL bday as that is Gotcha Day for them. Our Gotcha Day with our little one approaches on 12/7. :)
Hard to believe it's been 2 years...

sigh