Introducing Darwin

Yep it's true..we've added a new member to our family- another male to try and even things out--although we are at 5 females and now 3 males.

The newest member is so dang cute it makes my teeth hurt.

He's 4 mos old and is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel! His birthday is Jan 7th.

Trying to take a picture of my puppy with him moving- now that's talent ;)

If you are in the market for a pet and you live near Bridgeview- I HIGHLY recommend Odd Lot Pet Store. My cousin Dan owns it and was so helpful in our choosing. He is reasonably priced too! He's on Harlem and 79th street behind the Haunted Trails!

So far this puppy has pooped and peed ONLY in the house. Oy vey. And he's noxious :)

The kids are in love and so are we!

We actually went in for a Beagle...little did we know that this little face would appeal.

Scolded

I've been told by some close friends that I do NOT update this blog enough. Well embarassing as it is to admit..I keep forgetting and resetting the password. Maybe now I'll remember :)

I've tried to scrap a few times in the last month..but thoughts have been on my local storefront which is not doing well. This economy is killing us and we've been to lawyers and then stressed over it. I'm leaving it in God's hands now..but have put out my applications for substitute teaching.

I lost another 5 lbs in the last week..due to stomach flu...I somehow feel there are better ways to go about this. Seriously.

I won a prize on Cosmo Cricket's blog..their new line Hello Sunshine is SO sweet. I think we'll do something with it...I really like the color combos a lot.

And finally I'll leave you with a layout if I can snag the image....I do have lots more to say but work awaits.....

New pics

blurry but new :) The lighting at the store was not helping poor Cari out. But she was a pal and snapped this of me!

This is in my new size jeans (yay) and top...I'm feeling great and doing ok too!

Check out Ellie Krieger's recipes on Food Network.

I am SO glad spring break is almost over...the kids are whining and the weather stinks.....if I see anymore snow I may scream.

Ok more from me later..working on the store newsletter :)

-Fee

A Whole New Regime

So things are settlin' down around here...the contractor from heck is finally out of my house for good....Mom's apartment is looking great and is a nice little space (2 bedrooms, 1 bath, kitchenette with full size fridge/microwave/pantry), living room and computer nook/scrap area...and a laundry room. Heck *I* want to move in!

Since she vacated our bonus room/exercise room Kev got the bug to start exercising again. I think it was his checkup where they told him he was borderline diabetic. So he started working out and mentioned eating healthier...I have to admit I blew a gasket when he started this.....right after I spent x amt of dollars on our normal foods and planned out a month menu.

He has a tendency to start these fad these...south beach, perricone, the salmon only diet...and buys stuff and spends a ton of money on the books and exercise plans (he currently has the navy seal book...we are NOT navy seals hon) and then doesn't have any follow through. So Kev started this kick in Jan and started refusing to eat my normal meals and I joined him after I visited Bonni in Georgia :)

I decided if you can't beat him - join him and I have a great time exercising with him. We have a bow flex, treadmill, recumbent bike, etc...so no excuses essentially.

See this photo? This was xmas. Yuck!

We also caught an episode of Ellie Krieger's Healthy Appetites on Food Network and I was amazed at how good it all sounded...told Kev we NEED her The Food You Crave cookbook and it was the BEST investment yet. Seriously...we are eating more gourmet and healthier now and are having a great time doing it...I don't feel deprived..there is no weight loss program or things to count...it's a NEW lifestyle.....see this photo below? From last fall....for our family photo shoot..again YUCK.

So how did we start? We simply started eating healthy..cut out all crap and watched our intake on things...I started eating breakfast and lunch again and 2 snacks..so I added MORE food and still ended up almost 40 lbs thinner now. Kev is at about 35-40 lbs...and he lost it SO quick it was so discouraging to me...seriously. Everyone sees immediately how much thinner he looks and ppl aren't seeing it on me...well I had been wearing the wrong size clothes....3 sizes too big in some instances..and went out and bought some interim jeans yesterday and am starting to feel like me again.

I really felt like I had done all this work and no one noticed- even me....I was frumpy...but I'm happy to report the jeans fit today and are NOT falling off :))) Look at the skinny minnie...he's really looking good in his jeans!

I'm going to post some before pics of me and some before/after pics of Kev....I have to get the kids to take a mid-after of me in my new pants :) And this size is starting to hang on him..even though his weight is still holding steady. Rat. :)

This is an amazingly HORRID picture of me as far as "after" ones go....Kev is not good at this ;) But at least I think it shows some weight loss..not sure.

So if you think you can't...you really can...I'll share some recipes later...I'm loving figuring out healthier ways to eat...I'll even tell you some good foods you can eat out...amazingly enough.

More from me soon enough---Fee

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone had a great one...we sure did...it was our first healthy eating holiday..and while some of us were sad at no Hash Brown Casserole....(which I am going to revamp to be healthier)....we did just fine...

We had: Ham, Low fat mashed potatoes, stuffed french toast (low fat), salad and baked sweet potatoes. YUM. I made a homemade banana cream pie - also low fat for dessert.

We played 2 poker tournaments...I won the first and Tom took Kev in the 2nd.....

Otherwise it was a perfect low key day. Next up is Anna's 5th birthday..amazing to know that my baby is going to be FIVE.

Think it's a hint?

LOL I had to smile when I saw this...Mikey got play-doh for easter in his basket (cause he fights w/Anna for hers...and of course now she wants his colors...but this is what he made...I thought it was adorable...now I am wondering....was that a hint?

They want a dog so bad...we just got a fence so our last issue is done with...so I guess we are looking at Dogs.....Sandy..make sure you get me the breeder's name.....I'm hoping after our summer vacation....but we are thinking a yellow lab.

I'd go rescue but we have SO many ppl in this house- and kids to boot..might not be a good fit..but if you know of good rescue stuff - please let me know.

The cutest surprise

Jill sent me my BEAUTIFUL purse...omg it's just adorable....I'm using it as a camera bag.....and then inside she had put this beautiful little one for Anna..which got lots of compliments when we were walking through the airport!
I was able to scrap...miracle of miracle on my MUCH needed recharge to see my bestest bud..Bonni. We had a blast and she scrapped a record 2 pages while I was there :) It was Anna's first flight and I had to lug all of our stuff to of course - gate C28 or some such thing...I almost died laughing when I realized that she would not use the people walker or the escalator. After a few flights of stairs this should-be ditz figured out..ELEVATOR. But the people walker...well we just walked alongside of it. Looking at it from Anna's POV I can see why she'd want to skip it kwim? Neon rainbow lights and then a voice saying: Keep Walking.....over and over. She was SUCH a trooper...a great traveler and a good buddy...it was so nice to have her to myself for a long period of time and really great that I could give her that one on one attention! More from me later..dinner is done and we are in an exercise regime here so I have to do the treadmill..hard time :) I will say that I've been feeling great since we've started this new eating and exercising and it's not as hard as I would think...so hopefully those pounds start dropping off. More pics and layouts later!

I'll leave you with ONE layout...it's much brighter in person- the new lens right out of my camera and me messing around in our backyard...love the photo and love this kit- High Society about to be released to the general public at Scrap Addict!

I'll include the original photo in all it's glory too since this scanner of mine screws up all things :) See how much brighter it truly is on the layout? Or rather what it should look like? Can I say I am LOVIN' my new camera and Cari and her photography class.....remind me to give y'all the blog address...she's amazing..and I am not just saying that cause she wants to photograph the kids again ;) I took that pic and others like it in AV mode..me in something other than auto - AMAZING. Ok gotta fly. Sorry...life is kinda like this lately......bbl

Fee

Miss you woman

we had a great time...we didn't even get arrested...Anna was a dream on this trip and it showed me I can and WILL do this again sometime soon. I was so burnt out and needed to see my best friend...it was a rough deployment for her with Chris gone for his third time.....it was just good to get away and regroup.

In the past 6 months things have changed so much at the store..both online and locally. I am lovin' the changes online...what at first seemed to be insurmountable ended up being so good for Anita and myself...Anita...she's such an easy going person...we get everything done..on time and nicely- no drama..and that's important...it's important to realize that there are ppl who have drama and love to give it and will ALWAYS put their own interests first..I'm glad I didn't listen to the griping...esp since she's been my friend for geez 13 years....!!!? Anita..we are officially gettin' up there ;) I'll bring the walkers.

Anyway change is bound to happen and I am feeling my way in this retail business and learning SO much....I'm grateful for the opportunity.

Back to my trip...I had to bribe the kids to let me take photos although when I was having them jump over me sitting on the ground they thought that was high fun. And I crawled through a playground for these shots...Love Bon's kids..they are such good kids..yes even stinker Hannah Banana when avoiding Anna Banana :) I am so glad they got their Rock Band..so I can sing with them when we see them next ;)

I took a ton of pics..these are only a few surprisingly!

Etsy

who knew I'd love this place so much? I'm addicted and I am dragging my employees into it too :) I've bought quite a few purses lately and all seem to be from ONE person. So I thought I'd give her a plug..I'd like to think we are becoming friends since I only talk to her every few weeks lately. If you are so inclined and want beautiful purses like mine..go check her out and mention I sent you. She does custom work too which I love. I bought my first purse after being side tracked from my original purpose..which was a camera strap from Emily Falconbridge....too funny that story....and thanks to Sandra for originally hooking me onto Etsy and letting me peek at all her faves.....so I found Jill and then bought a purse in a lovely Amy Butler fabric...YUM...got that one and asked for a camera bag..then when I was showing CherylW the bags she got me to order a 3rd one with more padding for my camera..and now it will be traveling in style ;)


I'll share that bag once I get it...but let me try and find images of the other bags....
ok if you want to order any...go here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5176604
Jillyd Bags

Love her!!!


fee

Do I update here?

not often enough. A friend just asked me if I do a lot and I said yes and then realized sadly- no I don't :)

So I will upload some photos from xmas. We had such a calm, great day. The tree is still up staring me in the face but Mom promised to help me dismantle BOTH of them today.

We are still waiting on our basement to be done but the movers move Mom and Riss in this friday. We've had my gram staying with me too while she recovers from leg pain so we've had quite the full house! Not forgetting that we are also dog sitting Tom's dog Cassidy. :)

Kev got me this awesome new lens for xmas- an F1.4 50mm lens...it takes such CRISP clear photos but I'm still learning. I'll upload some of my faves with it....keeping in mind I am a novice and unless Cari starts offering PRIVATE lessons for me I may *never* improve.

The weather here has been so odd that I am never sure whether to put on shorts or a sweater. Today it's stormy rain and 50 degrees...last week it was an ice storm. See what I mean?

only a few short days until Miss Anna and I leave for a wonderful break....we head out on a plane to visit Aunt Bonni. I am not packed yet but hope to do that tomorrow....ok nothing great to really say :)

The picture of Kev was taken in front of the window...well all were..I love that this lens will "blow" out the background. Of course I'm shooting in AV mode and um realized that shooting in the snow on a high ISO means a totally white photo ;)

Ok I am in NO mood to futz with the setup of this..so enjoy! :)

Fee

Xmas Day

We had a budget and I stuck to it and they still had a ton of stuff. I couldn't believe it. The tree had to be in a new location because of this scamp:

and it was still ok. He liked the tree and probably would have destroyed it Lucy style (my best friend's dog!) but we didn't let him! We had a quiet holiday with family and it was a good time. I got to see both of my brothers and Dave's wife...it was so nice to see her..we don't get to that often! And Tom's gf Nic....we played cards and ate fairly healthy! Nice. If you want to see more of them..I think I put a bunch up on my facebook. I am fairly addicted to that and texting..so make sure to add me and email me for my cell phone #. Although that texting has been slower come winter. Here are some of my fave pics of the holiday! in no particular order! The big haul..Katie's xmas was a TWILIGHT one..with calendar, wall hanging (of Edward of couse), 2 tee shirts....she was in heaven. Mikey loved his MICROSCOPE (wonder if he takes after his parents at all????) and Anna loved her bakugan. :) And her real art easel for the table. She was in heaven! I love when they all get along. Some highlights: When Mikey stopped Anna's tears (because he had opened a bakugan and Anna hadn't yet..didn't know she had one) and gave her one of his! Good brother and brought tears to my eyes. Pics of my whole family with me! That was a highlight..we don't as adults get in many of them it seems. And also when Kev smelled up the house..we have pics of the kids with their pjs over their faces..we laughed SO hard. Finally....the best...Mikey shopped at school w/his own money for his family. Gave Katie a tube of what he thought was lip gloss. Katie opens it and goes..um Mikey why'd you get me GLITTER GLUE? OMG we laughed so hard and that might be my most fave holiday pic! I missed my Dad a lot this year but less than previous years. We didn't do a grab bag for the adults- economy driven of course. But Tom still made us all laugh by giving us each a glass from a set of 6 that he had gotten in a grab bag. Thank goodness I have Kev's, Mine, Mom's and Riss's..at least we have a set. Poor Gram and my other Mom (also Mom btw) got one each LOL. I like these holidays where things are quiet. Can't wait for some little ones to spoil again. That's not a hint or anything brothers of mine! I included the pic of Darwin that Katie took on our photo shoot..it could be in a calendar. And don't let that cute demeanor fool you....he's a hunter and can get anything in his mouth. I dread to think of the things he's swallowed..bet we find all sorts of goodies in the spring in his waste in the yard. Ewwwwwwwwwww!

Hugs and Love to you all this holiday season, Fee

Anna is definitely unique and her own person...she refused to wear the Snow White costume at first....b/c it wasn't the BAT costume she wanted....then she put Katie's old hat on her head and called herself a PUMPKIN LOL She is something this kid. She was wearing her Goin' Bananas red shirt....her purple paisley pants and blue turquoise crocs...oy vey!

After we visited Margaret (she says I call her Marge and she calls her Margaret) she decided to dress in her Snow White costume. Wonders never cease to amaze me. Of course it was over her clothes and her crown was falling off but all in all an adorable PRINCESS!!!

She even managed to walk most of it...but good thing we brought the stroller...she petered out at the end and decided she wanted to go home. Pretty somber Halloween with a weirdo on the loose but we had fun. Kev wants to join up with the people who drag a wagon filled with alcohol next year....I'm at least bringing a hot chocolate ;)

And my major overwhelming feeling? Thank goodness another halloween is over with. Cheryl is loaning me a candy corn costume in 2 years...and I got Mikey - Davey Jones I think from Tarjay for a whopping $5 marked down from $50. Anna has agreed to be a witch like her Margaret for next year..YAY me as that was $3 on clearance...poor Kati will have to go with a creative one next year again as she's at that age where it is no longer cool to dress up but definitely fun to terrorize or t&t for candy.

Forgot my TAG from Jess...might have missed a few more ;)

But here are my boring answers!

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.once again, thanks Jess http://jessicabellus.blogspot.com/
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs. (ha I might never do this one!)

People I am tagging: My Mom, Bonni, Laura, Carolyn, Meghan, Cynthia, Briana :)

My odd facts.....

1. I used to have to sleep with the covers over my ears....am usually terrified to be in the house at night and sleep...the house alarm has helped with that :)

2. I like to color- which I've shared before but I am a coloring book snob...it has to have GREAT lines I like care bears or strawberry shortcake best. I also hate to share my books and god forbid someone colors on my page. I sign all pages I do with my initials and date and I hate using used crayons...

3. I hate Halloween. Yep it's true..I have hated this holiday for years.....why do we dress up as idiots and go beg for candy when I can just buy it at the store?

4. Geez I might not have 7 random things to tell about me LOL- I was going to be a lawyer when I was younger...or a teacher...guess I got the degree and certificate for teacher but skipped lawyer :)

5. I love to people watch...it's always interesting to see what people are like....so when we are at amusement parks ,etc I love to watch ppl interact with each other...wanted to be an anthropologist also but for the little matter of no running water/showers out in the field ;)

6. Ok i am not doing well at this....I hate chain letters...and never do them. I take that back..did the dish towel and recipe one once and got nary a one back!

7. But was superstitious enough to get that Amish Friendship bread and struggled for weeks to not let the starter batter die so that I wouldn't upset some Amish somewhere who had no idea I had their starter batch...b/c let's face it...do you think they really care?

LOL Enjoy!

Our Halloween

Here are some pictures...for me it's finally over....the kids had fun even though I am "mean" because I won't buy them costumes...if they only knew how *much* I dread this holiday they'd understand.

Katie was a rock star- thanks Bonni....it's the ONLY face I get in photos and I see the same disease has stuck your house too ;) Mikey was a ninja but lost his black shirt two seconds before we had to leave (how does one do THAT?!!!) and was a white ninja instead.

And Anna decided to wear her princess costume..at first she was a "pumpkin" in her words.

LOL did I mention I was happy it was OVER?

More photos later...gotta snuggle Anna - and I didn't them loaded on here yet!

Yay it's fixed

and a HUGE thanks to Jess for fixing it and doing up this banner for me. Better yet she gave me a blog address that helps you do your own banners! I love this photo that Jess took though so it's gonna stay for a while now..less dizzy to have it only once though right???

I have a ton of layouts to scan...and upload..will work on that when I can get into my office and we have some new pictures too...today we go and get our family pictures taken after school and I am so excited that Cari is taking them for us...I've already warned her how hard they are Jess ;)

We'll see what she comes up with!

And until tomorrow I bid you adieu and am so grateful for the little things....I'm glad that my best friend is mine for life without the possibility of parole :wink: - her words not mine and I'm glad that her dh is home for some R&R and that he's out there risking his life everyday for us - makes the pettiness and nastiness of life so pitiful. I hope you find that scrapping mojo again sweets....it's not worth it to lose it over drama - life is too short.

I'm happy to report it's November and I made it through the year of firsts...I miss my Dad everyday and my kids still start me crying when they cry about missing their Poppa but it is getting easier. We do our high fives "Poppa Style" and we talk and laugh about the good times...it's brought me closer to my brothers and for that I am truly thankful this thanksgiving season.

In that vein I am thankful for a great team online and locally who have helped me make my dream come true...my family and manager Cheryl. And anyone who has helped us. Gotta run..contractor is here! YAY

it's a start

SNORT

Omgoodness I think this is hilarious.

I'm gonna fix it but later...at least I know I can edit HTML- sort of ;)

Banner gone

That is one of my changes....doesn't matter to me that I don't have one yet..I'd rather have NOTHING at all than something that I didnt' do myself. :)

So I am learning..but that is not the change I was speaking of....

I did it...

and I am so proud....now see if you can figure out WHAT I did ;) It's here somewhere

and I also survived Oct...and anniversary of my dad's death. I am so glad. Now I am off to the doctor with one sick child...an mri for another tomorrow and oh yeah..get that subscription out for the customers. No stress..I've been up since SIX to do it all ;)

Catch ya later.

Lay off the 'hos Daddy

Yes words I never thought would be spoken....as I was dressing Anna for school I noticed she had grown and those jeans were just a wee bit tight..so as I was loosening them up I told her jokingly (what kind of Mom do you think I am....) "Lay off the ho ho's anna" Who started laughing hysterically and ran to tell Daddy...but you know those telephone games of yore? Well it went something like this...

Anna running to Daddy in office...

A: Daddy, daddy.....lay off those 'hos.

K: What?

F: Laughing too hard to answer and holding myself up in the doorway...tears streaming down my face

K: Did she just say what I thought she said...???!

F: Wait wait...she meant..lay off the HO HO's.

K: Well Anna honey I like my 'hos.

A: Lay off the hos dad, lay off the hos...

F: This might not have been such a great idea (as visions of preschool carpet time float through my head.

This is the kid who looked at me the other day pointing out our tonic water (flat as can be btw- to which my good friend Luce would be horrified ;) And said: This is for Daddy- he's a drunk....and me quickly saying...no honey- he drinks..he's not a drunk....and anna saying..that's what I said mommy. Oh boy! :) I tried to explain he has a drink once in a while but she's sure she's saying it right!

ParTAY time!

I agree with Catherine- I should have played the Hallelujah chorus because the kids were going back to school. But this year was a bit surreal with me trying to squeeze in getting to the store. Katie was first out. What an adult now...when did she start closing her door at night to sleep? It's already begun with her. SOB But anyway she gets up at the ungodly hour of 6am to get ready for the bus. It arrives at 6:58am. I managed to straighten her hair for her and then follow her out with the camera...she wasn't that thrilled with me. :)

I took a bunch of pics and then started to get the "look". All moms of preteens know the "look". Mikey got up and was more agreeable to photos except the sun was shining bright and he squinted in almost all of them. Need to get that boy a pair of sunglasses LOL

Mikey's new school is at the end of our block..well like 2 blocks down.....you walk to the end of our street and then cross and then walk around the lake to the school. I can see it from our house but my trepidation comes from it being MIKEY who is walking himself to school with no Katie to watch him. She's my 40 yr old and Mikey is my 2 yr old kwim? Anyway we walked with him and sure enough the dude did NOT look when crossing the street. We have an added danger of a stupid traffic circle right in front of the school so if he walks safely without crossing to the crossing guard he actually has to cross TWICE over this circle (think mass confusion from vehicles) by himself. So we trained him -sort of on walking. Kev thinks I am a worrywart but even he was annoyed w/the way they placed the crossing guard. And then the next am Mikey and his friend were totally on their way and forgot to cross at all.....and had to backtrack. No I am not following him anymore. LOL Only once in a while.

So the older two went earlier than Anna..who started last week Fri for one hour (more on her in a minute). Mikey LOVED it. I had to go with him prior to his first day (full day too..no half day here this year) and meet his teacher....young and newly married...seemed nice. He came home and said his teacher is VERY nice and he loves her. YAY. Katie got home before him that day and was all angst. The school was horrible, she missed the other school, the passing period is shorter, her locker was jammed with others and hard to get to, you name it she had a complaint for it.

We told her to suck it up..that teachers will appear to be hard butts the first day and then will ease up....we mentioned making the best of it and then you'll have a good day and we talked about fixing some of the issues (I called and got her locker reassigned and let her sign up for chorus and also student council). So needless to say she loves it there now and is so happy. The girl we had issues with the last year in grade school is now her friend again...which makes me happy as that was horrific (remember I was going to school because Katie was getting threats?) Anyway school is going great for them.

That leaves the little one. My angst one for other reasons :wink: She went on Fri for one hour...we were told we'd be with her the whole time but some brainiac decided that the parents would go into the other room for a meeting...and Anna was none too thrilled with this development. We had a LONG meeting there while I worried about Anna and then it was over and I was talking with the head person and thought Kev went to get Anna (idiot ;) And he hadn't so they brought her to us since all the other kids were picked up already- WTG Parents of the year. She did ok. She didn't really talk to other kids, etc but was ok.

This week she did one hour alone and I waited in the parking lot...today is her first OFFICIAL full day where we do a drive up - drop off. Heaven help us. Getting her out of the car should be fun :)

I'll post more about her first day and our apple picking tomorrow. I'm doing better...aren't I???