Is it Hump day yet?

By the time any of you read this we will be humping through the week. Is it just me or did Monday and Tuesday drag for everyone? While at work I can think of a thousand places I'd rather be, or be doing. Perhaps it's because I have a case of spring fever. Which when you stop to wonder about it, our winter hasn't been a winter, so why have the spring fever?
Great news is I will be spending a week in Key West in a few months! Motivation to keep humping through these weeks. FCAT, FTE, WDIS, and survey after survey and the slew of other reports that our state mandates to keep up with student achievement. Keep humping, all the way to the Keys!
The classes I took this weekend were great and very informative, but left me yearning to do nothing but scrap! I sewed on paper for the first time, neat technique, I could do that again on LOs. Also found a new adhesive to use on LOs, but for the life of me can't remember it's name!
Short and sweet, my mind is too tired to wonder. Thanks for reading. nite Jeb.

Is it Friday yet?

It's almost the weekend!!!!
I have all day Saturday to myself. I'll be taking a class at the faraway LSS. I'm excited. We will be altering a clipboard in Basic Grey and altering a paint can for Valentine's day. I look forward to meeting other scrappers from my area.
Getting away for a day will be soo good for me. Work is starting to get to me again. Not the amount of work, or what I do, I love my job. It's the people there who have nothing better to do but keep track of what other people are doing. As a part of our wellness program, we are allowed 20 minutes to walk the campus. It seems certain people who don't participate have taken to "timing" those that do. Grrrr! MYOB!
I'm off to scrap a bit, release some tension and wonder a bit about life at the WesternGate.

The Challenge from Kip

Jobs I’ve had in my life:

1. My First job was in High School. I worked for one of the School Board Members as a stripper.
2. I sold antiques at my mom's antique shop.
3. I pumped gas back when gas stations actually did that for people
4. Teacher's Aide in a Pre K classroom for the first 9 years I worked in the School District

Four movies I would and have watched over:

1. Remember the Titans
2. Big Fish
3. On Golden Pond
4. Pretty Woman


Four places I have lived:
1. Savanna, IL
2. Virginia Beach, VA
3. Doctor's Inlet, FL
4. Pensacola, FL
Four television shows I love to watch:

1. Grey’s Anatomy
2. Desperate Housewive's
3. Boston Legal
4. Fox Football and PreGame show

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Colorado
2. Gulf Shores, AL
3. New Orleans Mardi Gras
4. Wisconsin & Illinois (yes I lead a boring life)


Four websites I visit daily:

1. Several friends’ blogs
2. Two Peas Pub
3. Monkey Place
4. Packers.com

Four of my favorite foods:

1. seafood
2. salad
3. Chicken & Dumplings
4. Mexican Food

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. Anywhere my family is together
2. On the beach
3. In Wisconsin & Illinois
4. On a neverending, unlimited spending, go where I want to Vacation.

Okay maybe I should clarify #1. My first job was stripping furniture for a furniture refinishing shop. The owners were my 4H leaders, and he was on the school board. They were awesome people.

I Think I NEED a Vacation!

Which is surprising to say considering we just had a two week Christmas break and MLK 3 day weekend. But I stayed in WesternGate most of the time. I did take a 3 day break to my sister's in Alabama. But does that count? DH stayed at home, we had a sick spoiled dog at that time. He's better now.
I think the week at the beach the first week of November spoiled me. I can't help but think how good life was there. Family, food and fun all week! I love all my in-laws and it was great being there with them. Maybe DH and I should go back, just for the weekend. He seemed so relaxed and happy there. It is amazing how a five minute walk with your feet in sand and waves crashing about can clear your mind. I can't wait for warm weather and our pizza dates on the beach.
I think I shall wonder about a weekend away in Feb. Just him and I!
For now, from the Westen gate.

:Jayne

Titles Titles Titles What's in a name?

As soon as I hit publish on the last blog I realized I forgot the title. That led me to wonder, is the title necessary? Some would say so, but I'm casual today. I think I will leave the title in the wondering stage.

Jayne

It's another beautiful morning here at the WesternGate! After some cold, rainy and chilly weather at the beginning of the week, the sun is out and it's warming back up! I'm tired of wearing winter clothes and winter colors. I'm ready to go back into sandals, bright prints and capris!
I'm getting excited about the class I'm taking next weekend. An altered Clipboard and an altered paint can. It will be nice to be around some fellow scrappers IRL. I love the Message boards, but I'm a people person and want to be around people! None of my friends share my scrapping passion yet, but I am working on friend Jen. Jen if you read this, get a move on. I tried to enable another friend, at work, who keeps saying she thinks the scrapbooking is neat but she already has too many hobbies. I told her the TSV would be perfect for her! I will have to check today to see if she ever bought it. This is the woman who blocked the scrapbook clearance bin at Big Lots just looking through the stuff because she thought it was awesome! It won't be long and Vivica will be hooked I can tell!
I've wondered enough for this sitting, I'm off to scrap a bit before I run a few errands and go to the workplace.
Take a moment won't you and find something to wonder about! Leave me a note, what are you wondering?

:Jayne

10 Things I like about Me!

Not necessarily in any order!

1. I have virgin hair. Never dyed, still brown.

2. I'm creative.

3. I give of myself to causes I believe in.

4. I show up everyday to work and work hard. (I always thought that is just what you do, but apparently it isn't to alot of people)

5. I am a good mother, I've raised three wonderful young men who have good manners, a sense of humor, can clean house, do laundry and have good work ethic.

6. I am a loyal friend. What you say to me stays with me. I will be here when you need me, thru thick and thin.

7. I love to cook and bake. Sometimes tooo much cause then I eat it!!

8. I love life and have respect for others lives. There is so much we can learn from each other! Life is awesome!

9. I love to sing, alone in my car, where no one has to listen.

10. I am flexible. It happens, life changes, it's not always my way, I move on.

1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
We spent a week at the beachhouse, where my biggest decision of the day was which shell to pick up off the beach.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Every day is a new resolution, to be better today than I was yesterday.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Lots of friends got new grandbabies
4. Did anyone close to you die?
I’m getting to the age where friends are losing their parents and spouses. But no one immediate.
5. What countries did you visit?
Nope – Nada – Not me, too much of America left to see yet
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
This year is the year to have my side of the family on a family vacation.
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
My hubby’s 50th birthday party, it was a total surprise to him, with his parents and siblings all together for a week at the beachhouse.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Graduating my last child from High School successfully with his Bright Futures Scholarship.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Letting little things that are out of my control get to me.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The old grey mare ain’t what she used to be. Mostly just aches and pains, and one step closer to being a bluthering idiot.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The week at the beachhouse. Even with the mess from Dennis and Katrina, it was still awesome.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I would have to say my youngest son’s senior class. They were the guniea pigs of the brand new Advanced Technology Magnet High School. I think growing through the pains of being the first class in the school, with the program and the first graduating seniors has prepared them more for life than anything else. They learned their programs, completed their Capstone projects, learned what it takes to be successful in a field of study and how to bend and bow when life throws you curves. Not to mention having your Senior year messed up by Hurricane Ivan. They restored my faith in the younger generation.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The way “Professional” athletes and others in the limelight do not take on the responsibility that comes with being in said limelight and conducting themselves in a respectable manner.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Traveling, The Beach house, Scrapbooking and Reading Material
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
DH’s 50th Birthday, his surprise party and one week at the beach with our family
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
Making Memories of Us by Keith Urban
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? A tiny bit thinner, not that it’s noticeable.
iii. richer or poorer? It’s all relative, richer in spirit.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Family Time, Scrapbooking
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying about things out of my control.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
We spent it at home with the boys and my sister & her hubby.
22. Did you fall in love in 2005?
Yes, even more deeper than ever with DH
23. How many one-night stands? None, see #23
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, FOX Football Pregame Show, Boston Legal.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is such a waste of positive, creative energy
26. What was the best book you read?
Too many good books to mention although The Christmas Blessing had to have been the last one.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I have finally realized how much of Jimmy Buffet’s Music I enjoy. While not yet a parrothead, I am a bigger fan.
28. What did you want and get?
Getting everyone together for the beach week. Every week should be that great!
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I’m not a movie buff, and I don’t know what year the movie was made, but this year I watched “The Songcatcher” and really enjoyed that.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 45. My actual birthday I didn’t do anything, and tried to keep it a secret from everyone. But this would be the first year in 20 that DH sent flowers to work, so everyone found out. So a few days later, my best friends surprised me with lunch and wonderful pressies, including a red coffeepot I had been coveting and flowers from BF’s hubby, who looks like Richard Gere!
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More vacation time. Sunday Family dinners EVERY Sunday.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
It’s comfy, It matches, It fits, and I don’t have to iron it.
34. What kept you sane?
My husband, great friends, and a few great Margaritas
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
No one.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Hurricane disasters created by our government, and as always, the issues clouding our educational system.
37. Who did you miss?
Family who live far away that I can’t see everyday and my parents.
38. Who was the best new person (people) you met?
HMMM, that’s a toughie, I met a lot of really great people in 2004, so I spent 2005 getting to know them better.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
When the chicks leave the nest you have to let them go and let them do well or make mistakes on their own.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

A Trip Around the Sun Jimmy Buffet and Martina McBride

Hear 'em singing Happy Birthday
Better think about the wish I made
This year gone by ain't been a piece of cake
Every day's a revolution
Pull it together and it comes undone
Just one more candle and a trip around the sun

Chorus:I'm just hanging on while this old world keeps spinning
And it's good to know it's out of my control
If there's one thing that I've learned from all this living
Is that it wouldn't change a thing if I let go

No, you never see it coming
Always wind up wondering where it went
Only time will tell if it was time well spent
It's another revelation
Celebrating what I should have done
With these souvenirs of my trip around the sun

I'm just hanging on while this old world keeps spinning
And it's good to know it's out of my control
If there's one thing that I've learned from all this living
Is that it wouldn't change a thing if I let go

Yes, I'll make a resolution
Then I'll never make another one
Just enjoy this ride on my trip around the sun
Just enjoy this ride ...Until it's done

Where is the Westerngate?

I like to compare my Western Gate to Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. It's my online state of mind, a place most anyone can get into with the right mindset.
A slower pace was the mindset of the family when we settled at the Westerngate. The slogan here, coined by our former mayor is,"This is the Westerngate of the Sunshine state, where thousands live the way millions wish they could". We have found that to be true here. Life here doesn't have the hustle and bustle of the rest of the state. Life is slower, the beaches less crowded, a place where everyone knows everyone else. It's a place where even the polititians where casual clothes and list their phone number in the book with everyone else.
Westerngate is actually my backyard gate. Of the four gates in my backyard, the one facing the west gives the best view of life. It's a slower place where we relax and enjoy the peacefulness of the sunset.The backyard gate was always were good friends come in, where you stand and gossip, or watch the evening sunset.
The best Western gate signifies the passage into the stage of adulthood that I think is best. The stage where the big 4-0 hits and you realize the kids are raised into responsible adulthood, and now it's just you and the hubby. My motto now is "I've spent the first forty years doing what I was supposed to do, NOW I will spend the next forty doing what I want to do!
And whether that means continuing to do what I've always done or being a bit eccentric having margaritas at lunch, I will continue to Wonder at the Westerngate.

A first time for Everything

Here it is, my blog. Somewhat of a diary, a place to leave my wonderings. My wonderings are still many, as simple as the awesome work of God, "How did HE do that?" To the wonderings of why people say and do the things they say and do. To the wonderings of you, "Why did she say that!?
So here I wonder, am I even doing this right?
For now, Wondering goes on at the Western Gate.

:J