Catching Up Another Week

Wow! It's hard to believe today is the last day of November! Where did this month go? October seems so far in the past, but November just flew by.
This is another Jules & Kip inspired creation, and I must say my favorite so far. Of course I am partial to snowmen anyway. This little one is probably as close as I will get to the real thing. The papers I used were WM and Jo's Packs. I really like WM's Christmas papers this year! I embellished with a few snowflakes for each letter, and a puff ball for Snowie's cap.
I may still add some ribbons. I think I am keeping him, no bazaar for him, I have to know he has a good home!
Yesterday's minor surgery went well, I was in and out in an hour. Dr. Paul, who is Dr. Diego's brother, did my cyst removal. Another bump on the head gone! I love these guys! The are among the best Dr's I have had in my life. So personable, so caring.
A former student of ours came in last night for a transcript. He was in our Culinary Arts program. We started talking and I found out he knows my oldest DH, and thinks quite highly of him. It was good to hear someone gush about one of my kids. Dan is a great cook, of course, because I taught him! HA! I think it blew both of us away, the student and I, I that he knew Dan, and he that I was Dan's mom!
I will be toilet shopping tonite after work. At 3:30 am our toilet in the main bathroom sprung a huge crack and began leaking all over the floor. When I first heard it, I thought DS3 was in the shower, and thought, what the H is he doing in there at 3:30 am?? Needless to say we were mopping up in the wee hours of the night. The toilet is probably original to the house, built in the late 60's. Merry Early Christmas to us. Just what I wanted a new toilet!
Well hopefully the master shower will hold up, cause that's where I am headed. Then off to work.
Have a wonderful day!
:J 

All I Want for Christmas

This is the time of year when selfish me comes out. I guess because I am spoiled year round, I get really selfish this time of year. Or at least I think I am.
I'm selfish because when I ask what someone wants for Christmas, I really want to know. I work too hard all year to just go out and buy something to give you as a gift just so I can say I bought you something. I really want to buy you something you want. Isn't that what Christmas morning gift giving is all about? Getting what you want?
So this noon, gift giving was the topic of discussion at lunch. I was met with alot of "I don't know" "I don't care" or "A million dollars". What is it about guys not knowing?
Not knowing has never been a problem for me. Ask me anytime what I want and I can give you at least 5 things in 5 seconds. I didn't have any problem holding up my end of the discussion when it came to gift giving.
I used to tell the kids when they were teens that all I wanted was a clean house and kids who loved me. LOL! They still answer that whenever I ask them what they want. If money were no object and VISA were endless, I would get them what ever they wanted. But that isn't so, so I just want to know what they would like $300 or less. Maybe I will just give them money. They could go out after Christmas, shop the sales, and get exactally what they want. It would make for a boring Christmas morning, no presents, no reason to get up early. Which brings me to what I really want for Christmas. Really, Really, I want to go to my in laws for Christmas again. I miss being around the whole family, the big group. Where everyone stands in line for the one bathroom. We take turns with each other cooking and doing dishes. Where a 19 year old gets to be 8 again and play with the cousins throwing snowballs. I want family. I love my husband and my boys, but we see each other all the time. I want to be with everyone. More than everything I put on that list today, I want to be with family. Santa Please!
:J

Something Accomplished

I've stayed busy this weekend, accomplishing projects I've had on hold. I was inspired by my friends, Jules & Kip on these. Jules and Kip held a make and take at Creepover 2006 to make a decorated wooden BOO. Then I saw these at HL, and decided to try a Winter Twist on their project. I think I like the Santa better, his beard is crackled paint, I used silver underneath and white over the top. I'm making a few of these for next year's Christmas bazaar. I hope they sell.

Off to bed, tell me what you have been doing.

:J 

Thanksgiving Day, not Quite as Planned

Okay so things did not go exactally as planned Turkey day. Around my house things happen that way, we adjust, move on and get over it. I guess that's what getting older has done for me.
I didn't get to watch the Macy's Parade. BUT I did get to watch the McDonald's Parade from Chicago. Our local HS band was in it, "The Pride" from Escambia High School, my older boy's alma mater. But it kind of ticked me off because they didn't mention Escambia High, just Pensacola, but we have 9 high schools in Pensacola!
We didn't have pie, no pie, nada, zilch. The Schwann's guy just didn't get here so I couldn't bake it. We didn't have Chocolate Torte. No room in the fridge, so I didn't make it. We did have Pumpkin/Cream Cheese roll and Poor Farmer's cheesecake. It was more than enough and yum-0!
There were no candied yams on our table. Why? Ditzbrain, me, forgot to buy them! Actually I thought I still had a can in the pantry, I didn't. I was the only one disappointed, and DH promised to go to the best place in town that makes yams, Cole's, and get me my very own serving of their candied yams. I'll settle for that!
No Nap afterwards really, the tv was too loud, and the game too exciting! LOL!
Dessert at Lynn's was a load of fun. Fun catching up with the kids, watching Lynn's adorable DGS, Schyler get into mischeif. What a cutie he is! DH & the guys loved watching the football games on Howards 60+ inch big screen. I didn't know tv's came that huge! I felt like I was on the sidelines the little bit I watched it!
So the guys were in one room watching football on the big screen tv, the girls in the Florida room catching up and playing with the grandkids. Isn't that what Thanksgiving really is about? People you love, food too fattening, all together in one fell swoop? I guess my Thanksgiving is what I planned after all.
How was yours?

:J

Thanksgiving Survey

Just a little Questionaire, borrowed from Kip, who borrowed from Sophia. But also, Thanks, I am thankful for all my great friends, Monkeys or otherwise. Enjoy the day!
:J

Do you cook all or part of the meal?
Every single bit of it honey!
How much do you spend buying groceries for the meal?
I don't look at the receipts, it doesn't matter.
Eat at home or go to someone else’s?
Home, but going for dessert at a friend's.
Describe your perfect bite?
Since I can't just inhale the whole thing at once, probably white meat turkey with a bit of mashed taters, gravy, corn and stuffing.
White meat or dark?
White
Stuffing with giblets or without?
With giblets and without cornbread
Anything you won’t eat at the Thanksgiving meal?
Not only do I not eat it, I don't serve pumpkin pie!
Carve Mr. Gobble at the table or serve on a platter?
On the Platter
Favorite pie?
Triple Berry Apple Rhubarb
Formal table or chinet?
Formal
Your menu?
Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli salad, Sweet tater casserole, corn, rolls, cranberry jello blocks, veggie tray. For dessert is Pumpkin cream cheese roll, Triple Berry Apple Rhubarb Pie, Cheesecake and Chocolate torte.
Favorite leftover?
PIE
Extended family, friends, both or just the immediate family for dinner?
This year, DH & I, DS2 & DS3 for dinner, and later that evening we are going to a friend's for dessert.
After dinner, do you go to the latest movie or football on TV?
A Nap and if I wake up, FOOTBALL!
Do you watch the Macy’s Parade?
Yep!
Christmas decorations up before or after?
After
Black Friday shopping or sleep in?
Oh thank God I don't have to worry about Black Friday, if the kids were younger I might.
Any special Thanksgiving tradition?
On my table are several things. My grandmother's Platter, Depression Glass Salt & Pepper Shakers from my dad's bachelor pad before he married my mom, a Heisey glass tray from my mom's family and a Pilgrim man, Pilgrim woman and turkey candles from my childhood.
Also, after grace we all have to tell what we are thankful for.
Favorite Thanksgiving memory?
The year we ate Thanksgiving in our last Navy housing. We were in the midst of moving into this house.

Aw Doc! Do I Hafta?

It began with a bout of vicious vertigo on Monday. I went to work anyway, theorizing that as the day went on and I worked, that I would feel better. No, I didn't.
After lunch I made a Doctor's appointment for Tuesday morning. Then I went home to catch a nap and found my youngest son asleep on the couch with the flu. So even tho I felt much better on Tuesday morning, I went to the Dr's anyway. He poked and prodded and asked a few questions, then declared me to a have another ear infection in my left ear. Hmmm, but really I felt great. He gave me a script for antibiotics, decongestant, and nose stuff and then looked at me and said, "I want you to take a few days off work. Can you do that?"
Twist my arm, and what is that you just said?
"Stay home, rest, read a book, and take it easy?"
Aw, Doc, Do I hafta?
Would anyone else like his number?

When Life Keeps You Busy

It's been one of those weekends where nothing got done, but we accomplished alot. Despite feeling yucky off and on, things got done, even if they weren't on the list.
Thursday night started with the first home basketball game of the season, devastating loss by one point. I had left at half time, only to hear the result the next day. So Friday night I was determined to stay for the whole game. I was not disappointed! It was a well played game against a much larger team. It was good to see our boys play clean defense, pass the ball around and move to make plays. The fourth quarter was a nail biter as we came from six points down to make it a back and forth game the entire quarter and finally tie it up at the final buzzer, OVERTIME. Our kids showed their maturity as they outplayed their oponents to win by 4 points! WOOHOO! The prinicpal and I took turns not looking and having heart attacks as things went good, bad, good, bad to finally very good. I really like the new coach, he accomplishes getting some respect and discipline from his team and it shows on the court. The boys aren't wearing sagging, baggy clothes and he even told them to tell the girlfriends goodbye. Between basketball & grades they won't have time! This promises to be a good season!
Saturday was weekly grocery shopping & run to the base exchange. I scored a 24.75 lb turkey at the commissary! If I'm cooking a bird, I'm making it worth my while. Good thing too, DS1 called tonite to say that he thinks he and the fiance will be able to make it home after all! I also found a Christmas pressie for my sister who is hard to buy for and we got ink for the printer.
Hauling in all that food, required a nap from me while DH checked the pool, the yard and putzed outside. We lazed around the rest of the day until about 6 when I convinced him that if I didn't use those Michael's and Hobby Lobby coupons, they would quit putting them in the paper for me. LOL! I picked up the rest of my sister's Christmas present at Michael's, and a Crop a dile for me at HL. I'd tell you what I got her, but she sometimes reads here. We also hit Sam's where we got a Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake to "munch".
Sunday we did laundry, cleaned house and watched football. I scrapped a bit, finishing a CJ I am putting in the mail tomorrow. I am glad to have that out of the way, now I can concentrate on Christmas scrapping! I cleaned the scraproom so I can breathe in here now. Sunday night I made 5 Pumpkin Cheesecake Rolls. 3 of them went to school with me today where they were consumed by the staff, and 2 are for dinner Thursday. I deeply dislike Pumpkin Pie, so this is what we eat instead.
That was it, while nothing spectacular was accomplished, alot got done. Life goes on another day.

:J

HE WON!

I know it wasn't all my shameless begging. But it had to have helped! EMMITT WON! He is the offical Dancing with the Stars Champion! I am so happy for him!
I think America respected the fact of how well he dances despite his bad back, football injuries and age. Like Len said, You make the men of America want to dance!
WOOHOO!
Now if I could just get the hubby into the dance studio. The man can polka with the best of them, I know I can get him to rumba!

:J

Shameless Begging

I have become a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars. Tonite is the night we vote for the Champion. I'm hear to say, VOTE FOR EMMITT! He really is as charming as his smile and think about it, Emmitt is much older than Mario and moves as smooth as he does.
I know Mario has those cute dimples. But Emmitt, that smile, those hips! He truly looks like he is having the time of his life. I don't think he smiled this much when he was winning Super Bowls and breaking records! PLEASE VOTE FOR EMMITT!
Back to your regular programing.

:J

Beginning A New Week

It was a great weekend. I made it to my sister's on Thursday night, about 6. I had a few delays. The trip took a little longer than expected.
The first delay was our new bridge on I-10 over the bay. 45 minutes to go 7 miles. The view was gorgeous tho, and I counted 16 huge cranes on barges that were helping with the construction. I hope they post a final count, how many workers, cranes, tons of concrete, pilings, and rebar it takes to build our new bridge. Imagine being about to say, "I helped build that bridge." It is spectacular!
My second delay was at a LSS about an hour away. It's one of my favorites. I didn't get as many things as I wanted. I can always go back. I was saving myself for the shops we were going to this weekend.
Friday morning began bright and early. After breakfast at IHOP, we hit the first LSS in Dothan. WOW! What a neat place Paper Moon is. She carries most of my favorite papers. Everything was neat and organized. Both the clerks were so friendly and they even let me buy a class kit since I was not able to attend the BoBunny Family Recipe Book class. They didn't have the kits in the class right then, but she took my cell phone number and promised to call as soon as they got them at the store (that day) so I could pick it up.
After Paper Moon, we headed south to Panama City Beach. Originally we had planned to go to Montgomery, but since PCB is the same distance, we decided to try something new! We never know where we will end up!!!
PCB was nice, different, beachy. We hit Michael's, HL and JO's and Scrapbook Studio. Spent way too much money, but got lots of neat stuff!!!! Scrapbook Studio told us about "HollyFair" a huge event going on at the Civic Center. Shopping, Shopping, Shopping! We decided to go home and return Saturday for Holly Fair.
Holly Fair was neat, lots of jewelry, custom made items, Holiday stuff. I didn't buy much, a few ornaments. The day was long and by the time we got home I was exhausted, my back felt like it was on fire, and I was ready for bed!
All good things come to an end, and I had to say good bye to my sister this morning and head home. It was good to get back and see my family. I think they even missed me while I was gone!
I enjoyed my time with my sister. We didn't scrap a bit, but we shared memories, and made a few too!
:J

Canceling Each Other Out

Today was election day. My darling husband and I always vote together. It's a ritual. We don't discuss who we are voting for before we go in. Unless he knows it's a school issue, then he will ask me. But we always discuss who we voted for after we vote. It's become a ritual.
He'll name an office and ask who I voted for, when I tell him, he usually says "Cancelled you out". I'll name an office, and ask him, and usually when he replies, I tell him, "I cancelled you out." And so it goes. This time we were pretty much on the same page. We got the same senator, different governor, and all of our locals were the same.
DH still doesn't know what he is. I tell him it doesn't matter, you don't have to vote a straight party ticket. Just so you vote. You don't even have to vote in every race, Just vote!
I did get a bit aggrevated tonite when they were saying "so & so has 57% of the vote with 1% of the precincts reporting." Come on! Report when you have real numbers! Get those numbers off of Emmitt and Mario's feet! I need to vote for them!
So for the record, on the vote that really counts, we agreed. Emmitt & Mario for the next round. Joey, go home.

:J

My Wish

My Latest Layout of Oldest Son, Daniel. Not my best LO, I think it needs something. But I love the Cosmo Cricket Wanted Paper. The photo was taken last month with a friend's camera phone. I think it is my favorite pictures of him as an adult. Dan has always been my independent one, his first sentence was "Mommy, I do it." The journaling is below, the words to Rascal Flatt's latest song, "My Wish" I thought it was appropriate as Daniel and his fiancee', Felicia embark on their latest journey, moving to Lafayette, LA and starting anew. Good Luck Son.

MY WISH written by Steve Robson & Jeffery Steele

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you’re faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you
And if one door opens to another door closed I hope you keep on walkin’ ‘til you find the window
If it’s cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there gettin’ where you’re gettin’ to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you
And the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get
Oh, you find God’s grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything
This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

:J 

Lest Ye be Judged

Apparently I've opened a can of worms when I recently asked a question on a message board. I've been asked by our local fair board to chair a committee to bring scrapbooking into the Hobbies division of the fair. I thought my question at the message board was innocent enough, but was surprised at how adamant people are on what makes a good scrapbooking Layout.
In the fair everyone who enters a project is judged and given a ribbon. Best of Show ribbons would be given for the best project (in the judges opinion), Blue ribbons are for first, Red for second and White for third. In some cases, Green "participation" ribbons are also given. People entering the fair know they will be judged. It's up to them how much personal value they give to these ribbons.
My question on the message board seemed honest enough to me. "What criteria would you use, or have you used, to judge a LayOut?" Boy! Did I get what I asked for! While I did get some very excellent suggestions, I was surprised at some of the opinions stated also. I think I have a long year ahead of me in preparation for next years fair.
Some seemed shocked that we would even "judge" Layouts. But that's what the fair is all about. Well, that and rides, food that is horribly bad for you, and seeing that even your family tree is more normal than some.
In the end, I am glad I won't be a judge. But it will be my job to find judges who know enough about scrapbooking & art to know what makes a pleasing LO. Whether it contains a great picture or many, journaling or not, is plain or fancy, they will choose the best in their opinion. The people who enter expect this, they know they will be judged by the criteria listed in the fair book. In the end though, it's about getting our craft out to the public, perserving our past, for the generations to come.


:J

Simple Saturday

I've already been to the LSS, and am ready to sit down and scrap the afternoon away. DH is off at the shop fixing my car, DS3 is working a double so I won't see him till this evening. My house is clean enough to be healthy, dirty enough to be happy so I am taking a ME day!
I have a CJ to do, some wood cut outs to play with, (thanks to Creepover inspiration) and a few pages to work on. LOL! a few, I have enough paper to keep me busy for months!
So this entry is short, sweet and to the point.
Enjoy your day!
I'll post finished stuff later!

:J

It's Paycheck Friday, Weekend's Here, Good God Almighty!

Sorry, a little carry over from last night's Toby Keith concert........ Let's get Drunk and be Somebody!
Or whatever.
That concert rocked!!!!! Rushlow & somebody opened for him first, they were former members of the band Little Texas. They were alright, no real stage presence or firing up power. But then Joe Nichols came on and he rocked the house!!! He will probably tour alone next year, I don't understand why he isn't now. He is such a cutie and what a voice. Of course those of you who really know me would know my favorite song by him, "Tequila makes Her Clothes Fall OFF!" He did not disappoint on that one either! He even got down and walked through the crowd!!!!! What a hunk!
Then came Toby. What can I say? He brought back memories of the old KISS concerts with the jammin' and pyrotechnics. He sang every hit and even changed things up a little so we knew he wasn't lip synching anything. His patriotic songs were a huge hit with this military town, several earned him a standing ovation. He also brought out Lindsey Haun, who sings with him in his movie "Broken Bridges" That young lady has a strong voice! She reminded me of Martina McBride, hitting all those notes and holding them.
Toby closed the show with "Angry American" which of course brought the house down here. Even DH was up out of his seat jammin' to that one.
If he comes to your town make sure to see him. You will not be disappointed in his performance. And he is pretty easy on the eyes.

:J

Happy Birthday!

Since it is your birthday, I'm coming up with a list of ONLY 10 things I love about you.

1. Your heart is always in the right place.
2. You always put me and the boys first.
3. You respect my opinion, even when we don't agree. (Which isn't often)
4. You are a calm in any storm.
5. You think things out logically and patiently. Even when I am neither logical or patient.
6. You still hold my hand every day, even if it's just when we are watching TV. Kiss me good bye every morning when you leave for work, and kiss & hug me hello when you come home.
7. You watch "Chick Flicks".
8. You tolerate my "ideas".
9. You have been around the world and have seen it all, now you give me my chance to do the same.
10. You make me feel loved, needed and wanted. When I see you pull up in the driveway after a long day I still get giddy. I know you will always be there for me, and I for you.

God Bless the Broken Road, it led me straight to you.
Happy Birthday

:J 

A Few Shots of Halloween

Just a few shots from Halloween at school. I was amazed at the kids that DIDN'T dress up! They had had Haunted Hospital the night before as a fundraiser. It was a sell out! The Medical students set up a "Haunted Hospital" in their wing of the school. I didn't get to go, but heard the wounds were very real looking and even the parents were scared! Good Job Kids!
On a less scary note, here's my friend Beth and her DGD, Roni! She is so adorable!
This scarier looking bunch are my buddies MaryAnn & Sue. MaryAnn is my Margarita buddy, Sue is a Packer fan like me and great to be around! Mar's shirt reads, "You can't scare me, I work at the school!" LOL!

Short blog today. Hope you enjoyed the pictures! 

Happy Halloween

It's the haunting night! When the kids were little, I loved Halloween. Now that they are grown, it's lost it's magic for me like most holidays have. But I am stocked up on "the good" candy, as soon as Patrick carves the pumpkins today, we will be ready for the little darlings.
Let's hope they don't end up a tree like this little witchy poo did in the woods at my sister's house last week. I think she lost her sense of direction! I think this is one of the cutest Halloween decorations that I've seen in a long time.
Speaking of cute, you have to admit my friend Jules makes an enchanting vampire! Her gummy fangs were a little crooked, but then we are in the south where everyone's teeth are a little crooked!
Last but not least, here's the big pumpkin, where's Charlie? Or was she waiting for Carlos? And what IS she wearing under there? This was the Head Pumpkin from Creepover, she sure knows how to put on a great party! Oh and she can scrap too!

Have a Happy & Safe Halloween! It's hard to believe tomorrow is November!

:J 

What a Time!

Let's just start off with those girls from South Florida who know how to party! It was such a good time at Creepover. Linda & her crew really know how to put on a shindig. We cropped, we ate, we played and we laughed!!!!! I think the only thing missing was a proper amount of sleep.
The first night we had a little bit of a rain storm that brought some wind with it. A huge branch fell right outside the rec room we were cropping in, just missing our cars! This pic is of everyone pitching in to clean up! Always doing our civic duty!
The park we stayed in was gorgeous! Mike Roess Gold Head State Park in Keystone Heights Florida. Cute little cabins with real fireplaces, screened porches and hot showers. We took a break from scrapping to take a nature walk on the ravine trail. The water in the stream was about a foot deep and crystal clear. The stream meandered through the thick brush.
We even had a monkey man visit us. He must have cast "good scrapping" spells on all the girls as alot of beautiful work was done this weekend. Actually he was part of the costume party on Saturday night. So, So FUNNY! I laughed so hard I thought I was going to wet my pants! Our evenings entertainment was provided by the Village People, complete with all the dance moves, with a bit of embellishment and ad libing! Although they should have had a pirate in the group as someone spent the night asking everyone "Where's my F---ing RUM!" You can't tell it from the picture because Michelle's head is in the way, but I hear the police "man" was really packing. And we aren't talking guns here. That's the first installment of my diary of one of the funniest weekends in my life. Come back soon for more installments of How I Spent my Weekend Cropping and Didn't Finish a Single Project.

:J 

I'm off to Creepover!

The car is packed! I was amazed at what I could fit, and I still have the whole back seat empty! As soon as I get some pics loaded on the jump drive, I'm off to Creepover in the Woods for 3 days of fun and scrapping mayhem!
I'm excited to meet Jules & Kip & Linda. Jules, Kip and I will be cabin buddies, so I hope my snoring doesn't keep them awake! I'm also bringing stuff for s'mores so a campfire of some kind is in the works. Ooops! better be sure I take matches!
Wish me well, I'll be sure to blog when I get back and post pics!

:J