Updated the blog with new background and handy-made header. Not really my style on the colors but I am running with it for now... being snowed/iced in for several days has me a bit bored. Not sure why, there is certainly PLENTY to do around here.

Happy New Year!  
2011 is going to be a GREAT year!!

blah blah blah.... bad blogger!!!

What happened to all of my holiday posts? Hmmm.... That is odd.

Happy New Year! Yes, you guessed it, I'm lucky to get here once a month.

Another year is upon us and again I started off fresh and new... just a couple weeks into it and still striving to live better! Always working at it is better than not at all!!

I'll try to go back and reclaim some of my posts.

Sign of relief..... finally finished packing up the picture orders for the softball fall league. What a SUPER learning process! I hope everyone is happy with their picture packages.

I am so not ready but am actually going to a crop tomorrow and will NOT be a vendor! One of my downline is very involved in the Relay For Life program for our community and she has a crop each year. I have NO idea what I am going to work on but kind of have a feeling that it will be for my business... prepping for all of the fun vendor spots, workshops, and Gatherings that I have on my fall calendar.

R & T are going to spend the night with Ninim & Grandpa. So much going on!!! We hope to do our annual fall family photo shoot on Sunday! Wish me luck that the weather cooperates!!!

We are back into the groove of things with school. Still chaotic but a routine of chaos! HA!

We've got a long weekend ahead and I am sooo looking forward to resting & trying to clear up some of the clutter around the house. We've got to catch up with laundry and I really need to do some freezer cooking to build up some more meals for during the week. I'm worn out by the time we all get home & some days I just don't want to cook!! Figuring out what to fix is the biggest chore!!

We're also celebrating A's 9th birthday this weekend! NINE! Nine. Years. Old. ...... WOW! Just doesn't seem possible! She is so cute & sassy! She got new glasses this week & loves them! I got glasses when I was at the end of my 1st grade year and HATED them. I'm glad she has the super SPUNK that I did not as a kid. Love that girly!

Looks like summer was sooo busy that I didn't post! LOL! I thought about it. Guess I just didn't get it accomplished.

Reading my post over Memorial Weekend and wanted to comment... I am disgusted with Jon & Kate and don't watch it anymore. I miss the kids and watching them grow up but it is just no fun anymore, especially knowing that Jon is SUCH A PIG. Yes, Kate is hard to deal with but he just let things get out of hand and had no business doing what he has. UGH!

Routine! We've headed back to school (& work for me) after what seemed like a very short summer break. I'm still in disbelief of the fact that I have a sophomore, a 3rd grader, a kindergartner, and a 1 year old!! WOW! We've finished out first few days back and are sooo looking forward to sleeping in a little and getting some things accomplished around the house. I love routine and structure. Unfortunately, we don't always have structure and perfection around here with 6 people & 4 pets. It can get sometimes kind of crazy and chaotic but I am succumbing to the realization that that is just US! LOL!!

I am working on my fall/winter workshop schedule. I am so excited about the new CTMH products for Fall/Winter!! I can't wait to share them with you all.

Happy Memorial Day!! We usually do a cookout with family but it started raining before we even got up and it has been kind of an indoor lazy day. I've got the Jon & Kate + 8 Marathon going. I used to watch it all of the time but with the craziness of the last many months around here, I got way behind. I am kinda getting caught back up now due to the marathon on TLC. I'm building up to watch the new one tonight... their controversy lately is odd to me... I've not seen it all and want to try and make a personal judegment as the one I get from TV talk shows, etc. are pretty negative. I don't really know what is going on other than supposedly Jon cheated??? Seriously?! I just watched the wedding vow renewal last night in Hawaii... geesh!!

What are YOU up to today? I hope whatever it is, you are as grateful for our FREEDOM as I am and that you appreciate the work & effort of those in the military who serve our country (& that of their families!!!). Huge Hugs to you! You are truly appreciated.

Happy Memorial Day!

Gosh, it's hot out! Well, in here too! I would love to turn on the air... it gets nice out when the sun goes down and nice sleeping weather most evenings. It's just the mugginess when you get up and throughout the day.

Andrew went to the Indy 500. The kids and I have been cleaning a bit and playing on the computer a little too. They did a good job on the kitchen while I did a couple loads of laundry and have been TRYING to get my scrap stuff under control that has been lingering in the dining room for far too long. With an infant who is now crawling wherever she wants, we need to get everything up and out of her way!

Since it's a 3 day weekend, I should be able to get a lot accomplished & then get to do some stamping. Hopefully I can talk Andrew into some a/c soon too!!

Funny my last post was about dragons. Allie had a party for meeting her school reading goal for the year, so proud of her! I was there taking pictures. They had a snack, got an airbrushed tattoo and then got to watch a Silly Safaris show with Rhino Ryan. It was a fun time. Allie & I got matching dragon tattoos! Funny!!

I'm glad school is coming to an end. Only 6 more school days left! Not sure how much time I will be spending working but will hopefully know soon. I have a ton of things that need done around here but we could also use the money.

It's getting warmer and warmer. Summer is coming!!

We love Dragons! Odd? Naaa! It's our school mascot. Red ones. Not Western types, more Eastern or North American (not that there were really dragons in North America, that's just what I've seen them called before. heehee!). It is something that I look for on eBay... in the form of stamps (of course!). I like realistic ones and also clipart or cartoon types of images. I like stamping them and putting them on cards for local friends who are big local Dragon fans. If you ever see any, please be sure to pass them along to me!! I'd love to add to my collection.
THANKS!!!

Yeah! OK, I think I like my new look! I went to ShabbyBlogs after seeing a cute layout on Tresa's blog and found one that I REALLY liked!! I added it and then decided to make my own banner. I have a program called Paint Shop Pro that I have been using for years, and made my banner. Not too bad!

The site update is kind of procrastination of cleaning up my mess here in the front room. I'm also working on a card for a wonderful friend at work who is having a birthday in a few days. Not getting very far but hope to do that tomorrow in-between some straightening up around here. As usual, the laundry is out of control and I've got some Gracie tumbleweeds to sweep up.

Two blog posts in one day.. Wow!!

I love Saturdays in the Spring! When the weather has just a hint of crisp in the air but yet it is warm enough to open the doors and a window or two. You can just SMELL the fresh new rejuvenation and can't help but just feel HAPPY! With the way things have been going for us lately, HAPPY is a much needed feeling that we NEED around here!!

Jon Ross had practice, Trevor & Allie had games and both had team pictures done. I had planned on going but didn't get out to the fields today. I got half-way dressed and did some things around the house while taking care of Rhiannon. She TOTALLY escaped her bouncy seat today so I guess that is probably not something we'll be able to put her in and step out of the room for any period of time. She's a little monkey!! Gotta love her!!!

What have we been doing that has been oh so much more important than keeping up with this blog? Um, yea. LOTS! First and foremost... spending 6 weeks in the hospital, half in critical care and the other half in the rehab unit. Jon Ross got Guillain Barre Syndrome and scared us to our wits end. It was a very trying experience but we made it through by the help of many many prayers from all over the continent!! We are so grateful.

We finally started getting back on track at home and our well died. No money to fix that other than resorting to credit cards and paying on it forever. Along with the rest of it all. Depressing. Anyway, we have water again... another $4500 later. Robbery.

Today is opening day at the ball park. Spring is HERE!! It makes a FULL Saturday, for sure. Rhiannon and I are the spectators, just rooting everyone on and soaking up the sun! Hope it is a safe and fun season for all.

Oh fun!! Here I am, behind again. Perhaps I should just resort to the fact that I will not be a daily blogger. I so wanna be!! LOL!Thanksgiving break was restful, filling, and fun... on the go go go!! Lots to be thankful for!

My Christmas Card Workshop was Thursday night and I think a success. What do I define as a success? All guests loved my cards and were happy with the offerings! A few took them to work the next day to show off, er ah, I mean share their cards and a few want me to offer another next week. MORE CUTTING!!!!! AHHHHH! LOL! J/K! It is the most time consuming for me to actually design the card and feel pleased that it will wow them!! Cutting a second batch of the same cards shouldn't take more than a few weeknights after dinner (crossing fingers!!).

It is Saturday and I got up a few times during the night with R. She is way off schedule!! I ended up staying in bed, though not really sleeping, til around 10 and have not gotten my rear in gear yet (nearly 1pm!!). Guess it is time!!

I'm off to see if I can sweet talk A into going to the garage and bringing in the holiday boxes of stuff and the tree!! Fa la la la la la la la la!!!

Oh dear! Where has the time gone?? All 6 of us have been sharing some BUGS! We've had an upper respiratory cold thing that lasts more than 2 weeks and a NASTY upper GI bug that put A & T moaning from the stomach pain, and J throwing up. They all missed a little school and just felt horrible. A & I both had the stomach thing, but not as bad as the kids. Even poor R had both. Not so easy to deal with for a 3 month old baby!!

AND... the time has passed by so quickly because I have gone back to work. My house is a complete and utter disaster and laundry is outta control!! CRAZY!!!

I'm not ready for Thanksgiving break other than to get caught up around here but won't get to much since we'll be spending most of the time with family. Also, my nephew, M, has a birthday party! FUN!

Tomorrow will be spent prepping for my Christmas card workshop that is coming up on the 4th!!!

BACK TO WORK!

Today was THE day! I went back to work today. It was bittersweet, for sure! I did ok in the am... didn't cry much but did feel kinda sad when I kissed my little Rhiannon good-bye and told her I'd pick her up later. Lots of people asked and already knew the answer... that I would rather be at home with my baby. Several other teachers told me they were glad to have me back. Several kids were so sweet and told me that they missed me and was glad I was back. That really helped!! I got two texts from my Mom during the day to check on me and let me know my lil' Monkey Pie was just fine. I got there to pick her up and she was good until I held her and she modt definitely assimilates me with eating! She threw a fit until I gave in. Not sure she was hungry as she had just eaten a couple hours earlier.

I'm working on finishing up a class for a crop that I am a vendor at this coming Saturday. I will post some pix. Also need to finish a card for my girlfriend's birthday party tomorrow night... one of the first of my friends my age that is turning 40! Can't believe it! Anyway, I want to make her a sophisticated and feminine card with a little sass! In case I do not get back here tomorrow (highly likely!!), Happy Birthday, Mollie!!

SUPER CARD!

Oh look! I got another awesome Stacy Leach creation! I put a shout-out to my buddies for some Huggies coupons and promised a handmade creation in return. Stacy was sweet to send me some Huggies coupons and included them in this awesome card! LOVE IT!!

THANK YOU, Stacy! I'll be making one for you today and getting it in the mail (& I will post it here to share!).