The kit is Abby by Scraps N' Pieces.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Overheard in the kitchen this morning….
“Aaron, there’s red sharpie marker on the doorframe, when it comes time to paint, you’re doing it.”
“Paint, mom? That’s worse than Marker. That will be fun.”
(gotta love this kid!)
Monday, September 27, 2010
Our little adventure: Celebrate Monday with a story
Well...............it wouldn't be a good story without a photo. 
So. There's the photo. My children had a week break from school last week. (Fall break all ready? They started Aug 5) I load them into the car to go to Grandma's house, a day’s drive away. We are driving a 13 year old Saturn Wagon with 178,000 miles on it. We made it through the mountains with no problem. On the way down the mountain, I get dash board lights. Battery, thermometer and coolant level. I call my DH, he says "pull over". Just in time, a truck parking area shows up. Perfect.
I pull over and he uses his google-fu to assess the problem. He thinks it is a blown fuse. He patiently walks me through checking the fuses after I text him a photo of the fuse box. (my phone fritzs out and we use DS's phone to finish the job) It's not a fuse. It is cooled off enough for me to check coolant level. Full. Crap. (poop) He says get back on the road, let's see what happens. I get back on the highway, temperature gage back up to hot and now- no power steering. He says, "get back off the highway." At this point I've exited and turned around. We pull off and stop at the truck parking on the other side. We decide I should call Geico, he thinks it is a fan belt.
I call, wait 2 hours for a tow. It is now 5:00 pm. Tow truck driver (with a flat bed!) loads up the car and heads us into the nearest town, bringing us to the dealership that dispatched him. Great guy, courteous, clean and friendly. The dealership GIVES me a loaner and points me to a hotel. I negotiate the room rate by calling the hotel down the street for a rack rate and then calling back as I sit in the other hotel's parking lot. Success! $8 below the military rate with free wi-fi and hot breakfast.
The next day? They don’t even look at the car until 1:00 pm after I phoned three times to inquire about it. I finally showed up and had a little discussion with the service manager. At 1:30, he phones me and tries to charge me for 3 hours of labor for a job that involves removing a few bolts and replacing a belt and a tentioner. When my husband phones? The price is suddenly much lower. Classy. Overcharge a stranded woman with two kids. We finally did make it home on Tuesday after spending most of the day sitting in the public library. (don’t forget about the library when you need to kill time in a strange place!) What an exercise in patience!
__________________
Sunday, September 26, 2010
How do we do it?
I got an email this morning from one of the women who helped raise me. She was concerned as I hadn’t updated the blog for a few weeks. I started a new job at the beginning of August and I am still figuring out how to juggle everything. I’m not quite sure how my mom went back to college, got another degree and then taught Kindergarten. She didn’t have the resources I had, but she did have good friends to help her.
I started thinking about the things that make my life a bit more manageable—perhaps I should let you in on them?
1. e-mealz- this is a menu planning and recipe resource, each week I get a new menu based on what is on sale at the store that I choose. I pay $15 for three months of this service. I hit the store once each week so I save money as well. I’ve completely eliminated the “what’s for dinner?” issue at 5:00 each night.
2. Jazzercise—I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Jazzercise keeps me in shape, gives me bonding time with other women, introduces me to new music and reduces my stress level. I’m healthier and happier. This is one hour a few times each week, just for me!
3. Motivated Moms- this is a downloadable household organization checklist type thing, it turns housework into a “get it done” situation, little brain required. I find this especially helpful as I have less time at home to get stuff done.
4. Facebook- hokey, I know. I love being able to check on friends and family all in one place. I might not have lots of time, but I do at least get a heads up on birthdays. I also have a good idea of who might need some support or encouragement.
Do you have any other resources that make your life easier?
Friday, September 10, 2010
August 12 of 12 Layout
Just in the nick of time----I finished it, but forgot to post it. Don’t forget: Sunday is the 12th!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
A funny from my email in-box
I try really hard not to forward emails to everyone. This landed in my in-box from my friend, Jen. She and I have been known to polish off red wine by the bottle, but this one involves margaritas! This weekend, I’ll take an appropriate photo for this!
Important women's health issue.
Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the world?
Do you suffer from shyness or awkwardness in some situations?
Do you feel tired and overworked?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.
Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions.
Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.
You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you
had.
Stop suffering and start living, with Margaritas.
Margaritas may not be right for everyone.
Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas.
However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or
becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.
Side effects may include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Incarceration
- Loss of motor control
- Loss of clothing
- Loss of money
- Loss of virginity
- Table dancing
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Dry mouth
- And a desire to sing Karaoke
WARNINGS:
- The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
- The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.
- The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing.
- The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.
Friday, September 3, 2010
365: August 28
The boys hit the range with Max’s gift from Papa. Heaven help us, Aaron is a decent shot as well. I think we’ll be spending a bit of time here!
365: August 27
We told him “no cell phone until you are 13”. He was so surprised to get it a year early. The jury is still out on how smart this was, but he is really responsible and I think he’s ready. Happy Birthday buddy, we love you!
365: August 26
New accessory that is being sported on all exterior doors. Aaron has been sleepwalking. I woke up at 3:30 in the morning to the sound of the garage door. He was in the neighbor’s yard before I caught him. Scary.
365: August 18
My husband spent part of August 18 connecting with an old friend. It’s nice to know that Randy is alive and well, we’ve missed him!
365: August 15
Bacon on the bar pan again! This is the easiest way to cook it, let the bar pan cool, but don’t let the grease solidify. It’s an easy peasy clean up job!
365: August 12
I’ll get the 12 of 12 layouts up soon, but here’s a little preview. I’m still in training for food service and get to wear the lovely white polo shirt that shows every splatter and spot from the kitchen. I always seem to miss the apron! Once I get a permanent position, I go to a blue shirt.
365: August 11
We’ve had 53 consecutive days over 90 degrees, not that I’m complaining-----don’t have to shovel sunshine. I am grateful for central A/C!
365: August 8
Ron White has a bit in his routine about the smoke detector and his wife’s cooking. When the smoke detector goes off, he knows that dinner is done. We like to cook bacon on the bar pan in the oven, but it sets the alarm off when we remove it from the oven! When this happens, Aaron comes flying from wherever he is in the house saying “Dinner’s ready!” We wave the hot pads in front of the alarm, hence this photo!
365: August 7
Dan can squirrel watch from the back of Max’s chair. Bailey is not allowed at the table during meals (he likes to sit on my lap), but Dan gets away with this. The youngest one is always spoiled!
365: August 6
My husband makes a mean bowl of chicken noodle soup. When we were in Ontario, all the kids that happened to be in the house would devour the whole pot!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Celebrating Monday Again!
I’m on hold with Apple customer service regarding my “seems to be possessed i-phone”. If you ever need help from Apple, they have phenomenal customer service people!
My youngest was running late for the bus this morning, but he took a minute to yell over his shoulder as he ran out the front door “Grab the camera Mama, isn’t it beautiful?” That’s my boy!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Persnickety Prints Layout- Polka Dot Plum
Persnickety Prints has teamed up with Polka Dot Plum to offer a free kit and layout contest. You can check it out here. Here's my layout. I used the Perfect Picnic kit exclusively, the font is DJB April print. Also, Persnickety Prints is having a sale today (Saturday) and tomorrow only (Sunday). Coupon code for 25% off is "preholiday". They have really quick turn around time, but you may need to give them an extra day or two during the sale! I have all my layouts printed here, great customer service and fantastic quality!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Celebrate Monday!
Each week, you’ll be ask to select a photo and story from your everday life to share with us on our Flickr group and/or on your blog. Then, link us up using the widget below.
The idea is simple. Strip away the extras for a small moment to center yourself on what is most important in your process. Find the photo, tell the story, and be prepared for more authentic scrapbooking later in the week.
Aaron came with me to his brother’s track meet at the Middle School. He entertained himself by finding a 4 leaf clover in the grass.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Celebrate Monday With Me, will you?
This is me. I’m holding a glass of Polish Vodka.
This is my friend Jo and her friend MaryAnn. She’s known as the “Cabbage Roll Lady” in her neck of the woods. MaryAnn and I hit it off fabulously. She loves to cook and I learned some tricks from her that day. We made stuffed peppers and cabbage rolls. I fell in love with her pirogues. We drank wine and then got in to a bottle of Polish vodka. Notice the expression on my face? Wicked stuff. It’s not for lightweights like me. We cooked all afternoon and evening. We drank and drank. JoEllen stopped after a few shots, early in the day. (She had to drive us home.) It wasn’t pretty. We now refer to that evening as the “Polish Vodka Incident”. And MaryAnn? She makes the best cabbage rolls in Ontario. Seriously.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
365: August 5
Earlier than ever! School started today. Kids back to school and mom back to work to feed said kids.
365: August 3
Frying donuts in the kitchen. We call them Unbelievables because my Dad said they were! Take canned biscuit dough and cut holes in the center of each biscuit. (we use a shot glass) Fry in canola oil heated to 350 degrees. Turn after 30 seconds, cook for about a minute and flip again—cooking for a minute more. Coat with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar. Mmmmm!
365: July 31
LONG drive home. These are the Canadian products that I can’t buy here. The barbecue sauce is for Aaron and the peanut butter for my friend, Cyndi.
bonus photo: July 30
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We stopped for a visit with my Aunt Dianne while we overnighted in Columbus. It was good to see her.
365: July 30
Time to head for home. I’m not excited about the long drive ahead, but I’m ready to be at home.
365: July 29
This was taken on Jo’s D-90. I now have camera envy. We took the kids to a water park. They loved the really steep slides.
365: July 28
We bunked with Heather and Justine for a few days this week. They live in the townhouse next door to where we used to live. Justine helped with the kids and cooked a mean batch of ribs on the barbecue. I had a hard time turning in to the correct driveway all week. Justine is headed for University this Fall. She is so beautiful- I want to lock her up to keep her safe! Heather was a fantastic hostess, miss her a lot as well.
365: July 27
Dessert with Bianca and Val tonight. Bianca’s mom made a cheese pie for me. I almost burned my mouth as I didn’t want to wait for it to cool before I ate it. I’ve missed my friends.
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