Take the Quiz here!

I'm SUCH a sucker for these... this one was fun! WEll... I've done some house cleaning today and then shopped this morning for the two shindigs we're attending later this afternoon/evening. It was fun to put these two gifts together- one for a 6 year old boy and one for a soon-to-be married couple (obviously!).

The boys party is being held at the local swimming pool...so I did an outdoor/warm weather theme for his gift... pool toys, a football, Spiderman bubble set (shaped bubble blowers), and a Supersoaker..and the token candy I always include in kids gifts- in this case a giant sucker with the Taz character on the front- this is fitting for who we're giving it to! He's good natured and sweet but ON THE GO- ALLLL the time! He's in Josie's class and she's completely enamored. This is who gave her a glass heart for Valentine's day which is among her most treasured possessions! ;)

The wedding gift was something different as well. I knew many practical items the couple had registered for were purchased- so I opted for a fun gift instead. I created a "romantic game night" instead. A board game (which they both enjoy playing- YAY! So nice already knowing that!), a container of popcorn, a few packages of Hershey "Kissables" and a set of bowls to put it all in. Then I also bought fun patterned playing card, dice and candles. I hope they like it- I know it's something I'd love to receive!

I've stayed up until 2:30 am two nights in a row now, then up at 8-ish but feeling good still. LOVING the quiet hours to myself- catching up on DVR'd shows, stacks of magazines I haven't had time to read and some of my favorite crafty blogs as well. I teach Sunday school tomorrow so probably shouldn't be up too late tonite I suppose. But I probably will anyway! ;)

Hope YOU are having a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

~S

Peanut Butter, Dog Food...now MOUTH WASH?!?

Passing this on, and find it VERY curious how many recalls there have been as of late. It's causing to me to have fleeting thoughts of picking up and moving to the sticks and raising my own food,etc. Becoming a hippie- with a Kathy Van Zeeland bag, Starbucks and oversized aviators! HA!

Here's a link about the most recent recall, for the new kids blue Listerine. If you have it (as WE do. of course.) follow the link to print a refund to send in and trash the stuff. I just completed the form and then my mother-in-law sent me a link to the news story as well. She's always good about sending me this type of info- which is nice since I typically avoid the news like the plague and don't subscribe to a newspaper either. I got the info from MSN this morning...

Ok- on a more POSITIVE, HAPPY note... gotta give a shout out to my bestest girlfriend in SoCal that's having a birthday today!!!

Miss. Christy is having a birthday!!!
C- Love you, miss you TONS and pray that you're doing alright and being treated to a wonderfully, spoiled sort of day today/this weekend! I have something going out to you very soon!

Well all, it's a gorgeous day. Even more so knowing I get to go pick up a paycheck later today! Then off to enter the bowels of bulkdom...COSTCO. Seriously- I love the place. We let our membership lapse just before Christmas and I've been wanting to renew for the photo center alone! So we're doing that today... YAY! Gotta get a CD of pics to take with me= new scrappin' material! WOOT!

I was SO bummed last night! I thought a new episode of GREY'S was on...and technically it was a new RECAP. grrr. I'm SERIOUSLY ready for a new episode. But I *DID* watch the recap show. Good ol' Denny hosted it and the clips they put together were pretty great. Like. Seriously great. And I cried. Again. How ridiculous is that?! It showed Izzy with her pink "formal" on in the elevator as I was griping to Robert, who was walking through the living room at the time,

Hubster: "Oh- Grey's is on? Are they starting it all over again??" (he's only seen the first couple episodes on DVD and recognized a blip from the first episode. MUST get him caught up.)

ME: "Aw-it's just a stupid recap show! I want a NEW episode! It's ok tho'...ohmigosh! It's iz in the elevator, I'm TOTALLY gonna cry! This part TOTALLY makes me cry!" (insert teensy wail/half sob here, I'm afraid)

...and I like. TOTALLY did.(yes. heavy emphasis on the valley girl here) Cry. Am I a big ol' emotional dork? Yeah. I guess I am. I cried at all the sad, emotionally charged recapped scenes that were each only -seconds- long. So I'd sniffle for a few seconds. An occasional huge crocodile tear (it's the MUSIC, people. They pick such good MUSIC for these scenes!!) and then a guffaw of laughter then a gasp and gulp and another 10second cry. Seriously. Please tell me I am NOT alone. Here's an experiment...watch this and see. You'll have to watch it on the ABC Grey's Site- The Story~GREY'S ANATOMY latest music video but it's GOOOOOD.

Have a GREAT Friday!!!
xoxox
~S

Remember Them??

Did you have The Sunshine Family too?? I *totally* forgot about them until today! Cruising Ebay I stumbled across them... The dolls had those sort of creepy "jewel" eyes, remember? The baby doll was the cutest and the Paper dolls...those were cool.


Today has been good...worked from home. Volunteered at school.
Surprised the kidlets with HAPPY MEALS for lunch at school... they LOVED that!
Listened to a GREAT message on Brand New Radio that seemed meant for ME. So love when that happens.

Surfed blog land today, got some Ebay things accomplished, played with the Pugster and went a little crazy at the Dollar Tree. All in all- it's been a nice, relaxed day so far. Still have my evening to go!
Tomorrow, if it's dry- this will be me. Well..I'm a little taller maybe but I *TOTALLY* ROCK
these pants! ;)

xoxo
~S

Gotta Share!

My girl, Joc sent this to me and I just had to share with you all!
It's SO true...

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what thisstatement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and getback to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watchhim at work. She didn't mention anything abou t the reason for her interestbeyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece ofsilver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refiningsilver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire wherethe flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thoug! ht abou t God holding us in such a hotspot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as arefiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it wastrue that he had to sit there The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit thereholding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entiretime it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in theflames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked thesilversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image init." If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eyeon you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Pass this on right now. This very moment, someone needs to know that God iswatching over them. And, whatever they're going through, they! 'll be a better person in the end.

LOVE this song...

StaRting fResH

FINALLY sat down and MADE something last night. I've been wanting to participate in a great group challenge called SCRAPJACKED . Love that they select someone and encourage any and everyone to lift and share... It felt good to sortof disconnect from what's been going on and just let that stuff go for a while and focus on creating. I really, really needed that. Plus it stirred up ideas and thoughts for more pages and projects- which hasn't happened much for me lately. I've pushed all things creative aside to maintain focus on my day at hand- work, mom stuff, house cleaning, Robert's health, blah, blah, blah. Last night I realized that the 30 minutes or so I spent making this page (above) were just what I needed. I felt rejuvinated, peaceful and relaxed. SO nice!


Took the kidlets to school this morning and chatted with my girlfriend who's the school secretary. We shared our thoughts, life "issues" going on right now, etc. and then prayed for each other. So nice to know that God has put people like her in my life (and Robert's) to keep me afloat and give me Godly advice and truly, actively pray for me..not just the token " I'll be praying for you" that so many offer up but rarely do. We're all guilty of that, aren't we?


So I'm starting fresh today. Renewed spirit. Peace in the fact that God brings us through every bump in the road of life and through those bumps we learn and grow and marvel at His grace and power. Truly amazing...


Well- I'm working from home today. Maybe I'll be able to sit at my craft table again tonite... nice to think about at least! ;)


Thanks for YOUR sentiments and prayers- it means the world to me!


((hugs))

~S


Here's my kidlets- Easter yesterday. Aren't they beautiful?!

Dude. SERIOUSLY....(sigh)

My poor, poor hubster is just getting hammered.
Not like, out getting drunk... no.
He's been blasted (hammered) with medical situations for the last two years.
Now something new.
MUMPS.
I kid you NOT.
MUMPS.
I just cannot believe what he's endured, and continues to have to endure.
Some issues life threatening, some not-so-much, but all difficult and burdensome.
I know he's just being tested. His faith is being tested.
But spiritually, he's SO strong- and THAT is amazing, awesome and real.
Even so, he IS human and these last two years have been sobering in regards to his health.

If you would, just say a little prayer for him.
He could use some lifting up...
Thanks!

~S

HAPPY EASTER!

...remember it's NOT about the bunny, the eggs or the candy...
HE died for our sins. HE has Risen. HE Lives.

Have A Blessed Easter !

WAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

My computer died.
Dead. Kaput. Nada Nit Nuthin'.
I'm BEYOND sad.
OF COURSE I had things I had uploaded, downloaded and not saved to disk.
OF COURSE!
Arg.
Now using my sons computer and am thankful for IT, but still...
Arg.

More later.
~S

Friday Fun

This is so whimsical- heard it on a commercial...found it on YouTube..and it's a JcPenney commercial! I love it and had to share...

Sac Town, Good Food, Fat Jeans...in that order.

Yeah- so Sacramento was the MOST fun! Had a fabulous trip with our friends~ lots of good conversation and laughs. Good connecting time. Once we got there, we spent most of Friday hanging out with friends who live there. Took us to the Galleria mall (oh. my.) to eat delish salad with tri-tip and shop.

**That's Cadee, Jennie and Kim...and my GINORMOUS salad! :)
Shop, shop, shop.
Then we went for coffee and talked for a while. Cleaned up at the hotel and went to the opening night for the conference (The Truth Project). Man, it was sooooo riveting. LOVED this conference. It hit on so many points that Robert and I have been discussing. That have been on our hearts and minds. So it was an affirmation that we're listening to God and going in the right direction. SUCH a cool feeling. Plus, to be in a room full of others embracing this is amazing. I could ooze excitement for a good long while, so I'll just STOP. Visit the site- watch the trailer- it's good stuff.

We fit in MORE shopping and ate at Claimjumpers, Rubios, and a yummy Italian rest. at the galleria that I've forgotten the name of. Dare I say however, that the Olive Garden, in comparison, wins HANDS DOWN. It was still fun!
With all the good food, including hot breakfasts every morning at the hotel- the fat pants are ready to be worn. ugh. Gotta hit the gym HARD now.

But the trip was like FUEL to my soul. THat sounds so silly, but it truly was. Spiritually, mentally, creatively, physically (obviously)- it gave me renewed energy and passion. I wanted to come home and DIG IN to so many different areas of my life. First and foremost, I wanted to eat my children UP! Missed them SOOOOO much! We talked about them the entire trip and we just couldn't wait to pick them up and snuggle with them!

My parents were WONDERFUL and took them for a few days for this trip, and it was such a relief to know they were having fun with Nanny and Papa while we were away!
And Pepper stayed with Susie and Dave-- I hope he was good! He sure was happy to be home! He trotted around, nuzzling all of us and then curled up and slept forever!! Thanks again for watching our brood, guys!! You are a blessing to us!!

SO...we're back home. Back to the regular ol' grind. Crazy paced but I wouldn't have it any other way...

Be back soon. Hopefully with pictures..of....SOMEthing. ANYthing. How boring are no-picture posts??!

XOXO
~S

CooLneSs

Off to Sacramento!
Already miss my babies... this is the longest I've been away from them...

On a happy note...
This girl kinda rocks. Well, despite a heavy hand with makeup and some political views that oppose my own-- but still.... I like her. BITTEN SJP


Most everything will be $20 and under! THAT is awesome.

Ok--- gotta go check all that last minute stuff (unplug coffee pot, heater,etc) and then roll out.

xoxo
~S

YuM.

I just love Thursdays, don't YOU?!

It means I get to work from home.

It means I volunteer at my kidlets' school.

It means schlepping around the house.

It means meandering in thrift stores.

It means Grey's Anatomy.

YuM.

Speaking of yum...

Aren't those the most adorable two little pieces of 49 cent bric-a-brac thrift goodness you've ever laid eyes on?!?! Hellllooooo?! Dead ringer for those cute Anthropologie cups- but from the looks of these- they've been lovingly sipped from for a VERY long time. I adore them.

And...as I was out and about, I passed scenery that was pretty and just screamed "SPRING!".


Daffodils, outrageously green pastures, gorgeous fields with blue sky as their backdrop...oh. And a green VW van. SPRING!

I started the day by volunteering at school. Then, I had to go up to work for just a bit today. Then to the bank. Then to a couple thrifts. Then had lunch with the hubster at Roadhouse. uh...YUM! Grilled veggies and half of a turkey bacon club. Then I went to Old Navy and got the hubster a few things for our Cali trip next weekend. Then home.

And... I finally unloaded all the scrap-goodness that I got last weekend in Portland. Snapped a couple photos so you can see how gluttonous I was... hey- I *SAVED UP* for this little ditty- so I have no guilt.

almost. that's ALOT o' stuff!

Ok. Going to watch THE HOLIDAY with my man, eat some popcorn and Hot Tamales and peruse a few magazines before I pass out for the night!

YuM!

xoxo

~S

Home.

Ahhh. Home.
LOVE being home.
Got back from the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Portland on Saturday night.
It was fun but not as fun as I'd hoped.
Didn't get to hang with Court like I'd hoped.
Very,very disappointed about that.
Bought some fun stuff.
Ate some yummy food.
But still... just didn't turn out to be what I had been psyched about.
Such is life I guess.
I'll get over it. maybe.
lol.
Perhaps I should just start saving for a ticket to Knoxville...?? ;)
More soon!

xoxo
~S

Love finding vintage books at the thrift store!
These are a few I've picked up lately. My little collection is growing and it's just one of those little things that make me happy.
I *adore* books with illustrations by Eloise Wilkin and Jessie Willcox Smith among others. Books from the 20s through the 50s are the best- such whimsical pictures!
And then there's the old teen romance books from the 40s and 50s-- LOVE those!

Only 2 more days until Creating Keepsakes Convention in Portland!! Woot! It's going to be A LOT of fun-- cannot wait. I've already mentioned it numerous times, so I'll spare you this entry! lol. I *must* remember to take more pictures this year!! Especially since I'll be meeting up with Court this time..gotta get some goofy shots to scrapbook (of course!)!!

Went to the doctor about some arm weakness/numbness I've been having for about 2 months or more. It seems I have a trapped Ulnar nerve (around my elbow) and so with any exercise or things like keeping it in the same position for a while-- my arm is numb for HOURS. It's crazy. It's been worse since I started working out more frequently so I thought I should get it checked out. From the sounds of it I should be able to rehabilitate it fairly easily. And if that doesn't work they'll go in a scrape my bone so that the nerve has plenty of room to move..neato.

REALLY feeling like I'm in a good place lately. Despite crazy, stressful stuff going on day in and day out-- somehow I'm pleasantly surprised at my calm/happy demeanor. I know God has got everything under control and is with me all the time. He knows how these silly situations will resolve before they even happen- SUCH a relief! Still, there's those times where you just want to HANDLE it. There's a "thing" and you've gotta DEAL WITH IT somehow...that human side of us wants that control over things. I've been better about giving "it" up to Him and just riding it out- soooo much better! And it makes me content. He knows WHAT I need, WHEN I need it. He knows my heart- my dreams, aspirations, wants...and He provides in His time. Since accepting that more readily, life is just very,very GOOD!

My Bella Balloon flops are doing well. I've made 9 pair so far with a few people saying they'll be emailing soon with orders... I love it! So cool to find a little niche, even if only for a little while and see it succeed! Also, my Ebay efforts have been a blessing for us lately. I've been able to pay some dental visits in full and just get little things for the kids and the house as I find we need them- and it's a nice feeling. I took a break from listing much this week due to the hectic pace of things, but I'll kick it back into gear next week for sure. Looking forward to it!

Well, I'm in need of a shower after going to the gym. We have church tonite...pizza dinner fellowship beforehand..should be fun!

XOXO

~S

Good Times

We went the beach this weekend...sorta spontaneous but much needed. We needed a little family get-away. It was the first time we'd gone to the beach since Robert's accident almost two years ago. It was difficult yet theraputic at the same time. Josie had the most anxiety, which we didn't expect. So it hit us rather hard...sobering and heartbreaking. My kids were there, on the beach, when Robert had his surf accident. They were there, watching people drag him out of the water and clamoring around him. Watching him lay there, unable to move. Watching paramedics take him away. Sitting in the ER with new family friends-- because I was in Portland, completely unaware (until he was at the hospital).

So this trip, we get a room right on the beach. Open the sliding door and there we were. Robert and I walked out and called for the kids to come out onto the patio and look at the water. Matthew came out right away- Josie had a complete meltdown. Complete. Shaking, crying, sobbing- shrieking- we had to carry her out and she fought against us. She remembered instantly and to her the beach was scary. I wanted to cry right there. But instead we had to reassure her. And gradually she was ok. Matthew was a great big brother, the next morning walking out there and telling her it would be ok- that he'd hold her hand and not let go, if that's what she wanted. So sweet. My sweet little man.

It was a really,really nice trip. Short but sweet.

We let the kids swim in the hotel pool, jump on the beds, eat junk, sleep late, went to MO's chowder house (of COURSE!), skipped rocks, watched Robert get pooped on by a seagull (bwaahaaaha!), went to a thrift store and headed home.

We're planning another trip for early summer...and we're ALL excited about it!

xoxo

~S

Oy.

Pretty INTENSE color for an entry...this red.
But that's how I'm feeling right now..inTENSE, ya'll.
Just got home from the gym.
Took a hardcore class and I do believe I might die, right here in this chair.
I seemed to have made it off the bike, briefly felt my knees shudder from the added weight of friendly, kudos-back slaps after class, outta the gym, drove home...and here I am. I think my husband will come home in 5 hours and find me here- hopefully conscious.

30 minutes of INTENSE cycling. Crazy instructor- she actually LAUGHED at us when we groaned and then screamed like a banshee "iwannaseebootyshakinlegsflying-higher RPMs-sweatrollinoffyerface NOWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!" her voice resonating off the walls and her lips quivering in a nasty snarl.
yikes.
but you know- the fear of her kept me going. real. fast.
I don't think I've ever seen my legs moving so fast..in.my.life.
I kept looking down in amazement- but then that would make me lose focus/balance and that's just bad.

There were 50+ year old women in there. HARDCORE ladies.
Ladies that made me feel shameful for grimacing at any point during class. These same women hopped off their bikes after stretching and then went downstairs and started on the stairclimbers at such a crazy pace you'd think someone was after them to do them harm.

BUT- there were quite a few ladies that made me feel welcome and gave advice. Like go home, take a hot/cold shower, Advil and don't stop moving or you'll turn into the tinman without oiled joints. Nice. But they were swell. And the instructor, came off that platform and I had to do a double take almost. She was this tiny, sweet girl- super cute, friendly... it's rather scary how she tucked away the instructor-from-hades in her back pocket as she hopped off that bike and came over, grinning. Yipes.

One last thing. A word of advice for anyone considering a cycling class that is of the female gender, pertaining to what NOT to wear to class...
Do.
Not.
Wear.
Lacey.
Thong.
Underwear.
EVVVVVEEERRRRRRRR.
yep. learned that one the hard way.

xoxox
~S

IN PASSING...

"No self respecting super hero would wear open toed shoes."--A guy on AC Transit

In sorting through my 4 mile long FAVORITES web folder- I found some gems...it was like Christmas on the web. Crafty sites, blogs, photography inspiration, etc.etc. Then there's this site called In Passing. They're bits and pieces of conversation picked up all over, I *believe* New York City..or San Franciso or both..or...anyway- some of them are OUT there. Some leave you with a huge "?!?" over your head. Some make you "ooohhh" over their wise words. More than some make you laugh.

Here's a couple that made me smile...

"Tartare was kind of the sushi of France. Until the madness."--A guy to a girl at Whole Foods

"How do they even live with themselves? Sitting there all day, next to the corn cherry scones, knowing they're clearly inferior. Pity the plight of a mere strawberrry scone."--A guy at Arizmendi bakery

"I always feel thinner when I'm tan. You know how black pants are slimming? Dark colors? It's like black pants for your whole body.""Except black pants don't kill you."--Two women talking in the produce section at Whole Foods

"I started at the end of the street, and I wasn´t shouting -- I wasn´t hysterical. I was just talking very loudly LIKE THIS. And I walked down the row of houses, and I said,`Shame on all of you. All of you! We have lived in this neighborhood for 5 years. We have kept to ourselves! We have bothered no one! And not one of you has ever, ever, shown us welcome, love, or chartiable actions. Shame on all of you.`""Oh goodness, she must have known you meant her.""No, but Janey, she was almost as bad originally, and sure enough she shows up on my doorstep the next day with 50 yellow roses and an invitation to their barbeque. They´re just lucky I didn´t get hysterical."--Two women talking over brunch

"Wait, are there two Starbucks in the mall? I just yelled at my friend for being late, and there are two Starbucks in this mall?""Maybe she knew she was late, so she went to the other one. To trick you.""What kind of friends do you have? And where is the other Starbucks?"--A girl and a barista at (surprisingly) Starbucks

"I'm not the one taking pictures of mannequins all day.""Mamma, they won't even look at your auction unless you've got a picture, and if I'm the one wearing them in the demo, how can I say they're unworn?""But somehow the mannequin wearing it doesn't count as wearing it? I just don't like the thing, it was too expensive.""The only thing cheaper was inflatable."--A girl and her mother wandering around a clothing shop.

"He disappeared from Google after college. A very annoying quality in a man."--A girl with a laptop at A Cuppa Tea

"What's something horrible that's happened to you lately? Please, let me mine your life for my personal gain."--One guy to another at Berkeley Bowl

"I don't know. Do you want to just go home and watch season 1 and cry?""No."--A girl and a guy walking aimlessly around Reel video.

"Remember Kenny?""New guy, Josh's old co-worker?""Yeah. Tonight he was leaving the office and said, 'I'm going to go home and cook these steaks.' I didn't really care, but I said, 'What steaks?' And then he says, "Didn't you see them defrosting on my desk? I bought them from this guy. He was selling them out of the back of his car in the parking lot at McDonald's.'""Ew. Ew. I don't even eat cow but ew.""So in case the next story I tell you about Kenny starts with 'So we haven't seen Kenny in a few days...' Now you know why."--A guy and a girl waiting in line for breakfast at La Note

"...it was great. We went to a different steak house every Friday. But I figured it out when he asked the waiter to leave the lemon out of his water.""Huh?""He wasn't trying to take me out to nice places. He was on Atkins.""Maybe he doesn't like lemon. Some guys don't, you know."--Two women talking at a restaurant

"'Appropriatude.' It should be a word.""But it is not. 'Appropriateness' is the one you want.""Appropriatude!""No.""Listen! 'Let us act with appropriatude.'""No. It's -ness or nothing."--A girl and a guy at Jupiter

"Wait a sec, these are heavy.""Come on, we're going to be late.""The girls are going to be late, so we can be late. Besides, they owe us a rib from way back."--A teenage guy carrying several pizzas, and another teenage guy, outside Round Table

"I don't know, it's hard to put it in words.""Too much Chex, not enough mix. That's your problem.""Ok, I guess it isn't hard to put into metaphor. Just words."--Two girls talking outside Ross

Ok...that's enough for now! Hope you enjoyed a few!

xoxo
~S

Why I Oughtta....

..and so I did!

Last year I made some custom flip flops for Josie and we were swamped with inquiries as to where we got them. A few people said I should make and sell them. SO- I decided I'd make some and throw them onto Ebay and see how they did. I've already sold two pair! Wahoo! I said flip.flip. flop. flippy to the flipflipflop...




They're cute, fun and go with just about any casual warm weather wear with all the colors goin' on. $12/pair for kids $15/pair Adult sizes. Shoot me an Email if you're interested!

We're being homebodies this cold, wet, dreary day. Made pancakes and eggs for breakfast, we did our taxes (blech), now I'm taking a break from Ebay stuff. Trying to list,list,list like crazy to make some extra dough for a couple trips I have coming up! Going to the CKC (scrapbooking convention- I know you NON-scrappers are like "CONVENTION?! They have an actual CONVENTION for paper and pictures?! why yes, yes indeedy they do, my friends!) in Portland in March. Spending all day Friday and Saturday there. Meeting up with COURTNEY there and I just know I'm going to be..weird. Like emotional, goofy, talkwayyytoofast kinda weird. But- I already know she GETS me so she'll be forgiving and understanding of all dorkness. No worries then! lol. The second trip is the middle-endish of March. The hubster and I are going down to Sacramento with friends from our church for a conference. We're driving down and back- just us 4 adults. It should be ALOT of fun! Plus while we're down there we'll get to visit with some old friends as well. I'm REALLY looking forward to it! Like a little mini-vacation!

I'm feeling scrappy. If I could just get out from under all these towering mounds of clothes I'd be golden... I'm getting there! And speaking of scrappy- one of my best, best friends just got a Design Team gig!

Congrats, C! I'm so proud of ya!!!! SCRAPOLOGIE is lucky to have you!
Can't wait to see all the great stuff she makes with their fabulous kits! Ummm... SOMEbody's grindin' down on those New Years Intentions! ;)

~S

See Ya Later, Dec-o-rator!

Ok.... anyone watching Bravo's TOP DESIGN show? You know, first there was Project Runway, then Top Chef, now Top Design.
ANYwho...
There's a designer on there- Jonathan Adler. Talented, yes. But...saying this as kindly as I can...everytime I see him/hear him I can't help but think he's somehow related to Gomer Pile. Did I spell Gomer Pile right?? Golllllleeeee, Sarge! Ok- I only vaguely remember Gomer but evidently he's left a lifelong impression because he IMMEDIATELY came to mind the first time I saw Top Design's Adler. I just giggle everytime the camera pans to him because his mannerisms, his accent... he's like the city mouse to Gomer's country mouse...refined by city-life by just a smidge. And- everytime Adler and his judging panel dismiss another designer- he sends them off saying with a twang..."see you later..dec-o-rator!" all sing-songy like, despite the fact he's shattered that poor persons hopes and aspirations!

Anyway... just a fleeting thing, as I've just been watching all my TIVO'd goodies and Top Design was one of them...Isn't your life a little richer now?? lol.
Something of more substance/interest soon...maybe!

obla-dee,obla-BLAAAAH....

Isn't that how it goes??
Anywho. But seriously...does anyone remember Becca and Corky??

Again- as I said...ANYwho...
SO! Here's the tidbits!

I spent the last two weeks at home because my kids (and myself,briefly) were sick with SALMONELLA poisoning. From the infamous Peanut Butter. Dude- you heard it right. Tainted peanut butter from Wallyworld. My kids ingest so much pb it's CRAZY. Daily pb&j and sometimes breakfast too. Pb toast, pb crackers, pb celery... yep. And I'm one to get hungry and decide to just take a teaspoon to the jar for a quick protein boost. Did that a few times that I can recall. Luckily, I didn't get the fever, aches, nausea, vomitting,etc. that my kids did. I just lost my appetite for a good week or so. QUICK! Someone get me MORE tainted pb! I could stand to lose my appetite a little more frequently! KIDDING of course.

So yeah- NOT FUN. But we're done. We're cozying up to tuna fish now... keep you posted on mercury counts at a later date.

Here's some layouts I did when I went....brace yourselves...SCRAPPING! Last weekend I was able to go hang out with some of my local girls for the afternoon/evening and scrap away. I decided to try using the sketches in the Top 10 issue of CK. I've never really put any thought into actually utilizing all of those sketches they provide...until now. So i did it for kicks. Kinda fun- but I felt this inner-rebellion to NOT follow them the whole time. lol.







The last one is missing some "oomph" but I didn't take my sequins, ribbons, paint,etc. Just the basics. So I'll jazz this one up before it gets in the book. Nothing fancy-schmancy, but that's three pages done. I did ALOT of talking, eating (mmmm. the SPREAD there was the best! 3 different kinds of homemade quiche, 2 soups, a fancy chicken almond salad, coffee, soda, tea, cookies and fudge, snack mix, fresh veggies and dip...it was amazingly delish) and just an overall nice time that was VERY much needed after many days of holding hair back, stooped over child & toilet. Yep. Very nice indeedy.

Here's my other baby-- he's cute. And he cleans up his OWN regurgitation...what's not to like?? sorry. that was bad.

More Soon!

XOXO

~S

Keep A Look Out!

nope. I'm NOT in the south of France...
don't I wish!
I've been housebound for almost 2 weeks!
EEK! Kill me NOW already!
Nah- it wasn't so bad- but...well, it kinda was.
I'll dish more later.

yep. been a major blog-slacker.


lots of tid bits to share.


stay tuned.


I'll post Tuesday or Wednesday!





~S

02*01*07

How's THAT for a eye grabbing post title?!

lol.

Sorry I've been MIA lately-- keeping very busy! Nothing new in the mix really- just spreading my time a little more evenly in things of life. Plus most of my quiet time has been spent reading the last few weeks. Which I've been relishing... here's what I've had on my nightstand/coffeetable lately...

And we're still working through Charlotte's Web with the kidlets each night too...

STILL no scrappin' getting done lately. grrrr. I want to. Need to. Must set aside some time, I think. I *did* make a custome baby album for someone, so it left me wanting MORE! lol. Perhaps Sunday night...we'll see. But until then, I'll keep the fire burning with these two lovelies I picked up today at Borders...

Just briefly looking through them both- they look AMAZING! Can't wait to sip on some coffee or tea and just savor each and every page...

Robert has drill at the Firestation tonite, so I'm going to feed the kidlets, play a game and read with them and then tuck 'em in for the night! After that the world is my oyster!!! Well. ok. Maybe not the WORLD- but I can read, or clean (wahoo.), or fold clothes (wawahoo.) or just be a vegetable in front of the ol' tv. OR I could actually scrapbook! Novel concept. But that would mean cleaning up my desk from the slew of clothes I'm prepping listings for and finding a place for all the carefully sorted, pressed items. ugh. Whatever I do- I don't think I'll last long- my eyes are already burning! SOOO pathetic!

We have a busy weekend ahead of us. Tomorrow the hubster has a job interview (please pray- this would be an INCREDIBLE blessing to us!) and then later in the day we're driving up to Portland to stay with my sister and her brood. Spending the night then going to a Creation conference all day Saturday. That should be really interesting and fun! Looking forward to it... Then home Saturday night- on Sunday, church- then going out to my mom and dads for a birthday celebration for my OTHER sister and then after that, heading over to a Superbowl party with our church College crew. WHEW! I'm tired already!!! Nah- it'll be fun--I'm excited about all of it!

Well- I'll try and be better about posting little tidbits throughout the week again..but don't hold your breath either! lol.

~S

Deep Thoughts

This weekend has been pretty laid back. No major commitments, which is nice. The kidlets are enjoying the time and being at home. I've been ALL about the coziness of home lately. I'm not sure if it's the winter months or if I've just changed my mindset...but I truly love being home. And just for the record- I am SOOOO ready for Spring! Today was sunny and crisp and I just instantly wished for more of the same for a while. We had our snow fun- but I'm over it already! lol. But our little home- in Winter or Spring- I just love...

This is our piece of cozy security. Where we share the details of our day at the dinner table. Where we snuggle with our children. Where we laugh and cry over movies together. Where it's OK to be in baggy sweatpants, old Tee shirt, hair tied in a knot and a slight schmear of mascara under the eye from yesterday. Where we find comfort, peace, happiness and joy. I love my home and what it means to my family.

I've been reflective the last few days. Lots of ideas. Thoughts. Reminding myself of the many things I have in my life to be thankful for. Trying to be better about praying throughout the day. Thinking about the kind of life I want for my kids..and how it's our responsibility as their parents to make appropriate decisions to ensure that they become Godly and strong in character. Raising them up to become individuals with a strong sense of self and security. I think we are doing a good job so far but I know there are things we could improve on. There always will be- but I love what we've done lately to improve our home life. We already see the benefits. It's amazing how slight changes can drastically alter one's day!

I guess to sum things up- I like where I'm at in my life. I feel blessed. Sure, I HATE my job. Sure, there are always bumps in the road. But how boring would life be without that?? I'm content with who I am. I'm blessed to have the husband God gave me. And our children?! Words cannot express the joy they bring to me each and everyday. God is good and He's in control.

~S

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Coolness, LEGO Style...

This little ditty was created by my step-father-in-laws grandkids (whew!)! I was more than a little impressed!!!

Just Stuff

Just posting random whatevers today.
Working from home again. WOOT! Lots to do but at least I'm HOME.

Got the kidlets to school, got the dishes done, straightened the living, dining rooms and kitchen. Just popping in here to say "Hey" before I get going on my workday.

Had to share THESE... So flippin' CUTE!!!

See the little gnome scene on the sole?!? How brilliantly adorable is THAT?! They're ONLY $110...sheesh.
How about these??

They're from Urban Outfitters. Super Cuteness...

Listening to KPDQ FM right now-- have been missing it the last few days since I haven't been commuting to work! Feels good to be spiritually fed while I work! My favorites are Bill Ritchie's BRAND NEW, Alistair Begg's TRUTH FOR LIFE (love his accent!), and James MacDonald's Walk In The Word . All three are SO right on! Lessons for daily life that are Biblically based and always speak to my heart. Take a listen sometime and see which you enjoy!

Ok- hiho,hiho- it's off to work I go!

Blessings to you!

~S

Muwwwaaahaahaaahaaa

So after all that whining last night, I wake up this morning to the hubster saying "There's fresh snow and now there's freezing rain falling!"...

....WOOHOOOOO!!!! insert giddy, slightly cynical laugh here...

Ahem. Ok. I'm fine now.
It was indeed very nasty weather today. FUHREEEZING cold and a slushy mess. The kidlets had a two hour delay so we all slept in a bit (sort of- the phone kept ringing) and then meandered to school. Afterward, I came home and got to work on a long list phoned in from my place of employment. LOVEly...but hey- I got to work from home so I cannot complain TOO much at all. I would be THRILLED to work from home EVERYday but that's not going to happen so...I'll take this whenever I can!!!

It's supposed to freeze again overnight and then thaw a little tomorrow. Is it wrong to hope the weather worsens a bit??

I'm buried in work stuff, Ebay stuff and school volunteer/art things but it's good busy-work. Consistent and fruitful. I decided to re-open my Ebay store and had to revise my name a little because someone took my original apparently. So I just call it JOSIE'S BOWTIQUE vs. the typical Boutique spelling. Not too bad. I changed my user name to that as well to tie in a little better. I've got a lot of stuff to unload and I'm aiming at a few listings minimum a night until it's all listed. I see these people..people I *know* that have Power Seller status and it just KILLS me!!! I want to be able to do that and STAY HOME! What could be better?! Shop*Sell*SAHM. Talk about a dream. And there are people doing it. Stay at home moms in my little ol' town are making $1000 a month selling stuff. I just wonder HOW. How much time must they devote to the process? How often do they shop? Do they have some secret to success? As you can tell, this is something I ponder and muse over often lately! lol. I have fun with Ebay and would TOTALLY love being able to succeed in a consistent income doing it.

I'm DYING to scrapbook. So much going on- but I really want to just sit and dabble. I have all these wonderful things in my art area and no time to sit and play. Sad. Something I need to change. Whenever I spend some time delving into creative things, I find I'm happier all around- I can take the rest of the punches life deals day-to-day a little better somehow.

Finished watching last season's 24 last night. Oh my. I thoroughly DESPISE that nasty ol' President Logan. For those of you who know wno I'm talking about: isn't he truly GROSS?!

His face- it seems all rubbery. He looks like someone who picks his nose and has to trim nose hair and ear hair on a regular basis to appear normal. Just NASTY. And that's just his appearance, we won't even go there about his character flaws. Oy.

Aaron Pierce=hero. Totally.

Mike Novick--that little man is growing on me. I really loathed him for a while.

It ended cliff-hanger style so we closed it with our typical "that's it?! *pause* I HATE THIS SHOW!!!" lol. But of course, we love it. I need to learn how to embroider or crochet though because I pick at my cuticles/nails until they're ugly little nubs. Well- they already ARE ugly little nubs so you can only imagine their current state. ick. Some say dishwater is bad for their nails. I say action movies.


Ok- enough already. Are you bored to tears yet? How about somthing I'm loving right now???

Well- if I had it in my hot little hands I'm SURE I'd love it anyway. This book looks REALLY fun! Going to see if my library can get ahold of it for me...

More tomorrow.

~S

I don't wanna, I don't wanna

I've become spoiled! *5* days off and look what happens.
I need an attitude adjustment!
I don't WANT to go to work tomorrow.but i will.
I don't WANT to get up and go to the gym. but i will.
I don't WANT to get the kidlets up and ready for school. but i will.
I don't WANT to. I don't WANT to. I don't WANT to!!!!

I WANT to sleep in until I decide wake up. but i won't.
I WANT to stay in my pj's and robe all day. but i won't.
I WANT to be a cozy, content homebody for 5 more days. but i won't.

GAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!
Hopefully I'll stop this whining and just suck it up and deal.
I think I'll just go to bed now.
Yeppers- off to my cozy, pre-warmed bed to sulk, watch the last disc of last season's 24 (dude, it's GOOOOD!) and then pass out.

~S

"Have a 'tude, Weiner Dude!" ~Reality Bites

Fun Stuff

Ok...
ONE Birthday party down!
We went to Caleb's party at Pizza King and got to hang out, let the kids play, eat pizza and it was pretty kicked back. Nice! The kids had fun- Caleb really liked his dino-themed gift and I got to hang out with Joc, so it was a nice beginning to our day!

NOW we have to go get dinner stuff for Josie's PreSchool teacher. She's had a knee replacement and our church is taking dinners out to her. It's her birthday as well this weekend, so I decided to take pizza, ice cream, brownies and balloons out to her for dinner tonite. Need to go get all that stuff and then get a gift for a birthday party we have TONITE.

On more of a FUN note for ME... got a swell package of goodies from my sweet girl Court whom I *may* get to see in March at CKC!!!!! I am BEYOND excited at the very idea of relinquishing my dorkdom from LAST years CKC...when I was too shy to march up to her and say "I know YOU!" lol. This year will be VERY different!! lol. I hope it pans out!

ALSO got my first SCRAPOLOGIE kit!!! Such great stuff!! Take a peek for yourself below! There are a couple kits I've been watching to see what they provide vs. what they charge,etc. and this kit club consistently gives fabulous product and ideas for a decent price. Plus the add on kits are AMAZING. They sell out fast but you can see why!

Can't wait to sit down and DO something with all the scrap-goodness I got in the post yesterday...Cannot WAIT.

The snow has partially melted off around here-- what's left has turned into ice. It's REALLy cold. As in permanent nose-dripping, teeth chattering cold. Granted, I'm a big WUSS when it comes to being cold but still. Snow was fun- now I'm ready for tank top/flip flop weather, thankyouverymuch.

Hope YOU are having a great weekend!

Toodles,

~S

SnoW DaY!

I ♥ Snow Days!!!
They are few and far between for us here in the Pacific Northwest Valley, so todays Snow Day status has been savored ALL the live long day!!!

I know, I know-- you Mid-West/Easterners are either shaking your head or dying LAUGHING at the amount of snow you see on the ground above and the fact they've closed our schools because of it! lol. It *DOES* seem silly but I'm not complaining one little bit! It's been such a fun, relaxed day~ and perhaps if we had snow more frequently the days wouldn't feel so special.

Something about a Snow Day is so magical! Waking up to a dusting of white all over everything, the stillness and quiet in the air, being all cozy in a warm house~ watching as the snow falls outside. It's pure loveliness! Early this morning it was snowing when I took the puggy out and so I tuned the radio in to listen for school closures later on (it was 3am, I knew I had to wait a few hours for news!). Went back to bed and then got up around 7am to discover our school was indeed close. After a very quiet arm-pump "yesssss!", I snuck into the kids' rooms to be sure they were all snuggly in their beds and went BACK to bed myself! Ahhh....

Woke up very leisurely sometime later to the smell of the kidlets laughing and eggs and fried potatoes and onions cooking. YUM! The hubster stayed home from work today too- so we all enjoyed a great breakfast together, giant cups of coffee and cocoa...and stayed in our pj's until the kids couldn't stand it any longer and HAD to play outside! We layered and bundled and ventured out to have some fun. Threw snowballs * made a petite little snowman* marveled at footprints in fresh snow...and I'm just now realizing we didn't even attempt snow*angels. Granted, there wasn't much on the ground, but STILL!

Isn't it cute?? We made a little "scarf" out of foliage and the buttons are frozen mushrooms we found growing in the flower bed. lol. Little pebbles for eyes, and the classic (baby)carrot for a nose. I think it's the cutest thing ever!!

The rest of the day has been very relaxed and quiet. The sun has come out and is melting all the snow, so Robert will most likely go to work tomorrow. But the kids and I have a LONG weekend ahead of us!! The kidlets don't have school on Fridays, and with Monday being a holiday- we're settling in for a while! SOOOO nice!

I've been quite busy this week with work related junk. Eloquent, yes?? lol. And since Christmas I haven't felt like things in my life were "on track"...instead, feeling as though I have been grasping at everything but unable to connect and accomplish much. VERY frustrating to the control-freak in me. Luckily, I have a fantastic hubby who did a bit of housecleaning for me this week so that I'd have one less thing to contend with. So sweet and thoughful! I've been diligent this week in getting things DONE, start to finish, whenever possible. Dishes, laundry,etc. I've started back in on my Flylady Missions (http://www.flylady.net) and I also started creating a "Control" binder for us. Something to keep the family on track, a reference tool of sorts- for chores, bills, misc. stuff. It will be all in one binder. LOVE the idea of it- we'll see if I can make it work! I bought a cheapy binder for now- but if it proves effective, I'd like to put it in a nicer binder like this Russell+Hazel style!

I'll keep you posted on how things go with it!

Right now my mind is swirling with things that need to be done. Things I want to learn. try. to cross off my "TO DO" list. to cross off my ever-growing " I want to do/try/make ____" list. Oodles of stuff. Lots of creative stuff, but lots of house chores, decorating/revamp ideas. I need to sit down and just get it all on paper so I don't forget things. I hate when I have this GREAT idea and then I forget it for months (or forever.).

WEll--- I hope you've had a wonderful day yourself. I'm off to get the makings for homemade Nachos and a new scrap mag. Tonite we're going to watch another disc of "24" (the amount of gov't moles is SO annoying to me!!!!) after the kidlets go to bed. Before that- some Jenga or Cranium Conga with the kids, read some Charlottes Web.... good, yummy family stuff!!!

eh.

I *want* to post something witty, visually stimulating and fun to read.
I do.
But I can't.
Zzzzzzz......
Try me out again tomorrow?
Hey...thanks for that.
~S

Off and Running...

Determined.
Ready to roll.
Striving for change.
Encouraged.
Feeling Bold.
TO DO list made.

....it's Monday and I'm ready to rumble.
LOOK OUT!

More Later....

I'm AIRBOURNE!!!!!!!!!

Two kids bogged down by nasty colds, sore throats and a husband who is starting to falter as well.... I'm popping AIRBOURNE every 3 hours as precaution...CANNOT. WILL NOT. Get. Sick. oy....
Hope YOU and your loved ones are healthy!!!
~S

Ready For A Challenge?!

First off... HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my family and friends!!

I pray this year brings you blessings and newfound appreciation for your life & who you are, what you have and WHO you have. We truly all are blessed beyond measure, we just often overlook it and don't take the time to realize and appreciate it all. So in 2007, take the time to do so!

I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions. It's rare that I declare them and then follow through. But I *DO* have intentions! And good ones at that! Above all, I just want to remind myself to continually be in the moment. To absorb my surroundings and keep my eyes open to what God has given to me each and every day. To remind myself that despite the chaos in this world, He gives me what I need, when I need it and it's up to me to recognize that. So that's the biggie. I already do this, I just need to be BETTER about it!

Second, I want to be more aware of the quality vs. quantity in my life. This goes for time spent with family and friends, activities that my children, husband and I all participate in seperately and together and how important they are for us as a family and as individuals, and just the in's and out's of everyday. This also applies to how I spend my money and what it goes for. Do I really NEED ____ just because it's the "IN" thing right now? Because of the label? Because I need to keep up with the Joneses type thing?? Am I spending to make myself temporarily happy or because it's something I've planned for, saved for, need?? Again, this is something I've already begun to work on and will continue to do so.

I love shopping- I do. I love the thrill of a good bargain. I'm a magazine FREAK and love seeing the latest/greatest in fashion and home design. Always have, probably always will. But I'm rethinking it's importance in who I am, what impact it has on me and my life and it's overall value. It definitely boosts my creative thinking process. So that's one automatic positive, but beyond that-- ???? I'm working on this! ;)

The third BIG thing I intend to change (or continue to work on) is becoming more physically fit. To be happy with my lifestyle choices and the role model I am for my children. Of course I'd be thrilled to continue toning up and losing more weight... definitely need to continue that. But it's not something I'm going to obsess about.

What are YOUR 2007 Resolutions/Intentions??

Here is just one reason my year of 2006 ended on such a happy note!!

LOVED having Christy and her fam up for Christmas break. LOVED it. We're doing some HEAVY pushing for them to move up here, but I've said all I'm gonna say. ok...one more time. MOVE UP HERE, C. NOW. Ok. I'm done. We were able to hang out, talk, laugh A LOT, go on a scenic driving excursion IN THE DARK (had to be there) and just an overall GREAT time. Can't wait to see her again this Summer!!! Love ya,C!

I'll post again this week to share more about the holiday, some photos, and just randomness!

~S