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

Holiday Recovery & Thanks

Ahhhhh.... it's all over for another year!

Our Christmas holiday was really nice this year-- enjoyed our family, good food, being spoiled by loved ones, playing games, peppermint mocha coffee, watching friends and family open the gifts we bought/made for them... LOVE that. It was really,really nice this year.

That being said. I'm glad to move on! lol. Despite the enjoyment, there was ALOT going on this year and we just were hustling to get here and there and shop, and see friends and family, etc.etc. It can take the overall feeling of joy and peace of the season right outta ya! But I attempted to stay in good spirits through it all..and succeeded. For the most part!! Ha!

Yesterday we were a family of lazy loungers. It felt SOOOO good! Stayed in pj's all day, let the kids play with their new toys, grazed on leftovers all day and just lazed about all day. It was wonderful!

Today is about getting back in the groove. Cleaning up the mess, catching up dishes and laundry. Also working from home today. Wish it was like this EVERY day but as far as a work schedule goes- I've got it pretty good right now, so I can't complain much!

Here's a few pics from the last few days... Hope you all had a blessed holiday as well!

~S

PowerLess

We had a power outtage earlier- just for an hour or two. Long enough to realize that we're completely unprepared for such an event. ugh. I scrounged a few candles, one flashlight and a camp light eventually. Robert had drill tonite so the kids and I sat at the table and I read from Book #1 Meet Felicity (American Girls Series) to the kidlets while they colored. Then I thumbed through a new issue of IN STYLE (it came, Joc! Thanks Again girlie!! wink,wink) that had come in the mail and generally savored the coziness of the situation. The kiddos were a little freaked out by the noise outside (incredibley windy) but they had fun too. The worst is yet to come apparently. We got power back and the news states we're going to encounter a severe wind storm within the next hour or two. It's already been VERY blustery. Pepper did NOT enjoy his trips outside today- the wind nearly knocked him over! lol. Funny to watch...

Power is still on but flickery occasionally. Robert came home with some fast food for dinner and more candles so it's all placed strategically in case it goes out again. I'm in my pj's and robe and despite a stiff neck (slept wrong? stress? poor posture while entering hours of data entry the other night? probably a bit of all of that. LOVELY.) I'm comfy cozy.

Did anyone catch the finale of THE BIGGEST LOSER last night??? Oh. MY. WORRRRDDDDD. Those contestants completely transformed themselves!! Especially Eric. WOW. SO cool. Very inspiring! Can't wait for the next season! TOP CHEF was good too. Cannot believe a couple of them are still there...they just make for good tv and that is why they're still competing. ANYwho...

Better get my kids to bed and fold some laundry. blech.
BUT tomorrow I get to get up- go to the gym and then make some coffee in my new French press from Joc. YAY! Or should I say YUM! Then some house cleaning and running errands. That evening is the kids' Christmas program... I have a resident Angel and Joseph to get ready-- and I'm SO excited to see them perform.

Today was my day to teach art for the PreK/Kindergarten class. We made orange pomanders for the kids to give to their parents as presents. It went really well and they enjoyed making them-- so glad! Love finding projects that really "click" with them...makes all the difference!

Ok- I'm REALLY signing off now!
TGIF!!!
toodles,
~S

Survivor!!!

So I did it!!!
I survived yet another joint birthday party for the kidlets...whew!
I currently have *ZERO* pictures to show for it because my batteries were dead. WHY oh WHY on these special occasions?!?!?!?! Because my head was in a million different places and not focused on ensuring I had new batteries. THAT's why! lol. ANYwho- it was great fun- the kids had a BLAST and were completely spoiled with presents from family and friends. I don't think they need presents for Christmas--they seriously had a massive HAUL! We had 27 kids there (including 2 babies) and maybe 18 parents off/on (we encouraged parental units to flee while the going was good! Quick dinner date or Christmas shopping-whatever!) So it was complete and utter pandemonium but fun just the same! I'll post some pics when I get some from my sister!

Tonite was the Christmas banquet at church and it was SO fun!!!!! LOVED it! Didn't have to hostess a table afterall this year- so I got to sit at a friends and just enjoy the evening. The food was wonderful (roasted turkey, roast beef, party potatoes, candied yams, green beans w/bacon & onion, salad, jello, rolls, etc. YUM.) Christmas carols, door prizes, fellowship and our own version of DEAL or NO DEAL. It was GREAT! So fun!! Can't wait for next years! I have a few pics but I'll upload those tomorrow. Also- Aunt Peg- if you're reading this- I felt like you were sitting at the table next to me because there was a woman that looked SO much like you- little mannerisms, bone structure, dark curly hair and ALL! SO weird! Even Robert noticed! So I thought of you throughout the evening! ;)

Love to All!
~S

PS: TO DO list Update= Angel Costume found. Props for play are half done. Still looking for Christmas outfit for Matthew. Lights are strung up outside the house. Tree will be up and decorated on Wednesday. Field trip done and enjoyed! Birthday party a smashing success! I think I'm on a rollllllll..... coolness!