do this week's blog challenge right now.
My dad's going in for quadruple bypass surgery in the morning. We've had many assurances that things will go well...and I just keep reminding myself of that...but I'm a little freaked out right now. Dad's "only" 59, healthy, exercises...just does absolutely everything his cardiologist has been telling him to do, and been doing it for years!
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
Family
Our challenge for this week was to blog about "where we came from." I, as usual, can't follow directions very well since this is what popped into my head.
The world lost a wonderful lady late last week. My grandfather's cousin, Pauline, passed away at the age of 97. She was one *incredible* lady and will be greatly missed by many.
Pauline was very independent and lived in the home she & her husband bought when they married up until recently. When my dad's cousin went to stay with her, she came home and told us some fun stories. Pauline had been a child of the depression and, because of this, didn't believe in throwing anything away. Tin cans from vegetables were washed and flattened then stored in her basement. She was still using the refrigerator she & her dh bought when they first married....the OLD kind that had to be defrosted each week! Curtains were taken down and washed weekly and were still in excellent condition because of the care she'd given them over the years. There were many more stories about things like this but I just can't remember them at the moment.
Pauline was also our family historian. Even though we had a secretary who took notes at each family reunion, Pauline took notes each year as well for as long as I can remember. A couple years ago, she told some of the family that all her family history info was to come to me....the first time I know of that she had said who would inherit this treasure trove. And what an honor! After making this announcement, she started sending a little bit to me through my dad's cousin then my parents (cousin lives near my parents). I have a few of the OLD family reunion notebooks and it's such a treat to look through them and see my great-aunt Opal's or great-aunt Mabel...or Grandma's...handwriting! Mom has also told me that she has several wheels of slides (and I think she said a slide projector) that Pauline sent for me to have old family photos.
Tomorrow is Pauline's memorial service and I just hate that I can't be there! Mom & Dad were going with Dad's cousin and her husband but those plans had to change just yesterday. I'm sure that Pauline would have understood and expected me to spend time with my own family this week-end but it just feels wrong to not be there. I guess I'll just have to make Steve go with me some day to visit her gravesite....
Good-bye, Pauline...there will never be another like you. I love you!
The world lost a wonderful lady late last week. My grandfather's cousin, Pauline, passed away at the age of 97. She was one *incredible* lady and will be greatly missed by many.
Pauline was very independent and lived in the home she & her husband bought when they married up until recently. When my dad's cousin went to stay with her, she came home and told us some fun stories. Pauline had been a child of the depression and, because of this, didn't believe in throwing anything away. Tin cans from vegetables were washed and flattened then stored in her basement. She was still using the refrigerator she & her dh bought when they first married....the OLD kind that had to be defrosted each week! Curtains were taken down and washed weekly and were still in excellent condition because of the care she'd given them over the years. There were many more stories about things like this but I just can't remember them at the moment.
Pauline was also our family historian. Even though we had a secretary who took notes at each family reunion, Pauline took notes each year as well for as long as I can remember. A couple years ago, she told some of the family that all her family history info was to come to me....the first time I know of that she had said who would inherit this treasure trove. And what an honor! After making this announcement, she started sending a little bit to me through my dad's cousin then my parents (cousin lives near my parents). I have a few of the OLD family reunion notebooks and it's such a treat to look through them and see my great-aunt Opal's or great-aunt Mabel...or Grandma's...handwriting! Mom has also told me that she has several wheels of slides (and I think she said a slide projector) that Pauline sent for me to have old family photos.
Tomorrow is Pauline's memorial service and I just hate that I can't be there! Mom & Dad were going with Dad's cousin and her husband but those plans had to change just yesterday. I'm sure that Pauline would have understood and expected me to spend time with my own family this week-end but it just feels wrong to not be there. I guess I'll just have to make Steve go with me some day to visit her gravesite....
Good-bye, Pauline...there will never be another like you. I love you!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Our last "love" challenge
and Katie didn't say it had to be our OWN romantic moment, lol.
This has to be one of my fave movie moments and I'm such a sucker that I can miss the whole movie, only watch THIS part and STILL cry.
This has to be one of my fave movie moments and I'm such a sucker that I can miss the whole movie, only watch THIS part and STILL cry.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
I need....
a new name for this blog. "Bag" Lady worked when I was being kept busy making purses last summer but not so much now.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
A couple recent layouts that I love
I "challenged myself" to mix up the chipboard letters this time instead of having them all the same.
And a bad pic of this layout but I love how it turned out.
I placed vellum over the patterned paper, stamped on the vellum, and added "bling" to the stamped images. Oh, the flower bling wasn't on stamped images but I added them anyway.
Wasn't I a cutie??
Photos I love
I'm a week late getting this one posted but better late than never, right?
(Gotta love the big boys playing like little kids!)
(Gotta love the big boys playing like little kids!)
Monday, January 21, 2008
"I Love to Hate..."
Hmm, I didn't think this challenge would be all that hard since there seems to be so many things I "hate."
I guess I have to say that I "love to hate" Chicago sports teams. I don't know why because they certainly haven't ever done anything to me. I guess it started growing up in a family that was full of Cardinals fans so they "hated" the Cubs. And yet I ended up married to a Cubs fan and have to watch ALL their games.
Then, for some reason, along the line, I started to "hate" the Bears. Again, I don't know why...I just do.
So now that I've had to put it "down on paper" I guess it's time to rethink if I truly DO hate these teams....
I guess I have to say that I "love to hate" Chicago sports teams. I don't know why because they certainly haven't ever done anything to me. I guess it started growing up in a family that was full of Cardinals fans so they "hated" the Cubs. And yet I ended up married to a Cubs fan and have to watch ALL their games.
Then, for some reason, along the line, I started to "hate" the Bears. Again, I don't know why...I just do.
So now that I've had to put it "down on paper" I guess it's time to rethink if I truly DO hate these teams....
Monday, January 14, 2008
10 things I love...
Katie's on a "love" kick right now because we're having a Love Crop over at Scrapbookfriends.net this month.
So 10 things I love...
my family
my friends
books
scrapbooking
stamping
movies
my enV cell phone!
a clean, organized scrap room
Mickey Mouse
a variety of music
How's that for general? lol
So 10 things I love...
my family
my friends
books
scrapbooking
stamping
movies
my enV cell phone!
a clean, organized scrap room
Mickey Mouse
a variety of music
How's that for general? lol
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Making progress...
on that disaster in my scrap room. The mess is still on the far side of the table but the actual scrapping area is almost cleaned up. Two shelves left to clean up in my built-in shelves area then I can tackle the rest of the room.
Hoping to get that all cleaned up today since everyone is home tomorrow so I won't be able to do it then. And Steve said we'd start rearranging everything on Saturday. Of course, we'll just have to move everything again when I start painting but at least it's a start on getting it how I want.
Hoping to get that all cleaned up today since everyone is home tomorrow so I won't be able to do it then. And Steve said we'd start rearranging everything on Saturday. Of course, we'll just have to move everything again when I start painting but at least it's a start on getting it how I want.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Better late than never
Last week's challenge was to blog a list: resolutions, memories of 2007, favorites or least favorites from 2007, hopes for the new year. Since my memories as still colored by the latter part of the year, I'm going off-topic....besides, I'm not much of a list maker. I did make up a list of things I want to get done with my scrap room...and aren't you feeling privileged that you get to see the list?
switch sides of room: tv/accessories/stereo set in built-in shelves
color-purples
lilac/lavender walls
darker curtains
lavender or white sparkly sheers
curtains over shelves?
new table skirt
cover bb with batting & ribbon
paint table? redo top somehow
shades to replace blinds
find "bar stool" to use at table
dye fabric of 2 deck chairs? or make new?
stencil & paint inspirational words on walls?
Pretty exciting, huh? Before I can really do ANY of the list, I desperately need to clean. Took these pics after picking up enough stuff the kids had dumped on the floor when they took stuff upstairs, just so I could move around.
switch sides of room: tv/accessories/stereo set in built-in shelves
color-purples
lilac/lavender walls
darker curtains
lavender or white sparkly sheers
curtains over shelves?
new table skirt
cover bb with batting & ribbon
paint table? redo top somehow
shades to replace blinds
find "bar stool" to use at table
dye fabric of 2 deck chairs? or make new?
stencil & paint inspirational words on walls?
Pretty exciting, huh? Before I can really do ANY of the list, I desperately need to clean. Took these pics after picking up enough stuff the kids had dumped on the floor when they took stuff upstairs, just so I could move around.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Follow-up to "No wonder I'm twisted"
Dad gave me permission to post the pic I saw when I opened my card from them on Christmas.
I'm telling you, this is just WRONG!
And my reaction when I opened the card to see the pic above.
I'm telling you, this is just WRONG!
And my reaction when I opened the card to see the pic above.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
No wonder I'm twisted!
With parents like mine, that is. LOL
When Mom & I went Christmas shopping, she kept looking at these novelty boxer shorts and asking me if I thought she should get this one or that one for Dad. First it was a Santa pair then something else and then the Grinch. That's when I couldn't take it anymore and told her to STOP! The images she was putting in my head, I was trying VERY hard not to see. Did she want me to end up in therapy??
I kind of forgot all about it because she didn't buy any.
So after the kids opened their presents, Dad handed out cards to my brother and his gf. Hmm, he's holding mine...WTF? My brother and his gf each got gift cards and, since I didn't have many gifts, I thought maybe mine was bigger or something.
NOPE!
Really sweet card..then I opened it. Stuck inside was a picture of my Dad in the boxer shorts, bent over so I could read the HO HO HO across his ass.
I dropped that sucker on the love seat and started screaming "NO! NO! NO!" "That's just so wrong! That's wrong on so many levels"
Turns out there were TWO pics in there....Mom got a "Santa" outfit too and they posed together for me.
Seriously, can you SEE the years of therapy ahead for me after seeing that???
Oh, and of course, Mom videotaped the whole thing! lol
When Mom & I went Christmas shopping, she kept looking at these novelty boxer shorts and asking me if I thought she should get this one or that one for Dad. First it was a Santa pair then something else and then the Grinch. That's when I couldn't take it anymore and told her to STOP! The images she was putting in my head, I was trying VERY hard not to see. Did she want me to end up in therapy??
I kind of forgot all about it because she didn't buy any.
So after the kids opened their presents, Dad handed out cards to my brother and his gf. Hmm, he's holding mine...WTF? My brother and his gf each got gift cards and, since I didn't have many gifts, I thought maybe mine was bigger or something.
NOPE!
Really sweet card..then I opened it. Stuck inside was a picture of my Dad in the boxer shorts, bent over so I could read the HO HO HO across his ass.
I dropped that sucker on the love seat and started screaming "NO! NO! NO!" "That's just so wrong! That's wrong on so many levels"
Turns out there were TWO pics in there....Mom got a "Santa" outfit too and they posed together for me.
Seriously, can you SEE the years of therapy ahead for me after seeing that???
Oh, and of course, Mom videotaped the whole thing! lol
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Favorite Christmas picture
Can you tell what our challenges have been this month? lol
I love this pic of the kids "fighting" before they opened their stockings at Nana & Papa's house last year.
I love this pic of the kids "fighting" before they opened their stockings at Nana & Papa's house last year.
Favorite Christmas song
Hoping this works! I absolutely LOVE Nat King Cole's version of The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).
Ok, it works. You have to actually click on the play button to see it. (Silly me, I kept waiting and waiting for it to load before I thought to try that, lol.)
Ok, it works. You have to actually click on the play button to see it. (Silly me, I kept waiting and waiting for it to load before I thought to try that, lol.)
Favorite Christmas recipe
Granted, this one is strictly Christmas like the challenge called for but she said we could post anything we make at Christmas time.
Since I only allow myself to have fudge at Christmas time, it's a Christmas recipe to me.
Fantasy Fudge
3 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter or margarine
1 small can evaporated milk (2/3 c.)
1-1/2 pkg. chocolate chips
1 jar marshmallow creme
1 c. chopped walnuts
1 tsp. vanilla
Line 9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan, set aside. Place sugar, butter and evaporated milk in large heavy saucepan. Bring to full rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 4 min. or until candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat.
Add chocolate chips and marshmallow creme, stir until completely melted. Add walnuts and vanilla, mix well.
Pour immediately into prepared pan, spread to form an even layer. Let stand at room temp 4 hours or until completely cooled. Cut into 1-inch square pieces.
Since I only allow myself to have fudge at Christmas time, it's a Christmas recipe to me.
Fantasy Fudge
3 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter or margarine
1 small can evaporated milk (2/3 c.)
1-1/2 pkg. chocolate chips
1 jar marshmallow creme
1 c. chopped walnuts
1 tsp. vanilla
Line 9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan, set aside. Place sugar, butter and evaporated milk in large heavy saucepan. Bring to full rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 4 min. or until candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat.
Add chocolate chips and marshmallow creme, stir until completely melted. Add walnuts and vanilla, mix well.
Pour immediately into prepared pan, spread to form an even layer. Let stand at room temp 4 hours or until completely cooled. Cut into 1-inch square pieces.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Oh yeah!
Our challenge for this week is to post holiday pics and I eventually hope to get to that...sometime.
Right now I'm so excited because I will, sometime today, have a new "nephew." My BFF, Mandi, is being induced this morning and the little man will be here soon!
I'm so glad that she & her DH agreed to send me a PIX message so I can see him right away. I have to be out running around today and wouldn't have gotten to see pics till late tonight on the puter.
And, Mandi took the plunge and finally set up a blog of her own. I bet you'll be able to see baby pics over there soon! Check her out at http://thoughtsandthingsfromasmalltowngirl.blogspot.com/ (sorry, it wouldn't let me put in a clickable link.)
Right now I'm so excited because I will, sometime today, have a new "nephew." My BFF, Mandi, is being induced this morning and the little man will be here soon!
I'm so glad that she & her DH agreed to send me a PIX message so I can see him right away. I have to be out running around today and wouldn't have gotten to see pics till late tonight on the puter.
And, Mandi took the plunge and finally set up a blog of her own. I bet you'll be able to see baby pics over there soon! Check her out at http://thoughtsandthingsfromasmalltowngirl.blogspot.com/ (sorry, it wouldn't let me put in a clickable link.)
Sunday, November 25, 2007
All I want for Christmas is....
Christopher home again.
If I can't have that, I'll settle for a day to just spend time with him without having to deal with "other" people.
If I can't have that, I'll settle for a day to just spend time with him without having to deal with "other" people.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Blog challenge #17
Katie challenged us to scrapbook something blue this week and post about it.
I did this for a Dormitories challenge on ScrapbookPlayground. Without going to check, I believe the challenge was to use the color of your bedding. Mine is light blue jersey sheets and a white down comforter so it was fairly easy to scrap with.
Other layouts and cards I got done this week for challenges on the playground:
I did this for a Dormitories challenge on ScrapbookPlayground. Without going to check, I believe the challenge was to use the color of your bedding. Mine is light blue jersey sheets and a white down comforter so it was fairly easy to scrap with.
Other layouts and cards I got done this week for challenges on the playground:
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Short & sweet (I hope)
Finally got pics of some recent purses.
Last one, for now, for my gf's shop in Florida:
I love the DCWV Glitter Stack!
For another friend, Anna:
The ribbons hadn't been trimmed yet when I took this pic but the camera was out, it was mostly done, so I took the pic anyway.
Now I'm off to link some layouts I got done AND look for a cheap Halloween craft for Jason's class to do at the classroom party in 15 minutes.
Last one, for now, for my gf's shop in Florida:
I love the DCWV Glitter Stack!
For another friend, Anna:
The ribbons hadn't been trimmed yet when I took this pic but the camera was out, it was mostly done, so I took the pic anyway.
Now I'm off to link some layouts I got done AND look for a cheap Halloween craft for Jason's class to do at the classroom party in 15 minutes.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Long overdue update
The crop was AWESOME! As predicted, everyone wanted to know when the next one will be and the only complaints were minor ones. (Have music in the crop room, for example. Found out afterwards that there's a system at the B&B so a few won't get blasted by the boombox while others can't hear it at all.)
Mandi & I were discussing it again last night and it looks like there's going to be one in the spring!!!
Everyone had such a great time, TONS of food (that's one of the changes, lol....some will be "assigned" snacks and others drinks so there isn't as much left over at the end), SOOOOO many goodies! If I ever get around to unpacking my stuff, I'll snap a pic of the goodies.
Of course, I wasn't lucky enough to win one of the 15 big prizes and I hated that part of it because they were soooo good! Mom won one though and she was tickled.
It was great to see some online friends again AND to finally meet some IRL for the first time! (Hi Brigette & Chris...so glad you both made it and we finally got to meet!) Just wish that Katie's work schedule hadn't been so nuts so she could have been there more than just one day.
In other news, I should have a couple more purses to show you by, hopefully, tomorrow night. Of course, that will depend on if I get all my Cub Scout stuff done today for tonight's meeting so that I can finish them up today. I was suppose to grocery shop today but Jason's "feeling puny" (his words, lol) so I guess I shuffle my schedule and work instead of shop today.
Mandi & I were discussing it again last night and it looks like there's going to be one in the spring!!!
Everyone had such a great time, TONS of food (that's one of the changes, lol....some will be "assigned" snacks and others drinks so there isn't as much left over at the end), SOOOOO many goodies! If I ever get around to unpacking my stuff, I'll snap a pic of the goodies.
Of course, I wasn't lucky enough to win one of the 15 big prizes and I hated that part of it because they were soooo good! Mom won one though and she was tickled.
It was great to see some online friends again AND to finally meet some IRL for the first time! (Hi Brigette & Chris...so glad you both made it and we finally got to meet!) Just wish that Katie's work schedule hadn't been so nuts so she could have been there more than just one day.
In other news, I should have a couple more purses to show you by, hopefully, tomorrow night. Of course, that will depend on if I get all my Cub Scout stuff done today for tonight's meeting so that I can finish them up today. I was suppose to grocery shop today but Jason's "feeling puny" (his words, lol) so I guess I shuffle my schedule and work instead of shop today.
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