"Historical/Hysterical" Christmas Blizzard

So, we were told when we moved here that we wouldn't get any snow or very little.

Today, there is already 8-10" on the ground and up to 24" expected. Crazy!! This leads everyone in the area to do the following:
1. Fill up their gas tanks - the line at the station last night was 2 hours long.
2. Buy up all the food around - Steve and I walked across the street last night to buy more butter for the cookies Grandma and Annde were making and there was literally no more milk, eggs, cheese, bread, etc... in the store. The lines were ENORMOUS...
3. Not leave the house. Apparently, everyone stays home because of the few crazy drivers - or maybe more than a few - who don't know how to drive who try to drive 80 mph in this weather.

Funny!!

So, we're hanging out, contemplating making more cookies, craft projects, or playing in the snow... oh wait! No boots - since it doesn't snow here - so that might be kinda difficult.

To my siblings who are coming next week - you might want to bring coats, hats, boots, gloves, etc... because it definitely looks like a white Christmas will be here!

Christmas Quiz

I have been reading various blogs this week and saw this quiz that looked fun. So I figured I would blog it too. I found it on Melissa's Blog.


1. What 5 items are on your Christmas wish list this year?
* New IPOD - mine didn't survive the move from Michigan
* New Pants - mine don't stay up since I lost the weight with Meg's pregnancy/delivery.
* New Work Shirts - Most of my clothes are at least 5 years old. Some new ones would be nice...
* A gift certificate to one or two of my favorite online shopping sites for scrapbook supplies since there isn't a store close by... or a 6 month subscription to the kits at Coordinates Collections.
* Garth Brooks "The Entertainer" box set.

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
Ohhh... this was hard. Every year, I get handmade ornaments from my Mom and Aunts and sister. These are so awesome because they bring back so many memories. I can't pick just one of them.

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
I really need to get my butt in gear with the homemade ornament exchange...

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
Hmmm... to be honest, I can't remember most of them... I do remember the Atari game system but since Jon and Jeff hogged it, that wouldn't be it. I would have to say the year my Mom gave me a homemade cabbage patch doll. They were popular back then and my Mom made one for my sister and I that looked just like us. I might not have appreciated it enough back then, but I sure do now because I know how much effort she put into them. I wonder if I could talk her into bringing it with her at Christmas so I can pass it on to Annde?

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
* Littlest Pet Shop
* My Little Pony
* American Girl doll that looks like her (this is the only thing she asked Santa for... it's a great thing that we can afford to buy her one!)

6. What is your favorite holiday food?
Appetizers... seriously. We usually make appetizers on Xmas eve. I love every one of them: wontons, pigs in a blanket, brie, guac & blue corn chips, sausage, bbq meatballs, etc...

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
This year, not much. I had grand aspirations... but well, Meghan came and we moved and started a new job, etc... I haven't even been scrapbooking lately! I guess it would be the birth announcements/thank you notes.

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
I don't have one. I am not really into them. Maybe, "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Rudolf"?

9. Favorite holiday song?
"Silent Night" for sentimental reasons - preferably in German. (See my post from last December)
"Belleau Wood" by Garth Brooks

10. Favorite holiday pastime?
Hands down - Hanging out with family and friends. Seriously... even if there were no gifts, no fancy meals, etc... I would want to spend it with family and friends!

If you decide to do this also, post a comment so I can read your answers!

Ho Ho Ho!! Here's Santa!

This is the Santa picture I was talking about... Don't you just love Meghan's squanchy face? She loves to make that when she's waking up and stretching. I love the fact that he picked her up and she still didn't uncurl her legs.

Good thing about taking Annde to Santa twice - Mom can actually HEAR what she's telling him so we make sure it's there on Christmas morning... Phew!! When I asked her last week, she told me that it was a secret between her and Santa so she couldn't tell me! HA! Mom will always find out!!

Well, off to wait upstairs... the furnace is broken AGAIN and it's too cold to sit down here for very long.

Meghan's 1 month and Christmas DC style

On Saturday, we went down to the White House. Annde hasn't been there before and it was a great opportunity to go see it as well as the National Christmas tree. Here's a pic of Steve and Annde in front of "Obama's House" (which is what Annde calls it). The exciting part: after some research, it looks like we're going to take Annde's Daisy Scout troop there in March to earn a badge. We'll get to take the tour and see the inside. I've never been inside before so I am excited too!

Then, we went across the street to the Christmas village to see the National Tree. It was somewhat underwhelming. It's big but not as impressive in the daylight.

To get a sense of the size, here's Steve in front with Annde. It is REALLY tall. We're going to take all the siblings and nieces and nephews down there to see it on the 23rd. That's going to be fun too! (Don't you just love Annde's poses?)


Around the tree are these little mini-trees: one from each state, one from DC, and one from each of the 6 territories. Here's Annde and I with Meghan (Can you see her? That's cause she's tucked into the baby backpack inside my jacket and her head is covered with the pink blanket!) in front of the Michigan tree. It was decorated with ornaments by a elementary school in Howell, I believe. There was also a Santa house. Inside you could get a FREE 5x7 of your kids on Santa's lap. I kid you not - we waited like 5 minutes and he looked real. I'll post the picture tomorrow but how often can you get a free pic with Santa with no waiting?!?! It wasn't the best picture - Annde had her jacket on and was standing in front of him but hey! It was the best one we've done this year... Here's part of the inside of the house... I love the categories. Annde says she's been "Nice all the time"... Yeah right!


Quick pic of Meg - she slept the whole time... but I figured she deserves some press too!

On that subject, Meghan is official 1 month old this week. Here's a pic of her with Annde.
Isn't she getting big? This outfit is 3-6 mos, I kid you not. She's over 10 lbs and growing like a weed. She's still consuming vast quantities of food - 3 to 4 oz ever 2-3 hrs - and stretching alot. Annde is still excited about her so that's great. I can't wait for her first Xmas!! :)

Well, off to bed. The kid still gets up every 2 hours and we both are working tomorrow, as well as Annde having dance class and a playdate. Geez!!! And, I still have to clean the house for my family coming. See ya later!

I'm organized... and almost ready to go!

So, in the midst of getting my stuff together for Christmas, I found myself making (and losing) lists for the stuff to get done for the upcoming holidays. After seeing this super cute idea on Stacy Julien's blog, I decided to make one of my own to get organized. (Note: the ring doesn't have the ribbon yet because I need a larger ring to put this on...) The book is 4"x4"... perfect to fit into my purse.

I didn't make it specific to a year so that I can reuse it again next year but simply replacing the white papers between the tabs. I dug out some left over paper from a Coordinates Collections kit to make the tabs - what a great way to use up a kit with only bits and pieces left over...

Here are the cute pages between the tabs. I have a page for each member of the family, all my nieces and nephews, and parents... I love this little set of stamps from Close to My Heart... I used them for my birth announcements, thank you cards (for Meghan & Annde gifts), and now these...

Well, tons of things to do... Hope you are having a great Thursday! Bundle up (unless you live in Florida) cause it's definitely a cold one...

Ho Ho Ho!!

So the stockings are hung... (Reminder to self: Get Meg a stocking holder)
The tree is up... Annde helped to decorate. That's why there are SO MANY ornaments on the bottom. She loves to decorate (or as Fancy Nancy/Annde calls it: Accessorize the tree!) anything.
And Annde is going nutso about the Advent Calendar. You'd think she had a one track mind. Every afternoon, after school until after dinner, all I hear is, "Mom, is it time to open the calendar yet?" I bought this wooden one at Target (instead of making one like I had originally planned.) and stuffed it with Hershey kisses (her favorite) and Little Pets. She's so excited! She said the nicest thing last night when she opened it up and there were 2 kisses in it... she said "Mom, if Meggie was old enough, I would give her one to eat too." I think it's sweet how Annde is become Mini-Mom. She really loves being an older sister.

Speaking of younger sisters... Guess what Meg loves to do: Fall asleep during tummy time. It's a riot - EVERY time you put her on her tummy, she just goes to sleep. Of course, her favorite napping spot is here:
... but on her tummy is definitely #2. The boppy, a rolled up blanket, any time she's near her stomach, she's out like a lot. It's a lot nicer than Annde's reaction - which was to scream like a crazy child. Yep, Meg's our laid back kid...

We're so ready for the cousins to get here. Annde made this welcome sign and drew pictures of all her cousins. Obviously not to scale but so very cute. Ben has some really long legs and Lauren is the biggest (for being one of the youngest). We can't wait to see everyone. (Before you ask - I did the writing at Annde's request).

Well, I am off to start planning menus and such. Gotta love the holidays - especially the food!
Also - if you are related to me or want a birth announcement/christmas card, can you PLEASE send me your address to my tallgirl account or hotmail account? I have no address book (casualty of the move) and I would like to get these out before next year... Thanks!!

It's been a long time... once again!

Well.

I have no excuses...

I have neglected my blog.

It wasn't like I didn't have anything else to do: I have moved to another state, packed and unpacked a house, started a brand new and challenging job, finished that last trimester of pregnancy, and brought a beautiful baby girl into the world.

But, I have forgotten/neglected this blog and to all of you who read it (especially Tracy and Dad), I apologize.

So, here's my early new year's resolution: Get my butt back in gear and start working on this again. I need to update my header with Meghan - can't do it with the current stuff since I lost Photoshop and my pictures in the Great Computer Crash of 2009 (October). So, I will have to come up with something new... look for it to debut in January (it will take me that long to get Photoshop reinstalled.)

So, here's the latest 411:

Yes, we love most aspects of our new life in VA. I love my job. I don't love our rental home, but it's okay and will work for the next several years until we can sell our MI home and buy a home here. Steve's working on a local gig but feels like he's still on the road since he's working insane hours on this project. (It sucks but I look at it this way: He's still home to tuck the kids in every night...)

Annde cut her hair short and started Kindergarten. Surprisingly, I had a harder time with the hair than school... She's made a lot of friends and joined both the Daisy Scouts and a Tap/Ballet class. She still misses everyone in Michigan and asks when we can go visit. (Memorial Day 2010?)

We were blessed with Meghan Brianna on 11/10/09. She was 8 lbs 6 oz and 21.5" long. She seems to be the opposite of her active sister - more content to just go with the flow. She's growing leaps and bounds - already in 2 weeks, she's gained 1.5 lbs and 1"... it's crazy how much she eats, I tell you! But, she is a great cuddler and her big sister is totally in love with her so life is great around here.We were lucky to have Tracy & Aiden come visit us after Meghan was born. That was so completely awesome!! We went downtown and did some of the Memorials and the Space Museum. The kids did awesome and we had a lot of fun. Plus, Tracy and I scrapped - we did 2 mini books each - it felt good to get going on that again.

Gotta love the matching sweatshirts... :)
We were also lucky to have Steve's parents come in for Thanksgiving. It came out wonderful - Steve was very proud of his perfect turkey (It should be perfect with the amount of time we spend watching Food Network!).

Now, we have a lot to look forward to: my family is coming for Christmas... all of them! I can't wait to celebrate with all my siblings, my sister-in-laws, and my parents and my nieces and nephews. It will be a full house but we are going to have so much fun! I can't wait.

Well, I need to get some things done so I am signing off for now. Hopefully, it won't take me another 6 months to update. :)

Feliz Navidad!!

Hello again... it's been a long time, friend!

Wow! I can't believe it's been over 2 months since I wrote anything on this blog...

Thanks to family and friends for reminding me that I have been slacking in this. (Especially you, Dad!) A lot has changed in the last 2 months... so, I'll jabber about that and post some layouts that I've done too...

First, I have a job again. (Yippee!! I am not a stay-at-home Mom kind of girl.) I enjoy working and using my mind and my new job is going to be a lot more challenging than the old one. Don't get me wrong... Automotive engineering had it's challenges, hard work, and patience crunchers. There was long hours and difficult situations. And, in the end, I still get some sense of pride watching a car/truck I worked on drive down the road... But, this economy and the automotive industry is really struggling now - the jobs just aren't there! So, when the opportunity with the Navy came along, and it was full of challenge and future, I took it. It took a long time (well, not so long according to others) but my interrim security clearance is done... so the move is on!

In about 3 weeks, they will come in and pack us up and off to DC we will go. We've found a townhouse to lease for 2 years that is nice and in a good school system. Hopefully - keep your fingers crossed - we are the last few stages of leasing our home to a family for 2 years as well. (that will make me feel tons better!) It's going to be a big change and the last month & a half has been super stressful! Since the clearance came through, we've been scrambling to get everything done/turned off/turned on/finding new people in DC... I am really excited but also nervous. My last big move - from my parents home to school - was done in a mini-van. This one will take a 18-wheeler truck and we're talking about "pounds of allowable weight" and proper packing techniques.

As for scrapbooking... I've been doing my stuff here and there, as needed for the design teams. I lack the motivation to scrap for fun. It's hard - this was a hobby that my BFF Tracy and I shared so much that scrapbooking now reminds me off leaving her here. And, instead of being a joyful creation, I find it harder to do... I know that the joy will come back but I also know that one of the hardest - if not the absolute hardest - things for me will be to leave Michigan with her still here. We've been so close over the last 5+ years... she knows how much she means to me.

So, here are some layouts before I lose it...

This first one is for So Sketchy. I love all the product on this page! I got it from Mega Meet and I just love how it came out. (I'll update this post with product tomorrow - got to find the sheet I wrote it down on! :) Hope it isn't packed already!)

These next few are from Pink Sketches...

Also a Mega Meet page - this one uses product we got free from the Crop Party or was left over from one of the classes I took. Tracy and I did this page together so we both have a copy of it!

This page is also Pink Sketches... I love the picture of Annde! The swim lessons did work. While she can't swim fully yet, she really loves to jump off the side and doggy paddle around. Earlier this week, we went to the Waterford water park and she spent 1/2 hour just doggy paddling around in the wave pool, making little happy screeches when a wave hit her... I am glad she is more comfortable in the water! We're are going to continue lessons in DC along with maybe soccer and dance.

This one of the last field trips for school - a trip to Cranbrook museum to see the new Dinosaur exhibit. The class got to do excavations for bones as well as feel real bones and fossils. It was a lot of fun!! This was also a Pink Sketch.

Last layout for today - also a Pink Sketch. This was Annde's art show... The art stayed up for a while but had to come down for the open houses... Annde likes to look at this layout and tell me about her pictures.
That's all for now. I have more So Sketchy stuff and some other layouts to post as well. I am going to try and do a little better - maybe every other day - with this blog. But, the kidlet is up and if she sees me in here, we'll be stuck on the computer for a couple of hours playing with her Littlest Pet Shop webkins... so off I go!

Blog Hop & Cyber Crop at Apron Strings

Hey everyone!!

I am excited to announce a Blog Hop & Cyber Crop going on over at Apron Strings...

If you came here first, please click HERE to go back to the start... You need to visit each one to get all the phrases!!

As most of you know, I love to scrapbook! I've been doing this hobby for over 10 years and I love almost everything about it... the one thing I don't like? The cost! (Who does?) One way I have found to best use my money for product and still get the latest and the greatest stuff is to subscribe to kit companies online. They provide you with a great combination of product at a low price.

One such company is Apron Strings. I was blessed this year to be selected as a Sous Chef on their design team. I have loved working with the product because it challenges me to really be creative in what I do with my pages. Here are a few of my favorite layouts so far:

Apron Strings provides multiple options for your scrapbook excitement. The Smaller than a Breadbox option comes with 3 different lines of paper and matching embellishments. The Bigger than a Breadbox option has two larger kits with different paper lines and more goodies to play with. Both are amazing values for your money! And, with the Apron Strings kit club, you also get:

1. A group of scrappers to interact with that are kind and supportive!

2. Frequent challenges, contests, and crops - who doesn't love the GREAT prizes Lori and Kathy give out....

3. The latest and greatest products delivered right to your door!

4. A super online store with very competitive pricing and the new stuff we all want!

5. A free monthly newsletter, packed full of ideas, and available any time you want to read it.

6. You get a Becky Fleck PageMaps sketch each month with your kit as well as how the Sous Chef's use it as example.

7. And now you get the NEW Apron Strings Blog to make life even more fun!!

SO... On to the Fun!

If you hop over to the Apron Strings Blog, you will see challenges posted throughout the weekend. My challenge for you is the following:

A lot of the time, as scrapbookers, we like to do two page layouts. Unfortunately, they take up a lot of room on the shelf as you scrapbook more and more. So, my challenge to you is to scrapbook two events as a side-by-side 2-page layout *OR* scrapbook 2 events as 1-page layouts. Maybe you only have a few pictures for each one or even just a single picture. You can use the same paper for each layout or different paper - it's up to you. I just want to challenge you to try a one page layout, or two, instead of doing your normal 2 pagers!

Post a comment here for a chance to win a RAK from me!! Your deadline: Wednesday at midnight, Eastern Standard time. The same challenge will be posted on the Apron Strings Blog on Saturday so you will get a chance at a prize drawing from Lori and Kathy if you post at both places!!! NOTE: Lori's deadline is different! You need to have it posted by Sunday night. Lori is going to do a drawing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for more chances to win so the more challenge you do the better your odds are of winning. *The Blog Hop will start on Friday, May 15th at 9:00 am MDT, this is 11:00 am Eastern, 10:00 am Central and 8:00 am Pacific. It will end Sunday, May 17th at 6:00 pm MDT, this is 8:00 pm Eastern, 7:00 pm Central and 5:00 pm Pacific.

Also, if you are participating in the Blog Hop, here's my special phrase to collect: AutoShips start at just $16! Now hop over to Anita Mulchaey's blog for the next phrase! :)

Have Fun! I can't wait to see your creations!!

Coordinate Collections & Mega Meet

This year, Mother's Day weekend is going to rock! I started off yesterday with a full spa pedicure. It was a treat to myself and totally worth it... Last night my feet and legs were SOOOOO relaxed and my nails are a pretty red now. :)

The fun continues today... I am so excited! In about 1 1/2 hours, I head out to Mega Meet. It's a scrapbooking convention in Michigan and I always find really cool stuff. I've been saving my pennies and I can't wait to find that special item. This year, I am not working like I did last year. Nope, I am shopping! Yippee!!!

I am so excited because I am also spending the day with my buddy Stacy. I haven't seen her in a while and she's so much fun. She even talked me into taking some classes. Here's a shocker for you: other than a class at a crop - I've only taken 1 other class in my life... it was a 15 min. one on distressing paper. That's amazing to me! In over 10 years, I've only taken 1 class! Today, I am taking 3: 2 mini-books and 1 techniques class. Then, we're cropping all-night! (My BFF Tracy is joining us for that... We are going to have a BLAST!)

I am also participating in a Cyber Crop with Coordinates Collections this weekend... They are having a crop based on the Movies theme. It will be fun to see what Jennifer F comes up with... Interested in participating? Check it out here: http://coordinatescollections.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=38

Also, because I am already talking about the site, here's my guest design team stuff from April. I had a ton of fun with the product! I really loved the colors and the textures. :)

I love this page... It's hard to see but I stickled the lace paper (Basic Grey) to make it look 3-D. I also like the look of the B&W pictures with the one color. :)

This layout was about my scrapbooking confidence last year. I tried out and made several design teams. It's been a fun year so I wanted to commemorate it!

My daughter's closest friend at school is Gabriella. This was a page I did about having her over for a playdate. Can you believe it was the ONLY picture I took - and her Mom's a scrapbooker too! Shame on us!!

And, using the scraps, here's some easy and fun cards I did... I love these colors together.

Off to finish packing my stuff! Have a great day everyone!! Peace out...

Yummy goodness from Apron Strings

Today, I would like to share with you some layouts I did in April for Apron Strings. I was given the Larger than a Breadbox kit and I love what I was able to do with all that fun product... It is so much fun to work with these kits because *everything* on these pages except for ink and a little thread is made from the kit I receive... no extra do-dads out of my bag. It really pushes me to be creative with what I am given...

This first page is a camping page that I did for my BFF Tracy... I just love the colors on this layout. Can you believe I freehanded those brackets? Aren't they cool?

This page was a lot of fun. I rarely do a 2-page layout but I had so many cute pictures to use, I couldn't help it! This page took me less than 30 minutes. Very simple! My favorite detail? All the doodling on the chipboard letters and flowers...

If you've read my blog, you know about the story in this next layout about being an artist. I like the layering and doodling of this layout - it really goes with the artsy feel of the story. She did have her art show... I'll be scrapbooking that one soon!

This page was my favorite... I randomly printed 4 pictures from the last couple of months of Annde and Steve together and then asked her what she loves about her Daddy. I love all the doodling and how the page turned out: girly with boy colors. Dad and Annde liked it too!

Do you have one of those spots you go to every once in a while? For us, it's Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, MI. They have these food themed playground that Annde likes to play on. I've scrapped it once a year to show how much bigger she gets each year. It's a great way to watch the growth over the year...

Another school page... We got this sketch to work with and I was excited because it perfectly fit Snack and Share day at school. The colors are great and I love how it highlights different things throughout the class day.

As most of you know, my child is addicted to Littlest Pet Shop. On this day, she took out all her playsets (Barbie, Polly Pocket, LPS, and My Little Pony) and connected them together to play by making... Little Pet Land... That's right... there was just enough space for her 100+ little pets to each have a home. She played with it for hours without interruption. Don't you love it when a child finds that much enjoyment in an activity that doesn't require electricity? :)

Lastly, here's a couple of cards I made with the leftovers... Enjoy!

I like to leave cards blank (without a sentiment) so they can be tailored to fit when I am ready to send them...

Tomorrow, I am going to post my So Sketchy Layouts... so be on the look out. It will be later because we're going to the Zoo in the morning... yippee!! Off to buy some paint...

Have a great day!

It's been a while, eh?

Wow... I can't believe a month has gone by without a single posting for me.

April was pretty rough. I had a lot of design team work that kept me on my toes as well as the mad rush to pack up the house. So much has happened that I would be typing all night so instead I will just list it and go from there...

* Yes, the trip to DC was crazy busy. The interviews went awesome... the plane flights did not. The return one especially. I ended up missing the games on Saturday night - Dad and Steve went instead - because I sat on the runway in DC for hours while we waited for the cross winds to die down and weight to come off the plane. It was a rough flight. It took me a day to recover from the air sickness. Uggh!! Everyone else had a blast at the game - and the Spartans won!! - so I was excited for the Finals.

* My brothers came in for the games and we had a great weekend full of A LOT of laughs. There are now a lot of inside jokes, including Jeff's new nickname "Google Boy" and Jon's new nickname, which I won't mention here... :) Annde had a great time playing up to her uncles and we had a lot of fun mocking Jon's Crackphone's 3G network. Jon - did you know that our network now has a 4G? AHAHAHA We're better than you!!

* The Finals - even though MSU lost in a large beating by UNC, we still had a lot of fun. We got to see things upclose for a while and even if we lost - we were still there. So there, ESPN folk - MSU got all the way to the end! You predicted we'd be out in the first round. It was VERY cool!! Thanks for the tickets to my siblings and hubby. It was an awesome experience!!

* I did take the job with the Navy... or at least I will when my security clearance is done. Who knows how long that will take. I know it's underway... but not sure when it will be complete. I guess we'll be moving, sometime... we'll just have to have fun in MI until that happens.

* Want to buy a house? Ours is for sale! It comes with a boat... :)

I have a ton of design team stuff to post that I will do in the next couple of days. I am going to try and post at least once a day this week to catch everything up.

Well, I am off. I have a ton to do before I get Annde from school. Thank you to everyone who posted nice wishes for me while I was on hiatus. I really appreciate it. :)

It's been a while - but life has been rough for the last week...

I am unemployed.

It's hard to say that. It's hard to think about the fact that 1/8th of my state is unemployed with me with several large companies undergoing even more cuts this month. Last Thursday, my company did a massive cut and unfortunately, #17 isn't my lucky number. (That's the number of headcount cuts I've survived since I started working almost 15 yearts ago.)

At first, I was very upset. I remember what it was like for my Dad to be unemployed. I went into engineering to begin with because it was a "safe" career... now, it's the opposite. Then, something great started happening. People started calling me, outraged, when they heard. I started thinking - "Hey! It's their loss! I am a good engineer who managed to get out before the bottom fell out of the industry." I can say that I did get severance but that's about all I can say since they made me sign something to get it. I wasn't feeling great but it was okay...

... then I got a call. For an interview. The same day I got laid off. I had been applying in D.C. since Steve will never manage to get back to Michigan with the economy as it was. And, one of my resumes ended up in someone's hands who was interested... So, this last Monday, I interviewed via phone and they liked me enough to bring me for a second round this weekend! Keep your fingers crossed! This would be a wonderful job opportunity for me...

Needless to say, the speed is a little bit scary. There is so much that would go into moving to D.C. Annde is in school through the middle of May. And, we have so many close friends and family here. I would really, really miss a lot of you. But, I also have some great friends there - Tim & Robin, Katie & Warren, Terria... and Steve's made a ton of friends there over the last 5 years. These same people have already offered - if I get the job - to help us find a place to live, school/child care for Annde, doctors, dentists... just about everything. I will say that it's making me a little calm knowing that we have great friends here and there that will help us move, if this is what is meant to be.

Stay tuned for more developments....

So, this weekend, after I rush back and forth to D.C.... I am on my way to

My brothers will be here by the time I leave and I can not wait to see them or the games. I am SOOOOOO excited about MSU making the Final 4! (I am bummed that the girls lost in the Sweet Sixteen by a last minute shot) I can't believe how cool this weekend is going to be! I couldn't believe when MSU tromped Louisville (the #1 team in the whole bracket)... and that these tickets that my hubby bought were going to allow me to see my favorite team play live! I am charging my camera right now!

I need to upload a bunch of scrapbook stuff... I will do that as soon as I can. Off to finish cleaning the house before I take Annde on her first & last school field trip (she's been sick during the other 3) to Cranbrook to see the dinosaurs... :) Should be a great time!

So there! Duke isn't so dreamy now, is it? MSU continues to Dance!

MSU Basketball is dancing today - cheering loudly because both our Men and Women made it to the Sweet 16!

When #9 MSU advanced to play #1 Duke, it wasn't surprising that our girls were going to get pumped up for this game. Duke was a really good team - there was a reason they were #1 going into the tourney. But they had to come through MSU at MSU... and there was no way she was leaving our home court with a win.

The victory by the women last night against Duke is especially sweet because the Duke Coach, Joanne P McCallie defected from MSU 2 years ago for her "Dream job"... It was ugly when she left - the manner she did so was not classy at all. I guess Coach P though MSU was inferior. Guess not from the look on your face at the end of the game... She was clearly outcoached even though she had a more talented team...

It's being called one of the biggest upsets in NCAA women's tourney history and I am SOOO proud to be a Spartan fan!

Thank you, Coach Merchant, for believing that coaching at MSU can be a dream job too. Our girls clearly believe in you and your coaching skills. What a wonderful job you did last night!

All pictures taken by Mandi Wright from the Detroit Free Press.

I'm Back...

Sorry about being gone so long. The computer decided to die on Saturday morning...It seems to do this every six months and it's annoying as {bleep}. It usually ends up with Steve having to wipe the hard drive (thank God that he has my pictures and digi scrapstuff on the external drive) and reinstall everything. This is exactly what happened this time. So, I've lost all my bookmarks and he's reinstalling programs as I remember what was on the computer before. My advice to you: Go spend the money to buy an external drive for storage. It's worth every penny you spend. Last time, we didn't back up to it enough and I lost Mar - Sept 2008 worth of pictures.

So, anywho...

I went out with Stacy last weekend to scrap at Scrapbookers Inc and had a great time! I got 3 layouts done - which is alot for me in only 5 hours of scrapbooking. 2 are for Coordinates Collections DT so you can't look just yet. :) But here's is one I did about my sister, Susan.

The challenge was to scrapbook using your favorite book as an inspiration. My favorite book is My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Amazing book with a twist at the end... I knew immediately what I was going to do and had written the journaling in only 20 minutes.

Here's the page:

Since you can't read the wording too well... and I know my sister reads this blog...

" We were born 1 1/2 years apart. I can't remember much about growing up as toddlers or children: only playing sports together and having your teachers in school. Sometimes, things would be good. Most times, we would argue. There always seemed to be sibling rivalry present. We said things to each other than hurt. We did things to each other that were mean. We're weren't friends, we were forced roommates who sometimes managed to find a way to get along. Sometimes, we managed to be kind or to do nice things. It was rare. I was messy, hating to clean anything up. You were neat, getting up at 2am to clean up the room or study. Often, at work, you would get mistaken for me - I don't know how... I was 6'3" with short curly blond hair. You were 5'10" with long curly red hair. I was the sports star. You were the sporty band geek. Do you remember the summer we redecorated our room? Those were good times... Mom breaking the bed to avoid the flying brush from your hand. Just thinking about it makes me smile... Then, you went off to USC. And it became just my room. At this point, things started to change for us. We still weren't friends, but we weren't enemies either. Then I went to off to MSU. In college, we started to grow and change. I like to think we found an appreciation for the friendship we could have beyond the bond of sisterhood. We got closer when you came east to grad school at U of Minn. You supported me and cheered for me. We stood up in each other's weddings. I stood up for you when things fell apart. Now, we are friends and sisters. We love and support each other. I realize now that having a sister is a gift from God, not a curse. You're the only true sister I have and I appreciate you, no matter what. Do we still fight? Of course. Do we still get on each other's nerves occasionally? Sure. But, these things won't drive us apart again. We are united, unconditionally, in the bonds of sisterhood. I know that things will never be a completely smooth ride. But I do know... My Sister's a Keeper."

Other than that....

GO STATE!! I am so excited about March Madness!! The men are to the Sweet Sixteen and play Friday night against Kansas. We beat them earlier this year... I know we can do it again... The women are to the next round and are playing Duke. (That would be sweet revenge - the Duke coach used to be the MSU coach before she defected. And, we're playing on our home court!) Man, I love basketball!!

Off to pack the lunches... See ya all later!

Funny Stories

Annde has been full of fun lately.

On Tuesday, we went to McDonalds (which she calls Old McDonalds) to get a "Happy Lunch" for dinner. While I was standing there giving the lady training on the register our order, I had a $20 in one hand and my wallet in the other. Annde was dancing around and pulling on my arm. Then, she slowly slid the $20 out of my hand. I didn't think anything of it - she loves to pay for things - so when the order was totalled, I looked down at her to tell her to give the woman the money and watched her pat the Donation box for the Ronald McDonald house... inside was my $20. She pointed and said, "It says Please help, Momma. So, I did." (All I can say is thank goodness McD's takes debit cards cause that was all my cash.) I guess sometimes we need to take time to look more closely at things, eh? My 4 year old knows how to be a good person and care about others... that and read "please help"... Good job, Annde! Thanks for reminding me how important it is to help others. Ronald McDonald house is an amazing place. Next time you are in a McD's, maybe you could be like Annde and donate some $$ - AFTER you pay for your meal... They really need it!

The other funny thing that happened was yesterday on the way home from school. You know this one is going to end up in her scrapbook cause it's too funny...
Here's the conversation:
Annde: It's going to be cold tomorrow.
Mom: Really? How do you know? It's been pretty warm this week.
Annde: I just know. It's gonna be cold.
Mom: Wow! You know that? Maybe you should be a meteorologist when you grow up.
Annde: What's that?
Mom: A person who tells others what the weather will be like tomorrow and the rest of the week.
Annde: Hmmm... I guess I could be.
Mom: What about being an Artist? That's what you wanted to be last week...
Annde: Oh Mom... I am an Artist right now!
I am just not painting right now cause I have to go to school today.
Mom: Oh! Are you selling your work?
Annde: Not right now... in a few days, I will be. So you better call your friends to see what pictures they want to buy... I have a lake picture and a dot pictures and a heart picture... I don't know where they all are, but your friends can still buy them...
Mom: They can? That's fabulous!
Annde: I know. I will make some more tomorrow. I am too tired right now...

(She fell asleep immediately after dinner on the couch - at 6:45!) So, here's your notice, friends. Annde's first show will be sometime soon.

Some Great News and other random thoughts...

... So yesterday wasn't too good a day.

The weather was nice - I tried to eat lunch outside but after freezing in the wind, I went back inside after only 20 minutes. Then I had some minor disasters at work - you know the kind that suck up your time and you can't really resolve in a day?!? It's going to be a rough week at work...

Then, the guy who was supposed to come look at and hopefully by the wood burning stove didn't show up - he got stuck in traffic... He's the 3rd person to be interested. I really hope that he buys it because I would love to get it out of my garage.

The girls played outside until almost 8pm. It was so cute!! They built farms in the sand box to celebrate spring coming in 4 days. They used acorn caps for the veggies and fruits, sticks for the apple trees, and leaves for the pear trees. They even attempted to make a barn. Annde had blueberry hill - cause Swiper has to have somewhere to hide... Tee Hee! Look for it, coming soon, to a scrapbook page...

But then I came inside and the kitchen had a minor issue - the sink was completely full of muddy water and the countertop and floor were wet too. Hmmm... It took me quite a bit of time to fix whatever it was blocking the system. Later, I found out that Steve hadn't run the disposal when doing dishes the night before because Annde was asleep (it doesn't wake her up but he didn't realize that) so it backed up with the dishwasher ran... So, after mopping the floor, cleaning the cabinents/sink, and then cleaning the tub (which is where I dumped a bunch of the water) and getting Annde to bed, I sat down on the couch and promptly fell asleep. Whoops!! I was going to scrap last night! Oh well...

So, what's the good news? I got picked for the Design Team at Scrapbookers, Inc! It's my LSS - only about 10 minutes from my house - and they only picked 2 people to add to the current team. I am excited! I loved the Zone but I didn't love the drive... (over 1/2 hr) This store recently moved in and it's right next to the grocery store. Yippee!! It will be a lot of fun to work with the other 6 team members. Stacy and I are going scrapbooking there on Friday! Bring on the fun...

Okay... off to take out the trash.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Pink Sketches #24

Here's the sketch for week 24...


And, here's the layout...


It's such a sweet story... And, I just love these pictures of Aiden. Enjoy!