Halloween!!!!

I've been tagged!

Michele at The Writer's Vibe (see link on the right) has tagged me for 5 interesting things about me. (Mine aren't as exciting as hers!)

1. I am the oldest of 5 kids. 3 boys, 2 girls. I hold my parents in a place of honor for keeping up with all of us!!!!!!!

2. When I was in HS, I used to be able to kick high enough to kick the top of one of the doorways in our house. That flexibility is LONG gone!

3. I worked in a bank that I SWEAR was haunted. Flushing toilets in empty bathrooms, running adding machines with no one near them and standing in the copy room and feeling hairs on the back of your neck stand up and feeling like someone is watching you, turning around and no one was there. Very strange.

4. I had my DS at 19 and DD at 29. What a difference 10 years makes!

5. My hopes for myself (besides being independently wealthy and not having to work): I would like to write & have a book published and would like to run a marathon by the time I am 35.

Not exciting, but there you have it.

I am tagging:

Brianna
Jane
Jenny
LaLa

Tag, you're it!

Monday Greetings!

Hello readers! :D

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I got my workouts in - not this morning, due to the time change - couldn't get my rear going....tonight - I SWEAR!!!!!!

Saturday, we went to the big craft show in the neighboring town for their fall festival. DD was NAUGHTY!!!!!!! So, she & I sat in the food area and listened to the kids sing. She had a donut. DH & MIL had a good time looking around, though. I took DD to my parents to "trick or treat" on Saturday afternoon - she LOVED that!!!! We had friends come for the night with their kiddos. We watched "Monster House" - not so sure about that movie! It was kind of weird....

Sunday, I got up and made breakfast for everyone - sausage, eggs, waffles, and muffins. We went to the parade. We had a GORGEOUS day. The politicians were out in FORCE! (I will be SO glad when election day is behind us....) Even Mr. Speaker of the House was there. DD LOVES the fire trucks and bands. DS's school's band went by and they stopped in front of us and our friend was sitting on the curb with him and was yelling "Ryan is right here if any of you ladies want to say hi". We were rolling and DS turned about 800 shades of red.

I have voluteered to host Thanksgiving for my dad's family. Apparently, I have lost my mind.... We talking about 40 to 45 people in our house.... I keep calling myself crazy - I think I am. I am stressed at the moment, but know that it really doesn't matter! We all just like being together. I know they will bring whatever I want them to.

Yes, the Bears won again, 7 - 0. My DH is ECSTATIC!!!!! We'll see how they do. I'm not a big football fan but support his team.

I will post parade pictures tonight or tomorrow. I hope you all have a GREAT day!

Bad me!

I stayed up late last night, reading. So, I didn't get up early enough this morning to workout....darn! My DH is coming home tonight and I work until 9, so I know I won't workout tonight either. I'll have to make sure I get up tomorrow. I guess this will be my "day off" this week. I am starting see some results, though, so that is motivation to me to keep going.

I got a scrapbook page completed last night (I'll post later).

DD had a bad morning. She went trick or treating last night with my MIL and was up too late. THEN, "her daddy" wasn't there this morning so that just started things off wrong.... I left her at daycare in hysterics.... I felt like SUCH a bad mommy! I hate leaving her like that but I had to.

DS has been a HUGE help this week with DH gone. He is at such a great age for that. DD worships him, so that helps too.

Hope you all have a great day!

Happy "Hump Day"

Happy Wednesday! How is everyone doing this week? We all seem to finally be over our colds here.... YEA!!!!!!!!!

I sat down to scrap last night - nothing! I had nothing! I had my stuff out to work on my page - no mojo.... I was so bummed! I gave up and went upstairs to read. Even with the kids here, the house seems so big....

I got up this morning for some light weight lifting and will get on the treadmill after work tonight.

I hope you all have a great day!

The Journal of Mortifying Moments

This book cracked me up! Believe me, your worst "guy" moments can't be as bad as Kerry Spence's. I was sucked into this "chic lit" in no time. Easy, great read!

Greetings!!!!!

Still on a high from my upcoming trip!!!!! DH hasn't stopped smiling! I am SO excited to go and that month seems SOOOOOO long!

2 PEAS CHALLENGE: Something you did a child that you no longer do....
I don't have my sibling to pick on. No, just kidding.... I was on the pom pom squad in HS - still miss it, 15 years later.... I used to be able to kick high enough to kick the top of the doorway in our house. THAT doesn't happen any more....

We had a nice weekend:
Saturday we went to the university homecoming/town 150th anniversary parade. It was chilly (upper 40s) but sunny so we were ok. The kids came home with almost 5 pounds of candy!!!!!!! When we got home, DH & I worked in the yard - he mowed and I cut down all the dead stuff. It looks so naked in front of the house now.... I hate winter!!!!!!!
Sunday was cold and gray! We cleaned the house - it looks SO much better!!!! DH helped and DS watched DD - which was a HUGE help! Then we took naps in the afternoon. I finished my book (review to come later...) and did a few digital layouts.
Yesterday was Monday. Need I say more? ; )
DH left this morning to work at my boss' summer home for a few days. I will be hoping to get a little sewing and scrapping done at night when the kids go to bed - I never sleep well when he's gone.

I have worked out every day since Friday. I am pretty pleased with myself. Fit TV rocks!!!!! We have On Demand and that has an awesome selection of workouts.

One more thing, Fisher Price RAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG - I called them last week to complain about one of our DD's toys and they sent us a whole new one. THAT is customer service! Thank you, Fisher Price!

Hope you all have a great week!

Viva Las Vegas!

So, DH & I got a "happy hair" yesterday and decided to go away for our anniversary next month. We're going to Vegas. No kids, just us - we haven't done that in ages! I am REALLY excited! We just need to reconnect, recharge and relax a little. I feel like we've kind of drifted apart a little with our work schedules and the kids. He's been before but this will be a first for me.

Of course, that means I only have a little less than a month to get in shape....

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Weekend is almost here!

It's Thursday! {and the angels sing}

Work has been VERY slow this week....ugh!

My workouts - less than stellar. I did Pilates yesterday but am taking today off from exercise. My plan is treadmill for the rest of the weekend. (IF it's nice, outside running)

So, what are your plans for the weekend? Mine is clean our house top to bottom, corners, baseboards, etc, etc, etc.... We were HOPING to to go Boo at the Zoo but it doesn't look like the weather will be real cooperative.

It's been a relatively quiet week at home too. Couple more insurance things to deal with but that's it.

Have a great weekend!

Chicago Sports

Ok, so the Bears!!!!!!! WOW! We fell asleep half way through the 3rd quarter. So we missed all the good stuff. I couldn't believe it when I heard they had won. DH is ECSTATIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The highlights were amazing. (Not a football fan, but I sit and watch pieces of games with hubby)

Ok, so the Cubs!!!!!! UGH! They are expected (read - signed, sealed, delivered) to announce Lou Pinella as the manager today. I am NOT happy about this. 3 years we will have to deal with this man - he better do something about my team!

The Chicago Marathon is this weekend. I've never been but someday we'll go down and watch.

I got on the treadmill last night for 30 minutes and ran 20 of it - whew! My legs are begging for mercy today....

Ok, sorry - done for now.

Go Bears!

Insurance - grrrr!!!!!

It's a VERY dark, gloomy Monday here - rain until tomorrow night. Hello Autumn!

Nothing like ruining a weekend - we got a letter from our health insurance company on Saturday that they will not pay any of DH's claims until they have a complete history for the past 5 years on him. UMMMMMM - hello? Dumbheads? We just did that 2 months ago when we signed up. Check your records! This is SO irritating!!!!!!!! Plus, I'm sure they'll try to weasel their way out of paying them. I am so frustrated!

I got some sewing done this weekend. I am hoping to finish another doll dress tonight and I have more to cut out after that.

So, here's a good story for you.... DD & I went to Wal Mart to get groceries yesterday morning (8ish) and there was a kid (11-13 years old) with his dad. This kid was in the middle of the aisle - THROWING A FIT!!!!!!! Like, all out, like a 3 year old throwing a fit over not getting some kind of chips. I would have knocked that kid down so fast.... I couldn't believe it! Excuse me, how old are you???? DD just looked at the kid like he was crazy! I had to laugh at her reaction.

I hope you all have a great day!

Digital layouts

Because I have my sewing machine on my scrap desk at the moment, I did some digital layouts...






Peas Challenge: My favorite Halloween/scary movie?

I would have to go with It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! I'm not a scary movie fan and Charlie Brown is a classic.

Happy Friday the 13th!

I just wanted to drop a couple random thoughts....

First, my friend had her baby yesterday - A GIRL!!!!!!!!!! I went to see them at lunch. I couldn't resist! She's so cute and mom is doing great!

Second, my friend Robin's b-day is today - have a great day, girlfriend! Miss you!!!!!!

Third, I did my third day in a row on the treadmill. I'm feeling a little better. Now as long as I stick with it over the weekend....

Fourth, I want to wish you all a great weekend!

TTFN....

Yes!

I got up early again and hit the treadmill - woo hoo! This might become a habit...

Then, my morning took a turn - I had to wake up our DD. UGH! Not a good morning - she cried about everything from having to get up to breakfast to the pants I picked out for her to wear. SHE'S 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What are her teen years going to be like? She was screaming bloody murder when I left daycare - GUILT!!!!!!!!

Then, it started snowing - yes, SNOWING!!! Like, sticking to the ground, the bushes in front of our office are white, snowing. What the heck is this????? It's October 12, Mother Nature, NOT December 12. Check your calendar....

Anyway, I hope you all have a great day!
TTFN!

Yes!

I got up early again and hit the treadmill - woo hoo! This might become a habit...

Then, my morning took a turn - I had to wake up our DD. UGH! Not a good morning - she cried about everything from having to get up to breakfast to the pants I picked out for her to wear. SHE'S 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What are her teen years going to be like? She was screaming bloody murder when I left daycare - GUILT!!!!!!!!

Then, it started snowing - yes, SNOWING!!! Like, sticking to the ground, the bushes in front of our office are white, snowing. What the heck is this????? It's October 12, Mother Nature, NOT December 12. Check your calendar....

Anyway, I hope you all have a great day!
TTFN!

Innocence!

We went to daycare open house last night. And as I watched these great 2 and 3 year olds singing and dancing for all of us, I realized, we lose the innocence! There they were doing their "show" without a care in the world and not even noticing that their parents and grandparents were watching them. When do we change? Why can't adults dance in the aisle of a store or on the sidewalk without someone thinking you're "weird"? I personally love going to the store and seeing someone dancing and/or singing and/or being silly - they're having fun and enjoying life!!!!!!

Why can't we not care if someone sees us having fun?
Why do we care what other people think?

So, go ahead, act silly - have fun!!!! You only live once! :D

*********************************************************
And to toot my own horn a little, I got up extra early today - did 20 minutes on the treadmill and 15 minutes with some light weights. Toot, toot!!!!!!!! Sorry, I'm just really pumped about it.

Have a GREAT day!

"Modern Parenting"

That's what my brother called it when he stopped by last night....

DD was sitting at the counter and asked for a sucker. I told her no and she started to whine and throw a fit and I told her if she was going to pout she was going to spend some time in her room. She was quiet for a couple of minutes, then she said "I need to go to my room." So, I got her down and she went to her room where she sat for 10 minutes on her bed. Apparently, she felt a tantrum coming on....

My brother & I were laughing when she was upstairs. She had NEVER done that. My brother said I should teach that as a class. Yeah, right!

Kids - they make life interesting!

Sunday is over...

Monday, Mondy - we're back again!
I went for a walk with DD yesterday - a little over a mile. I have decided, finally, that it is time to get back into a regular exercise routine! I am tired of feeling BLAH and flabby. I could use all the encouragement I can get.... What inspired me? Well, besides feeling blech for the past year, I found pictures of me the summer before I got preggers with DD and I looked good.... I want that again. I'm not much of a runner but the 2 years that I did "run" (yes, I use that term loosely) I looked and felt good.

Lesson learned yesterday - when someone tells you, "you might not want to stand there", you might not want to stand there! DH was trimming our yard yesterday, said those words to me but did I Iisten? NOPE!!!!! Big DUH to me! I ended up taking a rock to the face. Just a small bruise on my lip from that - luckily! From now on, I will heed those words of advice!!!!!!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Book Recommendation

I LOVED this book! It was not at all what I expected it would be but I enjoyed every single page. Her descriptions and stories are so full of life - I was taken there! Let me tell you, the desire to go to Italy is even stronger now! :) I have not seen the movie yet but now I can (I wanted to read first). I hope if you haven't read this - you do - it is a wonderful memoir of their renovation and time in Tuscany.

Cheers!

Scrap Time

Thanks for looking! :D

My #34

My #34 ---- http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=134268

On the topic of baseball - yes, still..... (to those of you reading with teams in the post-season - good luck to them!)

I love my beloved #34 - no, not Roger Clemens or Nolan Ryan. Although they are fabulous baseball players! I am talking about Kerry Wood. (See link above) Now, while I *heart* him, he has not done much for my beloved Cubbies the past few seasons, which is sad for me. (You could ask DH about my obsession with him....) It may be time for him to give it up or move on to another team, but with his history of injuries - I don't know who would sign him. I have met him a couple of times at the Cubs Convention and just think he & his wife are a couple of the sweetest people in the world. He even autographed my jersey, which I will forever treasure. As a team fan, I would not be sad to see him go (especially for the money he made this past year for doing nothing), as a personal fan, it would be a sad day.

So....
As the armchair GM - SEND HIM PACKING!!!!!!!!!!!!
As his personal cheerleader - at least let him wear the uniform and run around the field a little - just so I can have a look-see....

Ok, signing off so I can wipe the drool off my keyboard.... GO CUBS!!!!!!!

Just Another Day in Paradise

Ah, yes....another one of THOSE days....

We were talking about my co-worker's daughter's new glasses and how long we thought it would take for her to break them. Well, guess who picked up HER daughter at daycare and whose daughter had tape on her glasses.... YEP! My darling daughter had broken her glasses. So, off we went to Pearle to order her new ones. There went the money I had set aside for my haircut. Oh, well! So, they are supposed to be in today or tomorrow and in the mean time, DH duct taped them together so they should hold.

And now, from your baseball armchair General Manager - the Cubs FINALLY got rid of Dusty! There was much joyful dancing at our house Monday night! AND Andy McPhail stepped down, too. How much better does it get? I can tell you a bunch of players I would like to see them let go and some managerial choices (namely, Joe Girardi) that they should hire. I'll keep you updated over the winter - if you care....

Not much else is new and "exciting". I hope you're all having a good week!

WOW!!!!!

Ok, I have to brag about DH - AGAIN! He came to work today (he has the day off) to take me to lunch. Granted, we went to McD's but we went - BY OURSELVES!!!!!!!! It was wonderful to talk without being interrupted. He opened ALL the doors for me - something he hasn't done in ages. I told him thank you a million times, I just hope he knows how much these "little" things mean to me.

Monday ramblings!

Just some random thoughts to share....

My DH is the best!!!!!! He has worked EASILY about 60 hours the last week and was still very attentive to me. He filled my gas tank yesterday, just because. He took us out for dinner and ice cream on Friday night.

I have some fabulous on-line friends! They are SO willing to care and listen and I love them for that! Thanks!!!!

The weather here was beautiful this weekend - 80 and sunny. I had all weekend off and enjoyed as much as I could. Should be another nice day today and tomorrow, then back to fall on Wednesday.

DD is really acting up lately - hitting, throwing things, sassing....argh! I am about at the end of my rope with her.

DS has been a HUGE help to DH working on some of these houses. He's earning a little money and learning the "trade" from his dad.

I got NO sewing done this weekend and Christmas is coming! I'm starting to feel a little stressed.

My house is clean - that is the one thing I did manage to get done this weekend....


Other than this random bits....nothing! Have a WONDERFUL week!

Flip your calendars...

Well, another month is upon us!!!! HAPPY OCTOBER EVERYONE!!!!!!!

I hope you have a great month and hope to hear from you!