Scrapping excitement

I got an email earlier this week from Scrappypedia (follow them on Pinterest, Flickr and/or Facebook), asking if they could showcase some of my layouts using my February Pop Up! kit.

You can check it out here:  Use Your Stash Feb Guest Poster

I can't wait for the new kit challenge and to put together my March kit.

Stay tuned for more layouts from last weekend's crop!

Friday Fun

Happy Friday! I hope your week has been good! I can't believe February is over.

This is one of my favorite Brad Paisley videos. Watch closely, you'll see some people you "know".

Have a great weekend!

More scrappings

I was not on Chicago Fire last night. It's ok, I'm still glad I had the experience!

A few more layouts I got done on Saturday.

Stay tuned for more scrappings.

Happy Hump Day!

MONDAY!

Happy Monday all!

I hope you had a good weekend.

Little Miss had a GREAT time at her Rainbow Loom class. Thank you Michaels! She learned a new pattern and knew about half the kids there.

Thank you to all the new blog and twitter followers I've gotten the past week. Thank you to those who have continued to follow, read and comment.
You are all wonderful and appreciated!

This week has the makings of a pretty good week, so far!  (Stay tuned for an exciting announcement in the next couple of days...)

I was a little sad to see the Olympics come to an end last night but hoping to get back to my regular sleep schedule and TV viewing. Thank you Sochi for a fun 16 days. 

Dear NBC, your coverage was a little A.D.D. We couldn't seem to get into an event before you switched to something else.

Dear Athletes, you are all champions to me! You should be proud of yourselves for competing at that level - regardless of where you finished.

I will say (part of my 'makings of a good week') - I am looking forward to tomorrow night's Chicago Fire episode. First, it will be back on TV. We'll see if I make the reel for the show or am on the cutting room floor. (I have my bet placed...) [And I will post about my experience after the show airs]
Third, this Wednesday night is a new Chicago PD - which is a Law & Order:SVU crossover - it should be a good one!
Also, The Voice starts again tonight - wahoo!

Here's hoping you all had a great weekend and your week is wonderful!

Scrap Challenge

I got 16 layouts done at the crop yesterday!
16!!!!!!! 
That is a lot for me.

One of the ones I completed was for the color challenge over at JUST 2 MIDWEST GIRLS.

I am pretty happy with how it turned out. (And sorry, I don't usually keep track of the products I use...)

This is from our trip to Disney World in 2008

Thanks for the challenge ladies!

More layouts to come....

Crafty kind of day

It's gonna be a crafty kind of day here!

Little Miss is heading to the Rainbow Loom meetup/class at Michaels today. She is soooo excited!

This afternoon, I am heading to scrap with some friends here in town. I have been putting my page kits together this week. I'm super excited to go. I hope to come home with lots of layouts done...stay tuned!

Enjoy your weekend!

Friday Fun

I LOVE this commercial!

Fine print: Unless you are a professional bobsledder, only one person on the slide at a time.

Psssst...."my" Chicago Fire episode airs this coming Tuesday (2/25).

And this...is just really cool!

I wish you all a great weekend!

Any plans?

10 & Stuff

Little Miss had a big birthday yesterday....

She got Bananagrams (a game), a Barbie closet carrying case and a Rainbow Loom (which she used most of the evening-pictures to come!).

Happy birthday, punkin!

*************************************

Now....

I completed this crochet square for a crochet along. (and I'm behind, as square 2 is posted).

I'm happy with it. I plan to do all the squares in blues & browns.

For my scrapping friends, feel free to jump in on a couple of challenges....

Join the ladies over at Use your Stash

Above is my "kit" I put together for February (green, yellow, gold and woodgrain), using only my stash. I am excited to put together some layouts with it.

(You can join them through Facebook and Flickr too)

Also, join Kelly and Heather at Two Midwest Girls for their color challenge.

Link up with them, show off your creation using this combo and you may win a fabulous prize!

PS: If you want a fun, informative scrapbooking podcast to listen to, chevk out Scrap Owl. Renee is great!

Get your craft on and have a great Thursday!

Literary Junkies Link Up

Happy Tuesday!

I hope your week is going well.

Another monthly link up with the Literary Junkies!
(I'm sure due to operator issues, I can't get the button to link in my post, BUT the button to the right should link you there!)
You can join the group through Facebook, they've had some great reads in the past, join in!

1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it!

I JUST finished The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. This is a juvenile book and WOW! it is an amazing book! How does a captive gorilla try to save a captive baby elephant? It's heartbreaking and heartwarming.

2. What books are on your bedside table at the moment?

Serena by Ron Rush (March's Junkie read)

Fairest of All by Serena Valentino

3. Amazon recently released the 100 books to read in a lifetime. What did they miss that you would add? (Link to the List: HERE)

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Wells

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

4. Are there any books being published in 2014 that you are anxiously awaiting? If so, what are they?

Return to Tradd Street by Karen White (4th in the series)

5. Name the next 3 books in your To Be Read List (the ones you will be reading next on your list.)

Serena by Ron Rush

Fairest of All by Serena Valentino

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

Positiveness!

Happy Monday, friends!
I am happy to have today off. I plan to do as little as possible. Thank you Presidents!
We are under a winter storm warning today, so we'll see what happens.
How was your weekend? Ours was pretty quiet and enjoyable.

I found this at a book sale late last year

I had a copy once upon a time that was lost somewhere.

I love this book. I has a few short paragraphs with a positive message and a great quote each day. I try to start my day be reading that day's passage. Each day she challenges you to think about something and reflect on the topic and your thoughts.

I'm a pretty positive person but it's nice to have a little reminder each day to share my positive attitude with as many people as I can.

It is amazing what a smile or hello can do!

What things keep you positive?

Book review 2014 #3

The One and Only Ivan

By Katherine Applegate

Genre: Juvenile

5 out of 5 stars

Publisher's synopsis: Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.

Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.

Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.

My thoughts: Told from a gorilla's perspective, this was a fun read. The story was heartbreaking and heartwarming, I laughed and cried. This is a Newberry award winner and well deserved. I encourage you to read this if you have a chance.

Sunday Social

It's Sunday again! 

Time to link up with ASHLEY and NEELY again!

I hope you will link up and/or stop by and read some blogs.

Happy Sunday!

1. What are your favorite things to do on a lazy day?

 I love to read, watch a movie, do something that doesn't require a lot of thought or energy.

2. What is your tv guilty pleasure?

 Dance Moms

3. What is your favorite road trip music?

 Whatever radio station will come in, which leads to who can name the song fastest.

4. What are your favorite magazines of books to read by the pool or laying around?

 I love the gossipy magazines (People; Entertainment Weekly; etc) while relaxing.

5. What is your favorite snack?

 I love cookies and chips.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I wish you all a wonderful Valentine's Day! I "heart" you all!

18 years ago the Mr. asked me to be his Valentine forever! I haven't regretted it.

Any Valentine's plans? I think we're going grocery shopping. I know...exciting, right?

Have a great weekend!

A-Z Book Survey

First, thank you to those of you who shared your "little moments" yesterday. They all made me smile!

 

On to today's fun...

I saw this post on Army Ever After (please go check out her blog!) and was inspired to give my own answers.

A: Author you've read the most books by:

That’s tough! Probably Debbie Macomber

B: Best sequel ever:

I really enjoyed the Candy Shop Mystery series by Sammi Carter – they were all enjoyable and I wish there was another one…

C: Currently reading:

Serena by Ron Rush

D: Drink of choice while reading:

In the morning, coffee; the rest of the day, usually water

E: E-reader or physical book:

I read both and they both have their benefits.

F: Fictional character you probably would have dated in high school:

I think I might have developed a crush on the brothers in the Innsboro series by Nora Roberts

G: Glad you gave this book a chance:

Roses by Leila Meecham. I started this, put it away and tried it again almost a year later and LOVED it!

H: Hidden gem book:

Inside Out Girl by Tish Cohen. I got it as a free Kindle download. Like many freebies, I didn’t expect a lot out of it but I LOVED it and still think about it.

I: Important moment in your reading life:

My mom read to us at an early age. I hope that my kids will remember my time reading to them as "important" too.

J: Just finished:

The Tangled Web by Mary Balogh

K: Kinds of books you won't read:

I struggle with sci fi and paranormal genres.

L: Longest book you've ever read:

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. It took me almost 4 months but it was worth it.

M: Major book hangover because of:

Passing on this one...

N: Number of book cases you own:

Right now - none

O: One book you've read multiple times:

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I have read it once a year since I was about 10.

P: Preferred place to read:

Anywhere!

Q: Quote that inspires you:

"You know what love means? It means loving the person you are now and not the person you want someone to be or the person they will be." – Samantha Stroh Bailey

R: Reading regret:

The Twilight books and Wicked

S: Series you started but still need to finish:

Cedar Cove by Debbie Macomber

T: Three of your favorite books:

Little Women; the Little House books and lots of children’s picture books

U: Unapologetic fangirl for:

Sookie Stackhouse – I know I said I struggle with paranormal books, BUT there seems to be something about this series that grabs me and holds on. (And I’m NOT apologizing!)

V: Very excited for this release more than others:

Again, another tough one to answer. I am looking forward to The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes and reading the newest Tradd Street book by Karen White.

W: Worst bookish habits:

Zoning out and ignoring everything going on around me; the Mr. also tells me I have ‘a look’ when I’m ‘in the zone’.

X: X marks the spot--Start at the top of your bookshelf and pick the 27th book: 

I don’t have a bookcase to pick from…

Y: Your latest book purchase:

The Assassin Trilogy by Derek Haas for my Kindle

Z: Zzzz-snatcher book (the last book that kept you up way too late):

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. I couldn’t put it down!

What would your answers be?
Happy reading!

Little moments matter...

...an I love you

...a hug

...a kind word

...your favorite song on the radio or ipod

...a smile

...a knock knock joke

...a cookie

...an email from a "long lost" friend

...the power of prayer

...thank you

...sunshine

...health

...a good book

...a blog post that makes you think

...a cup of coffee

...an invitation

What little moments are your favorites?

Happy Monday!

In an effort to keep my "case of the Mondays" away...

I will look back at our fun weekend!

 

Saturday night, we drove through the snow to a minor league hockey game (Hey, that fulfills a 40 in 14 too - attend professional sporting event...). We sat 4 rows off the ice and got to see the Hogs blow out the Wild, 8-3. Lil Miss was super excited to sit where we did AND that one of the crowd cheers included the word "sucks" and we didn't yell at her for doing it.

 

Yesterday, we Lil Miss and one of her friends to Disney on Ice, Let's Celebrate,

(video from You Tube)

for her birthday (in 10 days). It was fun and a little taste of Disney. Then, her friend stayed at our house and they hung out for a few hours.

 

How was your weekend?

Sunday-ness

I am passing on the Sunday Social link up with ASHLEY  and NEELY this week. I plan to stop by the blogs of those who link up, I hope you will too. OR you could join in!

We are enjoying watching the Olympics. Go USA!! And if I hear anything else about the malfunctioning snowflake....

Yesterday, my grandfather posted this on Facebook:

I am getting tired of listening to people complain about cold weather. It is no different than it was years back. I can tell you about walking guard duty in the mountains years ago on Hokkido Island and having no feeling in your finger tips and toes. I am sure many of our country veterans can attest to this. Six more weeks until spring.

I am done complaining about winter! There are lots of others who are worse off in this weather than I am having to bundle up, clean off my car after leaving my warm house and going to work in my warm office.

Well said, Grandpa!

And for some fun....one of my favorite SNL skits....Hans and Franz

I hope you have a great Sunday!

TGIF

It's Friday!

My blogging mojo has been MIA this week. I hope to find it this weekend.

On a positive note, today is

Don't forget your red!

If you or your group wears red today, I would love to see a picture! My email is 

Jenmcgee34@yahoo.com

Thank you for supporting this cause!

The Olympic Opening Ceremony is tonight and we are looking forward to watching the Games!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Happy Hump Day!

I took this last week, our view from the kitchen at work

Have a great Wednesday!

Sunday Social, based on 4

Happy Groundhog Day!

I am linking up again this week for 

Please visit ASHLEY and NEELY

Here are this week's questions and answers:

1. 4 Favorite bands you loved in high school

I really had to dig through my memory files but let me date myself here...

New Kids on the Block

Heart

Madonna

Bon Jovi

2. 4 go to meals you'd love to learn to cook or can cook really well

I like to make:

Chili

Chicken Parmesan

Cinnamon rolls

Chocolate chip cookies

(Hey, they all start with "C")

3. 4 necessities to your daily life

A hug & kiss from my husband

Coffee

A book

Something to laugh at

4. 4 makeup necessities you must have if you could only have 4 on

Foundation powder

Mascara

Eyeshadow

Lip gloss

5. 4 favorite apps on your phone or iPad

Slotomania

Kindle

Pinterest

Weather Channel

Thanks gals! These were fun, again.

Enjoy the Super Bowl and the rest of your Sunday.

February

Wow! Where did January go?!

Welcome to February! Now for my public service post....

I want to remind you that February is National Heart Health Month. (Ironically, the month my heart problem was discovered last year). Please visit AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION to educate yourself and learn about your risk factors and warning signs.

I am shamelessly going to also plug GO RED FOR WOMEN. This coming Friday, February 7 is Wear Red for Women Day. I would like to encourage you and anyone you know (co-workers, neighbors, family, etc) to wear red and make a donation to the American Heart Association or the Go Red for Women organization. Spread the word!