Wednesday blah blah blah!

Hi all! I've been neglectful - sorry! I'll try to recap the past few days without boring you to death!

Saturday - I worked in the afternoon, scrapped a little and debated with DH about a possible road trip....

Sunday - It was GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!! Sunny and mid 70s. We took the kids for a bike ride and I worked in the afternoon. I rode my bike to work - it was so great! I ALMOST felt like a kid again - hair blowing in the wind, pedaling away.... We grilled out for the first time this year - burgers! MMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!! More debate about possible trip.

Monday - I woke up and DH was not in bed. Ok.... I come downstairs and he says "We're booked!" Ummm, ok.... So, we will be road tripping over Memorial Day weekend. For better or worse. It was an amazingly beautiful day! Sunny, almost 80 - yes! Spring!

I took DD to circle time at the library and she INSISTED on wearing her Glinda outfit:

She LITERALLY stopped traffic while we were crossing the street. The first guy rolled down his window and said, "Don't shake your head, mom! There's a law about letting princesses cross the street." When we got home, she & I played outside for an hour - she took a GREAT nap! While she napped, I sat on the deck in the sun and finished my book. Fabulous!

Tuesday - I took a bike ride in the morning through our "arboretum" (such as it is) and took a lot of pictures. Some were good, some not so good. It was enjoyable. The sun came out in the afternoon.

Today - DD is home again - we'll see what the day holds...

Hope you're all having a good week!

Mom Moments

Yesterday was a HUGE break through in potty training....DD went poopy on the potty! WOO HOO!!!!!!! Cause for celebration! Today - not real interested....sigh!

Today as I stood in McD's with DH & DS at lunch, I realized, DS is now taller than me! WHAT? Wait! When did this happen? A couple of weeks ago, he still had a little to go before he passed me. What? Sigh....

A Skulls Challenge

Jaime's challenge was to take a walk on a different route and photograph what you see. Here's some of what I saw:

Which way to go?....

My shadow:

The shadows of the bushes caught my attention when there was a bird flitting around.

I have walked by this house literally 100s of time but NEVER from that direction so I have always missed this gorgeous front door!

A scooter in honor of Jamie!

I loved all the birdhouses.

Remember the days of "unsafe" playgrounds? Remember those "things" with the giant springs that you rock back & forth on? Well, the spring has been broken on this one for about 2 years and I've always meant to take a picture of it.

That was my walk on a brisk, March afternoon! Thanks Jamie for helping me look at things differently!

Not much to say....

So here are some scrappings:

I know I've posted this one before but I just love this song and there are days I just need to hear it to remind that life isn't easy....

Misc Sunday

I'll start on a serious note.

I don't like to ask but please send prayers and good thoughts - a young man disappeared 2 months ago and nothing has been found of him. Now that the snow has melted, they are going to do a 2 county search again today. Please pray for some answers for his family. I can't imagine what they must be going through!

The cold is still here and looks like it will be here for most of the week... I hate being teased with nice weather! I just hope my flowers survive that are coming up!

I am hosting a cyber scrap crop next weekend (23 -25) at http://www.memorycreators.com. Come join the site and join in the fun! It's a GREAT group of ladies there!

I hope you all had a wonderful St. Patty's Day. Very uneventful here - especially for an Irish family.

I helped DH put up crown molding at the basement remodel he's doing this week. UGH - that stuff is SERIOUSLY heavy!!!!!!!!! I learned how to load a nail gun though... Does that count for anything? I can't believe the houses in the subdivision he's working in. The basement alone has as much square footage as our entire house. It is UNREAL!!!!!!!!!

Hope you all have a great week!

Our front flowerbed

The cold is back so I thought I would share some of our flowerbed decorations - dragonflies everywhere!

Spring has sprung!

Ok, not OFFICIALLY on the calendar but I had the fever BAD today! It was 70, sunny, breezy and "balmy". Loving it!

I know spring is back: the street basketball games are on...the sidewalk chalk artists are out...i hear kids screaming...windows are open (at least a little)...the birds are chirping...parents are playing ball with their kids...neighbors are congregating the street to catch up...cold beverages of your choice are being shared...talk of decks and fences are running rampant..."how many days until spring break?"...the dirt ring in the tub after bathtime...children sleeping VERY soundly in their beds after a hard day at play.

On that note, I finished cutting out all the dead flowers around the house this afternoon and lo & behold - there was GREEN!!!!!!!!!!! It was wonderful! My daffodils are coming up and I can't wait for them to bloom. I walked to daycare to pick up DD today and it was a WONDERFUL stroll.

I was up real early this morning - thank you DH for hogging the bed...ok. Anyway, to my point...there isn't much on at 4 a.m. so I turned on the Military Channel. VERY interesting! I watched a show on air craft carriers - WHOA! I think that's a job I'll pass on. Talk about pressure! Kudos to them! Then I started watching a show about tanks - dude, seriously! That's a little too small of a space for me but what an awesome weapon. Our hats off to our military personnel and thank you for everything you do! Thank you also to their families who fight the battles at home.

A recap of our week thus far:
Sunday - DH took the kids to the zoo. They had a good time but I don't think all of their animals have returned from the "warmer" zoos yet.
Monday - one of our wonderful neighbors saw DD & I out blowing bubbles and came running over with a HUGE jug of bubbles. He said his kids had outgrown them and she looked like she needed them. THANKS!!!!!!!
Today - worked outside, ate my ice cream and read outside this afternoon (that was bliss). I applied for a few more jobs (cross your fingers).
Tomorrow - day with DD and work at the library in the evening. Oh, and hopefully (I'm trying not to laugh) with some cooperation from DD - I can do her 3 year old photo shoot....yeah, I'm sure she'll love that....

I hope you are all having great weather and good week!

What is it?

that this little girl:

loves about this movie?

She asks to watch it all the time and when it's on TV, she stops to watch. Weird....

Things that cause a lump in my throat...

1. When my husband looks at me a certain way.
2. When my son says "thank you" for something I normally do.
3. When my daughter gives me an extra hug.
4. The older couple that I see holding hands while they stroll together.
5. The young couple (high schoolers) that I see together and he ALWAYS opens the door and pulls out her chair for her.
6. The thought of how much I am loved.
7. A happy ending.

What causes a lump in your throat?

Why? and other mish mash

Why do people think that if they drop off their kids at the library, we will babysit?
Why does the weather get nice when I have to be inside?
Why are some people SO RUDE????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The snow is melting FAST! The river that runs behind the houses across the street is going to spill over its banks - probably tonight. We'll see! Spring is coming! I have a few little green nubbins of flowers starting to come up. I am SO ready to get out in the flower beds and plan what I want this year....

On the rude people note: One of my former bank customers (she's a little "off") comes to the library regularly and I DREAD seeing her. (I know it sounds terrible....sorry!) Anyway, the other day she looked at me and said (in front of about 4 co-workers and 5 patrons), "You're really getting a lot of gray in your hair". It took everything I had not to cry right there. It is something I am VERY self-conscious about and right now there is no money to cover it so I just have to live with it. I wanted to reply, "Really? Thanks! I hadn't noticed that about half my head is gray, thank you!" ARGH!!!!!!!!!

DH & his mom are taking the kids to the zoo tomorrow - I have to work at the library, but should have a few quiet hours to myself after they leave. The weather is supposed to be good so we decided we should take them before it gets cold again (next week).

I applied for a job at the hospital here today and am hoping maybe.... I have a few other places to "visit" this coming week. I keep hoping and praying!


I hope you are all having a great weekend!

Last Sunday (lots of pictures)

We were all a little antsy so we decided to get out for a bit. We headed to....

We found some AMAZING deals on clothes for the kids for next fall and winter. We spent less than $50 for 2 bags full of stuff! LOVE it!

After that we had some lunch:

Other Rainforest Cafe sights:

Playing at KB Toys:

We made a stop here for some "fishing gear" (hopefully it gets used this year!).

DH splurged at Rocky Mountain Chocolates for me (I have a weakness for caramel apples - and this had carmel, nuts AND Snickers bar chunks on it - it was huge and delicious!):

Not much to smile about

I am really whiny lately and hate when I get like that - so be warned - there will probably be a lot of rambling here.
I feel like life just sucks right now! Every day, another bill comes (not the small utility kind). I feel the noose tightening a little more everyday. I just want a job. Isn't that weird that most women would LOVE to be home, that work. Don't get me wrong - I like the time I do have at home to get things done and I love the 2 days/week that DD is here, but I miss my routine. I like a routine day. I feel the strain of money problems and not having enough of it.
I had thought about taking a few kids in to watch, but then I'm afraid of that. I love kids and think I would enjoy it but what if I burn out or really DON'T like it? DH is supportive of my doing it. Then, I think, health insurance - we'll have to pay for that on our own. Can we make enough to pay for that?
I never thought life was full of so many questions, but I tell you, when there is a life change of any kind - the questions come pouring out.
I hate that I have been getting invitations to crops, get togethers and lunches left and right. Yeah, right.... Thanks! : )
My friends have been amazing and I "heart" you all and thank you for your support and encouragement.
Ok, before I start another tyrade - I'm out!
Have a good day!

Scrappings

TFL!

In like a lion!

It's March 1! Can you believe it? March came in like a lion for us today. Thunder, lightening, sleet and rain started about 4 a.m. There's a lovely coat of slick stuff on all the streets.

Not much to report today. DH & I took DD to the aquarium yesterday and she had a blast. We have the membership, so we decided to get some use out of it. She'll be home again on Friday. I think we're headed to story time at the library. I just don't want her sitting in front of the TV all stinking day!

Nothing on the job front. I sent out more resumes yesterday and have more to go out today. (SIGH!) It's so frustrating!

Ron Santo will NOT be in the Hall of Fame this year - what a tragedy!!! I wish the Veteran's Committee would get the heads out of their butts. HELLO!!!!!?????? The man deserves this. (Sorry, I will step down off my soap box now)

I did no scrapping yesterday but am hoping to get a little done today/tonight and maybe tomorrow. There's some projects I want to get going on. I have, however, gotten a little more of my story written. If I can keep that going, I would be happy, too.

I hope you all have a wonderful day and a great March!

Unemployed, Day 30; "SAHM", Day 1

Yes, that's right! I have been without my full time job for a month now. It's getting scary! I had an interview last Thursday and a second with the same place on Monday. I didn't get a real good vibe from my Monday interview, so we'll see....

SAHM....just a part time thing. We are taking DD out of daycare 2 days/week to save a little money. They are holding her full time spot for when I get a job - bless their hearts! So, it should be interesting. I have never been a SAHM, except for 6 weeks of maternity leave.

It's the last day of February, where has the time gone? It's crazy! Another month - gone!

I did some scrapping yesterday:

Have a wonderful Wednesday/last day of February.

Oscars

Here are some of my favorite dresses from last night:



This was SO much prettier without the jacket, in my opinion:

Photos from www.oscar.com

Ok, so I watched, as usual, and I have a couple of comments.

First - Ellen Degeneres was hilarious! I loved her!

Second - if you cut out some of the tributes and montages - you could be done on time!

Third - please do not use this entertainment platform as a political platform - that drives me crazy!!!!!

Congratulations to all the nominees!

Sunday morning stuff...

It snowed about 5 inches last night - very heavy and wet. DH was outside for 2 1/2 hours clearing the driveway.
It's Oscar night.
I hope Ron Santo gets voted into the Hall of Fame this year.
Laundry is going and as soon as DD has her bath - I'm planning on scrapping the day away.

Some scrappings

Yes, I have been scrapping....amazing, I know!

This is a sketch done by my friend, Aimee! Thanks, Aimee!

Here's my interpretation of Aimee's sketch:

A couple more layouts I've done:

Thanks for taking a look - hopefully I'll have more to add.

Sorry!

It's been a crazy week! I had a job interview on Thursday and have a second one on Monday. So, hopefully....

We're having a lesson in "tough love" at our house and it's been pretty draining. I don't want to get into it right now but ask for good thoughts and prayers for my sanity. For now, I'm trying to channel some of my emotions into scrapping. I have gotten a few layouts done and hope to get more done this weekend.

It sounds like the winter is back on its way back here. Blech! So, hopefully most of it will miss us.

Have a good weekend my blogging friends!

Tuesday update

I got home from the library last night to find DH & DD on the couch. She had gotten sick in her bed....sigh. I think she got coughing so hard that she just couldn't stop. She tossed around most of the night. She & I are home today.

I called the bank today and they just wondered what I might be interested in. I told them and they said they would get back to me. I applied for 2 more jobs this morning. I feel so defeated some days (like today). I just keep mailing and e-mailing my resumes. Something has to come along, right?

It's warming up around here - quite a bit of snow melted yesterday. It's supposed to be in the mid 40s today. It's overcast but if it's warm, it's ok.

Here's the birthday girl yesterday:

Some scrapping:

Monday again

Ok....we survived the weekend! YEA!!!!!!!!

DD is 3 today! I can't believe it! She's such a big girl - where did the time go?

We had her b-day party yesterday at McDonald's. A few friends from school, the neighbor kids and our friends' kids came. It was crazy! She wasn't feeling well but says she had fun. I think if she'd been a little more perky she would have had a GREAT time! So, it's thank you note day today.

It's still cold today BUT supposed to be ABOVE freezing! Most of the week is supposed to be in the 40s - that is SO exciting!

I got a call LATE on Friday to call tomorrow to set up an interview at a local bank. Not getting too excited yet but it's a start. It's not really for a position I'm not real interested in but it never hurts to see what they have to say.

I am starting to find my laundry room again. It was lost in the mountain of dirty laundry. Of course, the one weekend our DS decides to clean out his closet, I have no time to do laundry. ARGH!!!!!! That boy....

If I ever figure out how to beat the computer and post pictures on here - I have some from yesterday of the party.

Have a great week!

Random Friday

It's randomness on a Friday.

Things I learned yesterday:

*Spring training started! Woo Hoo!!!!!!
*How to change a drill bit
*What an angle drill is
*You can get a "sliver" from a metal screw and they HURT!!!!!!!!!
*You can remove said "sliver" with a utility knife (don't think I wasn't a little panicked!)
*People are strange!
*If you snap a DVD in half because you are mad at it - the library is going to charge you $25 and that doesn't make people very happy.
*Men should NEVER wear tight sweatpants (insert full body shiver here)
*When it's a -10 degree wind chill - a block can feel like a mile when you're walking.

A look at our upcoming weekend:
I work today and tomorrow. Tomorrow, our friends are coming to spend the night. I have to (at some point in time) make cupcakes and cookies before Monday. Sunday, is our DD's birthday party at McDonald's. I am also hosting a cyber crop here: http://www.memorycreators.com. Join the website and join in the fun!

What do you have planned for the weekend? Hope you're doing well!
HUGS!

Potty training, Day, uh, um....

OH, who knows! It's been too many days! DD is finally starting to "get it" though. She goes at school (love peer pressure) and is starting to do it here at home. She tinkled a little this morning then got up and finished all over the floor. She was standing there almost in tears and I didn't have the heart to scold or anything. I just cleaned her up, told her gently that next time she needs to relax and sit for a few minutes. DS, bless his heart, finished getting her dressed while I cleaned the bathroom. I just feel relieved that she's starting to understand it and do it now. I live for the day of no pull ups!

In other "news"....I will be helping DH install some cabinets on a house this morning. THAT should be interesting! I work at the library this afternoon and evening.

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day! DH took me out for lunch yesterday. Pot Belly - nothing fancy, but no kids. : )

Have a Happy Thursday!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful day! My DH is so fantastic! He TOTALLY surprised me this morning. He got me tickets to see WICKED on my birthday. He is not a secret keeper so I was shocked he hadn't dropped a hint or anything and I am SO excited!

It is painfully cold this a.m., 4 degrees with wind chills of about 30 below. My DH is outside right now cleaning all the snow off our driveway and the neighbors'.

I hope you all have a happy "Heart Day".
HUGS!

Flashback!

I worked in Youth Services last night and I came across some books that I LOVED as a kid.
The RAMONA series
Little House books
Nancy Drew mysteries

Oh, man! I was standing there laughing at how long ago I read those and how old I feel. I enjoyed those books and in fact, checked a couple of them out just for old times' sake!
What were some of your favorite books as a kid?

Then, when I got home, DH & I watched NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION. We were HOWLING with laughter! There were parts that we had never picked up on before. And the more the movie went on, the more we realized, we are Clark & Ellen!


It's snowing here today - no school! I work this afternoon, so we'll see if that gets closed.

I hope this works....

A little video I put together of our "city visits":

http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h15/scrapperjen1/?action=view&current=chicago.flv

I hope this works....

It didn't.....

Saturday Night

DH is asleep on the couch so I thought I'd check in with a quick update....

Nothing too exciting! I made cinnamon rolls to throw in the oven for breakfast tomorrow morning - mmmm!!!!!! Work was crazy busy today - who knew the cold brought people to the library in herds? Crazy....but I loved it! And can I say that when I'm working in that old, beautiful building, I just have to look around at the architecture and engravings on the marble walls - they are amazing. And I swear every time I'm there - I see something I hadn't seen before.

I've gotten a little scrapping done, but more talking about doing it than actually doing it. I am all set up and ready to go tomorrow - no excuses! DD is ready to "scrap" with me so she'll keep me on track!

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend!

I'm a bad blogger!

Sorry! I've been using the 'puter for job hunting and haven't had much interest in it other than that!

A little update:
Sunday - Da Bears....what can I say? It was a sad ending to a great season! DH is still upset. Hopefully by August, he'll be over it....
Monday - no school for DS because it was SO cold! I'm pretty sure the official temperature was FREAKIN' COLD!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday - still cold and we got snow (about 4"). Winter is definately still here!
Wednesday - didn't do a whole lot. Cleaned out a couple of cupboards (we're going to have a GREAT garage sale this year) then sat with DH and watched Game Show Network.
Today - DH went to the dr for stomach pain, again! It's still cold! I applied for a couple more jobs.

A few things I have learned in the last 10 days:
1. Sitting still is not really for me.
2. When I'm angry, the treadmill is my friend.
3. I've been able to focus on my writing - I've not had that "luxury" before. I've gotten about 10 pages written this week.
4. Doctor visits without insurance SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. Anger is a great source to channel for cleaning.
6. Kleenex commercials CAN make you cry.
7. When you post your resume at a job search website - every insurance agency in the country wants to talk to you.
8. "Extra things" at school are always "needed" when you don't have a job.
9. I get whiny when I have a major life interuption.
10. My DH & I will probably not be able to retire together, for fear of one of us killing each other. :D Just kidding....
11. According the "experts" on the career personality quizzes I have taken - I am best suited to be a "dealer in games of chance". ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!!!!????????? I can barely play Go Fish!

I hope you all have had a great week and a good weekend ahead!

2007 Theme Song

I was tagged by Drena - thanks girly!

Life Ain't Always Beautiful
sung by Gary Allan


Life aint always beautiful
Sometimes it's just plain hard
Life can knock you down, it can break your heart

Life aint always beautiful
You think you're on your way
And it's just a dead end road at the end of the day

But the struggles make you stronger
And the changes make you wise
And happiness has its own way of takin it's sweet time

CHORUS
No, life aint always beautiful
Tears will fall sometimes
Life aint always beautiful
But it's a beautiful ride

Life aint always beautiful
Some days I miss your smile
I get tired of walkin all these lonely miles

And I wish for just one minute
I could see your pretty face
Guess I can dream, but life don’t work that way

But the struggles make me stronger
And the changes make me wise
And happiness has its own way of takin it's sweet time

No, life aint always beautiful
But i know i'll be fine
Hey, life aint always beautiful
But it's a beautiful ride
What a beautiful ride


I am tagging Delight my Friend, Life with Cheryl and Starry Med Girl

Writing & Stuff

As I've had some "extra" time this week, I have been doing some writing. (Not just resumes and applications) I have found it to be a wonderful creative release. I've been casually working on a story for a few year and it has taken on life again this week. I love it when the words just flow out of my fingertips.

My DH finally got rid of his P.O.S. van yesterday. He had been going to get a new one this week and then when I lost my job, it became a source of debate and stress. He was due to have about $2000 in repairs on a 17 year old van that was LITERALLY falling apart. I mean literally! So, yesterday, we took the plunge, and got a new van for him. We took the repair money and sunk it into a down payment and a couple of monthly payments. Now if I can just keep him from adding stuff to it....boys and their toys! I am happy he did it and know that his chances of breaking down are MUCH less than with his old van and I feel safer with him driving the kids around now.

I ran! Yes, RAN yesterday. I got on the treadmill and mile went by and I was DYING!!!!!!!!!! I walked another mile after that. I hadn't had a workout like that in AGES - I had some aggravation to work out.

It's Groundhog Day - "Phil" has predicted an early spring. REALLY???? Let me tell you - it feels NOTHING like spring here today. It is almost 9 a.m. and it's a balmy 7 degrees with a windchill of -8. Woooo! Sunday the high is supposed to be 3. Yes, three! Winter is still here for now.

I hope you all have a good weekend! GO BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unemployment, Day 3....

Well, Day 3 is starting. I got caught up on laundry yesterday. Today I am hoping to scrap and read a little. I feel like I have been through the emotional wringer this week - I have felt it all - I swear! Both my former office co-workers have called me but I haven't returned their calls yet - maybe today.

I hope you all have a good day!