October....

Make sure you wear your pink!

Support your local pork producers!

A rebuttal (sort of)...

to life!

Thank you to all of you for your understanding of my post about blogging. It's nice to know I'm not "alone" in that boat.

Sometimes life throws a lot of fastballs right at you and it can be frustrating and painful! Last week, I felt like they were just slamming into my chest and gut.

The past couple of weeks have been really hard on our Little Miss at school. There has been some bullying and teasing from her classmates. She had many stomachaches but never hesitated to go to school - which I think shows her strength.  Her teacher and the assistant principal have been on the situation and are aware of it. It just makes my heart hurt for her!  She said the end of the week last week was a little better and I hope that trend continues.  Here's hoping for a good week for her!

Last week, with the guidance of a wonderful bloggy friend (thanks, Jessy) - I was led to a new-to-me blog:  Prayerful Bloggers.  I have joined these ladies on the blog now and their Facebook group. I hope to revisit and re-evaluate my faith (which has waivered on many occassions) and keep a positive attitude (for myself and others).  These ladies have been very welcoming and supportive.

I don't usually get into religion on my blog because I don't like to stir up topics that some people can get riled up about. BUT - I do want to disclose the following information regarding this topic:
*I DO believe in God (I have never doubted that)
*I was raised Catholic but due to some circumstances/situations (which I won't disclose here), I have left the Catholic faith but haven't yet found a church I am comfortable in.

So, I feel a little less tense this week (so far) and hope it stays that way!

Use Your Stuff

This week is my last week as a guest designer at Use Your Stuff.

This week's theme is Food & Drink   Do you like to eat and/or drink?  If so, how about doing a scrapbook layout of your favorite food and/or drink?  Then, link up at UYS blog.

Here's my take on this theme.
From our trip to Hawaii, in 2007 (yes, I'm that far behind!)

 

A couple detail photos of this layout:

 

 A pocket page of their menus:

 

I hope you'll join in this week!

 

The challenge

Tomorrow starts a new healthy lifestyle challenge at work.

The Rules:
6 weeks

5 servings of fruits and veggies/day
Consume the suggested amount of water you should be drinking each day (your weight divide by 2=number of ounces of water you should be drinking)

I will try to post updates on my progress each week.

I also plan to add 30 minutes of exercise, 3 times a week to this challenge, for myself.

Pressured

Hello friends!

I want to post a little something about blogging.

I love my blogs. I love reading others' blogs.

BUT....I feel so pressued to try to blog so many days a week. Those bloggers who have a schedule for their posts and plan them ahead - I commend you! I wish I had the time for that.

Life gets messy sometimes and it needs my attention more than my blog does. My family will always come first, so if i don't post for a while, I'm probably just busy with life.  I work two jobs and have crazy schedules to juggle and still want to spend time with my three favorite people. Ya know?

I hope it doesn't make me "less" of a blogger if I don't have a schedule of posts and post when I feel like it...

I hope you will still stop by and check in. I check emails almost everyday, feel free to drop me a line.

Keep blogging!

Friday Fun

Ok scrapping friends...."hop" on over to

PRACTICAL SCRAPPERS

for a stash busting blog hop!

Happy scrapping!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

August, 2014

Hay lift trolleys

 

You can check out more barn tour photos HERE

Use Your Stuff challenge

Happy Monday! I hope you had a good weekend.

It's time for another weekly challenge over (and Week 4 of being a guest designer) at:

USE YOUR STUFF #154

It's a sketch this week!

Here's my take on it:

 A couple of detail photos:

I hope you will play along and link up at Use Your Stuff!

Wordless Wednesday

Use Your Stuff

It's a new challenge over at USE YOUR STUFF

This week is Back to School

I hope you will join in and link up your projects!!!!

Here is mine this week

Happy Scrapping!

Social Media Mixer #16

Hey friends!

I linked up this week with the Social Media Mixer. Feel free to hop over and link up any of your social media! You may be featured next week....

Feel free to follow my Instagram at cubsfan3410

Have a fantastic Sunday!

Apparently...Friday Fun

I don't know if you saw this viral video this summer...it cracks me up!

Apparently Kid:

Yesterday he was on Ellen and we were cracking up watching this.

 

Part 1~

 

Part 2~

 

Apparently...it's Friday! Enjoy your weekend! Seriously!

Wordless Wednesday

A thing of the past?

It was announced yesterday that our local Barnes & Noble is going to close at the end of the year. That's very sad to me! This bookworm loves browsing through the books - there's a cozy smell in the shelves.

Are brick & mortar stores and shops becoming a thing of the past? Am I the only one who still likes to go in and smell, touch and hear the items I'm looking for? Don't get me wrong, I do some on line shopping but I still like to walk into a store.

It saddens me to think that these places are going out of business!

Do you still "go" shopping or do you do most of your shopping on line? Just curious (no judging either way!!!!)...

Use Your Stuff

Happy Monday!

There's a new scrap challenge up this week over at  USE YOUR STUFF

Stop over and play along!

Here's my border punch challenge project

Scrap cards

Here are some cards I made last week

 

Exciting scrapbooking news

I am the September guest designer over at Use Your Stuff scrapbooking blog.

Stop over and play along...and every week!

Friday Letters

TGIF!!!!

 

Dear Friday,

Hello my friend!

 

Dear Holiday Weekend,

Let me get through work on Saturday then make Sunday & Monday slow and leisurely.

 

Dear Blogger Friends,

Thank you for stopping by my blog! I am hoping to get caught up on my blog reading and commenting.

 

Dear Huskies,

That's one win - a great start to the football season!

Dear Cubs,
Sigh....next year! However, I may win my bet this year over your record (thanks!).

Dear Bears,
Preseason is not making it look like a good season. I hope you're saving the "good stuff"!

 

Dear New School Year,

I'm so glad you have arrived again!

 

Dear Bag of Yarn,

I plan to make some time to work with you this weekend.

 

Dear Camera,

You will not defeat me! You and I have a date!!!!

 

Dear Mr.,

Thank you for letting me vent and cry. I wouldn't have made it through this week without you!

 

Dear Mother Nature,

How about a nice weekend?

 

 

What are your plans for the weekend?

Crochet projects

I have had my hooks flying this weekend. I finished two projects, small ones, but they're done.

I made these for my aunt's granddaughter who is due to arrive in October.

I made this headband for Lil Miss to match her 1st day of school outfit.

Now I have to finish the blanket I'm knitting as a test for a designer. I will post pictures when it's complete.

Have a great Sunday!

Blog tour - Fetch

I am participating in a book tour today (my first....thanks Kathy!) for:

I Am a Reader Blog Tour  Make sure you check out her blog!

FETCH

by  Adam Glendon Sidwell

Genre: Children's Fiction

Book Summary:

A story for anyone who's ever been loved by a dog or given one a home.

At least nine sunsets away, there is a place where dogs can do what they want. But they are not all the same, and when a special one has the courage to fly, he finds something unexpected beyond the tenth horizon.

My Thoughts: 

I really enjoyed this book! It's a wonderful, colorful children's book about dogs and love.

I loved the carefree, fun dogs in the story. The illustrations are beautiful.

My 10 Year Old's Thoughts:

Really cute book about loving a dog.

I recommend it!

Rating:
5 out of 5 stars

Literary Junkies-August 2014

Time again for the Literary Junkies link up and twitter chat today! #LiteraryJunkies  
This month we are discussing Lone Wolf by Jodi Piccoult.

I'm linking up at PINK HEELS PINK TRUCK

(Click on the link or the button to the right)

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

I am reading Bigger than the Game by Dirk Hayhurst. It is his baseball adventures in MLB (Major League Baseball).

2. Do you read one book at a time, or read multiple books at once?

I usually have a couple of books going at a time.

3. What is the first book that made you fall in love with reading?

Oooo...tough one!

I would have to say probably the Little House books.

4. Do you prefer a physical copy of the book or an electronic version?

I think both formats have their good points. I love holding a physical book in my hands but I love the convenience of just picking up my tablet and going.

5. What are three books currently on your To Be Read list?

Don't Go by Lisa Scottoline

Ladies Night by Mary Kay Andrews

The Girl you Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

What are you reading?

Shameless!!!!!

Please follow my photo blog:

Photos by Jen Mc

(Bloglovin button has been added)

Don't make me resort to begging....  

I said this is a shameless post!

Thanks! I would appreciate it!

Friday Fun

I have seen this cimmercial a lot lately and it cracks me up everytime!

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

Tales from the Library, part 10

Last night was an exciting evening at the library!

I have always worried about how big an infero the library would become is there was a fire...

I had been there for about 10 minutes when the fire alarms went off. My co worker had burned her popcorn in the microwave. (Insert giggling here)

They had us evacuate the building. It AMAZES me how hard it is to get people to leave.

So, we all go outside - it was a beautiful evening - and wait for the fire department. We watch them pull up and my co-worker who burned her popcorn explained to them what happened. The looks on their faces were priceless! They ribbed her a little before going in to double check and get the alarm turned off.

We had to wait about 45 minutes outside. The silver lining is:

No one got hurt!

It was nice outside and we got to soak that up.

The cute firemen came to the rescue!

The johnny rain cloud side is:

It smelled pretty bad and probably will for a day or two.

How was your evening?

Wordless Wednesday

6 weeks....

6 more weeks until....

Tuesday nights have been dull!

Season 2 was a big cliffhanger and I'm dying here....

What fall shows are you looking forward to?

Friday Fun-Late Night

Happy Friday!!!!

Let me share a couple of my favorite "late night" TV segments today.

 

 

Thursday Books

Two new books by my favorite authors/illustrators are being released this week.

First, my brother illustrated a new children's book, it was released earlier this week. Here's his blog post:   THAT SNEAKY SNAKE SYDNEY. Make sure you check this out!

Second, my friend, Lauren, has a new chic lit book being released this Saturday. Here's her blog post: PIE GIRLS. I've read this,  it's fun!

New books, readers! What could be more fun?!

Wednesday Words

A couple pins I found on Pinterest.

Happy Monday!

Here's to a good week ahead!

Our weekend went very quickly but it was nice.

Friday night was pretty quiet. 

I worked at the library on Saturday. Construction has begun and wow does it look like a pile of rubble outside! After work, we went to the drive in to see Guardians of the Galaxy. We really enjoyed it, much funnier than we anticipated. 

We would give it 3 1/2 to 4 stars.

Young Mr. Turned 21 yesterday. We went out for breakfast and a nice lunch. The Mr. grilled pork chops and brats last night. All good food!

How was your weekend? What did you do?

Have a happy Monday!

Why do I blog?

Fair question!

I started blogging a little over 8 years ago. My blog has changed and evolved a lot during that time!

It started as a place for me to keep a record of what we did; where we went; our hobbies and projects and the kids growing up.

It has been all that and more! All those things are here, along with reviews of books, movies and products; links to other blogs and websites and a lot of miscellaneous "stuff". I have made some great friendships with fellow bloggers, that I hope will continue and grow. Thanks to all of you who have been reading for a long time (and there are several of you!).

I hope to keep my blog going for a long time and continue to grow my readership.

If there's a blog you think I should check out, let me know!

PS: our oldest turns 21 today!

Friday Fun - Movie Project

This week's fun is brought to you by my cousin and his friends. They have a movie idea that they are hoping to pitch to movie studios.  Please consider helping to support them (no donation is TOO SMALL!).

Their pitch trailer is on the website (below) - check it out!

Here is the website:

Maximum Coppage

 

(Ben-I hope I didn't leave out anything TOO important...)

#MaxCop

Thankful Thursday

Since it is the last day of July (gasp!) and in an effort to keep some good thoughs/positive ideas going - I have decided to start a new blog post "series". 

 

This week, a few things I am thankful for are:

 

* My husband. 

No one can make me laugh like him. He reminds me (intentionally or not) to have fun and not take things so seriously. He encourages me to pursue my dreams and take the little steps that will get me there.

* My kids. 

These two constantly make me smile. They're always giggling or seem to be plotting something. It warms my heart to see what good friends they are.

* My jobs. 

I know I am very blessed to have a job (let alone 2)! And as a bonus, it's a job I love! I feel passionate about my full time job. My part time job is enjoyable also and helps us have some extra money to do fun things.

* My blog readers/followers/commenters. 

It means a lot to me to know that you're reading this blog. I love the "love" you leave.

* Fellow bloggers.

You keep me entertained with your travels; photos; jokes; stories; DIYs and blog posts. Keep 'em coming!

* Unseasonably mild summer weather. 

This summer has been FANTASTIC!!! We have had SO few hot days - the sun has been shining (most days) and the average temp this summer has been in the upper 70s. I'll take it!

* Flowers.

Because of the nice weather, my flowers are looking great! The front of our house is colorful and full - I love driving up to it each day - it's a wonderful way to end a workday.

* Email and text.

I have been getting lots of emails from friends I haven't caught up with in a long time. Texts from my mom always brighten my day (who else understands the agony the Cubs keep inflicting!).

 

What are you thankful for?

 

I am thinking about making this a weekly link up - any interest?

Wordless Wednesday

November, 2007

Travel Tuesday - Civil War Anniversary

I'm going to take a more historical note today.

 

Our family has gotten into the Civil War and its history in the past 7 or 8 years. We enjoy visiting sites and museums related to it. Some are big, some are small.

 

It is still the 150th anniversary period of the Civil War (through 2015).

The

Civil War Trust

site is an impressive website, with lots of information.

 

We are NOWHERE near completing the list of sites

(click here for the map: Civil War Discovery Trail)

but we have put a pretty good dent in it so far. We are going to try to daytrip to some of them more locally over the next year and a half.

 

Another good Civil War travel site is:

Civil War Traveler

 

I truly believe that most of these sites are worth a visit. I'd love to hear if you visit one (or several) and what you think!

I am linking up with Bonnie Rose at A Compass Rose

 

What historical sites have you visited and enjoyed?

The weekend was nice!

Happy Monday!!!!!  I hope you all had a nice weekend!

Mine was uneventful but productive.

 

Friday, the Mr. and Young Mr. went to Bears traning camp. Friday night - I scrubbed our bathrooms (the house smells like bleach...).

 

Saturday, I finished cleaning the house, pulled some weeds and did laundry. We went to the drive in on Saturday night - the weather was perfect (clear, mid 70s). The kids each got a Green River and Super Rope (the big drive in treats).  We saw

 

Maleficent

 and

 

We liked both of them.

Both would get 3.5 stars from all of us.

 

Yesterday, none of us even got up until almost 9:30 (that's unheard of in our house). I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast and we lounged around most of the morning. Mr. and Young Mr. headed to work for a while in the afternoon while Lil Miss and I played outside and did some errands.

 

I made some headway on the blanket I'm test knitting

 

I think I like the color combination and it's an easy pattern to work. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

Stay tuned for some exciting scrapbooking news.

Have a great Monday!

 

Happy Sunday again!

Greetings!

I know I have been absent this week, I'm sorry! I have been working on a couple projects. 

CROCHETING

I finished this square for my crochet-along.

KNITTING

I am just starting to knit this blanket test pattern.

Which will be perfect to do while I watch the MLB Hall of Fame induction, today.

Congratulations to the inductees.

I am linking up with the Social Sunday link up again.

Have a great day!

Happy Sunday

Good morning! I hope your weekend is going well! Ours has been nice and I'll recap it this week.

This week, I am linking up with the Sunday Social Media Link Up for the first time. Feel free to pop over to Grapefruit Princess  and link up your social media.

Feel free to follow me on Instagram and Bloglovin

Book review

Goodnight June by Sarah Jio

Genre: Fiction

4 out of 5 stars

Publisher's synopsis:

Goodnight Moon is an adored childhood classic, but its real origins are lost to history. In Goodnight June,Sarah Jio offers a suspenseful and heartfelt take on how the "great green room" might have come to be.

June Andersen is professionally successful, but her personal life is marred by unhappiness. Unexpectedly, she is called to settle her great-aunt Ruby’s estate and determine the fate of Bluebird Books, the children’s bookstore Ruby founded in the 1940s. Amidst the store’s papers, June stumbles upon letters between her great-aunt and the late Margaret Wise Brown—and steps into the pages of American literature.

My thoughts:

Thanks to Net Galley for providing this book!

Ms. Jio has written another amazing book! I love how the story is told with letters June finds between her Aunt Ruby and Margaret Wise Brown.

Clever writing, fun story and wonderful characters.

Thanks to Net Galley for providing this book!

Ms. Jio has written another amazing book! I love how the story is told with letters June finds between her Aunt Ruby and Margaret Wise Brown.

Clever writing, fun story and wonderful characters.

Wordless Wednesday

Hawaii, 2007

From the top of Diamondhead

Literary Junkies - July 2014

Our Literary Junkies July book discussion is The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. The button to the right will direct you to the link up!

Now, for this month's questions and my answers:

1. What are you reading? Tell us about it!
Goodnight June by Sarah Jio.
June is left her aunt's bookstore, where she discovers a friendship between her Aunt Ruby and children's author Margaret Wise Brown. Many secrets are discovered as June decides what to do with the bookstore.

2. Do you find yourself reading more of a particular genre during the heat of summer? 
I tend to read more "fluff" and quick reads in the summer.

3. Who are your favorite book villains (either to love or to hate?)
Wow...tough question!
I guess I would say the Disney villains in the Kingdom Keepers book series. I think for obvious reasons...

4. If you could choose one author’s writing powers to harness, who would you choose and why?
Sarah Addison Allen! She tells a story that's so enchanting and believable. I have never been disappointed by her books.

5. Do you read one book at a time, or read multiple books at once?
I almost always have two books going at the same time.

6. What are some of your favorite non-fiction books? 
I enjoy biographies and memoirs and books about history. I should read more of them!


What are you reading? What is it about?

Have a great day!

Please stand by...

I am going to take a little hiatus from blogging, it won't be for long! I just need a little time to catch my breath and get some projects done.

I will try to stop by and blog visit.

Have a great day!

Tales from the Library, Bathroom Edition

That's right "Tales" fans - it's time for another edition.

 

Today's edition is brought to you by....Cat Woman.  Yes, you read that right!

 

I had to work on Sunday afternoon and was the closer. When you are the closer, you are responsible for picking up; straightening shelves; checking bathrooms; etc.

 

After closing time, I knocked and entered the men's room. No one and I checked the stall, there stashed behind the toilet was a book. UGH - really?!  So I get a paper towel, pick it up -

it's Cat Woman (like the Marvel comic book character).

Double UGH! So I finish closing, put on gloves, wipe the book cover with alcohol, scrub my hands.

 

Of course, I tell the Mr. about it when I get home and he thinks it's hilarious! Then points out, you know...some guys... STOP!!!!! (insert full body shiver)

 

I tell you - there is never a dull moment there.

June 30th...

WOW! Where did June go?

 

Do you have any plans for the 4th?

 

Our weekend was pretty uneventful. Yardwork, errands, work, a little grilling and relaxing.

What did you do?

 

My "big" project I started....

(it's on my "to do" list and has been for a LONG time!)

 

I finally started cutting out pieces for this quilt hanging. Wow - I forgot how much cutting/pressing/pinning is involved in getting this ready to put together. And there are A LOT of little pieces to be cut out for this pattern....

 

It is: The Bridges of Madison County pattern by Button Weeds

 

Realistically, I hope to get the pieces cut out at least over the next couple of weeks and start putting it together after that. (I have a feeling that this is going to end up being a winter sewing project...)

 

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

 

On another note, I have let my exercise/diet go again. I have GOT to get motivated and stick to it! Who's going to give me the kick in the pants and keep kicking?!

 

Happy Monday - I hope you have a wonderful day!

Happy Friday!

For a short work week, it's been a really long one!
(And yes...I know I have done NOTHING on this blog this week - it's called laziness)

 

A little "Fluffy Guy" for your Friday.

 

Have a great weekend all!

Hello!

Happy Tuesday!

Just finished up a "staycation" with my husband and kids. It was very nice! (recap to come this week)

I hope you all had a nice weekend and the week is going well.

Friday Fun

Perhaps you have seen or heard of Richard Dunn this week. 

If not, this is why you should have....

He shot this while at the Las Vegas airport alone overnight.

Enjoy!

I hope you have a great weekend!

Literary Junkies - June edition

It's that time of month again - Literary Junkies, UNITE!

This month, our book was Beautiful Ruins. I struggled with it and didn't finish it. Sorry to say...

Anyway, here is this month's questions/answers:

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

I currently have two books going. The Shop on Blossom Street and A Life Intercepted.

The Shop is the first in a series about a street in Seattle, this one revolves around 4 women who are all struggling with something. A Life Intercepted is an ARC, it has a football theme with a mystery I am waiting to be revealed.

2. Library or bookstore?

Library!

3. What book(s) have you read and re-read several times?

Little Women, I usually read it each year around Christmas time.

4. What is the first book that made you fall in love with reading?

Hmmmm...this is really tough! My parents always encouraged us to read.

I think I would have to say the Little House books. My mom read us the series when we were growing up and I have read them a few times in my life.

5. Who's your favorite author? Tell us so we can binge-read!

Another tough one! I think I would say Sarah Addison Allen, her books are so magical (literally) and moving. I love reading them! Sue Grafton writes an awesome mystery series - was thrilled to meet her last fall!

 

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

What are you reading?

 

July's book for the Literary Junkies is The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. I'm waiting for it to come in at the library.

The start of another week

HAPPY MONDAY!!!! I hope you had a nice weekend.

Ours was pretty uneventful. Saturday, the Mr. and Young Mr. had to work all day. I cleaned the house; did a little yardwork [where do the weeds come from?!]; had lunch with my sister & one of my sister-in-laws; relaxed a little. I had a photo shoot that evening for a big family celebration. It was a beautiful night and the family was a lot of fun!

Yesterday, we took the Mr. out for breakfast at a local place. We had a late lunch and watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (it was quite enjoyable).

It was pretty uneventful but nice. It's a short work week for me this week, as I am taking a long weekend to catch up at home and relax a little.

I hope you all have a good week!

Saturday Stuff

Happy Saturday! First, Happy Father's Day!

Second, if you are not listening to The Satellite Sisters podcast....you are missing an hour of fun! These 5 are funny, full of life and news you can you and stories. Please give them a listen!

I finished a couple of yarn projects this week. First up....a baby blanket for ny nephew who is due next week.

I am happy with how it turned out.

I also finished another square for the crochet-along on Ravelry.

I am using scrap yarn for the squares.

I am looking forward to making more squares.

Happy yarning!

Friday Fun

Because I'm dealing with stinking car repairs today (and they better quit calling with stuff they find...), here is some FUN!

 

The Mr. who thinks jokes making fun of men aren't very funny was dying laughing.

 

Happy Friday!

THANK YOU!

I want to say a BIG, BIG

 

THANK YOU!!!!!!

 

to all of you for your wonderful, supportive comments on yesterday's post and those of you who sent an email.  Your support is wonderful and most welcome.

 

Yesterday was a better day and she told me her "real friends" were nice to her and she wasn't going to worry about the "mean kids".

Beauty review

First, THANK YOU to Influenster for including me in their Spring Vox Box.

I am going to review one of the products here, but expect to hear about all the products I received very soon!

 

Today's review is of Kiss Everlasting French nails

 

These were relatively easy to apply. I spent more time matching the nail size and filing them to fit my weird shaped nails.

They looked great and wore pretty well.

 

This was after day 2: 

 

Unfortunately, on day 4 three of the nails fell off. I have removed them all now. My nails do not look or feel damaged.

 

I would definately use these again!

 

A parenting W-T-H

I may get myself in trouble with some readers with this post but I am going to/need to vent here! I have wrestled with myself about posting this, but have decided that I will.

The past week has been a little rough for Little Miss at school. (I am SO glad this school year is almost over!)

Last week, her classmates were asking her if she wore diapers and called her Diaper Baby for a day. Yesterday, she attempted to make a couple new friends but they told her that they wouldn't be friends with her because she's gay. They had seen her hug one of her friends, so that meant she was. I told her that those girls weren't worth being friends with and to hug her friend if she wanted to.

WOW! Really?!  We're going to start with this already, in 4th grade?!

As any parent knows, we all fear our kids being picked on/not liked/teased/etc. As any parent with a special needs child knows, our fears are doubled - as a special need seems to put an extra target on a child to their peers. We have tried to raise Little Miss to remember that she is who she is and if people can not accept her, then they aren't worth her worry.

I really expected we were going to have to deal with teasing in junior high, but I was not/am not mentally prepared to deal with this already.

Praying for a calmer rest of the week for her.