Excuse me....

Dear Mother Nature,
Apparently you haven't checked your calendar in a while. The first day of spring was over a week ago, yet I can't help but notice that there is sleet and snow flying around. Could you possibly correct this obvious error?
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Concerned Citizens

PS: Cubs opening day is in 8 days, so hopefully you will find some sun and 70ish degrees to send our way.

The Tourists - part 2

Gemini Giant
Originally uploaded by scrapperjen1

This was one of our stops along Route 66 a few weeks ago - the Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad Drive In. It wasn't open for lunch yet when we passed through but it looked fun!

If you want a nice drive, we have done most of the Illinois portion of Route 66 (more pictures coming in future posts), it was wonderful!!!!

Randomness

DD made a big step last Friday - she donated her hair. She had almost 10" cut off. She loves her shorter hair (me too!).

Before:After:

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I had a scrap night last night and didn't get a whole lot accomplished....but the company was GREAT! :D

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I would like to say THANK YOU to the young man at Wal Mart this afternoon. I appreciate when someone who is (considerably) younger than me reminds me that the "kids" aren't all bad!!!!

We were leaving Wal Mart and there was a older woman standing at a strange angle. I heard a voice as we walked by and looked down and there was the cashier, tying her shoe for her. I couldn't have been more impressed. I did call the store and spoke with a manager about him - I didn't have his name but I knew what time and register he was on.
I know there are days at my job where I get a little frustrated with people but then remind myself "How would I want some one to treat my grandparents or parents?" So young man, THANK YOU!!!!!! You went above the call of duty today.

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We took the kids to the park this afternoon - sunny and 50. The playground was packed but it was SO fun! DH & DS played tennis for about an hour.

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I hope you're all having a great weekend!

HUGS!

Spring?

Spring?
Originally uploaded by scrapperjen1

I took this last spring (right about this time of year) and hope that spring is truly thinking about hanging around here soon!

Bad blogger

Sorry - my posts have been light and not very exciting. Life is pretty quiet and time is short these days....

DS started tennis practice this week. He's hurting! :) He's looking forward to it though and got his "number" yesterday.

DD starts pre-k on Monday. I'm looking forward to her getting back into her routine.

We took the kids to the HS basketball game last Friday. DD was infatuated with the scoreboard and the cheerleaders. She preferred the purple cheerleaders (the opposing team) because "purple is prettier than orange". I got to see DS in all his basketball fan "splendor" - I can't believe the voice on that kid!!!!!

I have been scrapping - just not much posting going on. I am WAY behind on my book reviews here - I'll make that a goal for this weekend...

It sounds like a nicer day temp wise today with some rain. Sounds like spring to me - I'LL TAKE IT!!!!!

Hope you're all having a good week and I'll try to blog more often and hopefully with a little more content!

36 days

until Opening Day!!!!!!!

The Cubs are 4 - 0 in spring training so far. I just hope they don't use it all up now and forget that the regular season is still coming....

Go Cubs Go!

Yes, spring training is in full swing! The first pre-season game is tomorrow. So, Cubs fans (ok, baseball fans...) here we go!

The Tourists - Part 1

First of all, I would like to make a disclaimer/correction regarding my previous post.... I am NOT encouraging you to play "tourist" during weather which may cause you to lose a limb/appendage to frostbite or to have a heat stroke. Pick a nice day! :)

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DD turned 5 yesterday - I can't believe it's been 5 years! Quiet birthday but her "bash" is Sunday....wish us luck!
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Last Sunday (and yes, it was a little chilly!), we visited Lincoln's home in Springfield Illinois. (This is us in his "backyard" - by the way, if you visit, check out the outhouse - the Lincolns had the "deluxe" model) The home has recently been refurbished and cleaned up. It was a very nice tour and we enjoyed seeing his "neighborhood" too. We learned after we were there that many sites are closed on Sunday - thank you FORMER Gov.... Many of the employees at the sites that were open, openly expressed their opinions on that situation. They seem rather upset that things aren't open on Sundays and the tourism is down considerably because of that. Think about it.... Anyway, we did visit the Lincoln Museum gift shop (there are penny smashers there). This photo of DS was taken there - it is his "audition" to be on the penny next... hope he does something great so they'll consider him. I was afraid he & I might get kicked out of the gift shop because he got me laughing about the "writing instruments" that they sell there (it was a pack of pencils). DH just walked away & I have no doubt he wouldn't have claimed to know us if we had gotten kicked out.
Thank you to the wonderful lady in our tour group who took this photo of all of us!
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On a non-touristy note.....our HS boys' basketball team was recognized on tonight's ABC World News Tonight's "People of the Week" - along with the team they played 2 weeks ago. DS said the high school has been a media circus this week but I'm glad to see it for something good!
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6926639
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Snow is on its way this weekend - hope you all have a great weekend!
HUGS!

Come on...

be a tourist!

Grab your camera and take a walk or a drive - even in your own town. It's fun!

Stay tuned for the adventures of "The Tourists" :)

Happy Birthday!

Happy 200th birthday, Mr. Lincoln!

Ahem....

Soap box time....

The Grammys

Can I ask when the Grammys became a 3 1/2 hour concert with a few awards stuck in there? And on top of that - a CRAPPY concert! There 3 performances all night that I enjoyed - out of the I don't even know how many... SERIOUSLY!!!!!

I enjoyed Paul McCartney, the Four Tops tribute (kudos to you 4 gentlemen!) and of course, Kenny Chesney. Other than that, I could have done without any of the rest.

While we're on that subject - WHO thought it was a good idea to pair the Jonas Brothers and Stevie Wonder? Are you kidding? Those jokes of "rock stars" with a legend. The Brothers KILLED what could have been a fantastic rendition of "Supersitition". Hey guys, here's a tip - if you don't know the words - DON'T SING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The outfits....

M.I.A. - I commend you for showing up and performing on your due date but do you have ANY idea how awful that outfit is if you're not pregnant?

Jennifer Hudson forgot to untuck her dinner napkin...yikes!

Katy Perry - ummmm....you forgot your Carmen Miranda fruit hat to go with your dress!

Sorry if I have offended anyone with my comments - but they're my comments.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming!

Churches!

Churches!
Originally uploaded by scrapperjen1

A mosaic for a flickr search of church exterior. Kudos to these photographers - they are gorgeous!

Come on spring...

You can do it!
It was GORGEOUS today! We took DD out for a walk/bike ride about 11 and it was sunny and 55. I can see the grass. :D It was really hard to go to work this afternoon with it being so nice outside.
The flu is passing through our house. KNOCK ON WOOD - there is only one of us who hasn't had it this week... Everyone seems to be on the mend. Thank goodness!
Tennis starts in a few weeks for DS - so hopefully the weather will get warmer real soon!

Hope you're having a great weekend!

More reviews

Yes, more... :)

Friday Night Knitting Club

by Kate Jacobs

I really enjoyed this book. There was wonderful story lines and very believable characters. So what happens when a group of very different women from very different backgrounds get together to share a common hobby?

You'll have to pick it up to find out.

Lucky Man

by Michael J Fox

His autobiography (2002) about his career, diagnosis of Parkinson's and how he & his family have dealt with it. This is an amazing read and I encourage you to read it! It helped put some "problems" in my life in persepective. He's so positive and encouraging.

Fearless - Taylor Swift

I enjoyed her debut CD and this one did not disappoint either. She is a very talented songwriter and singer.

Happy reading & listening!

Happy February!

May your last 6 weeks of winter be mild and quick!

My book reviews will be posted this week!

Daisy, daisy...

Daisy, daisy...
Originally uploaded by scrapperjen1

I'm wishing for spring.....

A springtime thought....

Cubs pitchers & catchers report to spring training in

13 DAYS!!!!!

Whoa!

If my horoscope isn't fitting to my life right now....

"Stop examining the group tension so closely -- and try to put it out of your mind."

I should probably listen to this one today. :D

Ok, winter...

You can leave now!!!!!!

It's not supposed to be above freezing all week....it snowed a little last night...
I am tired of the cold and the dirty, yucky snow!!!!!

I am ready for flowers, sunshine and warm (I would even take 40 right now!)

Sigh.....

A week in quick recap

DS - finished his finals; started 2nd semester and drivers ed; got asked to prom
DD - has cabin fever (I wish it would warm up!); had last day at daycare & preschool screening for district's pre-k program
DH & I - same as usual...we're pretty boring!

I finished a book (I'll add my review soon); got a little knitting done; did some writing. Yeah, that's about it!

Hope you had a great weekend and your week is going well!