Jumping on Beds..........

This is what I am talking about...

Frick and Frack....they just don't need me anymore!!! :(  Unless they are hungry...then they follow me around, repeating and barking orders until they are eating....LOL.

I do enjoy the fact that they are such great friends though and love to listen in on their imaginary games...right now they are playing with characters from Lilo and Stitch in the playdough.

This day is soooooooooo AMAZING!!!  Unreal weather is back...always makes me just want to run outside and jump for joy....but I am not, I am cleaning and doing laundry all day....but I did manage to meet Sheela for breakfast ......what a friend!!!....I swear  I would be a recluse(spelling?) if it weren't for her inviting me to do things each week.    So thankful for her!!  

My plans are to finish up cleaning and then get out there and enjoy this day with the kids....I am getting there.

Joann and I signed up for the CHA crop at Oasis...anyone else going?  I am really excited to spend the day scrapping and chatting.  

I managed to scrap Cara's Valentine page though I didn't mention Valentine's Day instead told a little story from a conversation we had last night....but along the lines of love.  I actually got out the watercolors for this LO...still inspired by Celine!

TBall starts this weekend!!  I am half excited and half thinking, "Here we go again!!"  Every weekend revolving around baseball/softball until Sept./Oct. (Mannie will play too).

Charlie has a sleepover at the grandparents tonight...he is very excited.  I might try to think of something fun to do with just the girls (well, and Daddy)....not sure what.  But the girls have gymnastics so that kind of gets in the way time wise of  things to do.

I am so glad that "normal" t.v. is back....American Idol, and I do watch the Housewives of Orange County...very amusing.  

Well, that is all.....have a nice weekend!  Oh, and I still can't figure out if I am rooting for the Steelers or the Cardinals!!  But very excited to be with friends on Sunday!!

Public Service Announcement for Mac Users

Hi Back again :)  LOL

...thank goodness I never had addictions like cigarettes or drugs because as you can see I have zero willpower!!  My real problem is with FB not blogging though so I decided to limit my time on FB to morning and night....we will see if that works out....the other issue is I need to find a way to challenge myself as a mom to get me inspired at home with the kids in a new way. I figure if I am really excited about something going on with the kids, then I won't feel the need to check in on everyone's else's life thru out the day.  Cam and Charlie are really great at playing together during the day but that is leaving me rather lonely.  I need to find a way to fit in with their day but not necessarily by building train tracks and that stuff....I have been doing that for 6 years now, time to find a new direction for our time together at home.  Cara was home from school for a few days with a cold and I took a big chunk of the mornings with her doing many activities that I used to do with my first graders and that was really fun!!!  I do love teaching so much and I have so many resources here at home that I don't think to take out and put to regular use.  But I didn't want Cara to miss out on too much school (2 days) so I figured I would be her little substitute teacher and as I said, I loved it.

I am not sure how seriously Cam and Charlie would take me as their substitute teacher since they are not used to that sort of schooling but I think that is the direction I am going to head in....sort of starting my own little mini Pre K and lesson planning for it.  It seems like each winter, i get into a rut and spend more time at home and indoors so knowing that i need to counteract.

Just thoughts....

Well, Mannie is home today......couldn't be MORE EXCITED....love to not only hang out with him, but any adult conversation is so refreshing.  He has been working 6 days a week which kind of gets in the way of our REAL conversations vs. the everyday "business" stuff so we went on a little date while the kids were at school.....so wonderful....I just LOVE that guy sooooooo much!!  

Oh, the Public Service Announcement!!!  Almost forgot.....so I figured out what the problem is with the crazy Robot voice......if you have a Mac, go into applications and then utilities and there is a thing about voices......if you check into that, they have a whole bunch of crazy voices....kinda funny to hear them...I am thankful that the Mac people hadn't preset my voice to be the "scary voice"....I think there is a "crying voice" too.....I can't remember.....but it entertained me for a few minutes anyway.  

We have glue traps out for our mice issue, which haven't seen one in a while btw.....so one of them is under our dishwasher and there is a bouncy ball stuck to it....we just sort of ignore the thing at this point...but Cami comes up to me yesterday to show me her finger and inform me that she got it stuck on the trap yesterday but that, " it was o.k., no skin got ripped off when she got it loose"  How and why did she get her finger on that trap I ask.....well trying to get the darn ball free of course!!  She cracks me up.

I have been scrapping, nothing like a terrific class to inspire!!  So, I made 2 Valentine LO's....one for Charlie and one for  Cam....

and an "Everyday Life" one...

I will make a Valentine one for Cara soon.

S.O.S....I am back (Edited to add LO's from class)

Hi there....a few things I wanted to say before I write the real reason for this post.

1. Mikey, please wipe the smug smirk off your face :)

2. thank you for the nice comments, it actually feels kind of nice to think that some of you would actually miss my blog...and the truth is that I miss blogging and the inter action, I feel left out not blogging, if that makes any sense at all...that being said, I still need to NOT blog but maybe once a week...but i don't know if that would even be worth it...i think most of us check blogs each day and i know i start to get bored of people's blogs when they don't update frequently.

3. Tena....Tricia told me what you were going to write and you are soooooo funny...LOL, you crack me up...that is the kind of stuff  i already miss about blogging.

4. Echo, I totally know what you mean, it is not the same....but I am like a FB crack addict, can't stop checking in to see what all these other people are doing, it is crazy.  So, don't know what to do about this little issue i am having, i feel like i need to choose.

5. Kathy F.  I am the same as you....old habits die hard....as we see here.

6.  I have found myself thinking over the past few days things like, "Oh, I have to tell everyone (insert picture of cloud above my head of my small group of imaginary friends) about the Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken...it is so good by the way, frozen and you can have a whole wonderful meal ready in 20 minutes, no joke....not that anyone probably cares but I still feel the need to write about random things like that.

7.  I guess this is just a nice place to write my thoughts down...and feel like I am not alone, talking to myself (again, insert picture of cloud with small group of imaginary friends above my head).

8.  I have to tell you also that I went to the Oasis last night for the Celine Navarro class......LOVED IT!!!

Once again, being there with such a fun group of scrappers, so nice to get out and be with so many other people who love this hobby as much as I do....like a little "club" of some sort, like I belong to something other than the mommy club, which i love that club too, don't get me wrong.   It was FUN!!!! and we learned some new stuff, at least i did......like don't put too much paint on my paper.....how to use gesso...i really like edge distressers.....i make big messes when i paint....i still love chocolate pretzels.......all that important stuff.....oh, and I WON a stamp!!!....doesn't that always complete a night out?? winning something....it could be a t shirt and you just feel so excited that your name was called by the teacher, like i am back in elementary school ....until the thrill wears off and i realize that i have a t shirt that says Daisy D's or something and that i will only wear it to bed at night.....but not last night, i won a really cute stamp.  Celine was adorable too.

9.  Ok.....so the real reason why i am TEMPORARILY posting today (o.k...i am sure i will be back too, o.k....must check into bloggers anonymous later today.......but anyway, I have a MAC and if there are any techy MAC users who might happen to know why on earth there is a robotic man's voice telling me every letter i type and every window and application i open.....i made the mistake of leaving Cam and Charlie in my scraproom yesterday watching "Cars" on my computer and when i came back in later i saw that one of the kids, probably Cami because one of the windows opened was Aperture and she always goes on that to "edit" the birds in the tutorial....anyway, there were a bunch of windows opened and one of those windows must have had some button that they pressed that turned on this crazy DROID who will literally drive me insane pretty darn soon if i can't figure out how to turn him off!  So, that is my SOS for today.   If anyone is out there and knows.......HELP!!!

10. One last tidbit.....i finished the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.....what a wonderful book!!!  I highly recommend it, i loved the characters and the story line.....i think it would make a great movie though i don't know how they would work out the whole letter writing thing.....but it is so great, a little sad at parts, gives appreciation for what we have today and a little love story, which is always my fave.

Alright, if anyone is out there reading, hello!  If i figure out a way to blog, be on Facebook and actually tend to my kids, i will get back to you.  

Last one....I came home and found that I already had an "Apple Day" LO but that's what happens with bad memory and multiple copies of pictures.  Oh well.

Time for a change!

Hi all......I have been going back and forth on how to spend my computer time.....blogs vs Facebook.  I have loved blogging so family can check in and of course being a part of the scrapbooking community...but after long consideration I have decided on Facebook for now.

It has been so fun catching up with old friends over there.

But I can't do both,too time consuming.

Thanks for checking in over the years!!  It has been fun.

Loved getting to know so many of you and sharing our stories and projects together.

Have a good one.

Random Thoughts for the day

Howdy.

Random things for the day....

1. Sometimes I feel like I am a  Webkinz in someone's  Facebook "Friends" Collection....without the fully decorated room and gem collection of course.  Surely I would have the ice bag on my head.

2. Last week I told the kids that when they climbed on my  bed and messed it up at night, it was a "pet peeve".....I like to sleep with the covers tucked in all nice....Mannie completely pulls all the blankets off himself so his side of the bed is always a mess....but the kids just love to come over to my side and crawl under the covers from top to bottom pulling everything out....anyway, they thought "pet peeve" was the funniest thing they had ever heard.....so today on the drive home from school I listened to them laughing hysterically and repeating the words over and over....almost as funny as "poopie".

3. I got my teeth cleaned today by Miss Sheela...you know you can totally trust a friend when you let her stick sharp objects in your mouth with no worries....but I was laughing as she said something to the effect of "Remember the time you didn't come to the park!!!!".....you had to be there and hear her voice saying it.....she cracks me up.

4. Oprah had a great song," America", on her show yesterday and you can download it for free but I couldn't figure out how to do it, it wasn't working......but it reminds me of how i felt when "Do they know it's Christmas" came out....and how much I LOVE Bono!!!!!  I am feeling so patriotic these days thanks to Pres. Obama.....such a great feeling!!!   

5. I think the Obama's are the cutest family!!!

6. Cami keeps asking me when we are going to Sheela's......a layout in the making.

7. You know how my new hero is the Pioneer Woman??..which btw, those fluffy little potatoes look really good, must try that...anyway, in honor of my hero...I thought I would share Mannie's favorite recipe that I make......it is not from the pioneer woman,it is part of my friend Julie's famous enchilada recipe......except with a twist......I call it "Mexican Beef Strogonaff(spelling?)......recipe is as follows:

8 0z. of sour cream

2 tbsp. butter

1 teaspoon of coriander

garlic...i just sprinkle a little but if you love garlic, then go crazy

onion...i actually don't put any in, but again, if you love onion, then go crazy

ground beef, cooked, i just use one package

chicken broth.2 cups

1/4 teaspoon of pepper....i don't measure, just put in as much as i like at that moment.

flour - 3 tbsp.

1 can diced chili's

jack cheese.....as much as you want

chopped up  bell peppers, any color

noodles, any kind you like.

in a sauce pan....butter, garlic, coriander,pepper, onion..5 minutes melt and mix.

stir in flour, will be pasty.

add sour cream right away.

broth and chili peppers..bring to boil, thick and bubbly.

add a cup of cheese.

pour sauce into a casserole dish over  cooked noodles, meat.....add lots of cheese and bell peppers, chopped up.

oven...350, covered for 30 min....uncovered 5 minutes.

serve with some bread and broccoli....you have yourself a very nice rainy day dinner....

If you want to go the enchilada route (which is my favorite)....use tortillas and chicken...and obviously no noodles.

Anyway, it is on my mind because that is what we are having tonight.....candles and fire going....looks like rain, just perfect!!

Have a great day....feeling patriotic today...so that is what the 4th of July pictures are all about today!!

Cami

Just typing to remember.

Cami starts asking me how she can get ahold of money to buy some toy she wants.  I tell her she can do chores around the house and help clean up so she can earn money.

"Well, let's go mess up the house so I can earn money then".....says Cami.

Um, yeah, NO!

Cam and I at "The Ball".....Sheela, recognize the dress?

Peaceful Transition of Power

Prayer, poetry and song......so thankful this is how we do it here!!

I loved the poet.......I loved Michelle's dress and coat...and the little girls looked darling.....I see the theme of the day is work and service.....just what we all need for sure.  

I love all the traditions and symbolism of the day.

I felt sad for Pres. Bush, must be so many mixed emotions for him today...such a tough presidency...I know there are so many haters out there....that makes me feel sad..everyone is intitled to their opinions and beliefs but to hate some one so much who really did the best he could.....he brought me so much comfort after 9/11...I remember how scared and heartbroken I was after 9/11...he was our leader....for that I am thankful...and the man gave up 8 years of his life while we all went about our lives, some of the best years of my life actually (not because of him directly of course but indirectly he affected all our lives in many positive ways)....I want to focus on the good...yes, the war sucks and so does the economy but WE are all to blame for that...not just Bush or wall street or the banks....let's face it, we have all been a bit reckless with our spending.  I like the fact that Obama is reminding us of the amazing people who came before us.....pioneers, who didn't have  computers, cars, air conditioning, heaters, grocery stores to drive to....and on and on....they made so many sacrifices so that we could have the life we do......we are spoiled, ALL of us....and although I am grateful for everything that I have personally, I know there is so much more that I can do to help others and sacrifice.  I thought Pres. Obama's speech was terrific, very inspirational.  

Anyway, hopefully it is not all rhetoric.  I am not a political person so I tend to be a little wary of the politicians but for today, I am hopeful and happy.

I managed to get a picture of all 3 of the kids before Cara went to school....wish she could have been here to watch with Charlie, Cam and I but hopefully they watched it at school.

I love you more than.....and other random bits of nonsense!

I am just settling down from a very crowded and busy trip to COSTCO.

We had a fun day making sock puppets at Tricia's house....a trip to McDonald's....back to Tricia's for the puppet show...then Costco....i am tired.  But my house is stocked, which is always a great feeling.

Can you see which one I made(the hearts above)...I want to figure out how to send to Mannie....he will laugh.  We are such opposites, it is kind of funny!  

Jullie Vasi...hello there!!!!   Does this mean I can refer to your awesome blog???  

Oh and i am on a popover kick.....so easy to make and did you know that popovers are really good with syrup?  They taste like french toast.....and they are also really good with whip cream and chocolate syrup!!!

Well, I guess I will go, I am ready for a nap!  

OMG.....I just saw it is a little after 4pm.....so much for naps, I need to start dinner  :(

2 in one day!!

I found this cute heart site off Elise's blog.......love this idea.....can you guess what I wrote?

I am going to check back during the week to see if they post mine!! So cute!

We went to the pool today, then home for bath's and showers and have been kind of hanging around all day...feel like we maybe we could have made more of the day but Mannie has been working REALLY hard lately (6 days a week) night and day.....so I didn't want to push it.  He deserves a break, you know?  

I found a cute idea for the inauguration......have an inauguration ball!!!  I love that idea....found off some site that I googled, can't find it now.....I am so getting out my old bridesmaid dress and having a BALL here on Tuesday.....a ball with paper plates of course!!  

I wish I could be in Washington DC right now, must be electric there!!

Although, I don't think they are swimming in any pools right about now...so I am thankful for that!!  

Are you still scrapping?

Do you have more supplies than you know what to do with?  I do......ever since 2006, I have been buying tons and tons of scrap supplies....more than I will ever need.  So, I am a girl on a mission to seriously use this stuff up.  I used to want my scrap pages to look like the cover of a magazine....now I know that the pages tend to look "dated" as the years go by, so technically it really doesn't matter what your pages look like, just that you use up all this stuff!!

Not to mention the amount of pictures I have hanging around.....pictures and supplies laying around not being used up almost seems disrespectful at this point.

So, last night, I started pulling some stuff and of course I always have tons of fun scrapping anyway so I made a few pages.  

This economy is very scary....I saw that Simple Scrapbooks is closing....then Circuit City and a slew of other places......and the best is that the State of California is going to be giving us "I owe You's" on our state taxes....I mean, can you imagine???  

So, what is a girl to do in times of worry and bad news???.......why, scrap and live in the memories of years gone by ......but mostly, use the supplies that she spent lots of money on during those years gone by!!

Here is one of the story from yesterday about Cami...

And a tball one for Charlie....

Have a nice Sunday...I did go to the pool yesterday, amazing day!!! No park or pretzels though.

Off to the pool again today!  Gotta get it all in because come Wed. it will be cold again.

Have a good one.