SCRAM THIS

That's what it has come down to...a "SCRAM THIS!" (aka Christmas party) party for Ian at his public gifted class. They aren't allowed to call it a "CHRISTmas" party so...their little genius minds came up with an anagram of CHRISTmas to refer to it as! Not quite as good as being able to call it what it really is but pretty close IMHO.

They actually have Christmas trees here in the public schools. I'm pleasantly surprised Christmas trees are still allowed in the schools these days (and that Mr. BIG G-MAN hasn't put a halt to that yet). That said, I am soooo grateful we live where we do. I couldn't stand living in some states (say CA) where you'd probably be thrown in jail for having one in the school (insert severe sarcasm here).

They are not "Holiday Trees" people! They are CHRISTmas trees! Call them what they are.

POSITIVELY...

...strep! Got the definitive word from my doc today. Happy to have my $1.94 bottle of Cephalexin and I am looking forward to feeling better soon.

Hoping to post some pics later (after catching up on 5 days of negligent housekeeping!)

Down for the count

...but hopefully on the upswing. I've been battling some bug the past few days. One of those knock-you-on-your-butt-and-remember-not-to-take-your-health-for-granted-kind of bugs. I think I am overcoming it...I THINK I am...Hope to post again soon-but I have a few days of cleaning and bill paying to catch up on.

Build-A-Bear Birthday Fun

So, Boo had a few friends over yesterday, to celebrate his birthday belatedly. A little hot chocolate, a few Lil Smokies pigs in a blanket, a bit of sewing and a whole lotta fun!

Dialogue with a Sleepwalker/Talker

So Mick gets home last night and apparently he aroused our eldest from sleep.

The conversation went like this:

Ian: "Who ARE you?"

Daddy: "I'm your daddy!"

Ian: "I'm sorry. I'm just SO tired."

Daddy: "That's ok. I didn't mean to wake you up."

Ian: "Ok. When Daddy gets home, tell him "I love you". "

Daddy: "Ok. I Will. Good night buddy."

"CHANGE" for the worst

Received this pic via email recently. I have to say, I think I'm ready to paint one up myself and place it on the edge of our property where everyone can see it. Happy to see and hear that people are starting to see the real "wolf behind sheep's clothing."

Happy Mail

This little number made it's way to my doorstep yesterday...and the Design Cards arrived today. Let's just say I quickly put the laundry away so I could play with the new machine while watching The Biggest Loser tonight.

Tiquing and Fleaing with my SIL and MIL

...I came across these lil treasures. How sweet and precious are the Rudolph(-ette)deer? And a steal at $10 for the pair! These lil gems definitely help put me in the Christmas spirit.

All Choked Up...

...over the relocation of this priceless photo (and many others) that have been missed since 2002! I had been mourning the loss of these pictures for YEARS! Ask any family member-they know how I am about my photos!

A HUGE thank you to my DH and my dear BIL who made it all possible by spending countless hours trying to retrieve these pics off our ancient home computer. Love you guys!

If you Like to Crochet...

...check out Danielle Thompson's blog for November 28. She has posted some super cute pics of holiday crocheted projects-including an A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E gingerbread house. Definitely makes me want to better my skillz with the ole hook!

Thanksgiving Blessings

Today, I'm thankful for:

• my loving and forgiving God
• my freedom and those who have fought for it and continue to fight for it
• my health
• a house full of family, food on the table and a roof over our head

Slice, Slice Baby!

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Yep, that's right...I finally (thanks to a little enabling from my DF Lexi) purchased a new (Old color blue) Slice machine today. And I got 2 design cards Just Chillin and New Vintage Findings to boot! Only bummer...I missed out on the Fa la la card. Sigh.

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Quote of the day

Ian was just looking over my shoulder at Ali Edward's blog. He was looking at her DD and then at my DD. He said, "What makes hers any better than yours Momma?" I explained to him that she is a world reknown scrapbooking artist. To which he replied,

"Well, you are like an Undercover Pioneer Woman."

I'll take that compliment and run with it any day of the week, month or year! (Love this little man).

So very grateful today...

...because we finally may have a remedy for Ian's lifelong stomach problems. We just got back from our (insert wonderful) chiropractor today. He adjusted Ian and already he is a totally different kid. He was beaming on the way home he felt so much better. He said he didn't know that his back and neck were so stiff until they were loosened up. He didn't know that wasn't "normal." He actually was twirling when he got into the kitchen area. I only wish we had tried this medical route years ago...SIGH.

Today's Gratitude

...few days behind b/c out of town-celebrating a dear friend's 30th birthday.

So...to catch up...

Grateful for Lexi, Paula, Barb, (who couldn't be with us this time-dag gum it) and Julie, whose friendship and understanding are a true gift from God

Grateful for the opportunity to get a much needed reprieve from motherhood and domesticated duties before a whirlwind of holiday gatherings

Extremely grateful and surprised to come home to a sparkling kitchen remodel! (Seriously, no remodel done but an extremely well done deep cleaning of cabinets, countertops and refrigerator/freezer). God bless you Blue-Eyed Boyz-you made my day! It was so wonderful to come home to this surprise as I had a whopper of a sinus/allergy headache that was ravaging itself on my grey matter-to the point of nausea.

Hopefully, tomorrow I'll have a few pics from my weekend fun. We'll see how the day goes...

Today's Gratitude

Today I am grateful that I got a chance to play tennis outdoors-just one more time-until spring!

Ok...I just had to..

...post this video from when the boys were wee lil ones!

Gratitude November 18

Today I am grateful for all of the memories shared with my dear "Gramser" who, if still living, would be 98 years old today.

I am grateful for:

• summers spent with her and Grandpa in Washington
• Christmas vacation spent with her and Gpa in Florida @ Sun-N-Fun
• Norman Rockwell Thanksgivings where she made a beautiful multi-course meal beginning with with nut cups and mints before the big feast and ending with delicious pumpkin and pecan pies for dessert. (She really could've competed with Martha-and won!)
• being treated out to Hardee's breakfast biscuits complete with the "Good Morning Egg" sticker
• countless games of Scrabble played on her coffee table, kitchen breakfast bar, dining room table, trailer in Florida...
• the lessons she gave me on being a "lady"; etiquette, manners and how to conduct oneself
• the importance of writing thank you notes
• trips to Peoria shopping at the mall and grabbing a slice of coconut cream pie at the end of our excursion
• cheese hot dog and chocolate milk lunches consumed in her sunny kitchen while the "Noon Siren" sounded
• the smell of Chanel No.5 and how whenever I smell it-I immediately have fond memories of her
• her patience in teaching me how to play Scrabble-I started very young 4-5 with 2 and 3 letter words. Gma never minded (as long as I made sure to leave a place to play the "q"!) As I got older and better, I started beating Grandma. She didn't like to lose but I sensed some pride in her for teaching me to play the game so well.
• grateful for sharing the game of golf with her and the love of crossword puzzles and reading
• all the times she took me to the community pool, park and putt-putt course
• trips to Ben Franklin for a treat or two
• that we share birthdays that are only a few days (and of course decades) apart
• her knowledge and love of all things Audubon; she was always watching and listening to the birds (She especially loved owls!)
• the unspoken special, unique bond that we shared; I always had the patience for Grandma's shortcomings that drove others in the family bonkers, and she, well..she always had the patience for me!
• years of sending "Good Morning Egg" love notes to each other through the mail
• all of the times I would scramble to find a hiding spot for the "Good Morning Egg" note before I left for home; trying not to let her see where I'd hidden it in hopes that she wouldn't find it before I eft for home. Smirking to myself with pride as mom or dad backed down the driveway from her house, thinking "this time I really found a great spot!" It was always a fantastic challenge for me to try to pull it all off. I know she enjoyed the "thrill of the hunt too." When she'd come to visit us, I'd try to sneak the note into her purse, coat pocket or suitcase before they departed for home.
• her Happy Hour, out-of-this-world-DEE-lish-lick the last morsel out of the dish good, "Etta dip that she made accompanied by Pringles and Fritos
• letting me watch Wimbledon in the back bedroom for hours-b/c she knew how much I loved the game
• watching Jeopardy and "The Wheel" together and racing each other to the answers!

• So many awesome memories I have of my Grams-too many to count here-and for that I'm really grateful! Thanks for the memories Grams. Miss you so much. Happy Birthday! :)

Today's gratitude

Today I am thankful for the friendship I have with Lexi. Our paths crossed due to a mutual friend and a shared love of scrapbooking, photography, family and faith. I got to spend a wee bit of time with Lexi today. She is radiant, inspiring, witty, talented, intelligent and beautiful (inside and out). She is a true blue friend (despite her love of the color orange) and I am really grateful to know her and to have her in my life.

Ms. Lexi is celebrating her Big 3-0 this weekend. If you want, head on over to her blog, see a little bit of her creative genius, and wish her a happy birthday! :)

Merry Making on it's way soon!

I just preordered this for my December Daily album. Chock full of goodness and all things vintagy-I can't wait to play with this scrapping yumminess! ( I hope it gets here soon!)