Half way there

Thank you so much for all the well wishes. I'm feeling better today. My head and neck is still messed up, but I will go to the chiropractor for a crunch to take care of that in the morning. I'm officially half way through my Christmas cards. 120 are completely done! Yay me! The problem is that I bought my cardstock from the bazzill warehouse sale, and I didn't know it, but every sheet has a bar code sticker on it. That would be fine if your using it for a scrapbook page, but when your making cards, it makes it to where half of my cards have the flippin' sticker, that isn't the easy come off kind of sticker, so I'm frustrated and card making has come to a halt. Apparently I'm going to have to go get more stinking clover green cardstock....uggg...

So what are all of your plans for Thanksgiving? We are going to Casa Grande to my in-laws house. I'm making pies...pumpkin, cherry cream, strawberry cream, banana cream, chocolate cream, apple, and pecan. Plus I'm making cream corn, sweet potatoes and deviled eggs. We always celebrate Thanksgiving with Mark's family and Christmas Eve with my family. I really enjoy this time of year and I'm thankful for so many things. Although I am always aware of the blessings in my life, Thanksgiving always has me counting my blessings more than normal. Gratitude is such an important thing in life....I'm even grateful for trials because it makes the good stuff that much better.

Random thoughts

Not appreciating the little bar code stickers on my paper

Ran out of duck adhesive. I get mine in the 4 pack. Went to Wal-Mart to get some more and was asked if I was old enough to buy it. WHAT? Hello...it's tape people?!

KFC for dinner...not so good. I guess I should have cooked instead of buying food on Sunday.

Sick to death of spam emails. I'm so not interested in latin lovers, asian singles, online education, auto loans, creditors be gone, refinancing or ring tones! GRRRRR!

I got my paper craft gourmet magazine from Heather. Thank you Heather!...I got to look through it last night. So many great ideas and recipes. I love it!

Some of you wanted to see my scraproom in bigger pictures. I put them on 2 peas a while back, so you can see them full size. Here's the link.


I'm so glad that I'm not the only food and beverage hider

I'm equally glad that not just my kids lie about taking things. I get so tired of hearing the "I didn't do it" and the "it wasn't me" lines. At least I'm not alone and some of you have children that suffer from this denial affliction.

We got to talk to Chad for a few hours this weekend. That was so nice to catch up on things since he's been gone. He is getting so excited for graduation and coming home for Christmas.

Watched Nacho Libre last night. (2nd time) I can never get those 2 hours back again.

Who is decorating for Christmas Thanksgiving weekend???....I am!!! :o)

Short post

Is this mean or what?! I couldn't help myself. We have a mini fridge in our bedroom that we keep soda, bottled water and vemma in. I buy sodas for the kids, but once theirs is gone they sneak into mine. It makes me crazy when I know that I have one left and I'm saving it for dinner. I go to get it and it's gone! GRRRR!!! I only have energy for a few random thoughts tonight because...
I am sick!...dangit!!! Why must they share their germs with me?

Today I am so thankful for my bed...and my bathroom

I really want a pepsi!

I did make the clock and thank you!

Michelle does have a website. It's called Tiffany's room. It's under construction, but you can still contact her.

Mark took the motorcycle to get me pepsi...problem is I don't think he plans on getting it in this city.

Brittany cooked dinner...thanks Brit!

Those people out buying those playstation 3's are just plain CRAZY!

Cole's nurse called and said he's been in 20 times this year...sigh...had to have a talk with him about that.

Tomorrow I get to talk to Chad...yippee!

My head and tummy hurts...very dizzy too!

I didn't leave the house today. Didn't think driving while dizzy was a good idea.

I DID get my pictures YESTERDAY. Not bad since I ordered Monday afternoon. The mailman hid them. Mark found them. He won't come near my front door because he is scared to death of Cinnamon and doesn't know she passed away.

Perhaps I will leave a note for him in the mailbox.

We didn't get to have date night tonight...Mark is so sad!

If I feel better in the morning maybe we can still do our Saturday breakfast together.

It's nice to see so many new faces as well as my old friends too! Thanks for visiting and commenting! You seriously make me happy!

Hey! my pepsi is here...so is some kids soda to distract them from mine.

Back to bed for me...have a great weekend!

Crafty things

Look what I got finished today with the help from my new friend Michelle. She has her own vinyl company and is very reasonably priced and a sweetheart to boot. I painted these projects last month, but wanted her to be able to get through some big events she was doing and Halloween before I bugged her to do my vinyl. She is the same one who did the vinyl for my cute jars. I SO LOVE these pieces and plan to order some more as family Christmas presents. The established one I hung in the entry way by my front door. The bigger one will be downstairs in the family room, but I need to repaint that room first...problem is I bought the paint months ago and I can't remember exactly where I hid it from myself. I hate it when I do that! My family room is already red and the paint I got is a deeper red. There are a lot of scuffs and dings. It just really needs to be freshened up...especially for the holidays. That is a project for me and Brittany. :o) I have an idea for that wall that I'm excited to try. I'll share pictures when I'm done.

I'm thinking that random thoughts is going to be a staple on my blog because I can say a little blurb about things without telling a whole long story or things that don't really have the need for more that a one liner. I like that I can just get things off my chest and out of my head....and since it's my blog I can do pretty much whatever I want. :o)

Today's random thoughts...

Cody is better today...still got a call from the nurse regarding a rash on his arm. It's always something. :o)

Got a call from Cole's school nurse too...he had a headache

Maybe my boys just like the nurse...hmmmm...

I always smile when I walk in the room and click refresh and see that there is a new comment

I am so easy to please...it's just silly how easy. :o)

Baby Mark has a little cold...so does Kyle

Our employee Eric is VERY sick today...bad things are coming out of every part of his body...ick! (TMI)

Mark had a full schedule on his own after Eric went home early

My pictures are not here yet, but should be here tomorrow (Friday)

I don't HAVE to have my cards done by Thanksgiving...I just want them done so I can turn my focus to other fun things to do with my family.

Really wish I knew where I put that darn paint!

I'm outta here...I have cards that need to be made. :o)

I'm a winner!!!! :o)

Guess what??? I WON this very cool magazine from Heather D White as a RAK (random act of kindness) How cool is that!!! She asked for people to post their favorite holiday recipe on her blog, then she drew out a name and it was ME!!! As most of you know, I LOVE to cook, bake and make cute things that make a statement or just add that special touch to show that I care, so THIS magazine is PERFECT for me. I'm so excited to get it and thank you so much Heather. It is genuinely appreciated. Here is the recipe I shared with her. You all have to try it...it's so good...I'm honest!

Pumpkin Freeze

2 cups crushed ginger snaps

1/3 cup melted butter

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

1/4 tsp. Cloves

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp. Ginger

1/8 tsp. Salt

1 quart of vanilla ice-cream

Mix crushed ginger snaps, melted butter and 2 Tbsp. brown sugar. Press into a 9X13 pan. For filling mix together pumpkin, 1/2 cup brown sugar and the spices. Then fold in the ice-cream. Pour and spread over the crust. Cover and freeze. Cut into squares and serve. I like to sprinkle more crushed ginger snaps on the top.

I got a 5 page letter from Chad. They won't let them eat the cookies I sent until this weekend. How's that for NOT FRESH! They did however let him smell them. The sergeant even got a big sniff. :o) He has been having chest pains and wouldn't go to the hospital because he didn't want to delay graduation. They finally made him go to the infirmary. The pain was from rapid muscle growth that cramped and pinched nerves. He has put on over 20 pounds of muscle in the short time he's been there. Get this...even with the severe pain, he has ranked 1st place in every single competition. He's even broken some records at that base. They have been more than just a little impressed with his performance there. That boy of mine is something else! I'm so proud of him. In his letters I can see how much he is growing...not just physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. It's been great to see. I miss him so much! We get to talk on the phone with him this weekend. I'm so excited!

I think I'll finish up with a few more random thoughts...

66 cards done...174 to go. Have to do 40 a day to finish in time

Found my sandals...and my keys!

A 7th grader throwing up in his second hour is not a cool thing

Mom having to pick him up is not so cool either

My floor is still not clean :o/

Kittens attacking you in the night is kind of scary

It's not cold outside until you go fast on a motorcycle...Brrrr

My new name with the Star Riders is "Pinky" :o)

I really need to replace the ink in my photo printer

I'm happy that I can "see" Missy's blog again

broken sprinkler pipes equals big dead spots in my new lawn

Seriously can't wait to get paper craft gourmet

Truely grateful for all of you

Loving Arizona in November!

Help wanted

I had some help with the cards today...at least she thought she was being helpful. The reality was...not so much!
Yup! Not even on the clock 20 minutes and I find her sleeping on the job...and to think I paid her in advance with kitty treats...sheesh!

Random thoughts and stuff...

no make up

hair pulled up

stretchy pants and comfy t-shirt

not so pretty, but I'm comfy

47 cards done

mine and Mark's laundry is done

my kitchen is clean

my floor is not clean

pot pies for dinner

in my defense I did make a great dinner last night

hate construction on the way to Kyle's school

can't find my sandals

sick of popping out the center slits of leaves

adhesive smells funny

Cody de-pantsed Brek in the kitchen...not a pretty sight...shudder..

got a shipping email from winkflash this morning...so fast!

really hate 9th grade bullies that pick on 7th graders

enjoying my caffeine free pepsi with my teeny sonic ice

looking forward to Thanksgiving and pie making

Have boy hair on me from giving a hair cut

really wanting a shower and a good nights sleep

hoping all of you had a wonderful day! :o)

Let there be light

Get this! I just wrote this whole post and POOF it was gone when I went to publish. Some error....grrrr! Then blogger wouldn't let me upload pictures for a good 30 minutes. Trying this again. If it doesn't work, I'm going to bed. Too darn tired to try a third time. Crossing my fingers, ankles and my toes! Do you remember way back in June when I painted two of the bathrooms a spa blue? Well I bought light kits for all 3 bathrooms, but the Coca-Cola bathroom light has been in my closet all these months. Brek is working as an electrician. Tonight he said "I can put that up for you mom." It was cute! Thank you boy! I love it!
(From when Brek worked for us)

A few people have asked me what we do for a living, since I've mentioned that we own our own business. We own and run a truck mount steam cleaning business called First Call Carpet Service. We have been in business for 10 years and Mark has been cleaning carpets for 16 years. We have 2 vans that run full time and 1 truck that runs part time when we need it, so we are a small company. If any of you Arizona girls ever need your carpet, upholstery or cars done, give Mark a holler and he will schedule you in. (602-989-9411) He's not one of those crooked guys that quotes you a price, then walks out the door with major damage to your pocketbook. Honesty and good work has always been important o us.
Okay...so I changed my mind. The other picture had too much glare on Chad and it bugged me, so I switched to this one. I ordered wallet prints from winkflash today. It was .39 for 4 prints to a sheet. I asked the lady at Wal-Mart and she said it was .58 for 2 to a sheet....well no ma'am...I don't think so. I can't afford that. In our business it's feast or famine...currently famine, but next month could be feast. We never know. It just depends when our bigger accounts decide to pay us. Jen asked who took the pictures. I brought my camera, tripod and a button pushing nephew. I set it up and he snapped away...whala!

Thanks for all of the sweet comments. You guys are the best...honest!

Christmas card pictures

ACCCKKKK!!!! We took loads of pictures today and not one turned out good!!! Do you have any idea how hard it is to get 9 people and a picture of a person to cooperate all at the same time for pictures??? Seriously...it's insane!!! First of all, Cody didn't smile in any of them, so I had to take him out of the factor when trying to narrow down my decision. We had blinkers, non smilers, Chad's picture with major glare, baby crying, you name it, we had it going on. As you can see I decided to go with wearing camouflage at the Army National Guard base (in the museum part) They won't let you take any pictures outside. I thought since Chad is at boot camp right now, he'd like to know that we are all thinking about him and want to make sure he is included. His girlfriend Sandy is holding his picture. She's a doll! Please tell me it's okay, because I don't have the time or patience to re-do them. Here is the message that will be on the inside of the card with the picture. I hope it's large enough to read.

So did you all have a nice weekend???

And so it begins...

Thought I'd share part of the card making process since it's all I'm really doing lately, besides tending to family needs, of course. So far I lots have nice neat stacks of cut paper. The rest of my chatterbox paper came in today so I just finished cutting that. I started on the quickutz flowers and leaves, but that is going to take a few days to finish those. The messages for the inside have been printed and cut. The only elements still missing are the pictures, mailing labels and stamps. I actually think I can pull this off by my deadline, but it's not going to be easy. Two weeks and counting. I think I work best during crunch time anyways. :o)

Brittany is sick today...some icky stomach thing....poor girl! Tomorrow my kids have no school because of Veterans day. I had no idea until this evening. I know...good mom, huh?! :o) I let them have a cousin come spend the night, so they are happy campers. I'm going to the chiropractor tomorrow for a crunch because something is out in my neck. I've had vertigo for the past two days, so my head doesn't feel so good. If I lean over it sends me into a spin...which in turn makes me feel nauseous. I'm off to bed. Thursday night means I get the remote...at least until Mark gets home from his ride. :o)

Be sure to honor the Veterans in your life!

***Updated*** All 240 poinsettia flowers are cut and all 480 leaves. My sister Rene came over yesterday so I could help her plan a 3 week menu, and in turn she cut all the leaves while I cut the flowers. I have 10 cards done...230 to go. Plus all the Merry Christmas from the Georges have been adhered to the red squares. Family pictures tomorrow! It's coming along.

Christmas cards of past

This will be my 5th year making Christmas cards. Last years were my favorite. They were just fun and cute! I made 200 cards that year. These two pictures show the front and the inside of the cards. Some years our pictures are on the front of the card and some on the inside...depending on the design. Last year had both because I couldn't resist using the silly one too. 2004 I stamped all of that on there. It took forever and my fingers cramped beyond belief. 200 cards this year too.

I couldn't find the cards from 2002 and 2003, byt this is the photo I used for 2003 It was navy blue, simple but cute. I can't even remember the design of 2002, but I remember we were all sitting on and around the diving board of the pool wearing different colored solid t-shirts and jeans and Cinnamon was in the picture too. That was before I had digital cameras. I made 100 cards in 2002 and 180 in 2003. My list keeps growing every year and I don't even give them to everyone I know. There is just no way I could do that. So to answer your question...yes I am really going to make 240 cards. Actually I've spent most of the day working on them. This is why I normally start October 1st and why I was stressed about not getting the Chatterbox paper early enough. I am WAY behind schedule. It's crunch time to get them in the mail by Thanksgiving weekend. :o)

Tuesday's happenings

Today was Brittany's dad's birthday and she wanted to make him a scrapbook page he could put on his bulletin board at work. We both worked on it together. It's a lot like the one I did for Carter. Brek and Brittany had dinner with her family tonight and she said he loved it.A close up of the layout
Do you see what I see??? Yup! Those are fishies...just like the cute little one Mark had while he was in the NICU. Jen sent it to him. Wasn't that just the sweetest thing ever?! Thank you so much Jen! We all appreciate your kindness. I'm getting batteries in the morning for it. He is going to be one happy baby!

Okay...here is the Christmas card design that I finally decided on. It was such a frustrating thing when I hated everything I did. This one I can live with. I so love Chatterbox paper. I picked up the valentine ones today appropriately called the Love shack...so dang cute! It's still a lot of stinking work when you think of making 240 of them...1 down...239 to go. :o) Not to mention the fact that I still need to take pictures and order 240 wallet size prints and write a cute little message inside. Anyone interested in card making assembly line work??? Didn't think so! :o)
I almost forgot...tonight me, Mark, Rodney (Marks brother), & Cam (Rodneys wife) went out for a motorcycle ride. We noticed a car behind us swerving and hitting the curbs on both sides and he almost hit us. We forced him to stop and Rodney asked him if he was okay and told him how he was driving, then the guy took off. He reeked of alcohol. We called the police and described the car and told them the direction he was heading. We wish we could have gotten his keys away from him. I hope the police caught him before he hurt someone. The thought of a drunk driver on the road makes me sick.

Okay...you know you're up to late when your eyes are burning and it hurts to see.