Behind every good President. . .
. . . is a great First Lady. In honor of Presidents' Day, I chose a quote from our first First Lady.
I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition. -Martha Washington
Hey, what do you know, I'm just like Martha! I always knew this was a universal principle that applied to everyone and through all time, but it's nice to see it confirmed in writing! (I've also seen Paul write the same thing in the Bible)
Monday, February 19, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Lazy Sunday (at least for pets)
Can you get any more comfortable than this?
Susie is soaking up every ounce of heat she can!
On a more active side, I got up this morning, showered, stripped the bed of sheets, washed sheets, had coffee, read the paper, watered my inside plants,did 2 more loads of laundry and put them away, put clean dishes away and reloaded dishwasher, vacuumed stairs, vacuumed living room, moved dining room furniture and vacuumed, straightened basement for 15 minutes, scooped (Susie), changed outside Valentine decorations and wreath to St. Patty's Day stuff, went to the antique mall in ElPaso with David, bought an old metal stamp stand, went to eat at the new restaurant "Olive Branch", went to Furrows Winery in ElPaso and bought 2 bottles Catawba white wine, 2 bottles Table Blush white wine and 1 bottle Two Berry red wine, came home and put clean sheets on the bed,changed out of good clothes, had a glass of wine that was already in refrig, made a layout of favorite vacation place for BPS class, made Rolodex cards for BPS class, watched the Daytona 500, ordered pizza from Casey's and went and picked it up and that brings me up to now! And all my pets did all day was sleep!!! What is wrong with this?
And of course while I'm trying to get a picture of my new stamp stand, who jumps up on my scrapbook table? You guessed it, The Supreme Ruler of Our Home, Susie!
Susie is soaking up every ounce of heat she can!
On a more active side, I got up this morning, showered, stripped the bed of sheets, washed sheets, had coffee, read the paper, watered my inside plants,did 2 more loads of laundry and put them away, put clean dishes away and reloaded dishwasher, vacuumed stairs, vacuumed living room, moved dining room furniture and vacuumed, straightened basement for 15 minutes, scooped (Susie), changed outside Valentine decorations and wreath to St. Patty's Day stuff, went to the antique mall in ElPaso with David, bought an old metal stamp stand, went to eat at the new restaurant "Olive Branch", went to Furrows Winery in ElPaso and bought 2 bottles Catawba white wine, 2 bottles Table Blush white wine and 1 bottle Two Berry red wine, came home and put clean sheets on the bed,changed out of good clothes, had a glass of wine that was already in refrig, made a layout of favorite vacation place for BPS class, made Rolodex cards for BPS class, watched the Daytona 500, ordered pizza from Casey's and went and picked it up and that brings me up to now! And all my pets did all day was sleep!!! What is wrong with this?
And of course while I'm trying to get a picture of my new stamp stand, who jumps up on my scrapbook table? You guessed it, The Supreme Ruler of Our Home, Susie!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Grey's......
I'll admit it--ever since
Izzie screamed those strange words at George
and Derek emerged all wet and very hot from the water with Meredith
and McSteamy and McDreamy were friends again
and Alex and Addison were undressing each other with their eyes
and Christina realizes she might lose "her person"
I've completely, totally, and utterly had Grey's on the brain. So, who better to offer up a quote today than Meredith Grey.
I've heard that it's possible to grow up - I've just never met anyone who's actually done it. Without parents to defy, we break the rules we make for ourselves. We throw tantrums when things don't go our way, we whisper secrets with our best friends in the dark, we look for comfort where we can find it, and we hope - against all logic, against all experience. Like children, we never give up hope... -Dr. Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy
I feel this way all the time--like I'm just playing house and haven't actually grown up. I feel this way every single time I celebrate a birthday. This year, it was "Am I seriously 27? I can't be 27. I think I might still be a kid." My parents are constantly saying things to me that I find completely ridiculous. Maybe I react this way because I still think I'm a kid and that my every move needs to work towards defying my parents. Will I ever finally just feel like an adult?
I have to admit I just discovered Grey's. Mostly because I already feel I watch enough TV and didn't want to start watching something else when it came on. We work nights, so we tape all the shows we want to watch and then view them the next morning after work. I have a show for M-F (with 3 on Monday now). But when Lifetime decided to start running Grey's on Sundays, I made the decision to start watching them from the beginning. WOW....have I ever been missing out. I was hooked from the very first show. Now that being said.....on to the quote of the day:
I have to admit to feeling like I was "playing" adult for a lot of years. Who in the world decided I was old enough to be married? Who decided I was responsible enough to have children? When did the idea of retirement start popping up in my head? When did my children, grandchildren and even my younger coworkers start turning to me for advise? And why?
And I've had these questions for most of my adult life. And then one day it happened. My father passed away 13 years ago but my mom was still around. Then she passed almost 2 years ago and a month before that my last grandparent. That's when it happened. I'm the last link between my children and what comes after we leave this world. There is no barrier between that and me anymore. Retirement is looming ahead in the next 6-7 years, people turn to me for advise "like I know the answers", and I'm starting to feel like I actually know a thing or two about life. Decisions are easier, I guess, because I have been through things that help me get through the next thing. I truly believe each experience we encounter prepares us for the next and makes it easier to handle. So here I am, 54 and finally feeling like an adult. But don't get me wrong, there are still moments when that isn't the case, but they are fewer than they used to be. I like getting older and hopefully wiser and looking forward to all life has to bring me.
And by the way, I LOVE Dr. McDreamy!
Izzie screamed those strange words at George
and Derek emerged all wet and very hot from the water with Meredith
and McSteamy and McDreamy were friends again
and Alex and Addison were undressing each other with their eyes
and Christina realizes she might lose "her person"
I've completely, totally, and utterly had Grey's on the brain. So, who better to offer up a quote today than Meredith Grey.
I've heard that it's possible to grow up - I've just never met anyone who's actually done it. Without parents to defy, we break the rules we make for ourselves. We throw tantrums when things don't go our way, we whisper secrets with our best friends in the dark, we look for comfort where we can find it, and we hope - against all logic, against all experience. Like children, we never give up hope... -Dr. Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy
I feel this way all the time--like I'm just playing house and haven't actually grown up. I feel this way every single time I celebrate a birthday. This year, it was "Am I seriously 27? I can't be 27. I think I might still be a kid." My parents are constantly saying things to me that I find completely ridiculous. Maybe I react this way because I still think I'm a kid and that my every move needs to work towards defying my parents. Will I ever finally just feel like an adult?
I have to admit I just discovered Grey's. Mostly because I already feel I watch enough TV and didn't want to start watching something else when it came on. We work nights, so we tape all the shows we want to watch and then view them the next morning after work. I have a show for M-F (with 3 on Monday now). But when Lifetime decided to start running Grey's on Sundays, I made the decision to start watching them from the beginning. WOW....have I ever been missing out. I was hooked from the very first show. Now that being said.....on to the quote of the day:
I have to admit to feeling like I was "playing" adult for a lot of years. Who in the world decided I was old enough to be married? Who decided I was responsible enough to have children? When did the idea of retirement start popping up in my head? When did my children, grandchildren and even my younger coworkers start turning to me for advise? And why?
And I've had these questions for most of my adult life. And then one day it happened. My father passed away 13 years ago but my mom was still around. Then she passed almost 2 years ago and a month before that my last grandparent. That's when it happened. I'm the last link between my children and what comes after we leave this world. There is no barrier between that and me anymore. Retirement is looming ahead in the next 6-7 years, people turn to me for advise "like I know the answers", and I'm starting to feel like I actually know a thing or two about life. Decisions are easier, I guess, because I have been through things that help me get through the next thing. I truly believe each experience we encounter prepares us for the next and makes it easier to handle. So here I am, 54 and finally feeling like an adult. But don't get me wrong, there are still moments when that isn't the case, but they are fewer than they used to be. I like getting older and hopefully wiser and looking forward to all life has to bring me.
And by the way, I LOVE Dr. McDreamy!
Snowing again....
Well, here we go again. I was planning on going to The Paper Moon today and getting the bag of stuff from the crop room I had put aside (they hadn't priced it yet) and looking around the store for the last time. It's snowing and blowing here and getting worse as I write. The store is only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday til the end of the month. So next Saturday will be their last day. Hopefully I can get over there then. Here is the paper tower I bought.....even David likes how it looks. 
Went up to the Lake Road Inn for the Friday night fish fry last night. It was our holiday and we wanted to start the 3-day weekend off right. It was great, as usual, as only a 3-4 minute drive from home. Can't beat that!!!
Went up to the Lake Road Inn for the Friday night fish fry last night. It was our holiday and we wanted to start the 3-day weekend off right. It was great, as usual, as only a 3-4 minute drive from home. Can't beat that!!!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Trendy Tuesday #3...comfort
Trendy Tuesday 2/13/07
Today's topic: Comfort
What makes you comfortable?
This is my bed, with a good book, my reading glasses and a cup of coffee. Doesn't get much more comfortable than this.
Today's topic: Comfort
What makes you comfortable?
This is my bed, with a good book, my reading glasses and a cup of coffee. Doesn't get much more comfortable than this.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Hearts to you, sweetie!
Be My Valentine? 2/14/07
Are you a Valentines kinda person? Are you a romantic? I figured today would have to be a lovey dovey kind of quote day. My favorite love quote?
Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale -- unkown
I kinda like this because I think it describes my life! The sweetest thing in my life is the everyday - not the big and sweet - but the little things. My husband who knows that I love diet cherry coke, movie theater popcorn, and football Sundays that is the romance in my life! I like the quiet and not obvious. What about you?
This is something I think of often. I still remember the day a small group of ladies at work were talking (all desperate for a man in their lives) and one of them said "this will be the first year in a long time I will have a boyfriend at Valentines. I can't wait to get something romantic".....to which I replied...."I've got all the romance a girl could want. It's not the flowers, heart-shaped boxes of candy, candlelit dinners or wild words of love whispered in my ear. Romance and love is the guy who picks up his socks without being asked or even thinking about it, the guy who grabs the vacuum and uses it without being asked, the guy who won't let me bring in the groceries from the car but does it for me, the guy who lets me off at the door at work because it is raining or picks me up in the morning with the car warm and running in the winter, who brings home my favorite cheese from the grocery store just because I like it.......those are the things romance and love consist of".
I know some of those women did not understand me, but they are still looking for that elusive "love" they think they want and need and I already have it. True love isn't the big gestures, but the little every day things that tell you how a person really feels.
Yes, I did get candy and flowers for Valentine's Day, but I also have all the other things that make my life and relationship to my husband wonderful.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Almost Valentine's Day!
This is what I saw when David walked back in the house from going and getting the oil changed in the car (thought that was the only thing he was doing). But we are supposed to get a major snow storm and winds tonight and he wanted to make sure I got my present.
Then he had me open the white bag on the counter....and there were my favorites! Chocolate truffles from The Confectionary in downtown Bloomington. I love their chocolates and these are new ones they are making. He got extra coffee, raspberry and dark chocolate ones, as those are my favorites. I tried a rum one already and they definitely use real rum! Delicious!!!
Yipee, Valentine's Day!
Hard work pays off....
2/12/07 - Time Flies. Be Prepared!
When I recently got a new job, I heard a lot of "well, I guess that just shows its who you know." While I realize people didn't intend to be insulting... I was a little wounded by that. Yes, I have good connections - I have worked hard to make them! I hear a lot of people complain that other people have better LUCK than they do.... hmmm. I think I agree with Ann Landers:
Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them. --Ann Landers
I do not believe in "luck". If you want to use the word, then realize that we each make our own "luck". People who succeed do so because they have worked hard in life, whether it's making connections, working hard at their jobs, stretching themselves to help others or being creative. There is not luck there....just applying yourself. The people who feel they have had "bad luck" usually do not want to do what the next guy did to get where he is at. Things just do not fall into people's laps by accident, but are achieved by constantly giving your best and doing what is right even when you do not feel like it.
When I recently got a new job, I heard a lot of "well, I guess that just shows its who you know." While I realize people didn't intend to be insulting... I was a little wounded by that. Yes, I have good connections - I have worked hard to make them! I hear a lot of people complain that other people have better LUCK than they do.... hmmm. I think I agree with Ann Landers:
Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them. --Ann Landers
I do not believe in "luck". If you want to use the word, then realize that we each make our own "luck". People who succeed do so because they have worked hard in life, whether it's making connections, working hard at their jobs, stretching themselves to help others or being creative. There is not luck there....just applying yourself. The people who feel they have had "bad luck" usually do not want to do what the next guy did to get where he is at. Things just do not fall into people's laps by accident, but are achieved by constantly giving your best and doing what is right even when you do not feel like it.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
What do I fear?
Fear
I thought a good topic today would be those secret fears we all have...
I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life -- and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do. -- Georgia O'Keefe
What do I fear and does it keep me from living my life? The fears are few, but none of them have ever stopped me from living. The one real fear I have is snakes.
Do not want to watch them on TV, see them in a movie, discuss them, look at them in magazines or go into the reptile house at Brookfield Zoo (or any other zoo, but we visit this the most). I used to have nightmares about them as a child and I guess that has stayed with me.
David and I went to LasVegas a few years ago and went out to Red Rock Canyon to walk around and take pictures. He had me go out on one of the trails a distance from him so he could get a picture. Once I was out there, he yelled out to me "you do realize there are real snakes out there".....I could have strangled him. He thought he was being pretty funny and we laugh about it now, but at the time I was not amused.
Here is a 2-page spread I did for a Donna Downey class last year about fears. It talks about going to Brookfield Zoo and how my girls like to go into the reptile house, but I won't go.
I thought a good topic today would be those secret fears we all have...
I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life -- and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do. -- Georgia O'Keefe
What do I fear and does it keep me from living my life? The fears are few, but none of them have ever stopped me from living. The one real fear I have is snakes.
Do not want to watch them on TV, see them in a movie, discuss them, look at them in magazines or go into the reptile house at Brookfield Zoo (or any other zoo, but we visit this the most). I used to have nightmares about them as a child and I guess that has stayed with me.
David and I went to LasVegas a few years ago and went out to Red Rock Canyon to walk around and take pictures. He had me go out on one of the trails a distance from him so he could get a picture. Once I was out there, he yelled out to me "you do realize there are real snakes out there".....I could have strangled him. He thought he was being pretty funny and we laugh about it now, but at the time I was not amused.
Here is a 2-page spread I did for a Donna Downey class last year about fears. It talks about going to Brookfield Zoo and how my girls like to go into the reptile house, but I won't go.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Diva Weaknesses
So continuing on the diva theme (come on, the Grammy's are coming up!) Here is one of the spunkiest artists in any genre... love this tell it like it is lady, especially because she is like us!! I think sometimes it is easy to dismiss our weaknesses but they are part of us too! What are yours?
My weaknesses have always been food and men - in that order. -- Dolly Parton
My weaknesses: Food of all kinds (that way I don't have to keep chocolate and coffee in their own categories) and the other used to be baskets. Baskets has pretty much been replaced with rubber stamps/scrapbook paper.
I LOVE food....good food. I enjoy going out to eat to a good restaurant and would rather eat at home than eat fast food. I love potlucks and have to try everything there. We won't even get started on baked goods, of which my favorite are homemade fruit pies. I enjoy all the festivals in our area because the food is so wonderful. I love all kinds of food.....Italian, Mexican, German, southern. Well, just about all foods.
My other weakness used to be Longaberger baskets, of which I own a few hundred (and many antique baskets). But since discovering rubber stamping and scrapbooking, stamps and paper have taken over my weakness. I can't pass us a font stamp to save me, especially if they are the clear acrylic kind. And scrapbook paper? My room is overflowing with it. I could scrapbook every photo I will ever take and never have to buy paper again, but we all know that won't happen.
My weaknesses?.....I call them my enjoyments!!!
So continuing on the diva theme (come on, the Grammy's are coming up!) Here is one of the spunkiest artists in any genre... love this tell it like it is lady, especially because she is like us!! I think sometimes it is easy to dismiss our weaknesses but they are part of us too! What are yours?
My weaknesses have always been food and men - in that order. -- Dolly Parton
My weaknesses: Food of all kinds (that way I don't have to keep chocolate and coffee in their own categories) and the other used to be baskets. Baskets has pretty much been replaced with rubber stamps/scrapbook paper.
I LOVE food....good food. I enjoy going out to eat to a good restaurant and would rather eat at home than eat fast food. I love potlucks and have to try everything there. We won't even get started on baked goods, of which my favorite are homemade fruit pies. I enjoy all the festivals in our area because the food is so wonderful. I love all kinds of food.....Italian, Mexican, German, southern. Well, just about all foods.
My other weakness used to be Longaberger baskets, of which I own a few hundred (and many antique baskets). But since discovering rubber stamping and scrapbooking, stamps and paper have taken over my weakness. I can't pass us a font stamp to save me, especially if they are the clear acrylic kind. And scrapbook paper? My room is overflowing with it. I could scrapbook every photo I will ever take and never have to buy paper again, but we all know that won't happen.
My weaknesses?.....I call them my enjoyments!!!
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Perfection???
The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.-Anna Quindlen
I have so much to say about this quote that I'm not even sure where to start. Who are you? Truly. Without anyone telling you what to do or when. Without being influenced by catalogs, commercials, and celebrities. Without someone else's ideas about perfection. Who are you?
Perfection is a hard one for me. Maybe not with my looks, but with just about everything else in life. I fight constantly to keep myself under control. I want the house to be cleaned a certain way, the laundry to be folded a certain way, the dishwasher loaded a certain way.....well, you get the picture. I even have to shop in the grocery store going down the isles in the same direction every time or I feel confused. Maybe there's just something not right about me, or maybe I'm a little to obsessive. Not sure, but I do know that rarely do things work out perfect and I've learned to live with that. And not just live with it, but be at peace with it. I'm seeing that at 54 I'm realizing that things do not have to be perfect in order to get done or even be done to my satisfaction. If imperfect still gets the job done, what does it matter. Maybe I'll always have to work on that, but at least I'm trying.
The picture is for those of us in cold climates,,,,,reminding us that summer will return!!!
I have so much to say about this quote that I'm not even sure where to start. Who are you? Truly. Without anyone telling you what to do or when. Without being influenced by catalogs, commercials, and celebrities. Without someone else's ideas about perfection. Who are you?
Perfection is a hard one for me. Maybe not with my looks, but with just about everything else in life. I fight constantly to keep myself under control. I want the house to be cleaned a certain way, the laundry to be folded a certain way, the dishwasher loaded a certain way.....well, you get the picture. I even have to shop in the grocery store going down the isles in the same direction every time or I feel confused. Maybe there's just something not right about me, or maybe I'm a little to obsessive. Not sure, but I do know that rarely do things work out perfect and I've learned to live with that. And not just live with it, but be at peace with it. I'm seeing that at 54 I'm realizing that things do not have to be perfect in order to get done or even be done to my satisfaction. If imperfect still gets the job done, what does it matter. Maybe I'll always have to work on that, but at least I'm trying.
The picture is for those of us in cold climates,,,,,reminding us that summer will return!!!
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
My Trendy Tuesday
Trendy Tuesday 2-6-07
Have your fingers frozen to the bone? Are they all typed out? Are your hands covered in any of the following? paper cuts? glitter? paint? raspberry jelly? Are you a manicure kinda girl? Do you wear any jewelry? Your hands are a critical part (yet often ignored) aspect of your daily life.
So... for today's Trendy Tuesday Challenge. Take a photo of your hands. (scrap it if you like...) and tell me about them!
Okay, I wasn't going to post my hands like this but instead clean them up. I decided against it and just to be honest. This is exactly how my hands look after 8 hours of working at the Post Office. I spent almost the entire 8 hours touching paper (mail) or dirty cardboard and plastic trays. The paper and cardboard suck every ounce of moisture out of my hands that they have. In the winter, they crack, peel and bleed. My nails are not strong, anyway, and this makes them worse. I usually have a bandage somewhere on each hand (if not more than one) because they are bleeding and the mail keeps cutting them deeper. The containers and trays the mail come in are so completely dirty and most of it comes off on my hands and clothes. I always hate going to the grocery store in the morning when I get off work.....all the ladies there in their beautiful suits, heels and perfectly manicured hands. My clothes are dirty, my make-up has run, my hair is falling down and my hands are awful. I always wonder if they think I crawled out of bed like that!!!LOL! I keep a nail brush at work to clean them up if I know I'm going to stop....but honestly sometimes they are so sore that I can't use it on them. Such is the life of my hands. But I wouldn't go back to office work for anything. I actually like what I do!
Have your fingers frozen to the bone? Are they all typed out? Are your hands covered in any of the following? paper cuts? glitter? paint? raspberry jelly? Are you a manicure kinda girl? Do you wear any jewelry? Your hands are a critical part (yet often ignored) aspect of your daily life.
So... for today's Trendy Tuesday Challenge. Take a photo of your hands. (scrap it if you like...) and tell me about them!
Okay, I wasn't going to post my hands like this but instead clean them up. I decided against it and just to be honest. This is exactly how my hands look after 8 hours of working at the Post Office. I spent almost the entire 8 hours touching paper (mail) or dirty cardboard and plastic trays. The paper and cardboard suck every ounce of moisture out of my hands that they have. In the winter, they crack, peel and bleed. My nails are not strong, anyway, and this makes them worse. I usually have a bandage somewhere on each hand (if not more than one) because they are bleeding and the mail keeps cutting them deeper. The containers and trays the mail come in are so completely dirty and most of it comes off on my hands and clothes. I always hate going to the grocery store in the morning when I get off work.....all the ladies there in their beautiful suits, heels and perfectly manicured hands. My clothes are dirty, my make-up has run, my hair is falling down and my hands are awful. I always wonder if they think I crawled out of bed like that!!!LOL! I keep a nail brush at work to clean them up if I know I'm going to stop....but honestly sometimes they are so sore that I can't use it on them. Such is the life of my hands. But I wouldn't go back to office work for anything. I actually like what I do!
Monday, February 5, 2007
Monday, February 5, 2007
Baby, It's Cold Outside! (Monday)
According to the nerdy meteorologist's best estimates, the temperature here will not be above zero at all today. And probably not tomorrow either. I'm not even going to mention how cold it is supposed to be with the wind chill. It will frighten even the toughest person.
I didn't even consider the fact that cold temperatures make for a really unsafe environment for kiddos to attend school. Not until this very morning when my phone rang at 5:45 a.m. In a teacher's house, a 5:45 a.m. phone call can only mean one thing. . . . SNOW DAY!
You learn at a very young age that, besides the obvious Christmas break, summer, chicken pox epidemic, and the time when you realize the smelly kid who picks his boogers and eats them is sick, Snow Days are the best damn thing to happen to your school year.-Chad Stevenson
Seriously. There is nothing better than a snow day, not even summer vacation. I so wasn't expecting to have off work today, but guess what?!? I do. I imagine this is what it would be like to have a surprise eighth day in the week. I wasn't expecting it. I don't have anything planned. It's just an entire day to do exactly what I want to. I just won't think about the fact that this means there's an extra day tacked on to the end of the year. . .
What would you do with an entire unexpected day off? What is your favorite childhood snow day memory? What's the weather like where you are?
When I saw the words "snow day", my first thought was of parents that work and have to find alternative means of babysitters for their children. What is great for one person can be a problem for another. That said, my daughter works for a school and LOVES her snow days because it means she can stay home with her two girls.
I actually don't remember having snow days when I was a kid (that was a long time ago) but we did get an extra day off not too long ago for the passing of President Ford. I had a long weekend anyway and then got the extra day off, which turned out great. Right now we are snow free, but it is still very very cold.
Baby, It's Cold Outside! (Monday)
According to the nerdy meteorologist's best estimates, the temperature here will not be above zero at all today. And probably not tomorrow either. I'm not even going to mention how cold it is supposed to be with the wind chill. It will frighten even the toughest person.
I didn't even consider the fact that cold temperatures make for a really unsafe environment for kiddos to attend school. Not until this very morning when my phone rang at 5:45 a.m. In a teacher's house, a 5:45 a.m. phone call can only mean one thing. . . . SNOW DAY!
You learn at a very young age that, besides the obvious Christmas break, summer, chicken pox epidemic, and the time when you realize the smelly kid who picks his boogers and eats them is sick, Snow Days are the best damn thing to happen to your school year.-Chad Stevenson
Seriously. There is nothing better than a snow day, not even summer vacation. I so wasn't expecting to have off work today, but guess what?!? I do. I imagine this is what it would be like to have a surprise eighth day in the week. I wasn't expecting it. I don't have anything planned. It's just an entire day to do exactly what I want to. I just won't think about the fact that this means there's an extra day tacked on to the end of the year. . .
What would you do with an entire unexpected day off? What is your favorite childhood snow day memory? What's the weather like where you are?
When I saw the words "snow day", my first thought was of parents that work and have to find alternative means of babysitters for their children. What is great for one person can be a problem for another. That said, my daughter works for a school and LOVES her snow days because it means she can stay home with her two girls.
I actually don't remember having snow days when I was a kid (that was a long time ago) but we did get an extra day off not too long ago for the passing of President Ford. I had a long weekend anyway and then got the extra day off, which turned out great. Right now we are snow free, but it is still very very cold.
Finished up Christmas Journal!!!
I've actually had this done, but not scanned. Finally got that done and here it is! I did stop my journal on January 1st. Since I was already way past the time and my book is getting way too fat, I thought that would be enough memories to keep me happy.
Got some great gifts this year....
Bought 8 rolls of paper (even though I didn't need it...but it was on SALE, bought 2 Xmas picture frames for girls' pictures, 8X8 Xmas album, plus Hobby Lobby has their 12X12 sb paper 5 for $1.
Being a night worker, my sleep patterns are different, but I liked using the Pearl Ex Powder on the word "sleep" and I used the Heidi Swapp mask alphabet for the z's and painted over them with acrylic white paint.
All my favorite December things....
Our Christmas card for this year....these are a picture of Trina and myself at the Hilton Hotel in Bloomington, MN and Trina and David inside the Mall of America.
Just a little note about every month in 2006 (I've realized, looking back through other calendars, that we don't do anything in January!!!)
We are not "New Year's Evers" so this is a self-taken picture and the only celebration we do. Loved using the glitter on the letters.
My resolution page....the little "hope" clear plastic thingy at the bottom is from Close To My Heart as a gift from my friend.
Used some metal words I had "happy" and "celebrate" plus some stamps I bought just for this project.
Used up the last of my "holiday" little license plates.
Got some great gifts this year....
Bought 8 rolls of paper (even though I didn't need it...but it was on SALE, bought 2 Xmas picture frames for girls' pictures, 8X8 Xmas album, plus Hobby Lobby has their 12X12 sb paper 5 for $1.
Being a night worker, my sleep patterns are different, but I liked using the Pearl Ex Powder on the word "sleep" and I used the Heidi Swapp mask alphabet for the z's and painted over them with acrylic white paint.
All my favorite December things....
Our Christmas card for this year....these are a picture of Trina and myself at the Hilton Hotel in Bloomington, MN and Trina and David inside the Mall of America.
Just a little note about every month in 2006 (I've realized, looking back through other calendars, that we don't do anything in January!!!)
We are not "New Year's Evers" so this is a self-taken picture and the only celebration we do. Loved using the glitter on the letters.
My resolution page....the little "hope" clear plastic thingy at the bottom is from Close To My Heart as a gift from my friend.
Used some metal words I had "happy" and "celebrate" plus some stamps I bought just for this project.
Used up the last of my "holiday" little license plates.
Had a great Sunday....Yeah Colts!
I baked Marshall Fields Cinnamon Crunch Muffins to take to a Super Bowl crop I was going to at the Paper Moon (possibly the last crop I will be able to attend at the store since it is closing). They were a huge hit. David had me put the 2 mini-helmets he has of the teams playing.....the Bears and Colts. The girls thought that was great and had to take pictures of them in the basket with the muffins.
We had a fantastic time, although a lot did not get done in the way of scrappin'. Cynthia has started pricing stuff in the store and the back room, where she keeps absolutely everything you could possible want. Whenever she has bought something to sell to customers, she bought it for the back room also so we croppers could use it. Some things were not priced yet, so we picked out what we wanted and put them in bags with our names on them and Lynsey put them in the back room. I picked out a bunch of used stamps (at half price), scissors, an alphabet Coluzzle (both upper and lower case), big circle Coluzzle and 3 different idea books. I also went ahead and bought one of the lime green swivel chairs (planning on recovering it) and a paper tower. The paper tower has the EK Success plastic paper holders that has 31 trays so I can get a lot of paper in it. Thank goodness the girls helped me down with those big items (thanks to Lyndsey, Danette and Lisa for braving the freezing cold outside without coats).
Came home and David had started making the Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches. Turned out great and then we watched the game. Have to say I was pleased with the outcome. I'm neither a Bears or Colts fan (go 49er's!!!) but one of my favorite people at work is a Colts fan so I was wanting them to win for him.
That was my fantastic Sunday. Us girls at the Paper Moon are going to make plans to have a surprise party for Cynthia so she will know how much we care about her. We are all planning some get togethers in the future,,,,,because truly our friendships we have made there mean more to us than the scrappin'. Looking forward to whatever the future holds!
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Saturday, February 3, 2007
It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!I thought a quote from good ol' Fred was just perfect for today.
The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self.-Fred Rogers
I don't really have a comment on this....I will let the following information I found about Lee Marvin, Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Rogers speak for themselves.
Real Heroes
The rest of the story....
Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 at age 76, which is odd, because he always looked to be 76 (DOB: 6/27/27.) It reminded me of the following story.....
Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried in a grave alongside 3 and 4 star generals at Arlington National Cemetery. His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC) -- Nothing else.
Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer: I always like Lee Marvin, but didn't know the extent of his Corps experiences.
In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the time of war, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima. There is only one higher Naval award....the Medal Of Honor.
If that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery. = Dialog from "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson": His guest was Lee Marvin. Johnny said, "Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima....and that during the course of that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded.";"Yea, yeah I got shot square in the bottom and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi. Bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is the guys getting shot hauling you down. But Johnny, at Iwo I served under the bravest man I ever knew.... We both got the cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. That dumb guy actually stood up on Red Beach. Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main target of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He did this on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his own life.
That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi, we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me, lying on my belly on the litter and said, "where'd they get you Lee?" "Well, Bob....if you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!"
Johnny, I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew. The Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan----You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo."
On another note, there was this wimpy little man (who just passed away) on PBS, gentle and quiet. Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he now portrays to our youth.
But Mr. Rogers was a U.S. Navy Seal, combat-proven in Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long-sleeved sweater on TV, to cover the many tattoos on his forearm and biceps. He was a master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat.
After the war Mr. Rogers became an ordained Presbyterian Minister....dedicating the rest of his life to trying to help lead children on the right path in life. He hid away the tattoos and his past life and won our hearts with his quiet wit and charm. America's real heroes don't flaunt what they did; they quietly go about their day-to-day lives, doing what they do best. They earned our respect and freedoms that we all enjoy.
Look around and see if you can find one of those heroes in your midst. ----Often, they are the ones you'd least suspect, but would most like to have on your side if anything ever happened
Take the time to thank anyone that has fought for our freedom. With encouragement they could be the next Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers
It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!I thought a quote from good ol' Fred was just perfect for today.
The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self.-Fred Rogers
I don't really have a comment on this....I will let the following information I found about Lee Marvin, Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Rogers speak for themselves.
Real Heroes
The rest of the story....
Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 at age 76, which is odd, because he always looked to be 76 (DOB: 6/27/27.) It reminded me of the following story.....
Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried in a grave alongside 3 and 4 star generals at Arlington National Cemetery. His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC) -- Nothing else.
Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer: I always like Lee Marvin, but didn't know the extent of his Corps experiences.
In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the time of war, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima. There is only one higher Naval award....the Medal Of Honor.
If that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery. = Dialog from "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson": His guest was Lee Marvin. Johnny said, "Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima....and that during the course of that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded.";"Yea, yeah I got shot square in the bottom and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi. Bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is the guys getting shot hauling you down. But Johnny, at Iwo I served under the bravest man I ever knew.... We both got the cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. That dumb guy actually stood up on Red Beach. Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main target of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He did this on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his own life.
That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi, we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me, lying on my belly on the litter and said, "where'd they get you Lee?" "Well, Bob....if you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!"
Johnny, I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew. The Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan----You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo."
On another note, there was this wimpy little man (who just passed away) on PBS, gentle and quiet. Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he now portrays to our youth.
But Mr. Rogers was a U.S. Navy Seal, combat-proven in Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long-sleeved sweater on TV, to cover the many tattoos on his forearm and biceps. He was a master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat.
After the war Mr. Rogers became an ordained Presbyterian Minister....dedicating the rest of his life to trying to help lead children on the right path in life. He hid away the tattoos and his past life and won our hearts with his quiet wit and charm. America's real heroes don't flaunt what they did; they quietly go about their day-to-day lives, doing what they do best. They earned our respect and freedoms that we all enjoy.
Look around and see if you can find one of those heroes in your midst. ----Often, they are the ones you'd least suspect, but would most like to have on your side if anything ever happened
Take the time to thank anyone that has fought for our freedom. With encouragement they could be the next Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Had to think about Trnedy Tuesday....
I'm just now posting this because I had to think about a couple of the answers. But here goes............
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
TRENDY TUESDAY!! 10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1
Today's trendy Tuesday is pretty intense... can't wait to see your responses -- if we get a lot of comments/links, I might send 2 rak's instead of 1!!!
10 Favorites
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Shrimp Cocktail
Favorite Month: October
Favorite Song: Bad Company by Bad Company
Favorite Movie: You've Got Mail
Favorite Sport: Nascar
Favorite Season: Fall
Favorite Day of the week: Sunday
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Pistachio
Favorite Time of Day: 6:50AM when I walk in the door from work!
9 Currents
Current Mood: Fantastic!
Current Taste: Cinnamon Dolce from Starbucks
Current Clothes: Denim shirt, work pants & Sketchers for work
Current Desktop: Clean with coffee and today's "to-do" cards on it
Current Toenail Color: plain
Current Time: 7:34AM
Current Surroundings: Scrapbook room
Current Thoughts: My life is good and I am going sbing Sunday with my girlfriends!
8 Firsts
First Best Friend: Holly Henry in K-3 grades
First Kiss: Jimmy Fannin at the Castle Theatre
First Screen Name: Addicted Stamper
First Pet: Puddles my white dog
First Piercing: Ears in the kitchen at KFC with an ice cube and darning needle.
First Crush: Michael Pree
First CD: (or first 45)..."I Wanna Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles
7 Lasts
Last Cigarette: Never, ick, ick, ick!
Last Drink: 3 Weeks ago....a glass of wine
Last Car Ride: An hour ago to come home from work.
Last Kiss: Yesterday from Husband
Last Movie Seen: "Chicago" the musical.
Last Phone Call: Aunt Georgia called to tell me about niece's new house.
Last CD Played: Janis Joplin "I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!"
6 HAVE YOU EVERS
Have You Ever Dated One Of Your Best Guy/Girl Friends: No
Have You Ever Broken the Law: Yes
Have You Ever Been Arrested: NO!
Have You Ever Skinny Dipped: Yes, accidentally!
Have You Ever Been on TV: Yes, in a commercial at furniture store where family worked.
Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: Yes.
5 THINGS
Thing You're Wearing: Reading glasses, gold earrings, wedding ring, hormone patch & Bandaid on thumb.
Thing You've Done Today: Worked 8 hours, washed my shower curtain, fed the cat and dog, stopped at Starbucks on the way home & checked my email.
Thing You Can Hear Right Now: Washing machine, husband coughing, me typing on the computer.....and that's it. We live in a very quiet area.
Thing You Can't Live Without: God, family, coffee, chocolate & pets.
Thing You Do When You're Bored: Scrapbook, rubber stamp, flip through channels on the TV, iron clothes & play on the computer.
4 PLACES YOU'VE BEEN TODAY
Work, Starbucks, driving by niece's new house & home.
3 PEOPLE YOU CAN TELL ANYTHING TO
Kendra, Trina and Joan.
2 CHOICES
1. Black or White: Black.
2. Hot or Cold: Cold.
1 THING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE: Go to Paris.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
TRENDY TUESDAY!! 10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1
Today's trendy Tuesday is pretty intense... can't wait to see your responses -- if we get a lot of comments/links, I might send 2 rak's instead of 1!!!
10 Favorites
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Shrimp Cocktail
Favorite Month: October
Favorite Song: Bad Company by Bad Company
Favorite Movie: You've Got Mail
Favorite Sport: Nascar
Favorite Season: Fall
Favorite Day of the week: Sunday
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Pistachio
Favorite Time of Day: 6:50AM when I walk in the door from work!
9 Currents
Current Mood: Fantastic!
Current Taste: Cinnamon Dolce from Starbucks
Current Clothes: Denim shirt, work pants & Sketchers for work
Current Desktop: Clean with coffee and today's "to-do" cards on it
Current Toenail Color: plain
Current Time: 7:34AM
Current Surroundings: Scrapbook room
Current Thoughts: My life is good and I am going sbing Sunday with my girlfriends!
8 Firsts
First Best Friend: Holly Henry in K-3 grades
First Kiss: Jimmy Fannin at the Castle Theatre
First Screen Name: Addicted Stamper
First Pet: Puddles my white dog
First Piercing: Ears in the kitchen at KFC with an ice cube and darning needle.
First Crush: Michael Pree
First CD: (or first 45)..."I Wanna Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles
7 Lasts
Last Cigarette: Never, ick, ick, ick!
Last Drink: 3 Weeks ago....a glass of wine
Last Car Ride: An hour ago to come home from work.
Last Kiss: Yesterday from Husband
Last Movie Seen: "Chicago" the musical.
Last Phone Call: Aunt Georgia called to tell me about niece's new house.
Last CD Played: Janis Joplin "I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!"
6 HAVE YOU EVERS
Have You Ever Dated One Of Your Best Guy/Girl Friends: No
Have You Ever Broken the Law: Yes
Have You Ever Been Arrested: NO!
Have You Ever Skinny Dipped: Yes, accidentally!
Have You Ever Been on TV: Yes, in a commercial at furniture store where family worked.
Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: Yes.
5 THINGS
Thing You're Wearing: Reading glasses, gold earrings, wedding ring, hormone patch & Bandaid on thumb.
Thing You've Done Today: Worked 8 hours, washed my shower curtain, fed the cat and dog, stopped at Starbucks on the way home & checked my email.
Thing You Can Hear Right Now: Washing machine, husband coughing, me typing on the computer.....and that's it. We live in a very quiet area.
Thing You Can't Live Without: God, family, coffee, chocolate & pets.
Thing You Do When You're Bored: Scrapbook, rubber stamp, flip through channels on the TV, iron clothes & play on the computer.
4 PLACES YOU'VE BEEN TODAY
Work, Starbucks, driving by niece's new house & home.
3 PEOPLE YOU CAN TELL ANYTHING TO
Kendra, Trina and Joan.
2 CHOICES
1. Black or White: Black.
2. Hot or Cold: Cold.
1 THING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE: Go to Paris.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Keep on track!
2007, Day 32
Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
-Will Rogers
Remember those resolutions you set for 2007? Or the word you chose to represent your year? What are you doing to work toward them?
(I so needed this reminder today. I don't even remember what my resolutions are!)
Heading in the right direction and going in the right direction are not the same things. It's easy to start something and be heading in the right direction, but if you don't keep moving, what good is it. Going forward and achieving your goals is what it is all about. I am right on track with my resolutions....or should I say resolution (singular). Every year I attempt several things and end up quiting all of them. This year I picked ONE area and have been sticking with it. Yes, it covers several things, but it is working for me. It's the "do it when you don't feel like it and the feel like it will come". Every time I think "I really don't want to do that or don't feel like doing that" I go ahead and do it anyway. Because of this, my house is absolutely spotless, papers are all organized, bills paid, scrapbooking getting accomplished, cards stamped for everyone's birthday for the next few months, laundry is done and put away......in other words I've got my life going in the right direction (for me anyway) and I am happy and feel like I've accomplished something every day.
Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
-Will Rogers
Remember those resolutions you set for 2007? Or the word you chose to represent your year? What are you doing to work toward them?
(I so needed this reminder today. I don't even remember what my resolutions are!)
Heading in the right direction and going in the right direction are not the same things. It's easy to start something and be heading in the right direction, but if you don't keep moving, what good is it. Going forward and achieving your goals is what it is all about. I am right on track with my resolutions....or should I say resolution (singular). Every year I attempt several things and end up quiting all of them. This year I picked ONE area and have been sticking with it. Yes, it covers several things, but it is working for me. It's the "do it when you don't feel like it and the feel like it will come". Every time I think "I really don't want to do that or don't feel like doing that" I go ahead and do it anyway. Because of this, my house is absolutely spotless, papers are all organized, bills paid, scrapbooking getting accomplished, cards stamped for everyone's birthday for the next few months, laundry is done and put away......in other words I've got my life going in the right direction (for me anyway) and I am happy and feel like I've accomplished something every day.
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