Day 35 - Stamp Camp

Last Saturday of the month is usually Stamp Camp at Carrie's church in Washington. It runs from 10am til 2pm. The first half of the time we make a scrapbook page Carrie has planned, with stamping included. We stop and have lunch (with everyone usually bringing some kind of snack) and the second half we make 3 cards that we stamp. The nice thing is Carrie gets everything cut, all the little pieces trimmed out for us. Basically all we have to do is maybe stamp a few things, and adhere everything down. There is usually some type of punch involved also. We have a lot of fun and there's tons of talking!
The card on the left isn't finished yet....I want to add something of my own. The card in the middle is supposed to have a sentiment on the white part, but I didn't want to stamp the "happy birthday" Carrie had because I never know what I'm gonna use it for. That way I can stamp my own words later. The card on the right is done.
This time one of the girls just came and cooked for us. The kitchen for the church is in the next room so she made "Mexican bread" that was fabulous. Everyone got a copy of the recipe from her. I'm gonna make some tomorrow to go along with our ribs for the Super Bowl!

Day 34 - Black Bean Penne

Posting my pictures on Shuttercal.com every day. Plus you can add "friends" to look at their pictures every day. Some of the scrapbookers who are doing the "Project 365" are posting there so I've added them to my friends list. One of the gals, TenSGal post a picture of this good looking skillet dish the other day. I asked her for the recipe, bought the stuff at the grocery store yesterday and made it today. We both liked it a lot. The only thing different, she added Cajun spice (I didn't have any) and I added red pepper flakes. Will definitely be making this again.

Day 33 - Grocery Shopping

We went grocery shopping at Schnuck's in Normal after we got off work this morning. We LOVE shopping in the morning like this because there is no one in the store and all the shelves are stocked for the day. Schnuck's has great fruits and veggies, which we always seem to run out of so quickly. We ended up spending $265.79, but that was 2 grocery carts full. Glad that's over and that David enjoys doing it with me because it's not my favorite chore and hate doing it alone.

Day 32 - Capresso

Getting my coffee pot ready for tonight when we wake up. I looked around for quite awhile before buying my Capresso. I got on a message board and asked several ladies about machines. A few that had actually worked in coffee shops recommended the Capresso. They can only be bought at high-end stores and coffee shops. I got mine at The Garlic Press in downtown Normal. I've never had a minutes problem with it and the ladies said it should last a lifetime. It retails for $180 but I got it cheaper than that....but if I never have to buy another coffee pot, it is worth the money.

Day 31 - Towels

Once again, it's "sleep all-day Tuesday" so there won't be much going on here. David cooked while I did laundry. Just got some towels folded and going to put them away. Won't be up long today....

Day 30 - Postman

Just a random shot today, as there is nothing much going on. This is one of my favorite Hummels.....called "Postman". I guess one of the reasons I like it so much is because my dad was a mailman. Also, David and I both work at the Post Office, so this has some meaning. I love the way the sun is shinning off it.

Day 29 - Surprise 50th Birthday Party

Cynthia's husband, Randy, planned out the surprise party for her. Her birthday was actually the 15th of January, but he had to work around certain schedules for their 3 boys. Several of us scrapbook ladies had just seen her last Sunday at our page-swap, but she didn't have a clue. Her mom was there and the 3 boys plus a lot of their friends. We all had a good time. It was at a bar & grill in Morton and there was lots of pizza and cake to be had by everyone. (but I was good and only ate 2 pieces of pizza and no cake.) Didn't get home til around 5pm.

Day 28 - Scrapbook Day

This was the day of our monthly scrapbooking session. Rachel and Trina were sitting in the chair watching "Sponge Bob" before we got started. They both worked on prom pictures, Kendra worked on her Christmas album and I worked on my Christmas Journal.
We had homemade chili for lunch with extra onions, shredded cheese and sour cream for toppings. There was veggies and dip for snacking. And fortunately the girls ate up the rest of our "peppermint ice cream sandwiches" from Christmas. We wanted to get them out of the house since we are trying to eat healthy.
And there is a boy who lives right here in Hudson that the girls invited over for a little visit later in the day......(teenage girls!).
They did have to leave a little early this time because Kendra and Bill were going to their Christmas party for Bill's work. They were off to the Concklin dinner theatre in Goodfield.....Bill doesn't know what he's in for!

Day 27 - Baby Shopping

David and I work with Bill Sanders and have known him for years. Him and his wife, DeeDee, helped plan a dinner out for us after we got married with some of the people from work. We've known Bill's 2 kids, Chad & Erika, since they were both tiny. Erika and David even have the same birthday.
We were at Erika's wedding a couple of years ago, which was a HUGE affair. She had won both big prizes at a Bridal Fair in town and it was fantastic.

She just gave birth to her and Justin's first child, a little girl named McKinley. Bill is such a proud grandpa and so excited to share the news with us. She is a beautiful little girl. So of course, I had to go shopping for little girl clothes. Went to Von Maur because I know from shopping there for my 2 granddaughters that they have fantastic looking clothes. This is what I finally picked out. Don't ask how much the 2 pieces cost........they were worth it!

Day 26 - Good Mail Day

Got that exciting yellow "Mail Pickup Notice" in my Post Office box this morning. Knew I had a couple of things coming, so wasn't sure what it was. Turned out to be my Back Porch Memories January Kit. Beautiful Bazzil textured card stock, "together" Chatterbox patterned paper, red glittery letters, a page of stitched felt page accents, bunches of different red buttons of different materials, crocheted ribbon, velvet ribbon and embossed ribbon, and some deep red "pearls". Great kit and was so excited opening it.

Day 25 - "Yes We Can"

This picture was taken from a photograph in the Pantagraph newspaper. There was a whole section in there entitled "A New Era: The Inauguration of Barack Obama". I will definitely be keeping that. This was quite a proud day for America. I have DVR'd the ceremony and will watch it later when I have time. I just love listening to him speak. He is a very intelligent man and write most of his own speeches.

There are several other pictures as well. I took a couple more below:

Day 24 - Page-Swap

This is the page I ended up with in the page swap. It is Amy's and I LOVE it! I've already got pictures picked out for it. I'll post it later when I get them on the page. Amy is a great scrapper....and she has almost every QuiKutz that there is.

Day 23 - Poinsettia

Bought our poinsettia back in early December at Walmart for $10. It was huge and still is. Like the way it looks sitting in the sun. Hopefully I will get another month or two out of it.....

Yesterday's page-swap was fantastic. I ended up with Amy's page and will post it later this week. It's a page I will use and already have pictures picked out for it. My page ended up with Chris. Got home around 5:30pm. It was snowing like crazy in Peoria with huge flakes but doing nothing when I got home....YEAH!

Day 22 - Me & Joan

Went to my page-swap today and had a fantastic time, as usual. When Joanie arrived, we realized we were both wearing pink quilted tops with sweater sleeves. How cool is that.
Anyway, I got a fantastic page....and it was the one I really wanted. Will post a picture of it another day. As for now, it's time to relax and watch a little TV.

Day 21 - Page Swap Layout

Tomorrow is our page-swap day. It is at Sarah's house in Peoria. We are to take some kind of dessert or snack food. I think I'm gonna bake some cookies that I didn't bake at Christmas.
This is the layout I made, as she said the theme was Christmas or winter. I just finished it about a half hour ago. The picture doesn't show it, but there is glitter on the trees on the paper, the snowflakes, the word "believe", on the bell and on the green chipboard scallop on the bottom. Looks very festive in person.

Day 20 - Magazines

We stopped at the Hudson Post Office on our way home from work this morning. Guess what was waiting for me????? Three, count them, three magazines all for me! What a great day. And I like the way they kinda all match and look nice together. Guess I've got some reading to do.

Day 19 - Quilt

Since it's sooooo cold outside today (-16 on the way home at 6:30am), there really isn't much going on for picture taking. Today is one of those pictures around the house with a story.
Once of the girls David and I used to work with (she's no longer with the Post Office) decided she wanted to start making quilts. She asked me if she could practice on one for me. We went to The Treadle (fabric store) together and picked out something that would match in my house. It's actually called something about "waves in the ocean", but the elements look like hearts to me. Anyway, I have this hanging at the top of the stairs. Karin Searifin made this for us in December of 1994.

Day 18 - Feeding Birds

It started snowing around 4am and didn't stop until we were driving home this morning at 6:30am. We always turn the bird bath upside down in the winter so we can put bird seed on it. Frank next door came over and gave David his snow blower to clean out the driveway; and when he came inside, David changed his clothes. Then he remembered he hadn't feed the birds. So he put on his boots and went out to take care of it. Now it's 8:30am and it has started snowing again. Very Pretty!

Day 17 - "Sleep All-Day Tuesday"

David and I both work nights with Saturday and Sunday nights off. So when we get up Monday morning and have to go back to work on Monday night, we have little sleep. We've taken to calling Tuesdays "sleep all-day tuesdays" because that's pretty much what we do!

Day 16 - Brads, Snaps, Eyelets & Hugz

Didn't have a lot going on today, so I thought a picture of something in my scrapbook room would do. In fact, that's probably what I will do....on the days when there isn't much activity, I'll just take random shots around the house.
Love this plastic unit from the hardware store for holding my metal stuff.

Day 15 - "Harry Potter" Weekend

I had a really bad week at work last week (I mean REALLY bad) and David suggested that I sit down, do NOTHING, drink some wine and watch my Harry Potter movies (last weekend I had watched the Lord of the Ring extended series). Sounded like a good idea. I can't tell you how good I feel right now. I'll be ready for this next week when it starts!

Day 14 - Icy Morning

We work nights and when we got off this morning at 6:30am, our car was covered in ice. David said he couldn't hardly get the passenger door open. Roads were slippery but we made it home safely. This is our 2008 Pontiac Torrent in the garage.....

Day 13 - Watched "Pirates" on TV

Turned on the TV and one of my favorites was on.....love all 3 "Pirates" movies. There's nobody like Captn' Jack Sparrow!

Day 12 - Rugs Have Arrived

Ordered 2 new runner rugs for the upstairs hallway. The ones we had never laid flat and I know these will because it's what we have in our living room & dining room.

Day 11 - Glasses

Okay, a pair for my purse, my scrapbook bag, the computer, scrapbook table, family room end table #1, family room end table #2, my bathroom upstairs, night stand, football room, living room, kitchen drawer, my lunch bag for work, 2 sunglasses for car and 1 for inside....think I have enough glasses? Had Lasik surgery a few years ago and only need them for reading sometimes, so they are everywhere!

Day 10 - Susie in Dryer

I was folding clothes from the dryer and guess who decided she wanted to check things out. Fortunately they had been were not warm towels or I would never have gotten her out of there!

Day 9 - MP3 Player

I was off work for a week and half at Christmas and haven't used my MP3 player, so I thought I should get it charged up. I use it every single night at work and don't know how I ever lived without it!!!

Day 8 - Stuffed Green Peppers

David is making stuffed green peppers, but the stove is getting rather messy.....still they tasted great.

Day 7 - Wall Vinyl

I took the "Get Organized & Be Inspired" class at Big Picture Scrapbooking last year. It was taught by Wendy Smedley, who wrote the book (The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker). She made a deal with Adornit.com to make wall vinyls. So after months of having this, I finally put it up in my room. Love how it looks.

Day 6 - Clean Scrapbook Room

This was the start of my second day in the "messy room". Did manage to get the entire thing clean.

Day 5 - Messy Scrapbook Room

I set aside 2 days to clean my craft/scrapbook room, because I knew it would take that long. Here is what I started with....and the rest of the room looks just as bad!