15 Step Program

You may or may not know that Tim & I thinking of trying to start a family later on this year. I was sent this 15 step program advice from Erin - I think I'll start tomorrow:

Thinking of having kids? Do this 15-Step Program first!

Lesson 1 -

*Go to the grocery store.

*Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.

*Go home. *Pick up the paper. *Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2 - Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...

*Methods of discipline.

*Lack of patience.

*Appallingly low tolerance levels.

*Allowing their children to run wild.

*Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training,table manners, and overall behavior.

*Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3 - A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...

*Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound)playing loudly.

*Eat cold food with one hand for dinner.

*At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.

*Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.

*Set the alarm for 3AM.

*As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.

*Go to bed at 2:45AM.

*Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.

*Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.

*Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive).

*Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4 - Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...

*Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.

*Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.

*Stick your fingers in the flower bed.

*Then rub them on the clean walls.

*Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.

*Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5 - Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.

*Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.

*Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that noneof the arms hang out.

*Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6 -

*Take an egg carton. Using a pair of scissors and a jar of paint, turn it into an alligator.

*Now take the tube from a roll of toilet paper. Using only Scotch tape and a piece of aluminum foil, turn it into an attractive Christmas candle.

*Last, take a milk carton, a ping-pong ball, and an empty packet of Cocoa Puffs. Make an exact replica ofthe Eiffel Tower.

Lesson 7 - Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.

*Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.

*Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.

*Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.

*Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 8 -

*Get ready to go out.

*Sit on the floor of your bathroom reading picture books for half an hour.

*Go out the front door.

*Come in again. Go out.

*Come back in.

*Go out again.

*Walk down the front path.

*Walk back up it.

*Walk down it again.

*Walk very slowly down the sidewalk for five minutes.

*Stop, inspect minutely, and ask at least 6 questions about every cigarette butt, piece of used chewing gum, dirty tissue, and dead insect along the way.

*Retrace your steps.

*Scream that you have had as much as you can stand until the neighbors come out and stare at you.

*Give up and go back into the house.

*You are now just about ready to try taking a small child for a walk.

Lesson 9 - Repeat everything you have learned at least (if not more than) five times.

Lesson 10 -

*Go to the local grocery store.

*Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice).

*If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat.

*Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight.

*Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys.

*Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 11 -

*Hollow out a melon.

*Make a small hole in the side.

*Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.

*Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.

*Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.

*Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.

*You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 12 -

*Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street, Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon.

*Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years.

*I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?

*Exactly the point.

Lesson 13 -

*Move to the tropics.

*Find or make a compost pile.

*Dig down about halfway and stick your nose in it.

*Do this 3-5 times a day for at least two years.

Lesson 14 -

*Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required).

*Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years.

*You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 15 -

*Start talking to an adult of your choice.

*Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem,shirt-sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 14 above.

*You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

I have....

no excuse. I just haven't really had any 'hot topics' to blog about this past week. And I can't really even think of anything tonight. Had a great weekend with lots of relaxing, productivity, (which included planting flowers, but didn't include scrapping - I tried...but it didn't happen). I have no pictures to show for the weekend & tonight I'm super tired. See - aren't you glad you're reading this blog?

I will try to be better.....next week.

I have a certain blog-stalker extordinaire to celebrate this weekend - I'll for sure be back with pictures from that adventure (she's turning 30).

Until then, I may be on a break...unless I can think of something exciting to post in the next few days. Don't give up on me - stranger things have happened! :)

Okay...

Here it is people: I'm going to eat better & go to the gym. Here's my deal: I've planned 5 healthy & delicious dinners for this week & we will cook them. No going out until Friday night. Friday night I will eat fish & veggies. No soda, no ice cream, no going to Starbucks more than once a day. AND, I have also made it a goal this week to go to the gym 3 times. I went tonight - so that's one.

Why the sudden change? Well, there may or may not have been an incident last week with someone's pants being too tight (and they shouldn't be) & (no, I'm not pregnant). So, this someone has decided to start being a little more conscious of meal planning & going to the gym. This person likes being at the gym once he/she is there - but the getting there has been tough lately. So, this person is putting it on her blog so that those of you who are still reading it can ask her about it & she will have to tell you the truth about how her plan is going.

Carrots will now be my friends. Not chocolate. How sad.

I'm off to bed. Hopefully when I'm sleeping I won't notice my tummy is growling... :)

Happy Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!! We will be celebrating at school all day tomorrow. It's a big day when you're 8....or 30.

Tonight our lovely friends Ben & Amanda Pants came over for an early Valentine's dinner. The boys cooked while the girls sat back, drank wine, & chatted. It was super fun. And my the dinner they cooked - it was fantastic!!! Thank you to my wonderful husband for spoiling me, yet again.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

No Time...

No time to post. Too busy commenting on 'other people's' blogs. Apparently I'm a little too comfortable with my Google reader now & I don't go into the actual blog to comment. I thought this was okay, until I was threatened. Don't worry, I have my private investigator on it. Everything will be fine in a few days...

More Scrappin'

Look! I'm early! This week's prompt was issued by my good friend Kristi. Her challenge was 'for the love of friendship'. What does friendship mean to you? Who do you turn to with the good & the bad? Who do you confide in? Here's my take on her challenge:

Front:

Back:

And also catching up with the Paper '08 challenge. The prompt from 2 weeks ago was to journal one day in your life. A time capsule for 'today'. I chose to do this past Sunday. Here's my page:

52 Card Scrap-Up & More...

This past week while Andrea was here, we embarked on a new adventure - transforming the dining room into scrapbook land. With Tim's permission, I have mostly moved from the office into the dining room with my treasures. Yes, I still occupy the small space in the office, but scrapping is going to take place in the other room - so I can spread out more. Andrea helped me pick out some baskets for the bookcase & we re-arranged it to hold most of my things. Here's what it looks like now:

Andrea's prompt from last week was 'struggle'. After a very difficult week for her & her family, she wanted to know what we were struggling with. Mine is a little lame, but I truly do struggle with it - I need to be better about making time for the gym.

Front:

Back:

Catching Up...

I'm returning to blogger land after a fun filled week with My Andrea & E. Last weekend (Jan. 26-27) my parents came to visit & stayed one day with us for my dad's birthday day. We were happy to see them (it had been several months) & enjoyed our short visit with them.

The next day, Matt, Andrea, & Ethan arrived at our door. On Monday (last week) we had a snow day - what great timing, no? So we played & played. That day Matt & Tim both left for business for the week - so Andrea EE & I had the place to ourselves. We spent our time scrapping, reading magazines, relaxing, baking cookies, playing with Ethan, eating delicious food, going to Starbucks at least once a day, & non-stop talking. One night we were up until past midnight just chatting. So fun. On Friday, all boys returned from their separate adventures.

Andrea & I declared Saturday girls day out. We went up to Portland & hit the mall, the bagel shop, Whole Foods, & of course Starbucks. It was a wonderful day of just 'us'. That evening after dinner with our beloved boys, we went to see this. We both liked it a lot & felt adventuresome that it was 'a late movie', (meaning we left the house after 9:00 pm).

Yesterday was church & a Superbowl Party. Basically a lot of yummy food, Ben & Amanda thrown into the mix, & lots of girlie scrapbooking again. I was able to catch up on 52 Card Scrap-Up & the Paper '08 Challenge. I'll post those pics later. We had a wonderful time just hanging out & talking...some more.

While Andrea was here - we found this fabric that I'd been looking for on clearance at Craft Warehouse. So...I bought it & she made me a purse from it. I L.O.V.E. it!!! The inside pockets are a lime green paisley pattern that matches. SO FUN!

Here are photos from some of our adventures from the week.

The new purse & fun drinks from places we'd been that day...

Homemade cinnamon rolls for Sunday morning - yumm, yumm! (Yes, I helped too).

My Andrea & E

Take #5 of scrappy madness on the dining room table this week...

Thank you Matt, Andrea, & Ethan for coming. We so enjoyed having you stay in our home for the week. Come back again soon! We miss you...

Number 2

...#2 snow day for me this week that is. Monday was a snow day & today is miraculously a snow day! The first snow days of the school year & it couldn't have come at a better time either as I have some *special guests* this week. Beautiful snow outside, toasty warm inside, scrapping, playing, reading magazines, making cookies, surrounded by some of my favorite people - what more could a girl want?!

Happy snow day to us!!

Kiss Ball & 52 Card Scrap-Up

Yes, I said kiss ball. How cool is this? I was shopping last night at Target with Amanda & we found this lovely Valentine decoration. I knew it must be mine. I love it (which is ironic since it's a Valentine's decoration, no?). So here she is in all of her glory....

The kiss ball

Moving on...this week's 52 Card Scrap-Up challenge was hosted by yours truely. I chose 'January Bliss' - what makes you happy in January. Here's my card.

Front:

Back:

It's currently snowing a little bit - which is a big deal for Salem. A snow day won't do me any good tomorrow though - it's teacher in-service day...we have to go come rain/shine/or snow.

'g night!

The New Do...

Here it is. While this isn't the greatest pic - it gives you an idea of the front & back of my hair. Maybe tomorrow I'll get another photo of the new hair. It's SHORT!! But, I needed 10 inches in order to donate, & I'm happy to say I had 10 inches, 2 millimeters. : ) My paperwork is filled out & the ponytail will be sent to Locks of Love on Tuesday. Yeah!

Back view:

And here is a photo of my new earrings. I tried taking a pic with my camera, but wasn't able to do it justice. Ignore the price - that isn't what we paid... :)

So Good...

So far this weekend has been wonderful. I'm always a fan of 3 day weekends, but this one has been extra special. Too many good details to get into right now - so how about a list of the top experiences so far & I'll be back later with pictures.

1. Spending Friday night/Saturday morning with Nicole & having a wonderful girlie time together
2. A clean house - laundry, bathrooms, even the baseboards were cleaned yesterday!
3. 3 Peas Pasta for lunch from Wild Pear - thank you my sweet husband
4. Naps (yes, plural)
5. Spending time with my sister & my nieces...love them all dearly
6. CUT!!! Laura cut my hair last night for Locks of Love....sending it off this week - pictures of the new short do coming later
7. Princess cut diamond earrings - SOOOOO excited about this - more on this later
8. Sleeping in
9. Brunch with Amy
10. Still have tomorrow to enjoy too - looking forward to some more girl time with my MAT friends & a manicure.
11. Chatting with my girls on the phone
12. A letter in the mail stating that I've paid 1 of my student loans IN FULL!!! (2 to go)
13. Crop-a-dile - in lime green!

So good...

Here We Go Again...

It's late. I should be in bed. But no. I have to show you my newest LO's. What has gotten into me? Oh & My Andrea...Tim has agreed to let me take over the dining room space...watch out - here we come!!!

My LO of me & Amanda

Close up view:

Nellie & Mia on Christmas Day:

Close-up view & journaling:

Okay, seriously. I need to go to bed. Must have sleep. Will be crabby tomorrow to innocent children if I don't. Good night....

52 Card Scrap-Up & Paper '08

Tonight Amanda & I had a scrapbooking evening. We made Chinese chicken salad for dinner - it was delish & then got to our scrappin'. I'm happy to say that in that time I completed two 12x12 LO's, my Paper '08 challenge for this week, my 52 card scrap-up for this week, & I even made a birthday card for a friend. Whew!

Here is my Paper '08 page. The challenge: 'What's Next?'

52 card scrap-up. The challenge this week was from Erin: 'New Year, New You'. (Front)

Back:

A Few More...

Here are the last my latest 12x12 LO's. My friend Amanda is coming over tomorrow for some scrappy goodness - so I will have more to share with you in the next few days (I hope!). These pictures aren't the greatest, but it gives you an idea...

Me, Erin, & Nicole at the beach 2 summers ago (ignore the flash in the middle of the photo - it's not really there). :)

Tim & I at Christmas with our crowns.

That's it for me! Have you visited Andrea's Etsy shop yet? Go there now - after you leave a comment here... :)

More Scraps...

Here are a few more pages from my Christmas journal. If you want to see the whole thing, come visit me (& no Kelly, you don't have to pet the cats - it's just recommended). :)

Nellie & Mia at the Candlelight service

Journaling

My cute nephew, a few weekends ago when they came to visit.

Nellie & Mia this summer at St. Cupcake watching the cupcakes being made...

And you may have noticed an adorable addition to my sidebar? Knitty Bitties...it's My Andrea's Etsy store. She's filling it with all kinds of goodness - you must check it out. She's currently naming her aprons girl names - & they are adorable. And if you go now you can get in on her Valentine's Day specials. For only 4 easy payments of $39.95 - and if you call now we'll throw in a new car!! Oh wait, that's another announcement.

Last One Tonight...

...I promise. I think this is post #4 for me tonight & that's about 4 more than I usually do on a Monday night! I'm just so excited to share all of my fun scrapping. Here are just a few pics to show you what I've been up to. Tomorrow I'm hoping to add an album to my side bar with all of my scrappiness from late.

Yesterday afternoon Nicole came over & we had 'the perfect afternoon'. We took naps (yep, we did!), went to Starbucks, scrapped, had Cheeseburgers for dinner (just for you Erin), & then played Mario 3 on the Wii. It was SO, SO great. All in all yesterday I finished catching up on Paper '08 with Week #2, did six 12x12 LO (for those of you who know me, you know I don't do 12x12...but for Christmas my mom got me a 12x12 American Crafts scrapbook & I need to put things in it...once I got started yesterday I couldn't stop!!), & then I decided to create & finish my Christmas journal. Whew! After that...I went to bed.

Sneek peek at the Christmas journal:

My first 12x12 LO. Here is me & my sis from last summer at my dad's graduation from college.
(It's sitting on the American Crafts album - the pink & neutral brown backgrounds are not part of the LO):

Me & My Andrea at 4th of July. This is my current favorite photo of the two of us:

Okay, seriously...I'm done for tonight. Stay tuned for more photos from this weekend's escapades & hopefully some exciting Etsy store announcements tomorrow!!

Saturday Night Dinner...

This weekend we went to Ben & Amanda's house for our first 'dinner'. Yes, we've been to dinner at their house many a times...but this evening was different. We each chose a recipe to cook that we hadn't cooked before from Fine Cooking magazine. Amanda made the main dish & we were in charge of the side dish & dessert. She made this delicious chicken & Tim made fabulous curry green beans. Both were very fancy & it turned out to be a wonderful evening full of food, friends, fun, & games. What more could a girl ask for?

Amanda's chicken dish...isn't it pretty?

Tim's fancy beans

Amanda with her chicken :)

Hanging out...

Paper 08 Adventure

Here are some more photos of my Paper 08 book.

Cover (again):

Inside cover:

Back:

Week 2: My Souvenir for life: