Wednesday, March 29, 2006

03.29.06

Well, here she is...my mom!!!!!! Happy Birthday, mom. I hope you have a fantastic day and we can't wait to see you guys tomorrow.

This is the woman who molded, sculpted, created, and designed me. But, she still let me have enough freedom to be the person I wanted and needed to be. She let me make my own decisions (good and bad) and she patiently waited while I made them. My mother has always been the set of ears who would listen to me without ignoring me and would give me feedback that was real and honest. She is my true source of inspiration as a mother and I feel blessed to call her my mom.

Wow, what a very lucky girl I am. I have these two fabulous people in my life who have shown me so much love AND, the bonus, they are coming to visit me tomorrow!!!

Sunday, March 26, 2006

03.26.06

Today is my father's birthday! Happy birthday, dad. I sure do love and miss you. The most difficult part of not living in Virginia Beach anymore is being away from my parents and my sister. Not a day goes by that I don't think of them and wish I was there or they were here to experience some aspect of my life.

My dad has been such a constant influence in my life. For so long, he was the only man who taught me about life. He truly set the standard high for men and I appreciate that so much. His love has never stopped where his daughters were concerned...it has just increased and been more evident as we have gotten older.

I am so glad that I will be able to celebrate your birthday with you and mom this week. We can't wait for some cake and ice cream!!!

Thursday, March 23, 2006

03.23.06

Well, I received my new copy of Microsoft Digital Image 2006 Suite and it is sweet! I played around with it for a bit this afternoon and think I am going to be very happy with the update from Standard (my big mistake purchase). So, here's a silly layout I did with my new software:

Monday, March 20, 2006

03.20.06

I haven't posted in a bit. So, I thought I'd start with an ode to the things I have purchased lately!


I recently purchased a few photo decor and scrapbooking books. I really have found some new inspiration from these and I'm looking forward to putting that inspiration to use. I also have become obsessed with the Yankee Candle tarts. You burn these in a tart burner (my preferred burner is electric). I have tried some other tarts but find the YC ones the best. Went to Michael's the other day and bought 20 foam paintbrushes for $1!!! Lily wanted to know why I needed so many. My answer...I'm not sure!!! And finally, my most talked about purchase, the Target toy organizer. Mine has slightly lighter colors than the one pictured. Ours now houses the blocks, Little People, kitchen gadgets, Barbies, Barbie clothes & accessories, Polly Pockets, horses, and Littlest Pet Shop items. This is beginning to revolutionize our toy world. It is so much more fun to be in the land of toys when we can easily organize them.

So, as I discuss the above, I find that I need to put in a new tart, clean out another bin of toys to organize, and create some awe inspiring photo items. So, good day!!!!!

Sunday, March 12, 2006

03.12.06

Well, it's time again for another Nifty Nine...

1. A cool little monkey thing to add to jazz up your home.
2. This toaster just makes me smile!
3. These coasters seem a bit retro and fun.
4. Just think these wreaths are so pretty and shabby for the season.
5. Like these wine tags as a new and different twist on the wine charms.
6. These little purses are simply too sweet for words. Great craft and favor for Lily's next birthday.
7. Yet, another cute decoration for the season.
8. Loving this bunny angel for the Easter table.
9. The bottle stopper is so cheery and bright.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

03.11.06

A myriad of unrelated thoughts:

1. My high school graduation day comes in 4th on my list of happy days...right behind marriage and birth of children. On that day in June 1984, my 4th grade teacher came to my home with a special gift for me...a journal, my wonderful sisters surprised me with a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring, my parents hosted a great graduation party, and I spent the late hours of the night with my best friends.

2. I am officially obsessed with blog reading! 'Nough said!

3. It was 78 degrees today and we went to the Spring Fling Family Fun Day at a nearby elementary school.

4. I am making a yummy appetizer to take with me to Girls Poker Night tonight...Pampered Chef star bread tube bread with mayo, cream cheese, and Italian dressing spread on top and then bake. MMMMMMMM...

5. The house is so quiet right now...Shelly is napping, Lily is at a friend's house, and John is out golfing...I can only hear the click click of the keys on the computer.

So here are some recent photos of the girls that make me smile:

My silly girl with bunny ears!

My pretty girl off to school for picture day.


Shelly in the bouncy thing at the Spring Fling!


All tuckered out on sissy's lap after the Spring Fling!

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

03.08.06

Happy Spring! Well, I know it isn't really Spring, yet. But, I've got the Spring bug. I am selling a bunch of clothes and toys at a church consignment sale. So, I am getting rid of stuff and feeling fresh! I began decorating for the season and even made an angel food cake with colored sprinkles folded in and strawberries on top! So, here is my collection of springy things:
1. Candle centerpiece on coffee table.
2. Bunny plate and terra cotta pot painted by a student's mother 10 years ago.
3. Jelly bean and tulip flower arrangement made by my sister.
4. Hanging egg deco on mantle.
5. Twin headboard purchased at a consignment sale. Plan to shabby it up a bit and hopefully create a hallway bench with it.
6. Angel food cake with colored sprinkles in batter topped with strawberries (fresh...last summer and frozen).
7. Deco stuffed bunny.
8. Tall shabby bunny made out of wood.
9. Lily being silly with a double shot of bunny ears. Shelly didn't want to wear her pink pair.
10. Three-hinged bunny deco on mantle.

Ok, that's my Spring Fling of stuff for now. May add more later. In the immortal words of Lily Foster, "You just never know."

Sunday, March 05, 2006

03.05.06

I have this crazy fascination with pens. Well, I have had an obsession with pens for years, but most recently that obsession had subsided a bit. So, while in the shower (my favorite place for thinking) today, I realized it had been a very long time since I purchased some fun pens. I am a flair pen fanatic and I also love the Pilot V5 pens. I love color...pink, purple, lime green, etc. So, while out with the family at Wal-Mart (ugh, not my favorite, but today we went to the new decent one), I picked up 3 new V5 pens and 6 new Flairs...all in fun colors. I was so excited about these pens that I sat down and wrote 4 hand-written letters...that I plan to put in the US mail! This got me to thinking about email and postal mail. It is amazing how old the news becomes when you sit and write a letter. When I write an email the news arrives immediately! There is no delay and the info is right there in front of you. But, I love to see people's handwriting and enjoy the nuance of their words. I also think it is extremely thoughtful when you receive a handwritten note - something that took time to figure out. The paper, the pen, the address, the stamp...it is extraordinarily thoughtful...in the sense that it takes lots of thought! Anyway, I am rambling tonight. So, here are my new pens:

Thursday, March 02, 2006

03.02.06


Well, I thought I'd give you a real pic of me today. Here's the new hairdo!





And, I wanted to include these beautiful pictures of the girls!

The caption should read..."In My Daughter's Eyes...I can see the future!"

03.02.06

Here is the next entry in the Nifty Nine. I notice a pattern here...Think Pink!!!!!!!!!!!!!














1. Jazzy backgammon set.
2. Cool little wine glasses.
3. Fun wall organizer.
4. Love this funky bag.
5. Fluffy garland...ooh so sweet.
6. Cool rock star shirt.
7. Precious little felt boxes to hold trinkets.
8. Great lamp with pom poms inside! How neat.
9. The perfect pink addition to your cooking space.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

03.01.06

Went to a new hair girl today and loved every minute of the three hour experience! I got a cut and color job to die for! I was thrilled with the outcome and this happens about every two years...that I really get excited about my hair. I asked Lily on the way home from school what she thought of the hair cut and color and she said...It looks the same!!!!!!!! Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!! She cracks me up. Well, I thought it looked cool, new, hip, trendy, etc.

Tonight we are going to have hot dogs on the grill (yum...it's 77 here today), macaroni salad, and a yummy dessert that involves oreos, chocolate pudding, cool whip, and cherry pie filling. I am getting hungry thinking about all of this.

Oh, and after a dental appointment yesterday, I was amazed at the advances in dental practices since 1975. Not that it has been that long since I went to the dentist, but that long since I have had a filling put in. This new baby took all of about 20 minutes and it's white...just like my teeth. How cool is that? Very excited about the dentist visit!

And for the sake of having a photo, here's one for ya:
HA!!!!!! Gotcha. Not me...but what my hair is supposed to look like! If you see me, let me know what you think.