03.04.07

I have been a bad blogger. So, I am making up for it with two posts in one day. If I were on my blogs to check, I think I would have deleted myself by now. I can't stand when I have to wait more than a few days for my bloggers to update. Anyway...

Are you setting a good example??? This is a question I ask myself several times a day and many times my answer isn't always YES. I am really working on the way I say things. So many times, I think this is more important than what is said. The tone, the attitude...it all comes across and I am beginning to hear those tones and attitudes coming back to me. I'm trying to take it all in and keep this at the forefront of my mind.

I'm part of a group of women who have never met and we've known one another for almost seven years. We connected through iVillages May 2000 board and we communicate almost every day. As a part of this group, our children have done birthday gift exchanges, pen pals, and now a Flat Stanley adventure. We received Flat Stanley from our friends in Michigan and will pass him on to another board member in Colorado. When Stanley is done with his travels he will have started in Tennessee and ended up in Australia. I am so lucky to be a part of this great group of women and I am so thrilled with the fun opportunities it has opened up for Lily, as well. Lily didn't want Stanley to be lonely while he was here so she made a set of Flat friends for him. Here are the Flat friends and Lily and Stanley reading a good book:

02.24.07

This weekend we watched a couple of movies. Friday night, it was an oldie, but a goodie for the whole family..."Honey, I Shrunk the Kids". The girls enjoyed it and I wanted them to see it before our Disney trip. There is a place at MGM that has a play area similar to the movie.

Then John and I watched this movie. We enjoyed it, although it seemed a bit contrived near the end. But, still entertaining. Next on our list is Flicka and The Guardian. Looking forward to both of those.

Today, we went to church, had lunch out with the girls, went by Michael's, and picked up a few items at the grocery store. We came home and the girls and I put on our robes. They look so cute all wrapped up. It is rainy and cold here today. Feels good to be inside and warm. Thankful for that.

02.24.07

Random things for the day:

The girls and I drove for an hour and a half to this sale and I got some really pretty fabric.

Then we hit Southpoint mall and ate at The Cheesecake Factory...usually love it, but it was just ok on this visit.

We talked to the Apple guy about the ipod and he said we could have gotten a new one for $69.95 instead of replacing the things we did and it STILL not working.

Lily has gotten some really cute clothes in the past 24 hours.

I am tired.

Organized my stickers and ABCs in my scrap area...I think I will like the new system...only time will tell.

Shelly's cold is getting better...she has never seemed sick during her cold.

Lily wrote in her journal tonight...I hope she keeps writing in it for years to come...so theraputic.

Talked to my mom several times today...glad I did.

Busy week next week.

Don't let people suck the life out of you...why? Because it sucks!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are the photos:

Mom and Dad

Shelly and Dad at the basketball game

Shelly blowing a kiss

Shelly striking a pose

02.21.07

So, I have had a super productive day of cleaning and laundering! Sounds fun, huh? Also, finally figured out why my podcasts weren't loading onto the ipod. Glad I figured that out...now listening to a sewing podcast while updating the blog...loving technology.

Here are some photos from recent basketball games:

Here is the shirt I created yesterday and my stack of fabric:

02.20.07

Wow, I have been a blog neglecter. I feel badly about that, but I've been a bit preoccupied. My parents arrived on Friday afternoon and stayed until this morning when they headed back to Virginia Beach. I was sad to see them go. My girls are always weepy when they leave. That makes it harder. But, our time together was very productive. They had a chance to see Lily's basketball team play two games, my mom taught me some fierce sewing skills (like that funky phrase??), and my dad fixed the track for our trash can holder. So, much was accomplished while they were here. It was fun.

Today, I purchased more fabric. I'm as excited about the fabric as I am scrapbook paper. It really thrills me. I also completed my first sewing project unaided. I cut out a little image from some fabric and sewed it on a tshirt for Lily. Was it perfect??? No way, but it was mine and it was my first attempt at doing something I had imagined in my head and brought to reality. And you know what? That part was really cool. I'll post a picture of the not so perfect shirt tomorrow.

Tonight, I am thinking about the fact that my 3 year-old is still sleeping (happily) in her crib and wears diaper with no inclination to begin going potty. I think it is quite humorous. Had she been my first, I think I might possibly be drenched in tears right about now. But, since we've BTDT (been there done that), I could really care less. Really!! Now, I am sure others are grossed out by the idea that this cute little thing doesn't use the potty or want to snuggle in her big girl bed (situated right next to her "cribby"), but so be it. Don't all children have their odd little crutches...from bottles, to pacis, to didis, to thumbs, to whining, to napping, to temper tantrums...and on and on. So, really, who cares. This too shall pass and when she's far from home at age 25, I'll think about her at age three snuggled up in cribby wearing her diapies.

02.14.07

As promised...more Valentine's Day photos from the middle of the day! The cupcakes are iced and ready to go...photos soon. Lily had a half day of school and she has been dancing around the house ever since she got home.

Shelly in her red dress

The girls sharing some LOVE

Lily getting her groove on to Fergie!

02.14.07

Happy day of Love to one and all. Here are photos of the beginning of our day and I'm sure I'll be back with photos of the middle and end of the day, as well.

Lily getting ready to go to school.

Some paper hearts for John..sprinkled in various places (in the car, by the cereal bowl, by his toothbrush...) Making heart cupcakes in a RED bowl, of course!

02.10.07

Ok, two posts in one day! So, here goes...I took out the sewing machine and found that the thread and bobbin were all ready to go. I ran a couple of stitches on the square pillow and stuffed it with some polyfill to make a little doll pillow. After that, I got a little big for my britches and thought...this is a snap. So, I attempted the little heart shape. It was not as easy. So, back to another doll pillow and I felt accomplished. This was the first time I have turned on a sewing machine and used it...ever!!! Wondering why the thread is white and the pillows are red?? That's what was in the machine and I felt I better wait for the arrival of MOTHER before I messed with changing out the thread or the bobbin. That will come later. So, here's to my first day of sewing and hopefully many more to come.

02.10.07

Getcha, getcha head in the game!!!! If you are a High School Musical fan your with me on that one. Lily played another great game of basketball and here are some of the photos from the game:

Kind of a nice slow weekend in store. We are currently waiting for the phone guy to show up again! He's suppsed to be here any time between 12 and 8!!! Wow, that really narrows it down, huh? So, if you call and there's a 15 second period of no speaking...hang in there, my voice will appear again.

Now, for some final photos:

A trio of nuts...eating some nuts

02.07.07

*don't let the actions or attitudes of others, steal your joy* Found this great quote at that site. Think it's a great one to remember...so easy to let that happen.

Just found the very first digi layout I created and wanted to share it:

The picture was from March of 2005 and the girls just look so tiny to me. Just thought it was fun to see an old photo and layout.

I have been cleaning, straightening, and purging like a fiend today. I was so excited to find the cord and pedal to the sewing machine my aunt pass down to me. It has been missing for quite some time and I was ready to just borrow my sister's (my mom's old) machine. But, now I could potentially be up and running SOON!!! So happy about this. Stay tuned for some hand sewn crafts...ha ha.

Hope this Wednesday find you happy and healthy.

02.04.07

Super Bowl Sunday! Usually I am a bit into the big football game, but this time around not so much. My plan for the evening...whip up some French Onion dip and eat it with chips while catching the commercials during the game. Not really caring who wins this one. Will pass on the big clubhouse event this year and just relax with my cold and Ben-Gay in my own home. Looking forward to that.

Here are some digi layouts that I did with the photos from the previous post. Happy Super Bowl to one and all.

02.03.07

February is here. The month of a million birthdays!!! Seriously, between friends and family we have a bunch of birthdays to celebrate. Here are the names of those special people: Faith, Stacy, Kim, Paula, Melissa, Linda, Kaitlin, Mom & Dad's anniversary, Kyle...well, hmmm, that doesn't really look like a million birthdays, does it? Anyway...

So, we had that ridiculous snow day on Thursday and guess what...no snow! I mean about 20 flakes fell and they all turned to water...rain! The girls were out of school for rain...and not even very much rain. Crazy. Here are some photos of the girls attempting to catch snowflakes:

I whipped up a double batch of Stadium Mix last night and bagged 'em up. I am planning to pass them out to random neighbors today and tomorrow. Hope they don't think I'm too corny. Well, I guess they all probably do anyway...c'est la vie, n'est pas???

Lily and Shelly did a little extreme makeover on their mother today (I guess that was a subtle hint!) and here are the results...note the hair barrette and heavy eye makeup, nice?