This chick is fascinating!

almost a YEAR with no posts - that's truly sad.

2012-01-16T10:54:00.000-05:00

I'm a little surprised I knew the password. Just read my last post - funny thing - I went to Return to Oz yesterday. If your a bargain shopper - I highly recommend it! Now that I have a 2.5 year old, I like it more, yes the great clothes - but there are toys in every room!! Coloring books and crayons, and just little toys so your kids aren't in the next room.

Which brings me to what is on my mind now - the adventure of life with a 2.5 yo. Last night, at about 9:15, (we'd had a very late dinner) Daisy, decides to climb up the outside of the stair railing - so she is about 6 feet off the ground - saying "look at me, Mommy, look at me". I come out of the kitchen and look up to find her. My blood pressure instantly rose. It ended fine. Please Lord, watch over her and me.

Yard sale season has begun!

2011-03-28T10:38:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday was the first Saturday we hit the Sales! Of course, we got a later start and had to drive to Arlington to attend the Tossed and Found Sale. We bought NOTHING. It was very light on children's items, very very dark (my Mom thought she accidently had her sunglasses on), Daisy was not happy in her stroller, and prices were high. There was a pile of jeans marked $10.00 per pair, but not seperated by size so I was going to be digging for a while and the first pair I picked up were from Old Navy meaning they retailed at the bright clean store for what 16.50? My opinion was definately the minority as people were leaving with bagfuls!

Next I headed to the Wee Sale in Annapolis. Again I bought nothing but only because I only need a few things for Daisy, really looking for toys. I did find a Gap embroidered jean jacket that I loved but $27.00 and no willingness to discount turned me off a little. They did a really cool thing and seperated out all of the gymboree clothes but when I walked in did not mention it, so I could have easily missed it.

Since we were in Annapolis, we headed to Return to Oz Consignment store. This store never disappoints. I found 5 great pieces for Daisy including a mini Boden beach cover up - so cute!! Since I am not a single digit clothing size, clothes for me can be tough but I found a great pair of Seven jeans for me - for $15.00 and a pair of ferragamo shoes too!

Photos coming soon...

What I miss the most

2011-03-15T15:30:00.000-05:00

On April 7, 2006, (I still have my confirm email!) I signed up to attend the inaugural Creative Escape. I loved Heidi Swapp. I spent the next 5 months first working to get the money to pay for this trip (a LOT of babysitting) and second participating in a yahoo group with swapps (weren't we clever!), circle journals, and matching t-shirts and hats and tours and trips. It was a day that forever changed the course of my life and the event was better than I ever thought possible. The friends I made, I still keep in touch with (Hi Peg! and of course Mel! and Julia English, CFE (who I miss soooooooo much), kathleen L, Kristin, ). I traveled to see some of them. When I plan a vacation, I make an effort to get together with some. Many sent gifts and cards and emails when Daisy girl was born.

And lately I have found myself missing those friends, and the swapps, and just my whole scrapping world. Peggy blogged about it too. We had no idea when we signed up, what we would become a part of. How women from around the world would meet for a weekend and connect over a love of paper and glue. I had been a SU demo for years and never made friends like that (even my fellow demos and I weren't all that close).

The next two years we went to Vancouver, and then CE again (where I added the shopping tour and I have to say that was one of the most fun days of my WHOLE life), and then Scrap Etc in Nashville and then I got pregnant (we did do a NYC trip that was smaller but still lots of fun!!!).

But nothing has ever compared to that first event...

way too long

2011-03-14T22:59:00.000-05:00

after 6 months of not one word, this could either be a novella or super brief. The long and short is Facebook, blogging fell to the FB side. But FB does not allow me the freedom to just drone on and on... so maybe I am back.

all is well, I have some great stories to share. But it's late - I'm only even up this late cause of DST.

Upcoming blog posts are Things I hate, Gearing up for spring yard Sales, my very deep and symbolic dream, royal wedding(or am I the only one who has contemplated taking off April 29 from work to watch it in all it's morning suit glory?). If anyone is actually reading this comment about which one you would like to read first.

UH oh - I have 8 more books on my summer reading list -

2010-08-26T15:46:00.000-05:00

I would like to tell you about something kind of fun that I did this summer. A gal I work with has a daughter going into fourth grade. L is just about the cutest kid, you see - big brown eyes, little curls and she has spunk. She tells you stories that crack you up but she is sensative - I like this kid. Well, she shared her fourth grade summer reading list with me and I ended up reading about 10 books on the list over the course of the summer. Some I found at garage sales and some I requested from the library. They were all easy reads usually only took a night or two to read. But all great books.

They were in case you want to check them out too!
The Penderwicks: a summer tale of four sisters, two rabbits, and a very interesting boy by Jeanne Birdsall
Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan
The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
Bunnicula: a rabbit tale of mystery by James Howe (I actually had already read this one)
The Doll People by Ann Martin and Laura Godwin
The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming
Fourth Grade Fuss by Johanna Hurwitz
Fudge-a-Mania by Judy Blume
Honus and Me: a baseball card adventure by Dan Gutman
The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Graighead George

Everything really is as good as you want it to be!!

2010-07-14T14:21:00.000-05:00

Today is my birthday - boatloads of people over on FB have told me so. So I woke up in the middle of the night and do what midle aged people do went to the bathroom. I thought to myself - 30 Freakin 8. (Yes I don't even cuss when I talk to myself.) But then I started to wake up a bit and I thought wait I was born in '73 and this is 2010 so that's only 37. Wow 37 - that's young. That is the new 27! I have lots of life left. And at that moment, I realized that is pretty much how I look at my whole life. 37 is good because I could be 38.

I spent the next two hours from 1am to 3am, thinking about all my problems and then finding the bright side. Not married - ah no dirty socks to pick up. Small house - ah less to clean! Old car - ah low insurance! Rambunctious child - ah happy and healthy!

Speaking of child, Is she not the most adorable girl you have seen? Oh and I spent the rest of my awake time picking out birthday gifts for myself on Etsy. I can always spend time there finding great stuff.

Happy Birthday indeed!

51 weeks!

2010-06-01T15:50:00.000-05:00

D's birthday is one week from yesterday. A whole year. Of firsts. Not only first holidays but first June 12ths, and December 10ths. Even though I took about 1000 pictures - there are thousands of shots that I missed.

I adore my child. Being her mother fulfills every dream I have ever had in my life. And she is a little spitfire, she is strong she drags some heavy toys around the house, already wants to help carry in the bags. She would walk a mile to touch paper - hoping I have a future scrapbooker on my hands. On sunday mornings when I want to read the ads, I let her have one to tear up. Cleaning up that mess allows me 15 minutes to read the paper in peace.

her latest cuteness is saying Hi. it came out of nowhere.

I could blog every day about how sweet and cute and fun she is. And she has some beautiful blue eyes. And she looks at lot like her momma. her little hair around her neck has just a touch of curl to it.

I love her more than I ever knew I could love anything.

Trader Joe's - GOOD!

2010-03-17T11:59:00.000-05:00

There are a few Trader Joe's stores close to me - mostly closer to where I shop. Usually, I pick up a few items to add some pizzazz to my otherwise ho hum and frugal Weis shopping. But on Christmas eve, I stopped there and had about 30 minutes before the store closed to get Christmas dinner purchased. (There is nothing like the last minute to have you throw money at a situation!)

I picked up meat, and veggies and whatever else. I also bought pie crusts because I planned to make a strawberry pie. Then Kim arrived with dessert so I saved the pie crusts. Sunday I finally made the quiche I had been threatening to make for months now. I used the pie crusts and a made up recipe and didn't even let the crusts thaw properly. and guess what - It Was DELICIOUS! This pie crust is flaky and crispy and lawd a mercy I was happy I hadnochoiceasthestoreswereclosingandIneededChristmasdinner.

This got me thinking about other TJ products that I have tried and liked. Their Vodka cream sauce is delicious. Their polenta is very good and so easy to work with. It comes in a tube in the pasta/pasta sauce section of the store. You slice it up and it can be baked or fried and then put a little sauce (or for my very italian readers - gravy) on it and some mozzarella - delish. You can also mash it up, add a little EVOO and parmesean cheese (which brings me to another TJ recommendation - their hunks of fresh parmesean cheese is a great value at 5.99 per pound).

Another cool thing I tried once was Naan. Naan is a Indian flatbread and TJ's version is very good. From their fresh foods you just buy and eat in the parking lot cause you are starving is the curried chicken salad - with some Naan!

Now please share with me your favorite TJ products and how you use them. If you have never been to TJ's - is it because you have have none near where you live (or shop) or some other reason?

Febuary Wrap up with a little January thrown in prolly too!

2010-03-09T17:21:00.000-05:00

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?

Well I ended the month by getting the Flea Market Style magazine that I blogged about a couple of weeks ago. Found it right at my little grocery store. I really enjoyed it. I did listen to Rich Dad/Poor Dad on CD on the work commute. That book really puts a damper on buying fun stuff.

What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?
Well, we got something really great at our house - this TV antenna thingie - and therefore we now have 9 channels and some weather channels. So I have seen some telly lately. My favorite is Big Bang Theory. I find Sheldon hilarious.

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends? In January I celebrated my mom's birthday by spending the day at the Tyson's and doing some shopping.

Did you take any trips or vacations or did someone come and stay with you at your house?
We had to babysit for three precocious kids and their house is quite resort like but we were busy and did not spend any time in the huge tub with jets - maybe next time.

What special or unusual purchases did I make? Well I had one splurge - I got the baby pink Uggs. Yes genuine Uggs - I kept trying to buy them from eBay and then one day in January I walked into Nordstrom and plunked down the Amex. They are adorable.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

I had a run in with a cold - sneezy congested coughing dizzy fever missed a few hours of work.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?

I finally sent Julia her Christmas gift and Gaby her birthday gift. At work we always had a joke about how on your birthday someone brought you breakfast, took you out to lunch, there was cake and then you went out to dinner so you were stuffed and any other day of the year you couldn't get a stick of gum. So I sent her birthday present from Novemebr in late February. I bought her the Pioneer Woman cookbook.

What were my accomplishments this month?
The aforementioned gifts in the mail.
The baby and all her new tricks - like standing, and climbing the stairs, and waving, and clapping, and saying Mom!

What were my disappointments this month?

I am quite sure there were some - but all in all it is all good. I would be so thrilled if there were more comments and followers of my blog! HINT

Anything else noteworthy to include?
The record breaking triple blizzard of 2010!! So much snow - oh I never saw so much snow. And I got a ticket - for having expired tags - FROM AUGUST! Yes I drove around for 6 months with expired tags - I had no idea and went to DMV straight away to correct the situation.

I need to remember this...

2010-03-02T17:08:00.003-05:00

March 2 2010. The last few weeks have been difficult. D caught a little bug and so did I, so neither of us was feeling well. Nor were we sleeping or eating or breathing. D was taking up loads during the night. I worked all weekend - babysitting the side job for three adorable but full of energy kids and a friend. I was tired! Really tired and I kept freaking out that I needed a break. And that I might not survive. All weekend she was tough but the kids would no leave her alone which just made her more grumpy - they just love her so much. See the fussy baby??

And then last night - everything fell back into place. I increased D's lunch size and she is on medicine and taking them easily. I am feeling better. I changed my sheets and worked on some laundry. D had dinner, and I even had a nice healthy dinner and then took her last bottle and then went upstairs and snuggled and fell asleep - no fighting me. no being awake at 10pm which is quite simply past my bedtime.

It felt so good to have my baby back - she is already 9 months old. She can do so many things - like say mom, and clap, and occasionally on a whim wave bye bye, and crawl and stand and go up the stairs, and she knows where we keep certain things like pacifiers. She can eat a cookie, and bananas.

And me I pray all the time - that I am teaching her good habits, that I am loving her enough, that I am lucky to have her be healthy, that I remember all these moments and capture some of them on film and video and some of them just fovever in my heart.

Why Julia's Christmas present got mailed today

2010-02-25T15:52:00.002-05:00

Ok so back in December just before Christmas we had a blizzard and I had to work a lot of extra hours and that put me wayyyyyyyy behind in getting things done. So I did not mail Jules Christmas present. I should mention here that it is to the UK and required some degree of paperwork and concentration. Then in January I asked her if there was anything she wanted from the states and she wanted a McCormick Spice - that should be easy that company is only about 20 miles from my house! BUT twice when grocery shopping I forget to pick up the spice. So early feb snowmagedeon in MD starts and that sort of threw all of us for a loop. Then since Saturday Daisy and I have been fighting a cold.

So finally yesterday I go to usps.com and print out that paperwork (you know the ones that makes you list the item and the value) It was handmade Christmas ornaments - hard to put a value on them. But you need this plastic sleeve thingie to put the paperwork in and I dont't have one of those. But my mailman at the office promises to bring one to today.

I wait all day, I tell Amy and then Mary that I have to see the mailman when he comes. Because now I purchased the $35.00 postage and it is dated yesterday which means it has to go out TODAY. Wouldn't you know the boss calls and the mailman comes and goes. CURSE CURSE CURSE. Boss says meet me with paperwork so I gather the box and the printed out postage forms and run for the car. WELL it's really windy out today and pufff there goes the paperwork - I chase down one piece in a puddle.CURSE CURSE CURSE CURSE And rush to meet the boss. After I meet the boss, I make a quick stop at a chic children's consignment store (NOTHING) and grab some lunch. (Gourmet, expensive and it SUCKED - gotta love when I try to go all chic and fancy and then hate what I am eating). Next stop the post office! WRONG. I ease in front of a cop with a blinker going 23 mph and he puts his lights on. ME increduously I think?? What the did I do? CURSE CURSE Mam he says You're tags are expired - so expired I am getting ready to call a tow truck. CURSE montgomery county and your low crime where your cops have nothing better to do. YES so expired - AS IN AUGUST. I say to this little pita well that just proves what a good driver I am that I have been driving for 6 months and no ONE has noticed. he takes my license and writes the ticket. he comes back and threatens that there are 3 tickets he could write - (isn't there something in the Bill of Rights about being charged for the same crime twice) and gives me a $60.00 TICKET. I want to tell him don't threaten me - I was getting my license before you were potty trained but I refrain. So I pull away from there and drive DIRECTLY to the DMV where I renew the tags. Oh at the DMV I drop my license but thankfully someone turns it in.

So I decide I have not had enough of my fabulous govemernment workers (the cop, the DMV people) for one day and I go to the post office with my wet customs form and my missing one. AND I get in the longest slowest moving line and FINALLY it is my turn. The lady says she will copy my form and give me the little plastic thingie...

AND so now Jules Christmas presents are on their way to her. on Febuary 25th!

I like to share

2010-02-16T16:18:00.004-05:00

I recently have stumbed upon a new blog/website/magazine called Flea Market Style. The magazine is having is premiere issue - so run right out to the store to pick one up - and then tell me what you think. OHH and to promote their newness they are having some giveaways this week - yesterday is a Lisa Leonard necklace which I really really want!! They are charm necklaces and reasonably priced. Today is a product called Vintage Textile soak which cleans your vintage textiles and gets out stains!

Also my dear blogger friend Amy is running a special on her blog/ Open Sky shop and she has asked that we pass the word. The special is for a pdf to make this doll . I don't necessarily share this because of the coupon but because I truly think everyone should check out Amy's blog. She has been very inspirational and introduced me to many projects and products. Check out the baby room stuff here, and then here she tells you the story of her first foster experience which brings tears to my eyes and ALWAYS manages to renew my faith in myself as a mom! I adore Amy and I admire her. She has introduced me to Boden! I think Boden is awesome - lots of color and comfort!!

Both of these are from Boden and I am pretty sure I need both of them!

It snowed here...

2010-02-16T15:08:00.004-05:00

I live in the mid atlantic - we get a few 3-4 inch storms here per season - and then about every 10 years we get a blizzard but this year so far we have had three blizzards. It has been all OVER the news - I know this because stuck in the house because of said blizzard rather than being able to watch a little mindless TV - NO I had to have endless snow coverage. Dear Newpeople - I got it record breaking snow - GIVE it a freaking break. Daisy only got out once to model her snow suit.

Her lounging around apres ski clothes are way cuter...

Contests for this week!

2010-02-02T16:00:00.004-05:00

This one from Hostess with the Mostess for jewelry - I really want a mother's necklace! End Feb 8th.

Linda Albrect - oh me oh my have you seen her stuff - she is giving away Basic Gray papers! (no defined deadline)

And Margie - is giving away some of her new Girl's Paperie line! (no defined deadline)

Let me know if you come across any!

Peg shared a few - a new to me blog, Heidi is giving away an Anthropologie gift card. PS the more comments the higher the giftcard. So march on over there. Contest runs til the 14th.

Another cool blog - Andrea owner of One Hundred Wishes is giving away some copies of Where Women Create - cool magazine.

In winter I thrift!

2010-01-31T23:30:00.002-05:00

On Saturday mornings in the summer, I am up and out of the house earlier than on a workday because I am a yard saler! I get a little sad about the end of October as I know another yard sale season has come to an end. During winter, I head out for some thrift stores. Last weekend I hit a consignment shop for littles - that was having a 75% off sale. I found a bunch of A DOR ABLE outfits for baby (ok only three were 75% off) and the rest $4.00. I also found a package of little missmatched sox for baby (LURVVE them) for $3.50 (I could not grab them fast enough and needless to say I felt I had SCORED.) I also hit a thrift store last weekend - my big score there was a NIP born free nipples level 3.

Today we hit the thrift store that is close to my house and does 33% off on Sundays. My big find was a Lilly Pulitzer t-shirt. It is a size 6x so I may save it or may unload it on eBay for some profit. Oh it cost .95!! I also bought 13 books - for .21 cents each!

How I do love a bargain!

Every day, I spend at least 15-20 minutes on Etsy - SUCH talent. I am going to get a running list of sellers I like:
Pretty Lil Things caught my eye tonight! Definately picking up a few things here!

Another blog contest!

2010-01-26T22:27:00.006-05:00

Have you checked out Heather Bailey lately?? She is running a contest ! I really hope I win - but hmm maybe you will. Winner picked Thursday. (No winner annouced yet)

More jewelry giveaways! I never win anything but I know if I share with Mel - she will win! Saucy is one of the most fabulous blogs! Her giveaways are amazing. This one is picked 1/29 at midnight. (OVER)

Found another one - Pioneer Woman gives away some good stuff! But you do have to compete with 20K people. (this one is over!)

This is not a contest - but pretty cool. Go here and comment!!

Ali Edwards just posted this one and it will run through Sunday the 31st! That stuff from Blue Moon Scrapbooking is gorgeous!

A tribute to Fran

2010-01-26T12:08:00.004-05:00

On Saturday, I said goodbye to my friend Fran. At her funeral, they asked if anyone had any stories - for various reasons I did not share. But this is what I would have liked to say.

The other two guys have portrayed the giving generous kind hearted side of Fran. But Fran also had a hilarious streak.

-She is the only person that lovingly referred to people as "Crackwh0re."

-She would tell me one of the estimators - he could mess up a wet dream.

-She ran our little vending area - and when the guys would empty out her truck - inevitabily something extra would come in. She would say those guys would bring in the seats to the truck if they weren't attached.

- She was never just hungry - she was starving - she would often say - I'm about to eat the tables and chairs, or chew off my own arm.

She wasn't just a coworker. I adored her and I admired her.

- She made everyone at the offices birthday special. She baked cakes for us and got gifts for us. The reverand said if you gave her $1.00 she would spend it on someone else. THAT WAS SO TRUE.

- Someone said she didn't judge. She loved everybody for who they were - some she thought were crazy but she never tried to change them.

Alison said - she loved miniatures and that extended to people.

- Once I told her that I was pregnant, she starting telling me I needed to have a girl. She bought enough boy clothes and she needed a girl. The morning before I left for the sonogram - she said "Don't forget it needs to be a girl" She was so happy when I got back and said "It's a Girl!" That was a Friday - Monday I came in to the office and was welcomed with a BIG bag of Gymboree clothes - all pink!

In life, you have friends and you have family and you have acquaintences. And then you have people that make you wonder what did I ever do to have someone so wonderful come into my life. Fran was one of those people.

Forever Missed!
If I could add songs to this blog, I would play Sissy's Song by Alan Jackson, Cryin' for Me by Toby Keith and Go Rest High on the Mountain by Vince Gill - all played at the service and they were so touching.

An online contest for stuff I love!

2010-01-25T11:26:00.002-05:00

http://www.hostessblog.com/2010/01/surprise-giveaway-polka-dot-design/comment-page-8/#comment-66914

If you win, share with me. If you know of other blog giveaways. let me know and I will add to the post. There used to be a whole blog about blog giveaways but she shut down - anyone know of another one?

And now what you really come for -

December in Review

2010-01-11T16:27:00.007-05:00

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?

Second Glance by Jodi Picoult - not that great. She is definately a writer that got better.

What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?

You know, we don't have cable at my house so we rely on DVD's and the computer. I was so busy the first half of the month did not watch much of anything. During the Christmas holidays, we watched Four Christmases, The Proposal, The Ugly Truth, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and Julie & Julia. All very chick movies and the only one I slightly recommend is Julie & Julia. I had high hopes for Girlfriends Past as I love Jennifer Garner and Matthew McC... it had a few cute lines and I still wonder why his Uncle called him "Dutch"?

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?

Perhaps my favorite was the office holiday party. I brought the baby to work - along with Nanny Grandma. I planned the menu, I bought the prizes. Things I will plan farther in advance - christmas music and how to do the give aways. But all in all it was a nice party. I truly love the company that I work for - really great people.

Did you take any trips or vacations or did someone come and stay with you at your house?

The end of the month, we headed up to NJ for a few days, visited with Jeff and checked on my mom's house. It was pretty quiet.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

I will have to double check my amex - I really did not go crazy at Christmas. A few gifts for mom, a few for Jeff, something for Grammy and Grandpoppopa. Nothing for Daisy - oh well. I decorated the tree all for her. (Niki a picture for you!) I thought it was stunning and oh gee Jan 15 and it is still up!

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
None that I can think of.
What gifts did I give and/or receive?
Lots of wonderful Christmas presents.
What were my accomplishments this month?

What were my disappointments this month?

one small item - the ornament swap that I hosted did not get returned as planned. Oh and well there is some disappointment in my life with my bf/Daisy's dad. But I am not ready to talk about that quite yet. It is a long and winding road and I am not sure where I am along that road. Time will tell. (You see my life is not all pink Daisy's and baby smiles - but my blog is)
Anything else noteworthy to include?

There was a humongoud cowaboungous blizzard in Maryland in December. A good 24 inches - I worked the whole weekend BUT I got extra time off later in the week around Christmas so it was a great trade off.

525,600

2010-01-05T13:44:00.005-05:00

How do you measure a year? in daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee...

I have been thinking about this post - and a FB (more on FB later) friend posted this song and I thought it was the perfect way to describe this year.

2009 was the most amazing wonderful happy joyous fabulous year for me - all due to the birth of my amazing daughter! I have always wanted to be a mom from 4 years old playing with my doll Mandy to every little face I babysat for (50-75 children) made me want to be the mom. Throughout my pregnancy, I was so happy but scared too! The day I gave birth to Daisy - there just are no words.

The first week after - was then the darkest time in my life - all the stress of pregnancy and delivery, with all the overwhelmed feeling of being a new mom, throw in the lack of sleep and I lost it. I had to seel medical treatment because mentally I was not well. Post partum is a very scary feeling and luckily I got quick treatment and was back on track quickly. I had to stay overnight at the funny farm at the local hospital. It was at this hospital that I met two angels on earth. The first was my delivery nurse - she was so perfect! the second was a security guard who just gave me some great advice. He reassured me. I think about the other moms that I met and wonder how they are doing. I pray for them - that they are recovering, getting good medical care.

Another great thing about 2009 - I was truly "showered" with love. So So many people truly showered me with all the things I needed for a new baby. and things I needed to survive with a new baby. Each time I use a gift I feel that person helping me and taking care of both baby d and I.

Only one other notable things in 2009 - Facebook! To me the greatest invention thus far in the millienium! I love that I can connect with my friend Chad who my mom babysat for when I was about a year old and now lives in Zambia (which I would not be able to locate on a map) to Amy who sits one desk away from me. Family and Friends and quick updates! I love that I now know more on a day to day basis how the people that have been special in my life from Ambler drive, to elementary school, to high school, to college, to ALL my scrapbook peeps to my family are doing.

If you have read this far - please take a moment to comment - it would make me happy to know who is reading and who even cares when I update! PLEASE.

and now some baby cuteness photo by www.AshleyLayfieldPhotography.com

Just a quick update!

2009-10-27T15:06:00.002-05:00

Photo courtesy of www.AshleyLayfieldPhotography.com

When I start to get pissed off at my friends who have not updated their blogs in a while, I think Gee you have a little bloggy you could update. So here I am because Mel - the 4th of July is long gone!

Today baby D is 5 months old! I'll do a photo shoot tonight to capture the moment. She is 14 lb 14 oz and 2 foot 2! She is now eating bananas in her rice cereal. I tell her to think of it as a stepping stone to cheese steak hoagies!

Not much else to share - like everyone I am gearing up for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas and looking forward to all three very much. And trying to get inspired. I have NO none scrapbook girl trips coming up and since CE 2006 those have been what drives me. Planning the trips, and the shopping tours and the swaps and the circle journals and the classes and the projects and the outfits and making so many new friends. I was inspired. Now I miss my friends, I miss the events, I miss the planning. I found this http://www.teresacollins.typepad.com/ inspiring today!

Some baby goodness

2009-09-17T14:59:00.002-05:00

For my facebook holdout - NIKI - I have included a shot. She also provides me with inspiration.

Today I will tell you the story about her charm bracelet. The first Christmas that Ernie and I were together, he bought me a charm bracelet. My idea was to make it a christmas charm bracelet - but he shops on Christmas Eve and so all that was left were angels. The next year, I was then pregnant and I gave him the charm bracelet to add to. He bought a pacifier and a pink, blingy ribbon (breast cancer) more purchased because I love pink, and bling and ribbons! (we did not know it was a girl at Christmas) Seriously I do love ribbon, I have TONS of it in the craft room, I adore Tinsel Trading, and have lots of books with craft ideas using ribbon. I never throw a piece away. I look forward to the day that I will be able to put ribbons in Daisy's hair. I'm not rushing that cause I know with that will come washing it, drying it, combing it, and having her fuss at it being fixed.

It is my hope that Ernie will add a charm every year symbolizing what was important in her life. And I find it special that it started with an angel.

Quick update!

2009-09-09T11:05:00.002-05:00

The labor day weekend was very fun and went by much too fast. Miss Daisy has started on the level 2 born free bottle - big step in her 3 month old life. She also rolls back to front, front to back and if I would permit right on down the road! According to the books, if she would just do a raspberry she would be all caught up!

Friday I made a big list of all the things I wanted to accomplish - and got straight to work dying a chenille bedspread a lovely shade of pink. I plan to use the fabric for a Boppy cover and for a coat for Daisy. I then proceeded to do nothing else on the aforementioned list the rest of the weekend. On Thuesday my wonderful friend Mel sent me flowers to the office - the yellow roses tipped in orange with Daisy - so cute and fallish. It was a great almost surprise. She called to verify the office address when I was covering phones - it so surprised her that I answered she just talked to me.

Saturday, we all went shopping and I finally checked out the Pink Cabbage in Ellicott City. This store is awesome! It has tons and tons of shabby chic treasures. We must have walked around for an hour. I purchased a business card case handmade using my Vera Bradley pattern (Pinwheel Pink in case you were wondering), a pink flamingo, 5 magazines for $1.00 each and a dish that you write on. We lunched at the little general store next door. We even tried the fried pickles - yummy. We also had lettuce wraps from PF Changs takeout for dinner!!

Sunday Grammie and name yet to be determined (we are letting Daisy decide what to call her own remaining grandfather) came up for a visit.

Monday, I relaxed around the house. Watched Disk 2 of The Big Bang Theory and I have to say I adore Sheldon - he is soo soo funny.

Mark the calendar - I even did a little scrapbooking.

WHO WROTE THESE????? I would like to give credit.

2009-08-26T12:27:00.003-05:00

I stole this from Heather's Blog... because they are the funniest LOL LOL things I have read in a long long time! I've bolded my personal faves.

Random Thoughts of the Day:

I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can’t wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that’s not only better, but also more directly involves me.

I don't understand the purpose of the line, "I don't need to drink to have fun." Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and sticks when they've invented the lighter?

Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.

I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This recently became all too apparent to me and consequently I will never be ending a work email with the phrase "Regards" again.

Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Nintendo and it wouldn't work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically fix the problem. Every kid in America did that, but how did we all know how to fix the problem? There was no internet or message boards or FAQ's. We just figured it out. Today's kids are soft.

There is a great need for a sarcasm font.

I think everyone has a movie that they love so much, it actuallybecomes stressful to watch it with other people. I'll end up wasting 90 minutes shiftily glancing around to confirm that everyone's laughing at the right parts, then making sure I laugh just a little bit harder (and a millisecond earlier) to prove that I'm still the only one who really, really gets it.

How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text.

A recent study has shown that playing beer pong contributes to the spread of mono and the flu. Yeah, if you suck at it.

Lol has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".

I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

Answering the same letter three times or more in a row on a Scantrontest is absolutely petrifying.

My brother's Municipal League baseball team is named the Stepdads. Seeing as none of the guys on the team are actual stepdads, I inquired about the name. He explained, "Cuz we beat you, and you hate us."Classy, bro.

Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart", all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".

How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a dick from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!

Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in' examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and said "Yes that's G as in...(10 second lapse)..ummm...Goonies"

MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

I would like to officially coin the phrase 'catching the swine flu' to be used as a way to make fun of a friend for hooking up with an overweight woman. Example: "Dave caught the swine flu last night."

I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

Bad decisions make good stories.

Whenever I'm Facebook stalking someone and I find out that their profile is public I feel like a kid on Christmas morning who just got the Red Ryder BB gun that I always wanted. 546 pictures? Don't mind if I do!

Is it just me or do high school girls get sluttier & sluttier every year?

Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren’t doing anything productive for the rest of the day.

Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don't want to have to restart my collection.

There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

"Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever.

While watching the Olympics, I find myself cheering equally for China and USA. No, I am not of Chinese descent, but I am fairly certain that when Chinese athletes don’t win, they are executed.

I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?Damnit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

When I meet a new girl, I'm terrified of mentioning something she hasn't already told me but that I have learned from some light internet stalking.

I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.

Why is a school zone 20 mph? That seems like the optimal cruising speed for pedophiles...

Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood.

I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, hitting the G-spot, and Pinning the Tail on theDonkey - but I’d bet my ass everyone can find and push the Snoozebutton from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time every time...

I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they drive behind obeys the speed limit.

I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.

The other night I ordered takeout, and when I looked in the bag, saw they had included four sets of plastic silverware. In other words, someone at the restaurant packed my order, took a second to think about it, and then estimated that there must be at least four people eating to require such a large amount of food. Too bad I was eating by myself. There’s nothing like being made to feel like a fat bastard before dinner.

I had this thought and had to save it.

2009-08-20T10:49:00.002-05:00

What everyone says is true - the minute they put that baby in your arms - all parts of pregnancy and labor become a distant memory - and you feel as though your life began at that moment!

I know that I did actually have a life prior to Daisy - there are remnants of it, my car is the same (although now I have an infant car seat and a mirror which I am supposed to see her since she rides backwards but usually what I see is either darkness or the roof of said car) and my office is the same. But I am not the same - I am the mommy! I am the magic fairy princess who makes smiles appear and while she is too little for real tears so crying disappear. I am the woman who is planning her first Halloween costume in August and her first holiday outfits (casual dress is done, fancy dress and jammies are still on the list) and yes I have even given thoughts to her first birthday - just 280 days away. I give thought to the fact that this time last year we were conceiving her, but that seems a lifetime ago.

My mind is just flowing with cool stuff!

2009-08-02T12:06:00.003-05:00

I'll make a list:
.5 I know you'll ask first about this - baby Daisy is doing wonderfully, right now she is snoozing in the swing I think I have about 5 more minutes. She is a great sleeper, a great eater, a great smiler, and I count my blessings every 5 (1) minute. This is her on her 2 month birthday or 2 month anniversary - I am not sure what to call it when you are counting the months!

1. Tomorrow is my fabulous friend Fran's birthday! I have lots of treats planned and I am so excited.

2. yesterday I went to a great store in Waldorf called Time and Again Antiques and this girl has some great stuff at great prices. Very shabby chic! I would definately plan to hit there if you are in the area - or plan a trip - hit the quilt store in LaPlata on the same day.

3. I also went to Jane's to check out the new Stampin Up stuff - there is some great new stuff in the catalog.

4. We finished the day by going to the Moonlight Madness at Once Upon A Child in Crofton. Madness is was - get a load of this!! They advertised a sale that increased in discounts as the day progressed - I went about 9pm really to kind of get a feel for what was left and what is the rock bottom price. Well the system was confusing - green and orange tags (but must be summer clothes) were clearance for $1.00. I started going through and not much was speaking to me and I was tired so I just picked out one little top for next summer. I ring up. At the counter, I notice a sign that says 10-3pm - 60% off, 3-8pm - 75% off at 8-11pm everything is 1.00. I get to the car and realize that my 1.50 little tank top would have been cheaper earlier in the day. I go back into the store and speak to a manager owner type man and he says yes it is true that I would have paid less earlier. I explain that the ad in the pennysaver where I heard about said "SALE" did not explain it that way. He says we have been doing it this way for 6 years. I say Can I just return it - because it is going to irritate me every time I look at it. He says yes, I wait and then the woman cashier starts talking about all this info I have to give to do a return (oh hear is the kicker part - he says to me "Normally clearance merchandise is non returnable but I am not going to debate you." Debate ME - he was not going to debate me because can you imagine the uproar I would have created in this store at 9:30 at night when I started explaining to everyone in line their policy!!!!!!!!!!!!) so I say just forget it I'll keep the (explective under my breath) shirt. He also explains that for 3 WEEKS before summer stuff was 50% off (so understand this - 3 weeks ago, NOT late at night, NOT a saturday night) I would have paid .25 cents less for this item! I was so aggravated by this. I can't say I will never go back but I certainly! will start questioning their prices and their policies by telephone before I step into the store. OH and just in case you want to sell something to them - be prepared for how little they will offer you - .07 cents to less than 2.00 for brand new stuff with tags on it! SHAME on Once Upon a Child in Crofton MD!

Gotta run - she is still sleeping - I must have worn her out with all that running around yesterday!! We are having some guests this afternoon and I AM still in my jammies.

Checkin in - in case anyone still reads this

2009-07-20T16:12:00.002-05:00

I am sort of getting the hang of this. I LOVE being a mom - I love holding my daughter. I may be biased but she is the cutest baby I ever did see. She is starting to smile - I mean she does but not on cue. She wakes up a little during the night sometimes she needs food and sometimes she just needs some cuddling. She is outgrowing 0-3 month clothes. She is long in the torso.

It brings tears to my eyes to think that she is mine.

She's arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-06-01T21:07:00.012-05:00

The story of the birth of my daughter - Daisy! I put this here because I was starting to forget and I wanted to remember how I felt. This could be TMI - feel free to skip if birth stories are not your thing.

Last Monday night, Memorial Day, I sort of leaned over the chair and said whoo that is starting to get painful. From about 10pm to 1am, I had pains that I had to get out of bed and walk off. From 1am to 7am I starting timing between them and decided these were contractions. Went to the Dr, and he examined me and said nope - just braxton hicks and still just 1 cm. But I did not go into work because I was still in pain and having contractions. Again Tuesday night as I lie on the , Ernie says "We'll get through this, come on", he was so kind and gentle. He lit a candle upstairs, and took a massage ball and rubbed my back with it. This continued, I even took a tylenol thinking they would subside. The pain was all in my hips. I kept track but was never 5 minutes apart. somtimes 6 sometimes 12. I had a regularly scheduled appt at 8. I forced Ernie to go with me for some reason (divine intervention - there was no reason to think that todays appt was any different from yesterday's), even though we really did not think it was anything. He got dressed for work. We go in, they put me on the fetal monitor and she says well you are having contractions. The dr comes in and reaches in to check the cervix and says "you are 8 cm" and you are about to have this baby! I walked out of the door and said to my mom, change of plans, I am in labor, I'm 8 centimeters, and I have to go to Laurel Regional across the street. The women in the waiting room were congratulating me. I walked out of the medical building and into the car.

The hospital is just across the street - my mom dropped me off out front and I walked into the lobby of the hospital. The man says "you have to register." Calmly I tell him that I don't have to register because I am in labor and already at 8 cm. I then get escorted upstairs but I am still walking and still pretty calm actually. All the birthing classes, all the labor preperations (how to massage through the pain), the hosptal tour, everything for nothing because my labor was 80% over and I didn't even realize it.

Next, I meet the most amazing nurse - this angel sent directly from heaven - she will always be someone I count as making the most amazing day - the birth of my child so perfect - Marvera. She greeted me when I arrived on the floor, hustled me into my room, started my IV. She said she would try to get my epidural. I said I am ok without it. I had really wanted to go natural but if I was miserable I would have the drugs. Marvera spent the next two hours monitoring me, the baby, helping me though contractions, she found a fan, she got a cool cloth. Kim and Ernie arrived. Luckily we had my bag and pillows in the car although there wasn't even time to look in the bag. My water still had not broken but just as they were about to do it, I threw up and it must have broken then. Around 10:30 am, Marvera asks if I am ready to push. She quickly teaches Ernie how to hold my legs, the DR comes in and gets dressed in scrubs and what looks like a welding mask. He suggests some Pitocin - how much faster he wants this to go is beyond me. I am in no position to argue at this point. in my head I justify the baby will be out before the pitocin really gets through my system. I had been drug free up til now and really did not want it. Again, my guardian angel, we waited about 5 or so minutes and decided I really did not need the Pitocin. About 20 good pushes, it's a feeling I can never describe. It hurt but I was so happy that the baby was about to come and I was tired. When I said I can't - Marvera said it's the only way to get this baby out". It isn't something that you can practice so some of the pushes were me trying to get the hang of it. I did not have a mirror, and Ernie who I was not really sure how he would handle the delivery room, said you really could see the head. Daisy really wanted out - cause at 11:25 am on May 27th 2009, she bounded into the world. I did get to hold her for a few minutes but there were medical type things that had to be done for me and for her.

Ernie went to find the grandparents, and they came in about 30 minutes after she was born. The cameras started flashing at that point.

I am finishing this post 18 days later - because breastfeeding (I hated it, I quit after 4 days (the lactation consultant that came is horrified I know) and I failed and it made me feel so inadequate) and post partum(for someone who always had it together and thought she was so prepared - it hit me like a ton of bricks - taking me back to the hospital for a day which I will always always regret) , and getting used to having a newborn to take care of took over. The days do fly(Whole days go by and I don't even take one photo or bathe) . I constantly worry - is she breathing, is she sleeping enough or too much, eating enough or too much? is she too hot or too cold? Oh the patrol for poop is terrible. That was 48 hours - thanks Cori for giving me a little relief on that aspect. The books tell you so many different things - call the Dr for every little thing and then the Dr tells you that is totally normal. Her umbilical cord still has not fallen off and of course I am sure that I have done something wrong there. Not to mention every baby gadget takes a PHD in engineering to understand - the car seat and the stroller snap and go - what a crock more like snap and buckle and push and pull and go. I still don't know how to get the side down on the crib and breathe Megan breathe.

Another wierd part is I don't even remember what it was like to be pregnant - those 9 months seem like two years ago. I don't remember the pain of childbirth. That hour seems like nothing to the pain of watching your newborn cry and your not sure how to fix it or when they prick her foot for the rubi(something) test.

I am trying to get a grip and just love her and I do more than anything else in the whole world. Everyone says it will get easier or I'll just get more used to my new life. I won't miss sleep as much as I'll like waking up to see a milky sleepy face. I just can't wait to see what the next 18 days holds!

NOW

Checking things off the list, lots of lists

2009-05-12T12:43:00.003-05:00

My mom has been here a week helping us to get ready and unfortunately Mother's Day was just filled with more preperations. We took a 3 session birthing class - the first one I had to leave a little early to get to the shower, Saturday was good and I stayed the whole time and Sunday was really quick paced which I loved. There were a few minutes of quizzing us and I wished there had been more of that - I feel like when you are quizzed you really know it.

Saturday we had to return something at Buy Buy Baby (those stores just overwhelm me! There are 4000 things but yet only one of something I need. I am better at a Yard Sale - one choice and the price is right!) We then got some lunch at Whole Foods, did a little more shopping and headed home. I was just so tired.

Sunday we grocery shopped - it was bad - I had fed the dog table food FOR THREE meals. I watched Marley and Me last night - my dog is the opposite of Marley. He is patient and gentle, and rarely barks (only when he means it) and I just know he is going to be a good protector of the baby. He eats whatever I put in his bowl and if I am out of food he just rolls with it. We made a nice dinner for Mother's Day but nothing very special.

Last night, we worked on the car seat. We are borrowing this from another family and so we had no directions. Luckily Ernie is a very mechanical thinker and he figured out how to move the straps, add the extra head protectors and how to get it out of the base. Now we just have to install the bases into the car and we are done with that part.

My suitcase for the hospital is slowly getting done - when I come across something that I think I might need or want, I put it in. I have no clothes in there but most of the easy to forget items are there. There are a few things I will have to add at the last minute.

Like I said checking things off the list.

I am truly blessed

2009-05-07T15:14:00.005-05:00

Sunday was my third shower - this time with all of my wonderful friends from work and my mom and Ernie's mom were able to attend as well. The wonderful wife of my boss hosted it at her beautiful home. The super fun part is several of the younger girls were there (many of whom I babysit) and they were so excited to play the games and to show me the scrapbook. Gaby (you may remember two short years ago, I planned her shower) planned all the extras, as well as sent out the invites, and just worked endlessly to make it a really special party. All this and she is due with her second the end of June - it's a girl - we plan to have Daisy and Emily be the best of friends.

This photo shows the girls and I competing to put a diaper on the doll with one hand behind our back. OK I won but I was not about to be beat by a nine year old. And I admit I was sweating it a little. Lily before the game had the best quote "I don't even know how to put on a diaper with two hands!" Lily is all personality!

Again my little fashionista got oodles of cutie cutie outfits - including little needlework bunny slippers that were adorable. She got some great books too. And a few practical gifts too!

It was a fabulous party!

Saturday mornings...

2009-05-07T15:03:00.002-05:00

where you'll find me is at the yard sales. I really love the thrill of the hunt - sure I could run to target and get everything I need in one fell swoop. but not for 90% off which is the average savings at the yard sales. Sometimes it's 80%. But considering the best I can do in the real world is 10-20% off. Today was no different - my mom and I (yes I drug her out - I offered to come back and pick her up but she did not want to miss the sales) headed to Piney Orchard Community Center - easily 75-100 vendors and loads of people. We picked up a few things - a frame, a photo album, oooh the diaper pail that I was registered for (for 90% off). My mom found a great cardigan sweater. Left there very happy. Next stop - a dud can't even remember what we found.

Then we headed to the other end of the spectrum - the Landon Azelea Festival. Their shopping area is gorgeous - lots of really preppy stuff, monogram's galore, pink and green galore, adorable baby things. Getting ready for the baby has made me a little more tight with the money so i did not end up buying anything but browsing was lots of fun.

We next headed to a friends car party. It is a BBQ where people arrive in their great cars, bikes etc and park in the yard and show off engines and kick tires. Eat some food and that is the party. It was lots of fun.

I ended the day with a pedicure!

Big reminder!

2009-04-27T16:48:00.002-05:00

I decided to babysit this past weekend - promising myself that I would use the money to jumpstart my babies savings account. Three kids boy, age 12, girl age 9, and boy age 7. I love babysitting for this family! The kids are rowdy, and silly, and have the sweetest blue eyes. The parents are easy going. The house is so beautiful - resort like really. Friday night was pretty easy. Saturday morning - things got a little hectic - I took them to putt putt. People must have thought is that lady nuts - having another one. Saturday morning as I cut up a pancake - I found myself saying "Get your foot out of your breakfast." I told them that was one sentance I never thought I would say. Around 1 - I found myself tired and the youngest being bad (he accessed the roof from the balcony and it scared the daylights out of me - I literally started to cry) I did not think I would make it. Luckily they calmed down in the afternoon (it was August hot this past weekend) and Saturday around 5 they played outside until about 9. Went and got showers with me asking only once and fell asleep. Sunday AM was good too, they had friends over to play, I made arts and crafts with them.

All in all, these are good kids! Great kids really. They are smart, funny, healthy, active, adorable. It was a great reminder of what life with a child was going to be like - there are moments that crack you up - like when the little one told me it was his robot that was bad and not him or moments that scare the crap out of you. Moments when you even doubt what your saying - the oldest cut himself and we had to wonder about stitches. Moments when everyone is playing sweetly and you let yourself breathe.

All moments worth remembering!

The first yard sale day of the season!

2009-04-23T12:43:00.004-05:00

Last Saturday yard sale season kicked off with a bang as the Pennysaver sponsored their Spring yard sale at the Bowie Baysox stadium. Ernie opted not to be around and I was a little worried to go by myself. I borrowed Mrs Brown's wire cart from Fran and I was out the door by 6:55 am and lined up at about 7:35am. (yes earlier than a work day) I had comfy shoes, my yard sale hip purse filled with ones and quarters and I was excited. My first find was a dishwasher bottle rack, $1.00. I found a lady with baby books and toys, and a pink mixing bowl. I found the lady who sells the cleaning products and toiletries for cheap - stocked up on stuff there. I was tired by the end - but excited about my purchases and so happy to have had my cart.

I hit two more small sales (one had onesies for .25). I found one more at a church in their sports field (again so happy to have the cart) - more baby stuff. And I called it a day - final expenditures $40.00. I stopped at the scrapbook store where all budgeting went out the window - two pieces of paper, and two small packs of embellishments $8.00, I splurged on a magazine called Oh Baby for $17.95 (after yardsaling all morning - that seemed outrageous). I finished the morning at chik fil a with a chicken sandwich, french fries, a sweet tea and A MILKSHAKE!!

I spent the rest of the day relaxing, sorting out all the baby stuff into where you will need it, (you know food stuff in the pantry) and bath stuff together to put in the bathroom, and getting an idea of what I still need. I may have even taken a nap. It was a perfect start to what I hope will be another fun yard sale season.

Baby Shower with my NJ Peeps

2009-04-21T16:56:00.008-05:00

One of the things that my mom starting talking about as soon as she found out I was pregnant was a party to celebrate with family and friends in New Jersey. The prospect of that made me so happy as these are women that I have known my whole life. Millville is such a huge part of my life, my grandmother, my mother and I were all born there - we all went to Millville Senior High School. My mom's house previously belonged to my grandmother.

While I realize it is unusual to plan your own shower, I also wanted to make sure that my guests had a great time and I had tons of cute ideas. So I threw proper ettiquette out the door - and helped my mom to make what I thought was a great great event.

This first photo is my mom and me in our adorable matching outfits. I totally scored this dress on ebay and it arrived Thursday. The wreath on the front door was made by my uber talented Aunt Pat full of Daisy's and the sign says "Everything's coming up Daisy!"

This photo is of one of my favorite things - we had a "Candy Bar". I had seen some photo examples of these online. I started looking for pink and yellow candy as soon as I knew it was a girl. We even trekked up to Dylan's Candy Bar when we went to NYC to get some cute additions. There were merangues, pink mints, pink lipsticks, yellow and pink starburst (yes I personally sorted them), lemonheads, marchmellow ropes, pink and yellow peanut butter cups and a pink jelly bean assortment from Jolly Rancher. I had stickers on the bags that said "Thanks for making my day so sweet!" The lighting is a little off in the photo but the whole thing was just too cute!

Another personal touch that I thought would be cute was to have baby pictures of us and of the grandparents. The big pink scrapbooked one is me. To the right is Grandma Darlene. In the green frame is Daddy and Uncle TC. In front of the green frame is Poppop Ernie and to the left of me is Grammy Kim. It made a sweet presentation. Not shown but on the same table is a frame that I gave my mom when I told her I was pregnant. In it said - look for an updated photo on June 4th, 2009.

There were about 25 women who were able to join us including my best friend from age 3 Ali (from North Carolina) and her mom Paula (from Georgia) and they brought their new nephew Hunter (who has the most adorable blue eyes), who by the way used to live just two doors down. There were neighbors from the across the street, Bernadette and Jaquay, and next door Lynne and Meghan and the woman who introduced my parents, Mrs Cossaboon. My mom's longest and dearest friends, Sally and George from Goldey, and Phyllis who was her single girl friend and they still keep in touch and Dottie who my mom does to Fenwick with. My sister and niece were there - my oldest niece Alix - was off looking at colleges (which blows my mind because she was born when I was in college). My Aunt and two cousins, and then a second cousin from my grandfather side. And in the family tree that adds branches - and aunt and cousin Lacey from my dad's first wife's side of the family. I grew up with three sets of grandparents with an extra grandfather. The beauty was that everyone liked each other (most of the time) and everyone was welcome. And my grandfather's side that was divorced but his family never divorced us were cousins, Donna (who my mom watched her baby when I was in high school) and Brenda and Mary (who you may remember I have had the opportunity to reconnect with lately because she has come back to Millville and settled down a bit with the addition of her little guy Joel.) Mary did a lot of the photography shown here. It was so wonderful to see everyone.

And of course the gifts - it is so helpful to have such wonderful things to surround the baby with and to have the help when there are so many new things needed. I have registered at babies R us and at Target. A few people went to the practical side and picked up registry gifts, a few went more practical and got the sickness supplies that otherwise I would be running out in the middle of the night for. These gals also could not resist the adorable baby clothes and found dresses and day outfits. Kathy, Jill and Dawn went to the most exclusive baby shop in Millville and found a dress with a sash, a sweater and little white shoes for her. Just absolutely gorgeous. Aunt Pat got into the action and sent a few more outfits and some cutie cutie toys up from Florida. Donna and Brenda made an adorable gift basket with an elephant toy, an outfit and one of those towels with a little hood. Make no mistake this girl will be adorably dressed in pink for the first year of her life.

It was a wonderful day, I was so happy for everyone to share in this momentous occasion with me. It meant so much to me.

Quick weekend recap

2009-04-06T16:40:00.002-05:00

Saturday I vegged - at home slightly attached to couch. Watched some TV on the web and worked on a few scrappy projects.

Sunday - I was up and out bright and early I had some errands to run. First was the dollar store where I found the exact same candy that I trudged all the way to Dylan's Candy bar in NYC so I could feel all hoity toity - at the dollar store. And I returned something there I had bought awhile ago. Next a haircut - just a bob above my shoulders - cute! Next Target - I live like across the street but I really don't get there that often. I had a coupon for a free gift card just cause I registered there - and they honored it. YAY. I finished Target with a soft pretzal - they have the best soft pretzals and fountain cokes! Next headed to Arundel Mills - not as productive. But I did get to share a coupon with a lady at Bed Bath and Beyond so that was nice to RAK someone. Next Micheals, where I found 2 of the things I have been looking for! Finally Safeway, where I stocked up on some groceries. Headed home and felt good about a good day!

Then last night, due to some drama that is continuing so I am not going to talk about it here, I found myself awake at 3am and staring out my bathroom window - when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a deer! Just mosying through my tiny townhouse front lawn and then mosyed back to the woods. How crazy is that?!?! I would not have believed it if I did not see it.

And that sums it up!

NYC was fantastic!

2009-03-30T12:18:00.010-05:00

NYC and the Grace Crop was just a great weekend all around!

Thursday, I left the office at 4pm and unfortunately it was raining and there was road work so what should have taken 90 minutes took 2.5 hours. After that, I met up with my mom in Pennsville (thanks for the help, Jeff) and we the rest went pretty smooth. When we arrived at the hotel, Mel was already alseep - but she had been up since 2:45 Seattle time.

Friday morning, we (Mel, my mom, my new dear wonderful friend Teri and Karen "I'm always up for a trip - heck a dog fight in back baldey"and me) got up and out and our first stop was Tinsel Trading. I love their displays but you know - the new store not as much fun. I honestly did not buy one thing. We checked out a few more places in the Garment District and then headed back to the hotel and dropped off packages and coats (weather was about 60 - perfect for just a sweater). Next we headed up town - one thing I always forget - yes the street blocks are short - but the ave blocks are LOOONNG. We eventually took a taxi. Next destination was Dylan's Candy Bar - fun! Then we wanted to have lunch at Serendipidity but the wait was too long - we went across the street to Patsy's for pizza and it was delish! We then went back to Sere... for a frozen Hot Chocolate. Then we headed to Kate's Paperie, and it was almost 4:30 by this point. We skipped our fancy dinner at Sardi's (just needed a rest) and then left for the theatre. Wicked was awesome and I was so pleased with my eBay tickets! We walked home from the theatre and fell fast asleep.

Saturday, we headed to Staten Island for the Grace Crop. We used this car service and I HIGHLY recommend them. If you ever need a car service in the NYC area they are great. Well priced, on time, they call when they are en route and then again on location! I can't stop raving about them. The Grace Crop was fabulous - Barbara and her friends do an outstanding job. As soon as we arrived, Kacey and Kristin started screaming! What a welcome! The food is so yummy - good NY Italian food. And the door prizes -

this pic is everyone from my table that won - notice who is missing?? yes me no luck continues!! Everyone at my table won but poor poor pitiful me. Second year in a row.

Sunday, we headed back to Staten Island to have have brunch at Kristin's home. Her home is beautiful, the table was beautiful, the food delicious and she even had cucumber water. She also has many scrapbook home decor projects around her home which are so much fun to check out. We of course headed down to the scrap room. We rushed out of there to make the 1:21 to the city and the 2:00 ferry. I finally rode the Staten Island Ferry - that was very cool! It was a little foggy but we could still see the Statue of Liberty and some skyline pics. Kristin had said Century 21 was 30 seconds from the Ferry - UH more like 8 blocks. We checked out Century, it was very crowded and then had lots of good buys (but not rock bottom prices) so I was ready to go about 3:30. I still had the trek home - which went very smoothly - I got taxi's quickly, the train was a quick one, traffic was easy and I was home by 9.

It was so awesome to have my last hurrah before I become a mama! Mel flying in from Seattle - it was so great to see her. Teri and Karen are so much fun and a laugh a minute and they were great traveling companions - always up for whatever. And having a weekend with my mom - another nice addition to her 65th year!

NY Bound!

2009-03-25T10:56:00.002-05:00

I leave tomorrow for a fun, friend, scrapbook, shopping, Tinsel Trading, Wicked weekend - (do you love the alliteration?) I am a little nervous about this trip. There are a lot of transportation logistics. And really the typical NY thing is to walk everywhere but I am six months pregnant. Of course, I am not packed yet so tonight and tomorrow morning will be a mad dash. I still have my swaps to finish. I just hope my friends give me a by - that I did the best I could to arrange a lovely weekend. I'll report back next week with lots of pictures and I know that we will have fun.

Just say a prayer that I have a safe and stress-free trip.

Whenever...

2009-03-13T11:40:00.003-05:00

Whenever I check google reader and my dear friends have not updated and I find myself missing them - I think "Gee, maybe they feel the same way about you!"

So this is NEW with me time:

In an effort to not become a mommy blog - I'll make this quick - all is well. Doctor this morning and all my symptoms are normal. My growth is normal and my BP is normal. I feel good - not as tired as first tri, not as great as second tri.

I am in the middle of reading The Handmaid's Tale - as highly recommended by Alison. So far it is interesting and I am plowing through it but I am not captivated.

Back on the eBay fever, I have 6 items listed and lots more coming around the bend. I love getting rid of stuff and having a few dollars to show for it too!

T.C. is visiting us from Colorado and the boys have done lots of riding and just hanging out being brothers. Last night we had dinner together and then they went and got us ice cream. I really like having the two of them together - yes there is a lot more commotion. But last night as I was in my room reading and could hear them in the basement talking - I could not hear what they were saying except when they insulted each other - it just felt nice. Ernie and T.C. are exactly what brothers should be - close and fun and wrestle each other and protective and loved with no mushiness. Sadly, he leave on Monday. But he will be back the beginning of July to see the baby and attend a family reunion.

Oh I got my Stampin' Up! order this week - great chipboard album and their baby girl kit. Plan to use as the baby album for the first year. I wanted something easy - that I could just throw pictures into and not feel the need to keep up but to have something ready to show and share at the end of the year. and someplace I could journal the milestones. I need to cover the chipboard - not sure what the best way to do that is going to be.

That is all the excitement I have for now.

in response to said Tag

2009-03-09T04:21:00.003-05:00

In response to Mel's said Tag - 4th folder, fourth picture - I present my cousin Mary's baby boy - J! This guy is so awesome - for one he is about 5 months old in this pic, we are at the Texas Roadhouse where it is very loud - and he is sitting up on the table taking a milk induced snooze.

At Christmas, about 9 months old he was teetering around and getting a few words out. Yesterday was his first birthday!! How exciting is that. Big brown eyes and just a little curl to his hair, two parents who adore him. He is a sweet little guy.

As for who I tag, I say if your reading this and go check out your 4, 4 and then if your so inclined blog about it.

Last weekend was just so great!!!

2009-03-06T15:20:00.008-05:00

Saturday morning - early I got up, dropped Ernie off for an errand and headed to the Wee-Cycle sale in Havre de Grace. This is such a great idea!! I found a few things - I am truly trying to hold back because I know there will be gifts coming from friends and family. My fabulous photographer friend - Ashley -(seriously book a session with her - you will be thrilled with the results - she has this special camera that makes you look younger and thinner and more glamorous than you thought possible. (Insert my maternity shot she did here!!) She is bogged down now with photos from the weekend but as soon as she sends mine to me - I will post here. I left the sale and went to Anne's crop to scrapbook with all my friends. Jean made me the most adorable bibs - I LOVE more than anything a homemade gift - my friends are so talented. (Add photo here too!) Here is a shot of our table. The other great part there was sharing 3 boxes of scrappy stuff with everyone and coming home with a little cash from the swap table!!

After the crop, I drove to NJ to my mom's house! When I got there, my cousin Jeff was there - not really surprising - sometimes when he finds out I am coming, he comes down to see me. But my mom opened the door and she was dressed up, her hair was done (many many times she greets me in curlers!) and she had on makeup. They ushered me into the bathroom - I'm pregnant and had been on the road for an hour and half. And then took me into the living room to surprise me with a Baby Shower - ALL FROM MY AUNT PAT!! I was so exhausted that I asked if it would be ok for me to open in the morning. Sunday morning we had a nice breakfast and talked to Aunt Pat on the speaker phone and I opened all of these goodies. Gorgeous clothes, the softest sweetest blankets, the teeniest, tiniest socks, great organizers for the room. Everything was so perfect. My aunt has amazing taste and style - she always has!

This is my mom explaining that all of this is from my aunt! They had been in cahoots for 6 weeks to plan it out. She had mailed everything and then had my mom put bows on and fluff it up.

Can you see all the presents surrounding me? Everything was so pink and sweet and soft and perfect!!

Monday morning we woke up to a winter wonderland outside. Luckily I had planned to stay through Monday and was able to come home Tuesday morning. My mom and I lounged around, worked on some scrapbooking projects. She had made yummy food - again yummy food as rare at my mom's as makeup. We did have to take an hour or so to clean off the car and sidewalk. The neighbors were kind enough to come by and shovel her driveway.

It was a just a perfect mix of a perfect weekend!

Took care of more preparations

2009-02-23T15:50:00.003-05:00

First of all, I spent a lot of time in the craft/guest room this weekend trying to weed out, clean out and rearrange to make room for my baby girl and my wonderful mother/live in nanny. Plus T.C. will be visiting us the whole month of March (yeah for soldiers safe arrival back to US soil!) A big bag of trash went out this morning, a big box of recycling will go out Thursday and I have lots of things to sell/give away at the crop this weekend. Lot's more to get rid of!!

Saturday we went to our friends (and Ernie's boss - technically my boss too) house and his wife, Denise loaded us up with all kinds of great baby stuff. We just went through the basement and pulled out all kinds of good stuff. Denise's dad is a hunter and has a room in his home devoted to his trophies - all I can say is it is more amazing than I would have even thought.

After that we headed to a whole other planet known as Babies R Us. Oh my goodness - I had researched ahead of time, and I had a small list but still the place was crowded and noisy - and Ernie was less than enthusiastic about the whole experience. He liked to fire the scan gun. I was just so overwhelmed when we left there. My thought is - there are a few certain things that I want - but it seems to be from a few different stores. I love the things on ETSY with this being my favorite - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19559962 Are they not beautiful?? And this hat - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19457305 How adorable is that??

Sickenly Sweet!

2009-02-16T15:21:00.002-05:00

Friday morning, I woke up at 6:30 and had to go to the bathroom - I am 24 ish weeks pregnant - nothing earth shattering about that. Then all hell broke loose - I had caught the dreaded stomache flu. I knew exactly what to expect as Ernie had had it on Wednesday. At 6:30 am, I thought to myself 6 more hours and this will all be over. Right on cue for the next 6 hours, on the hour I wretched my poor guts out. In between, I was even slightly productive, taking calls and emails from the blackberry in bed because sitting up was more than I could handle. I slept the afternoon away and by 6:30 was done being sick (I only scheduled myself 12 hours). That is the sickenly part.

Saturday, my wonderful valentine, surprised me with roses and a perfect card that said all the things I needed to hear. He also went to the grocery store and cooked up steak, mashed potatos, and corn for dinner. We even had ice cream for dessert. Sunday, I got the best present - he started doing some fixing up around the house. The trim got painted, the bathroom wall is being patched and the broken toilet even got repaired. All the roses and chocolates in the world don't hold a candle to someone doing the home repairs.

And thats the sweet part!

How can you not love this face?

2009-02-10T12:53:00.002-05:00

I thought before the baby comes, I should blog about our other baby - yes the dog! I never ever ever thought I would be the owner of a pit bull. But love of my man brought this dog into my life and I am forever changed because of it. I still remember on our first date - Ernie said my dog will love you - HOW TRUE. I still remember the first time I met him - I was so afraid to put my hand out to pet him. I was so nervous of stepping on his tail and having him bite me. And that is the best part about Diesel - he senses the fear and just parks himself at your feet until you like him. He did it with my mom too!

He has a bully side too and will try to get away with as much as possible. He takes up wayyy too much of his fair share of the bed. He has torn up the carpet in the basement, the blinds on the sliding glass door, he figured out how to open the door knob so now I have to lock it.

In preparing him for the new baby, we have taken to pulling his tail, or ears or poking at him when he is sleeping, taking his food away just making sure he does not display any aggressive behavior. Sometimes he does not even wake up. Most times he gives me a look like "oh please, it is going to take more than that to get a rise out of me."

What I love most, is that if you get mad or yell, he always bounces back. His love for us never waivers. He is as happy to see me if I leave the house for 2 minutes to get the mail or 9 hours to go to work, every time he is at the door - ready to love me. I wish more relationships were like that.

I know in a few months, our lives will change. I know everyone says the dog becomes just a dog but I hope I never forget what a great dog he is. How lucky I feel to be his mommy. How much I love his face.

Early stages of nesting

2009-02-02T10:42:00.002-05:00

So here I am about 23 weeks along - it's a girl by the way - and I have started the nesting process. On Saturday, I spent the whole day in my craft room/spare bedroom trying to clean out and even played with my scrap stuff a little. I have a bag of trash, gave away a bag of stuff on Saturday and have another bag ready for VVA to pick up on the 19th and a bag of paper recycling. And in the midst of all this I found a medical receipt good for $10.00, a gift card to Nordstrom, the wireless adaptor for the computer (yeah for having a desktop and a laptop at our house) and a 2G card for my camera. Once the current bags get moved, I will start again.

Sunday in my love for a bargain, I went to Costco and aside from the sample lunch I was served, I left with nothing. I jotted down prices for comparison sakes but I find the grocery to be about the same if not cheaper when you get stuff on sale - which I always do. I then headed over to Safeway where they were practically giving it away.

Next weekend's goal is clothes - as in closets. Then the following two weekend's I have quite a honey do list prepared - including moving furniture and maybe if I am very very lucky painting.

My wonderful mother is turning 65!

2009-01-14T20:35:00.002-05:00

First I can divulge all kinds of info on here because not only does she not read my blog but she does not have a computer - gasp I know.

Friday January 16th is Mom's 65th birthday. First I started this idea of a card party and contacted all sorts of friends and family to send her a birthday card to celebrate her big day. She thinks my cousin started it so I have just been playing along. It has been very fun to check in to see who mailed her a card every day.

Next I took the day off on Friday well a half day and I will be driving up to visit her and take her out for afternoon tea at this little tea shoppe in Millville. That part is a surprise -I just told her to be ready. I also plan to have some balloons in the car to tie to her mail box and her porch. Friday evening we may go to the movies or we may just watch a chick flick at home.

Saturday we are going to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Neither of us has ever been and we thought it might be fun. We jokingly said we would get a wheelchair and she can wheel me half the time and I can wheel her half the time. We plan to take a tour, eat at the Museum restaurant and check out the store - not too long a day for these gals.

Finally I purchased a digital camera for her. I thought with all the baby pictures it might be a good idea to go film free. We will see how that goes over. Sunday, I think we will spend the day training on the new camera.

I also plan to have some special treats through the 65th year!! She is such a special person in my life I wanted to do everything possible to make it a fun great day.

Scroll past 100 things

2009-01-08T12:15:00.001-05:00

I finally posted something I had started back on the 9th. Scroll past 100 Things to check it out.

100 Things

2008-12-17T14:32:00.003-05:00

This has been floating around and I finally had a chance to do it too! All I can say is read carefully.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill but I justify it as mental illness
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondol a in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - snorkel never scuba
52. Kissed in the rain
53.Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies lots and lots and lots of them
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check - just recently and I was t-ed off
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square - this was awesome - they had shut down the street - wait I'll post the pic
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous - yes from Jenny McCarthy to a Supreme Court Justice
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one too many loved ones!
94. Had a baby - no but I plan to on June 4, 2009!!!
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Did you catch it? If so you better comment!

Dear wonderful Friends and Family,

2008-12-09T12:28:00.006-05:00

I thought I would share my holidy letter - since my cards still have not gone out - sad I know!

2008 has definately been a wonderful year for Ernie and me. Our most exciting news: We are expecting a BABY!!! We, along with all of the grandparents, are thrilled with the news. I am due on June 4th and we will get to find out whether we are buying little pink stuff or little blue stuff soon! So far, everything has gone very smoothly - I have had very little discomfort but I have been exhausted which accounts for the boring fall season.

I was busy with my scrapbooking friends in the beginning of the year including a trip to New York in March to attend a crop and hang with Susan and Catherine. About 2 weeks later in April, Ernie and I drove to Nashville (he on the Harley) the weather was TERRIBLE and cold. The best part was attending the American Country Music awards, we were on the floor and it was an experience. Ernie headed back and I spent four days at the Opryland Hotel scrappin with all my girlfriends. It was so great to see everyone.

The summer was filled with Beach, Bike, Birthday and BABY. I headed down to the beach to spend a weekend with my mom and her girlfriends and Ernie and I headed to the beach for the 4th of July. Bike - most weekends found us on the Harley taking trips here and there. Birthday - My birthday was in July. We finished up the summer by seeing Sugarland at the Sunday in the Country show in the VERY FRONT ROW. It was awesome. Little did we know, I was about 3 weeks pregnant on that day!

We, including Ernie's parents, spent Thanksgiving in New Jersey at my mom's house. It was a great visit. We plan to spend Christmas with each of our own parents - since it will be the last year as us being the kids.

As always keep in touch, be my friend on facebook.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, filled with much love and laughter that continues all through 2009.

Megan & Ernie

Cheap, frugal, careful, miserly

2008-12-02T12:57:00.008-05:00

Call it what you will, but I am careful with my cash. I thought I would share some of my best info with my 4 blog readers.

1. The best extra savings online is through Mr. RebatesMr. Rebates - they offer a rebate from every website from avon to zappos. And if I refer you, I get a portion of your rebates. It truly adds up - I made about $100.00 this year. Sadly, Amazon is not represented nor is Gymboree. But tons of other stores are - 12% back from Snapfish!

2. Another thing I just realized is the ease of coupons at Bed Bath and Beyond. They take expired coupons and all within the same transaction you can use as many coupons as make sense for your order, including a 20% off any one item for every item you purchase. They have lots more online than in the actual stores.

3. Do you buy a lot of giftcards? Make it easy with the new Esteem Pass. One card works at 35 nationwide retailers including Bed Bath and Beyond and Old Navy and Marriott. If you decide to purchase, call Lisa Muniz and tell her I sent you and she will take great care of you. They started out being a corporate gift giving solution but they will work with everyone.

4. I personally have not tried restaurant.com but a fellow frugal friend uses it all the time and loves it. Essentially you get 10.00 GC for $3.00 and $25.00 GC for $10.00.

Feel free to comment and leave some tips and tricks for me.

Over a week -

2008-11-21T16:22:00.002-05:00

Hello blog reader - yes about a week has past and well there just not been any minitia that I have wanted to share. I thought I would check in and say hi, let you know all is well with me. I am looking forward to going to my mom's for the Thanksgiving holiday. She is hosted Ernie and his parents too - which is going to be a lot of fun. I have a couple of projects that I am working on and will share more once I have everything in place.

I leave you with this thought for Thanksgiving!

A hard decision

2008-11-12T10:22:00.003-05:00

A lot of people happen upon this blog in search of this blog - http://bradbenefiel.blog.com/. It is with great sadness in my heart that Brad passed away last night. His wonderful wife did everything (EVERYTHING) humanly possible to make sure that Brad received treatment and care and she suffered for 18 months on what to do. She had to make horrible decisions and carry out horrible wishes. I can't even begin to imagine the pain she is in or has been in.

I know that Brad is in a better place - I know that he would want his wife and children to move on and pick up the pieces - I know that love does not die!

But I also know that a lot of prayers are needed to get this family through this.

Good bye friend!

Vote - tomorrow - VOTE!

2008-11-03T17:02:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is a wonderful day for the history of our country - either party will be bringing something new and exciting to the White House!

My women friends especially - it was not until 1920 that women received the right to vote! Our grandmothers - ok maybe great grandmothers fought a long hard dirty battle for us to have the right. Do them proud tomorrow - don't take it for granted!!! No matter which party you choose - make your pretty little voice heard!!

This is an outrage!!!

2008-10-22T12:26:00.002-05:00

Washington Post reveals that Tysons Corner Center has fired Santa! The real one! He has worked at this mall for 18 years and then poof - he is replaced despite a contract until the year 2012. What the Wahington Post does not mention but that you find out in the Washington Times is that he has hired a lawyer and a PR firm to get his job back and his money. Oh and he makes $175.00 an hour - the mall alleges that is 10x the going rate - that means someone is doing it for $17.50 an hour.

Wow - hard times are falling on everyone.

PS - I called the mall office to verify the story and spoke with Anna Northcutt - she vaguely said the story was true - she said they legally notified Santa that he was out of a job. The thing I forgot to tell her was "You should be ashamed of yourselves!"

Read the story here .

I'd rather not talk about it

2008-10-20T12:51:00.002-05:00

I like to update my blog at least twice a week - once talking about the weekend and once talking about some random fascinating thing during the week. So my last update was Tuesday - here goes.

Tuesday, Wed, thursday - I worked, ate, slept all just great stuff.

Friday was terrible - it's work related. It's the state of our economy, our financial markets, blah blah blah related. But the matter is these are my friends that are affected - my really good friends, people I have known for years. People I will miss a lot - a lot.

Saturday and Sunday - I spent a lot of time in bed, just literally dreading today. We watched movies (nothing good), I read some, I stared out the window at the pretty fall weather.

and now today is here - and so am I. and the rest I just don't want to talk about

Weekend with my mom

2008-10-14T13:15:00.003-05:00

Late Wednesday night, my mom called to see if I had plans for the weekend and would I like for her to come for the weekend. Her next door neighbor was coming to U of M to see her daughter - also named Meghan. My mom arrived about 8:00 or so Friday night. We unpacked her bags, she had brought down lots of fruits and veggies and groceries from New Jersey. Around 10, I was exhausted but my mom wasn't so I gave her a whole pile of books to read.

Saturday morning we were up and out early for a day of bargain shopping. There was a yard sale advertised in Bethesda for a clothes addict - there were a lot fof clothes and jewelry but unfortunately not quite anything for us. We hit a few more in Bethesda and then headed to Olney. I ended the yard sales with a christmas book (.10), the book tuesdays with morrie (.10), some new toiletries and such (17.00),

We then headed to Gaithersburg to go to a consignment shop that I had found on the internet. It was amazing - they had so much nice stuff - all good designers, all in perfect shape, and well all priced accordingly. They had the Louie bag that I have been dying for - it retails for $1000 for $650.00 - yes a good price but $650.00 is still more than my car payment. I did not end up purchasing anything from the store but I do intend to visit again. We hit another consignment shop that we stumbled upon by accident and I did get a Lilly P cardigan sweater in bright pink (will look adorable with my vera bradley pink pinwheel collection).

Back in Laurel, we went to my usual thrift store - it was packed both with people and with merchandise. I got a gorgeous cotton rayon sweater brand new with the theory tag still on it that says retail $195.00 for $6.98, some men's origins products, and a magazine. I normally go there on Monday's but I think I will have to go there through out the week. This was the store where I scored the Daring Book for Girls for $1.30. I know someone that works there and she says they don't put new stuff out on Sunday's and Mondays so a good day to go is Tuesday. And I swear when I say their merchandise is always changing.

We pretty much relaxed the rest of the day. My mom did me a huge favor and hemmed a pair of pants for me. Ernie went to the grocery store and got a great deal on steaks and cooked dinner for mom and me - which was a great treat.

My mom headed out about 3 on Sunday and I swear I laid on the couch the rest of the day.

It was a great weekend.

Randomness

2008-10-09T09:35:00.004-05:00

Shay Shay tagged me again! This time wanting to know 5 random things about me.

1. First, there is nothing random about me - my tongue does not touch my nose, my ears do not wiggle, I have not competed in any crazy contests, I am not in the Guiness Book of World Records, I have only been to - I am Randomly challenged.

2. Wait - I thought of something - about 5 years ago - I took a class to learn how to shoot a gun. You know in the movies where the girl fights and gets the gun away from the guy and then doesn't know what to do with it - I did not want to be that girl - so I learned a little about guns - not sure how much I remember.

3. I don't have cable (therefore no channels at all) at my house - I gave it up in March of 2007 and I have never looked back. I rent movies from Redbox, I can watch some TV shows on the internet - but it is on my terms - so one Saturday I might watch a whole season of a show while scrapbooking.

4. Twice in the last 5 years I have grown my hair over 10 inches with the purpose of cutting it and donating it to locks of love. It is not totally altruistic - I am really just lazy when it comes to getting hair cuts.

5. I participated in a colon cancer march in washington DC and walked 40 miles in 2 days raising over $3000 for colon cancer research - Ethan Zahn from Survivor also particpated. It was what my dad died of and I wanted to make a difference.

Wheh - it was hard work to think of stuff - I guess I will have to make it a goal to be more random!

I now tag Mel, Peg, Heather and anyone else that reads this and wants to share! Niki - your blog is already the defination of random!

PS - I remembered one more thing - I went to the Miss America Pagent one year in Atlantic City. It was the last year that it was televised. Our seats were way far away but it was cool to say that we did it once.

PPS - I have sat in the front row at a major concert at least 5 times, Tim McGraw, Madonna, Faith Hill/Tim McGraw, Dixie Chicks, and Sugarland! Only madonna would not let me bring my camera.

My gazpacho recipe!

2008-10-07T08:44:00.003-05:00

When I first got my kitchenaid blender/food processor gadget (which I love by the way) it came with a little recipe book. In there was a simple gazpacho recipe. Since tomotoes are plentiful in MD and NJ, gazpacho was a practical use. The thing I have learned through trial error and frustration is blenders need liquid in order to work properly - so you need to add tomotoe juice or V8 but if you aren't going to add that - for a thicker gazpacho then just make in the food processor.

Loosely - my recipe this time was tomotoes 3 large ones and ripe!, 1 cucumber (no skin) , 1 onion, 1 jalopeno, whirrred in the food processor. Then some oil (i have been using sesame oil lately for salads and such because pioneer woman told me too and she knows good cooking) and some wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and then the secret to all yummy cooking - Spike.

Do you know about Spike? Spike is an all natural seasoning that just makes everything more yummy - I use the salt free one. It is good on veggies, meats, deviled eggs, scrambled eggs, and gazpacho!

The great thing about gazpacho is you can make as much or as little as you want and if you have other veggies you can add them too. I think carrots or celery would give it good crunch. Lots of people add green and red peppers but raw they don't agree with me that well.

Now this summer, I went to Jaleo, you know the tappas place in Bethesda and they do a gazpacho sampler platter of 4 of them, one was white and one was green, I can't remember the other two and they are strained so no chunks and that was not really my thing. But they have a whole bunch of other stuff that is really yummy. But the gazpachos were really pretty to look at.

Up and at 'em!

2008-10-06T09:07:00.002-05:00

Good monday morning! Good weekend! Friday night (which right now seems days ago) I went to a Silpada party at my friend Robin's house. I had gotten the catalog a few weeks ago and marked all the pages of stuff I loved and had a tough time narrowing it down but finally decided on a pearl and black number - I think it will look great with my winter clothes! Ernie went to dinner with his parents - his Mom cooked at the Moose and he was a happy boy (he loves his momma's cooking - lucky for me she is always willing to share recipes!)

Saturday morning, he was up EARLY for work, so I got a good start on yard sales. I hit Piney Orchard Community sale and it was packed - with sellers and buyers! I only picked up a few things, this tin heart thing, some books. Next was over to Savage, where my friend Melissa was selling stuff at her church - well every church in Savage was having a sale so it took me a while to find her. Few things there, a DVD (Secondhand Lions - if you have never seen it - you should it is cute) and some picture frames I plan to alter. Last stop was a community sale in Laurel where I bombed - not one thing I needed. I came home, slept, read, ate and played on the computer. Ernie come home beat - to let him sleep - I went out to Savage Mills (needed to drop off a card for Patti), drugstore and groceries. Came home made dinner, relaxed and went to bed early.

Sunday, Ernie and I went to the farmers market and then the Columbia Mall - I have sort of fallen into a Vera Bradley thing. All my friends know I love pink and green - sbers know it is because of CE, and non sbers just think it is my own obsession. Well last year for my birthday I got a Vera Bradley bag (huge) in Pink Pinwheel from my boss (well actually his lovely wife picked it out for me) and a matching beach towel. My friend Luann had picked up the umbrella for me. So I thought well, I have this nice lovely set, I might as well get a small bag (you know to hold all the essentials that could get lost in the big bag. So I went to the mall yesterday to check out the pieces and picked up a cosmetic bag and the pocket folio - I loved it a pad of paper and a place for coupons - I plan to use it more for the slips of paper you pick up. But I really need to the wristlet - of course the store I was in did not have it. So now I have a small pink pinwheel Vera Bradley obsession. How cute will I look on a rainy day at the beach!

Last night I made gazpacho - I love gazpacho! I like mine with little bits of veggies - no straining for me. Also made a really good salad. And finished off the day with some raw cookie dough. Before I went to sleep, I was complaining my stomach hurt - then I thought of the crazy foods I had eaten all day and thought well no wonder!

Fun weekend - filled with fun shopping! And up early this morning - even washed two loads of clothes and cleaned up the kitchen. Of course I forgot to take dinner out of the freezer!

My summer reading list...

2008-10-01T21:05:00.003-05:00

This summer I read 18 books! I think that is a lot. I always had a book going and I read just about every night. This was the summer I found Jodi Piccoult. I started the summer reading Change of Heart which was amazing. Also by Jodi I read Nineteen Minutes, Picture Perfect and Vanishing Acts - all good but not like Change of Heart.

I also read Three Weeks with my Brother by Nicholas Sparks - which I loved - it is a memoir and learning so much about a man that writes truly great love stories was so intriging. Which led to a whole Nicholas phase, Nights in Rodanthe (I did not even know that a movie was coming?), A Bend in the Road, & The Rescue.

It is not summer with out a few trashy ones - Pink Slip, How to Sleep with a Movie Star. Belly Laughs by jenny McCarthy - I wanted to love it because I have always liked her - I HATED IT. A little mystery with Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich.

One that was surprising was Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld - that a man could so clearly understand a young girls psyche - it was fascinating.

Another surprising author that I found and really enjoyed is Alexander McCall Smith with No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and The Kalahari Typing School for Men. The dialect was hard to understand but in the end I liked that I had to work a little harder to become absorbed in them.

One thought provoking one that I already blogged about was The Next Thing on My List. I finally read the five people you meet in heaven and found that soo interesting and so thought provoking.

I finished the summer with The Daring Book for Girls. If you have a 10 year old daughter get her this book - it is filled with information that every girl should know.

All of this reading has made me really want to join a Book Club - does anyone know of a book club looking for members or one that I could just try for a month? Does anyone else want to maybe start a Book Club?

A tag? Where? Who? Me?

2008-09-30T11:01:00.005-05:00

I was tagged by Shannon the other day which was very sweet of her. I procrastinated replying cause I thought I had to do a whole bunch of html code etc - and well you don't - cut and paste and voila!

I am supposed to tag 7 more people. But I seriously follow 16 blogs - remember a couple of weeks ago I wanted something that would check blogs for updates and then let me know about updates. Well blogger evidently has that - I AM IN LOVE WITH IT AND WANT TO MARRY IT. It forces me to log in (and maybe even write something myself) and then I can see who else has updated.

I'll tag any blog that updates frequently and has photos - something I lack!

Motivated!

2008-09-27T13:55:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to meet and hear Mike Lipkin and his great motivational speech entitled One Life, One Meeting. The premise is improving how engaged you are in each meeting and elevating your listening with the goal being having everyone win and reach their goals.

The one question that was asked of me was "What percent of the time are you at your personal best?" I am pretty sure he said at work. I had described that time as enthusiastic. I thought about it - I was in the room with all of my co-workers and supervisors. My answer was less than 20%. Just one day a week. And how much of that time are you miserable. about the same and the rest I am just showing up. It was hard to admit that but harder to be dishonest. Mike (the speaker - were like that now - on first name basis) asked my co-workers if it were true and they agreed. That interaction has been on my mind the rest of the week.

People - always say what would you do if you knew you could not fail. Stay at home in my jammies sounds so pathetic?

The rest of his conversation (that's what it was - it was not a speech) was just as thought provoking. He had a way of drawing you out without you feeling as though you were on the spot. I highly recommend hearing Mike speak if you ever have the chance. And I leave you with this thought - "when the fire goes out, that is when the predators come in."

Summer of 08 - Goes out with a bang!!

2008-09-22T11:29:00.006-05:00

So I finished off the summer of 08 with a great great weekend.

Friday - Ernie was due to work a 24 hour shift and I had lots of fun plans (keep reading) so Diesel went to his grandparents for the weekend! After work, I picked up some stuff that I had gotten from Freecycle (always cool to get something for free that you need or want!) I got one of those metal scalp massager thingies only this one vibrates. LOVE. Then I stopped and got a pedicure it had been months since my last one so this was needed. Headed to the grocery - where I picked up some ingredients to make these. I found it at Amy's magazin e . If you do not read Amy's magazine then you are totally missing out on all that is cool in the crafting world. I substituted spearmint leaves for the coconut cause I am not a fan of coconut in foods (suntan lotion, yes - pina colada, yes - food NO) and also I forgot the sesame seeds (that is what you get when you shop from memory. I spent about 2 hours putting them together because this was my first attempt. I took them to the _ _ _ _ (keep reading) Saturday and they were a hit.

Saturday morning - I was up at 5:30, getting ready, getting the car packed and getting out the door for a fun filled Saturday. First on the agenda the Yard Sale at the Bowie Stadium. There I scored so much good stuff!! Biggest excitement was 5 pieces of my mom's china not place settings but serving pieces all for $25.00 (I made a very rookie mistake and one piece is chipped (BAD) I don't know how I missed it - I think because I never see her china I was so excited I forgot to check for the obvious) I am saving it for Christmas (so don't tell her) I also got some books - Janet Evanovich's new one, and Martha's halloween one, and a new pocketbook for me. SO much good stuff - my arms were killing me from carrying it all. I did not leave there until 9:45 so I headed to the crop. I got to Parville about 10:30 so had 30 minutes to hit the yardsales there. But there was a flea market up there - a big one at the Putty Hill Park. I walked around there and only found a few things. Needless to say I was a little late getting to the crop. When I arrived, I had to go to the bathroom and I was dying of thirst but I still managed to hit the swap table first. I picked up a few things - Kathy V was cleaning out big time and had a lot of great bargains. The crop itself was fun fun fun as usual. It is always great to catch up with everyone, see new projects and ideas and hopfully get something done. I had a list of about 5 things to work on and got to about 3. I got home and was pooped.

Sunday, I already blogged about my morning and a great new blog I had found.

In the afternoon, Ernie and I went to the Sunday in the Country concert featuring Sugarland. It was awesome - It looks like she was singing right to me right - yes we were in the front row. I love all of their songs and had really hoped to get a chance to see them in concert.

It was every bit as good as I had hoped. Since it was in Columbia, the concert ended a little before 8 and we had taken the Harley so we were home in a jiffy! Before bed, I got into a Janet E book at stayed up way too late reading especially when Pop brought Diesel home at 5:00am.

A great weekend and a great way to end the summer! Now as we head into fall, I look forward to lots more great times.

Just met a cool, creative gal

2008-09-21T08:19:00.002-05:00

and I want to introduce her to all of you.

Background: this morning I woke up with a sore back and since I am going to a concert today, I needed to pop some pills and lay with the heating pad. Which once I checked emails, ebay, and my blog for comments led to some surfing. I then met Linda after I had saved several of her pictures for referring to - I knew I had to share her creativity. Maybe you all know her already. Her scrapbook pages are gorgeous and I look that I would love to try. Two things about her pages that spoke to me - she has children over the age of 20 and she uses some older photos (black and whites and those early color shots that are grainy) I love those. THEN there are her 3D projects which are amazingly gorgeous - they do not look handmade at all. To me they are phenonemal.

I really like her music choices too - they are songs I probably never would have heard. I feel as though I was just invited into her home and she had some candles lit and she made me a cup of tea and she had some music playing and we had a conversation. And she shared some of her creavity with me. It was a wonderful feeling.

I am going to try to add music to my blog - in engages another sense - and makes it feel so much more personal. I am just loving meeting Linda this morning - I think I will get back to her - maybe she will magically pull something out of the oven for us to share.

Some scrapbook pages

2008-09-18T11:26:00.003-05:00

I have been trying to upload some scrapbook pages all week and every time the upload sideways (it is really annoying me) I finally got these two to work. These are from a SEI 8.5 by 5.5 album that I have been doing using the pictures of me from when I was little. The size really works well for the smaller size photos that are now 28 years old.

This page - the photo is from my Sweet 16 - a mere 19 years ago. I cased the design from some magazine somewhere - I think Cathy Z. I am pleased with the way these turned out. The other ones (the sideways loading ones) those could use a little help.

I have a fun weekend planned so look for more photos and excitement on Monday. What do you have planned for the weekend??

The only storm I saw was me scrappin' up a storm

2008-09-15T15:42:00.009-05:00

So friday all the weather reports called for thunderstorms all weekend around these parts. I thought well that is a good chance for me to do a little scrappin'. Friday night, I settled in, found a good show to watch (Dirty Sexy Money on ABC.com - love the internet for catching shows when I feel like watching) and got out my birthday banner kit from The Button Farm. Got that finished and worked on the Follow Your Bliss - also from The Button Farm. Both turned out so stinkin cute.

Another album/kit/class that I have been working on is the "One Summer"

from Kristy-Sikora-Blankenship or ksb. It it turning out very cute -

but this is the cover - yes I went with very retro

MM letters and well I really am not thrilled with it - Give me

some ideas - what should I do to make it better? I am happy with the little blings on the polka dots but everything else is pooh.

Proud to be an American

2008-09-11T11:28:00.002-05:00

Today will forever be one of those days were you reflect on the USA, the world, and your own life. I can distinctly remember so many things about that day. It was a beautiful morning - sun shining. I had pretty much just arrived at work when the radio and internet starting talking about the planes. I came home that night and sat on the couch and watched the news. There just are words to describe the magnitude those events had on our lives. But weirdly, I liked the country that we were in the days following. People put out flags and yellow ribbons. People were a little nicer. We were all so thankful that days started to go by and new tradegies had not occurred. We were working through the pain. Seven years later, we have kind of gone back a little. We are comfortable again. We had other major things happen.

Ernie's little brother is serving - so daily I have a constant reminder that the flags still are flying. That there are yellow ribbons on houses. Ernie misses him so much and it is so hard to have him be away and always worrying that something bad could happen.

On my mind today

2008-09-08T10:36:00.006-05:00

This is not even the ride that I rode - Ernie did - he is the one in the last cart!

First things first, I went to Six Flags yesterday and my head is still dizzy. The last ride we went on was this water raft thing - that just spun you around and I swear I have felt dizzy ever since - I am too old for this stuff.

The weekend was the perfect mix for me - Friday night was quiet - Ernie went out and it was just me and Deisel. Saturday morning I hit two small indoor yard sales (not great) but considering tropical storm hanna was blowing into town it was good. I came home just as it started to get bad and walked Deisel. He has gotten into the trash (Bad doggie) while I was gone so I had to walk him - I came in and I was soaked. So I settled into my PJ's and watched some movies, read some magazines, did a lot of scrapbooking, cleaned the house, cooked a peach cobbler, and did laundry. Ernie got home around 9. Sunday we went out to breakfast (Old Country Buffet) - I totally thought I would hate that place - but I love it!! They have a great selection, they have sweet tea and it is pretty cheap! A win for us. We also went to church. Then we went to six flags in the afternoon. That was fun. Except for the spinning.

This past weekend was the third Creative Escape out in Arizona and I have to say I am a little disappointed that I was not there. It seems my friends has a great time. Jessica Guthrie has a great rundown. My dear friend Peg just emailed me an update and showed me her album! I am working on making peace with not attending.

Summer is not over yet...

2008-09-02T11:21:00.006-05:00

So my Labor Day weekend was good, laid back, relaxing. Saturday morning I hit yard sales, there weren't that many but I hit one lady who had beautiful clothes, suits, dress pants (yes mar I too am trying to make more of an effort at the office). As I looked thru the rack she had most of the size tags were cut out and when I asked and they were just my size I was so excited!! I got a suit with a shirt that matched, another pant, shirt jacket combo (she had them hanging together like they were an outfit but I just didn't see it), 4 pairs of pants, one shirt, a necklace, and some MK (she was a rep cleaning out some inventory) ALL for $25.00!!!! I was so excited - a good start to my fall wardrobe for less than 1 blouse! I even have one of the outfits on today!! Everything fit except one pair of pants - but I am thinking a little diet and exercise MIGHT help that. The pants all need to be hemmed (anyone local know a place or person to get that done inexpensively???)

Saturday afternoon, I did some card making and scrapping. I also found Lipstick Jungle

on the internet - OOOHH that show is good! I watched the whole season in one day! The clothes the hair their makeup is sooo pretty.

Sunday we went for breakfast with Ernie's parents down to Colonial Beach VA on the Harley. That was a great ride!

Monday - I have been having a lot of back muscle pain lately - I had the best of intentions of getting a ton done on Monday but moving was very painful. Last night I iced it, took some aleve and this morning I put the heating pad on and it feels better. I need to get it looked into but my track record with doctors fixing my problems is just so low.

Now, on to news for you my faithful readers!! I had 53 comments last month (20% of those from M*J*C and 20% from Niki - thanks girls!!) - that was awesome - the comment contest and the new feedjit actually forced me to update more often and to try to think of fun topics. In September, I will cover all the books (like 20 of them all purchased at yard sales) I have been reading lately, I also plan to share some of the things I have been making (mostly cards and a scrapbook page or two), are there any burning questions that you have for me. Post in the comments and I will answer them.

OH and the winner is... Liz (liz send me your address) who was a totally new person to my blog and who only posted once! Yeah! There will be another contest this month - for another great prize.

This is not becoming a political blog but..........

2008-08-29T11:33:00.002-05:00

(If you are not into hearing my political opinion - stop reading now. My feelings are not hurt)

HE PICKED A WOMAN!!!!!!!!!!! Weeehooo. Say goodbye to the gold ole white boy network. That is right America today in 2008 (well starting in 2009) we will have either a woman or an African American in the White House!! I am so excited. Either way today is a ground breaking day. I personally am very very excited to learn more about Governor Sarah Palin but from what little I know I am impressed. She is young, has 5 kids (anyone who can manage 5 kids can manage the country!), her son is a soldier, she has been called a maverick! My political party affiliations varies - I believe in the woman's right to choose (Dem), I believe in less taxes(Rep), I don't believe the government should be involved in every aspect of my life(Rep), I really want to end the war. When push comes to shove I usually go Rep. and I liked McCain except 72 was a little too old in my book - this job is the highest stress level - people age 20 years in 4 (look at Clinton). But now with this new chick in town, I am so excited. I think the next 2+ months are going to be some of the most interesting in our history and this is going to be a very interesting race.

See you at the polls on November 4th, 2008!!!!!! A day when history will change forever. (Watch some independant will come in and screw it all up!)

A WOMAN - HE PICKED A WOMAN! Now it will be the pink house!! with sequins and bling!

Dangerous Dog Toy

2008-08-25T08:50:00.003-05:00

I got this email this morning. There is nothing on snopes to say that it is a hoax and the person took the time to set up a blog, and show pictures of this sweet dog. Then someone posted that something similar happened to them. The four paws website mentions nothing about it. Please spead the word!

http://www.thechaistory.blogspot.com

Please cross post far and wide!!!

If you have this ball in your house for your dogs, remove it from their access immediately. This toy resulted in several dogs having to have their tongues amputated! I would also suggest returning this toy to the merchant from whompurchased for a refund.

As you read Chai's story, you will be appalledthat the manufacturer apparently wants to see many more dogs seriouslyinjured before issuing a recall or taking this safety hazard seriously. Item #20227-001
UPC Code: 0 4566320227 9
Manufactured by: Four Paws, Inc.

Rockin' yard sale day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-23T20:20:00.003-05:00

I was up and at em early this morning leaving my house at 6:40. My first stop was a candy store that was moving in Severna Park - I arrived at 7:05 and was the first car in the parking lot. The prices were fantastic and I got a lot of good stuff all brand new. The best find were these awesome plaques - they are huge and as usual I have no idea what I will use them for - two trips to the car and she let me pay by credit card. I did get a set of polka dotted bowls yanked out from under me.

The next few stops were duds but then I hit the motherload of tupperware. The woman had like 4 stacks of new tupperware dishes - I was sure she was a dealer trying to off load - so I say how much is the tupperware fully expecting $1.00 each - NOPE .10 cents each - I snatched them up so fast - 2 big bags - $4.25 total. I just checked out the tupper website - easily this stuff is $5.00 - $10.00 each - total score. Now what I have been wondering all day is why she let it go for so cheap - is she never packing lunches again? No plans for leftovers?

Ended the day, with 12.00 in purchases including 7 new books/magazines and some new clothes.

I just love yard saling - I can't figure out why everyone doesn't do it. But I am lucky they don't - more for me!

The list

2008-08-20T15:48:00.002-05:00

I just finished reading "The Next Thing on My List" by Jill Smolinski (why yes I am selling it on ebay - thank you for asking) and it has gotten me thinking. The book is based on a list that a gal has made of things she wants to do before her 25th birthday, her list includes lose weight, wear sexy shoes, be the hottest girl at Oasis, take her mom and grandma to see Wayne Newton, make Bddy Fitch pay among other things. Check out Jill's life list on her blog - she has great ideas and great stories.

My 25th is long gone, so is my 35th but I still would like to make a list of things that I want to do.

My lifetime goal is to see all 50 states - I have done about 28 and plan vacations in an effort to see one or two a year.

I have always wanted to go up in a hot air balloon.

And frankly, that is all I can come up with - if I want to go somewhere, I go. If I want to eat something, I eat it. If I want to try something, I try. Your my friends, you know me - what should I add to the list??

No great title comes to mind

2008-08-19T08:45:00.004-05:00

Just a quick update on my weekend -

Friday night, Ernie went to the track and Deisel and I hung at home - I got caught up on Army Wives on the net - great show. I did go to the a different thrift store and found a whole pile of cool clothes - they have no dressing room which irritated me - but luckily everything was a good fit.

Saturday I hit a whole section of Crofton that was having yard sales and they were great!! Man I got good stuff - One cool thing was a mini shopping cart - I have no clue what I plan to do with it but I liked it. I also got another Jodi book, two apothocary jars (big ones for $1.00) and two new t-shirts. After yard sales, we got the Harley and the dog and headed to Waldorf for the day. My first priority was Material Girls Quilt Shop to check out Heather Bailey fabric. We took the motorcycle so granted I couldn't buy a lot but I had planned to buy some to send to last weeks blog winners. I get there and walk around and walk around - the store is pretty, they have neat examples, there are a few other shoppers - so finally I walk up the cutting table where three women are sort of leaning/lounging on it and finally they take notice of me. I tell them I would like to see the Heather Bailey fabric and they say "it is not out yet". I am kind of puzzled so I question that you mean you don't have any or it is not available to the stores yet? No they have three boxes in the back BUT they have not put it on the floor and will be out in a few days. I say I drove from Laurel to see this (49 miles) and that it is not an option to come back. So I ask well can I see what is in the back? At this point, I am so freaking shocked that I am a customer with money in a store (a small private store) speaking with the person I think is the owner and they have what I want to buy but are making no moves to sell it to me??? UH What? Is this store a front - is there a gambling ring in the back?? I left with nothing and WILL NEVER GO BACK THERE. When I asked if they had the patterns - they referred me to the website? Gee the website - hmmm why didn't I think of that - maybe because all I ever hear is support your local small stores - well I tried that!! Store owners - take note! Heather Bailey - take note!

We did a little more riding - caught up with his parents. Headed back to their house to run around with Diesel and wear him out - Ernie chases him with the motorcycle and tires him out and he gets some much needed exercise. I take pictures.

Sunday we were lazy for a good portion of the day, and then went to see Hancock. It was a good mix of action and storyline with some good comedic lines.

It pays to read (comment) on my blog.

2008-08-15T10:56:00.002-05:00

I am beginning to sound like a broken record but comments are my lifeline - I don't want them, I need them and if I have to bribe people to leave them then so be it. I know your stopping by I got that feedjit thingie - so if your reading say something! Agree - disagree, I am not fussy. Point out my typos - which when I reread a post - I think are hilarious!!

So far I have had 32 comments this month, and I Random Number Generated #27 which turned out to be Karen from Baton Rouge - Karen my dear do you like Starbucks? If that does not do it for ya, tell me the place that would and I'll get you a gift card but it has to be a food/drink treat place.

BUT wait there is more, Karen is a double winner because everyone that commented on the Heather Bailey blog will get some Heather Bailey treats!! Thats right, Jennifer, Margo, Niki and Karen from Baton Rouge all are getting some Heather Bailey treats!!

If you call (comment) right now, I'll do more random drawings! Does anyone remember what commercial I am mimicing?

Prepare to be delighted

2008-08-12T14:36:00.003-05:00

You know when you happen upon something so great that you just want to share it with everyone you know - the first time you had Rita's - didn't you leave saying "Taste this - ohmigod so good - you gotta taste this!"

That is how I felt when Stacy J showed me the way to Heather Bailey's store and blog. "Ohmigod - so great so beautiful I need to learn to sew right stinkin now. I know Mary E put her in the magazine a few months back and I read the article and I loved it. But now you can buy the stuff. And it is some gorgeous stuff. (I stole this photo but blog posts need photos - she wont mind - it is totally hers - it just radiates what she is all about!)

I have a confession - shopping online is hard for me - I need to see and touch and be immersed - and the whole shopping experience itself. I like to meet artists and see their displays. So guess what - these are the stores that carry Heathers stuff. I have to go to LaPlata all the time and I had never even heard of Material Girls. You can bet I will go there soon!

If you love it too, can I hear an AMEN!!

Hazy Lazy Days of Summer

2008-08-10T17:04:00.002-05:00

Ernie and I spent the day being very lazy. We slept in really late. I did work on my "One Summer Album". We watched some shows on the internet - Psych, Monk and we just rented some movies. I sort of schedule my sick days - rather than let life run me down - I like to take a day stay in my jammies and just relax!!!

Yesterday was another dismal yard sale day - 2 books and a little gag gift. It was also gaby and greg's sons first birthday. It was a great party - both families, lots of great folks from church, and work. Food was delicious.

Finally, this shout out is to Odenton, Jessup, Baton Rouge - when you stop by leave a comment.

What to make for dinner???

2008-08-07T12:18:00.002-05:00

As many of you know, Ernie is a young strappin boy who works very hard long hours and therefore is a great audience for my amazing(cough - lie) cooking!! But I have run out of quick and easy and simple and delicious ideas. Pioneer woman is great when I want to try something new. But my boy is a meat and potatoes boy. And let's face it the cost of groceries is ever increasing! So give me your good quick dinner solutions!

Last night I tried the Pampered Chef chicken and broccoli wreath - it was not bad - I could not figure out how to make the braid - I just improvised. We ate a lot of it!

I do steaks on the generic George Foreman a lot. He likes the sweet potatoes in a can with brown sugar and butter. The only thing I do with any consistency in the crock pot is chili.

Give me your ideas for quick dinners!!

The parking challenged

2008-08-06T11:23:00.005-05:00

This past weekend I witnessed some of the worst parking I have ever seen - rather than get frustrated by their crazy - I decided to use it as a blog topic this week. I even plan to add to this as I come across more great park jobs which I am thinking will be frequently.

I now present - women scrapperbookers - parking 101.

This first one was so excited, they drove toward the space and got out and left.
Notice how much space there is in the front - every other person that had to drive down that aisle had to move four feet over to avoid hitting the badly parked car. And it was a long aisle. GREAT JOB!!
This one evidently thought that line was for the middle of the car? So everyone that pulled up that row thought it was an empty space - NOPE just another fabulous park job!

OH and both license plates were from Pennsylvania!!

HA HA Look what I got!!!

2008-08-05T12:43:00.002-05:00

I found that thingie to see who was landing on my blog and how - me so happy!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not sure why I never noticed the Click to add button at the bottom before - uhh sometimes not so sharp.

Now I will know who is coming so comments are almost mandatory - because I am not above emailing you after you visit to find out why you did not comment.

If starbucks is not your thing, I will make sure to send something that is - by stalking you on your blog!!

OH me soo happy!!

The good, the bad and the beautiful

2008-08-04T13:08:00.004-05:00

The good - I had a nice weekend connecting with friends and family that I had not seen in a long time. Deb is doing awesome!! Her boys are cuties E pies! The oldest is so smart he amazed me. The CKC had lots of good stuff to buy. Volunteering was actually pretty cool. Being a TA is hard work - and standing on my feet for 9 straight hours OH my heavens. My muscles were sore. The classes I TA for were about using your stash and about using 4 x 6 photos. Quite frankly the second class is a bit hazy cause I was getting really tired. Sunday got to spend a little time with my mom - and then dinner (Texas Roadhouse AGAIN!) with say 5 generations (although different parts) of my family including Mary's new baby. Such a good baby and such a cutie. Look at his little formula face as his eyelids just get so heavy.

The bad - Ernie and I are going through a rough time not so much as a couple. It is hard to talk about right now and I know that together we will get through this but it still makes it hard. If you are the praying sort - I would really appreciate that right now.

The beautiful - At CKC, I happened upon the most beautiful booth - little lamps set up and a cute tablecloth with buttons along the hem. And then I saw her kits - it is The Button Farm and her stuff is divine. I bought two kits and really could have bought one of everything she had. her style is that mix of vintage but with all the great new products. It was really hard to get shots of her booth because it was always so crowded!!

So the birthday month ends...

2008-08-01T08:51:00.004-05:00

July was lots of fun! Turning 35 not so bad. Our photo shoot with Ashley one of the highlights. This one is definately a favorite. I highly recommend her - her fees are very reasonable.

My scrapbook birthday party was another highlight- thanks Anne and crew for a great day!

Playing on ebay all month has been lots of fun - so great to get rid of old stuff - to make room for new - I still have lots of stuff listed - http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/mgerrity_01 check me out and bid. Lots of stamp stuff all my auctions start at less than $1.00.

August is looking to be another great month - I am heading this weekend to a scrapbook event in Valley Forge getting together with my dear friend from high school to meet her new son, and then heading to Millville to see another new baby - my cousin Mary's baby boy. Then the following weekend I have another 1 year old birthday party. Then the end of the month Ernie and I will celebrate one year together. We are planning to go away for the weekend but have not decided on a location.

It's not all sunshine and rainbows every day for me - my house is messy (which is why I never post pictures of it), Ernie and I do fight, I struggle with my weight, I had a huge terrible leak in my house - but do you really want to read a whiney complainy blog. Plus when it comes to wanting to share something with the world - I want it to be nicer and funnier and happier. Because all in all when you get right down to it - I am healthy and everyone in my world is healthy, I have a job, I have a nice house, I have lots of nice people around me, we have two trucks and a motorcycle, we have a great great DOG, what more do you need??

EDITED TO ADD: I need comments!!!!!!!!!

Blog Contest for the month of August

2008-07-31T08:45:00.002-05:00

As evidenced by how many people accessed Ashley's photos through my blog (I really want to get one of those sidebar tells me who is accessing my blog and from where thingies - can someone tell me how to do that??) I know that I have a lot of readers but I don't get a lot of comments. Let's be honest - comments are the bloggers crack. It is how we determine if we are talking to ourselves. I have asked (begged) for comments. I tell my friends and family "Hey please comment if you check out my blog!"

So with that in mind, I introduce "Comment Contest"! For the month of August, anyone who comments on my blog will be entered into a drawing for a gift card to Starbucks. There will probably be random prizes throughout the month too. DO NOT COMMENT TODAY - THEY WILL NOT COUNT. This is only for the whole month of August.

Maybe you are uncertain as what to say - these all count - Hey girl! or Funny! Cute (although I do hate that word) Your silly! These are all valid comments.

Now I look forward to hearing from you all month!

Summer weekends - happen so fast...

2008-07-28T14:30:00.003-05:00

Summer weekends - havin' a blast!

Well another weekend flies by. Friday night I treated myself to a pedicure, some shopping at Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale and a visit to Trader Joe's. I broke the first rule of grocery shopping - I went when I was starving and I bought a whole bunch of stuff.

Saturday, I had to have some work done on my house. I was able to hit a few yard sales but only picked up some jeans. I did other stuff - but it eludes me now - oh ran errands - read my book - relaxed - cleaned the house - surfed the web - ebay (still totally addicted to selling all my goodies there!)

Sunday Ernie and I headed down to Waldorf and then went for a long bike ride just the two of us. We went to Solomon's Island. On the way home, we unfortunately got caught in the rain - we just pulled over and waited it out. It was kind of romantic to be holed up under an awning with the thunder, lightning and rain and just the two of us. Ernie is so strong - that he always makes me feel protected. It is a wonderful feeling. We got home and then went to dinner (not before dragging the guys to AC Moore) with his parents - we went to Texas Roadhouse! OMG - their food is so good - I could make a whole meal of the sweet tea, rolls and cinnamon butter. I tried to score some steak bones for the dog but no luck! Steak places should get smart to that and start selling their trash as dog treats - I would have paid for it!

What gorgeous models we all are!!

2008-07-21T09:29:00.002-05:00

Saturday we had a photo session with Ashley of Ashley Layfield Photography and just from the sneak peak on her blog - I love them!! http://ashleylayfieldphotography.blog.com/3346262/?page=last Seriously if you are in the Maryland area I suggest a shoot with her. She made the babies, the dads and the dog all look and feel great.

Ashley used to work with us girls and about 6-8 weeks ago we thought wouldn't a joint photo shoot be a great idea. Gaby's baby is almost 1, and well I am a scrapbooker, and Vivian has never had a family portrait done. Having three families at the same time was a great idea - there was always someone to hold a baby or entertain a 4 year old or stand behind and play peek a boo and make a baby laugh and having a dog there made everyone more casual. We are all casual families anyway. Ashley's husband and daughter even came down too. Oh and I really did not notice the heat because we were in the shade!!

Yahoo thinks when I email myself that I am spam?

2008-07-17T16:27:00.005-05:00

About 3 months ago, I realized that the Spam filter from Yahoo is not so good. For example emails from myself - they are Spam. What kind of filter thinks that? If I email something to myself because I have not figured out how to save sent messages - it goes into my Spam. It is the most ridiculous thing. So I have taken to checking my spam folder just in case something good slips by. By glancing through spam there is a whole world out there that I know nothing about.

There are people to get paid to fill out forms at home - and what I really want to know about are these mystery shopper jobs - getting that job is the real mystery.

And really how does SPAM stay in business - who is buying all these replica watches and what is a berry cleanse and how much cialis and viargra is there in the world and does Rachael Ray even know that she is endorsing Wu-Yi Tea?

Now there is even spam in my blog comments - anonymous is selling their own book light. Hey I was just thrilled there was a comment!

This is the kind of thing that I think about... I keep telling you fascinating stuff.

Two words

2008-07-17T08:42:00.003-05:00

1. Where is your cell phone? ...............surgically attached
2. Your significant other?.................probably working
3. Your hair? ............................. frizzy today
4. Your mother? ........................... she's fine
5. Your father?............................. missed loved
6. Your favorite material object?.....................
7. Your dream last night?................... about scrapbooking
8. Your favorite drink..................... sweet tea
9. Your short term goal?.........................maintain sanity
10. The room you're in?..................... my office
11. What is something you're looking forward to this week?...........................nordstrom sale
12. Your fear?..............................icky stuff
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?...........tough one
14. Where were you last night?............. my home
15. What you're not?....................... self absorbed
16. Eggs?............................... with cheese
17. One of your wish list items?........... slr camera
18. Where you grew up?................... NEW JERSEY
19. The last thing you did?.................checked voicemail
20. What are you wearing?...................capris and tee
21. Your job?...............................the 5th
22. Your pets?.............................. crazy nut
23. Your computer? ....................... my life
24. Your life?.............................. it's mine
25. Your mood?............................ optimistic introspective
26. Missing someone?....................... i'm okay
27. Your car?............................... it's hot!
28. Something you're not wearing?.........earrings
29. Favorite Store?.........................yard sale
30. Your summer?........................... laid back

Now you share an answer??

Go Megan it's your birthday!

2008-07-14T15:26:00.003-05:00

Today is the day that is dedicated to all things Megan. I of course began the celebration at the beginning of the month. Saturday I spent the day scrapbooking with a wonderful group of girls who I have sb'ed with for the last 10 years.

Anne hosts a monthly or quarterly crop at her church - the money goes to charity - she does an AMAZING job. I arrived and she gave me a wonderful treat allowing me to pick a door prize before anyone else. I picked some Making Memories 5th Avenue colletion paper so that I could finish an album that I am working on.

Kathy also had made me a beautiful creative escape album - which I can't wait to fill. It is a vertical album and uses all the CE papers. I will add a pic cause she sells them - all kinds really.

Later around 6:30 when it was crazy party time - Anne brought out cupcakes which were without a doubt the best cupcakes I have ever tasted - they were so moist!! Vivian and Niki scrambled for their cameras as Anne came out of the kitchen singing and Viv caught this one - I love it - such a great shot.

Yesterday Ernie and I went to the farmers market and out to breakfast. I then spent the day by the pool reading another Jodi Picoult book - OHH she is so good - I have cried like 6 times already - she shows you so many angles - I can not wait to read what the twist is going to be in this one. Nineteen Minutes - about a school shooting.

Today when I arrived at the office there was a sign in the bushes. My office is decorated. Fran is one of the most generous caring people in the world. She is the mom at work and takes care of all of us. She got me the most adorable polka dotted mouse pad - pink and green. She also got me a banana scented candle from Yankee Candle - delish! Then Mary got me new travel bags for makeup - pink and green.

MY MOM - she sent me an edible arrangement so I have been nibbling on delicious fruit all day. She is so sneaky she even called the office Friday to get the new address! Gaby and Kathy enjoyed some too!

I ended the day with Ernie picking up Don Pablos which I have not had in years - yummy - and crawling into bed with my guys (and my book) pretty early.

It was a nice birthday - it is nice to just be surrounded by people (and doggies) who love you.

A book light saved my relationship!

2008-07-10T14:36:00.002-05:00

The story goes like this - Ernie gets up at 5:30 to go to work - I get up at 7:30. So when he falls asleep at night - I am not quite tired. I used to leave my bedside lamp on - and I guess he would dream that the sun was beating down on him. He would just have sweat pouring off of him - I would feel badly and literally wipe him off with a wet wash cloth before I went to sleep. He is a pretty easy going sleeper and did not mention for months that this bothered him. Finally he mentioned it - and I got one of those itty bitty book lights and now all is right with the world.

This scene got me thinking about the things we do to improve our relationships with our SO. A friend I know when looking to buy a house found (and eventually bought) one that had three TV stacked on each other in the basement. That way Mom, Dad and child could all be in the same room hanging out on the couch but watching their own program. I think one of the reasons that Ernie and I work is that we don't have TV. We watch stuff on the laptop and the screen is small so we have to sit close. and we have to find stuff that we both enjoy.

Tell me my faithful 3 readers what quirky things have you done to improve your relationships.

The trip to Ocean Shitty!

2008-07-09T16:28:00.005-05:00

Well Friday morning, we started heading down the Ocean, hon! I was not that enthused cause let's just say in the last 25 years Ocean Shitty has not really improved, the traffic is terrible, parking is almost non existent, and the hotels gouge you cause they are all dives that only have a few weeks a year to make their money. We ended up staying at the Ocean Mecca (photo courtesy of whflood from Flickr). I think this shot is gorgeous - I really did not remember the hotel being so lovely.

But it ended up being a perfect vacation for Ernie and me! We relaxed, we ate yummy junk food, we went on rides, we shopped in cute little stores, we walked up and down the boardwalk, we slept and then took naps.

I must mention that on Friday on the way down we stopped at one of the BEST antique stores called "Goose on the Roof". It is on route 50 just before Salisbury in Hebron. The owners are so nice, the selection is awesome - lots of shabby chic LOTS and the best part the prices are very reasonale. I found another button jar (yes I realize that I have a weird addiction), some childrens blocks and a pink wire basket thing. Ernie even got into it and really liked all the cool stuff that they had out front. Friday night we did watch the fireworks and then proceeded to run back 18 blocks to our hotel in the rain.

Saturday the weather was a little iffy but we did something really fun - we rented a surry on the boardwalk. It was so much fun - it was like being in a parade. I highly recommend the guy at the 14th street bike shop. He was really nice and had a great sense for business. After that we went out for breakfast and then rode some rides at the Jolly Roger Pier. I got on the Ferris Wheel - I am not afraid of heights but it did make me a little nervous. Oh and we ate more junk food and walked up and down the boardwalk 10 more times.

Sunday we hit the Jolly Roger waterpark as soon as it opened and here I found the most perfect place on earth. First because we got there so early we pretty much hit all the good rides with very little lines. So they have this ride called Stealth - it does not say what it is when you head up there. The guy running the ride is harness in - like he is going mountain climing. Of the 6 people in front of us in line - 4 yes 4 backed out. I was really nervous - but I really like water rides so when it was my turn I just marched up there sat in my tube and held on (oh and did not look down) It was steep and I screamed like a girl all the way down but man it was fun. But back to heaven. I love LOVE LOVE hot tubs jacuzzis etc but in the summer when you skin is a little burned it is just not the best feeling. Well, I see something tucked away called a bubble pool. I know I have to get in - and then my foot touches the water and it is cold! OH heaven I could have shouted - it felt like heaven. I stayed there all by my lonesome for at least half hour and quite frankly I could have stayed all day. I contimplated getting a raft and lying in there.

Sunday night, we went for a beautiful dinner at Fager's Island. I had never been there before as I am a boardwalk junk food kind of girl. It is very crowded but our waiter was very nice and dinner was delicious. For appetizer we had steamed shimp and for dinner we had steak and crab cake. The steak was so perfectly cooked it melted in our mouths. Of course we were too full for dessert.

Another perfect summer weekend!!

Staycation!

2008-07-07T10:46:00.002-05:00

I was off work last week and for the first half of the week - I had a staycation! I stayed home and vacationed. I cleaned and cooked and took the dog for long walks. I went to the pool just about every day. I ran errands and went shopping and tried to do home repairs - I say tried. I watched movies - 27 Dresses.

Let me just vent about "Pool Rules". On Sunday, the lifeguards heard one tiny very far off rumble of thunder and had to clear everyone out of the pool and clear the pool deck for 30 minutes. It was ridiculous. No one heard it except them and the sun was completely shining. Then what is up with adult swim for 15 minutes every hour. What is the purpose of that? I really think the children can play for longer than 45 minutes - heck all growing up I had a pool in the backyard and I think I played in it for 4 or 5 hours at a time. And don't even get me started on the Ice Cream man - he parks at my pool for hours playing that horrible music and I swear some of them were Christmas carols. So annoying.

I read some great books - another Jodi Piccoult book - Vanishing Acts. Not as good as Change of Heart but still a very interesting book.

I put some stuff on ebay and will continue to do that. I have accumulated a bunch of stuff that I don't use and want to make room for new stuff for my birthday. Check out my listings - and there will be more - my seller name is mgerrity_01 - I know what you are thinking, how very original.

In the next post I will tell you about the rest of my week. Stay tuned....

Birthday Dreamin'

2008-06-25T12:14:00.000-05:00

Every year about this time, much like I make out a christmas wish list, I make out a birthday wish list. I thought it would be fun to show all three of my blog readers my cute finds.

Of course, my big dream is a Nikon SLR camera. I have asked a lot of researchers and this one is the best.

Since I got my laptop about a year ago, I have thought that a lap top bag would be useful and have been inactively . I think this green one is pretty and practical. Of course I would jazz it up with some ribbon or a flower.

The same store has this pad which I think is super adorable and would definately help me get more done.

My ultra fabulous and stylish friends Kristin and Anne Marie had these cool swingpacks when I went to New York and I really loved them but the price was stopping me a bit. Anne Marie's was even cooler (Gucci, I think!). This weekend I found one at the beach in this great zebra pattern for $29.00 so I can cross that off my list.

I got Southern Lady magazine for Christmas but I think this mag Shop Smart is really great. I bought a copy the other day and learned a great deal.

My friend Catherine shared her book with us in Nashville and I think I would love a copy of Show it Off! There are some really clever ideas in there! And everything Catherine does is super cute. UHOH - I think her b-day is coming up soon - I better tink of something for her.

I still want one of these a power inverter which for a few days I really thought I had invented this gadget. Come to find out those engineers at Ford or NASA were way ahead of me.

And of course a girl can never have too many mismatched stuff and they have lots of cute new patterns. They also just emailed that their warehouse is in Iowa and 10% of their sales this week are going to help those in need from the floods.

The Weekend Report

2008-06-23T16:57:00.004-05:00

** We won!! We won!! Well rather Norma Anne and Henry won the dream wedding. Behold the power of scrapbookers! So happy for them.

Friday night, Deisel practiced his neighborhood escape plan and had me running all over to find him. I was terrified because I had no idea how to explain to Ernie. I found him seconds after he had run into the road. I sprinted to him and lucky for him people were watching! I drug him home and did not speak to him for the rest of the night cause I was laying on the coach (uh that would be couch) trying to catch my breath. God I am not in shape.

Saturday I hit one big community in a school parking lot yard sale, and got a few things. One lady had toiletries and such for a song - loved her!

Then I headed down to meet my mom and her friends to get them set up at the beach. My mom and I were on target to meet each other exactly. We met up about 12 did a tiny bit of shopping at the outlets and then headed to their cottage. Got everyone moved in and just sat around talking. Sunday we got some sun, I started to read another Jodi Picoult (her stuff is soooooooooo good), we hit the Village of Fenwick 2 or three small stores - I got a great little pocketbook that I have been looking for and a white t-shirt. Oh I made PW's Asian Noodle Salad and there was a ton of it. Everyone seemed to love it. I left the beach about 8:45 which meant I got home about midnight - 10 (uh that would be 2) hours past my bedtime (See I told you I was tired) . I was beat when I got home.

Very fun weekend!

This time yesterday I had never even heard of Norma Anne

2008-06-19T08:24:00.002-05:00

Now her and her wedding - it is all I can think about. Yes I do have an addictive personality.

I got this email yesterday morning

Okay, this is cute but corny. I know I really should be cleaning or organizing or something! There is a couple in Florida who are trying to win a dream wedding. She is a SCRAPPER and needs our support. There is another couple who also is recieving a lot of votes. Supposedly the other couple is posting lots of trash about them and occusing them of cheating. The whole story of the drama can be read on two peas (of course!):http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/mb.asp?cmd=display&thread_id=2581568&pg=1 Anyhow, she seems to have a pretty good lead but the voting does not end until noon on the 20th. Check out the site, it has there story and of course their photo whichhappens to be a scrapbook page!http://photocontest.freedom.com/cbs12/dream-wedding/ Click on their link and it leads you to their story and the place to cast your vote. I just leave the page up and hide it in the bottom bar thingy. You can vote every 12 minuteswhich I am not asking you to sit all day at the computer, just vote when you walk buy or something. Let's help a fellow scrapper out!!!!! ;-) THanks!

It was forwarded to my friend Jeanne from a gal named Mindy who i don't know either.

So I clicked on the link and voted.

Then I clicked on the message board link and OH my god it was all down hill from there. I now know more about Norma Anne and Henry and Katrina and Matt (the 2nd place couple) and internet voting cheating and the knot.com and brides.com and WOW

We interupt this addiction for a new one - addicted and easily swayed that's me - Kristi Sikora Blankenship has a blog and a newsletter and she is teaching a class!!!!!!!! I loved her at Scrap Etc - her energy and her live this life now and her glue and go - LOVED LOVED LOVED IT all - Her summer album - cute cute cute.

Dismal yard sale finds

2008-06-16T10:44:00.002-05:00

I was up and out at 8, had a few places set to go, and well it was dismal. Nothing just felt like I needed it. I did pick up a few books, an outfit for Sammy and the most adorable girls outfit size 18-24- I don't know who this is for but it was tooo stinking cute to pass up. A christmas ornament which Deisel already stepped up - my fault for leaving on the floor and that was about it. I did see a coach purse that I really really wanted but the lady would not waiver on the price and just kind of had an attitude and I passed. Total expenditure was $4.00 and $2.00 for a hotdog.

Sunday, we went to the river and got to do a little jetski which was really fun. I am a timid driver so when the kids wanted to ride with me I was more than happy to oblige! Then I could say I was being careful cause of the kids.

Oh and I read another good book - The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. It was a quick read and I really liked it. I am putting it up on Paper Back Swap if you want to trade. Have you tried that site - it is really good if you like to read and they have pretty new books on there.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday....

2008-06-13T16:16:00.002-05:00

You know in the movies when they want to show how fast time goes and the pages fly off the calendar - that is my life.

Wednesday I taught a Scrapbook 101 class to my co workers. We always talk about getting together to scrap and I finally just organized it. Everyone seemed to really love it and had fun with it. We plan to get together monthly to keep working on the mini albums that they started, One of the gals even brought her two little girls and they made an album for their dad for fathers day - I loved having the little ones in the class.

Thursday I read the book Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. I got it Express from the library which meant I only had 7 days to read and return it. I was about 150 pages into it last night when I got home from work and finished it about 10. OHH it was so good. I would love to find someone else who has read it who would like to discuss it because man I have a lot of questions. If you have read it, comment to me and let's chat.

Heat Wave

2008-06-09T09:45:00.002-05:00

I love the summer and I love the hot but last night was the end of what I could stand and the dog was begging me - so I turned the air on! It is not pretty when a pit bull just lies in front of the fan and every once in awhile looks at you like why you trying to kill me momma? Around 9:30, when it was time to go to the bedroom and sleep, I decided the dog needed the air. And it did feel delicious.

I spent the whole day at home on Sunday I had a pile of laundry like you would not believe and the laundry room right next to the craft room - and I had a new set of Will and Grace DVD's - so in between putting stuff in the washer and the dryer, I crafted and watched Will & Grace. I was getting ready for a class I am teaching on Wednesday - oh these little creative cafe albums are going to be so cute. If you order from there, say Hi to Marty in the comments - he is so nice with the greatest southern accent! And you get your stuff fast!

Saturday I hit the yardsales and I got some GOOOOD stuff. A few baby things for Sammy, a retro pin, a book, and then the motherload of JCrew clothes 3 tshirts, a sweatshirt and 2 sweaters all for $16.00 - I was telling Ernie and said that would be like... and he said "more than $50.00 at Walmart!" He does know my love for JCrew. Then I hit a few more with nothing - then an estate type sale - evidently the folks were moving and I got a whole box of kitchen towels for a buck, and another apothacary jar (this makes 5), and a little tupperware pitcher and another Button tin. I then stopped at bath and Body works for the sale, got a pedicure and then went grocery shopping - I did not get home until 3 - yikes. We went to a local dive bar for dinner and to watch the Belmont Stakes.

I did not make it on the Harley all weekend so I can only classify the weekend as great (the pedicure really pulls up the ranking!)

Sex and the City!

2008-06-02T12:56:00.003-05:00

I must preface this by saying - I do not go to the movies ever! The last movie I watched in the theatre was Cars. But I had to see Carrie, Miranda, Samatha and Charlotte. It had been on my calendar for weeks. I bought the tickets online around noon - I had even convinced Ernie to see it. The promise of some nudity was his draw.

It was fabulous! I do not want to give anything away but it was fabulous. The fashion delivered, oh the shoes, I laughed, I cheered and I cried. It was so good that I could have sat and watched it again. Go with your girlfriends, get dressed up, have a cosmo and then see the movie. The girls that not only made it okay to be thirty and single but the girls that made it fabulous and fashionable!!!

The rest of the weekend was perfect by my standards, yard sales Saturday morning, a rain shower in the afternoon so I got some creative time and riding the Harley all day Sunday. We got caught in the rain which did take some of the fun and coolness out of it but Ernie's mom bought us new dry clothes so it ended well. It was great to go to bed last night and be really tired from the sun and the fresh air.

Free photos!

2008-05-29T16:48:00.002-05:00

Hey Shay, Mel and Steph,

Since you girls comment I will write to you. Anyone new reads and comments I will write to them.

Back to the free photos, I just discovered that at www.mycokerewards.com one of the rewards is 20 free prints from Snapfish (with only 64 points). I was pretty happy since I spent $35.00 at Snapfish last month.

Also if you have not signed up with mr.rebates what are you waiting for and tell them I sent you. If you do any online shopping at all, it is awesome! Shay you signed up - have you used it?

I love little extra easy ways to rack up fun freebies. Anyone know of others?

Mel - the pictures from Facebook are not a high enough resolution for me to print - can you send them to me?

Steph - send me your address, I have a surprise for you.

How I kicked off the summer of 2008!

2008-05-27T10:05:00.003-05:00

This past Memorial Day weekend was weather wise one of the best I have ever seen. Every day was sunny and perfect temps.

I spent most of the day Saturday in my craft room. It had been quite a few weeks since I had a chance to spend any time on any creative projects and I was missing it. I worked on some thank you notes that I am really late in sending and another 6x6 scrapbook project that I have been having fun working on lately.

Sunday, Ernie and I rode the Harley to DC to be a part of Rolling Thunder "Ride for Freedom". That event is one of my most favorite. We decided to watch instead of ride in it. It ended up being just the two of us which worked out well - we did not have to worry about anyone else in the crowds and after about an hour we were ready to go. The news reports say that 350,000 bikes participate in the event in total. It is so cool to see that many bikes in one place.

We stopped home, changed cars, got the dog and drove to NJ to visit my mom. Monday, we spent the day at one of my favorite events - Bob Brooks auction in Malaga, NJ. We arrived about 9:30 not the early bird gets the worm auctioning but we were able to score some good stuff. To the lady who roots around and picks out the one thing that she wants out of the box and then holds it up for it to be bid along - thanks for taking all the fun out of an auction. Bob Brooks now has a 13% buyers premium. As we were checking out, they mentioned it. I got to say "when I first started coming here, there was no buyers premium" They said that was a long time ago, like 10 years. I said yep, I have been coming here for 12 years. OH what did I score, a cool retro pale blue fan, an apothocary jar, 4 boxes of Christmas ornaments. My mom got a glass brick (we bought that from someone on the side - I LOVE those cash transactions!) and two glass battery jars and a sewing stand. I just like to go and poke around the antiques.

When we got home, after a quick nap, we prepared a delicious dinner. Pioneer woman your jalopenos wrapped in bacon - YUMMY!

All and all - a perfect weekend - scrapping, harley riding, and juking!

By the way, if you are reading this - post a comment - I would like to know that I am not talking to myself.

$$$ saving tip!

2008-05-20T09:36:00.002-05:00

While having some things checked at the beach house, the repairman from Del Mar Appliance was a wealth of information. He gave me two tips which made a ton of sense and I thought I would pass them along - just before you run your dishwasher (finally have one back in my kitchen!!) run the kitchen sink until the hot water comes out. That way the water that goes into the dishwasher is hot from the beginning. He said it takes a long time for the dishwasher to heat the water. I tried to find supporting research for this. He also said that you really only need about a teaspoon or two of detergent.