Catching up on the Countdown of Christmas

Day 100-make a binder-done

Day 99-print out calendar pages-done

Day 98-list of who you need to get gifts for-done

Day 97-budget-started

Day 96-family members wish list-working on it

Day 95-get out fall decor-done

Day 94-celebrate fall-will do next weekend

Day 93-Who are you voting for-I think it's a hard decision yet again! done

Day 92-Christmas Cards- I usually make about 30 and then buy store bought for the rest of the people. I actually try to buy my cards after christmas on major clearance sales. I checked and I have some but might need to buy another box or 2. And I have the ideas on the cards I'm making and I am just waiting for the supplies to start them. done

Day 91-I have a great little book I like to use for Sending my cards it's from Current http://www.currentcatalog.com/600189.html?AS=1&keyword=christmas+card+book - done

Day 90-Verify addresses for those on your christmas card list. I am updating this as well.

Day 89-Plan a family outing for fall. My family goes to http://www.danielpiercelibrary.org/pumpkinparty.html every year, it's great fun. - done

Day 88-Get your kids to pick a halloween costume. I always have to have their costumes ready early because the Pumpkin Party mention in Day 89 is the first Saturday in October. This year we are seriously saving money. My son has a John Deere toolbelt w/tools and a hat. So I'm going to dress him up as he says: "worker Greg" and Julia is going to be an Olympic Athlete. I have a sample medal from a High school coach that is red, white and blue so I thought. This will be an easy one. I do however need to get the sweatsuit in red, white and blue. That I'm doing this week.

It's here, it's here

my beautiful purple ipod came today. I was able to play a bit with it at lunch and check out the games, but I have to go home and put some songs on it!

Open house last night felt like speed dating. They had three sessions each one about 20 minutes to 1/2 hour. I didn't think that was enough.

In just a few short minutes my weekend will start. And here is my list

Things to buy this weekend:
1. food for the week
2. birthday present for the little girl's party Greg got invited to
3. ice cream cake for Kev's bday
4. card for Kevin
5. Pizza- we always have pizza on Fridays

Places to go this weekend:
1. BJ's house
2. Walmart and the bank
3. Grocery Store
4. Pizza Hut for the birthday party
5. Sunday School

Things to do this weekend:
1. go stamp at BJ's house
2. Watch some things on the DVR
3. Watch the rest of the Bones episodes I have on DVR
4. Grocery shop
5. laundry
6. pull out clothes for Gregs that don't fit
7. wash kitchen floor
8. if it's not raining too hard I wouldn't mind pulling some of the weeds that I let over take the garden this summer
9. pull out clothes that I won't wear again 9. work on some cards
10. regular cleaning and organzing of our stuff.

It's Friday...

and I have a lot on my list of things to do. Hopefully the cold will let me. So I've made list.


Things to buy this weekend:
1. food for the week -done
2. birthday present for the little girl's party Greg got invited to -a Hannah Montana doll
3. ice cream cake for Kev's bday -forgot, will get Tuesday
4. card for Kevin -got
5. Pizza- we always have pizza on Fridays -yum!


Places to go this weekend:
1. Grocery Store -twice-I forgot cat food
2. Pizza Hut for the birthday party - it's interesting to see other people's family dynamics
3. Sunday School - done


Things to do this weekend:
1. Watch some things on the DVR - haven't done
2. Watch the rest of the Bones episodes I have on DVR nope
3. Grocery shop -yup
4. laundry -still working on it
5. pull out clothes for Gregs that doesn't fit - maybe
6. wash kitchen floor -uh no
7. if it's not raining too hard I wouldn't mind pulling some of the weeds that I let over take the garden this summer - it is raining too hard
8. pull out clothes that I won't wear again - nope
9. work on some cards - I did this!
10. regular cleaning and organzing of our stuff. - working on

Good morning blogland

I do have a cold, but so far it's not too horrible. Let's cross my fingers on that one. My kids were in bed by 8:30 I was in my bed by 9:15. I had rented Season One of Bones - as I just got into this show this year. So I watched the pilot episode and the beginning of the second. I fell asleep before it was over so I'll have to watch it again.

Countdown to Christmas for today is to make a list of who the Christmas Cards go to. I have a book, I believe I bought it from current, that has everyone's address in it. I like it because it has columns for each year and you can check off who you sent to and who sent to you. It lasts about 5 or 6 years.

Tonight is open house, now I've already met Greg's teacher because we went in the day before school starts (he's a kindergartner) Julia's teacher we haven't met yet. I like to meet the teachers to see how they structure they're class room and try and get a feeling for them. We've been lucky so far and all her teachers have been enjoyable. Luckily Julia loves school so that helps tremendously.

Oh yeah and my ipod is Indiana currently. Hopefully it will make it NY by tomorrow.

Please let it not be a cold...

Last night as I sat at my desk sorting through some recipes, I found that my throat was sore and getting worse. My hope was that it was allergies so when I went to bed I took a Zrytec. Unfortnately these make me a bit groggy in the am. This morning I woke up and got everyone ready and I still don't feel that great. I did however use a Zicam swab, it's helped my nose which was runny. It hasn't done much for my throat. But I've only had one dose so far. We'll see what happens after my second dose.

So what else is on my list for today. I go see my frind Melinda today, she does my nails. I've been getting acrylic nails for years. It's really the only vain thing I do. I usually don't give that much thought to my hair or if I am wearing makeup but I do get my nails done every two weeks.

100 days to Christmas challenge-today's is about christmas cards. I actually need to see if I have any left. I usually hit the after christmas sales to buy my cards, or the dollar store. As a crafty type person I do make some cards, but I only give them to those I think will appreciate them. I have a couple of ideas for cards to make, now I just have to do it.

Good Tuesday!

It's not morning so I can't say good morning. So good Tuesday. Not sure it was a good Tuesday for me. I had a 9am dentist appt. Fillings. Ugh. Which I think is the first time in 2 years that I've had work done other than cleanings, so for me that's pretty good. The weather lately has been perfect fall weather. Sunny not too warm, I'd love to take a day off work to do some stuff around the house. However, I can't take a day, I need to save that time. In fact myhusband just asked me about taking his birthday off with him to go for one last boat ride before putting the boat away, but I just don't have the time. I might check to see if I squeek out a few hours though.

100 Days till Christmas daily to do is Day 93: making sure you are registered to vote. Well I am so that's already taken care of. But what are you to do if you aren't sure of either candidate. I'm leary of both so it's like pick the lesser of the two evils? I don't know. I don't like to get into politics so that's enough on that topic.

House organizing, still working on it. Not getting very far, I have great lists made, it's just the carrying them out ya know. Friday can't get here fast enough. For two reasons. One my ipod should be here - side note on the ipod I ordered yesterday as you know and I went online today to see if it shipped (it does say with in 24hours) and it says it shipped from Shezhen, CN - that's not Canada that's China. Any way I'm also going to my friend BJ's house, she's a Stampin Up demonstrator. And I'll be making stuff. I love making stuff.

See what I just ordered...

Third one from the left. Isn't it pretty. I should have it by Friday. So you know what I'll be doing Friday night.

It's Monday

Well it's Monday again, on another of my fav blogs/websites they have Menu Planning Monday. I shop over the weekend so my menu is usually made up by Friday. But I'll play along and post mine.
Monday: Rosemary Dijon Pork chops, and oven potatoes w/ carrots
Tuesday: Bruschetta Chicken Skillet
Wednesday: Chop Meat Casserole
Thursday: Spaghetti
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: venison stew with pasta and salad

I'm going to give you the recipe to the chop meat casserole my 8 year old loves it.
Chop Meat Casserole

1 pound ground beef
1 box of elbow macaroni
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
Approximately 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese (more if you really like cheese)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Brown up the ground beef, meanwhile boil the water for the pasta. Once the water has boiled and you put the pasta in, let it cook for only ½ the time as the package says.

Drain any fat from the ground beef and then put into a casserole dish. Drain the water from the pasta and then put into the casserole dish. Pour in the spaghetti sauce. Add mozzarella cheese and stir so it is mixed into the casserole. Then take the remaining cheese and sprinkle it on top.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Also I'm going to do a little catch up on the 100 Days till Christmas Countdown.
Day 100-make a binder-done
Day 99-print out calendar pages-done
Day 98-list of who you need to get gifts for-done
Day 97-budget-started
Day 96-family members wish list
Day 95-get out fall decor-done
Day 94-celebrate fall
I didn't ask my family members what their wishes are yet, because my husband will tell me nothing, and it's too early to ask my kids. I have some ideas for them, which I noted down.
I don't know how we could celebrate fall. I'll have to see if the kids did anything in school. But we'll talk about it at dinner time.

YAY IT'S FRIDAY!

Some weeks just drag on don't they? Anyway it's Friday. If all things go well in school today for Gregs we go to Burger King for dinner. Who says bribery doesn't work? lol

Anyway, the next step in the countdown to Christmas is the budget. And I already mentioned that I have a Christmas club, so over the weekend I will sit down and review that and my gift list.

This weekend I hope to move some flowers into a new home, some garden clean up. We were supposed to have a heavy frost last night, but it was 36 degrees this morning, so yes it was nippy, but no major frost. Bummer too, because I know my husband would love to see the lawn stunted at this point.

As far as organizing goes in my plans to get it together, I made a menu plan for the next week. And I have my shopping list ready, we’re really watching our spending so I’ve really been going over coupons, sale items and what not. It took me awhile last night to get it all together, but if it saves us money, then it’s okay.
There is also this site called www.ocpnet.org. It’s a site that guides you in sending expired coupons overseas to our military families, where they are allowed to use expired coupons. Check it out.

I also went around the last time I was in Walmart, Dollar General and Shoprite and wrote down prices of items we always use. I’m shocked at the difference in all the stores.

I think I’m going to follow the tip of http://smallnotebook.org/2008/09/17/a-solution-for-lost-papers-and-late-bills/ and I’m going to make the bill paying notebook. This way I can leave it on the counter in my kitchen where most of the mail comes in and just slide upcoming bills into it. First to find the items I need to make it. I already have a binder, just need to hunt down the rest.

Counting down

So the other day I mentioned 100 Days till Christmas. I love countdowns, not sure why, but I do. Over the last few years I have created something like 100 Days till Christmas suggests. A holiday binder/book of sorts. Some things have worked out great, others have not. So I'm a little excited to see where this one will steer me. In about another month I will be receiving a Christmas Club check. I've been putting away $40 a week since last October, you usually works out to be about $2000 and it's really great. In the past we have gone over that amount. But this year, I really have to work at staying at this amount. As we all know everything is expensive so we need to save where we can. I'm thinking some homemade items this year. I'll have to see what I can come up with.

100 Days til Christmas!

Don't panic after all it is 100 days. I just found this site and I'm always looking for help to get me organized so here's one more.
http://www.100daystochristmas.com/ looks like fun.

Let's see what's going on.
Hurricane Ike blew through, windy and some rain but he lost all his bluster by the time he made it up here.

My birthday was Saturday. 35, it was okay, kind of hard, first one without Mom, so it wasn't much of a happy one. My kids made me cards, and Kevin took us out to dinner. We went to Albert's Liberty House. One of our favorite things about going there is all the nostalgia of Liberty's past. It's pretty cool.

Our cat Locky, managed to be around when the skunk sprayed over the weekend. He was a little stinky until Kev wiped him down with this stuff: http://natures-miracle.petmountain.com/home?gclid=CNaw5NHj4JUCFQIyxwod-HG2IQHe smells much better.
The kids are enjoying school. Open House is next week. I can't wait, I love talking to the teachers after a couple of weeks. See how the kids are falling into a routine. And with Greg, I'm very anxious. This has been a big adjustment for him. He tells me everything is good. But I want to hear it from the teacher ya know.

I need to get a picture of my garden, the black eyed susan's have taken over. I'll have to try and take a picture this week.

I made a good fast pasta/shrimp recipe last night. I got it from Kraft Foods website: Shrimp Pomodor Pasta
1/2 cup KRAFT Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups penne pasta, uncooked
1 lb. cooked cleaned shrimp
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
HEAT large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add dressing, onions and garlic; cook 2 min. Stir in tomatoes; cook 12 min., stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package.
ADD shrimp to sauce; cook 2 min. or until heated through. Remove from heat.
DRAIN pasta; toss with shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with cheese.

This is too funny

I found this on Cathy Zielske's blog. How much fun is this

I know the sizing is a little off, but it was the 1990 page and since I graduated in 1991 I had hair close to this at one point.

Here's the link : http://www.yearbookyourself.com

Quick and Easy Dinner

The other night I made a chicken in the crockpot, I don't remember where I got that recipe from, I'll have to check on that. But it was good. It was a whole chicken (and my dad had raised some and gave it to us.) And was it ever good!
But I had leftover chicken so I made this last night:
-2 cups multigrain penne pasta,
-uncooked 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
-1-1/4 cups TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
-1 cup frozen corn, thawed -1 large green pepper, cut into short thin strips
-1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Reduced Fat Four Cheese Mexican Style Cheese
COOK pasta as directed on package.
MEANWHILE, heat large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 2 min. Stir in salsa, corn and peppers. Bring to boil. Simmer on medium-low heat 10 min. or until chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally.
DRAIN pasta. Add to chicken mixture; mix lightly. Sprinkle with cheese. Remove from heat; cover. Let stand 1 min. or until cheese is melted.
It's from www.kraftfoods.com Some of their recipes are quite tasty. And since the chicken was already cooked it took even less time.

Blogging

I love it, I love that other people blog, I love that they let you into their lives. You can learn neat new stuff. I just can't seem to accomplish it. There are a few things going on that makes me want to try again. I've found some great website/blogs lately about getting organized. It all started when I was directed to http://www.orgjunkie.com/ and it has snowballed from there. So for anyone who is reading this blog that does not know me, I am married to a great guy Kevin. He works super hard to support our family. He works all day as a mechanic and then night and weekends at a garage here at our house.The kids went back to school last week. Julia's in 3rd grade and Greg started kindergarten. So far they are both enjoying it. It's only the5th day of school but so far so good. So it's come to the fact that I need to get organized. As a family of four with parents who work outside the home (and a side business) and 2busy kids, things have gotten out of hand. And organized I am definitely not. I've tried http://www.flylady.net/ but can't seem to stick tothat. I'm a member of http://www.clutterdiet.com/ which I like because I can ask professional organizer questions and they are more than helpful. I've found this great blog/website http://www.simplemom.net/ love her familybinder ideas. For other websites I enjoy check out the list on the sideof my blog. The other reason I want to get organized is I want more time to be crafty. I like to rubberstamp, I'm a hobby demo (for now) with http://www.stampinup.com/ I've been using their products for 8 + years. My friend BJ is a demo http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/mcstamper This blog will serve as many things, showing my progress on getting things together. I'm not expecting to be like Martha Stewart. But I don't want to cringe every time someone shows up unexpectedly at the house either.I want it to show my creative side, different projects I make. And maybe I'll even share it with my family so they can see updates about everyone.

Blogging is like work!

I had tried typepad out for awhile, but I was barely blogging once a month and it was costing me $5 a month, so here I am back at blogger.

Where the heck has Peggy been?

And does anyone care? :o)
Busy and just not feeling the blog mood ya know? I'm actually in awe of those that blog everyday. Sometimes I feel like I don't have anything to say, but all the blogs I read are just about regular things and everyday life. So a quick update about me and my family.
Greg is in Preschool and potty training!!!!!! I actually just spoke to one of his teachers the other morning and he's doing well with both. I met with Julia's teacher today in fact at a parent teacher conference and she said that Julia is doing really well. She's first in the math speed drills. Her reading level is at 81 and she needs to be a 90 by June.
I'm glad both kids seem to like school. I hope this continues.
Julia had a bout with lice. Ugh! And that's all I'm going to say about that.
My darling hubby turned 40. I turned 34. We saw Gretchen Wilson in concert on my bday, she was great.
Halloween is coming. Julia is going to be a hippie and Greg is going to be Mater from the movie Cars.
Apparently my mother had to go back for more tests. They thought they saw something again. She smoked for 50 + years there is a good chance that lung cancer will take over. She's kind of doing the ostrich thing, sticking her head in sand and hoping for the best.
My dad is pretty much back to normal from his bladder removal surgery of over a year ago now. Last May to January was just so stressful but for now it's all good.
I'm beginning to get things together for Greg's birthday. We're going to do a Mickey Mouse theme. He loves Mickey Mouse Playhouse.
I've started my Holiday Control Journal ala Flylady. Starting to think about what I want to give as gifts. And starting a wish list of my own.

I don't think my hearing will ever be the same!

Well summer ends this weekend. Not by the calendar. But once Labor Day hits, summer is over for me. Anyway, this summer was a blast. In previous posts I told you that I would be going to many concerts at Bethel Woods http://www.bethelwoodslive.org/ Last night was the last one. So this year I saw Brad Paisley who was amazing. Then we saw Terri Clark, Gary Allen (who is my fav) and Trace Adkins. And is he one big hunk of man! Then we saw Lynyrd Skynyrd. And last night we saw Ray Price, Meryl Haggerd and Willie Nelson. Wow every concert we saw was awesome. I totally think if you have the opportunity to see any of these performers. Run don't walk!

Love this photos

My oldest nephew graduated from high school a few weeks ago. And his party was yesterday. So we went. Rob is also my son Greg's godfather. These were my favorite photos from yesterday. Where is my daughter? She made friends and I didn't see her for most of the day.

Ramblings...

So yesterday was the 4th. Having it on a Wednesday was no fun. I like when we get a three day weekend not just a day off in the middle of the week. And to top it off it rained all day. At some points it rained very hard! So we stayed inside and were couch potatoes all day. But it did break up the work week, which is actually a plus in my book.

I had to laugh today as I dropped my son off at daycare the teachers commented at how dressed up I was. One I'm wearing a dress, which I hardly ever do and Two I wore it to work. My job is very casual, jeans are allowed. All summer I wear I capri's and sandals. But today we were having visitors so everyone looked very pretty and handsome dressed up.

Our summer weekends are starting to fill up. Graduation parties, my dh and his friends all turn 40 this year so we've been invited to many of those. A wedding and some concerts on the list of things to do.

A very nice man passed away the other day. He worked for my in laws, my dh had worked with him and he had done some carpentry work in our house. He died while helping some elderly friends of his in a freak sort of accident. Won't go into details, however he was born and died on his birthday and while at the service on Tuesday we were told by his mom he also died during the same hour he was born. He will be greatly missed by all.

I had hoped my dh would have our camper fixed up in time to take it for a test run this summer. I'm not sure he will though. We bought it used at the end of the summer last year. It's like 20 years old but still in decent shape. I have actually never in my life been camping. In a tent or otherwise. My dad was always super busy in the summers and my mom is from the city and doesn't drive so therefore no camping. But I will camp in camper. Sounds fun but we'll see. My dh maybe to busy to do it this year. We do however have it set up on our property with a little fire pit in front of it. So we could at least camp in our yard if we had to.

We got our driveway sealed this past week. I love the way it looks when it's first done. Of course since we have such a long driveway it is expensive, but it is a home improvement so par for the course I guess once you get your driveway blacktopped.

Summer in Sullivan

County that is, that's where I live. And you know what, my local newspaper even wrote about it here's the article:
Times Herald-Record June 28, 2007
Summer means barbecues, the sun and the beach. In Sullivan County, it also means gridlock — on roads and in supermarkets — and knishes.
This is the weekend when Sullivan's population triples, jumping from about 78,000 to more than 250,000 seasonal folks who flock to camps, bungalows and getaway homes. They turn country roads into city streets, express checkouts into slow lanes, and boarded-up shops into busy businesses.
Here's how to survive and thrive during Sullivan summer:
Traffic: Driving through South Fallsburg on Route 42, where an Orthodox Jewish community springs to life every summer, can feel more like a rush-hour trip through Times Square. When the Sabbath ends Saturday nights, cars pack Woodbourne. Traffic doesn't move — it creeps, crawls and lingers.
The same goes for Route 17B, on which thousands will travel to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
"What I say to the public is stay away from 17B as much as possible to avoid traffic," said Ray Neuenhoff, a Bethel constable. (For the back way to Bethel Woods, see recordonline.com)
Getting jammed in a long line of cars is almost inevitable. So how do you cope?
Leave early, bring music and be patient. Some folks use less congested back roads or Route 17. They don't travel Friday afternoon or Sunday evening.
Shopping: The checkout lines can be so long they drive shoppers into neighboring counties. Rather than fight crowds at Sullivan's three most crowded stores — Wal-Mart and ShopRites in Monticello and Liberty — some people head for Ellenville, or western Sullivan.
But if you must go to Sullivan's big three grocers, when is the best time? A cashier at one of those shops thought about it. Then, with the timing of an old Borscht Belt comedian, she said, "Never."
She reconsidered. "Maybe Saturday."
Translation: That's the Sabbath for Orthodox Jews. But"¦
"Everyone else shops on Saturday," she says.
So what's the best time?
"September," she finally says.
Treats to eat: Craving delicacies like kasha varnishkes? Killer knishes?
Now's your time to feast — in spots like Monticello, Fallsburg and Liberty. Many fine Jewish bakeries reopen as seasonal residents settle into their homes.
Steve Moss, owner of the Rock Hill Diner, said his favorite is Izzy's Knish Nosh in Loch Sheldrake. He's been eating their treats since he was a boy in Brooklyn.
"I just bought a dozen," he said. "I keep 'em in the fridge, freeze 'em and throw 'em in the microwave."
So grab a knish. It'll keep you happy if you get stuck in traffic.

It's summer how can I tell?

Over the weekend my nice little calm county went from about 70,000 people to about 100,000 + and by 4th of July weekend it should be about 200,000+. It takes me twice as long to get home and I keep praying that one of our summer visitors won't hit me on the ride home. Fridays. I call it the Rushoma 500.


Oh and don't even try to set foot in Walmart right now (it's the only major dept store here) unless it's first thing in the morning otherwise the place is wreck and the lines are long.


But enough whining. My dd started summer camp today. No more watching for the bus in the morning. Yee Hah!





And it's the summer of concerts I'll be attending 4 concerts at the place on the left. It's the original site of the 1969 Woodstock Concert. We went 2 times last year. We saw Brad Paisley and Crosby Stills Nash and Young.



This year we're going to see Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Jack Ingram and Kelly Pickler. Then Trace Adkins, Gary Allen and Terri Clark. Lynyrd Skynyrd with Marshall Tucker Band, and finally Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price. I can't wait. My babysitters are going to make a mint off us this year.

So much...

A girl I knew from high school a few years older than me died last week from complications from surgery. She leaves behind a beautiful daughter 14, a son 10 who is in remission from Leukemia and a husband who is finally recovered from a horrible logging accident. It's too sad.

As is the little boy of a fellow board member of two peas. 13 is much to young to die for any reason. Makes me wonder about a lot of things.

Good things - my son, he speaks and he doesn't stop. lol It's a good thing yes. But sometimes he drives me nuts. dd 7 never stops talking as it is and now him too. Cocktail please!!! I've signed ds up for preschool through the program he's in right now. He can already recognize most letters and count to 20. Oh yeah he's 3 1/2. I'm impressed, let me tell you. Right now his favorite thing is noggin.com loves playing with all his favorite shows.

Spring is here and I'm loving it. Hopefully this weather will keep up. And while the moon isn't full till Wednesday. It looked awesome in the clear sky tonight.

I don't know what to say.

I'm lost, there was a girl who's kind of local to me. The next county over. http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070418/NEWS/704180344 That was one of the students killed. And then on the 2peas board I know of one pea who said she lost a friend.
I don't undertand, this guy showed that he had problems. But it was ignored? Speechless.

I hate when people try to screw you over

A year and 1/2 ago we had this guy build our bar and home entertainment area. Well the bar inself cost about $4k. But it's goregous,made out of expensive wood. Had some custom detail made in it. Fine it will be there as long as we own the house.

Fast forward last week. The guy who did this came to measure my office area for a long countertop area and 3 cabinets. This is to be made out of cheaper materials. Birch plywood which I thought was cheaper. And since I already have the plain white cabinets from Home Depot - something white to match somewhat. He came back today and told us $4300. It's 2 feet wide and I forget how many feet long but still.

I know we have a nice house and we have parents who have money (he's a cabinet maker for my inlaws sometimes). But we don't have the money. So while he mentioned he was going to get started this week. And I was at first excited to have my room soon!!! We're calling him back and saying thanks but no thanks. I think supplies are $1500 and $2800 profit. He sees us as a cash cow and this time we're not!

Sharing

Okay I've been informed I don't update much. so here are some pics. I hope I get the descriptions in order. The first one is my dd after I blow dried her hair. Next is a pic of my kids and their cousins and various adult realitves being cold while Easter Egg hunting, and finally my kids, in our kitchen. Oh the first one of my dd ... You know what she said to me after I showed her what her hair looked like? Mommy do I look like a hot person?

My baby is 7!

She's my baby girl. And at 11:01am she turned 7. It never fails to amaze me how quickly time flys by.

She rocks by the way! And hip hops and ballet. lol She loves to dance. It amazes how she gets it. Kev has no rhythm and neither do I.

I can't imagine my life without her. Even when she drives me crazy she one of the best things that has happened to me.

Balance-month two

Well in January I posted about Balance. Scroll down to see that post. Anyways. We've made a few changes to help with balance. And I think it will help once it all gets moving. We took Greg out of his sitter of 3 years. This however was a very hard thing to do as this sitter had also watched Julia. It was a very hard decision for me to move him from his familiar. My familar of the last 6 1/2 years. His sitter was the best ever but by moving him to Project Excel he is in a classroom atmosphere where the teachers can help with his speech. And now instead of the PT and speech therapists coming here, they can go to the school. This is where the balance comes in. I went into work one day a week about 1 1/2 hrs late for his PT. This required me to make up that time the rest of the week. Also his speech therapist was coming at 6pm 5 nights a week. That was also hard as it pushed back our dinner time so sometimes we were rushed. As Kevin works in the garage at night. So far so good. Greg did really well adapting. Even though he can't tell me I know he likes it there. He didn't even cry the first day I left him there all day. How much easier that made it for me. Also my BP class is going well. I'm really enjoying it. Even scrapping a page tonight!! :oO Stacy's ideas are so dead on. Brillant she is. I'd love to meet her in person one day. Unfotunately I'm still working on the house thing, also I need more balance healthwise as well. Need to fit in exercise somewhere. Might actually have to break down and work out during my lunch time.

It's how freaking cold????

I love NY, I love the different seasons, but it doesn't have to be this @#^*#@ cold!!! It's like 10 with a windchill of - something. Negatives are never good! That picture is actually from last weeks snow. It all melted and then we had more on Friday about 3 inches, sad to say the most we've had so far in 2007.

GREAT NEWS!!!

for those of you that have paid any attention to my crazy ramblings on here, may they be far and few. I just found out my mom doesn't have cancer. Last May one week after finding out my dad had bladder cancer the doctors told my mom she had lung cancer. Which wasn't a shock she smoked for 50 years. They gave her about a year. She didn't want treatment she's 71. She has emphemsyma and is like on major oxygen. Fast fwd to about 2 weeks ago. The dr who told her she had cancer was not her regular doctor, but the dr on call at the hospital that weekend. So because of issues to long to go into. She made an appt w/ this dr for last week. She walks into his office and he is shocked to see her. He decided they should do a new scan. That was last week. They called her this week and said. It's not a tumor. Holy Cow!!!!! Now while I would like to know what they did see. I'm just glad that we don't have that hanging over us anymore. She still can't do much w/out having trouble breathing but now she's not waiting to die.

and the word of the year: BALANCE

So there's this Life Artist named Ali Edwards http://aliedwards.typepad.com/ she pretty cool. Got a cool scrapping style. Well she's got this word of the year thing going on. A word to focus on for the year. So I thought at first, I don't have time for this. Then I was reading other people's blogs and one of my favorites Cathy Zielske http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/ chose the word BALANCE. Hmmm I thought. Maybe I should try this. I could really use some balance in my life as Cathy stated on her blog. I work full time outside of the home leave at about 8am and returning at 5:30 each day. I have two kids 6 and 3. Greg gets speech therapy and PT during the week. Julia has school all week and keeps my weekends busy with dance and sunday school. My house has been suffering. I have been suffering. I need a way to balance work, family, our home and myself (including my creativity). I need to go back to Flylady http://www.flylady.net/ I know her system works if I would just do it. I've already got a lot on my plate I took Stacy Library of Memories class. I have a Circle Journal to do. I need to figure out a way to BALANCE it all so that I stay happy. Cause everybody knows if mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy.

I love it when a bad day gets better

When I got up this morning, I was pretty grumpy and tired. Not enough sleep in the last 48 hrs, no one to blame but myself. Anyways I was running a tad behind, got to the main road to have a work van in the front of the traffic line of 7 doing 45 in a 55. Gas pedal is on the right! Helloo!!!!!!!!!
Dropped Greg off at Karen's and then went on to work. Go to shut my door on the car and the seatbelt doesn't retract all the way and bam, the door pops back open. (It's only a 2003). Just felt grumpy for the first part of the morning. Called various dr's office to make appts for Greg to have them say...I need this, this and this before I can make the appt. So then I had to call his regular dr's office back to get said items.
But by lunch time I remembered, Library of Memories class starts tomorrow. The yahoo BP board said some people got their packages so I was excited to get home and get the mail. Then I figured out what my CJ topic is. Now to create it. And finally my favorite blogger is back. Cathy Z. Missed ya Cathy!
Now off to bed!

Happy New Year!!

Well it's that time again, another year over a new one beginning. The anticipation of a "fresh" start. One thing I'm very excited about is starting a class from Stacy Julian's website Big Picture Scrapbooking. It starts on Thursday. I can't wait.

Of course I have the normal things listed this year for resolutions: weight loss, better organized, yada yada!

In other news, my mother went to the ER yesterday, she's home. The good news is the tumor in her lung, has not grown. And the daily treatments she takes must be helping because something looked better yesterday than 7 mos ago. So that's all good. Because the dr at the time told her possibly a year. Keep your fingers crossed for me will ya. I'd like to keep her around a bit longer.

Holiday Tag

Holiday Tag..
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Santa only brings three gifts which he leaves under the tree, but he fills the stockings too and wraps those gifts.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White on both
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope
5. When do you put your decorations up? Whenever I have time.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
7. Favorite Holiday Memory as a child? the family being together at my parents house.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What truth about Santa?
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? At our house no, but we celebrate on Christmas Eve at my inlaws so yes.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? with ornaments that both dh and I have had since we were at home w/our parents and ornaments bought since we've been together
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE SNOW BABY!!!!
12. Can you ice skate? nope
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I remember a lot of gifts but right now can't think of any that were my fav.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? being with my family
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? all of it! :o)
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, watching the Christmas movies, baking cookies with the kids
17. What tops your tree? A angel who's wings "fly"
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving!!!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Silent Night(this year Julia is trying to learn the words, it's so cute listening to her sing it)
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Love them!
Tag you're it! (Copy, paste and share on your blog) Leave me a comment with a link to your blog so I can check out your answers too!

Had to share these pics

These are my kids in Greg's new race car bed. Can you stand it?

Thanksgiving and other ramblings

So I suck at blogging. I just am not the organized type to do this I guess. I've been in a funk too recently. I'd rather read than surf. But I'm here now so that is what counts right? So this year I am thankful for so many things. My dad has a clean bill of health. No cancer. My mom is still as healthy as she can be.
My kids and dh are great, even when they drive me crazy. lol
I'm doing pretty good on Christmas shopping although I can't believe how much I already spent. I actually sat down today and added it up. Yikes. For the rest that I need to get I need to be selective.
Saw this on 2peas thought I'd answer it:
Thanksgiving Twenty
Do you cook all or part of the meal? part of the meal
How much do you spend buying groceries for the meal? Not sure?
Do you eat at home or go to someone else’s? both
Describe your perfect bite? mashed potatoes, dipped in corn casserole
White meat or dark? white
Stuffing with giblets or without? without
Anything you won’t eat at the Thanksgiving meal? oyster dressing and cranberry sauce
Carve Mr. Gobble at the table or serve on a platter? serve on a platter
Favorite pie? apple
Formal table or Chinet? chinet
Your menu?
Favorite leftover? pie
Extended family, friends, both or just the immediate family for dinner? both
After dinner, do you go to the latest movie or football on TV? I don't the guys tend to gravitate towards the tv.
Do you watch the Macy’s Parade? I like to, don't always get too. (kids ya know)
Christmas decorations up before or after? after
Black Friday shopping or sleep in? sleep in
Any special Thanksgiving tradition? none
Favorite thing about Thanksgiving? Just being with family
Favorite Thanksgiving memory?I don't know if it's a fav, but my family from Long Island visited(it's about 150 miles away), everyone, we had two tables set up. And when they went to leave it had already snowed like 4 inches. We were nervous until we got the call they made it home okay.

Challenge by Sophia

I saw Sophia post this this challenge on the pub board over at Two Peas so I thought I'd try it.

1) When was the last time you truly watched at a sunset? I couldn't even tell you. I don't know that I ever have. Isn't that kind of sad.
2) What are you most obsessive about? I'm not anymore, I used to be about my music and videos being alphabetical but with the kids, that's impossible.
3) Last thing you ate? Lean Cuisine Chicken Fettucini-it's my lunch time.
4) Any plans for Halloween? Taking the kids out
5) What kind of shampoo do you like? Pantene for color treated hair
6) What do you do with your change? I have one of those things that helps you roll your change. I put my change in there until each roll is full then I cash it in.
7) What do you usually do/eat at lunchtime? A lean cuisine. It's just easier
8) When was the last time you called someone for help? What was it for? I don't know, I guess Saturday, looking for a sitter for the kids.
9) If you could have one TOY for Christmas, what would it be? A laptop
10) How many people have you currently not forgiven for something/do you hold a grudge against? I don't have any grudges.

Random Thoughts

Well since I seem to be the worst blogger ever.

Let's see what has been going on. Fall is upon us. We will be going upstate on Saturday for the holiday weekend to Lowville. Little town, my inlaws own a place up there. It'll be great to get away. And it'll be the most beautiful drive with the leaves changing.

Julia started dance again, this year it's ballet/jazz and hip hop. She's loving hip hop big time. And she's got the groove baby.

Greg's therapy is coming along. Tomorrow is one year since he had his intial evaluation. He's doing better with the speech, coming along, any day now it will click and he will be spouting out sentances.

Dad's doing better. It's been about 8 weeks since he had his bladder removed. Things in the beginning were tough for him, but it's gotten alot better.

Mom is doing good too. You'd never know they told us she had about a year. Maybe she'll prove them wrong and live longer, show that ol Irish spirit!

Anniversary of 9/11

I was at work, the NY State Liquidation Bureau had taken over our company about 2 weeks prior to the date. Work was under a lot of diress from that but I remember very clearly what happened that morning. I was walking past a coworker's desk when she said Oh My God a plane hit the trade center. What do you mean hit the trade center. I was thinking a little 2 seater plane maybe thought wow how do you hit a building? Then someone else turned the radio on and for the next 3 1/2 hours we sat and listened to the radio. I remember at lunch I couldn't eat we went into the gym we had at work and watched the news. The people from the bureau were trying to get a hold of fellow co workers still in NYC, their office was not too far from the Trade Center. They let us go home that day. I remember picking up Julia from the sitter. Her daughters lived down there, but had not made the trek into the city yet for school so they were home safe. Fortunately I did not know anyone who did not make it. Although I still cry everytime something comes on about that day. My birthday is September 13th, that was the worst birthday ever. There was no way I could celebrate that day. Not when people were still wondering if there loved ones were alive.

My brother in law is in the National Guard. His job was to check out every vehicle going over the George Washington Bridge. He was able to come home 2 weeks later.

I never hugged my family so hard as I did that tday.

Going to see Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Going to Bethel Woods again on Sunday. Going to see CSN&Y. How cool is that. It's like they are coming home, cause they played at the original Woodstock, I think they've been back for the 20th concert that happened.

I saw this on a pea's blog thought I'd play along:

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
I actually like the area I'm in,Liberty, NY just maybe more property!
2. What's your favorite article of clothing?
I have an old navy shirt I love.
3. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex?
eyes and arms.
4.What's the last CD that you bought?
Toby Keith -White Trash with Money
5.Where's your favorite place to be?
Home.
6. Where's your least favorite place to be?
The dentist's chair.
7.What's your favorite place to be massaged?
My shoulders and along my spine. And it usually needs it.
8.Strong in mind or strong in body?
mind
9.What time do you wake in the morning?
6:30
10. What's your favorite kitchen appliance?
the phone for take out? Microwave I guess
11. What makes you really angry?
Child abuse.
12.If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
Guitar.
13.Favorite color?
purple
14.Which do you prefer, sports car or SUV?
Sports car.
15.Do you believe in afterlife?
99% sure.
16.Favorite children's book?
when I was a kid there was a series the Happy Holisters. I wish I still had them.
17.What is your favorite season?
Fall, and it's fast approaching!
18.What's your least favorite household chore?
Cleaning the bathrooms.
19.If you could have one super power, what would it be?
I want to be like Samantha of Bewitched wiggle my nose and things get done. Like cleaning the house.
20.If you have a tattoo, what is it?
No tattoos.but I want one.
21.Can you juggle?
nope
22.The one person from your past you wish you could go back and talk to?
My grandmother
23.What's your favorite day?
Saturdays
24.What's in the trunk of your car?
folding chairs, ice scrapper & snow broom, sweatshirt
25.Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger?
Hamburger - I WILL NOT eat sushi, YUCK

If you read this, consider yourself tagged!

Brad, Eric and Restless Heart

Friday I am going to to see the above. I'm pretty excited and just found out tonight that Restless Heart will also be there. So that's cool. Thought I was seeing 2 acts and we get to see 3. How cool.

James Albert Ward

That's my dad. I think back in the 60's. He really hasn't changed all that much. Little heavier, well worn lines in his face. Alot older. But the same. He always made sure we had what we needed. And as I got older even allowed me alot of what I wanted. But I'm the youngest and by the time I hit high school he had a better paying job then when my brothers lived home. Growing up as a kid things I remember most. On summer sundays mom would maybe sleep in, Dad and I would go to town to get the sunday paper, go to the local Bakery Katz's for some hard rolls, jelly donuts and maybe some eclairs. Sometimes we'd stop by to see his friends Ralph and Grace Knack. She always tried to feed me breakfast. She was the sweetest lady I ever met. Then we'd go home. Mom would make brunch, usually fried egg on a roll. Yum!

He came to every meet, game whatever I had when he could. Even if it was only for the last 10 minutes. He helped me and my brothers with homework. Tried to teach me how to drive a stick. I couldn't do it then and I still can't. LOL As kids we all had nicknames. My oldest brother Jim was Bones, I can't remember what Scott was and as a kid I was Huggy Buggy and when I was older I was Marg and Fatso(now he wasn't being mean I was 5'11" and weigh 125) He loves his kids, and he loves his grandchildren.

He grew up not that far from where he settled down with his family. He was raised on a farm with cows, goats, horses, chickens, rabbits, you name it. At one point his dad left his mom. He got together with another woman. He doesn't really talk all that much about his dad. More his mom and his aunts and uncles who were also a big part of his and siblings lives. At one point in his life they had to sell the farm because his mom couldn't afford to live there anymore. They moved to town. At 16 he quit school and went into the army. He used to have a Hudson Hornet. He met my mom in a bar called the Light House when she was up here in the Catskills staying with friends. She was from Queens, NY. They married in 1963. Had Jim in 1964 and Scott in 1966. I came along in 1973 (my going joke is they were too scared to have another any sooner. My brothers were handfuls)

He's respected by many. Always willing to help you out. But doesn't always ask for help himself.

My dad was diagnosed in May with bladder cancer. While a surgery date has not been set, they will be removing his bladder. This whole thing has been very hard on me. As he's my daddy. And while I don't always agree with his opinions and what not I love him very much. I hope and pray all will go well. Other than the cancer he is in pretty good health. The surgery time concerns the doctors because his heart is not the strongest (he had a quadruple bypass in 2000) so that needs to be factured in to the whole equation.

The other hardest part about this whole things is my mom has lung cancer and was given a year. I'll save her entry for another day.

The drowning of Olympus (my camera)

Well it's offical my little Olympus is dead. I'm not sure what happened, but my poor mil did it. And my camera landed in my son's baby pool. I am saddened. While I know it's not the best for certain shots, I've grown to love it. {Sigh} The good thing is my mil offered to get me a new camera. Ugh the decisions of what to buy!!! More on this later.

Stampin Up's New Catalog

OOOOOO AHAAAAAAAAA! Living in the sticks as I do this is about the only place I get see great stamps and stuff. Other than online of course. My good friend is a SU demo and she got me the latest catalog and can I say drool! Get me a cup. I keep adding to my wish list. Boy I'd better hit the lotto. If you haven't seen it yet check it out. I'm off to go work on my list. Again!

10 Things I did today

1. laundry
2. bought cat and rabbit food at the pet store
3. bought some flowers
4. planted flowers
5. weeded the garden
6. made venison parmesan and spaghetti (YUM)
7. played Guess Who
8. marked dd's stuff for summer day camp
9. watched NASCAR
10. cleaned the hallway walls with the magic eraser

Ten things I should of done
1. paid the bills
2. dusted
3. vacuumed
4. meal planned
5. taken a nap
6. bought more flowers
7. cleaned off the kitchen island
8. straightened the pantry closet
9. called my mom
10.walked on the treadmill

1. FIRST NAME? Peggy/Margaret
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? my mom's favorite aunt
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? last week
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? most of the time
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? honey ham
6. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes, 2
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Of course!
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? sort of
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? all the time
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? nope
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically no and emotionally-most of the time
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? chocolate chip cookie dough
16. SHOE SIZE? 9 1/2
17. RED OR PINK? red
18. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My bad habit of procrastination
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? my grandma ward
20. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Sept 13th, Middletown, NY
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? blue jean capris and beige slippers
22. WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? pringle
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? So you think you can dance
24 IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? purple with sparkles
25. FAVORITE SMELL? a fresh cut lawn
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED WITH ON THE PHONE? a customer of my dh's
27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU MEET? Eyes
28. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?. ?
29. FAVORITE DRINK? non alcoholic Mountain Dew alcoholic: Parrot's Bay w/ pineapple
30. FAVORITE SPORT? Nascar
31. HAIR COLOR? brown w/ red highlights
32. EYE COLOR? brown
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No
34. FAVORITE FOOD? Italian
35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy Ending always!
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? CARS
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? white
38. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
39. HUGS OR KISSES? both
40. FAVORITE DESSERT? brownies
41. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? When Good things happen to bad boys
42. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? road runner
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? My kiddos giggling
44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? stones
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Florida
46. IF YOU COULD PICK ANY TWO PEOPLE TO HAVE DINNER WITH, WHO WOULD THEY BE? Lori Foster and Janet Evanovich
47. IF YOU COULD MARRY A CELEBRITY WHO WOULD IT BE? Chris Cagle (country singer)

My view

Mojito had posted her fav place, I was home today so I decided to do the same. We've neglected our porches so far. But I do want to do something with them.
In order: #1 is my upstairs porch (taken from below)#2 and #3 are the views from that porch. #4 is the downstairs porch and #5 is the view from that porch.

Should I rename the Dark and Depressing?

So they've given my mother a year. If the pneumonia won't stay away then I'm not sure how much time she'll have. But the doctor did say they would be able to make her comfortable with drugs when the time comes. My biggest concern is that my kids won't get to know their grandmother which is why it's so important to get memories written down while I can.

Haven't gotten all the info on my dad. He needs a bone scan as they think his cancer may have already gotten into his bones. And even if it hasn't with his heart condition they are not sure if they can treat him.

So lives my life right now. Me who loves to know what's going on and what we are doing next. I'm numb, then I'm crying.

How could it get any worse you ask?

Last week my father was diagnosed with bladder cancer. There are still things to determine but he has it.
Today the doctor told my mother she has lung cancer. Of course she smoked for 50 years what would you expect.

I don't even know what else to say.

IT'S FRIDAY

I've been waiting for this day all week. It's been a bit stressful see belows posts to know why.

I'm headed up to my parent's house in a few. Going to clean out my childhood room. Um I've been out of that house for 12 years. My mom once said she hadn't done anything because that way it didn't seem like I was really gone. Love my mom!!

So I'm sure to find all kinds of interesting stuff. I know I have these collagey type posters I had made. I'll take pics of them and post them later tonight maybe.

So if anyone actually reads my blog LOL, tell me when you moved out did your parents keep your room as you left? How long did they leave it like that? Or did they change it around right away and what is it now?

Later!

Dora the Explorer Live

took the kids today. It was a great show, had taken Jules to the last one about 2 years ago. And it was just as great. The performers really get the kids into it But unfortunately West Point was slacking on the whole how to let lots of people with antsy kids into west point to park and get in to see the show. We sat for 45 minutes just trying to get into the freaking grounds of West Point, we will definately be checking out alternative routes for future reference. I love going to Eishenhower Hall. They have great shows, we've now seen Cats, The Nutcracker Ballet, two Dora shows and Gary Allan concert but it was insane today. Okay rant over.

Stressing!!!

My dad has to have surgery on Friday, they are going to remove tumors from his bladder. My dad is 68 and in great shape really. But this poor man has had more issues. After I was born, he went through testicular cancer, he's had a burst appendix, quadruple bypass, gall bladder removed and just last year he had a hernia surgery. everytime the doctor has said, don't do this anymore...he stopped, get more exercise...he has. It's not fair. He's a good man. Never done anyone harm. So we wait and see what they have to say about the tumors.

On top of this, my mother who is 70 has emphesema. And she has panic attacks. That's not good. So of course the fact that my father is having surgery has just sent her over the edge. So she goes to the doctor the other day about something else (she hadn't been feeling well) does she tell the doctor???? Umm NO! So I have to call the doctor on Monday to see if he can do something. And give him some info on my mother. Like the fact that she's already headed for alzheimer's. I don't know if it's too late for meds or not. It runs in her family. But given the fact that she has panic attacks over things. Me telling her she should have a visit with a neurosurgeon is sure to surely push over the edge. I don't even know how to bring it up to her.

Top Ten Cravings

On another blog I saw a blog challenge of list the Top Ten Food Cravings so here you go.

List ten food cravings that you easily cave in to! If there was one offered, you’d never turn it down.

1. Mountain dew- don't know what it is about the taste but I LOVE it! The only thing is I can't drink after 4pm or up waaayyy to late at night!
2. Chewy chocolate brownies!!!
3. Oatmeal Rasin cookies, soft chewy ones (squillen from 2peas makes awesome ones)
4. Oreo cookies
5. Almond Joy Cookies-these are no longer allowed in my house as per me.
6. Cheesecake
7. Irish soda bread (my recipe only it's in the Peas recipe book)
8. a taco dip recipe I make, it's too die for, (I'll include it later)
9. McDonald's french fries-I've been known to eat my kids!!!
10. Port wine cheese spread!!
Quite the odd combo of foods huh. I'm sure there are more. But I can't think of them at the moment. Of course this post post, explains the weight loss post below. LOL

Frustration!!!!

I'm very frustrated right now. But some background info is necessary first. At the end of last summer we had my neighbor Rita come see my son Greg. Rita is a speech therapist and Greg who was 22 months wasn't saying much of anything. She said it was probably worth it to have the Early Intervention Program check him out. Turns out my darling boy has low muscle tone, it explained the drooling, the reason why it wasn't saying much. Turned out he had a major delay. His speech was about 9 mos to a year behind where it should be. So they advised he should have PT 2 x a week and Speech 2x a week. Rita came right away and started. From the beginning PT was difficult the guy wasn't the most reliable. He worked with Greg on and off for about 3 months. Then he opened up his own PT place and no more therapy with Greg. So it's now been 3 months with no therapy. Yesterday I met with the Service Coordinator and Rita (the speech therapist) for his 6 month evaluation. While Greg has progressed some he still needs more speech therapy and Rita says the PT would really help him with that progress. But we can't find a PT who is available and while Rita does help him the PT would help him more so here we sit. Waiting for a PT person. I just want to hear my baby to say more!
Okay today's vent over!

Weight loss challenge

When I graduated high school in 1991I weighed 130lbs. I'm 5'11" so I'm was pretty much one of those girls most women hate. Ate whatever I wanted and didn't gain a pound. Until I switched jobs and sat more. Also that darn depo shot pushed weight my way. But actually I looked healthier. I was too skinny. Fast forward to the year 2000. I had my dd and was a size 14. I wanted to lose 20lbs. But I couldn't do it on my own. Finally I joined weight watchers with my friend and did it. I even became a Lifetime member. I was able to stay that way for 4 months. And low and behold I get preggo w/#2. After ds was born I again on 20lbs to lose. Cool. I managed to get down 10. Then something happened. I got depressed and went on meds. BAM! 190 size 16? What happened to me? So here I am again. I'm down 9lbs. So far. Shooting for 165 and size 12. I'll get there. It may take me awhile but I'll get there. And now I have my friends on Two peas to help me.

Blogging is hard work!

Blogging is hard work. Who would have thought it would be hard for me to come to a website everyday and just write what's going on but it is hard. At least for me. I'm never sure what to say in the blog. I don't find my life exciting so why would others?

I have a long list of blogs I read, some daily, some less frequently. I admire those that blog daily. I'm also glad to see that some people don't update as often. Makes me feel better about it. There's just not enough time in the day to do it all. I've decided to try and take the Friday night approach. Blog on Friday about the past week or so and what's coming up in our lives. Soooo.... my dd was on spring break last week. Dying to wear summer clothes. Since she was going to daycare I let her wear flip flops cause I figured she wouldn't be getting outside too much. She can change her outfit like 5 to 7 times a day. But I have to remind her to put the clothes back in the drawers each time she changes. The clothes aren't on her long enough to get dirty and if they do she does know to put them in the basket.
Greg really got into the egg hunt this year. He's 2 ½ and scored the most eggs. Too cute. He would have stayed outside all day looking for more if we let him. Some days I wish he could just talk already. I know that one day I'll be like will he stop talking. But I would love for him to say more than dada, baba,(sometimes mama) cookie, clue and clock. He's been getting the Speech therapy now for 6 months and while he says 3 more words than before speech it just seems so slow. But on the other hand. He knows what your talking about he knows a lot of his shapes and objects. Time it just takes time I guess.
Yesterday was our 10 year wedding anniversary. This summer we'll be together 13 years. I can't believe it. It doesn't seem like that long. And I still love him to death. Wish he'd work less. But we have to pay our bills I guess.

Signatures

I was just reading blogs and saw this challenge so I thought this would be fun. What are my signatures?

Hmmm
I'm tall ~ 5'll
mountaindew ~ hence my pea name of mountaindew*girl
penguins ~ you should see my house
country music
pda

That's all I can think of right now if I do think of more I'll add it in later.

Man I'm a joke at this blogging thing

I just can't seem to come up with enough to blog. Or maybe it's too much to blog? My best friends brother was recently killed in a snowmobile accident. He was only 37 and had a wife and 3 kids ages 10,8 and 4. So sad. There has been a lot of deaths lately young people too. Alot more horrible car accidents too, guess that's from the area building up.

Well I went back to weight watchers last night. I have 24 lbs to lose. I know it will be tough. But I will suceed!!

I know I still haven't said all that much, but I just bought a new Janet Evanovich book and want to go read it.

List of Fours

okay so no one tagged me but I want to play anyway!

Four jobs you have had in your life:
cashier for jamesway for four years
Four jobs within one company:
receptionist, med recs tech, clerical and workers comp adjuster

Four movies you would watch over and over:
Steel Magnolias and I cry every time.
Wizard of Oz
Love Actually
Independence Day
(there are lots more)

Four places you have lived:
I've only lived in one town my whole life but in two different places. Does that make me sad?

Four TV shows you love to watch:
Las Vegas
Gilmore Girls
Lost
CSI
**new one Love Monkey
Desperate Housewives

Four places you have been on vacation:
Lowville , NY
Raleigh North Carolina
Disney in Florida
Lewes, DE

Four websights I visit daily:
2 peas in a bucket
local newspaper website
weather channel
various other scrappin sites

Four of my favorite foods:
chocolate
toasted plain bagel w/ veggie cream cheese from dunkin donuts
Chinese
irish soda bread

Four places I would rather be right now:
on the beach
in a night hot bubble bath with a glass of wine
in front of the fire with dh
in a bookstore allowed to buy anything I want.

Simple things in my life

Saw Sophie give this challenge and while I'm at work so I can't include any pictures I'll list what makes my life easier. #1 our dishwasher. I've always hated doing dishes by hand. I always freak out if it breaks down.
I have a palm pilot that makes my life easier. Especially when you use the reminder features. My computer makes shopping easier, and my banking. As well as keeping in touch with out of state relatives. That's all I have for now. Maybe I'll come up with more later.

Two Peas is wonky right now so I'll Blog

Typical Thursday I guess. I joined the DW 2006 Calendar Challenge on the General Scrapping board. I know my scrapping skills need work. The challenge is to do 4 layouts a month. I'd be happy if I did 4 layouts a month. I'm also on the search for the Stacy Julian book. We'll see what happens this weekend maybe I'll take a drive to AC Moore. I'll call first though since it is 30 miles away.

I'm also wondering where winter went. It's 41 degrees and raining. Let me tell you that my husband is not happy. He's a snowmobiler wondering when he's going to get to ride. I haven't been in a couple of years, but I'd like to go. I know it's only December but still.

My friend who is a Stampin Up demonstrator is organizing a Stamp Away Camp. I had fun last year and I'm going again this year. It's the only time I get away by myself so I'm excited about it. It's at the very end of March and I know it will come quickly.

Well my time is up, seems I have to get back to work. So maybe I'll add more to my blog later tonight. If not at least I blogged.

Toy R Us threw up in my house!

I guess you could say my kids are well loved but geez! Next year I'm going to be more diligent on getting toys given away before Christmas.

Other than the toy explosion it was a great Christmas. I got an AC Moore gift certificate and Ali Edwards book. My friends had gotten me some scrap themed gifts as well. And of course I got other gifts not related to scrapping.

I've signed up for the Stacy Julian class on the Big Picture website (sorry haven't learned how to link yet) Sounds like it will be fun.

Sophia posted the following challenge so I thought I'd play along. I really want to start blogging more.

2005 In Review
JANUARY
1. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?: Yup, get better organized and lose weight.
2. Who kissed you at midnight?: my dh
3. Did it snow where you live?: yup
5. Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop?: nope and I enjoy just watching it from my TV. Large crowds scare me.
FEBRUARY
1. Who was your valentine?: dh, dd and ds
2. What did your valentine get you?: flowers
3. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your whole class?: yes
MARCH
1. Are you Irish? yes
2. Did you wear green on St. Patty's Day?: yes
3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day?: just dinner. Oh and I make Irish soda bread every year.
APRIL
1. Do you like the rain?: light rain yes, downpours no
2. Did you play an April Fool's joke on anyone this year?: nope
3. Did you get tons of candy on Easter?: no
MAY
1. What's your favorite kind of flower?: petunia
2. Do you like the spring? yes
3. Finish the phrase: "April showers bring...": May flowers (and weeds)
4. What would you think of as a spring color?: pink
JUNE
1. What year did you graduate from school?: 1991
2. Did you go on any vacations last June?: nope
JULY
1. What did you do on the 4th of july? BBQ at inlaws
2. Did you go on any vacations during this month?: nope
AUGUST
1. Did you do anything special to end off your summer?: after dd was done with day camp we took a vacation to Delaware to visit realtives. Very nice
2. What was your favorite summer memory of '05?: Our vacation in Delaware
3. Did you go swimming a lot in the summer?: no
4. Did you go to the beach a lot?: only on vacation
SEPTEMBER
1. Did you attend school/college in '05?: no
2. Who is/was your favorite teacher?: Mrs. Ronkese she was my 3rd grade teacher.
3. Did you like fall better than summer?: no
OCTOBER
1. What was your favorite halloween costume ever?: The year I dressed up like a clown
2. What's your favorite candy?: snickers
3. What did you dress up like this year? a cowgirl
NOVEMBER
1. Whose house did you go to for Thanksgiving?: MIL and Aunt Carol's
2. Do you like stuffing?: LOVE IT
3. What are you thankful for?: my family, our health
DECEMBER
1. Do you celebrate Christmas?: yes
2. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?: yup
3. What do you want this year for christmas?: clothes, gift certificates for scrapping stuff
4. What's the best present you ever got for christmas?: jewelry
5. Do you like cold weather?: cold yes, freezing cold no
6. How would you rate your year on a scale of 1-10?: 8

The tree is finally up!

The only thing left to do is put the tree skirt down, but I have to vacuum first and quite frankly I'm too tired!
It took 3 hours to decorate the tree, and I mean just ornaments. Julia helped so that was part of it. And every ornament is in it's own box. And need hangers to be put on before it can get hung so that's the majority of time. But I'm glad it's done. I was also able to make some cookies. Nothing too exciting. Just plain sugar cookies. There is still more to do, and the push is on. But I'll get through it and the holidays will be fun!

Holiday Quiz

First these are my kids. My friend finally was able to get a picture of them for me.
And now a holiday quiz I took from Sophia's Blog http://sophiacorbridge.typepad.com/sentimentsbysophia/

1. Holiday: Christmas or New Years? Christmas
2. Cookies: Sugar or Gingerbread? Sugar
3. Decorations: Santa or Snowmen?
4. Decorations: Reindeer or Elves? Reindeer
5. Colors: Red or Green? Red!
6. Colors: Gold or Silver? Gold
7. Tree Topper: Star or Angel? Angel
8. Stocking Stuffer: Chocolate
9. Tree: Real or Artificial? Real but I might be adding Artificial and then I'll have two trees. One of each.
10. Cartoons: Charlie Brown or Rudolph? Can't choose on that one I love them both. 11. Movie: It's a Wonderful Life or A Christmas Carol? How about Jim Carey in the Grinch that stole Christmas.
12. Stocking Stuffer: Jewelry or Gift Card? Depends on where the gift card was for.
13. Christmas List: I plead the fifth
14. Drink: Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot cocoa but I do like Egg Nog
15. Holiday Ghost: Past, Present, or Future? Present!
16. Vacation Spot: North Pole or Winter Wonderland? Winter Wonderland!
17. Holiday Song: Jingle Bells or Silver Bells? Jingle Bells
18. Holiday Song: Silent Night or O' Holy Night? Do I have to choose? BOTH!
19. More Fun: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Love em both
20. Lights: Clear or Multi-Colored? Clear
21. Ornaments: Bulbs or Bows? Mixture of everything from bulbs to bows, to handmade
22. Tree Decor: Ribbon, Popcorn, or Garland? Ribbon
23. Gifts: Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags? If it's a normal shaped item wrap it. Otherwise, bag it!
24. Better To: Give or Receive? BY FAR, to give! That’s why I’m broke at the end of December...but it feels so gooooooooood!

If anyone else sees this feel free to do it and pass it along.

That Christmas feeling!

I love sitting in the dark at Christmas time with just the lights on. We don't have our tree yet so I enjoy this.

Oh and my Elf name is Pink Sparkly Toes. (http://www.jokesunlimited.com/christmas_elf_name.php) I got it off Peg's (from Two Peas)blog.

Insurance Companies bite!!!

My 2 yr old ds turns in his right foot when he walks. He's had a brace since July. I had him going to a foot doctor but just recently they told me it's not his foot it's his hip that's turning his leg in. So I want to take him to a pediatric orthopedist. I want to know what they think. So after calling around to a few different ones and being told they don't accept my insurance, I call my insurance company today to find me a pediatric ortho. They don't have any on their list. That means they don't cover them. Well isn't that special. Thanks for nothing. Luckily I'm already working with my county regarding getting Greg speech and physical therapy so they are now helping me find a pediatric ortho. Still though it's very stressful.
Okay I'm done whining now.

Christmas Traditions

It's been awhile since I blogged. Although I have been reading blogs I haven't done mine. So after reading others Christmas Traditions I will post ours.

My dh's family the Leland's get together, and I mean everyone. Uncles and Aunts and Cousins. I think there are about 60 of us. Maybe more with all the little ones and we have dinner and sing Christmas carols and then Santa brings all the kids presents. It's a lot of fun.

Christmas Eve is then at his dad's house. And Christmas for both sides of the family is at mine on Christmas day. It's a lot of running but it's nice to be with the family.

Traditions are still being created, my dh isn't a big Christmas person so it's pretty much what I do. But make sure that 2 things off my kids lists are from Santa and they go under the tree but unwrapped.

The gifts in the stocking are unwrapped also. We always get a real tree. I have a nice mixture of new ornaments and my parents ornaments since they don't put up a tree anymore. Also dh's ornament collection. He's 38 so he's got quite a few. I buy the kids and dh ornaments every year.

I'm sure there are more they just aren't coming to me now. I'll try to post some pics of our mantle later tonight. That's one of my favorites that is decorated.

I'm on vacation!!!!

That should be a good thing right? The plan was that I have 2 days without the kids and 1 day with them before Thanksgiving. Christmas shopping on Monday, errands, Hair cut and color on Tuesday and appointments for kids on Wednesday. Kids? Plans? Yeah right. Imagine that. DS (who turns 2 tomorrow) wasn't feeling good. So I took him to Urgent Care on Saturday. Double ear infection and white stuff on his throat. Even though he's been on antibotic since Saturday and hasn't had a fever since Saturday. I can tell he's still feeling crappy so we stayed home today. And I'm probably going to have to reschedule my appt. But my baby is so worth it. I'll post pics of him tomorrow on his birthday.

Love it!

This is my pod. My secret santa rocks!!! Love the new Danny O from k&Company and all this ribbon.

Never thought taking a picture a day would be so hard. But then again I've got so much going on. Between work and my ds (2 in 5 days)who is getting 2 days of PT and 2 days speech therapy a week for having low muscle tone. And regular everyday house and family stuff. Hopefully I can make it through the rest of the month.

November 8th POD

November 8th POD

It's offically cold. It's been wavering at night for a couple of weeks. But my dh has lit the woodstove. It probably won't stay lit but it's cold enough tonight. I love the woodstove. I love the heat it gives off. I love the smell of the wood. I'm just a country girl I guess.

Hanging things

Two things were done today, the hanging of the masks that hung in my dh's grandfathers bar and our outside Christmas lights. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!! Is she nuts? Nope I've learned that you should put them up while it warm out. So out they went this afternoon. It was another beautiful day. It's 3 weeks till Thanksgiving. When I used to hang them then I'd usually freeze. So better to hang them now and light them later.

Now let me explain the pictures. While no they aren't my first choice to hang in my house, I will admit that I have decorated every other room in the house so I have to be fair and let him decorate the bar/playroom. The sign came from the bar his grandfather and then uncles owned. The masks all hung on the walls. So up they went. I have to admit they don't look half bad up there. And they will be a major conversation piece. It's really cool to have a piece of my husbands family's past so it's all good.

What a fun day!!

First it was a beautiful fall day here in the Catskill Mountains. I got to go a scrapbook store, which since the closest I have to that near me is AC Moore and that's 30 miles away. So that was a thrill. I got to meet Suzy and Lizz who were just awesome. Had a blast working with canvas. It was so much fun. And I'm getting sooo many ideas.

I also got the new Sketches book and one of the Scrapbooking on the Wall books. My friend who I went with got the other one. And Suzy was nice enough to autograph them for us. So that's what my pics of the day are of, my shopping trip splurge and my project.

TFL

Okay so I fell asleep yesterday and missed posting POD

Geez! I even missed like the final minutes of CSI. I don't know if they showed Grissom going after the other bug guy or not. Showing him he was wrong. All I know was I woke up and Without a Trace was in Mexico. Anyways enough babbling. The POD of 11/3/05 is the picture of the Monahan's Reef sign. It's located in our playroom. It hold a very important memory for my dh. It was his Grandfather's then his Uncles ran it after his grandfather died. This will be the wall of honor I guess you could say. It starts with the sign. Then other pieces of the bar that are in storage will be hung here. As well as some pictures of his deceased grandparents and uncle who will still hold very dear to our hearts.
Todays POD(11-4-05)I had taken with my cell phone, but it appears I cannot download it to the computer. I have to find out how to get the software or whatever I need. So I took a picture of the picture on the cell phone. It kind of loses the effect I was going for. I had taken a picture of my clock in my car that read 5:00pm. Because it's the start of the weekend for me!! Yippee!!

As I mentioned in an earlier thread. I get to go see Fairyscrapmother tomorrow. Plus go to the SS that I've been trying to get to for awhile. Whoo hoo! I'm so easily amused can't you tell. Oh well. Hopefully I'll have great photos of tomorrow.

Photo of the Day

Here is my Nov 2nd photo of the day. My dear dd spent part of the night being sick. So I kept her home just in case. Lord knows I should be at work but I can also use this day to my advantage. I am going to Creative Gatherings on Saturday to take a class with Fairyscrapmother (Suzy) I can't wait! So I'm doing laundry and some cleaning so I can go guilt free.

Photo a Day

Well on my favorite site Two Peas there is a Photo a Day challenge. I'm going to try and partake in it. It'll be hard because there are some days that just seem to busy. And I don't always get on the computer every night but as long as I get the picture I'll get it on the my blog when I can. So here is Nov. 1st photo of the day.

Monday's good or bad?

I'm hoping after last week that this week is better. There was the most horrible accident in my area last week 6 people died all because a 25 year old girl was driving too fast. Made me wake up a bit ya know. Even though I didn't know one person in that accident it bothers me so. Make sure you tell your loved ones you love them. You just never know!

Anyways, I had a wonderful surprise today. I got RAK'D First time ever too. I got great stuff, some ribbons, Junkitz paper, tacks, tokens from doodlebug, rubons, twill stickers. And more. Thanks Pat!

It's Thursday

It’s Thursday. Yay! That means tomorrow is Friday. Woohoo! It’s also my dh’s 20 year high school reunion. Heehee, I’m laughing because there is 6 years age difference with us and I haven’t had my 15 yet. I only pick on him a little. I actually like his class better than my own. We went to the same school. Although we didn’t know each other back in school. Our classes were small, his class was like 60 people. Mine was 75. Anyways it should be lots of fun. Today I have to Greg for his brace, he walks with his right foot turned in. He already has a nighttime brace today is the walking brace. I have no idea what it will look like other than it fits inside his shoe. I’m sure it won’t slow him down any. He’s like the energizer bunny.

One of those days

You know them, you know all about them. I’m sure you’ve had them, well today is mine. Leaving for work this morning it’s 7:25 Greg is already in the car I came back into the house to get my bags and I’m saying to myself. I feel like I’m forgetting something. But I have my lunch, mountain dew’s, charger for pda since the battery is low and I need it today. Oh well. Half way to the sitters, oh yeah, I forget to put on eyeliner, brush my teeth and take my pill. Good thing I keep a tooth brush at work huh. I have mascara in my purse, that’s better than nothing. I’ll worry about the other when I get home.
Get to work, listen to a funny story about a coworker. Go to get my breakfast out my bag the baggie is wet. One of the cans of mountain dew has a hole in and has leaked in the bottom of my bag. AAAGGGHHH! The charger plug put a hole in the can. So I take everything out wipe it off. Nothing major although some of my pics did get wet but at least they are saved on the hard drive at home.
Good things are coming after work I have to run to Walmart (not so good) buy some stuff then I’m going to my friend’s house who is an Stampin Up Demonstrator. We are going to play with the new Hodgepodge Hardware kit. I’m so excited. Being where there are no lss, and I never get to AC Moore or JoAnn’s this is like my only chance to get all the metal stuff. So cool. I’ll upload what I make tonight or tomorrow. Depends what time I get home.

I'm still learning

Here I am still trying to learn how to blog. I read some of the others at 2peas and they are so cool. But it's not like I've spent alot of time checking things out either. Dang that job I have, it gets in the way of all my fun!! Oh well. By the way the pic is of my kids. Love this shot.

God Bless London

When I got to work today and heard the news about the bombings in London. I was stunned to say the least. The pictures of the bus, terrifying. I brought children into this world and this is what they have to look forward to? While I hope my children experience everything they want and are able to go wherever they want. But things like this scare the tar out of me. No one can control it. If they want to bomb they will. I send prayers to everyone over there.
I don't know anyone in London, and I don't really know anyone who knows anyone. But I am sad today.

What Two Peas can teach you.

I've learned alot in the 8 1/2 months that I've become a fellow follower of 2 Peas. For anyone in my family who may read this, it's twopeasinabucket.com a website where fellow scrapbookers can shop, talk about everything and anything and learn alot from each other. I started following the pub board pretty regularly in December. Everyone there cracks me up. Everyone has something to offer whether it be photo tips, journaling, industry related items. Or things not related to scrapbooking. The latter being the most fun usually. I've learned that I have SO MUCH more to learn about scrapbooking and that is a good thing. I want to learn more. I want to grow as an artist (which I am surprisingly) I want to learn to journal better and leave my family with something important. Who know if anyone from 2 Peas will even read this. But thank you everyone of you for contributing just a little bit. Your praise warms my heart on my not so strong layouts. And I will get better as I learn from all of you.