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Monday, March 31, 2008

Dont you love hypocrites?

Yeah, me too... they're right up there with hemmerhoids, flat tires, aemobic dyssentery, you get the pictures.

My neice is having her first communion so I posted a comment to a mom's on-line message board so that I could get some ideas a) what it's all about... b) are you supposed to send gifts... c) insight b/c I'm not Catholic.

My request for information basically said that I wasn't Catholic nor did I ever intend to be so spending hours on research behind all the ceremonial aspects of all their "things" wasn't something I was prepared to do so I'd rather ask those that are in the know to enlighten me... My neice is having her first communion.. what's the deal with the child/bride dresses... is it called a service... ceremony...?? is there a special term for it... ??? etc. etc. etc.

And pardon my frankness but some witch writes back: I found this request incredibly offensive, and no, I am not a hardcore Catholic. The 1st Communion is considered a sacrament (sacred); the first time a child is old enough to understand the meaning of Mass (celebrating the Last Supper and all that Jesus' sacrifice means to us) and partaking of it. Normally children are gifted with something of a religious nature like a cross or Bible, but please, send nothing. Your disdain for the worlds largest Christian religion is obvious and you would not want to be hypocritical, I'm sure.

And honestly, I WANTED to respond back with:

a) gee, you're obviously a religious person... forgive me!

or b) let thee who is without sin cast the first stone ...

or perhaps even c) and I'm sure sarcasm loaded with contempt is highly favored in the eyes of Jesus...

LOL.. but I didn't... I wasn't going to give her the time of day. But what I will do is pray for her because she obviously doesn't have an ounce of compassion.



Sunday, March 30, 2008

Thomas The Choo Choo Train

We woke up early today and got ready to meet my best friend Sarah and her son Noah to caravan to the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine. One small stop at the donut store for breakfast (yes, I let my kid sleep instead of waking him up early just to eat becuase he was up LATE Saturday night since momma was out! (with Sarah too -- poor Noah! ha!!)) So, one chocolate milk, one dozen donut holes and two chocolate donuts with sprinkles and we're on the road baby!

We get there, find a place to park and our first stop is a look at the model railroad station. It was pretty darn cool. They had about 6 or more trains going at the same time. I'd love to have a big room to create something cool like that! I guess I am just a big kid! :) Would I want a big room full of Barbies and a huge Barbie house? Heck no! Give me a train room ANYDAY! I think Drew and Noah agree.
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After that we journeyed over to the Imagination Station where they could play with a train set...
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do puzzles... and yes, this is the face I get now when I ask for him to smile. :) he loves to ham it up for the camera now.
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Then it got close to time to board so we went to the maze of a line they had prepared and these two little monkeys just wanted to get on the train. NO patience... if anyone knows where I can BUY some for my kids, I'll pay my weight in gold for it! :) They were growing quite impatient until we heard the conductor call "All Aboard"... and they were very intrigued...
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Once on board the train, Drew loved looking out the window...
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Smiling at me..
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Being a great role model for Noah's future photo sessions...
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but mostly just having a good time with his best friend.
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And I promise he really IS saying "cheese" in this... he just wants to look out the window.
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Which I let him do right after we snapped that.
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Here's he's saying... SEE YA SUCKERS!
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and I just LOVE how this one came out (esp. in black and white!)
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After the train ride we went to a little "train" ride that was self propelled. They had a great time.
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Then we checked out a black smith's shop and of course, made a final stop at the bouncy house. Where he rediscovered how much fun it is to fall down.
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All in all, it was a pretty eventful morning. The afternoon was kind of exciting too! :) Shopping at Macy's for pillows! :) They had pillows on sale for amazing prices. And boy were they needed! A stop off at Souper Salad (one of my favorites) for an early dinner and whew...I'm ready for a shower and bed!)

:)


Saturday, March 29, 2008

Earth Hour - Will you participate?

(Taken from http://www11.earthhourus.org/)

On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.

Earth Hour was created by WWF in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and in one year has grown from an event in one city to a global movement. In 2008, millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the globe will turn out for Earth Hour. More than 100 cities across North America will participate, including the US flagships–Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco and Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

We invite everyone throughout North America and around the world to turn off the lights for an hour starting at 8 p.m. (your own local time)–whether at home or at work, with friends and family or solo, in a big city or a small town.

What will you do when the lights are off? We have lots of ideas.

Join people all around the world in showing that you care about our planet and want to play a part in helping to fight climate change. Don’t forget to sign up and let us know you want to join Earth Hour.

One hour, America. Earth Hour. Turn out for Earth Hour!





Friday, March 28, 2008

Testing

I created a siggy with my name and just wanted to see if it worked. :)

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Peter Cottontail Came to Town...

And I thought you'd like to see the madness that ensued...

These are my adorable little boys when asked to sit together and let me take a photo. Don't be surprised to see this as our Christmas card photo this year. ;) I like this THAT much! ha ha... captures the true essence of my little men

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Then they did cooperate for a better one... still with bucket headss though.
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Before "the hunt" poor little Drew went into yet another one of his coughing fits (he's been sick for like... EVER!) We just can't seem to shake the cold at this house. He was coughing so hard that his eyes were watering. It was so sad.
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They completed the hunt (not exciting photos there... we all know what kids look like when they're looking for eggs.)

I WAS actually able to get photos taken of me with my kids! :) WOW... I was excited. :) Now, granted, I STILL couldn't get a picture with BOTH of them. But hey, at this point in time, I won't be picky!

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Then, of course, the fights broke out (Silly String fights, that is)
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Drew posed for a few shots (we love making faces now)

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Josh loved his stuffed Peep (isn't it cute?)
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Me and dad...
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and last, but certainly not least, Drew broke into the basket the Easter Bunny got him -- a pirate's themed basket... and he was running around saying "arg" for the rest of the day. This is before the earring and eyepatch.

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Sunday, March 23, 2008

Happy Easter!

I'll be back on later with pictures from "the hunt" and from last night's egg "painting" session with Drew. :) But I wanted to take the opportunity to shout HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Something I really want...

Have you ever had something that you just want... you don't know why... but it's been something you've coveted for years? I have. I don't know if it's passed down from my mom genetically - she's a pig collector (ex-law enforcement) or if it's just something about this item that just makes me smile, but take a gander at it if you will.
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http://www.sturbridgeyankee.com/DetailsList.cfm/ID/10295418

It's at one of my favorite stores called the Sturbridge Yankee Workshop. I would love for my whole house to just look like this catalog... rustic, simple, just like my style... nothing over the top... nothing too elaborate, just functional but stylish...

But this print they have is called the Flying Pig Print. I am absolutely in love with this picture and have been for years. I do believe this is going to be one of those items that will have to adorn the walls in my scrap room as I just have to have this picture.

I've Been Tagged!

I was TAGGED my fellow Bad Girl Rachel. Bad Girl you ask... what's that? If you have to ask... you just need to take the time to check it out. It's a different kind of kit club -- and the DT leaves me drooling. Check it out... www.badgirlskits.com (And yes, you need to check out Rachel's work -- she's got quite the artistic eye... her collage effect on her lo's makes me envious!) Doodlebug4444 is her name there. ;)

Any-who - here is my response to her tag!

You have to post a fact that starts with each letter of your middle name. Then you tag a person for each letter. If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name.

My Middle name is RENE

R - I love the ROCKY Mountains. I lived in Colorado for several years. It was, hands down, my most favorite place on the planet. I was never so active and outdoors. I knew my cardinal directions there! (The mountains were always West where I lived -- made me feel so smart!) I love the cool mountain evenings... the snow... the drive to work every day was just a treat because you got to see Pike's Peak every day... what an amazing, majestic site. I found these two top pictures just surfing the net ...
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but THIS one is from my friend Bob Falcone's site -- he's an amateur photographer (but is more "professional" than amateur. :) in my humble opinion! You need to check out his website/photography... it's AMAZING! http://www.bobfireman.com/

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or this one (he did as well) it's at the Garden of the Gods... after a snowfall -- I mean, is this not BEAUTIFUL!?!
Thanks Bob for letting me use your goodies on my blog! Again, another shameless plug for his work -- you should go see it yourself! http://www.bobfireman.com/ He is also a fire investigator for the Pueblo FD in Colorado so he's got some cool fire shots!
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E - I'm Energetic! When I worked as a Communications Shift Supervisor (I was a 911 operator... police dispatcher... fire/EMS dispatcher and in charge of the personnel on my shift -- midnights) at the El Paso County Sheriff's they used to call me "ritilin girl" because I was the only one that had a bundle of energy at 2 am. That's when one Dr. Pepper would literally make me bounce off the walls. But, I kept everyone entertained! :)

N - I love things NEAT and organized. I'm obsessive compulsive I think -- if I had to give it a label but to me it's just silly NOT to be that way because why spend all this time looking for something that if you were neat and organized, you'd know right where it was? See, so it's my way of circumventing stress and drama. :) Now if I can only explain to my 3 year old how it's important to him because it's important to ME! Ha! I'm kind of like that guy on Sleeping With The Enemy (ha ha ha)

E - Estes Park - This is the most beautiful place on the PLANET! I took Drew here 2 Junes ago when he was about 18 months. It was SUCH a fantastic trip. We took a 4 hour hike through the Rocky Mountains together. He did fantastic. When it got too scary for him to walk on his own, I had a carrier I put him in. Here are some pictures I took from that trip. :) Enjoy these.

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(did you notice a little trend there in my answers?) Yes, I long for the mountains. :) One of these days.... aaaahhhhhh


And since I have to tag a person for each letter (this is gonna be tough coming up with two "e's" Hmm... and an N... yikes... going to have to think this one over....

R: Roree: http://roreerumph.blogspot.com/ DT Member for Self-Addressed
E:
N:
E:

Feelin' the mojo

I've got the scrappin mojo again! :) It feels good. :) I finished an album tonight (but I can't post pictures because it's for a Father's Day present). I will after the fact... if I remember!

Here's one I threw together tonight. I really like the way it turned out. These are back to school photos of Josh. Title is Back to School Checklist. Journaling is hidden in the pocket. Papers are KI Memories. Chipboard Frame is Lil Davis Designs. Stickers are Chatterbox. Sticker on pocket and tab are SEI. Buttons and brads are from various places and I'm too lazy to go see where the numbered stickers are from. :)

OK...and if you DO look at this post... will you leave me a comment and tell me if it's letting you see the WHOLE picture or if it's cutting it in half. When I look at it, the image is too big for the screen...??? so let me know if you can actually see it -- I DID resize it but i'm no technical genius. :) Thanks and GOODNIGHT!

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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

How High Maintenance Are You?




You Are Low Maintenance



Otherwise known as "too good to be true"

You're one laid back chica - and men love that!

Just remember that no good guy likes a doormat.

So if you find your self going along to get along...

Stop yourself and put up a little bit of a fight.

Just for laughs...

One of my best friends, Marlena, sent me this in February because she was just having one of those days and it gave her a belly laugh. I, in return, laughed so hard that I decided that it was one of those attachments that I just had to save... today was "one of those days" and when I saw it, although, yes, it's completely inappropriate, it made me laugh... and I needed it! :) So, inappropriate as it is... I hope you laugh too. :)

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The Mosy Scrapper

My good friend and scrapper, Christa Weldon, is going to be starting up a new scrapping forum which will eventually lead to a monthly kit club -- possibly an online store.

She and I were on a DT together which we weren't very happy with and we spent many a day chatting about the elements that would make a great scrapping message board and we've "been there/done that" for the things you need to avoid.

I hope when this site goes live, you'll all come register and visit her (us!) :)

http://themosyscrapper.forumakers.com/index.htm

Don't want to eat lunch?

Just throw it in the trash! Amazing... it's just gone like that? Look mommy?

That would be my oh so clever Drew. Today he wanted to eat Wheat Thins for lunch but not his Uncrustables PB&J sandwich. While I had my back turned, he took the entire plate and threw it away. Then took his seat and goes, "mommy, look, see?" And he waved his hands where his plate should be to show me it was all gone!

Wow... hmm... hard to imagine what could have possibly happened to that as the PLATE was gone to -- hmm...were you really THAT hungry that you ate the plate too... go to the trash can (he left the pantry door open) and it was ALL just sitting in the trash.

He got the crackers taken away and was told to eat the entire sandwich or nap time.

Suddenly, he was so tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiired. So he's in bed now.

And the sandwich? it's on the counter, carefully wrapped in plastic wrap to keep it fresh as we will be revisiting it when he wakes up. :)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

American Airline woes

We got up early this morning... Drew was dropped off at his Mimi's house and I headed to the Hwy 114 traffic with Josh enroute to the airport. It was raining, yes, nothing earth shattering, just a steady, slow, constant rain.

We get to the gate parking area and are unable to find a parking place ANYWHERE! So, I resort to 1 hour parking and away we go. The wait at the ticket agent counter is only two people and I get the woman that loves to use "honey" "sweetie" and "love" freely. I think those are just endearing coming from someone that is old enough to be my grandmother's age but coming from someone that's maybe got 8, possibly 10 years on me, it's maddening. I know being from the South, I should be used to that with that "good 'ole Southern hospitality" but coming from someone with an accent like she's from Boston or New York, it was just... ackward. I don't like it. I was at a restaurant once and the waitress couldn't have been over 17 years old and she kept doing that crap and she came over (after we had our food, mind you) and I finally said, "I'm a good tipper. If you want a good tip, please just call me April or ma'am because the only one that gets to call me "honey" or "sugar" is the person that put this ring around my finger." She laughed it off at the time but I'm sure I was called a few choice words when she walked away. Do I care? No. I just think it's disrespectful and just... oogey! I ain't your HONEY! Dig?! Kapeesh?!

So, anyway, I digress. Back to the story.

We get to the counter, get his ticket, my pass to escort him to his gate... wait in line at security (short line for spring break, I was very surprised). We walk to the departure gate and go to the counter to check him in with the agent. On a typical day, they take his paperwork, keep it at the front and then he's escorted on the plane first. I sit at the gate watching the plane and then continue to check in with the agent until he has confirmed that the plane has left the runway and is in the air. That is the only time I ever leave the airport. This agent asks if I mind if he boards Josh last and then says, 'just a minute' and starts boarding the plane. About 20 people get on board and then he takes a phone call. They shut the ramp down and discontinue boarding - something with the canopy. (don't ask me, I don't speak plane). I realize this may turn into something... and I recall I'm parked in the one hour space so I leave Josh standing under the supervision of the agent and I ran out to move my car. It was POURING rain by this time (lucky me, no umbrella). I move from one 1-hour spot to another because I didn't want to have to take too long to find a place and get back to him should they start boarding. But basically, the rest of the people in line had to go back and sit down... I come back in drenched and he tells me "just a moment" again so we're still sitting at the counter. The flight that is at the gate on the other side of the counter has now been cancelled. Those passengers line up to be rescheduled and we're still waiting at the counter. They call... reopen the ramp... he starts boarding. All but 3 people, and Josh are on board... and then he gets a call. They have cancelled his flight too. Since we're at the counter, he immediately books us on the next flight that leaves at 1:00 p.m. so we head to the car to move it to a real parking space and then we head to TGI Friday's to eat.

10:30 a.m. we're having lunch at TGI Friday's. :) Josh had his first Mountain Dew.

We finish up and head to the bookstore where I purchase him a couple of teenie magazines b/c they have Jonas Brothers pictures on the front (his new favorite band), some Mentos and me some Rolos and a pack of gum for the flight.

Then we head to the gate. We're there about 20 minutes and get notification of a gate change. We head to the new gate. There is a HUGE line waiting at the ticket counter so we just take our place on the floor along the wall b/c all the chairs are occupied. Phone rings -- this flight is cancelled too. Once the line is down to about 5 people, we get in line to see about rescheduling. The soonest they can get him on is at 7:10 tonight. We decide to go pick up Drew and head for home. It's now 1:30 p.m. I get Drew, get him home and in bed. At 5:30 p.m., AA flight status calls me, his 7:10 flight has been cancelled as well. By the time I could get in on their 800 number, the soonest he can leave is now Thursday morning... :(

I was looking forward to scrapping. I feel kinda crappy having no plans now for Wednesday -- I think it's going to be an Incredible Pizza Company kind of night, wasting Tuesday at the airport and really crappy weather (they had over 1,000 flights cancelled so we at least were lucky enough to have a comfortable home to go back to and not be sleeping on the floor or a cot at the airport, stranded.. no thanks! My friend, Jim, works for AA... he said at last count they had over 40K checked bags that were piling up due to cancelled flights. I called to find out what I'm supposed to do about Josh's bag...??? I guess we're going to have to get there really early to find out where the hell the bag actually IS.

OH well :) At least it's one more day with my boy -- not that I'm feeling 100% yet and Drew still has a really bad runny nose and cough. Drew and I just keep getting one another sick I think. Crazy thing is that he won't even give me kisses so I have no clue how we're spreading germs. hmm...

Monday, March 17, 2008

Hurry Up and WAIT!

I'm anxiously awaiting the technical glitches taking place on the website as the Great American Scrapbook Convention comes to Arlington, TX June 5-7. I live for this every year. It's my one time a year to just indulge myself! :) (and I DO!)

www.greatamericanscrapbook.com

Registration was supposed to start at 2pm today (CST) but for some reason they've got unexpected technical issues so you can't register for crops or anything. Major bummer of a deal. I hope it clears up quickly I want to see what CLASSES they're having!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Sunday, March 9, 2008

So how'd you spend your weekend?

I was supposed to take Josh camping Saturday morning and stay Saturday night and come home Sunday but a great guy, fellow Scouter and one great leader passed away of a heart attack and I felt compelled to go to his memorial service rather than spend my day frolicking around in the woods. The memorial service was a great one - standing room only - tons of Scouts... he was just a wonderful man... Tom Bolerjack. I hope that when my time comes that I have impacted as many lives as this man... to be as humble as he was and to do all he did, it just has to be a God thing.

I got tagged in the eye today with one of those stupid freakin super bouncy balls... it was an accident but it happened about 5 hours ago and my eye still freakin hurts. It got me RIGHT smack dab in the middle of the left eyeball.

I took Josh to Michaels to buy some canvas board and some oil pastels because he wanted to use those for his art project that goes hand in hand with his mountain gorilla research project. His lovely attitude, however, his wonderful self-defeating "I can't do this" "I want a new one" "I want to start over" bull $hit just DRIVES ME NUTS though. He wont even TRY. Where can I just BUY this kid some freakin self confidence. I'm ready to just check his little butt into the wall right now... picked up some Cotton Patch on the way home (love good ole home cookin type food because I won't fry anything) so chicken fried chicken with gravy and smashed potatoes.... mmmmmmm. Doesn't it just make you hungry?

While at Michael's, I did go eyeball the punches because I'm wanting those Marvy punches but they had absolutely no scalloped punches. :( One of these days... I'll break down and just buy one of each. They have all their punches for 30% off right now... so perhaps they were already bought out (much like Hobby Lobby when they put their adhesive at 40 or 50% off -- it's always all gone by the 2nd day of the sale).

I need to get in my scrap room today and just get busy and make me some beautiful STUFF but I need to find my scrappin' mojo. Send me some... :)

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Winter Wonderland

I'm looking out my window at a winter wonderland...

in Texas

in MARCH!

I'm serious. . . we've got snow flakes falling that are about 2" in diameter... it's INSANE! I went to get Drew early from school because it was icing early. Josh got picked up by a neighbor and has been out playing in it ever since.

The last time we've had snowfall like this was in the 1920's... so much for freakin global warming huh? idiots.

I'm gonna go have some chili and just smile -- I love this weather!

We got SIX AND A HALF INCHES!!!!

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