Ok Question....

What do think of people that know EVERYTHING about kids....yet they have none of their own? Hmmm yeah. Uh huh....Miss "small doses" from a month or so back is rearing her ugly head around here again. And so is the PMS. They must come hand in hand. Freakin Frick-a-Frack! (That's me cussing in case you were wondering)
Ok details later. I just needed a little vent.
Thanks :D

Wanted to share this...

This is my latest creation. I'm super happy with it. I'm going to credit Chrissy for inspiration: 1). because she has enlightened me to the coolness of 8.5x11. I am in love with this format right now. And 2). I used patterned paper as my base. Chrissy does this a lot. I almost always use cardstock as the base of my page and then add bits of patterned paper from there. So thanks Chrissy! I have had this elephant paper from Basic Grey for like 5 months now. I love it, but I never could find a use for it. It worked out great here. This is my new thing...do you see, this is a journalling only page. No pics. I'm going to start doing this more often. 1). because sometimes I get kind of caught up in the ART of it all and then I run out of room or just feel like if I added anything else to a page it would be too much and I end up leaving out some good stories. And 2). because I don't really have a baby book for either one of my kids. So this is a way I can write down all their little milestones without having to necessarily create a layout based on it. You know what I'm saying? So I'm totally down with it. I really liked not having to worry about a photo. Refreshing. I have so much scrapbook stuff to do. I have to circle journals sitting here and I have not touched one of them. Well I look them both over tons, but I have not added my entry to either and uhhh I need to like send Carla's off to Jude like this weekend. *Crap* Oh yeah and I have another layout to do for Unpubbed. Well, I guess I'll have to get down to this weekend.

Did you all have a good Memorial Day? I hate the fact that most people kind of forget what the holiday is all about. (Totally ME included!) I'm not pointing fingers, just kind of stating a fact. I mean especially in that we are at war right now. We have young men and women fighting for our freedom right now. Today. Today they are dieing and crying, and fighting, and missing their families for the sake of you and me. Not trying to get all political. i definitely have a different opinion of this war now than I did when it all started. I really do wonder what it is we are fighting for over there. But most importantly, I want to remember and support our guys and gals. I want them to know that they are not forgotten. So if by any chance you are a passer by and you are a soldier...Thank you. For reals, Thanks.

Our Memorial Day did not have anything to do with America, or soldiers, or anything like that. We ended up going to the Oakland Zoo on Monday. We, meaning my MIL, all three SIL's and all 6 kids. It was super fun. And we had gorgeous weather. I'd never been to this zoo. It was actually really nice. Some of you might be familiar with Oakland and might be thinking the words "Oakland" and "nice" may not belong in the same sentence together! Well it is true, a lot of Oakland is totally ghetto, but the majority of it is very nice. The zoo being no exception. Jake had actually never been to a zoo before. He was so excited about everything. They had a reptile/amphibian house and that was by far his favorite. I thought I lost him at one point. Seriously, I started to kind of panic a bit. He was so excited that he wouldn't stand still. He would look at something and then just start running to the next thing 10 seconds later. It was crazy. So finally my MIL just went off with him by herself and let him lead the way. We couldn't find them for like 45 minutes. I thought for sure Jake had run off and she'd lost him! Good Lord. Thank the Lord he didn't and she kept up with him! So I got NO good pics of the zoo. Suck. I just uploaded them tonight and there's maybe one good one of a giraffe. hmm.

Outside the zoo they have a bunch of little kiddie carnival rides. So of course we had to let the kids ride. I took Jake on this little tiger roller coaster. He hated it! It was so funny sitting next to him. He didn't cry or anything, you could just tell he was not enjoying himself at all! Faith took him on another ride that was kind of a combination of the Tea Cups at Disneyland and a Tilt-a-whirl at your local carnival. Not only does it spin around, but it also has a wheel in the middle that you can turn and spin very fast. So before the ride even starts, Faith (she's 8) has the thing spinning like crazy. I didn't even know they made rides like that anymore. You should have seen Jake. His eyes looked like they were just going to pop out of his head. When he got off, he looked miserable and said he just wanted to go home. Long story-short--he lasted for another whole 2 hours maybe...we stopped to get something to eat and he didn't eat. But as soon as we walked in the door....BLAHHH. Yep. He puked. Poor kid. But he felt so much better after that! He went to bed at 6:30 and slept all night. It was a tough day for him!

Anyways, that's about it for now. Ended up being longer than I expected. Off to pay some bills (gross) and then go to bed.

night night. :)

What do you think?

I finally got me some pencil crayons! Just thought I'd mess around with them a little tonight. Can you belive this?.....JAKE was the one who colored this. Well I started off with just a bit of the red and yellow on the cherry, and I did color the leaves....but I walked away and came back to find this. Not bad for a three year old I must say! He finished my red and then decided to highlight it all in yellow. I think I might have an artist on my hands! Normally I would be totally ticked that he was messing with my stuff. But How could I get mad at this? Not much else going on here this weekend. Pete left Thursday morning to go to Alaska. He's guiding a bear hunt up there. So I guess it's work and play. He'll be gone 10 days. I miss him, of course, but you know it's pretty nice not to have to cook all the time. Well, you know cook, cook. I can make Jake a quesadilla or a PB&J and he's good to go. Same with Megan. Pop open a thing of baby food and she's good to go. I don't have to worry about a 3 course meal or anything! Does that make me a bad mother? I did, however, try the BBQ chicken wrap Chrissy was talking about the other day on her blog. I must say, it was so good I had 2! My tortillas were small so I justified having 2! LOL! Jake ended up just eating the chicken out of it. He gagged on the tomatoes. Kid is just like his dad. I don't understand how someone could hate tomatoes so much and love spaghetti. Anyway, I did technically cook since I actually put the chicken on the Q. I usually eat like crap when Pete is gone. Last night I had chips and salsa for dinner....at 9:30 or some crazy hour. Anyways, yep we're doing nothing exciting around here. Tomorrow we're haning out with the SIL's and MIL. Don't know what we're doing yet though. Hope your weekends are more exciting than this!

*oh-I have to write this down so I don't forget*- Last night I'm putting Jake to bed. He says "Momma, don't turn my fan off." "Ok, I won't". He says, "Yeah, cuz I need some air so I don't die". This is all totally in reffrence to bugs in a jar. He's 100% boy, in that he's obsessed with catching bugs and putting them in jars or bags or what ever he can find to store the stinkin things. *ughh* Do you know he can catch a fly like Mr. Miagi? You know from the Karate Kid? Only he uses his fingers instead of chopsticks. He sneaks up on them and then fast as lightning, he grabs with his fingers. I'm not kidding, I've seen him do it a dozen times now. Pete didn't believe me until he saw a jar sitting on our patio with a live fly in it.

One more funny thing...We're driving around today and Jake sees one of those things they have in front of car dealers...the blow up things that look like a crazy guy dancing? You know what I'm talking about? So he says "Look at that dancing guy! Why is him dancing?" I say "because he's having a good time". So he says "with the ladies?". How does he know, guys have 'good times' with the ladies?! I know, this is all like "you had to be there" type of stuff. But it's just all for my memory's sake.

Pidoman, muscles, and top 10 inventions

Ok so I'm sure you've noticed the banner. Can you do me a favor? Ignore it. It's buggin me because it's all stretchy and stuff. I need to fix it. But I'm lazy, and I'm not at home right now.
Back to business---Jake still thinks he's Spiderman. He just cracks me up. So Sunday he's walking around all day with these tiny little Mr. Potato Head glasses on. They're perched right on the tip of his nose and he's getting all squinty eyed trying to look through them. (I know, a picture would help, wouldn't it?--I'm not home so forgive me for the lack of visuals!) Ok, so he's wearing these glasses all day long. I say "Jake, why are you wearing those?" He says "deese are my Pidoman gasses Momma". I say "Spiderman doesn't wear glasses you ding-a-ling". "Uhhh Yes Momma, he do. Pete-o Parko (that would be Peter Parker)wears gasses and he's Pidoman". Uhhh DUH! The kid is smart, I tell ya! Memory of steel.
Muscles-Another funny Jake story. First I'll give you the background. This goes back to when we were up at my moms after my Grandma passed away. My cousin, Jeremy was up there. Jake thinks Jeremy is SO cool. So we're eating dinner one night and Jake is not eating his baked beans. So Jeremy tells him " you better eat your beans or you won't have big muscles like me" Then he flexes his bicep. So then the other day Jake points to his elbow and says, "see my big muscle Momma? It's weely big, huh?!" I say "dude, that is your elbow...this is your muscle". Of course Mr know it all says "nu uh Momma! Jermy told me. Dis is my muscle! See I eat de beans, dey go down my froat, and den I get big muscles right here!" And he shows me by pointing to his throat and then drawing a line with his finger down his arm to his elbow. Ok, so maybe I'm the only one who thinks this is funny. Me and my mom. We think it is.
Top 10 inventions: I was listening to the radio on my way to work today and the DJ had a list of the 10 top inventions that have changed our lives in the last 25 years (so since 1982) I just thought this was pretty interesting. Can you think of what some could be? I don't remember all of them, but some were the iPod, DVD's, the Blackberry, and stuff like that. But two of them really stuck out to me. One was the debit card. Can you believe we've only had the debit card for 12 years? It first came out in 1995. I could not live without a debit card! Could you? I mean can you imagine writing checks at the grocery store? Or actually carrying your checkbook with you? I never carry mine with me. Number 10 on the list was really great....Bagged salad. Think about it... this is a totally awesome invention. I mean who cares how much it costs? You're totally going to buy it. How often do you buy lettuce and all the other stuff that goes in a salad. I never do that anymore. I might buy a tomato, or you know something else to go in the salad. But I always, always buy the pre-made stuff. Don't you? What else can you think of that has changed our lives?
I know, this was kind of a boring post, but it was just stuff that was on my mind today. I could tell you again how boring my job is....but that wouldn't be any fun, now would it?

The best weekend...

I've had in a LONG time! Seriously, it was just that good! The kind that lingers with you on Monday. Like when someone asks you how your weekend was, you can say "Excellent" and it radiates from you. Yeah, it was that good.
Saturday: Started off quiet. Megan slept until about 7...which, since I went back to work is pretty late for her. It was nice. When she woke up I put her in bed with me and we snuggled for a while. This is like the only time she really snuggles...the rest of the time she just wants to play, play, play! So I really love the mornings with her. I let Jake sleep until about 8-8:30 because he and I stayed up late the night before. When he finally got up we all played together. I even got some scrapping in before and after nap time! Pete got home from the ranch around 4 and we quickly got ready to go to our dinner thing. It was a fund raising dinner for the California Mule Deer Association. Surprisingly, it was a lot of fun. (and remember we had no kids with us-so even more fun). We had excellent food from Kinders...a locally famous BBQ and meat deli. They served BBQ prime rib. YUM. They had raffles and even a live auction with a real auctioneer. I don't know why, but that dang auction was the best part of the night! I found it highly entertaining! LOL! I didn't even care about what they were auctioning off...it was stuff like riffles and guns and trips to go hunting. Nothing I cared about, but the auctioneer was so good. And they had these guys all around the banquet room as spotters and helping them make bids and stuff. It was crazy exciting! LOL!! One guy at our table obviously had lots of money to burn. He won a few of the auction items and if I calculated correctly he spent about 10 thousand dollars. Yeah. Crazy. They raffled off probably at least 20 to 30 guns and wildlife paintings and a gun safe and all kinds of other little stuff. We did not win anything. That was the only dissapointment of the night. Super fun to have a night out with the kids...which hasn't happened in almost a year. Very, very good.
Sunday: Meg slept late again. Good start! After we snuggeled for a while, I got up, took a shower and then went downstairs. I made homemade muffins for everyone (yeah, I know it was mother's day and it's supposed to be the other way around...but the rest of the day makes up for it!) I emptied the dishwasher as I talked to my mom on the phone wishing her a happy Mother's Day. At 10 I met my SIL's at my MIL's house. We drove over to Pleasanton to hop on BART to get over to the city. It was a beautiful day over there. If you ever go to to SF go in spring or fall. Otherwise it's freezing and foggy. Winter is usually not bad either. In summer it could be 100 degrees at my house and 58 in the city. Anyways, we got off BART at Powell Street. Which dumps you right downtown....basically right into the Nordstroms. :D First thing we did was go to Bloomingdales and Kim and Rachel tried on dresses that were like $1000, (yeah!) just for fun! The only reason I didn't try any on is because I didn't want to take off my tennis shoes and socks. I know, I'm lazy. I also didn't feel like looking like a fat cow. Kim and Rach are both skinny mini's! Anyways, Kim had got us reservations for brunch at a really nice hotel. (it was $65 a person!-a little rich for my blood, but it was good!) We walked up Geary Street to the hotel and had a very nice relaxing brunch. It was expensive, but it was SO good. I said that already, didn't I? Yeah. Anyways on our way to Brunch we passed by the Corran Theater. I think this theater was built way back in the early 1900's. Not sure, I'll have to look it up. I saw Phantom of the Opera here when I was in high school. It is beautiful inside. We saw they were showing Jersey Boys (a Broadway show about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons) My MIL really, really wanted to see it. So she bought tickets for all of us! It didn't start until 7, so we went shopping for the rest of the afternoon. I also had to call Pete and make sure it was ok that I stayed out that late...and make sure the kids were ok. I was surprised he didn't say anything, but he said "yes" without hesitation. YAY!! So anyways like I said we went shopping. Did you know? They have a 4 story Old Navy in SF. 4 stories! It was pretty awesome even though I don't like Old Navy all that much...but they have great stuff for kids. My MIL got a cute little skirt for Megan for $6.99. And I want to go back and get these. They're only 10 bucks. I think they'll be great for around the pool and for when we go to Hawaii. I did get some big framed sun glasses and a beach tote there. Then we went to Nordstroms and my SIL's helped me spend all $300 of my gift certificates! I got some tops and a pair of shorts. I think I'm going to take some of it back though. I don't think I'm down with this new style of shirts...they're like babydoll tops...you know kind of an empire waist with a flowing, peasant type below that. Kinda like this: I don't know, but I just feel pregnant when I wear them! I know it's the syle right now, but I just feel uncomfortable. Yeah, I think I'm gonna take 'em back. Ok so anyways back to the awesome weekend...After spending all my money, we hiked back up to the theater for Jersey Boys. It was so good. If it comes to your town, I highly recommend going to see it. It had all this music in it that I knew, I just didn't know that this paticular group sang them. All from the 60's- "Big girls don't cry", "Sherry", "Rag Doll", "Can't take my eyes off of you". Good, good stuff! The story was good too. All about how they got together, they had some money issues, they were slightly involved with the Mob. It was mostly about the music. Really fun and everyone was dancing in the isle at the end.
So that about sums up the totally mega cool awesome weekend. I want more like that! It was just so relaxing and so nice to just hang out with girls. I NEVER hang out. The SIL's hang out together all the time, but rarely do I get invited. I don't think it's because they don't like me, I think it's because they don't think about it, or that they think I will say no. I do say no sometimes. I can be somewhat anti-social. I wish I wasn't like that.
Kid update: Jake thinks he's Spiderman (or as he says "Pide-o-man") If I say something he doesn't like, he flings an imaginary web at me through his fingers--with sound effects and everything. ("ffffsseeewwwww") Boys are fun. He told me he went to the doctor and the doctor put a web in his hand. He's so funny.
Megan crawling update: We have major mobility. Of course it's not really forward mobility! She goes all over the house now but she doesn't really crawl and she definitely does not go forward. It's so funny to watch her. She goes around in circles, she goes backwards, she goes sideways but not forward. Anyways it's cute, and it's funny. When ever she figures out how to to get up on all fours and actually move forward, it will be a stellar day! LOL!
Hope you all had a great Mother's day! See more pictures of SF here

*Help!*

I need a title for this layout. What do you think? This is Megan and my niece, Faith on Easter Sunday. I'm just stumped, I have no idea what to call it. Leave me a comment and if I pick your title I'll send you something nice! :D

In other news...I was warned if I post this, I might be hated by all...but here goes anyways! I get a whole evening and a whole day tomorrow without children. I love em dearly, but you know, it's nice to get a break every now and then! Tonight Pete and I are going to a charity dinner thingy. I guess we bought tickets for it months ago and we totally forgot about it! We have not had a date out in almost a year. The last time we were without kids was last June on our anniversary. And I guess technichally we did have one kid with us, because I was 7 months pregnant at the time! So this is a much needed evening. And, his sister Sarah, graciously volunteered to watch the kids for us! Now to tomorrow...Mothers Day of course. Usually we don't do anything special for mothers day. Maybe lunch out and a card and that's it. Well yesterday I got a call from my other SIL, Kim, inviting me to go with her, Sarah and Rachael and their mom to San Francisco for the afternoon....without kids. And, Pete actually said ok to this! Woo Hoo!! San Francisco is only about 45 minutes away and I never go. The last time I was over there was 2 years ago. Jake was about 18 months old and I had him in this gigantic stroller. Let me tell you, I have no idea how anyone in SF has children because getting on and off BART and the Muni is like hell with a toddler! Thank goodness I will have none of that tomorrow! San Francisco is an absolutely beautiful city...that is if you can over look the homeless people crapping in front of you on the street. Yeah, I'm totally not kidding. It's disgusting. I guess I should be sensitive to their situation, but come on, it really is disgusting. But anyway, the city is gorgeous and I can't wait to get some good pics over there tomorrow. So I better get off here, I need to go find something to wear tonight. Don't forget...leave me a comment with a title for the layout you might get a RAK in the mail! :D Oh and here 's another one I did. Bad scan...sorry.

Just a bunch of random stuff...

Seems like I've had a lot of just random stuff lately! This year...or the last maybe 6 months or so, has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. Unfortunately, it sure seems like there has been a lot more downs, than ups. I'm just burnt out on emotions right now. I'm tired of struggling every month to pay bills, and feeling a rush of guilty anxiety every time I swipe my ATM card. And then there's the passing of my grandma....I really haven't even began to deal with those emotions yet. It still hasn't even sunk in. I went to Costco on Thursday....mostly because I didn't know what else to do with myself. So I bought 5lbs of strawberries and a thing of their rotisserie chicken salad. That's all I ate for 3 days. Strawberries and chicken salad.......And I thought I wasn't an emotional eater. Hum...thinkin maybe I was wrong! LOL! *sigh* Well I know I'm still going to have some bad days coming...thinking about my grandma, but other than that I really want to get back to feeling myself again. Have you been to Kal's blog? Love Life. It's amazing how she can see so many good things in every day. I want to start being more like that. I don't want this to be a place where I come to complain (though, I KNOW that is still going to happen...everyone needs to vent) But I also want this to be a place where I can share and relish in the joys of life.
Scrapbooking/photography note: I think it was Chrissy's blog...the other day I was reading how much her husband gets mad at all the crazy picture taking...Girls! Stand up for your hobby! Stand up for photos! Tell your husbands to eat $#*! (j/k don't do that!) Tell them they need to help and take pictures of you too! I was just reminded this weekend how incredibly important it is to document our lives with photos and stories. My cousin and I spent a couple of hours going through a box of photos my grandma had. It was so amazing to see the passage of time over the last 85 years...the vacations they took, the birthdays, the parties...the everyday life! It took us quite a while to go through them all...and a lot of them didn't have any info on them at all, and some of them had little stories on the back. But all I was thinking when I was done was "I want more". I just couldn't get enough. I saw pictures of my mother when she was my age. She was GORGEOUS. Seriously. Not that she isn't now, but wow, she was just so pretty. Anyways, all I'm trying to say is keep doing what your doing. It really will be appreciated someday.
Kid update: Megan...well she is SOooooooo close to crawling. Last night she fell over on her tummy several times while trying to get something out of her reach. This usually makes her scream, but last night you could see the happy determination on her face. She barly has a bit of forward motion. She can get up on one knee, then she kind of pushes off with the other foot, causing her to inch forward a bit! It's so cute. Oh, and I know you're all going to think I'm nuts, but seriously, she has said her first word. Not counting ma- ma and da- da. She says "kitty". It's not clear as day or anything, but it is clearly two syllables kind of like "ta-ty" or something like that. And I know it's kitty that she's saying because she only says it when she sees the cat. I had heard her say it a couple of times over the weekend, and I wasn't quite sure I was hearing what I thought I was hearing. But then this morning I was getting ready to put her in the car...I was holding her and not really paying attention. The cat ran into the garage, Megan looks down right at her and says "ta-ty". So there you have it. Proof. My child is a genius! Ha!

National Scrapbook Day

Happy NSD! Just popping in to say hello, and thank you all for your comforting words over the last couple of days. It really does mean a lot to me. So, thank you.

Can you believe this hobby has it's own day? No, this is not just a fad! Scrapbooking has turned the crafting world upside down and brought women together all across the world. Amazing. My friend Chrissy got a huge honor of recognition today over at 2peas. She was highlighted today as basically, 'someone to watch'. And she is for sure. Way to go girl, you totally deserve it! And another scrapping note...please don't forget to check back next week at unpubbed for our first featured guest! It's gonna be good. And join in the fun, post your work...we can't wait to see it!

Ok, I'm off. Hope you have a great rest of your weekend!

Kathleen W. Smith

Or Kay to some, or Kat to her family. To me, she was Grandma. She went home to meet her Heavenly Father this morning, 5/3/07. She was 84 years old. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and wife to my Papa. She worked until she was about 72, I think, as a nurse. She was very active and was loved and respected by many of her younger colleagues. I used to go to her house after school...she loved to play games. She taught me how to play domino's and "Farkel", a dice game we always played at family gatherings. We did paint by numbers together, and she did her best to help me with my math homework. Even though she reminded me she got a "D" in math growing up. We went on walks through the neighborhood. She made beans and cornbread. She always had cornbread muffins. She crumbled hers up in a glass of milk and ate it, or drank it like that. I always thought that was gross. We always made homemade ice cream for mine and my Papa's birthdays...and oven steak and fried okra. She let me use her nursing cap for Halloween....more than once. When I was 15 I decided NOT to go on vacation with her and Papa...because i was too cool to be seen alone with my grandparents. I regretted it the second I said it...but didn't go anyways. So, when I was 20 and she asked me again to go to Texas with her, I didn't hesitate, and I said yes. It was me, grandma, her sister Betsy and her Brother Buddy and his wife. Just me and 4 old people! And I had the best time! I'll never forget how we got "lost" in Mexico and all 5 of us crammed into one taxi to get back to the border! The last few years she had been suffering from dementia...or severe short term memory loss. She'd ask you the same question 10 times in a 1/2 hour. But other than that, her body was basically healthy. I saw her just this last Saturday when I went to my moms for a visit. She seemed happy and in a good mood. She remembered my kids names. And held Megan the entire time we were there. She stood at her window and waived to us as we drove out. I had no idea what was to come this morning. It's amazing how we can take every day the Lord gives us for granted. But we do, because what else are we to do? No one can tell what will come next. And you can't spend you're whole life worrying about it. I've been blessed to have shared almost 30 years with this wonderful woman, and I will miss her more than I can imagine. But, I am comforted in knowing she is with Jesus, and Papa and her sister and brother....and she'll be waiting for me when I get there.

I love you Grandma!

Hey there!

Thanks for all the advice about my kids! I know they're not really strange...but sometimes you just have to wonder, you know?! If you've emailed me lately and haven't gotten a response...it's not because I don't like you...It's because my husband doesn't! LOL!! (blame it on the men, right? J/K) It's not really Pete's fault...It's just that there is not enough time in the day. A few weeks ago...well maybe about a month now...we came up with a pact. Basically a list of chores that each one of us must complete before we do anything else....So that things don't pile up till the weekend. One of us takes the upstairs and the other takes care of downstairs. The upstairs person gives the kids baths, gets them in PJ's and washes/dries/folds laundry as necessary. The downstairs person cleans up dinner, emtys/fills dishwasher as necessary, wipes counters and sweeps the floor. And every night Jake is in charge of cleaning the toy area and feeding his lizard. So, by the time we get all this stuff done and the kiddies to bed, it's 9 o'clock. And the alarm starts going at 5 o'clock in the morning. So by 9, we're pretty wiped out and I usually end up going to bed. So, sorry for not getting back to you all. I try to keep up at work with my blog buddies and groups, but that can be difficult too. And I can't even see my at home email from here. PUNKS! Every night lately I've been going home to at LEAST 50 emails a day! I wish I had more time to be really involved, in all I want to be involved in...you know?
Another note about Greys....I can not confirm that George is leaving. I'm only assuming so because there has been rumors flying around about it for months...and then last week when he tells Izzy he's transferring, I just thought "ok, that's his out", right? I thought that just kind of sealed the deal. But maybe I'm wrong. I guess this week is supposed to be a 2 hour show. :D
Yesterday, I ended my post with "hope your day is full of creative sunshine". I have no idea where I got that...it just came to me. And I've decided I really like it. So, this weekend I'm gonna try and incorporate that somehow to my banner. (mostly as a reminder for myself, but maybe for all of you too) Chris{tina}sy *wink* let us know what the dimensions are for the blog banner so I'm gonna give it a go this weekend and see what I can come up with! :D

You know....

I really hate blogger sometimes. I've said it before. Yesterday, I had this big ole post all typed out...with a picture and everything....pushed Publish...and *POOF* gone. "page can not be displayed". Freakin' heck that ticks me off! It happens to emails too. And then of course you have no energy to go back and type it all again. Plus, you can never remember all you said anyways.
Maybe it's a good thing. I feel like maybe my mouth has been running a little too fast lately. Like maybe I've said too much...or not known when to shut up. Yesterday, I really felt like I made some people mad. Some people I really don't want to be mad, you know? I felt like maybe my words were like the last straw....the straw that broke the proverbial "camels back". And then I had a major panic attack. No one said anything for the longest time. I got so nervous because I HATE confrontation. I want to live in a world where people are happy, happy all the time! I'm dreaming, I know. But I get knots in my tummy when I think anyone is mad at me...or if there is some kind of tense conversation going on around me...it doesn't even have to involve me. What is that about?! Yes, I know, I'm overly sensitive. Anyways, I think all is good now.
Anyways, on to other stuff....If you haven't checked out unpubbed yet, please do! And submit your layouts too! We'll be looking at each and every one. Who knows, we might just pick you for our next guest designer! We want you to have your 15 minutes too!
Megan turned 8 months old on Saturday. I can not believe she's that old all ready. And I can't believe it's May 1st! The year is flying by. So, she's 8 months and not crawling yet. She sits up and slaps her hands on the floor and she rocks back and forth...like she's trying to crawl. But she does nothing with her butt. Well sometimes she scoots a bit. If I put her on her tummy, she just looks like she's going for a swim. It's so funny, she just kicks her legs like crazy. Then, if I put her up on her hands and knees, she gets really mad and screams cuz she has no idea what to do. I guess she'll figure it out. I'm not too worried about it except for the fact that Jake was already crawling at this age. But you're not supposed to compare kids, right? She absolutely loves to stand up and pull up though...maybe she'll skip crawling.
Jake's head is much better. He's gonna have a pretty good scar though. Are all kids weird...or just mine? Sometimes I think Jake has OCD. So the other day it got up to like 95 degrees. Pretty hot for April, even in California. Anyways so he's getting ready for bed and he's putting on PJ's with long sleeves and long pants. I tell him it's too hot to wear those and give him another pair that is shorts and a T-shirt. He flips out...not really throwing a fit or anything. He's smart enough not to do that. But you can see it on his face that he's just mad about it. He gets tears in his eyes and says "I don't wanna wear these ones". I calmly explain that it's too hot to wear the other ones and then give him the option to just wear his underwear to bed if he wants. Anyways this back and forth stuff goes on and on for what seems like forever. Finally he puts on the shorts, but he's still upset about it. He gets in his bed, tells me good night and then says "but momma, I don't wanna wear these ones." After like 15 minutes has gone by. He's still fixed on these stupid shorts. Please tell me that my kid is not the only one who acts like that. Should I have just let him wear the other ones? I think we're both just stubborn. I want him to do it my way, and he wants to do it his. We're both Leo's. Maybe that's why.
Well, this is getting kind of boring isn't it? I don't have a whole lot to report. Seriously, yesterday's post that got lost was way better than this one. But I can't remember it all! Oh one more thing for you Grey's fans....I hate George and I'm glad he's leaving. I really like Callie...I think I'm in the minority there, but I do really like her. And what she said to Izzy in the elevator was great. She is so the bigger person. And I think the whole Izzy and George sleeping together thing was crazy...why couldn't they just stay friends? McDreamy is Mc-tickin' me off! He's being really selfish right now. Carrie....I know a lot of people don't like her. But for some reason, I can't help but like her. She is soooo self centered and I think she's kind of mean to Burke, but I can't help but like her for some reason.
Ok, well I'll leave you with that. Hope your day is full of creative sunshine :D

Warning...

My scanner sucks! But I'm through with messing around with it and photoshop. So here's my contribution to Chrissy's Circle Journal. The patterened paper is actually red, not orange....

This is hidden journalling and photo's behind the photo on page 2.This was so much fun, and i love how it turned out. I think you can click on the images for detail. As soon as I finish my sign in tag it will be off to Jude in the mail!

I'd write some more....but I'm kinda sleepy and everyone is watching a movie. So I think I'm gonna grab a spot and snuggle up!

It's 10:58 am...

And I'm so freakin bored. la la la la BORED. I'm hangin out here in my big cubicle trying to look like I've got something to do. There is not much going on in the bloggy world lately. I've been to them all I think! I feel guilty surfing around on the internet all day...especially being the new girl. But seriously, what the heck else am I supposed to do? I have to keep reminding myself that this is less stress, and that's what I wanted....right? Right.
So back to the ranch...Melissa asked me about it...So I'll give another little rundown. I don't post about it much. No real reason other than It's Pete's thing. My husband is a big time hunter. He goes all over the country to hunt...and he prefers the "real man" hunting with a bow and arrow. (that's my interpretation of it...the "real man"...not his) Anyways, he's also a licensed hunting guide. He's always dreamed of making money by doing what he loves. (hmmmm don't we all?) Anyways, his dream is becoming reality. He's leased 900 acres of land about an hour southwest of our house. He's fencing this property and stocking it with wild boars and exotic sheep and goats. It's going to be a place where guys come up and pay him to hunt these animals. So for the last 6 or 8 months that's been all he's doing. We still have no fence up, but we're (or he's) getting there. We're hoping that this can be a really prolific source of income for us and hopefully within a year or so, I should be able to stay home. Hooray! that would be wonderful! Hunting inside a fence is not his preferred method of hunting, but he's done the research and guys will pay mega bucks to do it. I say, whatever works! And do does Pete. So, Melissa...that's what the ranch is. And one of these days I'll get to posting the pics of it... It's pretty cool.
Yesterday was Pete's birthday...he's 30. I've been making fun of him cuz he's 4 months older than me and so for 4 more I get to tease! So, he's in the bathroom last night and he's rubbing his elbow and complaining that he's hurt it...He's doing all the inspecting of the elbow as he can, you know, trying to figure out the source of his pain....SO I say "Jeeze, only a few hours of being 30 and you're already starting to fall apart! It's all downhill from here!" I didn't realize it would happen so fast! Just kidding, for all you that are older than 30, I'm just teasing. Like I said, I've only got 4 more months to go. I also made the ugliest cupcakes you have ever seen in honor of his birthday. Not on purpose, mind you. It was completely random...they just turned out horribly ugly. But we both got a good laugh out of it. So that was good!
Also, if you're just stopping by here....You've got to check this out. We're doing the big reveal tomorrow, so make sure you stop by!

Random thoughts for Tuesday...

*Ever feel like every ones brain has turned to mush except yours?*
*Are you defined by the music you listen to? I mean, what if I told you I loved Gangsta Rap? Would you still be my friend?* I don't like gangsta rap, by the way. But say "gangsta" out loud...do it! For reals...it's just fun to say. What other words are fun to say? What words give you the creeps? I had a friend that hated the word "rub". She said it gave her the heeby geebies. It is quite an unattractive word. There's a few words out there that kind of do that to me. Like "pussy cat". Who the heck came up with that? I guess it's 2 words. I'm not trying to be vulgar..but I think that's where my dislike of that word stems from...if you get my drift.
See, I told you this would be random.
I'm beginning to really like my new job. SO much less stress. But I'm used to so much more, that this gets kind of boring. But I don't want to jinx myself. Apparently we are uncharacteristically "slow" right now. Can you sense the hint of boredom in this post? Oh yes, it is there.
So I was supposed to post again over the weekend, we got busy and I just didn't find the time. We went up to the ranch Saturday. Amazing, but I had never been up there before. My husband spends almost all his time up there and yet I had never been. I wish I could post the pictures here from work....Man, this place is way nicer than I imagined! And seriously, Pete has got his work cut out for him. My goodness 900 acres is a lot bigger when you actually see it for real. He is up there at least 3 days a week and works his butt off 90% of the time he's doing it all by himself. I love seeing him absolutely determined to do this, and get it done, and be successful. He's always been that way...he never does anything half way. He decides on something and he goes for it full force. 110% all the time. I do not posses any of those qualities. I guess that's what makes us good together. We balance each other out. It has been a really tough 7 or 8 months through this journey. And honestly, I see at least another 8 or 6 months of the same stress. I have many, many moments of....well panic, really. That's just the way I am. Even though I've sensed a little panic in him too, Pete always holds it together and says everything is going to be alright. That's just the way he is. And, everything has been alright....really. He's got way more faith than I do. Seeing the ranch for myself gave me a better understanding of what's going on, and seriously how much work it really is. I have more respect for it and him now, I guess. It's going to be so awesome once they get done. And hopefully with in a couple of years, I'll be singing a sweeter tune...from my living room and not an office cubicle!
Anyways, that's about all I've got for now...back to boredom. :D

There's a first time for everything...

See that big gash on his forehead? It actually looks worse in person than it does in this picture. He got is first really bad owie the other day. Jake's 6 year old cousin, Blake, threw a rock at him. Hit him strait in the head. In Blake's defense, Jake did throw a rock at him first. BOYS. *huh* That's all I have to say about that! This certainly will not be the last time this happens. And being the good scrapper mom I am, of course I had to take pictures! LOL! I think he should have gotten stitches...but Pete was certain he'd be just fine. We'll see. I think he just wanted him to have a big "manly" scar on his forehead. When I got to my MIL's house (about an hour after the tragic accident of aforementioned rock throwing) Jake was all laid out on the couch milking it for all it was worth. What a good kid! ha ha ha!! He was pretty traumatized by the whole thing...I guess there was a lot of blood. When I came in through the garage, I noticed a very bloody towel right next to the washer. Anyways, Jake gets up off the couch and he starts limping. My MIL and I just look at each other and share a private chuckle. It was just so funny. Later we get in the car and Jake says "momma, my feet don't work very well anymo". I said, "they don't?" Jake: "No, I got a lot of blood on my head and now my feet don't work anymo". Oh really?! He just cracks me up with the stuff he comes up with. He really is fine, I was kind of freaked out by the whole thing at first, but they are boys and this will happen again and now looking back at it I can laugh. Please don't think I'm the worst mom because I'm laughing at my child's pain!
Another funny story about Jake...The other day he's getting undressed to take a bath. He says, "momma, I got two balls". "oh yeah?" I say. I'm thinking "get your mind out of the gutter, Corey! I'll turn around and he will have 2 rubber bouncy balls...right?" Wrong. Jake: "yeah, see they're right here on my body!". As he jingles them, laughing, just like any man would. Yeah, Blake taught him that one too. What is the world coming to when a three year old boy knows he's got balls?! Maybe I'm naive.
I've got some more stories, but I'll post again tomorrow. :D

A new layout and some Easter Pics

I finally did some scrapping! I feel like I haven't done anything in forever except the CJ. This one was highly inspired by page 66 of Ali's patterned paper book. I just happened to have the same sized photo and that same 7 gypsies stickers. I really like how this turned out, but I'm thinking it may be a little too busy. I love the colors and the patterned papers though. (All Scenic Route). Along with Jake are our twin neighbors who are also 3. They're names are Ciao (sounds like Kyle) and Lucas. Jake loves them and wants to play and eat at their house every day. Their parents are super great neighbors and they love that Jake just makes himself right at home over there. It's so funny, since the time change and the nicer weather we are all outside playing when we get home from work...Anyways, Paula (their mom) always makes an extra plate of dinner for Jake and all three boys sit and eat dinner together. They really are the nicest people. It's so nice to have such great neighbors.

Here are a couple of favorite shots from Easter. Megan wasn't very photogenic that day, but Jake sure was! This one is my favorite:

We tried to get Megan to look all springy cute with a flower...but all she really wanted to do was eat it. Here's all the girl cousins: Not the best picture, but this is Hannah, Faith (she's holding Meg), and Caitlin.

Jake running to get the golden egg:

Here's one of me and Meg, just for good measure. I don't post pics of myself too often and this one is just me holding the camera out in front of us:
That's my new favorite GAP hat. It's become my regular Saturday attire! Haven't posted any pics in a long while, so I loaded this post up. Have a great Sunday!

Maroon 5 - Makes Me Wonder Full Video

*Ahhhhh, Friday*

So I figured out how to post a YouTube video here...quite easy actually! I've flipped my radio station..Been listening to....I guess they are calling this "Alternative Adult Rock"...whatever! I like it, that's all that matters! This song is currently making me happy, happy. I just wanna dance when ever it comes on...and I'm not a good dancer so that could be scary! This is Maroon 5 and I guess they haven't released a new album in 5 years or something. This is the new single. Happy, fun car dancing song. You know the kind of song...the kind of song that makes you keep dancing even at the red lights and you don't care that everyone is watching you! Actually, now that I think of it...this song totally reminds me of the Roller Rink. It totally has a turn the lights off, strobe light, roller rink, disco feel to it.

I'm in a good mood...can you tell? It's Friday and it feels good...PMS is gone...serotonin level is up...2 whole days ahead with nothing but...nothing. What could be better?...well lets not go into that...lets be happy with what we have now, huh?

I bought our tickets to go to Hawaii last night! woo hoo! I can not wait! I've never been anywhere off the continental US. I'm so flippin excited. We don't go until September, but that is ok...I'm still trying to lose weight! Some of you might know that I've been kind of on a diet since January. I haven't really talked a bunch about it, basically because I haven't wanted to jinx myself. But guess what? I think I've lost about 10 pounds! ( I say I think, because I don't own a scale and I'm too cheap to buy one! ) But I've dropped a pants size! People are starting to notice too. 3 times this week my MIL told me how "skinny" I look. Now, I wouldn't go that far...I am FAR from skinny, but someone is noticing and that feels so good. *smile* It's been 4 months since I've had a soda. I love Coca-Cola...especially from a fountain. This is the one part of my "diet" that I have not cheated on...not even once in 4 months! I can not help but be proud of myself. Even my mom can't believe it. Honestly, I think this is the only reason I've lost weight. Because I really haven't changed my eating habits all that much. I was limiting myself to 1700 calories a day but I have pretty much forgone that in the past month because of the stress of the new job and such. Starting monday, I'm back on baby! All the way. 1700 calories. I can do it ...it's easy, really. No more cheating...lose another 10 pounds. Woo Hoo! White sandy beaches, a cool breeze, palm trees, and a cute tankini that I don't look like a heffer in, here I come!

The Bachelor: As requested by Jude...and as promised from my last post...My personal commentary:

The Bachelor...first of all, I didn't even know this show still existed. I mean haven't they had like ZERO success rate? Oh wait, there was Trista and Ryan right? But technically she was the 'Bachelorette' so I don't think that counts. Anyways, I went ABC.com the other day to catch up on LOST and saw they had a new show posting in the "full episodes" and I realize it's: The Bachelor, An Officer and a Gentleman. Good grief, could they get anymore cheezy? Most of the girls probably weren't even alive when that movie was out....Wait, do they even know it was a movie? So yeah anyways, of course I had to watch it! LOL!! I both love and hate this show...always have. I love it because, darn it, It's just darn good TV! I mean the guy is freaking HOT. This one they have this time is a lieutenant in the Navy and a Dr, AND a 6 time Iron Man Triathlon finisher, AND a humanitarian charity guy. Oh yeah, and he's hot. I hate is voice though. He has absolutely no charisma. This show is fun because even though you pretty much know it's all a joke, you can't help but hope he keeps picking that one girl you like and that maybe, just maybe it really will be true love. And I love this show because it's just so fun to watch all these bitches (for lack of a better word) battle it out...they are so stupid. They read off their bios and they are all med students or lawyers or have a masters degree. And yet they are mostly all stupid whores. Or at least the show portrays them as such. I mean seriously, how in the world could 25 women all "have feelings" for or "really feel a connection" with one guy? Come on..we all know you just want some more face time! What always gets me is the after the 2nd or 3rd rose ceremony there's always that one girl who is just sobbing, she's completely beside herself because she didn't get a rose and she says through her sobs, "i really felt like i was falling in love with him...I never thought I could feel this way so fast"...sob, sob sob...Come on, you've know the guy 3 days and 15 other girls are dating him! I can't help it though, as much as I hate it, I keep coming back for more! Even Pete gets sucked into it. A couple of times last year he stayed up to watch it when I fell asleep! LOL! This show always seems to prove 2 things to me: 1) girls are mean and stupid. And 2) no matter what they say, guys will always like the fake boobs. Anyways so that's how i feel about it. Just good smut TV!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Small doses people and the Bachelor and PMS

Hi everybody! Yeah, a midweek post! Things are settling down a bit...which is so good. I'm learning my job well. It's actually the same thing I was doing before, a little less responsibility, and just a new computer system and work environment. It's good. Commute....still bad, but I don't want to complain any more about it.
I feel like I've got a lot to report....or a lot of things on my mind anyway. I even sent myself a "Note to Self" email today from work so I could remember the things I wanted to get out! I'll start with PMS. Good Lord, do I ever hate PMS! LOL! This is probably my worse attribute. One week out of every month I am a complete and udder witch...not to mention an overly sensitive blubbery boob. Yeah. You guessed it...this is the week. I feel sorry for my husband and children and all others who have to spend more than 2 minutes with me during this week! Note to self: next time you decide to start a new job...make sure is right after "the PMS week" so you have ample time to adjust before the next PMS week! *sigh* Everything is going fine, really....Yesterday was just one of those overly sensitive days, and it got to me a little. But today was much better and I'm not going to dwell, so I'll just move on. I know it was all about the PMS and nothing else. You know how menopausal women get all weepy when they think they're not going to have their period anymore? I just don't really get that. Take it....it's fine with me! I will not miss it.
Moving on....Small Doses People....Do you know what I mean by that? Do you know someone in your life who fits this description? They are really great people, and you sincerely like them, but you can only take so much of them....you can only be around them for so long before your emotionally drained, or dare I say, annoyed. Know anyone like that? Luckily, I don't know many...but I just added one to my list. Michelle. She's a lady that I work with...the lady that is training me. Michelle and I worked together at the old company but in separate departments....Honestly now that I think about it, I never really spent more than maybe 10 or 15 minutes at one time with her at the old job. As I said we had different job functions and we would stand at chit-chat for a few and then go back to our desks. Anyways I really do like her. She's older, in her late 40's but you wouldn't really know it. She's a cool person, very smart and she and I come from similar back grounds. We were both in child care/education and ran summer camp programs before we came into banking. So we have good things in common. She also has the best shoes and the best jewlery! But here is where the "small doses" comes in. This is why I get a little annoyed....She is very opinionated (not always a bad thing) and she is very much your typical "Californian". She is very liberal and doesn't hesitate to let you know that. I consider myself to be very conservative. So anyways Michelle finds it okay to push her liberal political views on everyone....let me take that back...She assumes everyone thinks the same way she does. Take President Bush, for example...she has no problem bashing the heck out of him openly in the office. Now, we may (well maybe not, I wouldn't want to assume) but I think the general population would agree that Bush is probably not going to go down in history as one of the "greatest leaders of our time". That being said, I don't think it's ok to just go around thinking everyone hates him and say horrible things about him all the time. She's the kind of person that would totally challenge you if you didn't agree with her, because to her, if you don't agree with what she's saying...you're wrong. And she's not the kind to back down. In the 2 weeks that I've been there, she's brought politics up 3 or 4 times, and she always looks for a laugh when she says something bad about Bush. I hate it! I end up just turning around and excusing myself from the conversation. That's the only thing I know how to do. It works, but just listening to it eats at me! Another conversation we had: You mom's out there will get a kick out of this... Michelle says there is "No such thing as 'Stomach Flu'. She says it's always food poisoning. Yeah. All you moms out there who spent a whole week in February trying to get the puke smell out of your house (or RV *wink*) raise your hands! Do you think there is no such thing as stomach flu?... I rest my case. But Michelle gets her last word in by saying "well, that's what I was told", and gives me that *you're a dumb ass* look. hmm I don't think so. So besides her forceful opinions and her having to know it all, I do like her. She is really funny, and a fun person. But in Small Doses. Do you think this is just a symptom of the PMS?
I was going to write a little bit about what I though of the show the Bachelor...but this is getting rather lengthy and I've still got to get in the shower so I think I'll just end with this....Have ya'll been to Chrissy's blog? She is just the sweetest thing. I know she's been kind of feeling down for a while, but I think she's coming out of it. I feel happiness when I read her words. Anyways, today she wrote the most endearing post about all of her blog buddies. I had been thinking of doing the same thing myself and she said it all perfectly. The Internet has become such an amazing avenue, and this blog thing has turned out to be way more than I ever expected. Just one post on Ali's challenge and *poof* instant friends. And I mean that sincerely, you are my friends and I hope we all might be able to meet IRL some day. I must admit, I was a little sad to find out that Chrissy was not going to make it to California this time around. But only for my own selfish reasons. The thought of a new friend to show around, and two adorable boys to play with Jake, excited me. BUT, I am so happy to know they are going to Seattle. Chrissy, I just know it's going to be great up there! I am so excited for you and Sean! I know it was God's plan for you all.
Ok, I'm off...have a wonderful Friday!
***edited to add: I will eventually stop talking about my job. I promise!

Wow, so it has been a whirlwind of a week! Not necessarily bad though. I feel like I have been kind of a whiner lately...I don't really mean to be that way. I just stress a little sometimes and need to vent. So I'll start off with Monday. As I had mentioned before, I have lost my Social Security card. Big no-no...you know?! Anyways there are several other documents that are acceptable to prove your identity....such as your birth certificate..Well, yeah I didn't have that either. And the next one was a passport...Well, I've never been anywhere where I needed a passport so I never got one. Craziness. So I show up Monday empty handed. I was told on Friday that I had to have either my SS card or my birth certificate Monday morning or they were going to have to send me home. I decided to go in anyways even if I didn't have anything...because how bad would that have looked if I didn't even come in? Bad in my opinion. Anyway....LONG story....I ended up driving over 200 miles that day! First I went to work...my office is about 40 miles one way. Then I get there, they say go take care of this before you come back...So I go to a near by SS office....They tell me I don't have the right documentation....That they need to see my marriage license...Ok well I know where that is! So I drive ALL the way back home (40 more miles) Pick up my marriage license, Then I decide to go to this SS office near my house because I figure if they're not going to help me until I get my birth certificate, there's no reason in going all the way back out to the office. So I drive over to the Manteca SS office (about 15-20 miles) This is where my luck starts turning around...There are a TON of people in the office waiting. But for some reason I got lucky on which numbers they were calling. I only waited maybe a half hour at the most. I don't even think it was that long. The lady that helped me was so nice. I think the fact that I walked up to her window and presented myself well and smiled helped big time. Come to find out, I didn't need anything the other office told me I needed. She fixed me right up. Of course she couldn't just give me a new card right there...they have to mail them out...but she did give me a certified letter stating that I could work. Momma always said you get more flies with honey than with....well you know! So then I drive all the way back to work (60 miles) They finally decide that what I had was good enough for now and decided to let me work! *whew!* One big huge stress off my shoulders! And in other good news...I got my card in the mail today...4 days! Pretty good service coming from the government! Ha ha! The rest of the week as been just a bunch of training. We had 2 full days of in class training today and yesterday...that was another really good way to get acquainted with the people I work with (even though I've worked with them all previously) and it also gave me a chance to learn a lot about the company I'm working for. So it was good!
I am feeling SO disconnected though! Man, I can't really get on the Internet at work...Well, I can, but some sites are "forbidden". And, I can't check my email from there. THAT totally sucks! I hate that I can't check in on my bloggy friends every day! I actually so look forward to seeing what you guys are all up to. You all have become my friends, and are so supportive and CREATIVE! Man, I miss that every day inspiration I would get from you all! I have been trying every night to come and check in, but it's just impossible for me to leave a comment for everyone or reply to all the emails. This week I've had an average of 10 emails a day when I get home! One day I had 40! No I'm not kidding! (i love email!) I love it! But I just can't find the time to do all my wifely/motherly duties and hang out online! BUMMER! Time is certainly becoming a great commodity around here! So, needless to say, I think my blog posts might be reduced down to weekends only.
At least until things settle down a little. I sure hope you all hang in there with me! I love, love, love all the comments you leave and the emails and all the goodness you bring. I also love reading all of your blogs too and I'll comment when ever I can! Thanks for being such great friends!
Wow, this is super long! Hope you all hung in!
Have a wonderful Easter weekend! Jake and I are doing eggs tomorrow, I will for sure take some pictures!