Rainy Day

1. Does the rain make you feel blue?

No. I LOVE the rain (except when i am driving in it!). It is beautiful and cleansing (and if you look long and hard enough you may find a rainbow or two!).

2. Do you find that rain ruins or improves your day?

It depends on what I have planned. If it is something outdoors it can ruin it. If i do not have anything planned it can improve my day!

3. Have you ever danced/splashed/ran in the rain?

My husband and I danced in it one night and it was very romantic. I don't recall ever dancing in it...maybe i need to add that to my 101 list.

4. What do you like to do on rainy days?

Sleep....there is nothing like sleeping on a rainy day!!!

5. Do you save for "rainy days"?

I try.....

13 reasons to celebrate July 4th…


1/ It is our nations birthday!!!!

2/ We live in a wonderful country that embraces freedom!...(that alone is a reason to celebrate)

3/ If you are fortunate you get the day off from work!!

4/ The wonderful fireworks!

5/ The great food (yummy potato salad and barbecue!!)

6/ You get to wear your new Old Navy shirt

7/ The Awesome picnics!!

8/ You get to go the a soccer or baseball game and cheer (the huge fireworks will come after the big game!).

9/ Watermelon and ice cold Coke!

10/ You get to see the smoke and smell the smoke after all the fireworks are over!

11/ A great time to take mucho pictures of all the fun event of the day!

12/ new red white and blue flip flops

13/ Hearing all the great country songs that celebrate America.

wow!! 3 more days in June!!! Where is 2007 going???? I had all these wonderful plans for the summer and poof! it if flying by!!! Next month will be here and gone before i know it (vacation month!!). Do you ever wish you could slow down time (notice i did not say stop...i said slow). This is crazy! Before I know it I will be school shopping with the girls and celebrating my birthday! Wow!!!

Purple

1. What did you think of the Tinky Winky controversy?

Wow!!!! I must be out of the loop...I had no idea Tinky Winky was controversial!

2. What was the last thing you heard through the grape vine?

The last thing I heard was Paris had met Jesus!

3. Who do you want to see laughing in the purple rain?

My husband and myself, laughing and loving eachother!!!

4. What is Grimace?

See the picture!

5. If you had a one-eyed one-horned flying purple people eater,who would you feed to it?

MONDAY....

MONDAY....a new week and soooooo much to accomplish!


* finish kitchen (summer cleaning!)
* start bathroom and the painting in there! (more summer cleaning)
* work stuff (this is going to be a 55+ hour week!)
* work on some pages (ha!!! i can dream can't i!!)
* get the shoe closet organized (more summer cleaning!!)
* start planning Gigi's party
* start planning our vacation~ possible lunch with hunny bunny to go over vacation?????
* get by OLD NAVY for our yearly July 4th shirts!!!



***boy I am already tired!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

17. Seventeen years ago today you were born. Seventeen years ago today my life changed (for the better). Seventeen years ago today I looked into your big brown eyes and knew I was in love for life. Seventeen years ago today I met my beautiful baby girl….Genesis.
It is so hard to believe seventeen years has gone by. Oh my, where has the time gone. You are no longer that little bundle I held seventeen years ago. You are now this incredible, wonderful, mysterious, outrageous, humorous, exciting seventeen year old! Wow…who would have thought this seventeen years ago!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GENESIS! I LOVE YOU AND I AM SO GLAD SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO HAPPENED TO ME!!

Summer Cleaning!

Yuck!!! I hate to clean! I hate it...I hate it...I hate it!!! Yuck!!!! The one thing I would love to never have to do again is clean!! This is funny because I love a clean home! I love being able to walk through my house and know everything is clean and in it’s place. I just hate what it takes to get it there and keep it there! I once thought of hiring a cleaning person and I knew I would have to clean the house before they came! Wow!! So what was the use!!! Well…I know it has to get done and I know if I do not do it the little cleaning bunnies will not do it…so….I am forced to do it!!! *sigh* Well…the one thing I do love about cleaning is the smell of Pine Sol! It is weird but I have always loved the smell. (wow…when I write it down it sounds really really weird!!). Anyway…off to smell some Pine Sol and do some Summer cleaning!

Boredom

Dies of Boredom*

1. What situations make you the most bored?

Having an interaction where I am not able to speak (the person goes on and on and on...).

2. What do you do to alleviate boredom?

I always have a book with me so I can read.

3. On long car trips, what do you to to keep things fun?

We talk about everything and anything and when the girls were younger we would play "who am I...and it had to be a Disney related character).

4. On airplanes, what do you bring in your carry on to entertain yourself?

My sleepy Tylenol. I have plane rides so I drug myself up and sleep!!!

5. Are you the sort of person who complains when feeling bored?

No...I will grin and bear it!!!!

summer is here!!!!

Wow!! This year is going fast! Today is the first day of summer! Wow!!! I wonder what it will be like? We have a vacation and will be visiting the Chicago. This is also the time I do my major cleaning in the house. I enjoy the summer time, however, I wish it could be cooler (I am not one of those people who enjoys the heat to much!). I do love the barbeque's, 4th of July, all our birthday's in August and the fact that the girls are able to have "down" time after spending so much time in school!
So...HAPPY SUMMER!!!!

Fun post for today.
I found these questions and could not resist answering them. This was kind of fun!


1. regular or diet soda:
* COKE!!!!! regular

2. salt or pepper:
* always SALT!!!

3. hot or cold weather:
* hmmm....i guess i would have to say hot weather

4. dogs or cats:
* dogs all the way!!!

5. dieting or exercise:
* they are both hard but when i am involved...exercise

6. cooking or doing dishes:
*100% cooking!!!!

7. sleeping or shopping:
*1000% SHOPPING!!!

8. Red Lobster or Outback Steakhouse:
* OUTBACK!

9. classical or hip hop music:
* Hip Hop

10. dancing or playing sports:
* dancing (but isn't that a sport???)

11. back rub or foot rub:
* back rub! (I hate people touching my feet!)

12. fruits or vegetables:
*fruit

13. Grey's Anatomy or House:
* how about American Idol?????

14. coffee or tea:
* COKE!!!! hehehe

15. curling up with a good book or a night out on the town:
* a night on the town!

16. Straight hair or curly hair:
* straight hair

17. skirts or shorts:
* skirts

18. burgers/hot dogs or Chinese food:
*burgers

19. vacationing in Switzerland or Mexico:
* Switzerland (since I have been to Mexico)

20. sports car or SUV:
* Sports!!!!!

Purse Party

I went to a "purse party" and it was interesting. I have never been to one before and I have always wanted to go. One of my passions is purses! I LOVE purses!!! I have been buying them since I was in high school and I cannot even say how many I have! Currently I am into big purses! The bigger the purse the better!!! One of my friends (the same one who invited me to my first purse party…hehehe) went to New York this year and she purchased two purses for me (my first Luis Vatton and a wonderful “BIG” red D&G purse). I love them!!! I went to this party and it was amazing to see all those purses! They were everywhere! I was in a daze! *smile* I sooooo cannot wait until my next party!!!

scrapaholic!

ok..i admit i am a self assessed scrapaholic...

i am not ashamed (if i was would i have pictures of my addiction???). I love love love to shop and every time i walk into a scrapbook store i get so excited! What will I find that is new and fabulous? What kind of papers will they have this time? It would be ok if it was just the shopping...now add....challenges!
I love love love challenges. They are so fun! I wish I had the time to do every challenge I wanted and keep up! Wow!!! You talk about being superwoman! I salivate at the next new challenge!!! One of my 101 things to do is complete Ali, Elsie and Disney challenges on 2Peas! What a day that will be!!!! And then there is the...paper!!!!
Ohhhhhh I love love love all the wonderful papers that are out there!!! YummY!!! I would weigh 4000 lbs. if I could eat them all!!! (I told you I was sick!!!). I cannot get enough of the wonderful papers that are out there. I love the paper sooooo much I am AFRAID to use it!!! Is that not the sickest thing you ever heard!! Shame...shame...shame...
*SIGH* I could go on and on...Embellishments, tools, magazines, books, blogs, monthly kits...you name it...i love love love it!!!!
now do you believe me when i say I am a scrapoholic??? If not here are are a few pics to change your mind...

These are pictures of dinner at Benihana's. Bridgette, Reggie and I went. It was a wonderful experience! The food was awesome and I can't wait to go back!

Blue

1. Do you remember Eiffel 65? What did you think they were saying in the "da ba dee" part of the chorus?
Wow!!! was is this on the Eiffel Tower????

2. Cookie Monster VS Grover in a death match. Who wins?
Cookie Monster (he has size on his side!!)

3. What's your favourite sea creature?
Dolphins (they are so awesome!)

4. Have you ever had a blue collar job? Do any blue collar uniforms turn you on?
Yes and I am not telling you (wink!)

5. Where is your watering hole of choice?
My house!

In memory

sad sad day...

Today was the funeral for my Aunts husband. It was a beautiful service. My Aunt had a collage of pictures and it was bittersweet to see his life through a camera lense. It was special to have her share parts of their life with us. It made me think just how important pictures are. They allow us to go back and remember and that is beautiful!
He was in the service so there was a Military service at the cemetery. I think they are beautiful services however I hate the sound of the guns. It reminds me of my Aunt and Uncle's. *sigh* Reggie and I did visit my Aunt and Uncle (I had not seen them in years so it was peaceful to visit them).
Our prayers are with my Aunt and her family during this time.

These are pictures from our trip to New York
Bridgette and one of her best friends in High School

Father's Day

Dinner at Red Robin (Reggie loves this place!!!!). After dinner we let Daddy decide what movie he wanted to see....he decided on the new Fantastic 4 move. I was surprised that the girls did not want to see the movie. I had to remind them that it was Daddy's day and he could do what he wanted (Daddy loved the speech...hehehe). I did not think the movie was that bad and Daddy enjoyed it lots! It was worth it to see him enjoying himself.

Mothers Day

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Today was a fun day. I spent it with my family. They treated me to a wonderful dinner at Black Angus. Yummy!!! We took some pictures and WOW!!! I can not believe how much my "baby's" have grown (in the background is "Treesa" and she has also grown...smile).

red

Red

1. What makes you blush?
*wow!!! it has been years and years since I blushed! hmmm....i am not sure!!!

2. What was your worst sunburn?
*we went to Waterworld when the girls were younger and that night when i came home my skin was burning! I had to sleep with a sheet and alone! It hurt for my skin to touch anything! It was horrible!! I even peeled when it was over!! Can you imagine a Mexican peeling!!

3. If you had to wear a vial of someone else's blood around your neck, whose would you choose?
*wow!!! that is crazy!!! if i had to????? i guess it would be Reggie's...if i HAD to.

4. What's your favourite Red Hot Chili Peppers song?
*hmmmm....i know they are a group but i am not sure what they sing....(my daughters and husband would know!!!)

5. Where (other than home, cause that's not inventive) would your ruby slippers take you?
*To Europe!!! Or...a huge shopping mall at 3 in the morning when no one else is there and i could shop and shop and shop!!! *sigh*

saturday is a day for shopping!

I love Saturdays that are wide open!

I went to KHOLS (love love love that store!!). Did some shopping for the girls and Daddy

I visited the newest scrapbooking store in town! I loved it! I shopped and shopped and shopped. What a wonderful day!

Five on Friday/Flowers

May Flowers

1. What are your favorite kinds of flowers?

*I love sunflowers, calla lilies and dahlia's. I also love white roses!

2. Do you have any cut flowers in your home or office right now? What kinds?

*sadly...i do not have any right now. I use to have a different bunch of flowers on my desk weekly...however, it has been to busy and stressful to have them at my desk (hmmm...maybe that's the reason for the stress!!).

3. Are you growing/planting any live flowers inside or outside your home? What kinds and where?

*I am trying to grow an English garden (notice I say trying!!) and I have a few plants around the home (I love plants!!...hmmm...i even took those home from work...interesting!!).

4. Which flowers do you associate with specific people, places, or events?

*white roses...my graduation (my mother bought be a dozen white roses for my graduation...they were beautiful and I will always remember that night and those roses...i have kept the tradition and bought them for my oldest on her graduation and will do the same for my youngest).

5. When was the last time you were given flowers as a gift?

* a few months ago from Reggie *sigh*

2Peas...something that makes you happy


Something that makes me happy is listening to my husband and children when they are interacting. I will sit (or stand) and close my eyes and listen. They will talk about so many things, God, politics, school, sports, soccer, boys and so many other things. I especially love it when they start to laugh and joke with each other!!! There is nothing on earth that can compare to the sound of my families laughter. It is so pure and incredible! I wish I could bottle it and save it for those rainy days...(even right now if i close my eyes and listen real hard i ca hear them chattering and laughing and it makes me happy...)

MOTIVATION

I need someone to light a fire under me!! I am so unmotivated right now. I look around and can name 500 things I need to do but *sigh* I know they will not get done. I will start my day (or end my night) with these grandeur thought of what I want to accomplish in the next 24 hours and would not you know it….24 hours comes and goes and nothing has been done! *sigh*

I will act now. I will act now. I will act now. Henceforth, I will repeat these words each hour, each day, everyday, until the words become as much a habit as my breathing, and the action which follows becomes as instinctive as the blinking of my eyelids. With these words I can condition my mind to perform every action necessary for my success. I will act now. I will repeat these words again and again and again. I will walk where failures fear to walk. I will work when failures seek rest. I will act now for now is all I have. Tomorrow is the day reserved for the labor of the lazy. I am not lazy. Tomorrow is the day when the failure will succeed. I am not a failure. I will act now. Success will not wait. If I delay, success will become wed to another and lost to me forever. This is the time. This is the place. I am the person.
-Og Mandino


I thought I would look for something to motivate me and I found this! Is it not incredible! I can only imagine how successful I would be if I lived by this on a daily basis! Wow…the worlds I could conquer, the joy I could feel, the mountains I could climb!!! I am going to make a hard copy of this and I am going to put up at me desk and maybe in my bathroom!!!

I will act now…I will act now……..I love it!!!!

Weigh In....

Today was the day we needed to go in and weigh ourselves! It was not the best day for this (I am having that "bloated" week). *sigh* I went in anyway and I was not shocked. My jeans have been a little tight so I know I had gained some weight (you can't stop exercising and start drinking more coke and not expect this!!!). Well...I now know my weight and what I have to do to get it down. I am not feeling this...hopefully I will get motivated and start drinking more water and walking more!!!! (wish me luck!!).

2Peas Blog Challenge... If you were to take a class on photography. What is one thing you would like to learn? First off, I would LOVE to take a photography class! That is one of those things that is on my to do list. (*sigh* when will i have the time....) Ok...i digress... WHEN I take my photography class I want to learn how to take dynamic close ups of people! I love to capture people close up and want to know how to do it "right". AND (this was not a fair queastion becasue there is more than one thing I want to learn!) I want to learn how to take "incredible" Black and White photo's!!! Ohhh, I get excited just thinking about the possiblity of learning how to do these two things!!! What a wonderwoman i would be (heheheh), and the layouts I could do!!! ok...i am digressing again!!! Now that I think about it I really NEED to make time to take a photography class!!!! I really do!!!!

Rain and Training

Today I had to spend 8 hours learning how to coach. It was a very informative class and I am glad I signed up for it. Whenever I sit in a classroom setting I am reminded of how much I love to learn! I get a high off of learning new things! So why am I not finishing my degree???? Good question...the best way to answer it is...1 Senior and 1 Junior in college. Who knows maybe when they both are in college I can join them (smile). Time will tell... I know this, I will be returning to school one day!

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!! I have this at my desk! I so believe the more knowledge you have the more you empower yourself, maybe that’s one of the reasons I love learning so much! I think learning is the key to so many things in life. I think the willingness to learn new things (you don’t have to always be in a school setting to learn!) is so important if you want to be fulfilled in life. Think about it what in life does NOT require you to be open to learning? If you want a successful marriage you need to learn all about your spouse, if you want to be a wonderful parent you must be open to learning about your children and the world around them...learning and knowledge is what so many things are about! I have seen some people who have no desire to learn anything new and they seem “stuck”. They seem to miss the “spark” that I believe knowledge can give. Please don’t get me wrong I am not saying it is wrong not to want to learn I just feel knowledge allows our world to become so much bigger than it was before we learned something we did not know before!!!



"Whatever we learn has a purpose and whatever we do affects everything and everyone else, if even in the tiniest way. Why, when a housefly flaps his wings, a breeze goes round the world; when a speck of dust falls to the ground, the entire planet weighs a little more; and when you stamp your foot, the earth moves slightly off its course. Whenever you laugh, gladness spreads like the ripples in a pond; and whenever you're sad, no one anywhere can be really happy. And it's much the same thing with knowledge, for whenever you learn something new, the whole world becomes that much richer." -Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

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On the way home today it rained and rained!!! It was a horrible drive home! My knuckles were white and a drive that can take 20 minutes took close to an hour! yuck!! But, I sure was glad for the rain (it is watering my new flowers!!).

I spoke with my Mom today and we received horrible news. My Aunt's husband passed away. How horrible! I know he is in a better place and in that place there is no suffering and he will be healthy once again. However, it is so sad for his wife, children and grandchildren. My heart goes out to all of them.
I was at work when I received the news and I wanted to stop everything and focus on their family. However I was between meetings and had to run. As I was doing this it occurred to me how life is always going forward and it stops for no one. *sigh* There are those moments (and yes I would say days) when I wish time would stop and we could think, love, scream and know nothing in the world is happening... everything is waiting for me to process a feeling or moment. Would that not be great!?! *sigh*

GREEN EGGS AND HAM

Green

1. Who's your favourite Ninja Turtle?
***Yes, I like the green one (hehehhehehe!!)
2. Do you have a green thumb?
***Yes and no. At work my plants grow like weeds! However, at home most of them don't last to long! Wierd, huh!?!
3. What's your favourite kind of salad?
***I love Chef salads and taco salads!!! yummy!!
4. Do you get seasick?
***No...I have good sea legs!
5. Are you a fan of the "Shrek" movies? Have you gone to see the third one?
***I think the movies are cute. I love donkey! We did see Shrek 3 and I have to say that it was good...not great but good. The part with the king frog was hilarious!!!

2 layouts to add to my goal!

Rick Springfield and laughing!

What celebrity crushes did you have when you were growing up?

****I was sooooo in love with Rick Springfield!!!! His concert was the first one I ever went to and I loved it and him!!! I sooooo wanted to be "Rick's girl". sigh***

What cartoon character best describes you?
***I love Scooby (however, I do not think I am LIKE him). I would have to say the best cartoon character that describes me would have to be the mean Power Puff girl (my daughters would watch them when they were younger). She is a take charge, loyal and feisty girl. Yep...that would describe me...hehehe***









Complete this sentence....."I would most recommend...Laughing at least three times a day!!! Laughter is so wonderful for your soul and it is doubly wonderful for those around you! So laugh...laugh...laugh. If you can't laugh then put the music up real loud and sing your heart out!! This will ultimately make you laugh!! hehehehe! In other words I guess I would recommend you do something fun each and every day! You will enjoy life more!!"

Family Day

Our church had there yearly Family picnic today. The theme was Hawaiian. Our pastor had an interesting sermon about Family. It made me think...(and that in itself is a miracle!!! hehehe). I am a HUGE believer in family. I love families and I believe on earth they are the most important thing in life. Families do not have to be a mom, dad and children. I believe a family is a group of people who love and support each other...yes, I believe it can be a group of friends! Family is so important and I am so Blessed to have the incredible family that I have. I love them! My family is me refuge. They are my cheerleaders and when I feel I cannot go on they will be there pushing me forward! I LOVE them so much!!!!!
One of the things that was mentioned was family time. I know it is very important and one of the things I want to focus on is having more family time with my external family. I am really going to focus on this! I think I will this will be great for me and the girls (maybe they will get closer to their aunts and uncles and cousins...).
Family....I would not trade mine for anything!!!!!! I Love them!!

Dance

One of the highlights of the year was our daughters dancing recital. It was so much fun to watch them and have family and friends get together to watch them and celebrate their success. I loved watching them in their costumes sparkle and shine on stage. I know this is a mother speaking but I have to say they seemed to shine brighter than anyone else (hehehe). My husband had the opportunity to dance with each of his daughters through the years and that was always extra special (seeing him in a tuxedo always took my breath away!). One of my favorite dances was ballet! My girls were beautiful ballerinas.

Last year we did not have a recital to go to because both girls decided not to dance (you talk about having to step back and not force them to do something!!).

This year my oldest decided to go back (wahoo!!!). It was wonderful to see how much she enjoyed dancing and it was awesome to go to her recital tonight! Again, she was wonderful (the best one…outside of Miss. Amie). I loved Bridgette’s opening and closing numbers. She looked so cute in her 80’s outfit (memories…..memories…of neon colors and sweatshirts that came off your shoulders…). She was awesome tonight!!! BRAVO!!

Next year both girls are going to dance and I am so excited (I guess not pushing does help…hehehe). I can’t wait….

things undone

yesterday was one of those days where you know you have thousands of things to get done and you are not sure where to start! so...out comes my LIST!!! i love making list because they help me get where i am going and let me know where i have been! If I am unable to write down a list you will find me whispering to myself the list of things I have to do! I make list at work, home, vacations and yes even for my challenges! Yep...i love lists!!!

current list:

* order party stuff for Gigi's party.
* plan Gigi's party
* upload current lo pages
* plant flowers
* buy a water thingy for the birds
* download pictures from the camera
* upload pics to Sam's and order them
* finish both the 15 and Grandma's house books

SUNSHINE

Yellow

1. Do you like Coldplay?
the group? they are ok

2. Were you jaundiced as a baby?
i don't think so (at least i don't remember stories of being "cooked" a little more when i came out...my cousin was!)

3. Who's your favourite blond? Do blonds have more fun? Marilyn Monroe....I don't think so...I think the passion and fun runs in the veins of Latina women (hehehe).

4. Is this bananas? And is Gwen Stefani a talented artist?
Wow!!! bananas????? Yes, I do think Gwen is very talented and beautiful!

5. Have you ever been stung by a bee? If so, where
I have a love/hate relationship with bees. I love the "fake" ones however the real ones scare me! And the weird part is i am not sure why...i have never been stung by one!!!