almost go time

:: These last two days before our week-long vacation aren't going to be fun (meaning today - no it wasn't fun, and tomorrow - which will be even worse). It always seems to take so much effort and stress to get things ready to be out of the office for a week. I can't wait to walk out of there and hop in the car...a big sigh and then I'm ready to relax and have fun!!!

:: Aspen runs Saturday morning in round 2 of the Junior Olympics...final round is in Reno, NV so fingers crossed for her!!

:: I am all packed up. Just need to throw in the last of it tomorrow before we leave. Somehow our car always gets loaded to the gills. Me, Chris, Aspen and Ocho...who knew 3 people and a tiny chihuahua could have so much junk?? I am well stocked with books and magazines.

:: Did you hear that Oprah is apparently ending her talk show? She's going to announce it on her show Friday. I think it's been 25 years? I'm curious why she's decided to end it...Chris will be thrilled because she is probably his least favorite person on the planet. Not sure why, I love her!

:: I think I'd better call it a night...tomorrow will be a loooooong stressful day, and then three hours in the car. I will have my laptop so you won't have a chance to miss me :)

just a list

:: Had a pretty trying day today, on many different fronts. Glad the day is about over.

:: Worked on a little project this evening for a friend.

:: Don't feel like working out. But probably should, and will feel better after getting out some of that pent up GUNK in my head.

:: Got the oil changed today, check. Picked up Ocho's special dog food, check.

:: Watched SYTYCD and Glee...I was happy with the two they chose to kick off...and I thought Glee was really good tonight.

:: Two more days and then vacation.

:: Got an email that said our Christmas cards have shipped...can't wait to see them!

:: Bought two more Christmas presents...

:: Done with Wednesday

quick hello

:: Got some gifty stuff ready today and am so happy about it! Happy to have it ready and happy with what we decided on. Yay! Can't wait to give!

:: Work was good and productive, just what I needed.

:: Made a crockpot rice recipe today and didn't read the directions fully. Oops! When I came home for lunch, it was more than ready and out of liquid...I had cooked it on high and it was supposed to be on low. We'll see how it tastes. It's pretty mushy by this point!

:: List to accomplish, so I'm going to be boring this week...

this and that

:: Today was pretty busy at work...and will continue to be so as I try to accomplish everything before we head off on vacation next week. Everything seems to come to a head and it's always a stressful last day finishing things up. I will remain positive and calm throughout it all!!

:: Wanted to share this layout that I did at the crop on Saturday...it really makes me smile! I received an envelope in the mail from my mom...and inside were these two pictures. The one of the left is her around age one in 1955. The one on the right is me around age one in 1977. The similarities in the two photos is great, and I am very impressed with my mom's "non-scrapbooker" eye to pull these together and request a page!

:: I designed two options for our Christmas cards today at lunch! I was feeling inspired, and had to get them done. I really liked both options, and each option had 15 photo choices. So really, 30 cards to choose from! Chris and I went through them this evening and narrowed it down to three...and then the three of us agreed on which design and photo we wanted. I think we are all pleased! I have loaded it up to Winkflash and placed my order...now we wait! I am so excited to have this done!!!!!

:: Rode five miles with Chris in pretty chilly weather this evening. Felt good.

:: Lots to do tonight, so that's all I've got...more tomorrow!

great weekend

:: Our weekend was full and fun!

:: Aspen spent Friday evening with her mom, so Chris and I had an impromptu date night. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Copper Creek, and then went to Target for a basketful of goodies. As a treat, we each bought a cd...he got the Zack Brown Band, and I got Carrie Underwood's new one.

:: Saturday, I dropped Aspen off at the junior high at 7:45 a.m. and she was gone until about 10:00 p.m. at the All-Region band tryouts in Lubbock. Very full, long day for her, and unfortunately she didn't make it to the next round. Out of 60 flutes, she placed in the 20s...but only the top 1o moved on. Still very proud of her!

:: Saturday was my monthly crop and my sweet friend Terry hosted. We had a great day of yummy food and lots of laughter and stories. I finished 10 of my remaining 17 layouts for the year and then worked on a few other things on my laptop...a great day!!

:: Chris and I had a second date night Saturday evening...went to Brick Oven Pizza, mmmmmm. Then stopped at the mall. I had a coupon for Express, and that is definitely the time to buy. $30 off a purchase of $75. Pretty good deal. They also had the shirts I like on sale buy one get one half price. So, I scored 3 shirts for $60, and $20 per shirt at Express is a good deal! I got this one in black and this one in a black/white design and this one only long sleeve and a little different pink. We also went to the bookstore and stocked up on some books and magazines for our road trip.

:: Sunday, after church, we met the Halfmanns downtown and had our 6th Annual Photo Shoot! I always really enjoy these times together. Our goal is to get some pictures to use on our Christmas cards, but we end up getting creative and getting lots of other great shots too. I was very pleased with the pictures we got this year. After going through them a second time, I feel I have a good 15 family shots to choose from for the card. Not bad at all!! And the weather cooperated too...hardly any wind, so I was able to wear my hair down. Yay! Obviously you can't see any pictures yet...but I will be posting a ton of them after the Christmas cards go out :) I am already feeling inspired to create our cards...and have already worked on one option. Will have to wait until tomorrow for more, the day has really gotten away from me.

:: Lots to do this week before we head off to Dallas for Aspen's next round of cross country and then on to St. Louis from there...

almost friday

:: I thought CSI was pretty good this evening...and even though I'm not a fan of Russell on Survivor, the ending was pretty great tonight.

:: Painted my nails green...Hi Def...needs one more coat and then I'll decide...not sure I've ever done green before, interesting...(3rd coat = liking it)...

:: I've got a crop this weekend...yay! It's at my friend Terry's house, and I have 17 more layouts to complete to meet my goal. Technically I have two more months to finish, so I don't have to zoom zoom like usual. I also need to begin organizing the 240 layouts into the flow with the existing albums...that's a chore, but doing it once a year is definitely doable.

:: Aspen has all region band tryouts in Lubbock all day Saturday...good luck to her!! Play that flute girl!

:: I feel like I have so much going on in my head right now, so many things to decide or plan or get ready and I can't focus on any of it. I need to get organized in my head.

:: I'm excited for Kim, she is doing a scrapbook class with some ladies at work! Remember that cute FRIENDS album she made for me? They will be getting together two evenings and she's going to show them how to make a similar one. And make a little money too! Woot woot!

:: Made tuna casserole tonight and it was yummy. When Aspen goes back for seconds, you know you've hit the jackpot. She told me twice how good it was. Looky there!!!

seems i have a lot to say

:: Ahhhhh...my eating...it's for the birds. I suck. I am off course and am having trouble getting back on track. Here's the odd thing. I feel better in my body at the moment. Not at the weight I want, but not as thick. I think all the protein I was eating was really making me feel filled out and just thick. That's the only word I can think of. And that really is just not a feeling I like at all. I want to feel thin and lean. So, I need to alter clean eating up to fit my body I guess. I need to get back in gear.

:: I'm also having some difficulties with my workouts. I just can not get any sort of intensity going, and I am just stuck at the weight I am. I'm stuck at my lack of fitness. I feel like I'm an all-around mess right now!

:: CMA show...I thought it was pretty good. I am pleased that Taylor won so many awards, I love her album. I don't think she should have won Entertainer of the Year though...her songs are great, she sings great, but I don't think her performances are very polished yet. It was pretty obvious she was going to win, she was the only one that sang twice on the show. I was very pleased that Sugarland won for best Duo! I LOVE Sugarland!!!! I was surprised, I was positive that Brooks and Dunn would win since this was the "end of the road" for them. Really enjoyed the Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews performance too...it's one of my favorite songs from his album.

:: Saw a preview for an upcoming music award show...not sure what, American Music Awards? Anyway, Michael Jackson is up for 5 awards...say what? I just think that's a little silly.

:: I'm thinking of getting highlights because I have an obscene amount of gray hairs. I have had gray hair since college, but it is getting a bit ridiculous these days! However, I am a hair virgin...I have never colored my hair. So I'm a little leery. Once I start, it's kind of one of those things that I would have to keep doing. Should I or shouldn't I?

:: Finalizing my sabbatical stuff...I've pretty much got most of it figured out except for what service I want to do. Need to really get online and do some good research and hammer this thing out. Has to be turned in by November 30. I did speak with my boss today to discuss the month I am thinking about using, and he agreed that it was a good month for me.

:: I am stepping out of my box...I have worn my hair down TWO days this week so far. And am planning to do so tomorrow too. I'm talking down the entire day. Not coming home at lunch to put it in a ponytail. That's a big step for me, as anyone who knows me knows that I live in either a ponytail or a bun. 99.9% of the time. I'm trying, I'm trying...

:: Today I went back to getting my allergy shots every week. For awhile, I was cut back to every other week. My doctor warned me that October - December is bad zone, but I didn't really think I would notice much difference. Sadly, I can say that I have noticed. I've been a snotty, sneezy, stuffy mess lately. So, we'll see if getting it every week helps for awhile.

:: Whew...I've rambled long enough! Ocho is standing here waiting for me to head to bed...so goodnight!

tuesday's thoughts

Today was just another Tuesday...

:: Got a call to show the house from 2:00 - 2:30...so, Chris took his normal lunch hour and cleaned, then I took a late lunch and cleaned...then loaded up the dogs and drove around. They visited for about 20 minutes. About the norm. We've gotten no feedback.

:: Rode 5 miles while Chris ran...the wind kills my ears. Even in the summer, I almost always have to wear an ear band on rides. I forgot it tonight, and had to stop and get it when we passed. Whew. So painful.

:: Reading up for my book study Thursday...

:: SYTYCD...maybe it's just me, but none of the dances are really MOVING me this year. None of the dancers are really standing out too much for me, I can't say I have a strong favorite. I do like Russell the crumper, and Ashlee the ball room girl. But, just don't know. I'm waiting for one of THOSE dances to grab me and make me feel inspired. Not yet.

:: I finished The Story of Edgar Sawtelle...strongly recommended to me by my mom, and also an Oprah Book Club book. Gotta be good, right?? I was left with a feeling of...hmmmmmm. Breaking it into three sections...first section was slow and without much to grab onto; second section in the woods was extremely long and drawn out and slow and could have done without it entirely; third section was the most interesting but by that point I was very ready for the book to be done...the ending was just odd to me, and such a downer. I'm not putting this in the "recommendation" category, at least in my opinion...

:: I'm going back to Percy Jackson now and will read the second book in the trilogy. I really enjoyed the first one, so am hopeful for a good, entertaining read...I also have a big stack of magazines to read...

:: Has anyone seen, "The Secret Life of Bees" movie? Aspen just finished reading the book, so I want to rent it to watch together. I really enjoyed the book...

:: Still trying to figure out what to wear for our annual photos...and haven't been able to get in touch with the location we were wanting to use. So may have to go to Plan B on that. I am excited to take part in our annual tradition with the Halfmanns...what is this, year #6 or #7?? Love this tradition...

ft. worth botanic garden center

While in Dallas for Aspen's cross country race, we decided to stop at the Ft. Worth Botanic Garden Center to look around. We had never been there, so we were excited to see what it was all about.



We pulled up to two pretty ponds with water sprouts and frog statues...a very pretty entrance...before walking in, I snapped this cute one of Chris and Aspen out front:

Once inside the garden, there was a great area with flagstone stepping stones and bright green grass between. Chris thought it would make a great photo background, so he had Aspen sit down on one of the stones. After one of her alone, he had me sit down with her for this cute one:

This is when things got interesting!!! Sitting like we were above, Aspen started shrieking and flung her hand...and something then landed on my hand that was resting on my knee. My hand immediately started stinging, and we couldn't figure out what was going on! Aspen was holding her hand like something had stung or bit her, and we were trying to find whatever it was she had flung.

We finally found it...it was small, about 1 inch...all curled up. We had never seen anything like it before, and didn't know what it was. The weirdest thing was that it looked like it had HAIR like a mouse...but it was some kind of insect. Aspen's hand was already getting red and swelling, so I scooped it onto a leaf and took it inside. Luckily a garden worker knew that it was a pus caterpillar...have you ever heard of one of those? Apparently, it has venom in it's hair, and as a defense mechanism, it injects a little when its touched. Lovely!!! This is what it looks like:

This is zoomed in, since the thing was only about an inch long. Have you ever seen one of these??? If you ever do, stay clear!!!! It leaves marks like this where it injects you with venom:

Aspen's hand stung all day, and was hot with fever for most of the day too. The mark became more pronounced as the day went on. The man told us that unless she had an allergic reaction to it, she should be fine in a day or so. Hm! Not a great start to our garden adventure, but we decided to press on and try to enjoy the beauty of the place.

Some cute ones of me and Aspen walking together...she is almost as tall as me now. It won't be long until she passes me...and I'm not a short woman.

I really like these next two...there's laughing Aspen and there's serious Aspen...

And Aspen saying goodbye to the frogs out front before we left...

I wish we could have enjoyed the day without the pus caterpillar, because he sort of put a damper on things. I know my hand was stinging, and he just barely touched me. Aspen rested her whole weight on the thing, and I know her hand was really hurting her. She was a trooper...and happy to report that the swelling is gone, the red fever is out, and the marks are fading. It's still sore to the touch, but I think she's going to make it...

cross country qualifying meet

In Dallas on Saturday morning, Aspen ran in the first round of qualifying meets for the Cross Country Nationals that will take place in Reno, NV. This first round, the first 25 runners in each division would move on to the next round, which is November 21. There were around 7-8 girls in her age group, so she automatically moved on. But the race was good. The course was quite difficult with lots of hills and sloped paths, Aspen even fell once. But, she ran a really good time and came in second for the girls.

The story of the meet is that the girl who came in first ended up getting lost on the course and cut off quite a bit of what she was supposed to run. She ran a time that even beat all the boys, and it was totally not fair. Since all the girls automatically moved on anyway, we decided not to raise a ruckus. But that girl had better learn the course before the next race. It is in the same location, same course on the 21st, and it needs to be a fair race then. We don't know how close Aspen would have been to her if the race had gone on course...guess we will see in two weeks!

We are very proud of Aspen and the race she ran, and we're looking forward to watching her in the next race.

Tomorrow, I will post about our adventure at the Fort Worth Botanical Garden...

christmas

:: Rode 5 miles on my bike next to Chris the runner...

:: Passed a house that had TWO Christmas trees already set up in their window, along with a "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" lighted sign in their front yard. I'M SORRY, WHAT!!!??!?! We just had Halloween. Thanksgiving is still days and days away. Big big pet peeve.

:: Received my photo order from Winkflash today!!! Very exciting times. 146 photos...and only just now did I realize that it should have been 171 photos. Oops. I had trouble with the uploader, and didn't really check things before placing the order. Looks like 26 pics didn't load up. Excited to get the pics organized and into my "to scrapbook" photo album.

:: Also received my envelopes today for our Christmas cards...though we still aren't sure where we're going to take our pics. I've been calling the place we want to use but can't get ahold of them.

:: ALSO received today (yes, it was like Christmas, but without the trees and Jesus is the Reason for the Season sign!!) another goodie order...a few items for my secret scrapbook santa, as well as 4 more scrapbook albums for my 240 2009 layouts. Still waiting on the page protectors, maybe tomorrow. I always have to buy them from separate places because the place I get the albums is always out of the protectors. Annoying! But, excited to get the pages into place.

:: I am ty-red...or "tired" for you normal folks. Think I'll call it a night...

quickie

:: Bunko this evening! I did not do so well...was second from last...but I came home with a great prize...my own :) Which was my plan, so I'm a happy girl. I took the most adorable owl/bird rub ons...loved them so! Sorry, Granny...they were too cute to pass up! Now I need to figure out how to use them. Kim's mother-in-law played with us, that was fun...it was good to see her, she's such a sweet, sweet lady...

:: Somewhat crazy day at work, but turned out well.

:: Going to have to start getting my allergy shot every week (instead of every other week) from now until December probably. My doctor told me that October - December is my bad zone with allergies, and if I started feeling like every other week wasn't working, I could up it. I've been sneezing and snotty and just a mess. So, there I go.

:: Been gone all evening, so want to veg a bit...bye for now...

mucho progress and new goal

This, my friends, is one year's worth of scrapbook progress:



This is 223 of my 240 goal for the year. I will reach my goal most likely at the November crop in a few weeks. 223 pages. This pile stands 9 inches tall. This is the most pages I have completed in one year since I've begun scrapping. I'm thrilled!

What are my thoughts on the year?

I feel as though I have completely delved into my style, embraced what I like and discarded what I don't want or need. I feel as though I have stretched a bit and have paired certain things that aren't necessarily matchy-matchy but still ended up working in the end. Sometimes quite well! I also feel like I have loosened up quite a bit on stressing over the layout, debating should I do this, should I do that...all that indecision just takes up so much time, and working so fast really helped me to just go with my instinct and not worry so much.

Very happy with 2009.

Over the weekend, I had an idea about what I'd like to concentrate on in 2010. A new goal, if you will. 2010 will have a focus on journaling. Real journaling. More stories and not as much fluff.

Currently, journaling is more of an afterthought for me. If I've incorporated a journal tag, I come up with something little to write and move on. It's all positive and rosy and paints a picture of one aspect of our life.

In 2010, I want to focus on more "real" journaling. I want to give words more of a thought in the planning process, so that I tell more stories, remember more, invite more levels of our life together into the memory process. Trials of a teenage girl...trials of parents with a teenage girl...things about my relationship with my dad...ways we've changed and grown as individuals and as a family. Not just details of an event but stories from the event. More depth. More levels.

I am excited to see what comes of this...

For now, for the rest of 2009, I have seventeen more layouts to accomplish. Piece-o-cake...

another monday in the books

:: Loved waking up this morning at 6:15 with the sun already coming in the windows. It was so much easier to wake up!!

:: Starting pulling all of the layouts I have done in 2009 last night. It is quite a large pile. 240 layouts is no small feat, I guess. Looking at the pile makes me feel like I have definitely accomplished something this year. Speedy speedy!! I feel like as I have concentrated on getting things done this year, I have really come into my solid style. I feel like I am very comfortable with where my pages are going. And now I am working on what my goal is going to be for 2010. A bit of a change of thought. Not necessarily in process, but it may slow the process just a bit. And I am okay with that. More to come on that closer to 2010...

:: Watched "You, Me & Dupree" last night while I pulled layouts. That is one of those that I can watch over and over. I am out of "Friends" episodes and need to stock back up on my DVR. That is my go-to show when I don't necessarily want to pay close attention, because I know them all by heart!

:: Baked chicken breasts, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, and red potatoes for dinner tonight. Yum. And pomegranates. Why are pomegranates so time consuming and messy to prepare? But oh so delish.

:: Coming to terms with not getting that house...because if I'm honest, I was really starting to get to the point of hoping someone would actually put an offer on the house. Because it was like I could feel it coming, knew it was going to happen, and felt like I was wasting time picking stuff out for the house...and with the builders making some decisions on their own and us not really liking what they were doing, it was really starting to become a house that wasn't even what we were wanting. Couldn't really choose the stuff we really wanted, and it was becoming more a "house" than "our house". So, it's all good.

:: Time to enjoy the evening...

lots to report

:: Well, first things first...an update on our house situation. We received a phone call today from our realtor. The builders of the house we want to buy received another contract on it today. Which gives us 24 hours to decide if we want to give it up or if we want to buy it without selling our house. Obviously, that second scenario is not an option for us. So we say goodbye to that house. House #2 that was sold out from under us while our own dang house sits on the market drawing no interest. Where do we go from here? Don't know.

:: I hope you all had a safe Halloween weekend!! Aspen went to an 8th grade party and had a great time. She wanted to wear my 80's outfit and looked really cute. Below are some comparison pics of Aspen and me:


She didn't quite get the concept of the side ponytail...but it was crimped!

Fun stuff...I still can't believe the outfit fit us both. She's a twig.

Aspen and her BFF Bailey...I am proud of these two girls. It seems like 8th grade was the beginning of all the girls wanting to wear the "slutty" costumes...the naughty nurse...the naughty bumble bee...the naughty Dorothy from Oz. Costumes showing lots of leg, some clevage, and butt. Aspen and Bailey were not at all into that and were completely covered. Good girls! I'm sure it's only a matter of time though. Seems that most women take the opportunity of Halloween to dress a little risky.

:: Watched the New York marathon with friends this morning, and we were really bummed that Ryan Hall did not win. But very excited that the USA finally won...we haven't won NY since 1982!!!!

:: This coming weekend, we are heading to Dallas for the first in a row of qualifying Cross Country meets...if Aspen runs well enough here, she'll be moving on to the next race, which is November 21. One race at a time. Chris has been working with her every evening, and she's running well. Fingers crossed! While in Dallas, we will be making a pit stop at Whole Foods! I am taking my cooler with me and we are stocking up!!!

:: Spent some time at Hobby Lobby this weekend, per Chris' request. Yes, you read that right!! He wanted to find some decorations for his newly renovated office, and we were able to find him a few goodies. Also bought myself an incredibly cute frame, will post a pic once I decide what photo to put in it. I love it! Bought a few other goodies for my secret scrapbook girl...

:: Also did a little online shopping...a few other goodies for my secret girl, and bought 4 more American Crafts albums and page protectors while I was at it. Once I reach my goal of 240 layouts for the year, I need somewhere to put them all!!! Four albums will do the job. Also finally placed my Winkflash order for around 175 photos...can't wait to get those in the mail!!! So, it should be a fun week of receiving packages...love that!

:: That's all I've got...need to finish laundry and head to the grocery store...