{{{{ ME Exposed }}}}

Multi-tasking OVERLOAD

2007-11-23T21:40:00.000-08:00

I am not sure if it's my multi-tasking overloaded life that has caused a slump in my posting or the fact that I have been spending what little internet time I have on Ravelry...... but I have failed miserably to update my blog (in a while). This week I have had a few days off and tried to relax. I have discovered I am not a person who can RELAX. My gosh I am addicted to chaos. I am addicted to running from one appointment to another. I am addicted to multi-tasking. I am addicted to NOT sitting still.

I was watching the news (only because I was still up working) and saw a special on people who multi-task. Apparently there is a new "disorder?" for "us." It's called multi-tasking overload. HOW ORIGINAL!

As I understand it - the blackberries, multiple windows simultaneously open (sorry Leopard), the lack of actual personal communication face to face and increased work hours/weeks has created this overload.

Symptoms?

Frequent Headaches

Memory failure (of simple things like your children's names in mid sentence and of appointments and commitments)
Inability to complete tasks
fatigue
insomnia/sleep disorder
blurry vision
Stress
nausea/IBS like symptoms
irritability
muscle aches/body aches
dry skin (I am not sure about this one? Is multitasking just sucking the life out of you?)

One mom was quoted as saying "I come home and the kids are jumping all over me with what they have done for the day and I want to scream - enough - I can't take one more thing! My brain hurts."

I paused....... mi gosh that sounds like?????? ME!!!!!

Then I came across the symptoms for CFS or Fibromyalgia.....

Frequent Headaches

Memory failure or inability to concentrate
Inability to complete tasks
fatigue
insomnia/sleep disorder
blurry vision
Stress
nausea/IBS like symptoms
irritability
muscle aches/body aches
dry skin

Now I am totally confused..........

Until told otherwise I will be multi-tasking and opening as many windows as I possibly can on my relic of windows at work and my soon to be upgraded MAC at home.

In the meantime I am trying my best to relax. I still twitch when I hear an ambulance go by or think I FEEL my blackberry buzzing on my hip.... (when it's not really there..... it's on my dresser with the EDGE disabled by the DH). Today I cleaned the house from top to bottom, dust bunnies, marks on the wall (how do scuff marks end up on the top part of walls - where feet should never be? and that lone hair on the ceiling? and dust bunnies under the bed? ), purged books I have read - donating them to charity for a book sale, reorganized closets, reorganized drawers, reorganized the scrapbooking (and the knitting) and did laundry - you know the laundry that rarely gets done - the comforters, the pillows from the sofa, the throws, the curtains (yes I finally put curtains up today) and finally collapsed at 2230 t0 KNIT. I couldn't stand to just sit and knit all day without having something to do while knitting (computer, blackberry, reading online for work, etc....) Of course my DH was twitching because I can't just clean ONE room at a time - I have to float from room to room - fragmenting and multi-tasking my cleaning. He a mono-task individual. Give home two things to do and he de-compensates quickly.

Pathetic..

Maybe a two week vacation I would finally be able to relax????????

Finished!

2007-10-29T17:57:00.001-07:00

I was hired to make a scrapbook for a friend's wedding. The scrap book was to be used as the "guest book." Intimidated and a bit stressed about this book and doing a good job - I agonized over the designs, colors, style and content.

What came out of this was getting to know them better through their photos they left me to insert sporadically throughout the album and scrapbooking (which is something I haven't been able to do for a while).

- - - - The beautiful couple - - - -

---- Jen and Mike ----

I just love her dress. She was breathtakingly beautiful at her wedding (which is what a bride should be).

The wedding itself was fun as well. A nice relaxing time well deserved after the creation of this album AND all the other things that go on in life.....

NOW THE ALBUM.....

The cover...... BTW - I made the album out of chipboard and bound it with my friend Sesil's (thank you!!!!) binder. I played with one of these at the Scrapbook Expo - but never acquired one. Now I feel as if I need to acquire one....

(for all the books I have yet to start much less finish......)

I made the first page of the book available for a picture of the couple on the wedding day.
The inside cover will have some sort of "quote" from their wedding.

The idea - take a picture of the guests and then have them sign the book.....

Some had tags and some had tabs........

We went with Autumn colors and the majority of the pages were all unique styles and layouts.....
I hate repetitiveness......

There will be more fall embellishments......
but I wanted to wait til after the wedding to finish the final touches of embellishments....

Throughout the album are sporadically placed pictures of the couples or their "kids" (cats.)

I also left room for candids of the wedding........

It's funny how pictures tell you alot about the couple. Mike and Jen are definitely in love with each other..... so refreshing to see these days....

The center of the book has two whole pages dedicated to candids.

The ribbons have not been added. I have yards and yards of ribbons yet to add.

But for all intent and purposes - the album is complete.

It was fun to do and rewarding when I saw how much they loved it.

I will get it back from them after their honeymoon. I am excited about finishing it - which is the most emotion I have felt about scrapbooking in a long time......

Picture Day

2007-10-24T08:16:00.001-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Freakrn

Today was picture day at school which means that my house turned into a beauty parlor/hair salon/day spa/dressing room. Ro's hair is great if just left to it's own curl craze - however today - she wanted it picture perfect. It took fifteen minutes of scrunching, TiGi Curls Rock and gliter spray.

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Originally uploaded by Freakrn

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Originally uploaded by Freakrn

She wouldn't stop fidgeting. Meanwhile - Natalie was on her own - and happy to be so cause she didn't want her hair "poofed." That wasn't her style!

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Originally uploaded by Freakrn

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Originally uploaded by Freakrn

Yes - that is me - not looking glamourous. But - I was giong to go run after the HAIR SPRAYING was done.....

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Originally uploaded by Freakrn

Meanwhile - Natalie is done! (And she is my high maintenence one) she was going with the simple sleek look (she told me). She was busy practicing her smile in the mirror. (whatever - Norm was going through the medicine cabinet looking for a valium - which we have none???? I have nothing stronger than tylenol/motrin in my house.

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Originally uploaded by Freakrn

And we continued to poof......

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Originally uploaded by Freakrn

And sprayed...................

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Originally uploaded by Freakrn

and poofed.......................

and scrunched...........

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Originally uploaded by Freakrn

For the final product - Belinda and Heather would be proud!

Vickie Howell's PODCASTS!!!!!

2007-10-15T16:41:00.001-07:00

Check it out - Vickie Howell has a podcast!

Check out the podcast on Itunes! Or click on the above banner to take you to the link!

ENJOY!

Goal Accomplished

2007-09-30T18:34:00.000-07:00

Today marks a milestone for me........

A little over eight (ok it's been ten now) weeks ago I started a program of running and dieting (gasp not the "d" word). It's not really a diet - it's a changing my lifestyle. For those who are interested - go here.

I had a goal to get back into my clothes that I moved here in AND finish a 5K in good time and finish it feeling GREAT.

Today I ran the Bucktown 5K and finished in good time and not winded, gasping for air or ready to die at the end of the finished line!

By the way - I have increased my water intake to a minimum of 5 Liters a day, try to exercise at least four times a week and eat six mini meals a day. This truly is a healthy lifestyle change.

To test it - I went out of town to a conference all last week and ate out three times a day. I was petrified to weigh in this week but wanted to keep myself honest. Guess what - I LOST 2.8 POUNDS while gone!!!!

I am dancing around doing my best snoopy celebration!!!

Next Goal - Turkey Trot.

Feeling Old

2007-09-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

While perusing the bloglines I found a post that referred to this link. This book - oddly enough - was one of my favorite books growing up. What a blast from my past. I am not sure this is an accurate description of me - but maybe the issue is that I talk too much about talking rabbits. (Just like the flying monkeys - they do exist!)

You're Watership Down!
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
by Richard Adams

Though many think of you as a bit young, even childish, you're
actually incredibly deep and complex. You show people the need to rethink their
assumptions, and confront them on everything from how they think to where they
build their houses. You might be one of the greatest people of all time. You'd
be recognized as such if you weren't always talking about talking rabbits.

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

By the way - thank you Lorinda - I am apparently 12970 days old. Today my biorhythms are all whacked. According to this link - I should have not gotten out of bed today much less leave my humble safe abode to enter the harsh reality of the world. It's a wonder I was even physically able to get out of bed - according to the physical biorhythms I am giving off. Intellectually I can not even complete a sentence (according to my biorhythms) and I am not in harmony at all. Egad - maybe I better start the day over.......

Disaster at the home front

2007-09-03T19:50:00.000-07:00

Agggggggggggggggggggggggggggh

Picture if you will - my red hair standing straight on end and my arms in the air with a huge look of grief on my face.

(why do you have to picture this.... because my GATEWAY died!)

Yes - I got a text message Thursday while I was at my Grant Writing workshop that the computer wasn't "responding." I asked the DH to just walk away till I could get home and investigate - but he couldn't. I am not sure if it would have made a difference....

What we did yesterday was vivsect our computer. The hard drive is out and at a friend's house. Hopefully - (ha ha ha) some things (such as pictures and itunes and a few papers) could be removed from our now - DEAD - hard drive.

But what this leaves us - is looking for a new computer.

I have my MAC which is mine for school and work - and no one else is allowed to touch it.

We are looking at going 100% MAC - or getting another inexpensive PC.

If we go 100%MAC - we will lose the windows portion. I really do not want windows if I go MAC all the way.

So - any pictures from the scrap book expo and beyond will be delayed until we can figure this mess out.....

As if I had a few thousand laying around to figure this out.........

The finished product

2007-09-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

Well - what can I say. We make plans, vow to keep up our blog and then..... LIFE happens. What I promised was pictures of the girls finished room! What I delivered was nothing. The girls came home the day after the scrapbook expo and I haven't seen my computer long enough to send emails much less blog. (LOL)

Without further ado - is the final product. (And I apologize in advance, some of the pictures are blurry)

Yes I know that it is upside down. This past weekend - while everyone was enjoying labor day (or the lack of work) - we were pulling the hard drive out of our computer. Yes - after ten re-formats the hard drive finally took the big dive......... What's on my camera now is stuck on my camera. I currently type on my mac...... But here is the dresser we re-did. We put it in the closet and I tried to make it look GIRLY...... the tulle is what they used as wraps in a wedding they were flower girls in last year...

Socks all in once place and every bag they have claimed as theirs as well - and they are not on the floor!!!!!!!!

The redone desk and new curtains....... They also have a hanging shelf unit from IKEA with each box filled to the rim with toys......

Yes - my girls could literally open their own library or book store - but I would rather that bookshelf be full of books than video games...... Many were books that I started buying when I was pregnant with Natalie and Rowan. Those books are special to them.

This is a picture of the room in the mid afternoon here in the windy city. The room has an orange glow to it that makes it look very retro. When they opened the door to their room they both jumped up and down and screamed shrilly cheers of laughter. What can I say - Rowan benefited from Natalie's big birthday gift - but Natalie didn't even notice.

Then the beds..... New sheets...... new comforter.... new pillows.... a bulletin board I embellished for each girl and lights attached to the bed for them to use when they are reading into the wee hours of the night. (A far cry from me using a flashlight when I was a kid.....) Again - gotta love IKEA.

Norm's major purchase from IKEA..... a stand alone closet (meant for a dorm room I am sure) but perfect for theirs. In it are school uniforms, toys, craft projects and other interesting items that now have a place tucked away......

This would be the red headed curly child that benefited from Natalie's birthday gift - but deserved a new room as well. She is the top bunk and proudly proclaims she needs no ladder to get to her bed. She's my monkey.... she has been climbing since she could crawl....

Fortunately Orthopedics has not been a consult we have had to visit.... facial lac repair yes (but only because I was too tired to repair it myself at home).

There is the birthday girl...... she is the one that inspired the room makeover. Retro warm colors for my first born leader.

She so deserved a girly pre-teen room - and I hope I delivered.

It was so much fun doing..... even the DH admits how fun it was!!!!!

WRECK THIS JOURNAL

2007-08-21T17:11:00.000-07:00

My hubby and I went to Starbucks the other nite and gathered some books and sat in the cafe'.

Why?

That's what you do when your kids are in MI with their grandparents and you have time to actually SIT together in the cafe', sip a non-fat latte and peruse books.

(You aren't constantly looking at the kids section praying your children aren't wrecking the pristine new books. )

Anyhoo.......
I picked up this book and fell in love with it.

I want this book.
I didn't buy it that night because I just didn't.

(perhaps my book shelves are runeth over with books?)

But - I do want it. It's on my want list and I can't wait to wreck it.

For the record - I LOVE Keri Smith. I have her other two books!!! If you haven't checked her out before PLEASE check her out now!

Proof

2007-08-20T16:01:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I feel the compulsion to PROVE that I am scrap booking or being creative but here it goes......

This is my table that was set up a lil over two weeks ago. It doesn't look like that now..... Now it looks like a flat version of my scrap room. Paper, stamps, pictures and tools all over it!

What have I been creating?

Well - since my girls have been gone I have been making them cards each day and sending them in the mail to them........

(I am such a sentimental blech.....)

Here is my latest - oopse I need to get back into practice - card.

This is one of Nat's favorite stamp sets that I have so I wanted to send her a card using it. IF you can't figure it out - the two girls on the left are symbolic of my girls and the one girl on the top right is me.

Friday my DH and I are heading to the Scrap book Expo in St. Charles. I have tickets to the crop at nite for both of us. I am excited - because I actually have a few mini albums to work on!

The Girls Room

2007-08-19T18:28:00.001-07:00

As some of you know - my girls have been at their grammy and grampy's for the past few weeks. While they were gone things happened at our house.....

No - this is not a book sale gone bad nor a book sale we raided.......

This is what WAS here

Yup -we did it!
We went thru their room and re-did it.

We went from this......

to..........

Stay tuned for the new and improved "GIRL ROOM"

I would post here now - but my girls read my blog

I would hate to spoil the surprise!

Skinny Cow

2007-08-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

Wow - I just found this most awesome low fat snack

SKINNY COW

What's even better........

Skinny Cow does this!

Even better - apparently she hits the circuits......

Fe Fi Fo Fum.......

2007-08-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

I see the cubs are number one!!!!!

I have been creating

2007-08-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

I have tried to keep up with at least one card a day or something creative that isn't knitting or making up new excel spread sheets at work.... (ha ha).

I have created two cards in the last two days but I can not post them because my children are avid readers of my blog - in Michigan they are.

The Cards have NOT made it to Michigan yet......

BUT I have taken pictures and uploaded them - but can't post til Nat gives me the....

"Hey mom - "

On another note - I can't wait for SCRAPBOOK EXPO in St. Charles.

My hubby and I are doing a crop night and I am taking one of the cosmo cricket classes.

It's the last yipee before our girls get back......

Now I am going to curl up with one of my books from library. You have got to go to the this place and check it out. I have created a group in mine with our family's summer reading challenge. Check it out!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

2007-08-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

Natalie - I have sat at work all day in wonder of how awesome it is that God gave me such a beautiful, talented, smart, independent, discerning, caring, tender, sensitive, strong daughter as you........

I knew from the day I concieved you that you were special and each day you amaze me more.

You are a born leader.....
You have a heart for people's needs.....
You are able to discern right from wrong (and still manage to push the limits when it comes to yourself)
You are tender and compassionate but strong and firm when needed.....
You are level headed and precise in how you carry out your day.....
You are so smart and have so many roads and avenues available for you in the future...
You are artistic and creative.....
You are vulnerable.....
You are strong.....
You are quiet and serene.....
You are a gale force wind - a storm to not be reckoned with.....
You know what you want and you don't stop till you get it.....
You are passionate and in charge.....

You are developing in to a most beautiful woman of God....

But most of all.....

Your sister looks up to you......
I look up to you......

Happy Birthday my beautiful child of God!!!!

What happened on Aug 7 1997 at 0340?

2007-08-06T21:58:00.000-07:00

They say it's your birthday......

Happy Birthday to you.......

Today my baby girl steps from single digits to (gasp, pick me up off the ground) double digits. Today my baby girl is TEN!

Happy birthday Natalie Leona! I love you so very much!

More Card Making

2007-08-06T21:38:00.001-07:00

I went to a Card swap tonight and had a BLAST! It really got me motivated to scrap and create....

Basically - everyone who comes makes a card to bring and everything to make that card. I love this card - but of course I had to add a twist to all my cards. I think I phunkified the colors on these animals and left them in tag format.

Such a kid card! I might send it to my girls in MI....

The card that I posted yesterday is the card that I took - which apparently took up the most time. I was a wee bit embarassed...... but I had fun creating it.

I love this card set up but then again - I couldn't copy completely - I had to ad my own twist. I put "friend" on it and added the dots. The scallops started out as a mistake - and - I just kept doing the mistake over and over again....

I love this set and wouldn't normally use this - but I kinda like the elegance of it.

And again - this one - I can't put anything on straight even in I had a ruler. Therefore - I purposely gave it a slant. I like this simple layout - you could do alot of different things with this.

Tomorrow - I have to finish my daughter's birthday mini album/card.

You say it's your birthday......

Proof I am scrapbooking

2007-08-05T20:34:00.001-07:00

Proof that I am scrapbooking....

Well - how about being creative?

This is a card I made for a card swap.

There is something missing. I haven't decided what yet.

I am excited that I can go to this card swap tomorrow nite.

I will come home with more cards I have made and I will post them here as well.

My husband and I looked at the St. Charles Scrapbook Expo class list online. We signed up for a crop together on Friday and I think I may take one class - however he is encouraging me to take a couple.

I don't want to get burnt out - which is easy to do at those expos. You do too much and you don't have time to enjoy the expo arena.

We have free tickets to get in this year because we answered a survey last year on the location. I guess it was insurance I would go - given my recent absence from scrapbooking.

Well - not that I am getting old but my husband and I biked a little over twelve miles today after church - and I am getting old because I can feel it.

I - at the early hour of 2246 - need to grab my book and head off to bed.

More to come tomorrow!

A new blog????????

2007-08-04T19:51:00.001-07:00

Look

My FAVORITE Scrapbooking store has a BLOG now!!!!!

BREEZE BLOGGERS

How exciting!!!!!!

I need to get in there and buy some supplies!!!!!

I'm BACK!!!!!!!!!

2007-08-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

I am BACK.... how long has it been now? I shudder at the thought of looking at my last post date. I breezed by it when I logged on much like I breeze by the mirror when getting out of the shower each day. It is amazing, without any effort at all, how you can avoid looking at yourself in mirrors, windows and walls that reflect. But that is a tale for another time.....

Today marks the fourth day I have been childless.... well minus two children. The oldest child (who acts the youngest of the three), my dear husband, is still residing in our home. My two beautiful girls are off exploring Michigan with Grammy and Grampy. While I miss them terribly I have been quite productive while they have been gone.

Norm and I have been biking several double digit miles a day. I think my bike is in shock (I know my legs are). Today we spent four hours biking around Chicago, checking out the Harold Washington Library and hanging out on the lake. Something I noted while on the lake front.... baby strollers should be banned. No if ands or butts about it. They are dangerous for the kids and dangerous for those on the bike path.

I actually, gasp, (you may want to sit down for this one), created a scrap book. Yes Sesil - it's true. I sat down - pulled out stamps, adhesive, paper, card stock, ribbons, brads and vellum. I created a wedding album to give at a bridal shower. I would have pictures to post - but I finished it about four minutes before I headed out the door. You will just have to take my word for it!

Tomorrow - I plan on making a few cards. I know - it's a shock isn't it?

What else is new???????

Well - God sometimes throws surprises our way and sometimes he throws them in our lap. A few months ago I ventured into a deal that allowed me a discount on "scrapbooking supplies." While many of you salivate at that idea - I was only hoping it would motivate me to "SCRAP!"

It didn't......

Months went by and I didn't even look at the catalog much less the stack of magazines piling up in my "hang out" room.

Then - I was informed that - gasp - I needed to requalify in order to keep my discount. All was lost. I had no money to really re-qualify and had no time to work on a way to re-qualify. (a-ha just went off in many of your minds.....)

So - giving in to the every unrelenting advice from my friend Sandra, who introduced me to this in the first place, I had a workshop.

I invited everyone I know (with and email address) and low and behold four people showed up.

We lifted it up in prayer several days in advance and then - the most miraclous thing happened..... I made my re-qualification.

What does that mean? You will just have to go here to find out.

I am now, retiring to the couch with a book. That story too for another post.

It feels good to be back!

Who is this person?

2007-02-26T17:34:00.000-08:00

WHO IS THIS PERSON?

IS it Bertha Palmer?

Or is it my BABY GIRL dressed up as Bertha Palmer for her PRESENTATION at school today?

Bless Natalie's little heart.......

She had to do a research project on someone famous in Chicago. She picked Bertha Palmer.......

As a part of her presentation she had to BE Bertha Palmer. Her daddy took her to the costume store and this is the end result. I heard her presentation went well. I was barred from coming to it (even though I could now...)

They grow up SO fast!

Scrapbook baby book

2007-02-25T16:55:00.000-08:00

My latest creation! A Baby book for a friend who's shower I was invited to.

Unfortunately I have like FIVE more to finish.... before (hopefully) their kids are in college.

Building Bridges

2007-02-25T16:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my girls got to participate in a most awesome opportunity of their youth. They were asked to be in a "play/focus group." We know some awesome women who are starting their own company with this awesome concept of "building" bridges between cultures with PLAY things such as DOLLS!

Here we arrive, for the AM session, on the 44th floor that had a breathtaking view of Chicago Lake Front! (We really do live in an amazing city!) Set up were these dolls from various countries (Botswana, India, Japan) and dressed in appropriate clothing. THEN out came the dress up clothes just like what the dolls were wearing. There were toys from those countries, some food from India and China as well as stories from "kids" living in those countries.

The company will be called Little Bridges Inc. and their concept is wonderful! Stay tuned for more updates......

Now - this country is in it's infancy stage and not public (obviously) but there are so many opportunities for them as well as growth for our next generation. I walked out of there feeling very good about the morning and the possibilities for these women in this business venture.

Meanwhile back at home.... I have cleaned out and cleaned up my scrap booking nook/office. I have made a few cards (and need to make more) and hope to attend a "scrap booking night" soon. But in the meantime I am immersed in my new job, LOVING IT and all it's possibilities, but overwhelmed. My creative flow is tapped when I get home. So what do I do - sit and KNIT! I can't seem to stay focused on this either - but it's mindless and allows me evenings cuddled with my girls. Rowan has taken up the hobby and is quite good with the two bamboo sticks. She is working on a scarf - and is so good at it I might even wear it (in public).

I had a friend over the other day that wants to scrap book - so look out... layouts to come (and how many times have I been saying that in the last six months?)

Gadgets and toys

2007-01-12T08:04:00.000-08:00

I now have THIS and this so that I can
look the part
AND
make better use of my time
for..........

THIS!!!!!

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Congratulations On Your Promotion !!

It is my pleasure to announce Bonnie Mobley, RN, BSN has accepted the position of Trauma Coordinator in the Emergency Department.

Bonnie has been a nurse for over 8 years, the last 2 at Children’s Memorial in the Emergency Department. I am confident Bonnie will be a tremendous asset to the Trauma Program.

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Does this mean more scrapbooking and knitting time?

I DO KNOW IT MEANS MORE FAMILY TIME!!!!!!!

(as well as a career boost!!!!!)

Now clothes..........

Developmental Milestones

2007-01-05T05:51:00.000-08:00

We all know them.....

first time your baby rolls over
smiles, crawls, walks
sleeps through the night....

Those we cheer and capture on film for the scrapbook, blog about and call all the relatives to notify them of what latest and greatest feat your child has accomplished....

Then you move on into the bigger milestones of growing up like....

completely through the night potty trained
losing a first tooth
first day of school
learning to ride the bike without training wheels......
first play date
first sleep over (where you didn't have to go get them at 11 o'clock at nite)

These you still cheer, maybe capture on film, definitely blog about.....

BUT you start to lament them as well. They are bitter sweet. "oh look how grown up she is....." and inside your heart is tearing apart because SHE IS GROWING UP!

Last night my baby girl.....

said to me "mom, I am so done with baths. I am all about showers." (now lets just dismiss the fact that she takes 45 minute long showers and leaves no hot water for anyone else in Chicago) I had to pause. Nat has been taking showers for a while now (and I still remember not too long ago her having to be talked into a quick shower as opposed to a long bath) but when she came to me with that statement as my littlest girl is splish splashing in the tub for her bath - I lamented.

They grow up sooooooooo fast.

I fear the bra, tampon talk and (GASP) dating game is not too far around the corner.........

Worth a thousand words....

2007-01-01T20:14:00.000-08:00

Rowan got one of those IDogs for Christmas this year..... Natalie got a MP3 player.... (kid friendly).

So tonight - Rowan confiscates MY Ipod and hooks it to the IDOG.....

She was in the NEW Guest/Playroom and chilled out. A few minutes ago I breezed on by and caught sight of this........

I could not resist taking THE picture......

Oiy and ouch....

2007-01-01T18:37:00.000-08:00

I have severely neglected my blog..... for reasons why too numerous to post here.

One thing good about the last month (that FLEW by) is my ability to CREATE and FINISH my Christmas cards - which got me BACK in the Scrapbooking MOOD! (much to my DH's delight as well as my girls..... they were starting to worry.....)

I also gave (as presents) four hand made date books. I got the idea from HERE! They made GREAT gifts.... I have one myself that is a work in progress. I dis'd my PDA a two years ago when it died. The first year a didn't have a Date Planner (imagine how lost I was.....) and last year I made the one by Donna Downey and took the class here. So this year I made one of these for myself. Every month there is a slot for the beginning of the month and end of the month layouts. I am hoping I can track the months through the year 2007 this way. It's just the right size for me.

I love the size and I love the ability to adapt it to anything!!!!! I have had several people write down the website to order these! They were developed by Lisa Flanigan. She is just sooooooo darn cute!!!!

I like how the weeks are mapped out and before the start of every month there is an insert page that you can decorate front and back. This is the End of Decembers page.....

This is a blank page that my lil girl Rowan put pictures in. She just slid them in. She was the one that took these photos.... my lil photographer in training. Here birthday is in February (Ground Hogs day to be exact) and I am hoping to get her THIS!

This is the back page... this just happened to be the first day of school 2006 for them. The beads on the end are beads from my hubby's efforts at making stitch markers for my friends and I. I attached two to the end of this ribbon in hopes that he will make me a more appropriate (hint hint) I made one for my dad loaded with tons of pictures of the girls. I made three others with base pages waiting for the owner to put in photos and more embellishments. What a way to enable others to become a "scrapbooker." It feels good to get this going again....

Christmas went by fast BUT was good to us. (As you can tell from these pictures....)

It's amazing what a trip to the dollar store and sample isle of Target can do for Santa when he stuff's his stocking. These girls were VERY happy with their stockings that Santa stuffed!!!

This is a wonderful SOHO loft kit. The girls get to build, decorate and accessorize a model sized SOHO loft. That will reside in our NEW guest/play room. They have already started building..... it's so cute.....

They could hardly WAIT to tear into each gift. Occasionally they would stop and want to investigate further their present.... but with me having to get to work at 1100 (hopefully my last official year to work a HOLIDAY much less Christmas) I was pushing to hurry them along......

Of course CLOTHES were a major part of their christmas collection of gifts... and thankfully Santa had GOOD taste this year.... who knew pleasing a 9 year old and a 5 year old would be so difficult?????

Rowan - begging to explore her creative side more - LOVED this gift from Santa.....

And what is a Christmas WITHOUT slippers?????? Hello Kitty to boot!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!

And the MESS!!!! What is a Christmas morning without the mess???? luckily..... I was off to work at 1100.... next year I might not be so lucky......

There are some awesome scrapbooking photos here are there not? I can't believe I am even uttering these words after my long absence from scrapbooking.....

Before Christmas the girls hung out at the Navy Pier at Winter Wonderland

The girls had a blast exploring this.... they thought it was very way cool.....

Many different trees many different decorations to explore... and they did.......

All inside - warm and cozy.... a perfect place to hide away for the day.......

They were all dressed to see.......

NOT THIS GUY........

But this guy........

Santa AND MRS CLAUS of course....... (okay I know.... the girls said this guy was a bad imitiation as well.....) NOT THE MARSHALL FIELDS Claus by any standards......

We MISS the Marshall Fields Claus..... Macy's just doesn't cut it.......

BUT - What's Christmas without a visit with Santa???????

And here..... the girls Official Christmas photo included in ALL Christmas cards......

and the SHED......

This was really a nice day - we started at the wee hour of 0900 (which after getting home from work at 0500 - this was THE WEE HOUR!!!!

Lotsa informational things to look at...... There was no one there so they could take their time and read!!!!!

And Make and Takes...... something to keep them busy!!!!!!

These pictures describe it to a tee..... a GREAT break from the holiday madness.....

Stay tuned for more scrapbooking posts and general posts about us...... Hope all had a GREAT Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!

BTW - if anyone has SNOW they would like to send our way.... we would be much obliged..... We have seen very little to no snow this season and the girls and I are getting quite ansy.......

I don't normally complain..... BUT

2006-11-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

I rarely complain about poor service in a store. I rarely complain in restaurants (hard to believe huh?) However, after today - I was miffed. I think I was almost in tears in MACY's. Given my previous post on being in a Phunk - my hormones were blossuming - and the dissappointment welled up inside me as tears...... So without further ado....

DEAR MACY's (we never wanted you in Chicago anyways) and MAC;

I was treating myself to a whole new "Fall/Winter" look. I have been feeling BLAH and Phunky (and not in the chic sense of the word) and wanted to PERK myself up with this new look. I went to the MAC counter at 1100 on a Wednesday, 1 Nov, and was browsing through the make up for about 5 minutes (mind you I was only one in that area looking) when I was finally approached by indifferent staff and asked if I needed help (what a concept - didn't I look lost when I walked in - not to mention I had NO makeup on! YES I NEEDED HELP!) I asked if I could get a makeover because I wanted that new "fall/winter" look (listen up sales chick - that means MONEY!). I was told that I could if I could wait a few minutes. I was in agreement - no rush at that moment (I am not a complete moron - I realize that I might need to wait - however, let me remind you I was the only one in there!). I was then told I had to purchase a minimum of $40.00 and I said - again - no problem because I was looking for a whole new "fall/winter" look (hello - Mc Fly - anyone in there - WHOLE NEW LOOK = ChaCHING!). After waiting about 10 minutes I was asked to come back in 30 minutes because the other sales person wanted to take a lunch break (GEE - never come to my ED cause I WILL conveinently take a lunch break!). While I wanted a whole new look - I didn't want to wait 30 minutes and I had other errands to run that would have been delayed or impeded by this wait time. The sales staff were extremely rude, apathetic (apparently the whole new "fall/winter" look didn't send off bells of ChaChing) and indifferent to the fact that they were blowing me AS WELL AS MY SALE off. (BTW - chick with the long hair - too much eyeliner was applied today! Halloween was YESTERDAY!!!)

I did walk over to Sephora whose sales personnel approached me as I walked in the store. They seemed to make the time for my questions and offered me a free make over as well as many samples and a discount on my purchase. As I mentioned earlier I was interested in a completely new "fall/winter" look (chaching!). This could have been a rather large purchase of makeup. After the makeover (which, btw, was really quite nice) I was not pressured into buying ANYTHING - and was even offered other options if I did not like my colors. Hmph! Needless to say - I have the new "fall/winter" look that MACY's lost out on because of the indifferent and rude staff at the MAC counter.

Furthermore MACY'S and MAC, I was rather surprised (and disappointed) at how the MAC area looked. There were no customers at the time I was there (I previously mentioned this - but wanted to reinforce that because apparently you are slow on the uptake - remember the NEW FALL WINTER LOOK - ChaCHING!?) but the place was a disastor zone! The samples were disorganized and there were dirty applicators lying around.

I really am quite disappointed in both MACY's and MAC because I had higher expectations. I was very disappointed when Marshall Fields was bought out by MACY's. I have even been BOYCOTTING the store. I gave you a chance...... You BLEW it! (Think Pretty Woman - Julia Roberts.... yup you blew it!) Now I wonder if I will return to either MACY's or MAC to shop in the future.

Respectfully submitted,

A customer no more of yours!

Post note - this was sent to both MACY's and MAC. A nicer, more praise worthy email was sent to Sephora!

I rarely complain.... today just pushed me over the edge!

In a phunk......

2006-10-30T20:40:00.000-08:00

I must admit..... I am in a phunk. I have been in a phunk since my mom died.

I haven't been able to scrap book much. I had a bunch of lil albums started just prior to leaving for Florida and attempted a few projects but the creativity just isn't there.

I also had a pair of socks on needles that I was working on - and those still sit there.

I had a book as well - that still sits unread.

I have done other things that haven't been started or even thought of before my mom died.

I had an appointment the other day with my doctor (my first REAL appointment in Chicago.) (Who said people in the Health profession were the model of health promotion). She was saying that death of mother takes more of a toll on our bodies mentally, emotionally and physically than the death of our fathers (all though that is up there), close friends, children and spouses.

I have been majorly busy since I got back from Florida and I feel like I am just now getting my head above water. However, now with my head above water I see all the things that I haven't gotten done or NEED to get done. You know, the things that are severely neglected (which inevitably includes house cleaning when you are an adult).

I have been knitting like a mad woman - and I think it is because it it MINDLESS. I can knit for hours without really being creative. Reading requires attention. Scrapbooking requires attention to creativity and details. Heck, even housecleaning requires attention to details.

Then there is the community of knitting. Nat and Ro are knitting and this weekend we had a mom moment while Norm was working. Curled up on the couch (as it was a most fall windy chilly day) knitting for hours. We had such great conversations. My knitting group - so outside of my COI that it is refreshing to go and just be MYSELF. Knitting at work (when I am not trying to catch up on my work stuff) relieves the stress! Work has just been ICK lately. I contemplate calling in every day I have to work. (Thank goodness my work ethic is strong.... gosh darnit why does it have to be!)

SO I AM in a PHUNK. Maybe admitting it out loud is the first step to the twelve step recovery program? Doing THIS has helped. Doing THIS study has helped as well. Going to the Doctor helped ALOT (no she didn't prescribe anything gosh darn it.... there are times that I wish I believed in better living thru chemistry.) Smothering my free time in my girls has helped tremendously as well..... but the phunk still sits there (and it is not dirty laundry).

So bear with me as I pull out of this phunk. Part of this phunk involves my blog. Blogging isn't as fun anymore since I posted more for my mom's benefit (as was the scrapbooking - making lil scrapbooks of the girls to send to her.) I am assured that in no time I will be back to scrapbooking and my ole self. I am sure that would make the hubby happy.... and my LSS!

Till then - you can catch some more frequently updated ramblings et al here!

BonnieRose - thank you for all your cards and thoughts. I am such a horrible friend that I can't find time to return the love and kindness.... You have a heart of gold and the creativity of an angel!

Are you a Christian or a Christ Follower?

2006-10-30T19:59:00.000-08:00

I love this!

My friend and fellow knitter/blogger Lorinda, who lives in the "Burps" (as my daughter Natalie calls it), attends this really cool church (that I guess would be classified as one of the emerging coffee house churches?). For the past three weeks she has shared their video Mac - v - PC Parody's.

You MUST go here for week one. Go here for week two and HERE for week three.

(I really like week three.)

I am interested to see where they go with these.

For the rest of the story go here!

I want to thank Lorinda for posting these on her blog! MOST awesome thought provoking videos and sermons.

And for wonderful thought provoking blog posts go here. My Pastor is most awesome as well!! Our church is smaller - but making an impact in the Chicagoland Area in a big way. Same concept different application.

Enjoy!

(for the record - I WOULD sign my kids up for Jesus Camp.)

The most horrible thing happened

2006-10-23T21:35:00.000-07:00

THE MOST HORRIBLE THING HAPPENED TODAY!!!!!!!!

I am so upset.

MY IPOD BIT THE DUST!

YES - my prized U2 IPOD has bit the dust. I must lay it to rest in it's pristine box that it came in with it's U2 poster and etched signatures in the back. The hard drive has died.

Wales were heard from the Best Buy Geek Squad desk today. The gentleman behind the desk thought he was going to have to call 911 for a hysterically seizing woman grasping her IPOD foaming at the mouth praying in travail that it was not true.

SIGH

Now I must go out, brave the elements..... head to the apple store and buy another.

Quicker than rectal valium - the words "YOU KNOW - they still have U2 IPODS out - they are 30 GB now and have VIDEO capabilities. If you purchase one you get EXCLUSIVE VIDEOs of Bono and the boys....."

I was up off that floor, skipping the post ictal phase, and heading out the door to find a time to head to the Apple store downtown.

Imagine - two black with red ipods -both carrying the bands signatures - one laid to rest - the other full of VIDEOS of the band.........

I may seize from the excitement this thought has brought me......

Bono on my ipod 24 hours a day....

WAIT - Law and Order, LOST and Joyce as well.......

EGADS what a thought.....

I wonder if I can make it to the Apple store before work tomorrow?

Six and ZERO!

2006-10-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

The bears WON!!!!

The BEARS WON!!!!!!

Six and Zero!!!!!!

Monday Night Football!!!!!!

The Bears WON!!!!!!!

Go Bears Go Bears Go Bears - it's your birthday!!!!!!

(BTW - our small group was praying for them this week.....)

Excuse me while I rejoice at our recent victory.

Can you just imagine what I will do when the Cubs finally go the World Series>?????

HEY - it could happen!!!!

Cool Beeners

2006-10-10T21:06:00.000-07:00

Are you up to taking the challenge?

My hubby and I are going to do this!

I got the awesome idea from my blogger knitting buddy Lorinda! Way to go Lorinda! She was challenged by her this journey!

For Such a Time as this!!!!

2006-10-08T12:30:00.000-07:00

How exicting!!!!

Have you seen the trailer for this movie?

HOW EXCITING!!!!

I just was telling Nat and Ro about this story. We were planning on reading about it! I saw the trailer and thought - hmmmmmm the only woman I know in history that had one opportunity with a king to change a nation was ESTHER!!!!!

HOW TIMELY!!!! They don't come out on the boobtube and say it's Esther - but it's Esther!!!!

I can't wait to take the girls!!!

Two weeks?

2006-10-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

Wow it has been two weeks since I have posted. Duh... What is wrong with me.

I have been busy with school, work and classes that work sends me to. I have been busy catching up on sleep that I lack on a daily basis. I have been busy just trying to get through another day.

I do have things to post. Perhaps my lack of posting is in direct relationship to my overwhelming sense of remorse over reading other people's blog posts the past few weeks. (None of you on my blog list are in this group.)

Jesus said "I am the truth the way and the light, he who believes in me shall never die." Wait he was the prophet that did perform miracles, did reach out to those that most of us would cross the street to avoid - and is labeled in history as the single person who changed history. His writings and works can not be disputed. They aren't fiction - they are HISTORICALLY ACCURATE!

I take so much comfort in that especially since my mother just passed away. I am reassured that my mom gave her life whole heartedly to Jesus in her final months. My mom was raised in a church and was very legalistic in nature. A relationship with God was never formed until her final years. I understand that she accepted the baptism of the Holy Spirit in her final months as well. This knowledge gave me God's grace which sustained me through the funeral and weeks since.

I struggle bringing my dad back to God and pray for his salvation every day. I pray for my girls that they stay on the same road they are currently on. I mourn for my friends who have no clue and have no desire to even hear otherwise. I am inspired, encouraged and motivated by my friends that are seeking and have no clue they are seeking. Their mere questioning means their hearts and minds are open.

My dad, bless his heart, has been seeking and accepting. He has been going to church regularly (legalisticly speaking) but he has also been inquiring about the daily Psalm studies I have been sending him. Today the girls and I found a bible for him and can't wait to send it to him packed with treats and covered in our prayers that he may see what he needs to see when he starts reading.

The more encouraged I get with my dad's small baby steps the more discouraged I get over irrational, angry, ignorant, hot aired filled postings about Christians. Are people that afraid of Christians that they have to disect, nit pick and throw slander at them? Better question - is Satan so afraid of the move of God in our world currently that he is sucking souls deeper into hell to prevent God from working in new individuals?

I fear that my "unrelenting moralistic God driven children" will be persecuted beyond imagination when they finally reach voting age. I fear, that thier willingness to stand in front of God, be accepted by his Grace and realize eternal salvation will, in the future, mean their lives literally. Has the move of God gotten so strong that people are afraid there is truth behind our beliefs and that scares them? If so, I rejoice!

For now I sit in awe at the level of blind ignorance many of my friends sit in and lament their current eternal standing. How many more generations have to be raised to believe they came from nothing, will return to nothing and their life has no meaning here on earth? Suicide is through the roof, abortion is through the roof, STD's and complications/DEATH are through the roof, murder, crime and gang related rapes are through the roof! HELLO - what ever unbelief you have - IT IS NOT WORKING!!!!!!! We continue to spiral downward with this pluralistic/self actualization/athiestic viewpoint of our world. I pray more for my children and pray more for those whom lives I care for.

Jesus Camp - sign my girls up! Seriously - for those of you who sit in fear - GROW UP! Mass Media breeds ignorance. Media is skewed to promote a message, by the whomever's interest is behind the camera, to the audience it is intended for. Apparently you fell into that group of easily decieved and quickly motivated to persecute where it's not needed like robots in the third reich. And if I - a radical evangelistic christian - bug you - I MEAN TO BUG YOU! Jesus called us to be the salt and the light.

The phrase I so hated when I was where you were at (because I do not throw a judgemental glance towards you as you do me - Sadly I was there once too) I say to you because I know understand it -

I'll sincerely pray for you!

It is over......

2006-09-23T20:13:00.000-07:00

Which much sadness - the conference is OVER!

Some hightlights in pictures that Nat (yes Nat) took.

The Confident Woman - we became!!!!

John Maxwell TURNED Natalie on during the conference. After he was done with his teaching - Natalie was ON FIRE. She had a passion I had not seen ever. Joyce continued the spark that night - but Saturday - LISA Bevere really had Nat's attention. I haven't stopped hearing about her teachings yet. Then Joyce closed and Natalie was bouncing all over the place. She is still up at this time non-stop talking about the teachings this weekend!

Our friend Michele that we met up with at the conference! She is from Ohio and we had a BLAST! IT was only by a Godcidence that we met at an Indianapolis Conference with Hillsong! Next year she is bringing her mom as Natalie and I come back with a few freinds!!!!!

Now - this isn't the greatest picture in the world (okay it pretty much sucks....) but it shows you a glimpse of something that will some become.......

that turned into this.....

that quickly turned into this......

which started as this..... during the last praise and worship!

that turned into this (while we were praising and worshiping... Actually Natalie - by herself - and Michelle - went up to the stage area to Praise and Worship with Hillsong! She really REALLY blossomed this weekend. So I took these pictures!)

So - everyone was singing - "ONE WAY JESUS - you're the only one that I can live for..... ONE WAY - Jesus - you're the only one that I can live for..... you are the way the truth and the light, we live by faith and not by faith for you...... living only for you....."

Here are Michele and I!!!!!!

Here is my baby girl..... praising a worshiping during the service. Natalie - by Saturday - became very UNINHIBITED and was prasing and dancing as David did. This conference was a GOOD thing for her!

This was a GREAT and Most AWESOME weekend away with Natalie! It was the first of a yearly event and looking forward to many more to come. Ro is home with daddy and I am sure SURE that he has had a great weekend with her as she has with him.

I am going to turn in for the night - after having a wonderful evening with Natalie. I am sad that the weekend has come to an end.... but what a wonderful growing experience for the both of us and a wonderful bonding time!

Praise God!

Faith is a confidence!!!!

2006-09-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

Natalie and I are in St Louis for a much needed MOMMY DAUGHTER weekend and what a better place than HERE to spend it! Yup - we are at her first and my fourth Women's Conference!!!!! We are having a blast. We took the train down and what a plesant six hours it was. Seriously - we got up and went to the cafe car to walk around at one point, we both feel asleep snuggled next to each other and we read, knitted and talked - you know GIRL talk - the rest of the way.

After arriving we got our bearings, checked in, laid low and then took off for an awesome night of Praise and Worship and then a teaching by JOYCE on CONFIDENCE!!!!!

It was a teaching WE BOTH needed to hear and Natalie, I think, got alot out of!

I met up with a friend from the Inianapolis conference that we went to last year - Michelle. I also ran into a few other friends that was most suredly a godcidence - cause I really didn't want to be at the conference tonight. I am honest. As much as I was excited about going I was TRIED, achey and TIRED. I was thinking I wasn't going causee we were BOTH tired and what's the FIRST night. WELL EVERYTHING!!!!! DUH! So I persevered and took a step out of the boat and went and God did not disappoint - does he ever? To top it off with whip cream were my FRIENDS that I ran into and recieved (and gave) hugs too! My achiness and exhaustion had vanished!!

If you go HERE you can see a synopsis of the teachings and my notes and mediations - aka - what it meant to me.

Now interested in a "blog war" of sorts - go here! Seriously - My Pastor (an awesome teacher of the word and so sold out for Christ) was a guest blogger on another person's blog and has generated quite the academic discussion on Life! I seriously urge you to go there!

So - I am off to bed - early to rise in the AM to get to the conferencat by 0720!!!! Natalie is already in dream land..... aw to be young again!!!!!!

The Perfect Woman

2006-09-14T05:43:00.000-07:00

So here I am at work...... and I check my email.

Sitting in my in box from my Mother-in-law (very dear lady) is an email with this link.

You have to go here - it is so worth it and funny. True to boot almost..... depends on which gender angle you are coming from I guess......

Have a great day everyone!

2006-09-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

Okay - TODAY I will try to scrapbook a little.

I am making a mini memory album of my mom. I have to have my DH scan some old pictures so that I can print them out. I went to target to get lunch stuff for the girls that I couldn't get through PeaPod. I am all about the organic and Target has alot of organic food cheap.

But let me tell you - I think EVERYONE within a 50 mi radius of Target was actually in Target today. It was a bit frightful to say the least. Not to mention that a trip to Target always ALWAYS means a huge chunk out of my budget even when I am frugal. Plus - I went hungry - BIG mistake!!!!!!!

Maybe I'll pull out the ole knitting later as I sit down with the fam for evening time.

I was so excited last night when I came across this.... A co-worker and friend of mine is in Uganda working and has a blog! I am so excited that I can keep watch of her stories while there. Please keep her in your prayers!

Natalie and I started the countdown today
-
TEN days til
THIS!!!!

I hear that registration is still open.......

Slap upside the head!

2006-09-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while God uses life's events to slap us upside the head and pull us in closer. Now - don't get me wrong - I am not NOT not saying that God is using my mother's death to pull me closer or slap me upside the head. I think it is only our human nature to look at our own mortalitiy when someone close to us dies - and as a mom and wife - my mother's death struck me in ways I am still coming to grips with (and I am sure it will continue to do this for months in the future). For example - I had a major panic attach lastnight (or like 0300 this morning when I got home from work) that at any moment God may call me home and my girls would be alone (as well as my DH). I felt this profound loss for my girls and was literally sitting up in bed hyperventilating. I remember crying out to God in prayer for comfort and peace - and just as I was starting to drift off to sleep Rowan came and climbed in bed with me. Such comfort!!!!

After I returned home to Chicago - not being able to do much of anything - I started (again for like the FIFTH time) a study of the Psalms. Psalms is a beautiful chapter in the bible that is full of praise, prayers, laments and songs. A perfect study for me right now. I wish I could say I am doing it on my own but I am using THIS as a guide. About four days into the study I thought - "hmmmmm my dad might like this or find it very comforting." I then preceded to print off the studies with little notes on them and I am sending one a day to him. Each letter is prayed over that my dad might find comfort, wisdom, or more of God in them.

I myself - am drawing close to God - like I haven't in a while. Many of you that know me know that I am a CONTROL freak. If I am not in control then I FREAK. However, there is a growing part in me that is longing, craving, crying out to NOT be in control. I don't want to lead, I don't want to be the strong one, I don't want to be the one that is ALWAYS making the decisions. I want to follow for once (or twice, or three times.....) The last three weeks - while I haven't truly appreciated it - I have been falling more and more on God. At first it was for discernment. It then grew to Grace and Mercy. Then it grew to comfort. Now I find I am falling on him to get me through the day. While other aspects of my life are still under my anal and scrutinous control - MY LIFE is completely in God's hands right now. It is very unsettling but - at the same time - a HUGE relief.

So - do I think that my mom's death was a way for God to slap me upside the head and pull me in...... no. I think that God uses ALL things for the greater good of his plan. My mom died. She is no longer in pain, she can breathe freely, hear the most muted tones, her heart is full of life and she is running through a wide open field smiling, laughing and at PEACE. While I am full of sorrow, laments, anger (I am stuck in the anger mode of grief now) and other emotions I am not sure of - I know that good will come from this. It's in God's hands and already apart of his plan.

The new testament rading I chose for her service was so fitting and hard for me to read that day..... I now realize why.....

The New Jerusalem
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

With all of that said I wanted to thank EVERYONE for their prayers, thoughts and notes. Each one gave me comfort and cyber hugs!

THANK YOU BonnieRosefor the lovely parcel that showed up on my doorstep yesterday as I was heading out to work. It was so sweet and made my day!!!!! (my camera's batteries are recharging as I type! AND YES you are invited!!!! Please still come to visit!!!

THANK YOU to my Pastor and his wife for all the support and prayers these past few weeks.

THANK YOU Lorinda for your prayers and your invite for a GIRLS afternoon! I am getting my planner out now!!!

THANK YOU

Now - with my first day alone and off from work - I am trying to get the energy or inspiration to scrapbook or knit.

It is a cool, breezy (when is the WIND NOT BLOWING in Chicago) overcast day out and perfect for curling up and reading....

I think I am just going to VEG. What a concept.... Veg!

Broken shell

2006-09-05T15:40:00.000-07:00

First I would like to thank EVERYONE who posted on my blog their prayers, condolances and thoughts!!!! They have gratefully been recieved by both myself and my family.

While the passing of my mother meant that God restored her failed hearing, failing heart, lungs and kidneys and finally gave her peace - the void is very hard to replace. I was trying to figure out how I felt in the last twenty four hours when I finally had a chance to RELAX..... BREATHE and grieve. Planning a funneral leaves one little time to actually grieve. Even while at the funneral home for visitation it is as you almost HAVE to be on and social. I am NOT a social person. I am an introvert and really don't care much for small talk. So - as you can imagine - the visitation and funneral were personally hard for me. Laying my mother to rest was hard enough - trying to remember people from years ago, make small talk to people I really either don't know or never knew was difficult at best and finding a small down time of grieving room was not possible. Most of the week and on into the weekend I felt like an egg that was carelessly snatched from the carton, jostled and dropped on the floor. The egg shell (my facade) cracked and shattered, the insides spewed out on the floor in a congealed mass of yellow mixing with amber clear ooze (my heart and soul). Eventually someone will take the time to wipe up the mess with a hard abrasive papertowel (the closure that the funneral processional at the church was suppose to provide) - but until that time it continues to ooze across the floor mixing colors and making things even messier.

Someone attempts to place the egg shell back together with watery glue, delicate tools and a mold representing the egg from before the fall - but it shoes the cracks and missing pieces never found after the fall. Beyond the fact that the egg is now shattered and never the same - it's hollow inside.

I know many people say take it one day at a time, one breath at a time, one task at a time. I said those very same words to my dad this morning. But in reality - the thought of any of these motions makes me paralized with fear that I can not go on. As it is now I find myself starting several things - finishing none (that includes unpacking.) I need time to grieve and I need time to rest. Neither will come soon and I plog along.... Today I ushered my girls off to their first day of school and attempted to catch up on my own school work. I think I read paragraphs ten times in a row and still didn't comprehend them. I think that I attempted to finish my unpacking five times - finally - moments before sitting down to journal - finishing the task. I think that I attempted to take a shower three times today and finally - not wanting to look at my pathetic appearance in the mirror anymore - turned on the water and hopped in. I think - I want to knit - but sit with the needles in my lap and stare - my mind blank. I think I want to scrapbook (and I do - want to make mini album of my mom) but only suceed at sitting at my table staring at the cardstock. I think that I want to read (not my school book) and only suceed at looking at the wall holding the book. I think that I want to sleep - but I am trapped by insomnia.

My girls sat a the table this afternoon and made grampy cards inviting him up to visit - and I wanted to cry - but couldn't.

I have cards from co-workers and professional friends - openned but not read. I have thank you cards I have to fill out and send - but I can't seem to come up with the words. I have a bible study of psalms to continue - but find no comfort.

I am truly stuck on the side of the road of grief. I know that I am stuck in the Anger mode and seem to have settled there from day one. I know that things will get better and I know that I need to keep plogging along. It is truly difficult and have a new respect for anyone going through the same process.

Thank you again for all your prayers, thoughts and emails. They are VERY appreciated by myself and my family!

Be Blessed!

The First Day of School and then some!

2006-09-05T15:38:00.000-07:00

Well - today came early and quite the moment for us all........

Rowan's FIRST day of school and Natalie's first day of third grade with the "HOT" teacher. Of course I will be making this a mini album..... but for now.....

Rowan was OH SO READY AT THE BRIGHT and EARLY hour of 0500 in my room asking me if it was time.... she was the first ready this morning. I wonder if this will last!!!!

A view from our front door...... They look (key word - LOOK) like angels don't they????

The great anticipation that Rowan had was filled with energy from her big sister's own excitement for her.

Off to school they WALK!!!!!

Rowan tucked away at school....... big sigh....... the baby girl has left the nest!!!!!!!

Breathe

2006-08-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

Today is a very hard post but I feel I need to make it.

My mother passed away Sunday afternoon peacefully. Watching her struggle to breathe over the last few days broke my heart. Watching her grow weaker and weaker tore my heart out. My mom had a long life and deserved so much more than what her life handed her. Making her smile or laugh during her final days filled me with her love. Our last conversation was a very happy conversation about me getting my girls to come see her. She smiled, laughed and gave a thumbs up. My mom was a very special lady and over the last few days I realized even more how special she was. If I could have had five more minutes I would have called my hubby and had him bring the girls down on Saturday. If I had had five more minutes I would have rubbed more lotion on her hands telling her about the girls and how much Natalie is like me and she is giving me more grief than I ever gave her as a child. I would have done my mom's hair again in a pebbles ponytail that made her laugh the first night I helped the nurse give her a bath. I would have read another psalm to her or just sat and held her hand five more minutes. I would have showed her more pictures on my computer of the girls. I would have helped her sip more water from a straw or syringe defying the nurses orders each time. I would have just loved to have sat next to her in bed as she was sleeping, holding her hand.

What I wouldn't give to have just five more minutes of her time.

My mom was an extrodinary woman and in the words of my oldest daughter -

"Grammy was a wonderful person mom who deserves to be celebrated and we need to Praise God that she is resting with him now."

I am not sure that I am going to get through this week or not. I am really struggling hourly. I am praying that I can celebrate my mom's life and give her the dignity that she deserved!!!!

Time out

2006-08-26T22:15:00.000-07:00

Not that my life hasn't been filled with many different activities from work to school to home life stuff - keeping me insanely busy - but currently I find myself derailed in Florida. I am spending some quality time with my mom and do not have any time to blog. I wanted to acknowledge all the wonderful emails, text messages and phone calls from my dear friends and collegues. Some of you have heard my frustrations over the legalities of DNR in Florida and have let me vent through blubbers of angry tears. Others of you have called me almost daily to check on me. Some of you have recieved my ranting text messages and returned with a bit of humor to break the stress. I appreciate each and everyone of you and Thank God that you have been there for me and my family. I have been rapped up in my own drama that I forget to thank you guys and sitting here in the wee hours of the night in a WIRELESS Hospital room has given me the opportunity to realize how BLESSED I am to have you all in my lives.

Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!!!

Well it happened......

2006-08-15T07:55:00.000-07:00

It eventually had to happen right? My girls would eventually have to grow up enough to get on a train and travel to Michigan to visit Grammy and Grampy for a whole two weeks - by themselves - with Grammy. Right?

I know that it's the natural process of growing up and signs of more "get aways" without mom and dad - but it's still hard.

I got up at the wee hour of 0600 (for me that is EARLY) and carted their small suitcase of clothes, LARGE suitcase filled with American Girl Dolls, Build a Bear clothes (see their build a bears were in their arms) and American Girl doll clothes, a back pack of food and my weary hubby to Union station downtown.

I knew today was coming and I was suppose to be on the train with them - which I am not sure would have made it any easier - but it came suddenly FAST this AM. My hubby is on the train with them as I type - and I am sure they are having a GREAT time......

What does a mom do at this point? Go running.....

Yup - I went running. It felt good... I plan, with God's help, to run everyday they are gone - and hopefully be in the habit by the time they get back and I have to be more scheduled about my wherabouts.

What does one do AFTER running - why sit at the computer, eat a Krispy Kreme donut and knit while Blogger takes it's time posting! Okay - Krispy Kreme was a morning special at the train station - I couldn't pass it up. It's my comfort food for the day!

One bright star this week - my hubby and I are actually going to SCRAP NIGHT TOGETHER!!!!! Yup! With the girls away - we can BOTH go!!!!!!!

Alright - gotta run.......

I need to run off and take a shower so that I might look presentable at work.

What have I been up to?

2006-08-14T18:19:00.000-07:00

Oiy.....

What have I been up to. God has blessed me with such a fruitful life here in Chicago. I have met and developed freindships that have been fun and meaningful. Because of commuting constraints and distance issues - friendships were limited and thin in Michigan.

I have been busy.

I have posted on this blog my many travels within Chicago AND here!

To see my weekend in review go here!

I am off now to work on some school stuff and a work stuff.

Oh - yeah - I am in denial..... as I sit here watching Closer (LOVE that show - THANK YOU!) I am also packing the girls up to head off to Michigan for two weeks to visit Grammy and Grampy! They are excited - Natalie is a lil nervous about being away from me - (as I am too! HELLO!) and Rowan is in la la land..... (I would be happy to sit her thinking she was in denial as well.) However, as I sit here trying to concentrate I realize that the "auditory" stimuli will be much less and I am thinking - that could be a bit of heaven...... for a day maybe.....

Okay back to my STUFF!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATALIE!!!!!

2006-08-07T01:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!!!!

Today my baby turns NINE........

Aggggggggh

It's hard to believe that nine (and oh my gosh I sound like my mother) years ago at this hour my baby girl was born (after 26 hours of labor thank you very much!)

Wednesday her and I are doing the American Girl Doll day!!!!

Look for pictures!

Take a Look

2006-08-01T03:52:00.000-07:00

Check it out!

My hubby has a new post with cool information about my LSS!

Try to stay cool everyone....

You know it is bad when Chicago pulls CTA buses to tour the city with passengers in AIR!
(where can I pick up this bus?)

Snap Shots of Saturday and more....

2006-07-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

What a Action Packed last few days.....

First of all - when you are a nurse and work any shift 24 hours a day seven days a week 365 days a year - a weekend in ANY THREE days off together....

This would explain my WHACKY demeanor during the week now wouldn't it.... LOL.

The girls were heavy into VBS as I was trying to balance the end of my work week and the Joyce Meyer/Hillsong Conference.

It all kicked off with a special reception on Thursday evening that Norm and I were very honored to be invited to. Praise God - we were able to get a Babysitter at the Last POSSIBLE moment.

Joyce graciously entertained questions personal, spiritual and about her ministry. Now - personally I wanted to know where she got that outfit. I LOVE the top. Lime Green and all!!!!!

Norm actually got to spend time talking with Dave Meyer. This was nice for Norm since I get to do all the trips, conferences and networking. I was more excited for him than myself.

Joyce addressed the room of partners sharing some thoughts about her ministry and things that she has had to either overcome or confront as a pastor when her Ministry was growing (and is still growing). She was also shared what was in the works in her ministry. Praise God - her ministry is reaching all four corners of the earth (N<>S<>E<>and<>W)

Then - Because VBS was over on Friday evening - we were able to head out early on Saturday for a pack day of Preaching, Worshiping and Family time!!!!!!

We arrived at the Alstate Arena at the bright (and overly HOT) hour of 0725. We were like FIRST in line. It was an AWESOME thing. Good seats were Gaurenteed!

Of course - while waiting in line - I knitted.... for more of that story go here....

Natalie passed the time reading - reading the book I had bought her the day before. She was getting into it. I am glad that I bought the book for her - it was Godly driven inspiration for Joyce to release the book for kids AND for teens. She already asked me if she could get the Teen book when the time came. Well of course.... duh!

Rowan passed the time taking pictures (of which I have like 50) of the crowd, the surroundings and the planes flying over. She loved that part!!!!

Dad ran and got us KRISPY KREME donuts to pass the time.... mmmmmmmmm Breakfast!!!! Way to go Daddy!!!!! You have the SAVED the DAY!!!!!

The Alstate Arena was PACKED. It seemed - for a venue like Chicago - that it should have been packed more - I was rather surprised. But - it was packed. It seemed like - however, that Indiana (last year) was packed more. They had to shut the doors during some of the sessions AND if you were there at 0805 (five minutes AFTER they openned the door) you were pretty much betting on an upper level seat.

Joyce preached three out of the five sessions - and as always had a timely message for ALL generations to enjoy and grow from!!!!!

Joyce was Awesome as always with her illustrations and applications of the scriptures to every day REAL life situations that we can all relate to....... Now not to be off topic - Natalie saw this outfit and stated "Mom - I like that outfit - you would look good in that...." Thank you Ms Hillary Duff for even implying that I might have the class to carry that outfit off like Joyce....

She is such a personable person - and down to earth - with her life laid out infront of everyone. She has experienced and shares her experiences in ways that helps you to either NOT make the same mistakes or not repeat them and realize that we are truly SAVED by the GRACE of God.

Joyce was preaching to EVERYONE this weekend. There wasn't one person that couldn't have grasped a concept or two......

And yes - of course - she was preaching loud and clear to me!!!!!! Say it Joyce - I need to hear it again and again... back around that mountain I go!!!!!

Of course - Hillsong and Darlene were AWESOME with their praise and worship!!!!
(it's hard to believe that last summer at this time - we were there - at Hillsong in Australia!!!)

The girls were up front at one point praising and worshiping to the wonderful music..... Natalie looks at Darlene as a Positive Female Role Model. Incase I never told you - Natalie wants to grow up to be a singer - a Christian Singer!!!

There was this one song - that they taught us (for lack of a better word.) WE LOVED IT!!!!!

It goes like this (with strong African Drum Beat behind the lyrics):

I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
God Knows My Name

I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
God Knows My Name

He Knows My Name.......
He Knows My Name.......

I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
God Knows My Name

I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
God Knows My Name

He Knows My Name.......
He Knows My Name.......

Light over darkness
Strength over weakness
Joy over sadness

He Knows My Name.....

Father to the Fatherless
Friend to the Friendless
Hope to the Hopeless

I will Praise Him
I will Praise Him

For I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY.....

I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
God Knows My Name

I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
God Knows My Name

He Knows My Name.......
He Knows My Name.......

I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
God Knows My Name

I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
God Knows My Name

He Knows My Name.......
He Knows My Name.......

Of course - two of the five sessions was led by Pastor Brian Houston from the Hillsong Church in Australia....

There is a funny story here...... Pastor Brian Houston is visiting from Australia (obviously - given Brian Houston is the Pastor of Hillsong - which resides in Australia - where else would he be from or doing here???) and was treated to the All American Past Time of BASEBALL. And what a better game than - THE CUBS at Wrigley Field. Now - as many of you know - the Cubs need prayer. They need alot of prayer. One might even suggest a prayer walk around Wrigley Field. So - there Pastor Brian sits with Dave Meyer and family (freinds) watching (whatelse) the St Louis Cardinals play the Cubs. As you know - being from St Louis - you can imagine who they were rooting for. (Not the Cubs). Brian - wanting a bit of American Culture to take home - went and bought a cap - thinking that the "C" was for the Cardinals. (innocent mistake) Imagine the looks he got when he returned to the stands wearing that hat????? Well - according to Brian - it was at that moment that the Cubs scored Five runs to "beat the Cardinals 6-5 in front of a loud, bipartisan crowd at Wrigley Field."

So - because (being a Man of God and realizing the Cubs need more than prayer.....) gave "THE HAT" away to a lucky and blessed member of the crowd. GO CUBS!!!!!!!!

The best thing about the past few days was connecting with people that I went to India with. The favorite reunion was with Dana - who IS PREGNANT!!!!!!
She is someone I have been thinking about almost daily since we got back and holding up in prayer.. PRAISE God for her good news!!!!!!

Yes Dana - God's timing IS everything!!!!!

I encourage you - if you have any questions about this weekend, or anything I have posted - to either email me by leaving a post - or clicking on any of the links I have provided. Both ministries offer MANY online options for a seeker or someone spiritually dry.

If you live in the Chicago Land Area - I recommend checking out our CHURCH - HERE!
Or - my Pastor HERE!

I can honestly say - any of the links will get you started in the right directions.....

Praise God -for the past few days (my weekend) it was such an answer to my chaotic life!!!!!

Scrapbooking gurus.....

2006-07-24T23:22:00.000-07:00

Okay
-
www.seektheguru.com has GOT to go......

Seek Jesus... and I leave it at that....

However, last week was CHA in Chicago and My scrapbooking store was the BOMB!!!!!

They had wonderful CHA classes of which I was able to attend TWO!!!! (wow that is a miracle -
Praise God!!)

So - being the good (no make that great....) friend that I am - I (in trying to spread the obsession) invited Em..... to the Technique Tuesday Make and Take.....

Em got right into it.... was fascinated with STAMPIN.... oh Em there is so much more out there!!!!! Just you wait!!!!!

She even got inventive and creative.... making the book on an angle.... You go girl!!!!!

And of course where there is mom.... there is Natalie.....

And of course where there is mom and Natalie - there is ROWAN!!!!!

They were both impressed with Ms. Em's creativity!!!!!

Way to Go Em - you are an official Scrapbooker....
A creative Scrapbooker at that!!!!!!

Snap Shots of Saturday

2006-07-23T19:11:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the Last Day that my Friend EMILY was in town. We did it up right. We went downtown to the Navy Pier AND to the Magnificant Mile.

We went downtown and walked the Magnificant Mile!!!!

We went to the Navy Pier and watched Superman 3-D.................

Can you say CAMPY!!!!!

It was such a beautiful day out........ not too hot not too cold....... just beautiful!!!!!!!

THEN - I took her to a Class and Crop at my Scrapbook store!!!!!

Em has just gotten the package and is ripping it open..... a lil skeptical she was.....

Working hard......... trying to get it right.....

and working..... and working......

Her FIRST page!!!!!!! Ta-Da..... I think she did a WONDERFUL job!!!!!!

Way to go Emily!!!!!

Working on that second page...... she was getting better and quicker.....

Em's SECOND Page!!!!! I think she did and AWESOME job!!!!!

Spreading the obsession just one person at a time.......

Afterwards - we walked home (at MNish) because it was beautiful out and we are psycho scrappin women on a mission...... we were walking down a local street and stopped at this bar called Tavish. Wonderful lil bar.... the owner just happened to see us walking up and about had a knit fit (no pun intended) about my MM mint green rollar tote. It was the topic of conversation.... BUT because we are cool psycho scrapping women on a mission - he let us get behind his bar so he could take pictures of us together on Em's last night here!!!!!

Look Familar

2006-07-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

So - at my LSS Class and Crop I ran into these two wonderful people....

Look Familar BonnieRose?

These two wonderful people are from Minnesota - a store called Artsy Tartsy!!!!

I was in shock when they announced where they were from knowing that my GOOD GOOD blogging friend BonnieRose worked there!!!!! What a Godcidence is that??????

Snap Shots of Saturday

2006-07-15T14:29:00.000-07:00

Today was a GRAND day at our household

-
PRAISE GOD!!!!

Natalie took a bold step in her faith today and was Water Baptized in Lake Michigan.

I was so proud of her and praise God for her Evangelistic spirit. She had made the decision about a month ago to partake in the Water Baptism on her own. Today was the actualization of her spiritual maturity - Praise God!!!!

So - at the ripe hour of 0900 - and in the heat of July (Summer FINALLY hit!!!!!!) - we met on the Shores of Lake Michigan... in the glorious city of Chiago!!!!!

Pastor Jon started with the story of the half circle in the road when two men came up on it.

And how the half - circle was a way for Christians to safely identify each other....

Natalie then completed the circle.....

I thougth it was a very powerful illustration for her!!!!

Then Pastor Jon read the Passage in Acts about the Ethopian that was Water Baptized by Phillip.

Then the baptism...... Norm took a sequence of photos - but this darn blogger is giving me tude'. I have burned a DVD.

This is a BIG day for her in her personal walk with Christ!

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost......

she is dying to her worldly self......

and being reborn in Christ!

Behold a new beautiful creature in Christ!!!!!!!

I swear today she was calmer, more serene.

She even glows to me (That was the heat... ).

We are just so blessed we were able to find our church here in Chicago and the friendship and relationships that we have developed here. I believe Natalie is heads and tails farther in her walk than I am - and I pray every day she continues and that God continues to put more postive role models in her presence as he has in the past!

Praise God for a Glorious Morning by the Lake!!!!!

PRAISE GOD

God is Good.....

2006-07-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

So - the last few weeks have been extremely stressful, busy, emotional and discombubilating.... (is that a word - I use it all the time).

As many of you know - I was honored to have my girls in a glorious wedding surrounded by so many people "sold out" for God. It was amazing being around these people.... truly refreshing.

With everything going on with my mom and travels impending to Florida, anticipated work missed, and so forth (you get the idea)..... I was praying for reassurance....

Now, I realize we all need to practice budgeting, being frugal, money-wise, etc.....

(somehow I am invariably going to not convey this properly.... so I apoligze in the beginning)

Upon Checking out of the hotel when leaving Grand Haven I had an unexpected "discount" on my tab because of some glitch they forgot to tell me about when I checked in.... Praise God!!!

On the way home from Grand Haven we stopped at this most adorable knit shop in Holland Michigan. (Great town by the way.... esp for Michigan) I had found some awesome Bamboo yarn that I wanted to get and as I was standing there praying for a sale to pop up... (seriously) this older lady walked up to me and asked me if I found something to buy (I have no idea where she came from). I told her I could ALWAYS find something to buy but I loved the lime green and shocking pink bamboo yarn cause it would make a cute bootie/hat set for a friend having a baby. She then preceded to hand me her gift certificate that she wasn't going to use...... (shock - Praise God)! I must have thanked her a thousand times and THEN thank'd God.

Natalie an Rowan's Camp next week was cancel'd while we were away and when we returned there was $100.00 credit card return waiting for me!!!! Praise God (I feel bad for the girls - but hello.... that was $100.00 I was not expecting?

THEN today - as a break from my cleaning - we went to see "PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN" (just love Johnny Depp). The Theatre was PACKED!!!!! It was unbelievable. I walked up to get tickets (praying we could still get in) and the tickets were $16.00 cheaper, parking was free AND we got free popcorn. HELLO!!!! Tuesday is free parking, free popcorn and $5.00 movie tickets!!!!! The really wierd thing - I was trying to make time this past weekend to go see it (even if it was the MN showing) because I really really wanted to see it. God certainly does order our steps. Had I gone to the movies this past weekend (with everything going on) I would have not gotten free parking (well yeah, I would have - in Grand Haven), free popcorn or $5.00 tickets.

God is Good - All the Time!!!!

BTW - the movie - WAS AWESOME!!!! I just love Johnny Depp - and in this role he is AWESOME!!!!!!

Rainy Day Cleaning

2006-07-11T20:52:00.000-07:00

It rained today. It was a dreary, wet and cool. So what did I do??????

I have some house guests coming (three different people, three different occasions, three different times) over the next three weeks AND - as I stood back and looked at my office, scrapbook place.....

I was appauled. I have been super busy these past few weeks (try months) and haven't had time to organize, declutter, reorganize, etc.... (you get the ugly horrible picture....)

And if not - let me visualize it for you.....

I can't believe I let it get this bad..... so after a few appointments this AM out of the way - I dug in for the long haul........

I dusted, decluttered and worked my butte' off cleaning and reorganizing.....

The end result made me smile.....

Things are where they should be.... areas are labeled......

I found areas for my hubby's beading stuff too.....

I was actually able to stuff some (alot of) my knitting in there as well. I was utterly amazed at the results of a lil elbow grease hard at work.....

I am even able to find things.... be all that it may I am not quite sure what I have anymore - since it is all put away....

It feels GREAT to have something accomplished finally. I feel like I have been in limbo because I am so flippin busy.....

Now to get back to scrapbooking..... knitting..... reading..... what should I do to decompress??????????

Check us out!!!!!

2006-07-11T06:20:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to watch the news last night. I NEVER watch the news. Seriously - I never watch the news. I feel that many times it is slanted, inflated, propagandized and sensationalized. (Could I possibly think of any more adjectives?)

Last night CBS 2 did a special report on "Emerging Churches." They included our church in their discovery process and many of the scenes were actually from our worship service AND Context Group.

Go here to see the actually story!!!!! How exciting. The Emerging Church has caught the eyes of the media!!!!!

Now - is the "Emerging Church" a fad or here to stay? I say here to stay. I say the Church, in response to the "times" is changing. It's becoming more of a "Church as a body of believers" as opposed to a building you go to every Sunday. I know that there are many definitions of the "Emerging Church" and the actual "Mega Church" but I also see a revolution of Christianity emerging that is not a fad. Praise God!

Snapshots of Saturday and Sunday

2006-07-09T20:43:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, despite everything else that is going on in my life right now, the girls had a wonderful wedding that they were in this past weekend. When I say wonderful wedding - that is an understatement. It was a magnificant wedding. The two people that were married were so in love it reeked of love when you were around them. They are wonderful sold out for God people as well. Their families and friends were equally sold out for God and the ceremony was so blessed by God. We were honored that our girls were asked to participate but didn't realize the depth of the honor till this weekend. I have over 200 pictures from my camera and over 300 from my husband's camera - of the whole weekend. The pampering, the rehersal, the dinner, the wedding and the party.... it's all documented on film. Of course - I have to edit them all.... and tonight I am way to exhausted to do that.......

However - I have to post my baby girls in all their "princess-like" glamour!!!!!

I loved this shot - it reminded me of a Red Carpet appearance..... Granted my photography has a lot to be desired!!!!!

The girls at the arrival of the reception.... they were running on empty batteries and had four more hours to go!!!!

A lil down time during pictures before the ceremony is always needed!!!! Just watch the hair.... please.........

Of course you can dress up the girl but you can't take the play away!!!! Rowan had some free expression time prior to the wedding which I think helped focus her......

Natalie at the reception alone time. She is truly a princess and I know that when I took this shot I was thinking that it won't be long before she will be the bride and not the Flowergirl.... tears came to my eyes when I saw her like this....

For more pictures (unedited) go here......

What a totally Awesome weekend - a much needed reality check and filled with many God moments!!!! Praise God!!!!

Wasn't she??????????

2006-07-07T20:03:00.000-07:00

Okay I am a BIG Law and Order Freak!!! Big time...... I must have seen every season prior to this last season three times (at least).

I sat in bed in my hotel room tonight, watching Law and Order and realized they screwed up.... (again)

Okay - I was willing to let the fact that Jerry Orbach guest appeared on one of the first season shows as a DEFENSE ATTORNEY - go. I realized that they were probably trying him out (but come on it was Jerry Orbach).

THEN - I was willing to let the fact that the Prosecutor that is on Law and Order SVU was in fact at one time - A DEFENDENT - that was actually sucessfully put away for murder.

But tonight - (a repeat obviously of the season I am not too familar with) was a big big big screw up.....

Sitting in the judge's seat was a "judge" that was killed two seasons prior by her husband. HELLO.... what did NBC do - resurrect her from the grave for this one episode????

Law and Order - do you not think your fans WATCH!!!!! How do you think you have been on this long?????

That was a BIG BIG BIG screw up.......

Dag nab it blogger

2006-07-05T13:32:00.000-07:00

Is the blogger down? It has taken me for ever to post today.....

Technology is GREAT til it breaks down.... not complaining just wondering.....

What a Hoot!!!!

2006-07-05T11:32:00.000-07:00

Somehow I am not surprised by this news.... but find it funny as well!!!!!!

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards is lined up to play the swashbuckling father of a pirate in the third installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean series, star Johnny Depp said Tuesday.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer said Richards would have a cameo role as the father of the flamboyant Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Depp, in the third Pirates movie, which is due to resume filming next month in California.

Taste of Chicago

2006-07-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

This week was (or still is) the taste of Chicago at Grant Park! We have been here a whole two years and have not gone. This was our first year and we had a blast. It was a nice get away after the stressful week and then some. It was easy to get lost in the crowds.....

The day started out overcast and cool. The sun popped out while we were there and me with no sunscreen. so -imagine me now nursing a bad burn!!!! (LOL)

The girls even partook in the festivities by trying some tastes. It was fun for them to try the "tastes" because they weren't committed to food they might not like.

The "Taste" portions were fun for us because you could partake in many different food items between the four of you and still not feel FULL! (Or Gorged)

I got the special of the day "Salmon puff pastry with spinach and some cheese" (translated in Italian????) and it came with Lemon. All the girls wanted to try were the lemon.

I thought these were classic pictures!!!!! I must have the only wierded out girls in the world that love to suck on lemons!

These super duper Italian French Fries were our first food try .... Not bad.....

And the ice cream was the girls first food try..... Of course - ice cream..... I think they were in heaven with all the ice cream choices there as "tastes!"

And of course... there was down time listening to concerts and watching people, eatting yadda yadda.... and I knit. Yup there I am knitting my sock. A couple of people stopped to talk to me about knitting and wish they had brought theirs as well. One lady recognized the pattern - Jaywalker. Impressive!!!!

As you can tell - it was crowded... easy to get lost and have fun, relax and escape reality for a few moments during the day.

And of course the beautiful fountain at Grant Park......

The girls couldn't get over how big it was. What's even funnier... there is a cardboard type replica in our lobby at work over out drinking fountain. Not quite as impressive (okay not at all is it impressive).

Sea World (is there a Sea World in Chicago?) set up a kid's tent for tatoo's. Of course the girls were GEEKED!!!!!!! Simple lil tatoos. (temporary of course).

Natalie was having a hard time figuring out where to put the Tatoo. Rowan was not as picky.....

Rowan stepped right up and plopped out her arm.

She was happy with the results..... and I think she still has it today??

Rowan felt like a "Big Girl" by getting the tattoo..... It's the simple things in life when it comes to kids..... that's the golden rule!!!!

For more pictures of the "Taste" and the Fireworks go HERE!

Refreshing Sunday

2006-07-02T16:42:00.000-07:00

Wow - after a stressful week (and then some) I had a wonderful time at our church today. I love our church and what's even cooler is that our pastor is AWESOME.

He has this incredible knack of turning the scripture into a very relevant message for today. I am always amazed at what he draws from every day use to illustrate a point in his sermon. For example (this really impressed me) his daughter was in a wedding this weekend and they got the centerpiece from the table where they were sitting - a bowl with two gold fish in it. He brought it to church today and used it to illustrate his point of apathetic response (v 12) from the parable of the sower of the seed in Luke's Gospel Chp 8. He also illustrated the abundant response (v 15) with Bill Gates (the Anti-Christ), Warren Buffet (his follower) and Jackie Chan's recent donation of money to fight what ever they consider relevant world issues. (Okay aside from the slam on Bill Gates and Warren Buffet - his point was - that the seed that falls on fertile ground -

"...came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." (Luke 8:8)

Very relevant, up close, personal and relatable illustrations of God's Word and how it is truly the living word - meaning it was relevant then, now and in the future.

I had to share because church was very therapeutic to me this Sunday and so thankful that it is there for me go to (as well as my faith in Christ!)

Thank You

2006-07-01T20:01:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to thank everyone for their awesome emails with prayers and support as well as uplifting comments.

Long story short my mother is very ill and figuring out her care long distance was impossible.

I humblily accept your prayers and ask that you pray for my father as well as he is having a very hard time dealing with this. My mother is very weak and has so many co-morbidities that she would be a Med Student's dream and a Resident's nightmare.

Today she fell which opens up so many more doors of issues.

My blogging (again I apologize) may be sporadic and filled with minimal content.

Again - thank you all for your support and encouragement. It is warmly recieved and much appreciated!!!!!!!

Vacation Cancelled

2006-06-27T17:51:00.000-07:00

Vacation cancelled to the Dells due to family emergency. We just broke the news the girls and I feel ill.

Unfortunately we recieved some bad news today that caused us to cut our vacation plans short so that we could attend to family business.

I may not be able to blog for a while.

More news as when available.

Snap Shots from Saturday

2006-06-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

Snap Shots of Saturday

Today was Bike Safety Day at Lincoln Park through CMH.

The girls had a BLAST!!!!! The weather was beautiful and it wasn't tool warm or cool.... The theme was Oz - and all the games had that theme.

They had a lil play of the Wizard of Oz - on speed.

The girls met up with all their friends and ate junk food.....

They had Tattoo booths going on - kiddie style!

And they ate more junk food.....

And dressed up like Judy Garland from the Wizard of Oz!

The best thing that came out of all of this????
They got BRAND new helmets and were taught how to put them on AND make sure that they have them on correctly!

They got home and correctly demonstrated - proudly - how to properly wear their helmets!!!!

Red Rocket had chicago dogs they were handing out (the bomb - sorry Jen and Vince - Red Rocket is FAR better than the Weiner Circle.... but we will still go there too!)
and there was CPD there to register bikes!!!!

Way to go CMH!!!!!

Garden time

2006-06-20T22:33:00.000-07:00

Hey - it's a miracle!!!!!

My plants are still alive......

aren't they pretty...... The girls did a good job planting the other day didn't they.....

It's funny out today... cool and over cast. Of course - cause I had the day off!!!!!!!!

Bad bike day.....

2006-06-19T22:27:00.000-07:00

Okay - as many of you know... our family is now ALL biked up and crusing the streets of Chicago with must enthusiaism (sp). Yup - all three of us, Rowan, Nat, Mommy and Daddy.

We are a happy biking family.... then tonight at work.... the unthinkable happened.

We had three, THREE, Three - bike -v- bike OR bike -v- peds traumas.

After the third one I had to call home to make sure that all bikes were locked up and noone in the fam was biking.

Now I have fears of letting the girls ride their bikes with us..... egads.....

I tell you what.... ignorance is bliss sometimes.....

Bike on!

Snapshots of Saturday

2006-06-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

Snap Shots of Saturday

I was working but the girls and their daddy planted flowers in our backyard.

They had a blast......

I am not sure if it was the DIRT factor..... or the fun factor of creating something for me to see when I get home from work and finally wake up????

Or if they really have a passion for plants?????

Or they needed to burn off all the sugar they ate while I was at work?????? I know they eat worse when I am not around....

Main point.... we have flowers in the backyard and they girls had a blast doing it......

Today - we tackle FAMILY Bike Riding AFTER we take Daddy to get his bike for his Father's Day Gift!!!!!

Coming to Chicago!!!!!

2006-06-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

Okay - how exciting is this????

I was online making reservations for..... Joyce Meyer's conference in September (the hotel) and foudn this!!!!!!!!

JOYCE MEYER MINISTRIES / HILLSONG
Finding Purpose and Power In His Presence

Each conference offers 3 Days...5 Dynamic Sessions

Joyce Meyer Ministries and Hillsong Australia unite again for two unforgettable conferences. Hear practical, life-changing messages from Joyce Meyer and Pastor Brian Houston of Hillsong Church Australia, plus experience passionate times of worship with gifted praise and worship leader Darlene Zschech at each session.

We are anticipating the power and presence of the One True God.

Hillsong in my own backward..... no traveling.....

The girls are ECSTATIC!!!!!! as am I!!!!!!

You know they are growing up.....

2006-06-16T12:29:00.000-07:00

You know they are growing up when they return home from their last day of school for the year and utter.....

Mom - my third grade teacher is Sooooooooooooooooooooo cute!!!!!!

(insert glazed over look in eyes)

after meeting her new teacher for next year.

I guess I won't have any problem getting her up in Sept. to go off to school for the first week.

Egads they grow up quick.

BTW - I was NOT suppose to tell anyone she even uttered those words.....

So - it's are secret right??????

Where in the world???? Springfield?????

2006-06-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

So here we are in Springfield!

Where is Springfield? What is Springfield? Why is Springfield important???

I am not sure.....

Okay - if I can sit here - in Springfield and listen to constant comments again and again about "Chicago - the OTHER state" and "THOSE PEOPLE in THE OTHER STATE - Chicago" then I can question pringfield.

I was rather surprised at what little there is in Springfield. There is the Lincoln Musuem (in which they are VERY proud of - rightfully so). But that is about it. Downtown reminds me of St. Louis - some potential but falls short. The sidewalks are closing up at 1600 during the week and 1700 during the weekend. St Louis at least has the Cardinals and the Rams - but still the sidewalks roll up at 1700.

BEAUTIFUL small town Springfield is.... but not Chicago - THE OTHER STATE! LOL! Not getting the joke.

Had a blast tonight at the dinner at the Lincoln Library - took some pictures that I am not sure will get me arrested or not. Apparently (eventhough there are no signs stating NO PICTURES) you are not allowed to take pictures of this library. OOOPSE.

The conference is AWESOME. Love Bioterrorism and Disaster preparedness. Made may professional connections.... All in all - worth the trip even though I miss my girls.....

So here are the pictures that may get me in BIG BIG trouble......

In Springfield I have not idea what that means.... In the OTHER STATE - Chicago - may mean jail.....

These are REAL dresses from first ladies.... I took them for my daughter - so into fashion.....

REAL pieces of the times.... worn and used by the former first ladies!!!!

More dresses NATALIE!!!! Momma went to jail for these.......
The cigar looking box is MAKE UP!!!!!!!! Can you believe that? Mary Kay - move over - they had it already going on!!!!!

Most of the dresses were BEAUTIFUL! The exhibit of first ladies was awesome. We hear so much about the presidents we raraly hear about the first ladies. This really is a MUST see!!!!

AND in ALL honesty - Springfield is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! Absolutely gorgeous. Small town, small community. Not the OTHER State..... I think it is too easy to get wrapped up in the Chicago viewpoint of the world.

The Lincoln Library is Gorgeous! Really Springfield has that going on......

Till tomorrow everyone.... MADONNA PICTURES!!!!!!!

Going away........

2006-06-11T18:30:00.000-07:00

I have gone away....

on a trip......

for a few days........

I miss my girls........

I got my knitting......

Actually the knitting took up alot of my suitcase.... I think I forgot to bring clothes.....

Snap Shots of Saturday

2006-06-10T20:12:00.000-07:00

It was

World Wide Knit in Public Day!!!!!!!!

Nat and I celebrated by getting on the Train.....(brownline EL then to the Metra Elhourn to Elmhurst.......

to meet up with a friend for lunch and to go to a knit shop.

Nat has never been on a train and she had a blast!!!!!

This was what she wanted to do and with me going out of town on Sunday for four days I wanted to have a Nat and Mom day!!!!!!

There was the Elmfest going on

and Nat partook in some Rock Climbing.

They grow up SO quickly.

We took the train back home.....

Bye Elmhurst.....

I think alot of them shows me how she viewed the train ride.....

And Nat took pictures....
She had a blast looking out the window, pointing out things that you and I probably take for granted when we are commuting on the train.....

We are already planning more trips on the Metra (and one on the Amtrak to MI to see grammy and grampy). I never got to ride a train as a child.....

I guess you could say I am (once again) living vicariously through my girls!!!

I tried to upload the cool ones.....

She took many - and they were fascinating to observe from her view of the world.

It was cool out (definitely not summer feeling) but nice. It didn't rain!!!! Praise God!!!!!

Within about 30 short minutes we were back into Chicago.....

And getting ready to do some downtown shopping and a trip on the brownline home.

We were EXHASUTED when we got home for several REASONS - but mostly because we had a BLAST together!!!

Thanks Becca for inviting us out!!!!!!

All so Nat could knit in public and have a momma day................. What a GREAT Saturday.

Rowan? Rowan spent the day with Dad after spending two whole days at my work wooing my coworkers.... and woo she did. Everytime I would check on her - she had a new toy, treat or something to play with..... Ahhhhhhh to be young again!

A Proud Mother and

2006-06-09T06:32:00.000-07:00

This week Nat's class had adwards and parties galore.....

They had a readers presentation that Natalie was very excited to be apart of....

I know the kids are looking that happy - but they were concentrating!!!!!

This was a big deal for us because Natalie would not, could not, did not read allowed at the beginning of the year.

When she was diagnosed with dyslexia this year we (as parents) took a huge sigh of relief (that someone was finally listening to us) and that we knew what to do.

She also recieved an award for MOST improved student.....

Here she is reading her award - what you can't see is the HUGE grin she has on her face..... She melted my heart....

She also got an award for writing a story and turning it in for Young Authors earlier in the year..... Can you tell how proud she is here?????

How about here?

I am a very proud momma.....

AND HAVE AN EVEN MORE PROUD daughter!

Tiger's and White Sox's O Mi

2006-06-07T18:36:00.000-07:00

There comes a time in one's life when you do root for the other team... the Sox's. That time was today!!!!!

Or was it the excuse to take part in THESE wonderful delightful fat grease laden dinner items????

We went to the Red Rocket tonight after I got off from work. It was a girl's night out! We had hot dogs, chilli cheese fries and sat back watching the baseball game.

THEN Natalie had to call Grammy (and step outside because she claimed she couldn't hear????) and tell her she was watching the game. See - Grammy is a die hard Tiger's fan.

We had a blast...... Every once in a while a hot dog with the fries.... chilli and cheese.... and a baseball game.... is a good thing!

Look what was waiting for me.....

2006-06-05T01:28:00.000-07:00

Can I just say
-
being a mom is the most awesome thing in the world!!!!!

So I return home from work - to find this note waiting for me.... Is it not the most cutest thing you have ever seen? Be still my lil heart......

I sneak off into the kitchen to find this.....

Okay - it was a WHOLE pie. I cut into it and ate (well still eating) the piece of yummy homemade Rhubarb pie with rhubarb from the farmers market.

Can I just say
-
being a mom is the most awesome thing in the world!!!!!

Snap Shots of Saturday

2006-06-04T00:06:00.000-07:00

Snap Shots of Saturday

There are none.....

Yes I know.... I am quite depressed by this situation. Actually I am not sure if I am upset, disappointed, depressed or livid.

Today (or rather yesterday since it is 0200 in the AM) I had to be at work at 1100. Now - that isn't a bad thing because then I am home at 2300. It's a day shift for those that can't do days. A day-lite if you will..... So - the hubby has the kids. The first order of business was - the FARMERS market.
YES - it is that time of the year again and the farmer's markets are blooming with both plants AND veggies/fruit.

After the Farmer's Market it was off to sign up for city camps. The girls got to go some preview camps and sign up for the ones they were interested in. Rowan and Nat signed up for two weeks of camp each.

THEN - it was time for the BEACH party.... Rowan and Nat both got invited to a friends Beach Party. They had a BLAST!!!! They played in the sun, the turf and the sand. I heard there was a ton of food and games to be had!!!!

After the party they stopped by work to bring me a most delicious Jamba Juice (mango my fav) and to tell me about all the fun they had!!!

Now - when I went to upload pictures after I got home tonight FROM work - I asked the hubby where they were. He gave me a BLANK stare and then informed me, after ducking behind a door - that he forgot to take the camera with him today and take snap shots.

Okay - this is when you realize you are addicted to scrapbooking and blogging. I wasn't sure if I should kick him outta the house for the night OR just hit him. NOT TAKE PICTURES on a SATURDAY!!!! How could you!!!!!

So - this Saturday you must be appeased by journaling only.

NEXT Saturday the girls and I have a "Girls outting" planned to Elmhurst so I will have pictures. We are taking a train out to Elmhurst to goto a knitting shop AND have lunch with a friend. I am actually quite excited. NEXT WEEK - Pictures!

Till next week.....

Funky Fact Friday

2006-06-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

Funky Fact Friday

ALARMS ARE EVIL

I am not a person that can get up when the alarm goes off. I never have and probably never will be able to. I think that is why I have always worked nights.

After ten years of marriage my hubby still doesn't get it. If I need to be on my way at 0700 I need at least 45 minutes to get ready (I can shave this in interest of sleep) and at least 45 minutes of prep time after the alarm goes off in order to get out of bed.

Yes you guessed it - the alarm goes off at 0530. I hit snooze a few times till it's at least 0615 - sometimes a lil later depending on when I fell asleep and how well I slept.

Sadly - my oldest daughter is the same way. Yet another item of knowledge my hubby refuses to accept. He still tries to haul her out of bed and have her ready in ten minutes. she is almost worse than me. She must sit and stare for at least 20 minutes after she is up. It is like she is in a trance... there are the rare occasions that she is up out of bed before our alarm goes off - but those are rare occasions in deed. If I am up before my alarm goes off - I am mad and attempt to grab even a few more seconds of prescious sleep......

Blog Challenge

2006-05-30T22:43:00.000-07:00

Join us today if you blog.

Challenge:

Special family plans this summer, we all have them. We are going to the Dells. (I know BORING and TOURISTEE). The girls really want to go and I honestly have never been. It's suppose to be the "family" thing to do around here and FAMILY is something we are focusing on right now! We also want to actually SPEND time in Chicago around the Fourth. We never get to go to Taste of Chicago - (well the last two years - the first two that we have lived here) - so we are hoping to partake in that this year. We also want to see more of the festivals that are going on. They are always fun but I always feel like I am sandwiching them in between work shifts......

What are yours? REST and RELAXATION. It seems like all my summers fly by and I forgot to do anything.

What are you doing that you consider SPECIAL this summer? Nat and Rowan are in a wedding this summer in Grand Haven, Michigan (eeek Michigan). That is what is special. I am so exicted for them. I just got an email today saying their dresses were on the way. We are spending a few extra nights in Grand Haven just HANGIN.

But you know how best laid plans go........... I am hoping that we actually ENJOY this
summer......

What are you anticipating? Rest and RELAXATION!!!!!!!! I really really need this! As well as family time!!!!!

Happy Birthday!

2006-05-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

My blog is officially a YEAR old!!!!!!!!!

My last day......

2006-05-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

My last day of Memorial Day Vacation for me..... BIG pout!!!!!

Nat was back in school and had Second Grade Olypmics. As you can tell from the look on Rowan's face - we were wilting. It was rather hot out.

The pictures are not blurry - it was hazy out! I welcome this weather.... Only this was 0800 in the AM - at about 31c.

Nat was so excited that I could actually make it an watch her run and compete. I am usually not available for school things... it made me feel good as well.

She had a blast eventhough the group she was in got fourth place out of FOUR! LOL! It's not about competing is it.... it's about having fun!

I love Nat's school. We were truly blessed when we moved here and accidently fell into this school district.

After the olympics - I had a meeting at work. Does that count? On my day off? To still have a day off? I think so.... I didn't have to don scrubs or actually do patient care.... AND Rowan came with (dangling participal). Norm had to work. So - as a reward for her stellar behavior during the meeting (two hours of reading her starter books and drawing with not a peep out of her)... we went to Clarks' for a Break-unch.

SHE WAS HUNGRY. She orderd funny face pancakes, hash browns (which were on my plate - but I was tooooooo hot to eat them) and a english muffin. I thought this picture was CLASSIC!!!!!!

As you can tell..... she pretty much cleaned her plate. Since the girls have been outside DOING things - their eatting habits have SOARED!!!!!! It's rather scary. I thought only BOYS cleaned your fridge out daily..... They are going to greatly increase my grocery bill this summer.

THEN there is me......

It was tooooooo hot to eat my omlet (what was I thinking?) so I just sat and knit while Rowan ate. She decided to take these pictures... which made up SPT post. I am obsessed aren't I!!!!!!!!!

Self Portrait Tuesday

2006-05-30T20:19:00.000-07:00

SELF PORTRAIT TUESDAY

getting to know me??????

This is me.... scary isn't it......

I now am obsessed about sock knitting and carry them everywhere I travel. You never know when the opportunity may arise that I can knit a few rows...........

These pictures courtsey of Rowan who uttered the "Oh brother" when I pulled out my sock at the diner while waiting for our food.......

It was REALLY hot today and my hair is wilted as is my appetite. I ended up taking a few bites of my omelet while Rowan chowed down.......

I knitted away til the bill came and then we left...... It is so relaxing and compact project to carry around. Rowan and Nat both say.... we see socks mom - we think of you.... knitting away. I think they are afraid I will try to knit socks when I ride my bike (which will be here in a week.... heee heee).......

Get on your bike and ride......

2006-05-30T19:34:00.000-07:00

Natalie shocked me a bright shade of fuscia this morning........

SHE RODE HER BIKE TO SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!
Not by herself.... but she did ride her bike, lock it up AND ride it home...... she was so proud of herself!!!!!!!! (and so was I!!!)

She tried to con me by telling me it was illegal to wear a back pack and ride your bike????? I did not buy it for one moment... as you can tell in this photo!!!!!!

Rowan eagerly wanted to get her bike out again today - so that she could master the unmasterable.

There were wobbly times.... We would shake it off before getting on and chant... We are one ONE with the bicycle.....

I got a kick out of her trying to start on her own.....

There was one mishap..... one fall...... she came running and a person on the sidewalk felt sorry for her and helped return her bike.... The fact that she was running towards me told me she was okay. This picture reminds me of those bandaid commercials I grew up on and so wanted to do so I too could get a bandaid......

See - a lil road rash... nothing major. We shook it off and surprisingly SHE wanted to get back on the bike before I recommended it.

That's my lil girl!!!!!

And then there is Nat - getting better by the day.... Dells' and Grand Haven here we come!!!!!

She did try to show Rowan how to start off on your bike and coast.... Rowan took notice and tried to immitate.... I think it helped!!!!

She spent alot of time focusing on her pedals and the exact location of her feet!

IT wasn't long before she was getting it down well!!!!!!!

In the end she mastered what, just yesterday, she thought would be the most impossible thing in the world.... starting, stopping and coasting as well as just plain ole riding her bicycle BY HERSELF!!!!!!

She did many tours up and down the sidewalk.... each time getting farther and farther away from the house....

One round - I had to ask Norm if she took off for starbucks on her own.....

She even crashed a few times and fixed the situation on her own.... That's when you know you have mastered the task at hand...... my lil grasshopper!!!!!!

Whatever the case - fast asleep they fell as I was reading this cool new book to them. Nat and I took turns. A cute lil book it is..... I miss being a young teen (Nat is AHEAD of her time.... trust me.... she is no where near being a teen... no no no no no I will deny deny deny....)

Between the increase in sleep and the increase in eatting this should be a FUN summer!!!! I am all about looking forward to biking alot this summer.... now if I just had my own bike..... I am told a week and it will be here.... Currently my cool cool bike is somewhere in the exburbs......

WHAT a GRAND weekend!!!!!

2006-05-29T21:27:00.000-07:00

Can you say
MUCH NEED RELAXATION
and
REST!!!!

Usually - usually Memorial day weekend is wet, cool or cold and dismal. It's not the first choice for me to have off and usually one that I don't mind working. A lil while back I made a deal (with the devil as I call it) to work ONLY the Fourth of July (my first requested holiday) in order to get all the other summer holidays off.

When it came time for Memorial Day to come I was looking forward to a much needed three day weekend. I am just exhausted.... pure through and through exhausted. I could use two weeks off just to sleep in, orgainze and de-clutter the house and just rejuvinate. But I was going to be happy with my three days AND the holiday to boot.

Saturday (as you already know from my previous Snap Shots of Saturday) I worked. Not a big deal. It was 7A to 7P (yes I worked a day shift) and it wasn't bad. It went quickly and I was home with my fam in no time. Be all that it may I was EXHAUSTED and fell right to sleep in the middle of my dinner - I was home. The girls didn't miss me either - they were at the lake.....
Then they met me at work for lunch. That was a real treat.

After visiting me they went to the zoo and hung out at the lily pond.

We were worried that moving to Chicago would take a lil "nature" out of the girls but there is SO much here to do.

Sunday proved much different. I was exhausted and slept in. My girls and hubby were actually QUIET! I was shocked when I woke up. I felt very refreshed even though we were facing 31c degree weather. We tried to stay cool and play down any and all activity. We spent time in our back yard..... (?YES we DO have a BACKYARD?)

We got the hammock up so that I could lay back and read.... but as soon as I plopped down in it I crashed down onto the patio.... OUCH!!!!!! Between you and me the only thing that was hurt was my pride - but for the sake of the "the hubby who put it up." I am in EXCRUCIATING pain! LOL!!!!

Natalie set up home on one of the tables and preceded to draw pictures of outfits she thought would make GREAT summer wear for me and Rowan. She came up with some good sketches. She does not want me to scan or photograph them for fear someone might steal her idea. She is so cute how she puts detail into her clothes down to lace on the end of sleeves and drawings on the front of her shirts. She can not wait for project runway this fall.

As you can tell both girls got their fill of sun on Saturday eventhough they were bathed and rebathed in sunscreen. Gotta work on the application of said lotion with the hubby.

After a while - we ventured out for "movie time." We went to see HOOT. AWESOME movie. I mean this was a GREAT movie. It looked cute to begin with but within thrity minutes the girls and I were riveted at the screen. For me it was a trip down memory lane. The movie was filmed in Florida (where I grew up) and Jimmy Buffett (BIG Jimmy Buffett fan - grew up on his music, went to several of his concerts AND going this summer to Tinley Park for his concert with the Hubby - the hubby's first Parrothead concert!!!!) wrote the score as well as stars in it. Will Shriner directed it and half way through the movie
Ken Shriner (Scotty Baldwin) was in the movie as well.

Thank goodness we were four of eight people in the theatre. Bellowing out "Scotty" in the middle of the movie would have a made a stink in a more fuller movie theatre I think......

Highly recommend this movie if you are five years old (Rowan loved it!) or 99 years old. So cute.... So wholesome too.... and the music was the bomb.....

Afterwards we discovered a bike shop with people test riding bikes - that later got us in trouble (insert note from hubby... there is no "we" involved.)

At home we all curled up and READ. Natalie started "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" (a movie we had watched together the night before - well I attempted to watch in a coma on the couch - but we were all curled up watching it. Rowan was reading some starter books and I was reading "Devil in the White City." So well written... a breath of fresh air after trying to get through "Demons and Angels" as well as "Davinci Code (still can't get thru completely)." It's also a REALLY good book.

MONDAY - ah Monday - the last day of everyone's three day weekend (the middle of mine - I am off till Wednesday - I might forget what I do for a living). Today was grand. In addition to learning how to ride a bike without training wheels.....

and Natalie with the new super chick bike.....

and I anticipating the arrival of mine..... (big pout) Nat and I got our Pedicures, we spent time talking about Girl things AND spent some time picking out flowers for the backyard. I actually picked up a few at the nursery and put them on the deck tonight. As anyone who knows me knows - I am a horrible gardener..... I have a black thumb (as my hubby would say). Black for death that is....

We are all exhausted but happy and relaxed. Nat curled up with me a little while ago and mentioned how much fun this whole weekend was. IT was a very nice family weekend. I am looking forward to more this summer.

This picture says it all.... Rowan fell asleep mid bite of her after dinner snack. I think we will all sleep well tonight.

Oh - feeling a lil broke too. I planned and paid for our trip to the Dells, Planned and paid for a trip to Grand Haven AND made sure we were all "bike ready." We are planning on taking our bikes to these places as well as around town. So - back to work I will go.......

Ministry in the Park

2006-05-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

This past week our church had some missionaries here. Part of their outreach involved Children's Ministry in the park. They were awesome. Setting up headquarters at Oz Park (just nearby) the girls joined up with them on Thursday.

Obviously - if you take a look at the pictures, the hubby was taking them. I was in my deadly Hazmet class at the time. It was beautiful out. I think Spr-ummer has finally sprung.

The missionaries were from Arkansas but they acted like they were right at home here. They spent time playing and talking with the kids as well as talking and spending time with the mom's/nannies.

They set up a portable stage and had "theatre" time with the puppets. As you can tell they are holding the children very captive.

When I heard they were doing this I was like - "well duh!!!!" I am more into "ghetto" areas (for lack of a better term) for this ministries target - but there are kids right here who need the same message delivered to them......

Oz park is a good locale - it's right in Lincoln park but on the edge of the now vanishing Cabrinia Green and other needy areas.

The fact that they took time to not only do a ministry but talk to the kids AND play with them was the key.

I wish there was some way to keep this going now that they are back in Arkansas.

This is something that I could see my children being totally immersed in and helping out. They did it in Michigan and I know they miss it. We sometimes get so busy worrying about the people we think are in so obvious need of help that we totally overlook the ones that are standing next to us screaming for attention!!!!

I want to..........

2006-05-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

RIDE MY BICYCLE..........

Okay the beginning of the story....

What's wrong with this picture???????

THERE ARE NO WHEELS ON HER BIKE.... TRAINING wheels that is.....

Rowan - took her training wheels off her bike this weekend. (Actually DAD took it off.... but she wanted them off.) So that meant she needed help learning to ride the bike. NOT a problem. But then that sparked Natalie to want to ride her bike which is WAY to small for her.... Then Natalie realized that if Rowan got expert at riding the bike without training wheels - she would get Natalie's bike....

SO - that meant it was now time for Natalie to get a bike.....

Living in Chicago - not wanting to drive.... leads one to walk or ride a bike...

HERE we are....

What's wrong with this picture....

and no I am not NOT riding a bike because I am taking the pictures.....

As you can tell from this picture -my choleric child is upset that I DON'T HAVE A BIKE!!!!!

So off we went (or Dad and the child) to get her a bike..... and home she returns with....

The helmet is a bit big and that caused MAJOR issues with my choleric child... but she loved LOVED loved the bike!

She couldn't wait to get it out and ride it!!!!

I started with ROWAN while dad and Natalie were away getting the bike (they snuck out.) I knew when Nat returned with a new bike it would be all over... so I wanted to get Rowan psyched that she could WOULD and (spoiler) did ride a bike without training wheels.

After Norm got home he helped her as well.... she really didn't need much coaxing... I just had to keep reminding her that she KNEW how to ride a bike now she had to learn to balance.

At times she would get a lil emotional. We wouldn't let her give up though (or I should say I wouldn't.) What isn't picture here is the horrible crash onto that fence where she tried to impale herself (or rather the bike did if she told the story). I quickly wisked her up and did some TLC and secret Nursing assessment. THEN we got the bike back up and got her back on it. She was glad afterward. She said that she wasn't scraed anymore.....

The end result...

LOOK MOM NO HANDS!!!! I am doing it myself!!!!

She was quite proud of herself and couldn't wait to call Grammy to tell her!!!!

So what does this do with me wanting to ride my bicycle???????

I got a bike today - only they shop had to ORDER it because they didn't have it in stock. I was going to buy a Schwinn Cruiser - LIME GREEN... it was really sharp. THEY Would have HAD to order that as well..... So the owner (of course) suggested the Giant Crusier with 7 speeds. I asked why? I would want 7 speeds and I tried one of the Schwinn 7 speeds. It was nice..... BUT I wanted it today and I wanted a WOMAN's Cruiser so I would be sitting more upright (I am getting too old to lean forward... kills the back you know....)

The end result is this cool lookingt Giant Women's Crusier - I can't wait to get my hands on!!!!!! ONE WEEK.... I am dying here.... I am so much into instant gratification I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!! AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH

Snapshots of Saturday

2006-05-27T21:28:00.000-07:00

THE LAKE!

The first official weekend at THE LAKE!!!

I had to work (big pout) but the girls headed out to the lake with dad and lotsa sunscreen!!!!!

It was nice and WARM and the girls had a blast chillin out in the sun and sand.....

Then cooling off in the water......

They are lil fishes they are and are SO exicted that the lakes are open now. There is something magical about living in a place where the seasons are marked with magical moments.

From what I understand from the big people the lake was a lil chilly - but from these guys - it was quite REFRESHINGLY warm.

After a day at the lake Nat and Rowan came by work and ate dinner with me. (What a GREAT surprise and near end to my shift.....)

After I got home from work - I literally died. I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO tired and exhausted I had no other choices.....

Oh - the big test and stress from the Advanced Hazment class?????????

PASSED!!! I did... PASSED!!!!!

I sure could have used some of this action though.... it would have helped to heal the "stress!!"

Amonia, Nitrites, Sulfides and Azides Oh Mi!

2006-05-25T23:28:00.000-07:00

Okay - I am a geek. I'll admit it. I am a FREAK and a GEEK.

I spent eight hours today learning about - "toxic substances." I will spend eight more hours tomorrow learning EVEN MORE about "toxic substances."

I really get into this stuff. It's not just terrorism - it's crap (for lack of a better term - remember I have been in class today getting a class slam review of organic chemistry - my mind is sludge right now) we have in our houses and work environments daily. Some of the antidotes are just plain flipping ridiculously EASY - like

REMOVE THE PERSON FROM THE AREA OF THE TOXIC SUBSTANCE.

Well duh - who would have ever thunk that would have worked..... (lol)

While no productive scrapbooking, card making or anything resembling paper craft was done today I did get some knitting done. I must say.... I think I retained more, learned more and kept interest in the class longer by knitting during the lectures. I was really amazed, during the break out sessions where we actually APPLY what we learned - how much of it came back to me. Usually I lose interest QUICKLY in things where I have to sit and listen. USUALLY - ever 20 seconds or so I block out totally what the speaker just said. I think Knitting is far more therapeutic than RITALIN! (shhhhhhh prance quietly around the Pharm D majors as you jump for joy over this realization..... wouldn't want to upset the flow of major prescription money flowing into their 401K plans now would we........)

Okay - I have to go thru this tome and study some more for the big FINAL EXAM tomorrow.... Biting nails, noticing sweat on the palms, pulling on the hair... I HATE TESTS......

A gift journal

2006-05-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

Slightly back in my scrapbooking mojo I made a gift for a friend that is going to Africa for 6 months to work with a mision's team. I got the basic grey hang ten paper (looks African'y I thought) and chip board and the rest it history.....

I had a hard time trying to make this actually - I am not really into what this friend likes and dislikes. I tried to make it neutral but functional.

I included a place to put her journaling pens (included) and stuff. Of course the jouranling pens had to be acid free. I do care about what I make...... no matter who gets it.

And plenty of paper to write, scribble, draw and place pictures.....

Then there is the mini album to go with it. I used another basic grey album as a template.

I did think it made a great journal and photo album for this person..... she is very basic and down to earth!!!!!

Two of the papers weren't exactly "African" in it's looks so I put the backs together and made a pocket. In this pocket gits 6 tags... bonus for her!!!!!

I didn't embellish too much. I did however include some scrapbook adhessive for both her album and her journal!!!!!

I love the basic grey ribbon that has come out as well....... I got them for Oh Baby and Urban Couture. I want to get it for the others as well. I am all about Basic Grey's coordinates. Haven't disappointmented me yet....

I also thought that the size of this album was perfect for her purse, back pocket, back pack... whatever.....

Then.... the card..... all very Hang Tenish I would say.... Not my fav basic grey but it served it's purpose. The hubby got the left over because - it is quite manly looking and not me.....
I dropped this off at work tonight for her. I don't think I will see her before she leaves - but I had to get home for bible study and couldn't stick around.

Now - I am sipping coffee (don't know why) and trying to study for a biohazard/terrorism/hazmet test for tomorrow and Friday.... egads what did I get myself into.

I feel horrible, can't swallow, can't breathe and want to curl up in bed... and I am up drinking coffee and studying.... I have a screw loose somewhere.... don't know where but I hear it rattling in the ole brain.

Self Portrait Tuesday

2006-05-23T21:50:00.000-07:00

Self Portrait Tuesday

Multi-tasking is my middle name.

I swear - if I ever did just ONE thing.... focused on one activity..... WAS ALLOWED to focus on one activity - I would probably be bored. Ro took some snapshots of me (usually looking) knitting, emailing and studying for an exam.

What you don't see in these photos are the TV on for something (usually Law and Order).

This is me.... It's my nature. I am not sure if it's being a mom, a woman, a wife or a ER nurse - but I have to be doing several things at once or I am bored.....

Can you say ADHD???????

YOOHOO!!!!!!

2006-05-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

GO CUBS!!!!

Blog Challenge

2006-05-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

Today's Blog Challenge.........

Photographs.
We love em.

What is your fave photo size to scrapbook?

4x6? - This is a good size for 12 x 12 but I gotta tell you I am getting away from the 12 x 12. It is so much more fun making mini albums.

2x3? - THIS IS AWESOME FOR MINI ALBUMS, CARDS, 6x6 and more. I love this size. This size and 3x5. (Or any combo there of - cna you say ADOBE).

wallets? - no not really......

5x7? Maybe - if it's a great candid photo but usually not. If I did use it it would be for a canvas..

8x10? Rarely - only if it's an awesome photo I might use it in a canvas 12 x 12

larger? uh - no. I am the smaller picture person. I haven't had photos printed normal in I don't know how long.... I love being able to make my own sizes to fit the layout.

Blog about your fave photo choices!

Snapshots of Saturday

2006-05-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

So I caught up on my Law and Order Season Finale's. Can I just say OH MI GOSH on the original Law and Order. Jack just can't keep a partner can he?????????

Now on to the fun stuff......

It was BEAUTIFUL out today (and still is). EVERYONE is out!

The girls spent some time at the park playing.

It is just what they needed for their wniter itchies. If it hadn't gotten nice out soon I was going to loose it.

While they were at the park I was collecting the groceries from the PeaPod guy.

I LOVE PEAPOD. If it weren't for peapod and living so close to the park - TODAY may have never happened!

Now tonight we are taking the big man (daddy) out for his Birthday!

Funky Fact Friday

2006-05-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

Funky Fact Friday

I am a brooder. I brood over things.

I am obsessive compulsive. I obsess over the silliest things mentally, physically and theoretically.

I am anal rentitive. Certain things have to be a certain way, each time, every time.

I am neurotic over my family. I obsessively worry about their health and well being and everything inbetween.

There are my neurosis (sp) in a nutshell. I am having a phunky day I think that is where this psychotic analysis came from.

Blogger Challenge

2006-05-18T20:55:00.000-07:00

Join us today if you blog.

Challenge: Summer is right around the corner.
What are some of your fave
summertime activities?
What do you enjoy and just can't wait for during the
summer months?

share your summer passions!

I LOVE bar-b-ques!!!!

I LOVE Saturday's at the Lake just chill'in

I LOVE picnics in the park during the week.

I LOVE Popsicles on HOT HOT HOT summer days....

I LOVE boat tours in Chicago.

I LOVE watching the girls play in the pool at the park.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE - lazy days in the hammock (backyard) reading a good mind candy book while we are grilling on the barbe!

Blog Challenge

2006-05-17T22:48:00.000-07:00

Join us today if you blog.
Challenge:

***
What do you like to do when you have your home to yourself, for an hour, for a day, or maybe even an entire week?
***

Wait - I am home all alone.... no children..... Not even one of them...... No hubby, no children.... no phone calls, no email.... no pressing engagements.... no pile of stuff to do on the desk??????

I am in heaven.....

and I am in bed (or on the couch since no one is home and no one will call to wake me up) SLEEPING... UNITERUPTED REM SLEEP!!!!! That is so what I long for.... ONE WHOLE HOUR OF UNINTERUPTED REM SLEEP!!!!!!! Is that possible? And if that actually did happen would it ever happen again?????

Yeah - seriously - one hour of uninterupted REM sleep is where you would find me.... but then again NO ONE IS HOME to answer the door when you come!!!!!!

Baby Album

2006-05-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

Back in the Scrapbooking MoJo I am!!!!!!!!

Here is a Baby Album I started the weekend I was away at the Scrap Book Expo.....

This baby album is a gift for a friend that had a baby (back in March - I am embarrassed to admit....)

I Iam not into pastels in any shape or form - even for baby albums. I tried to put as much lime green in here that I could - and still use brighter pastels.

I had to add Prima flowers as well..... I wanted this the pages to pop off the page..... Sorry for some of the blurriness.... I swear my camera still isn't quite right since the incident we do not mention anymore....

It was fun to do once I got back into the MoJo. I am embarrassed everytime I go to work and see this person. I told them the other night that the gift was accidently left on the dining room table (and there is sat.... it was true).

What I didn't add was that it wasn't done........

I am such a slouch lately. Hopefully I am getting my creative MoJo back!!!!

I also added some ink to the edges (the Chalk ink - LOVE that stuff!!!!) I had to be a lil shabby chic as well!

The girls did help me do the actual set up the layouts and some of the embellishment placement. THEY LOVE DOING BABY ALBUMS!!!!!

After I put it together I wanted to put more ribbon on it so I decided to have each page have a different color ribbon going around it and tied to the spine.

At first I did not like it but after a while it grew on me. It gave it a lil more flare.

Now to get to work on the 6 other baby albums I have to make..... I have basic grey paper for those...... LOL!!! I love the Basic Grey Paper for babies.... Definitely not pastelish!!!!

Now to go knit.....

Recent Creations

2006-05-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

THIS IS MY 500th POST!!!!!!

Yoohoo!!!!! WOW! That is a ALOT of babbling!

Knitting Stitch Markers for a friend who has a birthday this month (I am only a few days late.....)

Here are my birthday cards I made this AM for two friends having Birthays. I know pretty basic looking but I LOVED the new Heidi Grace Paper!!!!! Isn't it yummy!!!!

BLOG Challenge

2006-05-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

BLOG CHALLENGE

Let's blog about some fun stuff. Is there certain animals you would never allow your child (if you don't have any, just imagine if you do) to have as pets.

Thanks for playing!

An animal I would never let my child (children) have......

An iguana - They are just icky. The thought of having one in my house.... ick!
A Gerbal - they stink..... I don't care how clean you keep the cage - they stink. And if the thing ever got out and scared me.... it would be squashed. That is not a conversation I want to ever have with my kids.
Snakes - see Iguana
SPIDERS - which I don't have to worry about - a poor house spider appears in our humble abode and they girls FLIP. You would think an intruder was coming thru their window. Even funnier - they think ALL spiders are brown recluse. What I don't clarify now won't hurt them later when they find out......
Horses - too much work esp since I live in the city. We would have to pay for boarding and then travel out there as well as upkeep. Plus - horses should be riden frequently. Time - egads something I do not have.

That's all I can think of right now......

HEY studies show that mom's that work outside the home are healthier and have longer life expectancies. Okay - these studies came out of England - but it makes me feel a little better I am not a stay at home mom. I, many times, feel like a failure that I am not a stay at home mom. I take what I can get. All of you stay at home mom's - I (truly) salute you!!!!!!!!

Christina - don't worry - I never was really "MAD" that you wouldn't sell me the much coveted "lime green roller tote" from MM! I just thought it was odd..... very odd...... Especially since you are such an enabler and share in my addiction to scrapbooking. Perplexed yes. Shocked yes. Surprised in the end and happy - yes!!!!!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY PART TWO!!!

2006-05-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day continued......

After about four hours of sleep - my hubby was out exchanging stuff at Target (or Tar'Get) and my oldest woke up..... she snuck in my room with her bag of goodies that she had made herself all week and was quite proud!!!!!!!

I couldn't be a prouder mom. She made cards, and pictures. She made a book that had all the reasons she loved me "My mom knits, my mom scrapbooks, my mom fixes kids, my mom snuggles with us, best of all my mom is COOL!" I got four coupons from them -
1. a Walk in the Park

2. Breakfast in Bed

3. A free coffee break at work courtsey of Nat and Ro (in other words - I do not have to bribe them to bring me coffee).

4. (and my favorite) One moment of PEACE IN THE BATHROOM! (you have to be a mom to understand that one!)

Rowan was quite proud of her's as well. I just happily fell back to sleep and she came in with her gifts. Then she snuggled with me as Natalie made breakfast! By the way - the orange box - it is a hand made tissue box - and then she emptied a store bought container of tissues and neatly folded each one in the box so that when I pulled one out the other would pop up. Wasn't that ingenius!!!!

I had little sleep last night - and I am back at work - but bottom line. I LOVE BEING A MOM! The gifts the girls gave me and the way I woke was WONDERFUL!!!!