Tales Of The Middle Aged Mommy

Summer!

2011-06-15T09:21:00.001-06:00

Yeah, I know, I'm a bit late with that greeting for most folks around my parts. School has been out almost two weeks, and life hasn't slowed down but a fraction. My two oldest girls have gone off to horse camp for a week, and I've been catching up on rest, which I apparently needed very badly! After all the packing up and delivering of children, I was beat! I've napped every day and so has my 9 y/o daughter who decided to stay home! (Yep, I've got a momma's girl...can't blame her, her family is all she's ever known, we are her comfort zone.)

So, here it is, Wednesday, and after I go sit with my kiddo at her summer band lessons, she's learning the french horn, and deliver some neighborhood kids back (their mom works, I just give them the ride home), I'm home to paint my daughters head and foot boards! I've had this project on my plate for a long time, with never the gumption to get started, and I've told myself for months that camp time was painting time. So that's the plan. Today, I take apart the bed, and sand....I hope to prime too, but you never know. I'll probably clean toilets while the paint dries, and perhaps take my daughter out for sushi....but sushi might wait for Friday, because I feel pretty un-hungry even after my first morning cup of coffee. I think its the ol' sinus acting up again.

So, at any rate....perhaps someone reading this can give me some perspective....after my hard drive crash of earlier this year, my blogging screeched to a halt, as all my reference pics were toast. So, I'm resorting to web links, and retaking pics, so pardon my links. Back to the perspective part....

I have this sectional (roughly, mine is a darker chocolate brown) in my living room. It was a gift from my parents, and its PERFECT for my family of five, plus fur family members. Its the best for watching movies, folding laundry, or nursing a sick kid. Each piece has a recliner, one set has a drink station in it (for the BBQ man) and the other is next to a great table I got at the Youth Ranch Thrift Store for $25 (also on my painting list!).


Example available at http://www.sofasandsectionals.com/

I found some great pillows at Home Goods that I adore...and I've done the drop cloth drapes that I think I saw first here but they are really all over the interwebs so, who's to say WHERE I saw them first. But I want to do something along the lines of this with them. Kimba, at A Soft Place to Land, did a great job, they look so nice. She has a very inspirational DIY blog. My own DC panels are still hanging in a puddle on the floor, and since I've had a moment to breathe I noticed I drew the short straw at Home Depot and one of my panels has the seam! Ugh....so it really might end up a drop cloth! (Since today I am painting and all!)

So with my dark sofa, and my DC curtains...and 2 inch faux wood blinds....I'm having trouble deciding what color to paint my craigslist buffet, and my YR side table! My SIL says something light because very in my room is kinda dark. I have a big red wall, that I love, (helped me live with my kitchen cabinets for another year....can you say icky 80's golden oak?) and wait for more $ and time for DIY projects. So now I have tan, red, and green that I want to get rid of, but is livable for now.

Dang...my turn for the shower....bbl!

Well, isn't that exciting?

2011-01-08T20:43:00.000-07:00

I finally became a statistic. My hard drive crashed. Yep, you guessed it. No back up. Lesson learned; the hard way. Most of my 2010 pics were on the local drive, or still on the camera cards (blush), and I had a CD full of my recipes. But somethings are gone until I pay $85/hr. for someone to recover it, or try the freezer trick.

So....its so cold here. I am in a deep pit of anticipation for warmer weather. Not for the reasons you might think. Not for running, walking, playing tennis.....PAINTING! I want to paint. I want to paint furniture and picture frames and bunk beds. Yes, I'm crazy. But my list of UFOs is big...and while I'm plugging away at the "winter UFOs", I really am longing for the spring/summer ones.

First I got this cool buffet of craigslist for $50. Its the perfect size for our needs, but...I have some alterations I want to do to it. First, it needs a shelf inside so that the upper portion is not wasted storage space. Secondly, it needs feet. Feet like these..new feet for refurbed buffet. So there's project one.

Next I want to paint my cabinets. Now, I've never done this big a project before. But Beckie at Infarrantly Creative has, and I'm going to also. I'm going to start in the bathroom. I figure if I mess it up back there, then its just my husband and myself who have to deal/look/tolerate it. If I actually had hardware on my cabinets, I'd do this too: Cabinet hardward makeover. So, there's project dos!

I also have a table in my backyard I've had for two years. I need to get it painted, and use it! Great place for the girls and I to eat lunch, outside, in the fresh Idaho air. Until its 107. :D Project #4.

My oldest daughter is now 12, soon to be 13. I guess its time I did more than just piece her room together. I started a guitar quilt for her this fall, and its continuing to come along. But I want to do the following, as well:

1. paint her head/foot boards (used to be mine) Project #5
2. paint her lamp. Got it from my folks, project 6!
3. cover the lampshade. $3 from goodwill. Project 7!
4. put a vinyl guitar on her wall. Project 8!
5. make curtains for her room and put up blinds Project 9!
6. paint her dresser and get new hardware for it. Project 10!

This one is not for my daughter, but I still want to do it...paint another lamp my parents gave me...and the side table I got at the Youth Ranch for $25. So there are projects 11 and 12. I wonder how long all that will take me? I can't wait for summer, because then you get busy in a different way...so I will have to dive in as soon as it gets above about 53 degrees, and before school is out.

I'll probably do the easiest ones first...the ones that I can do in the winter, or in the garage. I still have the room my other two girls share to redo. Also I want to continue sewing things.

Winter projects include:
1. Drop Cloth Window Coverings (I already have the new rods, got them on clearance)
2. Finishing the quilt!
3. Making daughter's curtains.
4. Making her a guitar pillow. Or maybe a peace sign.

All this on top of the regular stuff I do, like Good News Club for our church, Girl Scouts, and room mom for one of the girls' classes.

Tonight I filled the back of my van with donations of clothing, small children's hangers, books, throw pillows, and misc. statuary from my previous life. Yay! I'm tired of my own clutter!

Ok...well, I blogged these at the advice of a very smart friend. Here is my list, permanently and not just in my head! She is so smart!
xoxox

Post Halloween & House Update

2010-11-01T08:09:00.000-06:00

First, let me post the good stuff. :D

This is only two of three said kids. The other one was off having a social life and promised to recreate Halloween with me today. We shall see. She overslept, didn't eat, and was generally hacked that she missed the bus.

But these two were great!

My husband took these pictures...right before we walked out the door. And in each and every one, my pirate has that string over her eye and is not smiling. Sigh. The gypsy opted for a hot pink long sleeved shirt at the last minute. By then, I didn't care one bit. Let's just get this party wagon moving!

They came home with a lot of this.....this is only about a quarter of it. I can feel my jeans getting tighter as I type.

So, as the week had been quite full of fun and frolic (ha!) I spend the morning of Halloween making sure that when you looked in our door you didn't see piles of laundry and the dog slobber. Our loving canine, Yukon, is being a pill in his old age and refuses to eat outside. Being old, its just not good for him to not eat...so his bowl is inside the front door now. He slings his food/slobber everywhere. Its disgusting, but I have soft spot for the old guy and his eye boogers.

So I hounded BBQdude into hanging the mirror, and I tried out my new window treatments.

Yes, we painted our living room/dining room/kitchen about six months ago. Yes, I've been living with bare walls. Except the vinyl bird. I had to do something! He hung this shelf and the mirror last week. You can see I've gotten right on the decorating (insert eyeroll). Its been a crazy, busy three months. I like to harass BBQdude, but I'm just as bad. I have to admit that walking in there today made it look like we tried to decorate at least. In the next picture you will see that I still have some leftovers from our previous color scheme, and some sewing to do. I should take pictures more often...because it really makes you see it through new eyes.

Yuk! That plum throw! And really that small pillow too. ICK! I can get over the pile, cuz I can move it. It was stuck there by vacuuming child, and piled with library books and drawings for me. But EW! Sheesh, how come I don't see that when I walk by? I think I want to do something to the rocking chair too. Make the green, black? Dark brown the natural? Suggestions peeps!

Have you noticed my window treatments yet? They were a blogland sensation a few months back. I got the rods on clearance, and in my garage they lived while we painted. You can see how how they are too long in the picture above this one. BBQdude thinks I should tea stain them. I was more along the lines of adding a fabric strip somewhere near the bottom. We both agreed on raising them to almost the top of the wall.

Oh, and here I get to show you my fabo find....the side table. I wandered into the Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Store and spotted that guy. $25!!! I didn't hesitate. I love the claw feet and it has a drawer. It was bye-bye, good riddance, adios, and don't let the door hit you in the bum on the way out, to the 80's oak & glass table from my husband's prior life. Alleluia! FINALLY....I am rid of all that is 80's hell wrapped up in oak. Should I paint it? I need to do something over there.

So, I beg ask for some lamps and clocks from my parents, and they let me have them. Of course. Actually, they have so much stuff, it doesn't matter one bit to them. To me, its fond memories. That lamp sat on my father's desk for most of my life. It only recently retired to the bedroom, for necessity's sake. I can't decide if I should paint it or not....its forrest green. It would be lovely any other color. I think that says I've decided to paint it. I unplug this lamp to vacuum a lot, and every time I think that it's maker never would have imagined halogen bulbs in it. I hope it doesn't freak out. Yeah, I'm weird. At any rate, the lamp makes me happy every time I see it....and yes, that is my geeky little Girl Scout Brownie self in the picture. I need to do something about that picture. It was just there when I cleaned up my table.

So there you have it. The boring life of a stay at home mom without the bon bons.

These guys say "buh-bye"!

Happy Halloween! Got Candy?

2010-10-31T10:04:00.000-06:00

Got Candy Banner 2010, originally uploaded by twomarbles.

Once there was a girl, who had a little blog...

2010-10-18T12:34:00.000-06:00

...who completely ignored it for over a month!

Eh. Well, all you moms know how that first month of school is SUCH an adjustment. After you've basically goofed off for 2.5 months, except for vacation planning and child entertainment, (yeah, right...goofed off my patookie!) you've lost your groove. So, the blog suffereth. ;P

Everyone is safely back in school. Bean has started junior high, and has already lost about eight thousand things. You think I jest? Let's see....one gym shoe (yes, one), gym lock, math book, sweatshirt,concert music,and audition music. Ok so maybe, 8K was a slight exageration. Her father has given her a once a month "Get Out of Jail Free" card by saying he will deliver items to her exactly once a month, no more. But I made the mistake of calling my mother and mentioning that Bean had left her gym clothes behind this morning, after a late night desperation washing. I wasn't going to take them. Then I talked to my mother. Sigh. My mother loves my children more than she loves me, so she poured on the guilt about how they had rescued me with keys to a locked car, empty gas tanks and such. I rememinded her that that had not happend more than twice, and if I had left my gym clothes behind, I new better than to call my mother. Because there is NO WAY she would have brought them to me. She chuckled, but the seeds were sewn.

Bean

Doesn't she look sweet? Don't let her fool you. ;) She's acutally a lovely girl. I'm very proud of her most of the time. Sometimes, when she spills cat water across my dining room and leaves it like fairies are coming to clean it up, I'm not as proud. But hey, she came by her lack of cleaning skills through DNA. Mine. My mom...neat freak, obviously, I was adopted.

So, if you are a seasoned mom, you know that "Wow, I've gone back to school!" feeling when your kids ask for help with homework. And by help, I mean that you have to read the whole book to figure out what the heck they are supposed to be doing. Last year I had a ton of "help me with history" which really meant, "read this and tell me the answers". Um. No. This year, we have some forced reading, but everything else seems manageable. BlingBling has lots of work this year. All the normal math, spelling, history, reading...and she's added an instrument, flute. Its become our family instrument. Thank you, Cousin Donna, all those years ago for making me want to be smart and competent like you. Now my daughters are following in my footsteps. At least two of them so far.

Snickerdoodle & BlingBling

So, I think Bling may have switched horses, even if she just started flute in June. On Saturday, we went to this:

Flags on parade

And we saw some of this...

DSC_0241

.........which was cool, but she followed the drum majors more than the musicians. Which is just fine. I am just more than curious how this will unfold.

Anyhow, that's my excuse. And I'm stickin' to it. Life should get back to pretty dull here soon. Auditions will be over, uniforms have been fitted, ordered, arrived, and now its time for Halloween. In the meantime, its getting cooler and the warmer clothing must come out. Its that crazy time of year.

Hmmm I wonder...

2010-08-15T13:43:00.000-06:00

After a whirlwind trip to California, to see my folks, visit with my brother & his wife, and hit Disneyland, I am feeling like I can't catch up. Granted, we came back home to the last two nights of VBS, the two messiest nights. It went smoothly, as there were less kids by then, but still....Ok so I'm complaining. :D

I guess I'm just ready for summer to be complete and the relative "normalcy" of the school year to begin. Not that this has been a bad summer, its just time. Time for projects, naps, shopping without kids, and hour that stays clean most of the day.

Today we went to the mall for a few school items. Clothes. My oldest daughter is a chip off the old block and hates trying on clothing as much as I do. She and I are starting the C25K again (For me, first time for her) tomorrow morning. I'm also starting Weight Watchers. Online. I don't need anymore outings. If I need the meetings I'll sign up for those and pay the fee. I'm about to ask my friend Alex to take me on a tour of her gym too. She offtered before my vacation, but I just wasn't there yet. While I feel ok, I can't stand pictures of myself and realizing that I"m still a young (relatively) woman who looks like THAT!

I also don't like that I've never gotten a real handle on this thing called body image and weight. I can raise three girls, take care of two cats and a dog, get dinner on the table, make sure everyone is where they need to be, but I can't get control of my weight? I can dispatch emergency vehicles, talk to panicked callers, but I can't control my weight? WTH!? I'm frustrated, can you hear it?

Ok so tomorrow. Tomorrow is my day. I'm gonna go find my sports bra.

Is this not fantabulous?

2010-07-24T06:42:00.000-06:00

house quilt top, originally uploaded by crazymomquilts.

Ok...this has two things going for it at least....

First: its a quilt.
Second: its got houses on it!

And now I want to make one. Sheesh....Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts is amazing. I've learned so much from her blog. You should visit, really.

This is what memory loss looks like.

2010-07-23T07:50:00.000-06:00

And let me just tell you. I hate it. These are swaps. Completed swaps that I have had in my bag. Some since February. And...I found them in April apparently, because I put them all together. Gosh, I have got to figure this out. I had NO IDEA they were there. I marked them out of my book as completed. Then completely spaced mailing them. My mojo has been kinda absent, so I didn't get into my totes at all. Ugh...sorry ladies. I'm glad most of you are so forgiving.

At any rate, my quilting group has been coming right along. We just finished my friend, Sue's prayer quilt. Sue had some cancer taken off her leg that had waited WAY too long, due to the extreme health concerns of her husband, who, (Praise God!) has a new heart machine and looks GREAT! I'm so thankful, as they are both inspirations in faith. Now we just got Sue better, but had already started her this quilt. It is made entirely from the stash in the quilting closet. I'm happy to report that some of this quilt makes me so happy. It was from my personal stash and about 15 years old. The back was a piece I got to make a spring dress from. :D

And this is the Busy Hands ladies. That's me, the pup. I like this group. They make me feel youthful. I need some color. :D

See this face?

2010-07-13T13:27:00.000-06:00

This is the face of a killer. Right now, he is meowing mercilessly at me from the hallway.

But, he's in lockdown. You see, this face wants birds. And mice.

And I do NOT want mice, or birds for that matter.I especially do not want them in the house. And I'm a little tired of rescuing them to Kleenex boxes.

Birdies, hear my words. Do not nest in the tree across the street. There is a killer about. He thinks you are better than balls with bells and sticks with strings. Yet, every year you persist. We try to help you out, but there is only so much we can do. And we are not the only killer owners. There are stray killers, and other outside killers. I'm not even certain that squirrels like you that much.

A Day in Pictures, part two

2010-06-26T09:48:00.000-06:00

And I'm back.

So after some serious Facebook poking, and getting angry with my tween, I'm back to share just a portion of what is going on today in La Casa Dawson.

Don't be jealous.

I know. Its a thrill a minute.

See that towel on top? (yeah, I'm a little ADD, just go with it.) It was this beautiful aqua Nautica towel. I got it on sale or with a coupon or something because the color was just lovely. I got one and was gradually going to purchase more. I'm SO glad I did not. See the pukey color it is now!? I just washed it like I wash all my other (Costco) towels who still look nice, even in their tattered states. I am seriously consider going to all white towels. How easy it would be to just throw them all in with some bleach and come out looking great and spa-like.

Stay tuned. More white-knuckle house cleaning and maintenance to come!

A Day in Pictures

2010-06-26T05:44:00.000-06:00

Sooooo....yesterday was quite a day. It had some really nice fun moments, but then kinda went south.

First, we just had the normal band practice. But it was at a different locations, a few minutes further away. Then we had to have something "animal print" to wear. I needed to make dinner. And I went on a small shopping trip with my friend. I got a great broomstick skirt for under $10, and a pair of white shoes for next year (for one of my girls) $5, and a Christmas gift (pair of boots, also girls) for $14! Score! And my friend, and fellow band mom, gave me a bag of outgrown clothing for my youngest. Score again! Snickerdoodle is thrilled, and wants to wear everything in one day.

So....took kids to the pool, ran for quick stop for groceries, locked keys in the house on the return. Someone didn't put the spare back, and I was due to pick up kids at the pool. Hubs ran by, opened the garage door, I ran to get kids, came home, sewed headbands, let them snack/shower, and loaded up to the concert.

After concert....dinner, and home. Home to find my fridge had been left open for four hours! UGH. What a day!

So...if you are still reading, I wasn't really shocked to find today starting out with this little fellow. Louie decided to leave us a gift. He's so thoughtful.

As you can see, our visitor, Toby, is very curious. And excited about the camera. He barked at me a lot.

I dunno why animal eyes always look like this. Crazy possessed aliens. But really they are just pets.

So, I stepped outside, on my errand to Home Depot. To this bit of loveliness. Sometimes, I think God just says, "Hey you! Smile!" So I did.

Ok. finally at my destination.

And left with this. I got chalkboard paint, a spare piece of drywall for the the "board" part, paint for my dining room light fixture, river rocks for my garden, solar lights for my flower garden, bug bite stuff for camp, insect spray for my front door area, and Shout for my laundry stains. Now I need to get to work. And so do my girlies.

More of my truly exciting (to me, because I have no where to go!) day to come. I'm wearing my camera today!

I'm on a roll....a neckroll.

2010-06-25T05:06:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I know that's not EXACTLY a neckroll. But it was as close as I could come, and frankly, I"m not comfy sewing circles on the ends of anything yet. I'll get there, because I really do want a neckroll. For my neck.

Anywhooooo....I made these mostly for an "I'm a poop" gift for my sister in law. You see, we've had a busy summer so far, and this week its coming to a head. Summer band is over TODAY, with a concert, and there have been extra practices and such, and the weather just got scorching, so there's been extra whining and swimming; for my sanity. My sanity is important.

Throw into the middle of that, some birthdays. Well, I neglected to call one birthday girl, not realizing that it was extremely important to her to be called ON THE DAY. Now, I don't get that at all, but whatever. She was so upset, she did not act like a grown up, and to ME I don't really care, but to my 12 y/o, it matters immensely. So after a long talk about how grown ups should behave, we (I) decided to mend the fence by providing a gift. We never have exchanged gifts. She doesn't call me on my birthday, so...ya know its a quandry for me. But, I'm trying to keep the peace. So I sew.

At any rate, this is another knock off of my last post. Thank you again, Allison of Cluck Cluck Sew! And my friend Nej, who is a non-blogger, for the push. All fabric is Joann's ( I know, because I cut off the selvages for my selvage quilt stash!). I think next time I will piece the long pillow, to give it a contrasting stripe at the top and bottom, but in the interest of time, and my brain being in the Bahamas, I just went with what I could fathom. My girls picked this fabric assuring me that its the colors of my sister in law's bedroom, and that she likes girly things. I sure hope she likes them. If not, watch for them at Goodwill. (Seriously, would not offend me, SOMEONE will love them!)

Look what I made today!

2010-06-21T13:53:00.000-06:00

Gosh, sometimes its just fun to be creative. I've been pondering this pillow for at least a month. Ask anyone who talks to me regularly. But as I made sewing discoveries, it got less and less intimidating, and I already had the felt. (See poodle skirts). Bling is so happy! :D

Luckily this tutorial at Cluck Cluck Sew, was the spark for me. And the directions are good. Just realize that when you are finishing the back side, you need to finish the long sides of the two short pieces, not the short sides.

I made this pillow to match Bling's quilt. Now that I found the proper free motion foot for my machine, I've decided to practice up and do that on her quilt. I'm nervous, but I'll get it eventually. I made this pillow in about five hours; probably could have done it faster, but its summer and the monsters are about.

Anyhow, happy creating! And...don't for get to jump in with both feet!

Life reflections and sneezing.

2010-06-20T13:20:00.000-06:00

The allergy season. Its killing me. My daughter just said, "Mom, you don't look good." Yeah, after I just got up from an hour nap, I still don't look good? Not a good sign.

I've slept fitfully for two nights. I don't know why I was so stressed out about making table decor for only three tables at the Father's Day Breakfast at church. I've done table decor. I've been to breakfasts at church. I know its low stress. But I had to stress...had to wow, I guess. But I wasn't wowed. I dreamed of lists, not my own. And of tire siping. Don't ask.

It rained and I wanted to feel better and paint a chair, or some lamps. My husband let me off the hook for Father's Day dinner, since we have 87,000 leftovers and have gone to lunch with our Pastors' families and a wonderful speaker and his wife. We have leftovers from that too. So my mind drifted to paint, and making my home my own instead of just walls.

What I find interesting is that when we moved in, we nested. We waiting for our baby to come by painting our walls a lovely moss green. I loved it. I had dreamed of a moss green and plum front room in my tiny apartment. And here, my new husband and soon to be father was making that come true. Then, we lived with that decision for twelve years. We got a new couch and new carpet, but the walls and general decor remained the same.

Finally, my children do not need my every waking moment. Finally, they can get themselves a bowl of cereal, or one can even make macaroni and cheese, or brownies. They can all do homework while I work in the kitchen, and I, can finally have a complete thought. Most of the time.

God had been good to me. Keeping me out of trouble and giving me the people in my life when I needed them most. I've always seen His hand in my life. I might not have been the most willing of his sheep, but He didn't give up.

And now, twelve years into this new life of dishes, homework, laundry and shuttling I am able to bless my family by making their world, home, and life a little more pleasant. I envy those young women in some ways, their homes are clean; no stepping on legos or earrings in the night. No nightly wakings to tell you that their dad's snoring is too loud, when you've already moved to the couch for just such a reason. But they don't yet have what I do. I have heads on my shoulders during church, I have snugly nap times after church. I have budding musicians, artists and authors. And I want to make them all happy. Its time. Time to focus on this life with out the blur that was early motherhood.

My poor hubs. He's not good with change. As are most of the men in my life. He won't like it when I do this

to our bedroom. Or when I take apart our daughters' beds while they are at camp. He won't like it when I use the air compressor, or call with questions. He's busy. I get it, and its change. No change for him, one year. I've already made him paint our great room wall red. What more could I want!? And I'm completely OK with change and transitional phases. Completely OK with lazy days of nothing, like today. He doesn't even want to me to paint this fifty year old rocking chair! (Won't it be great!?!?!)

And it has started to thunder again, so my dreams of starting any of this today are yet again dashed. Dashed against the rocks of summer storms and sinus headaches. hehe...dramatic much?

Just another day in paradise....

2010-06-08T10:43:00.000-06:00

Well, we've started. Started with our "fun" summer activities. Bean and Bling-Bling have started the summer band program in our area. Its for continuing musicians and prospective musicians that have completed the fourth grade. The older musicians can try out other instruments for one price, its a wonderful program that I hope doesn't get cut in all the budget cuts we are facing. This year, Bling-Bling is trying out the family tradition of flute. Bean, already a flautist, is in the Advanced and Intermediate bands (they need filler musicians in Intermediate), and is trying out the French Horn in Beginning Band. Its very pretty. I can't wait to see her perform on the 24th. Band is only a month long in the summer, so it moves fast. Bling is tickled and its soooo great to see her wanting to be involved in something that could fill her life more than clothes, shoes and hair. (Yeah, I'm not a proper girl.)

We haven't been able to go to the public pool because its been raining off and on for a few weeks. It will be warm enough soon and we will make good use of our Family Swim Pass. My girls are finally old enough, and responsible enough to each other to go on their own and I don't have to sit out there an fry like I have in years in the past. My age spots are not so happy with sun. I am really only comfortable at one of our area pools, because it has very little temptation to leave the pool area. Its not pretty to go outside, and all the good stuff is inside!

Today we started putting a few things in our "garden". Snickerdoodle started tomatoes and carrots (her favorite food ever) from seed, and we've been nurturing them into their own for a few weeks. Then we had a pounding rain storm for a week (um yeah, a tornado, but they say it isn't - so let's just say some mysterious force that resembled a lot of wind and rain ripped some 18 inch diameter trees from the ground, and tore someone's roof off), and end of school activities, and finally, they are in the ground. We are not big gardeners here, so this is our little garden area. We've composted this so it should be good and ready. I'm trying to get rid of the dog house, since our dog never uses it....but its proven to be a challenge. I so do not want to lose our efforts this year. We will be on vacation for one week (two weeks for us girls, one for the hubs) and last year, our tomatoes did not make it (but my dad had a stroke and he's much more loving than tomatoes!).

Soon it will be time for camp and there are many projects to accomplish during that week! I hope to paint rooms and furniture while my husband slaves away at work, and all three of my girls go to camp! WOO HOO...MOMMY PARTY! :D Sad and no-life like....ya know?

I've been trying to watch blogs for ideas about how to decorate the area above my kitchen shelving. Since painting our walls a lovely red, our oak cabinets (ala 1989) aren't bothering me as badly, so I can live with them through another season (or kill off my husband by working him to death) until we can paint them and add some crown molding according to my evil plan of updating our home. You know how it is, you have babies, they consume your every waking moment until they get opinions and have quasi-lives, and then you have to entertain yourself. This is my way of entertaining myself. It used to be paper, because then I could buy it, take it home, and use it whenever I wanted (nap time), but now...now I can shop, or paint, or nap while the kids are off doing other things. Its GRAND!

This is what I found today at St. Vincent's Thrift Shop. I have about 87,000 projects waiting for paint now. But this tray, four bucks, waiting for vinyl. And the fabric, I think is vintage...soo soft, cute...$1. Wall hanger thingy, four bucks! The pedestal, I have been looking, and looking...and looking for one, this one is soooo heavy/sturdy...four bucks! I'm stoked. I can't wait to fix her up! I haven't shown you guys my bookshelves that my parents gifted us for Christmas, but she will be grand in there.

So.....stand by, because tomorrow I will have the vinyl urge bad. I would have had it today, but my kids maters had to go in the ground. (Along with a hydrangea, african daisies and some other freeway daisy type stuff, and petunias.) So today, I will clean and fold laundry, eat hot dogs and wait for the rain tomorrow. :D

Its the most anticipated day of the year, next to Christmas.

2010-06-04T03:46:00.000-06:00

Good morning faithful random reader!

Today is a mixture of pain and joy for most stay at home moms. (Unless you live in Meridian. tee hee) Last day of school. Particularly, interesting is how I feel about my sixth grader going to junior high next year. While, on one hand, I'm very excited for her; jr. high was the start of most things wonderful in my life, like boys music, and a social life, my baby is growing up way too fast. Technically, in three years she could take driver's education! That scares the living daylights out of me for the rest of the world. Tee hee. I'm sure I'll be melancholy about that stage too. Driving is a whole new independence.

At any rate, I had a bunch of teachers to make gifts for this year. She, and her sisters, had so many wonderful people in their lives, in addition to their regular homeroom teachers. Music teachers mostly, because that is our niche. I made FOUR of my seven gifts for music teachers.

Let me share with you yesterday's creative adventure:

Here is my inspiration: Cutie Patootie Canisters

I love this idea and hope I can get it to come out with a little more tweeking.

Let me just tell you right now that that cool chalkboard paint does not stick to glass. I was just hoping I guess, I should have known better. And, if you use your vinyl as a mask, it will peel right off along with it. UNLESS YOU PRIME FIRST. Please be kind, prime.

So here's what I ended up with instead!

And here is a close up of the lids...

I purchased these at our local Fred Meyer, and I had been eye-balling them for this idea for months. So to my surprise, I went in, and they were on CLEARANCE! SCORE!!!

The tag says: "As a teacher, you TOWER above the rest", and I used a stamp I've had forever and a day, and I love it. Cut the tags with my Silhouette die cutter. :D

And with that, I wish every mommy a happy last day of school, homework, and report cards, at least for 2.5 months. And if yours has not yet happened...HANG IN THERE! XOXOXOX

I like making crazy stuff.

2010-06-02T06:34:00.000-06:00

Cat applique, originally uploaded by scrappysandi.

hehe....this is old, but I'm feeling "odd" today. It was inspired by that SU stamp set over there on the right, and it went on a poodle skirt.

....I must luv punishment! :D

2010-05-31T13:28:00.000-06:00

Ok so, I have no pictures for you, dear .33 reader(s), only tales of my growing frustration.

As much as I like dragging my little White 1740 machine to quilting group, because its light, I'm COMPLETELY frustrated with its intolerance of my free motion foot and feed dog cover. The tension is all wonky now. Its been great for regular sewing and piecing. I won't get rid of the thing, but I'm dying for my husband to help me uncover my 1970's-80's Kenmore I got from my parents. Unfortunately, I ditched my sewing for other hobbies boys and never learned anything about my machine, other than to sew a few pillows for my Barbies. I must have been about 10-12, based on the playing with Barbies....that would make it a 1970's machine.

I'm so tense now my eye is twitching.

This is the machine I'm trying to use. It has a super small throat, and there is a definite need for quilting gloves. I can see how you can only do this for a short time....and with a better chair.

So now I'm on the hunt for a solution to my tension problem, thread barf is not pretty, and when it does work its completely wonky and loose on the back side.

Is it this? Or is this machine just not built for what I'm doing. Its only doll quilts. I am SO glad I didn't practice on anything important!

I guess I'll just practice putting on bindings on my poorly quilted doll quilts. Good thing dolls don't mind!

Its 6 a.m.

2010-05-29T00:28:00.000-06:00

....and I'm up, after a long night of 12 y/o girl sleepovers. My hubs is snoring, so I had to get up. I could not get him to roll over. So I snuck out into the "sleeping area" and made a cup of coffee. Soon I will have to start breakfast for the hungry mob, so I need my joe.

Already my mind is on finishing projects. But in all honesty, I need to clean my bedroom. The rest of the house has been polished and shined for company, but its our bedroom that suffers. Specifically our closet.Ick. So when the birthday girl recovers from her party, she can help with the mess (ah, a lesson in the making about why we don't have parties more often), and I can purge my closet. Its supposed to rain, and if I get done....I might play with fabric!

I've already pieced BlingBling's top, as mentioned in my last post. So I wanted to share this with my .33 readers. :D

And there she is. My planning wasn't so fabo. But I kind of like it that way. Is that weird? This is an almost twin sized quilt, for the top bunk of a bunk bed. Now I'm debating appliqueing a bright colored flower on top. Lime? Red? Hot pink? I just think it needs something. but maybe a patterned or stripped binding would do the trick on its own. Who knows. I really love this patten.

So if you have any luck in your pockets...wish that I have a productive day with no fighting between siblings who haven't slept enough...:D

Opinions please!

2010-05-10T07:32:00.000-06:00

Ok so I'm not an experienced quilter. I have been going to our churches' quilting group for about 9 months now. We completed a few, and have some ladies who are experienced quilters sharing their knowledge. I also have a friend or three who's brains I pick, or their mom's. (Wink!)

Since fabric is such a close relative of scrapbooking paper, of course, I love it! And, even I can sew a straight line. And I must add that using my sewing machine, and learning about caring for it, has given me a great satisfaction. I used to only use it for Halloween costumes, and mending stuff for relatives. Now I'm going to get busy decorating my home. Just an extension of the painted front room that I still haven't shown anyone. Only because we haven't hung up our mirror and pictures, and its kind of random still. I am going to see if my hubs will hang the mirror tonight. I'm ready to continue on.

Since its raining today, I thought I'd do laundry and play with my fabric. I finally decided upon the Stacked Coins pattern, (here, and here). Also I'm going to put a stripped border and a polka dot background. I might even do pink polka dots, since this is going to end up on Bling-Bling's bed. Its time for her room to not look like a nursery! :D

So....do you like this arrangement? did I spread out the darks enough? do I need more? I'm not sure about that fabric on the left end. What do you think?

I'm No Saint.

2010-04-13T03:32:00.000-06:00

Shocking, I know.

But now and then, I do use some common sense.

So, today for "Gratituesday" (my first time ever posting for this), I'm going to tell you about my morning, and how God turned it around to make me grateful.

5:00 a.m. Yawn. I can't get comfortable. Had a dream about being stuck in a tornado about a mile from home. With my kids at home...and I can't get back to them, because suddenly my van is gone and I'm on foot, trying to get a taxi. (?) (We don't even have tornadoes in Idaho)

5:01-7:29 a.m. Asleep, awake. Asleep, awake.

7:30 a.m. "Mom! I have choir at 8!!!" Groan.

7:40 a.m. Dressed, teeth even brushed, and out the door.

7:53 a.m. "Bye kiddo. Have a good day!" kiss. kiss.

8:00 a.m. COFFEE!

8:10 a.m. Home again to get the other two girls.

8:15 a.m. Off to school again.

8:23 a.m. Followed down the main road by crazy mom driver so close to me that I thought she was going to hit me SEVERAL times.

8:25 a.m. Stopped to turn left into the school. I skitter into the driveway before a slow moving car...but not far enough away for HER to fit too....yet, SHE DOES...so close to me, I throw up my hands in the air, giving the "what's up?" motion.

8:27 a.m. "Bye girls. Have a good day!" kiss. kiss.

8:28 a.m. Oops, Bling-bling remembers to have her agenda signed. Ok. Other mom (who parked right behind me...so close she had to back up to get out of the line of cars) Flies by me and all the other lined up cars...so fast the school ladies say "She can't drive that fast in here!" And then I say, "Yeah, she scared me about 3 times in the last five minutes." .....apparently she's been warned numerous times, I hear them say.

8:30 a.m. I contemplate what I should do about this blatant disregard for her own kids' lives, my kids' lives, and all the lives of the kids crossing the parking lot this fine morning. I vow to look up the police non-emergency number and see what I can do.

9:00 a.m. Calm again, and thanking God for protecting us all. Even the woman. How good would it be for anyone to be injured? Kids hurt; bad. Moms hurt; bad. God is good. All the time.

Thank you, Lord for giving me this life.

_____________________

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Win a Wellness Mat!

2010-04-06T02:58:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm trying to win this mat. For my hubby, for father's day. Wouldn't it be great for his sore, bad, flat feet? Thank you, Judi for linking me to this blog! :D

Post here to enter to win!

http://wishingpenny.blogspot.com/2010/04/wellness-mat-3x2-mat-giveaway-ends-416.html

So...I'm redecorating my front room.

2010-01-19T13:58:00.000-07:00

Let me clarify. WE are redecorating my front room. My husband is doing all the cutting in and painting. I am picking the colors, most of the furniture, and generally keeping our house running. I am also his gopher. I'm going to share what it looks like before (aka right now) and then after. If you've ever been to my house in the last 12 years, you know that I've had this lovely Ralph Lauren green on the walls. But I'm over it, and if it wasn't for my angel-parents, we wouldn't have touched it at this time. They were so lovingly generous and gave us money to purchase new living room furniture for Christmas. After much shopping around I finally picked this one: (It has fabo light colored stitching that adds to its yumminess, and we are not getting the chaise.) We got four recliners in it, so hopefully there will not be any rounds of "don't touch me!" We also got a great solid wood bookshelf, that reminds me of the Ikea cube style you see in everyone's scraprooms, but its tall, 4 cubes call and just two wide. I'd show you, but I can't find it online. Its a lovely heavy solid wood. You'll just have to wait! neener, neener!

Now....let me share with you my 12 year old painted walls. Sorry I had to deprive you of the kitchen ceiling that had the cat food explosion on it. I know you are going to be up nights wishing you had seen it. In these pics we already painted the kitchen ceiling...and are working on a plan for that ugly light fixture. But it works oh-so-well at spreading the light around our kitchen. And my husband...BBQ competitor...he must have his light. The color on the ceiling is SW Biscuit. Almost white. Please ignore all our stuff. We're painting and living here, folks!

Hey, aren't those checks great? (cough, choke, cough, cough). I've lived with them not matching ANYTHING for over a year. They were a lovely gift from my husband and used to match a valance in there. You can see I've changed the valance to what I had hoped would match my paint LONNNNG before this day. Oh, and you can also see where I tested paint colors. Lived with that for a year too. Yeah, that's how we roll. We are painting this the red sample you see up there next to my cabinets. Its SW Red Bay. I think it will be great. I hope it will be great.

Next is part of my living room. The wall above (kitchen) is a part of a huge wall that goes into a vaulted ceiling in my great room (aka dining area and living room, all together). We have light oak laminate in the dining and kitchen, and a lovely cream w/peppery flaked carpet in the living room. (Well, it will be lovely again after next weeks cleaning.)

This is the opposite wall from the big wall. My hallway you see there goes to the living room. My lovely friend (and apparent partner in crime) painted the hallway over the summer. Its sooooo much better than the white (aka the white that would not longer come clean). Next to the hall is THE GREEN. Two shades and then one wall ragged off. It really is lovely. and the ragged off wall might stay.It is where my picture wall is. This could change, but I think pictures might look nice over the new sectional. I have an awesome fall colored wreath as well. I'll have to get the consensus when I'm putting it all back together. The best part!!! The peak will be SW Ligonier Tan, and possibly the next area (door/entry) as well.

My front door. You can see my two long windows. When we moved in this house, I was soooo pregnant, and sooo sick. We rented this house first, and then couldn't find anything we liked better. Hind-sight! LOL...we were only "planning" one kid. Um...now I have three? Someone needs to explain it to me, I think. ;) So we put up two pieces of a shower curtain that we cut in half after we: a) purchased this house, and b) painted this room. It was ok, I had a sage green, plum, and linen thing going on. I've since moved on. Don't hate me.

Ok so, except for the ginormous wall, there you have it. I'll try to snap a pic of the big wall tomorrow, the light that direction was really screwy so I didn't continue trying...I had to run out to my quilting group.

Wish us ease of painting. My husband is out there vacuuming up his sanding dust right now...we had to patch a little. I won't tell you that he fell through the sheet rock on the top of that plant shelf next to my hallway. Nope...won't even mention it. :D

Stay tuned for the reveal!

Where does the summer go?

2009-08-25T05:20:00.000-06:00

Wow....over a month since I blogged! Amazing how the summer is flying by.

I guess its to be expected, since it was so full of:
-Summer camps
-Summer band
-family health emergencies
and
-BBQ Competitions.

My family is completely exhausted from all the activity. We hustled down to CA to see my Dad. He suffered a stroke at the end of July. Lots of worry about him. But the Lord saw fit to let us have Dad for awhile longer, and he is doing remarkably well.

My Dad...he really is amazing. He has such a drive. So it had been like 10 days since his stroke...and his physical abilities and his speaking...all back. The problem he is having is the relationships between words. For instance, he knows who my girls are, but not which name goes with which kid. He knows that pillows and towels are linens, but confuses the two. But there he was...10 days post-stroke, and he's in there studying the map of the western United States. He wanted to remember Idaho, because its where we are from! He's the best. The speech therapist said he was about 50% back and it will just take more time. I love this man!

We stopped in Bishop, CA to see my Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Leroy. My aunt is sick with ovarian cancer, which they now tell us is in remission. She has gained 8 lbs. and is still such an upbeat lady. We hadn't seen them in a few years, all our own doing....we should have stopped more. My kids love seeing their bird fly around the house, and they have a cool little stream next to their house. My cousin, Donna, their daughter lives across the street and its always fun to see the woman who is the reason I play music, and subsequently my daughter plays too. We didn't stay too long, we still had 3 hours ahead to drive to our hotel room. But it sure was good to see Aunt Phyllis making progress...she looks good, and our prayers will continue for her.

So, we get home from nine days on the road. Four days of rest, and its time to compete at the Western Idaho State Fair. While it was great to be so close to home....it was still exhausting. BBQDude took Reserve Grand Champion, making all the work worthwhile. We did have a sweet spot on the grounds, and got in for free. My two youngest girls got to ride their first round ever of carnival rides. Scary! (My oldest was camping and horseback riding with her aunt in Warm Lake.) We had a really good time, and got some yummy BBQ and fair food. Good times.

Now its time to get back to school, on Monday. We had a really fun summer, despite my Dad's stroke. It was great to see my family. We got lots of swimming and other activities in, even cutting back like we did. All the school shopping is done, and packed, and its time to get back to my meal planning, so I don't waste food/money in that area.

Yesterday I made one of my favorite restaurant soups, it came out pretty good! Here is the recipe:
Greek Lemon Chicken Soup. And these delicious rolls. The family gave it the "make again" seal of approval. John said it needed more seasoning (not a shock!)

So I guess I'm back on the bandwagon of getting life back on schedule. I like having a plan. It may not be everyone's ideal plan...but it works for us!

Its Menu Plan Monday....again!

2009-07-13T11:45:00.000-06:00

Why do these Monday's keep coming? :D

Thank you OrgJunkie!

Well, I'm back at it...summer threw me off track, but I'm still working on my 30 meals, and menu planning is a great way to get that done.
Its summer, so there's more meals to plan....
So, let's just start with tonight:

MONDAY:
B: Homemade Cinnamon Rolls (yes, I made them)
L: Corndogs and tots
D: Spaghetti, and cheese bread (thank you! looks great!) with a salad if the lettuce is still good!
Snack: popcorn

TUESDAY:
B: Baked Oatmeal with peaches
L: PBJ - a stand by for us.
D: California Chicken Burgers and Tomato Avocado Mozzarella Salad
Snack: Summer sausage and cheese, cantelope, raspberries

WEDNESDAY:
B: more Baked oatmeal!
L: Mac & Cheese with hotdogs, veggies & dip
D: Mesquite Turkey or Black Forrest Ham w/havarti, lettuce, tomato, and avocado sandwiches. I might try my hand at homemade potato salad too, since I never have. oooh, how embarrassing to admit! I have a recipe from a good friend...I'll let ya know how it goes and then post it!
Snack: Guacamole, chips & salsa, more cantelope

THURSDAY:
B: cereal! or maybe eggs. I dunno.
L: Grilled cheese on homemade bread, veggies & dip
Hot dogs with BBQ Dude's spicy relish, and more of my potato salad, fresh fruit plate.
Snack: Peanut butter & Crackers, cantelope, blueberries

FRIDAY: Leftover Lovin'! My favorite! We just kinda munch on what's left.

SATURDAY: I don't have to cook! wahoo! I'm going scrapping, and the place is feeding me dinner.

SUNDAY: Usually BBQdude has something up his sleeve, so I'm only on duty for lunch, proably more of the ham/turkey sandwiches.

Once there was a chair....

2009-07-07T09:36:00.000-06:00

..and it looked like this:

(This is actually WORSE than when I started it. This is after working it over with a wire brush.)

It had a bad leg. Poor nine year old chair!

So one day, it got painted with primer. Like this:

and someone fixed her leg!

Thats ROPE! Looks pretty good, eh?

And at the end of the day, she looked like this. And it was good.

Thank you to BBQDude for completing this project for me. He really took fixing it to heart and had it done in one day. All of it done with spray paint from HD's dollar selection! Preliminary cost: $4.00!!! Now its up to me to find/make the cushion. I'm thinking something with contrast to the black (and I have a red door). Nothing tropical. More classic. Not too bad for something we already had, eh?

Do I Have A New Hobby?

2009-06-27T10:19:00.000-06:00

, originally uploaded by scrappysandi.

Ok, seriously. I've burnt myself out on paper. Or maybe its just I'm already burnt out on summer. You'd think it would be less stressful. There's no homework to do, keep track of, or ensure gets turned in. I don't have to do flash cards (although, I am), we rarely keep track of reading minutes (we just aren't into it this year), and I don't have to make sure everyone has lunch money. I just can't decided if I only like to play with paper during quiet, relaxing times, or if I am just generally burnt out on it and ready to move on. I think I'm going to finish my swaps, and then just see.

Currently, I've been hard at work on improving my home. All my kids are in school, and it took me some time to bask in that and have it sink in. I played with a lot of paper. I've wanted to get my van back in the garage for three years. Finally, with the help of some really fantastic friends, we got it done. (BBQGuy wouldn't let us touch his "side" but that's ok; we'll get to that later.) My house had not been touched in about 9 years. And by touched I mean, painted and decorated. I was busy with babies and toddlers. I'm sure you are aware of their antics...and then the girl drama that comes with 4th grade. We've had a low drama summer so far, so I'm ready to tackle something bigger...make this house a home and adopt that "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful" mentality.

I've done a little everyday. First, I had to get all the camp and BBQ stuff washed up and put back into rotation. Then, I went through all the Spring/Summer clothing in the garage and closets, and repacked the Fall/Winter. I've used my "new to me" bread machine that my friend, Frank, got me because mine broke (aka I let the paddle rust). I made pizza dough for my dinner and my freezer. Right now, I'm making bread.

After stalking all those blogs I posted a few days back, I even went and got paint samples. I'm soooo ready. But the best part of my blog stalking was heading to the Idaho Youth Ranch and Goodwill. This is a picture of my treasures. I got the clothers dryer for $2.50. I've wanted another one ever since I moved to Idaho, twelve years ago. When my dad helped me move here, and out of my apartment, some of my things stayed home with Mom and Dad. The dryer was one of them. I got the cute little chair for $8, someone already painted and recovered it. I'm not sure if its going in my kids' playhouse or just out on the patio. I need to hot glue the cushion down, and that's about it. My most excellent find was the light fixture. Also $8, and will replace the uglier than ugly fixture in my bathroom. I am very sure that some of you know the current fixture...its the standard builder installed fixture, and ugly crystal dome. I.CANNOT.WAIT.FOR.IT.TO.DISAPPEAR. But...I must paint first. I'm pretty sure this is the fixture I found. Woo hoo!

So, I decided to take on two small projects first. First the hall in my house, its full of dirty marks on the walls from dirty little hands. That is what I'm going to paint first. In Tobacco Road, mixed by Sherwin William. I like SW...they give BBQDude's former employer discounts. So, we still have a SW discount card. I didn't use it this time, but I will next time. And then, my master bath. Its just ugly. No one ever sees it but me and BBQDude, so if I screw it up big, I can always have him help me (or bail me out). I'm planning on painting it the SW color called Drizzle. It looks kinda water like and then use some brown and white spa-like accents. I have a rug, and some cool tins in the blue "drizzle" color I got on clearance. (Please don't ask me how long I've had them.) two years. Yes, I know. I'm a procrastinator. Yes, I am. But I will not be forever and always. I get worn out and tired, but eventually, I will get things going. As my health has improved since August, I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm going to write out some small goals that will lead me to my larger one, of a lived in, and loved, home;

1. Stage the above kitchen cabinet shelves. John cleaned them over spring break, so I should probably make them look nice.

2. Sand and repaint the antique rocking chair.

3. Paint, stage and make curtain for the laundry room. Everyone walks through there to the garage, it would be nice if it looked like part of the house and not just storage. My SIL, Deanna, did it, and I LOVE it. She has the same pass-through laundry room as we do, but her's leads to her backdoor and master suite.

4. Make curtain for the shared girls' room closet, and paint. I recently gutted it of all unloved toys (took pictures for the kids), washed the walls, and moved the furniture around. Its still got too much stuff, but I think with one addition of this (in white, not green!) and the canvas drawers, I may be able to get rid of even more kid stuff. I might even get Snickerdoodle a reading lamp at Goodwill or the D.I.

Those are my immediate small goals. Eventually I want to talk about my larger ones, but right now they intimidate me. So I'm just going to do these and then see where I land.

Thanks for reading....and check out those blogs from the other day. They sooooo rock, those girls!

I am developing DOCD....

2009-06-22T07:39:00.000-06:00

That's Decorating OCD. (shhh...stole that phrase, from the fabulous Thrifty Chick...I think!)

Ever since the big "Clean Sweep - Garage Version" last Thursday, (thank you dear, dear friends...you know who you are!) I am totally enthralled with updating my home! But alas, I am on a tight budget, so I'm using what I have. I am just updating it.

I have found the most awesome of blogs....OK, well a few. And I want to share them with you. You know, before I run out to the I.Y.R. and Home Depot. :D

First, I was hunting for paint. Paint is cheap and a quick updater. So...on the recommendation of many, many posts...I went to The Nesting Place. I've decided on Tobacco Road, I think. Sounds like a nice warm, neutral color for us. I'm sick of the green I have had in the great room for 10 years...yes, that's right, 10 years. Now, I won't say its not lovely; it has been many an inspiration for some (aka my mom), to paint their walls a color for the first time in about 50 years! My husband...he indulged me while I was PG and we bought this...our first house. Its not our dream home, but...the payment is soooo right. So, I'm gonna make the best of it. Some of my favorite topics on this blog, besides the paint, is the easy room makeovers, the "mis-treatments", and the philosophy that "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful". What a great thought...and so me. So unperfect.

My next blogtastic find was Kelly's Korner, which is full of amazing links to the rooms of others. And also, so many fabulous crafty furniture and accessory do-dad makeover.

And another great one..320 Sycamore . This is just full of ideas on many, many levels.

But by far, my favorite....and the blog that has sucks many hours.....authored by my new hero (next to my daddy and husband)..Sarah, the Thrifty Decor Chick at Thrifty Decor Chick. Its full of thrify reuse goodness, with a dash of crafty thrown in! I AM ENTHRALLED WITH THE ENTIRE CONCEPT! I seriously feel a new sickness coming on.

I am going to take some befores and afters....just to keep it real. I'm a recovering clutterbug...there's no doubt about it. But I am making progress and it feels soooooo good!

Ok..stand by! And enjoy the blog hopping!

Merry Belated Teacher Gifts...

2009-06-17T12:53:00.000-06:00

Ok so not really late....but late posting them.

While I was away on my little happy jaunt, I had the time to finish these. I cut all the letters out at home, except for the "thanks" which Sherri so lovingly cut out for me. This fabulous idea was stolen CASE'd from my friend Heather, and you can see her version HERE.

I cut the brackets and tags too,with my Silhouette, I just forgot there for a moment...as it seems like an eternity ago! So anyhow, they were a success. Both kids and teachers liked them. And I used some of my stuff!

I got the jars at my local Fred Meyer, and they are just Anchor Hocking ones.

Well, my husband is packing it up for a BBQ competition tonight. So I have big plans to Clean Sweep my garage with a bunch of my organizing friends. I'm scared! Really! There's stuff in there from when we evacuated for the fire. I still haven't put it back. I'm in the middle of the clothing swap out for summer, so the kids are trying stuff on, except two have gone to camp!

I'm overwhelmed! I sure hope tomorrow helps.

Somtimes somthing just jogs your memory...and its a good one.

2009-06-13T00:54:00.000-06:00

So I went on a scrapbooking friends retreat a few weeks ago. Good golly, it was sooooo fun. I didn't take a SINGLE PICTURE. Not one, but I'm hoping I can snag some from someone who did. (wink, wink, you know whom you are!) I have never heard such laughing and carrying on. Its just good for the soul. My friend, Lark, she is most amazing. She cooked for us all. She LIKES it. Trust me, we tried to butt in. She has the same disease as my husband I think; food = love. Its a sad, sad tale that is best told by my behind.

At any rate....we hung out and played with paper, caught up on rest, enjoyed a summer rain storm, watched tv, listened to music...basically did whatever we wanted. The second day we went to m friend, Michele's shop, Scrappin' Girlfriends. Oh my heck....what a cute shop she has. It makes me happy to just walk in the door. Not only because Michele is so wonderful and friendly. But because her art is there...and her co-owner's art.....the art...ahhhhhhh. Inspiring. Love it all. I gotta say...God knew what he was doing when He gave her those abilities. She has put them to very, very good use.

Ok...so here's the memory jogging part.

So we're getting gas or something on my drive to the retreat. I have with me my good friends, Nej and Frank (a girl, don't get any ideas.) its hot, but not scorching so the window is down...I get out, and promptly brush the lock with my arm and lock the door. I have a flashback. Its me, mild summer day, baby BlingBling in the car. I'm getting gas. I get out, the door is locked when I go to get back in. Ok...so she was a toddler..and Snickerdoodle was the baby. I have to enlist toddler to unlock her carseat (which she's been told NEVER to do), and to unlock my door, which, she's also never done. I REALLY don't want to call the fire department, but I will, because I know its warm in there with no air. She can hardly hear me because the windows are up. Snickerdoodle is still snoozing. So I finally talk her into taking off her carseat belts...then crawling up to the front seat, then it dawns on me that the keys are still in there, and I just hope she doesn't see them, because well, you just never know. I'm telling her to push the buttons to auto unlock, but she keeps pushing the window one. So I switch her to pulling up the little knob, its too hard. Keep trying...keep trying....people are starting to notice, but no one has come to help yet...and just as someone starts walking over....she gets it! yay! All is well, and we go on our way.

Fast forward. One week. I do it AGAIN! .....she remembers how to help and its all good. LOL

Why is this a GOOD MEMORY you ask? Because....I figured out how it happened this weekend! lol
Nevermind that BlingBling is now NINE! :d Somehow, my elbow just slides across there and locks it. Its smooth and I don't really notice.

Don't you love a good mystery? Ok ok...so mommy mysteries are boring to the single-childless, and tragically hip folks....but the mommies. They'll get it.

Look what I made! A sanity saver!

2009-06-08T09:47:00.000-06:00

I have about 8 million knocks on my door a day. Ok...so that's an exaggeration...7.2 million.

This year, I have a kiddo who needs to get her math facts up to speed during the summer. And a ton of kids in our neighborhood go to daycare during the day, so they don't show up until its time for us to get to our business done (cuz my kids are NOT morning people...plus they go to Summer Band and Summer School until noon). My kids may play outside after dinner IF, and only IF,
a) chores are done for the day. (very basic room cleaning/one big chore)
b) school studies are done.
c) you don't need a bath.
That's it.
Pretty simple, but it takes awhile to get it, I guess.

So, in order to not be interrupted during our busy times...I had to act on the suggestion of a friend, aka Lark, to get the job done. I sure hope it works. Here it is!

As you can see, one side is for playtimes, one side is for work time. All letters cut on my Silhouette. Font for Stop is Lima Bean. I can't recall the other one, because I never write anything down. LOL JK...I do, just not this stuff.

Happy summer! I'll let you know how it works out!

My daughter, the comedian.

2009-06-06T10:12:00.000-06:00

Don't think good things, this was just the use of the "bubble thoughts" template she found. But I am "osum", cool, and "rokin".

But then, she drew this....of her cousin-in-law.

I am not sure, but I think his feet got blown off in the war. She asked me for a picture of a Marine, and a picture of Patrick. Of which I had about two.

As you can see, they draw all the time. Like ALL THE TIME.

And here I thought they had no talents other than coloring on my walls, eating me out of house & home, and peeing on my floor! Woo hoo!
;-) --I'm just fooling, nobody get their panties in a bunch.

Today's card.

2009-06-03T10:03:00.000-06:00

My aunt is very, very, ill...with ovarian cancer. Today I'm sending her this card. I have been sending a lot of cards to make her smile. I hope it helps. She's finished her chemo now, but has lost sooo much weight. We are all very worried....please pray for my Aunt Phyllis if you are so inclined.

Paper: Cosmo Cricket, Stamps: The Paper Company - Faith Greetings, prima flowers, brads: Lasting impressions and unknown,ink: ColorBox tools: Nestabilities.

Sometimes, I do ok.

2009-06-02T12:17:00.000-06:00

Note from BlingBling May 2009, originally uploaded by scrappysandi.

The Countdown Begins....

2009-05-18T10:50:00.000-06:00

Wow....its almost time for a one of my favorite times. Its become a recent tradition for me. And while this is only the third time we've been together like this....it feels like home! Each year, a group of fabulous chicks and I go to Hagerman, ID and spend 3 days, and two nights scrapping our heads off. Much laughter.

And with that...I give you some pics to also promote some laughter and happy memories.
And yes, I know that I'm gonna be on one particular person's doo doo list. :D

Yep....about what? 2 a.m.?

And....NOTHING to drink....we are amazingly weird for sober.

Bwahahah!

Back to Menu Plan Monday!

2009-05-04T08:00:00.000-06:00

Oh yes, I've been a naughty (noddy ;) ) girl.....just barely menu planning. Scratching it down on a piece of paper, and running to the store, briefly passing through my garage pantry to see if I already own anything on the list. So here, here I am....back to that time of year where payments on summer camp, yearbooks, and swimsuits come to frolic in my wallet. And with that, comes menu planning to save those dollars for good summer fun and some sanity for mommy.

Now, that's not to say that I've not been hitting the bargains. I don't know what is going on at our local Bert's, but they've had baskets full of goodness at the front of the store. I got disposable cameras for camp, for a buck! Some expensive conditioners....they rang up at $1.25! So I'm still watching and gathering, looking ahead.

Ok. So, my big menu for this week includes:

MONDAY: Spaghetti Carbonara, salad

TUESDAY: cheapie lunch out w/my girls, and then teriyaki grilled chicken salad w/low fat honey mustard dressing.

WEDNESDAY: the kids want tacos. I think I can do tacos.

THURSDAY: Leftover loving!

FRIDAY: We have a music program in the afternoon, so I'm thinking homemade pizza.

SATURDAY: usually the man cooks, but if there's lots of leftovers, I'll talk him into that.

SUNDAY: Isn't is MOTHER'S DAY?.....actually there is a luncheon for the moms/daughters at church, so I might be off the hook.

The weeks' lunches will be ham & cheese sandwiches on hamburger buns, or turkey hot dogs. I have a bazillion buns left and NO freezer space. I really need to clean out the freezer.

Wowzers! What a blogoversary celebration!

2009-04-24T14:02:00.000-06:00

So, I found this blog by just surfing around...lusting after cards that I like. And dang if she doesn't have the most awesome blogoversary candy to give away. All I have to do is comment and link on my bloggie!

Wow...wish me luck, cuz this could be good for some of ya....cuz I have those Anyas (sigh...my new favs), and I have some of the nesties too. And I'm all for paying it foward!

So...with that said...here's the linkie Passion for Crafts

And...I promise to update with happenings tomorrow. I've been sucked into Facebook and can't get out! But I really like blogging better.

Till then!

Its BBQ weekend....

2009-04-04T05:56:00.000-06:00

PigFaceHitchInsert, originally uploaded by scrappysandi.

So after I recover....I'll post pics from our Spring Break festivities!

I had no kids or husband last night....it was lonely, but productive!

Here's to Traditions

2009-03-18T13:25:00.000-06:00

Here it is....the 2009 St. Patrick's Day dinner. This year I took it to the next level. I made just about everything green, and I might have gone too far. This year I decided upon meatloaf and brown herbed gravy. Well, my meatloaf, kinda looks like spinach. I'm passing it off as vegan goodness. ;) And the brown gravy....yeah, kinda moss green. We had a salad (already green! Score!), and green snickerdoodles with green milk. That silly leprechaun, he even made green wee in our wee little potty!

Everything tasted fine....but one of my little misses just couldn't bring herself to eat the meatloaf. What will we do when we have meatloaf sandwiches?!!?

Chez Snickerdoodle

2009-03-13T13:58:00.000-06:00

Hungry?

Well, welcome to Chez Snickerdoodle....the bestest restaurant this side of the Owyhees!

This is what happens when the man you chose to have children with has the cooking gene. All the children love to cook. They even love to pretend to cook. We frequently have restaurants with full on menus.

This one, is by Snickerdoodle, early in the 1st grade. As you can see, she was learning to spell and write. She included some of her favorites.

Why are they on popsicle sticks you ask? Ah...this is one of the sweet mysteries of life.

UPDATE: OH! I got it! The first one is an "order of 20 chicken nuggets"! Cuz you know we frequently give her huge amount of chicken nuggets.

I think I married a junkie.

2009-03-11T03:07:00.000-06:00

Oh no....not THAT kind of junkie. A BBQing, talk radio loving, junkie. I remember saying that he would have made a good politician when we first met. He can public speak like nobody's business. At church, on the radio, on the fly...its all good. I wish I could do it. But typically I want to puke.

At any rate, things are coming together for BBQdude, and I couldn't be more proud. Yesterday he was on the LA Talk Radio podcast found HERE (click the March 10th Play/Download), with Greg Rempe. Even his parents listened (and if you know me...that's HUGE). And he's going to be featured in BBQ World magazine! I'm stoked! What a guy! I'm just so blessed to have this man in my life. He can do anything, I'm convinced. And he makes purdy kids...;)

What I've Been Up To, and Not Up To

2009-03-10T04:28:00.000-06:00

Look at these beautiful girls!

What a fun visit with had with Mrs. Cain! We went and tooled around looking at snow and driving through avalanche areas (eeeek!) Then we had a way too expensive hamburger at a brewery. We stopped at the Sun Valley Inn, and captured some of the ice and snow sculptures, amazing! Can I just say I feel so proud to be trusted with my brother's kids? Well, ok...she's now a married and living on her own (alone! DH is in Iraq) kid...but still. Now that I'm a mother, I understand the magnitude of this. Yes, call me control freak. (That's freque, to you!) ...but my kids are still on the small side and need controlling.

Now I'm trying to get her brother up here. But he's a busy social butterfly.

So, to entertain myself....I make stuff. And clean house. Sometimes.
Today, I checked one of the websites I like and got a HUGE surprise....I was chosen as a featured artist on Faith Sisters! You can see it here, if you are interested (scroll down, I'm 2marbles). I'm just shocked and honored at the same time. Thanks FS! I love your site!

So....let's see. I've also made a few things. This is one of the valentine's for teachers.

Love using my cutter. Gosh, and it only took me about 18 mos to get started....maybe 2 years.
But gosh, now that it welds, it opened up a whole new world for me.

Here's a bunny card I made for a swap. Kinda boring, but I thought I had more bunnies. This is a digi stamp from All That Scraps. I love digi stamps! Instant gratification! All I did was shade this slightly with my old, old, old Zig marker w/the brush tip. My favorite shader! My 2nd fav is the Prismacolor one in cool grey.

Let's see....OH! I made this sign for our church library. It was easy and fun. BBQdude says its too "country". Whatever! I think its classic.

And we had a bunch of music stuff going on. The Bean went to the Elementary Solo & Ensemble Music Festival. She played a solo with her music teacher. She did great!

And THEN...she had the area's Choir Festival to attend. She's one busy Bean! Currently she is studying flute, guitar, and got invited to choir at the semester break. As long as her grades remain great, I'm good! Once in awhile I have to get on her because she doesn't have time to waste, but on the whole she doesn't complain. Look at these smiling, happy, singing faces...

And soon, with three hundred kids in the gym, it turns to this.

Yep, this is my kiddo. I was under the bleachers pinching her, don't you know. I wonder if she'd be mortified to know I have this on the internets? ;) EH...who cares! I birthed her, I can take her out too!

I think she no like the mebusen!

2009-03-09T04:00:00.000-06:00

My poor girl. So tortured. So demoralized. So......sick!

My kiddo. She has bronchitis. The lady in the office at school said there's some widespread respiratory thing going around and lots of kids have been out. Mine, all three have missed school, but Snickerdoodle missed the most.

In spite of her croupy, hacking couch, she runs around like a banshee, and constantly asks how long until her sisters get home from school. What will she do if she's ever alone!?!?!

Well, she'll do what all my other children have done. She will draw pictures. Pictures of her extreme displeasure directed at the bubblegum flavored pink potion the doctor prescribed her, of course!

Now that was are few days into it....she has to remind me that it has already been seven days (its a week, finally, today), but she has a little more to finish up. But she is now a first grader with above average reading abilities...and she can read on the bottle that it says seven days. Reading...its so overrated.

Buck up, Snickerdoodle, and take your mebusen!
;)

Cards for today.

2009-03-04T06:07:00.000-07:00

I have a bunch of photos to share...from life.....but today, I'm making cards.

These are digistamps from Pink Petticoat. So fun! And instant gratification!

Here are two going out.

A Black & White Affair to Remember

2009-02-11T02:11:00.000-07:00

Look at all the new friends we made! I like them. They are quiet and do not eat much. The mostly hang around looking like this. And they don't squirm if you pick them up.

OurThreePenguins

Now THESE penguins....they DO squirm if you pick them up.
But they are lovely and mostly well behaved (in public).

This girl, she did an amazing job. Especially for someone who does not like to speak in public. She doesn't mind her family looking at her, but allllll the strangers just send her over the edge. She might clam up. But tonight she didn't. Yay! They had practiced for weeks and did such a great job. Good kids in this class. Even the Mrs. T says so. She thinks they are amazing. She came from a rougher school and can't believe our kids don't say bad words and are courteous to others. (Really? wow)

Finally, the part I was waiting for....
the congratulatory kiss. My favorite!
Love you Snickerdoodle!

Sometimes You Feel Like A Nut...

2009-02-10T06:13:00.000-07:00

...and sometimes you are just friends with said nut.

I love getting together with my friends. Such a blessing to me. All the laughter and support. Its fabulous. Sometimes we get a ton done. Sometimes not.

This night I got four cards done in six hours. That's good, right?LOL

I'm sure Frank here got about 87 pages done, cuz she's speed scrapper-ish like that. And because of that, I post this picture of her for the entire world to see! Insert evil laugh here.

Oh, and wait....there's more.

This is my friend Alex. She's a dreamer. Can you tell? Sorry Alex...I didn't realize the only picture I took of you was with your eyes closed. I'd say I forgot my glasses, but as you will see that is not the case. Alex is dreaming of Tim Holtz, I think.

NejJan2008a, originally uploaded by scrappysandi.

Nej....oh my dear, Nej. I could NOT leave you out. I should have used the picture in which we were trying out our new technique we learned from Drizz. You know...the holding your tongue up to the roof of your mouth one? But this is you....being you. And having fun doing it! Btw, can I borrow something? Anything, I don't care what. ;)

And here I am. Because I know you all want to do this now.
Good times. Good times.

Happy Birthday Honey!

2009-01-03T07:36:00.000-07:00

I love this guy, originally uploaded by scrappysandi.

You gotta love a guy who will pretend to blow out party blowers and wear a handmade crown. You just gotta!

Today, my better half turned 42. He's sooooo cute here! This picture shows what a truly awesome father he has become. He can be silly (always was!) and he can be serious when needed. An excellent provider and partner in this chaotic life...that's him!

And he ain't bad in the kitchen, either!

In the midst of desk cleaning.....

2008-12-31T13:39:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, my friends...I am a packrat.

I have kept this one slip of paper for 6 years. Oh yes, I have!

Today, I am blogging it, and letting it go.
This is circa 2002. I had a four month old baby.
Enjoy.

I am....a mother.
I wonder....what my children will grow up to be.
I hear....children laughing.
I see...beautiful young girls.
I want...happiness for my children.
I am....a wife.
I pretend....to be an artist.
I feel proud....of my life.
I touch...the lives of those around me.
I worry...about the future.
I cry...when I can't cope anymore.
I am....a woman.
I understand...so little, but always strive for more.
I say...I love you, and mean it.
I dream...about my girls' lives.
I try...to be the best example I am able to be.
I hope...for a happy family.
I am...a scrapbooker.

Bye bye slip of paper.

Ho-Ho-Holidays!

2008-12-30T03:24:00.000-07:00

So, here are the girlie-ques. They couldn't wait to go see Santa. We kept meaning too, but were so wiped out Sunday night, we just didn't.

So I took them them on Tuesday, Santa's last night before his big work day! Phew!

So, what did the girls do? They clammed right up, is what they did! Got all shy. But they were so tickled that just placing an ornament on Santa's special tree could put them back on The Nice List. tee hee

Santa is really great. We brought him some canned food for the Food Bank, and some 9 layer bars for he & Mrs. Claus. He gave the girls a small toy in return.

Chloe really enjoyed this. She's talked and talked about it.

We decided that Shelby was our elf this year...and got the honor of hanging out Santa's Magic Keys. (Because we don't have a chimney, he needs keys!)

So...post holiday....
I spent all day on Sunday cleaning my room. John is sick, but felt good enough to cook, so he did. Which left me free for laundry and the dreaded MASTER BEDROOM CLEANING. This is the room that never gets cleaned...and if it does, the rest of the house suffers. So, this is a picture of me mostly done with the rolltop desk. I went through all the paperwork, and sorted it for our taxes. Everything has been dusted too. Now its time to move on to my cubes.

This arrangement just isn't working for me, so I need to stack them more like I use them. and I don't want you to see the paper from the hallway which looks directly into my bedroom, into this corner.

I also still have this bookshelf full of paper. Its going to leave. I have a plan, and I hope to get it done very soon. I'm starting with it today, so I'll share how it comes alone in a few days. I'm inspired by Jennifer McGuire's room. You can see her paper storage here.

The Unknown Camper

2008-12-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Unknown Camper, originally uploaded by scrappysandi.

Who is this woman you ask?

Well, I'm not entirely sure. I did notice her in the bed across the way from me for about 2 nights in August, I think. I blocked it out.

Let there be music...

2008-12-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

Bean on the flute
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

This is the week of all programs that are Holy. Not really, but seriously, how do working parents do all this? Its just whack.

With that said....look at my kid! She's playing my flute! Its a 32 year old Bundy. We had it reconditioned and it was in great shape. I'm so proud of her. This flute played in the International Tournament of Roses Parade in 1983....seven miles of tooting my horn. :D Then the Orange Bowl parade in 1984...Florida...I left my mark. Her classmates said, "your flute isn't as shiny"....I advised her to ask how many parades their flutes had been in. LOL Sheesh....does everything have to be bling these days?

Anyhow...she's doing so very well in her music. She's learned both guitar and flute simultaneously. I couldn't have done it. She got that big brain from her dad. The agreement was that she must keep good grades, and she has. Her only B was in math, and she raised that from a C. I'm proud to death of this girl.

This is my little lady. She's always got the bows and the bling. Now she has glasses too. Even those are blingy. Guess glasses with a little heart on the side. She sang her little heart out today. So sweet. She so wanted to be dancer, but that didnt work out.

Bling Bling Blingin', originally uploaded by scrappysandi

And finally my little muffin...Snickerdoodle. She didn't have a Christmas program at school, but will have a spring program. She isn't into speaking parts, so this was perfect for her.

Snickerdoodle the Sheep, originally uploaded by scrappysandi.

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-15T02:40:00.000-07:00

Ok..I stole this from my friend, but it so rocks, I had to share it with my meager audience. You can't miss it....this is just outstanding. My favorite part is about 2 mins in...Enjoy! (Psst...don't forget to turn off the playlist first!)

Having an impatient and frustrating day. Already.

2008-12-11T02:32:00.000-07:00

Ok....so.....day started off a little rough.

And now I feel much like this.

Today is the concert for Band and Guitar. Bean is playing in both. Flute and, of course, guitar. I'm so impressed with her ability to learn two instruments at once. And she's surprisingly good at both. That's not just me talking, that's her music teacher too. He wanted her in choir also, but we had to draw the line somewhere. So maybe band/choir next year....but for sure basketball. She needs the exercise.

So....having had sickness for three months, two weeks kids, two weeks me....I"m finally feeling better with the help of pharmaceuticals. So now of course its the middle of the Christmas frenzy. Every year I say I'm going to start earlier, and I never do. And more stuff is getting thrown on our plate....at the last minute. Makes me want to say no.

So, I'm mad at my kid, and made at myself for letting her get to me. She had that concert today, but when I looked at her pants they were too long. So no problem...whip out the machine and hem them up. But then she is on me about getting them done when she is not ready AT ALL. Really sent me to the brink. I yelled. :( Now I feel badly, but her selfishness lately has been completely off the chart for the standards I set. Ridiculous!

Ok...so that's the kind of day it is.

Coffee...how I love the coffee.

2008-12-10T03:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, its all the keeps me moving before 9:30 a.m. Especially having to clean up cat upchuck before 7:30 a.m. Two.days.in.a.row. I'm seriously suspect of my cat's health now, but time will tell. Sadly, I will have to be the one to take her if she has to be put down. I can't have it happen the way it has in the past. I just wasn't strong enough.

So, anyhow...I had this completely fascinating bible study last night. The amount of linear evidence is so amazing. If you just read and listen, its just so clear. I'm enjoying it. And it appeals to the way I was taught in the public school system back in the day. I like it.

Next topic. I'm all over the map today.

So, Oprah has been the talk on the bewb tube lately. About her 40 lbs. Oy. She's over fifty....she still looks pretty good. So she's not the hard body she was a few years back. Yeah....your body does age. Could she be healthier, yeah, probably, but I don't get why its NEWS! Just do it....I guess she's a role model (roll? hehe...I crack myself up!) So perhaps that's why its all over and she talked about it. I dunno...the whole Hollywood gang really makes me laugh lately. I mean really...this is NEWS?

On that note...I'm looking into WLS. Just educating myself. I'm sick of my fat getting in the way. And I think I need to force my hand. KWIM? There are some very inspiring people out there in WLS-land. Some who have bigger problems than I. I just want a better life. And I'm tired of this struggle. I'm tired of the waffling and flailing for years upon end. Do well....do poorly....do well....do poorly. Now that my ablation is done, and I think I might be getting more energy and able to fight off infections better.....why not?

What time of day are you?

2008-12-08T03:30:00.000-07:00

You Are Midnight

You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits.
Whether you're a night owl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle.
Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it.
You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Photos, photos, and more photos....

2008-12-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

So, I had my first paying photo shoot, ever. My goodness I was nervous. And you know what. I did my best, as an amateur photographer. I'm not even close to finishing my photog. class either.....I wish I was, but I'm not. Too much stuff going on.

To top it all off, I have been sick for two weeks. Those little monsters bring home all the good germs. I was diagnosed with an ear infection today. I finally went in. I just couldn't stand it anymore.

So anyhow...I'm not so entertaining today, but I did want to put up some of my finals of the photoshoot. I hope they liked them.

These were shot at Kathryn Albertson Park...

DSC_0178b
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

DSC_0187aSepia
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

DSC_0205b
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Post Ablation Revelation

2008-11-23T04:41:00.000-07:00

Ok...so here I am. Just shy of two weeks after my endrometrial ablation. Surgery...piece of cake. Recovery....piece o' the pie. I didn't even have a reaction to the narcotics used to knock me out. Those OR peeps....they are nice folks. I gotta send them a card. They pretended to care what I was doing for Christmas...to take my mind off of what was about to happen. They are GOOD. Yeah, I knew what they were doing. But playing along really did make me feel better. Next thing I know...BAM! I'm waking up in front of a curtained-room with a view.....of the parking structure. Apparently I missed the picketers out front, as they were ran off by the nurses who were like "Hey! There's people recovering here!" I love nurses. If I wasn't old...I'd be one.

So...today...Auntie Flo....she wants to visit sooooo bad. She's kickin' my ovaries in all the right places. Add to that a nasty cold that my kid has passed to me and we both still have; four frustrating days later, and you have one beaten down mommy. She's bored, I'm not able to rest. Just hit me with your best shot germs, why don't ya? I'll find that joy somewhere....just give me a nap first!

I got up today and made my food for the church social tonight. The Thanksgiving social. Its always so fun...I hate missing it. We accidentally signed up for a boatload of dishes to bring....BBQ guy didn't see my name and I didn't see his. I made brocolli cheese casserole...and it smells so good to my PMSing self that I want to dive in and take a bath in it. Me and my sick kid. I am considering making one for just she and I. tee hee. Who needs variety and healthy stuff. We've got green in there!

Last night I stayed up making these Gratitude Place Cards for the social. I added primas and a brad to them, to dress them up a little, and put scriptures about being thankful or grateful in the spaces. I said I'd do that while I was still well, but was wondering why I did that as I started the project. LOL Turns out they were made pretty easy with my Colluzle. I made about 18 of them. Aren't they purdy? Thank you 2Ps for making that soooooo easy for me.

Just a safety reminder. Do not take Nyquil if it gives you bad dreams. Don't even take half a dose. I did. And I had a dream about dogs and meat cleavers after watcing what I thought was a potentially harmless show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on Food Network. They were cooking Turducken. And spliting the fowl open to fill with stuffing with CLEAVERS! I dunno how the dogs got in there...maybe because my dog was a mad chewing machine that night, but I was too out of it to fully wake and put him out. Anyhow....just don't do it.

So anyway....I just got sidetracked with my playlist. Sorry. Then AlphaInventions where all those peeps were coming from. I'm back to reality now.

So...the revelation. Its really a strange thing. I'm 42. I just had this ablation thing to stop heavy bleeding that was making me anemic. But I stood, looking in the mirror and realized, "Hey, I can't have anymore cute babies!" And was a little, um...I dunno. Stunned? Not melancholy, because I don't really WANT anymore babies. And, my husband...he's got a vasectomy, so what's up? Door of life closing I guess. How could that have gone so fast? I was a lonely, but generally happy career girl, then BAM! I'm a mother and wife. And now...while still a mother, I can no longer make those cute little things that crawl around and put stuff in their mouth and call you "ma ma". Sometimes, during those times, especially if you have them very close together, and you don't realize you are pretty severely anemic, those years slip through your fingers. All I can say is thank the Lord for photography and scrapbooking. Those two things have brought so much joy to my life. Friends when I had none (here anyhow), and memories when I lost them.

So...now I start on the remainder of my journey. I have to wait about 6 weeks, but I'm going to get entirely finished with the holiday before I do.

My Basketball Star

2008-10-16T12:01:00.000-06:00

My Basketball Star
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Can you tell this kid loves this game?! She really is enjoying herself. Its her first year on the school team. I hope she continues.

Its such a hoot to watch the first year kids. You can really see how hard they are trying and that they aren't trying to act cool yet. Not that I think MY kid will ever act cool....at least not for a long time. She's just too busy having a good time.

Snickerdoodle the party girl.

2008-10-16T11:33:00.000-06:00

Snickerdoodle the party girl.
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Look at my little monkey. She's lost all four front teeth. And now she's a big ol' first grader!

She's got her sister's cool hat on...and is hanging with her kindergarten teacher for a visit under the playground tree. It was the perfect day. Not too hot, not too cold. Yay!

Snickerdoodle Summer 2008
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

And see this blanket? Each one of my girls has shared popsicles with Mrs. R on this blanket.
She's such an excellent teacher and friend. I will miss being with her!

Oh So Behind....

2008-10-16T10:30:00.000-06:00

First Day of School
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Look at these happy faces. Ready for a warm weather first day of school. Aren't we cute? (Mom, do we have to sit here while everyone is going off to class? We need to be there FIRST!)

So, yeah...that was August.

We've hit the ground running ever since.

Back to school night.

Harvest Celebration.

Grand Opening of new building at church.

Grandparents visiting, great-grandma staying for 3 weeks!

Basketball practice every morning.

Basketball games twice a week.

Halloween costumes to sew.

Cake decorating classes to attend.

Birthday thrown in for good measure.

Some of it I did to myself...some of it was just thrown at me. But I see the air above and I'm resurfacing.

In the meantime, I'll share my photos!

Hello Cupcake!

2008-09-23T10:05:00.000-06:00

CupcakesSept2008
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

And.....we're back.

Yes, long time no blog. Sometimes, it just gets to be too much and the blogger in me must be sacrificed to the family. Sick kids, busy husband, sick mama...and finally the recovery.

So, now the inlaws are in town. Luckily, I inadvertantly planned to go to a Christian women's retreat the weekend of their visit. Really! I didn't do it on purpose, it just worked out for me. Luckily ( ;-)) Grandma BBQ is still here for my visiting pleasure and will probably stay with us on Friday night. BBQ dude will be off by noon and can go get her. I'll be frantically cleaning. Good thing she can't see!

POTD is of my cupcakes.I am taking a Wilton Cake Decorating class on Monday nights at our local craft shoppe. We just finished class three. As you can see, my tube piped cupcakes started off a little rough. I think I should use a bigger tip, because that first couple looked like bubble gum or worms, I can't decide which. Mmmmm...worms. tee hee

Oh, and yes, those are birthday balloon cupcake papers....or whatever those things are called. I ran out of the cute matching heart ones, so ya get what ya get and you don't throw a fit! Trust me, it could have been worse....like this:

ClownCupcakesSept2008
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Yes, they are still, after 30 years (or more) making these scary clowns. I don't know, but my class had a discussion about how clowns used to not be scary, but now they are because of the movies. But I think perhaps these were scary waaaaay before the cinema....

Its just another MONDAY...

2008-08-18T14:12:00.000-06:00

Ok...I'm having ONE OF THOSE DAYS...I just typed this whole post and when I tried to upload a picture, I navigated away. And POOF...my rambling disappeared, with my menu plan. Let's see if I can remember.

I haven't been taking good care of myself lately, and I'm relatively sure that my anemia is back. I took my meds today in an attempt to get myself back on track. I did nothing else but: take a nap, meet frineds to let kids run off some energy, rewash a load of laundry, start the dishwasher and make my kids egg sandwiches. So in honor of my nothingness, here is my menu, on a MONDAY:

Today: kids fed themselves breakfast of cereal, lunch: Carls Jr, and dinner: egg sandwiches, to use up an abundance of hamburger buns.

Tuesday: Eggs in a hole for breakfast, Ham sandwiches or PBJs w/veggies & dip for lunch, Jenn G's Greek chicken for dinner.

Weds: Cereal or toast for breakfast, hot dogs for lunch w/veggies & dip, jello gigglers, and dinner: Mexican Lasagna ala PW's site; trying this out for a meal for family with a new baby on FRiday.

Thursday: Breakfast: Waffles; Lunch: Mac & cheese; DH leaves for BBQ competition right after work. We'll probably have pizza or stromboli made at home.

Friday: Movie night...and a Leftover Loving kind of day. ALL DAY.

A day of living busily.....

2008-08-11T05:36:00.000-06:00

Today is a busy day. Popsicle party for my former kindergartener at the school. The K teacher brings the treats and meets her former students under the big tree on the playground. I can't wait to take some pictures of it! I don't know why I didn't for my older two kiddos. Silly me.

After that....and a mouthful of blue teeth later......we have to go to the dentist. Snickerdoodle has to have sealants on her teeth. I wonder if it will be the first time a braizen parent brings in a child with a blue popsicle mouth? Hehe....perhaps just bringing a toothbrush and some paste would be a good idea.

Later I have to make Cowboy Spaghetti for some friends who just had a new baby. I'm making three batches of it. One for us and two for the couples who had babies. I hope I get done in time.

After that, I'm running to my friends house to join her SU! new catalog celebration. But I'll have kids with me during all of this because BBQDude has to work late all week.

I'm really good at cramming stuff into one day. Its a talent.

Can I just put in a good word for my BBQDude? He really helped out cleaning over the weekend. And took care of the mouse issue....we think. He's also promised to mop the floors...ALL OF THEM. But it got crazy on us...and we were just tired. He napped instead, and I tried...but it was a no go. Anyhow, the kitchen looks great and we're gonna just keep at it. Amazing how it can get totally out of control over a few short weeks.

Pile of Stuff Before

2008-07-31T06:52:00.000-06:00

Pile of Stuff Before
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Alrighty!
Here is what I am working on at this very moment. I'd let this pile up with miscellaneous carp while waiting for my drawers to be glued together. So, now its time to finish the job.

Stand by for the after picture!

Today's Mess - The Scrap Table

2008-07-31T06:10:00.000-06:00

Today Mess Scraptable
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

So, I finally got my DH to fix my remaining cubbie drawers for me. He's been too busy lately, so I had not troubled him with it again.
But last night we were kid free, and I'd been working in here all day on a gift for my mom. So, I hit him up!

And, because I am the Queen of the Dorks, I thought the cubes were not the same, because they were purchased at different stores, under different brand names. Come to find out, the drawers would not fit because I had the cube upside down! (heheh...silly drawer guides, tricks are for kids!)

So, after I moved everything from that top shelf, flipped over the cube, reloaded the drawers, I was quite happy. Now, to do the other side of my cube wall. I am leary of going to high with it. I want it pretty! In my attempt at prettiness, I put my buttons and flowers in these jars. And my tote is on the old lazy susan from my kitchen cupboards that I recently reorganized (and did not share!) so that it spins around like those new-fangled totes.

But I do think I need another couple of cubes for storage. I have one Iris cart full of stuff left and a pile on the floor. This WILL get done. I can't take it another six months.

There once was a girl who took a card class.....

2008-07-30T03:12:00.000-06:00

And she, was me! Last night I escaped from the fresh hell that is "almost the end of summer" and went to a card class at my local lss. It was really nice! There we NO ONE there I knew, which is so very unusual; but the teacher, I knew her vaguely, was so great. Nice gal. (Ugh.."gal", such an Idaho word! I guess its finally rubbing off on me...I didn't say "chick" or "chica".)

So, anyhow, I was super excited to take this class. Mainly, because the machocist in me signed up for an acrylic card swap with my local group of "gals". ;-) So, now I'm not so chicken, as I always am when trying new and unknown things. I think my favorite card is the blue one, then the green one, then the orange and lastly, the pink, which I do not care for at all. I mean its ok, but its not me or my taste.That flower in the middle, the brown one, it bothers me. (Anal much?)

Poem, by BlingBling! the plagiarist.

2008-07-29T03:48:00.000-06:00

tree
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Who has seen the wind?

Neither I nor you.

But when the leaves hang trembling,

The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?

Neither you nor I.

But when the trees bow down their heads,

The wind is passing by.

Have YOU ever seen the wind?

Yeah, she tried to pass this off as "original"....lol.

I think its Monday.

2008-07-28T08:51:00.000-06:00

Menu Plan Monday
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

So, its time to menu plan.

Very skinny, pantry-eatin', menu planning in progress. We don't need no stinkin' fresh vegetables, right? LOL...just kidding, we will be making due with the frozen variety this week. I am thankful. Thankful to God that He made me get on The Grocery Game bandwagon last year and that I can do this skinny menu planning from my pantry. This is what its for.

We're skinny until next week because we missed a bill that we thought had been paid. An ER bill...oh,and then my Bean's infected earring just came in too. Fun times! I guess my kids won't be going to anymore playcamp this summer.

so here goes:

Today:

lunch: Egg salad sandwiches and applesauce; leftover TT Casserole for me.

dinner: tostadas with lettuce,tomato, cucumber salad

Tuesday:

macaroni and cheese (from the box); leftover egg salad

: pulled pork sandwiches from the freezer

Weds: PBJ sandwiches

torellini with red sauce, french bread

Thurs: grilled cheese sandwiches

roast from the freezer,

Friday: roast beef hash w/onions/red potatoes

Somedays, I just can't take it.

2008-07-26T08:45:00.000-06:00

I must be grumpy. Maybe its that "end of summer" thing. I'm tired of being the babysitter for my entire neighborhood's kids. Okay, that is an overstatement. But it sure seems like some of them spend a lot of time here. And some of them are loud, and then they start to bicker, and ya know what? I just have to send them home.

There's just too many of them. They overwhelm my sense of peace and harmony. BWahaha....peace & harmony! What is that?

Seriously, it just seems like a certain group mix of kids causes a lot of comotion. Is it normal for us to want to take a break from certain "friends". One of my DD's friends (won't say which) really says some not nice things to my DD. Never in an adult's presence, I just hear about it later. And I've heard about it so much, that I don't have a problem believing it anymore. Plus I've heard her brother say it to her. Sometimes this little girl just seems downright unhappy. I suspect some trouble at home because of some things she said during kindergarten. So I kinda feel badly for her. But not at my daughter's expense can she be a beast. KWIM?

So we are taking a break.

We have ONE kid over that I can handle....she can behave herself.

Stop!

2008-07-25T03:42:00.000-06:00

I just had to say that, because its what I just heard from the front room. Stooooop, Bean! Grumpy kids, not enough sleep going on here.

I really wanted to get on here and ask how many of my two readers menu plan and do you ALWAYS follow your plan? I don't mean just mixing it up....I mean completely deviate from it.

I did make the Indonesian PB Chicken.....my review: Will make again! We added some stir fried veggies and I made a batch of this Peanut Sauce because when the chicken was finished there just wasn't enough sauce for the noodles. (I served it with some egg noodles I had, because we are eating from the freezer/pantry for two weeks; one week to go!) There are leftovers of this for tonight.

So, I have not made any of the other stuff. Because we had an influx of eggs and bacon due to the B1G1 free deal at the store, we had breakfast one night (waffles, eggs, and bacon.) Another night I made pizza from some frozen bread dough in the freezer. Its good and provided us with lunch yesterday and today. Last night I made Tater Tot Casserole, because I just felt like something old and familiar. We did have a nice fresh salad with it, to cancel out all the carbs and grease. :D

I did cut the onions for MM"s Fav. Sandwich, last night. So we might have that. I have to hit up the bread store anyhow. Oh, and can I just comment on the blessing that is the Eddie's Bread Store? I have saved gazillions of dollars (ok, not quite that much) on bread there. The bread I used to eat is like $3.60 at the grocery store...at Eddie's I can get it for .89. I <3 Eddie's.

So anyhow...if you dont' mind commenting upon my question:

Do you totally deviate from your menu plan now and then?

Sigh.

2008-07-24T12:37:00.000-06:00

Pool Faces 0708
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Doesn't everyone's children do this for the camera?

How about this?

DSC_0173
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

She.cannot.be.normal. ;)

Nice red eyes, eh?

You too could win this quilt! Its lovely!

2008-07-21T11:49:00.000-06:00

I am posting in hopes of winning...and I'll put it in my side bar too. Why not?

Its so gorgeous, and I'm so not a great quilter. I would like to be, but um...probably not going to happen.

So here ya go!

Old Red Barn Co.

Another Summer Monday!

2008-07-21T03:39:00.000-06:00

Menu Plan Monday
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Its time for menu planning. I went right to my favorite blogs for ideas...(links in the plan!). We are eating out of the freezer mostly this week, because BBQDude's new job provides him with an employee discount. Fifteen percent off all store brand groceries (he's the web design engineer) on July 25. I'm holding out! I think I can do some seriously saving between that discount and the Grocery Game. We are very blessed.

So, here's my big plan:
Monday: Crockpot Indonesian Peanut Butter Chicken (loving this newly found blog & my crockpot!), with rice

Tuesday: Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken, fresh zucchini

Wednesday: Leftover Lovin'! (ice skating night)

Thursday: Beef Enchiladas (old standard nothing' special recipe), maybe some California Rice

Thursday: Leftover Lovin'! ( I hope to take the kids swimming this day)

Friday: Movie night so, we'll probably get some take out, but maybe not. If not I'll make these Marlboro Man's Favorite Sandwich from the Pioneer Woman.

Saturday: BBQDude on duty! I might have him smoke a pork butt or just do some fancy burgers. Finally, I'm in the mood for some BBQ.

Sunday: Leftover Lovin'!

Bling & Bean

2008-07-18T09:44:00.000-06:00

Bling & Bean
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Ok....so I only made a card just like the one I posted before. So now I'm dangerously close to actually scrapping some pictures. But the pictures I currently have are from last year's Hannah Montana Concert for Bling's birthday. And from a disposable camera. We had a great time here, and while this isn't the best quality photo, its one of my favorites.

I'm in Post Elliptical Hell! tee hee

2008-07-18T06:56:00.000-06:00

Bicycle Card
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Ok...so I tried the elliptical at the gym yesterday. And now, I'm paying.
It seriously hurts to do anything that makes me move the muscles on the outside of my legs just above my knees.

Its all I can do to reboot laundry and get dressed, so I've already warned BBQ Dude that I'm not doing anything but drink water, walk to the laundry room, and scrap today. I'm going to get him to grill up some hotdogs, he just doesn't know it yet.

This is card I finished today. Its going in the mail. I'll make another in a little bit to share.

My Happy Camper

2008-07-16T04:41:00.000-06:00

My Happy Camper
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

I took my middle kiddo, BlingBling, to church camp yesterday. With her best friend. It looks like a super facility, and the councelors seem very nice. Here she is on her bunk. She got a pretty good one, because all of her stuff fits in the corner over there instead of getting stepped on at the end of the cots like everyone elses. These were great little A-frame cabins; that were HOT!...but they had fans and windows, and its not as warm as it is here at home. Should be ok.

I've done good so far not having an anxiety attack about BlingBling being away from home. She is with her best friend, but they are only 7 and 8 years old, and the friend cries a lot. A LOT. I prepared BlingBling for the comforting of said friend. So hopefully the first night wasn't too bad. I only worried at about 7 and again at 9:30 p.m., but by then, they were busy doing something and then it was cabin time at 10 and lights out at 10:30. I knew the night would be fun.

First thing Bling did after I took this photo was get out Bun & Clover and put them on her sleeping bag (heads on the pillow, of course!). Next was bug spray because a big ol' horse fly landed on her leg while we were registering. That kinda freaked her out.

The main lodge is fabo...obviously old and very cowboy like. There is a pool (fenced), volleyball court, basketball court, and a big gathering area called the Bible Bowl. Lots of pine trees and dirt trails and a playground too. Looks old, but really great. In the main lodge there is big fire pit with a huge vent chimney. Its so awesome!

Louie
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

So here are some pictures from June of Louie. Even here you can see that he has grown. But look at Louie NOW!

One big kitty! He's gonna be a monster when he is full grown.

Louie Monster
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Swap Cards

2008-07-14T10:26:00.000-06:00

Flourish1
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

I worked on this swap (for Card Cafe) over the weekend. They were due to be in the mail today. I did it! Yay!

I used a swirl set that I got back in the day and inspiration found here. Isn't that pretty? Mine is no where near as nice, but the concept worked for me I guess. I found that scrap of brown already embossed in my scrapbag! This whole card was scraps...yay me, again!

As a matter of fact, all these cards were made from my scrapbag. I LOVE my scrap bag. There's some good card mojo in that bag.

These other cards were made with some non-bella girl Bella stamps. Aren't they cute! And the sentiments were Verve Visual.

Flourish2
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Groovy Kind of Love
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

NonBella Bella Cards
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

I think we're over summer.

2008-07-06T10:28:00.000-06:00

Sick Bean
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

We have been so incredibly busy. And the aftermath has hit. My Bean is sick. She and I stayed home from church today due to her fever and sore throat. She slept most of the time, the rest we snuggled and I made her drink water and take more meds. At this hour, she is still in her nightgown and I'm not making her change. She can if she wants, but I'm not pushing her. She's just completely worn down to the nubbins.

She has a busy life. (Hehe...mostly my doing!) She went to CA for 2.5 weeks, beach almost daily, then a wedding that lasted well into the wee hours, then hopped a plane with her dad (first time! Very exciting and draining!), then off to church camp in the morning. At camp they were up daily at 6:30 a.m. The bugs were bad and the cabin next door wouldn't be quiet after lights out. One of her friends and cabinmate was allergic to mosquito bites and whimpered a lot in the night hours, not intentionally, but still, woke the cabin. Poor thing! Lots of activities at camp, as you may know; and that made for a very good lesson about thinking of others.

So, here we are, having a laze-about day. Recovering from our life. And, guess what...swimming tomorrow at 8:45 a.m.! Sigh. We are making that our only activity this week. And Bling-bling goes to camp a week from Monday, so maybe my oldest and youngest will go to playcamp together.

Well, as promised, here is the "after" shot of my linen/game closet. It doesn't look like much has changed, but it is making my life easier. And there, there are my beloved medicine tubs. Right smack dab in the middle. They have been so handy! I don't have to dig through the entire supply of medicine in the kitchen to find what I need. Our daily med stay there (mostly mine & BBQguys', cuz we're old like that.) for us to access easily and not forget.

Closet Redo Full
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

This arrangement even has room for the beach towels! I LOVE that!
Sick, isn't it? I dont' know what came over me. I'm certain I have been bitten by some ancient cicada that induces a frantic need for organization and less clutter. If it were not for my children, I would think of nothing else.

PHEW!

2008-07-03T06:53:00.000-06:00

Hello blog readers! I'm back! I've returned from that oblivion that is "vacation" and "wedding". Time for new blog fodder!

Gone for nearly three weeks put me in to what surprisingly wasn't too much computer withdrawls. I just tried not to think about it and concentrate on the people I was there to see. And we really had a fabulous time.

My Dad and I took the girls to the beach nearly every evening after dinner. It was very warm the first week of our visit, so it was very comfortable at the beach at that time. And by 7 p.m. the crowds had gone home and there were usually just a few locals and dog walkers. I missed BBQGuy a ton during these times.

The girls were the proud recipients of Grandpa's favor; he bought them skim boards. It looked really fun and easier than the boogie boards they were using. Not so, dear reader!!! Skim boarding takes balance...and you feel like you are slipping and going to fall upon thy badonkadonk! So, the skim boards were around and as the girls gain more balance and confidence, they will be put to good use. It took them about six days to get down boogie boarding; I had them sit with me and watch the "real surfers" to see how they rode in the waves, instead of just jumping over them with the board. It helped and they rode about 30 feet. The waves were large. We stayed until sunset and it was just good fun and memories.

Unfortunately, we have determined that my camera was indeed stolen. Its no where here, as BBQGuy basically gutted our garage just to confirm it was not in there. So I have to file a theft report. I called our homeowners, but its just not worth it to file with at $500 deductible. I think I'm just going to save my pennies and get a D80. I might not get it until Christmas, but you never know. I have about $500 stashed away; half birthday money, and half that I had left from our vacation. I really did do it on the skinny. It was too hot for Disneyland, so that helped. But I missed my camera so much...I still do! Waaah! Maybe it will get located via the seriel number in a pawn shop or something. (Hence the NO PICTURES on the blog today...no camera! BBQGuy even has the point & shoot. I might get out CurlySue's Fisher Price camera to show you my closet "after" shot; it takes surprisingly good shots.)

So...the wedding. It was BEAUTIFUL! Melanie was gorgeous, Pat was handsome, and the champagne was tasty! :D We made the boutaineers, corsages and bouquets on Wednesday. They were just gorgeous. Mother Of The Bride (also known as the Best Mother Ever) had ordered the flowers off the internet and had the ranch grow sunflowers. So there were yellow sunflowers, red sunflowers, purple snapdragons, baby's breath, and some other really tiny green "balls" on stems for filler. We made Melanie's bouquet special by using only sunflowers and surrounding it with baby's breath, then wrapping the long stems with 2" white ribbon and closing with stick pins. The bridesmaids' bouquets were sunflowers, with purple snapdragons in the middle, surrounded by the green ball filler stuff. I made her a bouquet to throw out of only yellow sunflowers and purple snapdragons....it was sooooo fun. We also used lemon leaves (in great abundance on the ranch) for the backs of the boutaineers and corsages for the mothers. Funny thing was.....the boutaineers and corsages were COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN in the rush of the wedding morning. OH WELL! No one even noticed...lol...just us girls who made them thought of them at the end. hehe...every wedding has a story!

I was so touched by my nephew. During the ceremony, I looked at him and he was tearing up! He and his sister (the bride) are very close. It will be a new adventure for them all. He has also decided that getting marriage on the ranch is very cool and he wants to do that too. I would have to agree; very cool. The ceremony was in a meadow, and the reception was just a short walk away under the oak grove where the hotel has wine tasting. I don't think even a beach wedding could top it! My brother had had the ranch hands water down the area all week, so that there would be minimal dust. It worked! Even the bugs were not bad.

Because Pat is a USMC, there were MANY USMCs there for the wedding. What a bunch of party boys! They were so polite and social. After the wedding....the beer and champagne was no where near out, and they just hung out helping us clean up and draining the kegs. We finally left, but as we headed out on the dirt road, there was a young man, slouched down by his giant pick up truck! Many of these "boys" were from the midwest and wore cowboy hats and boots, so I didn't recognize him as one of the fellas at the wedding....but yep, it was him. He had been asleep next to his truck for three hours. The bride & groom had taken his keys and locked them inside his truck because he was trying to drive. But they were on their way out and couldn't help him much, and they knew we would be along shortly. So we left him snoozing there, changed clothing at the house and drove back to get the leftover chicken and the leftover cowboys.

By this time his little cowboy friend was with him. They were so drunk, they thought they had lost the keys. They were looking everywhere and said they had their camping gear in the back to stay the night right there. We didn't really buy that, so we took them back to the Bride's old appartment, where they had stayed the night before, to sleep it off. Then we headed back to the house.

BBQGuy, the girls and I had had such a fun day. The girls danced and got to be with their cousins. I got to be with my brother and his fabulous wife and kids. It was so nice to see all of the family and friends get together again. Many of these people I have known for about 25 years or more. My brother and his wife have been together since they were about 17 years old and I was just 9 back then. Good times! Good times!

I hope to have some pictures to share soon...my brother is making me a CD.

Ok...I think I should get on the stick. I have some kids toys to get rid of and I'm taking the girls swimming at 2 p.m.-ish. So I'll be back with some pictures of my finished closet later tonight. BBQGuy is out of town, so I have unlimited use of the PC in the evening. :D OH...and no TV! The thunderstorms took out my reciever. IT SUCKS! :D

I am vertical.

2008-06-11T03:33:00.000-06:00

Ok....a week with a stinkin' cold. Thats enough. I'm done. Can I declare it over? I still got a lot done, amazingly. This is one thing. My oldest DD's birthday card.

She turned ten. We are taking her swimming with her friends. The weather turned wonky on us and I had to reschedule the whole thing. I got the presents wrapped, sent the kiddos off to swim team each morning, and organized my house a little. Oh, and also some packing for our trip to Cali.

I'm also searching. Searching for a very expensive item. My camera. My DH took it out to photograph his smoker (handmade) and I haven't seen it since. Now, I can't say that he lost it. It is probably tucked away somewhere for 'safety', but it wasn't in the camera case like he said. It could have been me. But now I'm suffering. It was like a fourth child to me. Pathetic, I know, but I really do love taking photographs.

Keepin' it real.....really!

2008-06-03T04:52:00.000-06:00

Hall Closet Before
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

This is my hall closet. Today's project. I'm doing so much organizing of my house this month. I've completely burnt myself out on paper and creating, so I needed another outlet, I think.

Earlier in May, I organized my medication cabinet in my kitchen, leaving only daily meds on the bottom shelf. The rest of the cold medicine and stuff we don't use daily, are now sorted into their own bins and labeled. I have them sitting on my bathroom counter, but I want them to go into this closet.

I've read so many organizing and housekeeping blogs that suggest storing sheets in the room they belong. So I think I'm going that route in an effort to make my medicine storage dreams come true. ;)

So these are my "before" photos...and later today, the "afters" will be posted. I have just a couple days left of kid free organization, so I want to get this one done. Any suggestions appreciated, BTW.

Hall Closet Games Before
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Hall Closet Before Blanket Storage
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Sandi

Menu Plan Monday on MONDAY!

2008-06-02T07:25:00.000-06:00

Menu Plan Monday
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

I never do that! :D Today is a crazy end-of-school-day, but I'm on break from running a bazillion errands and school BBQ.

So, here goes, this week's theme is "from the freezer":
Monday: Leftover Love - we have tortellini & red sauce, and brisket w/ veggies and dip. You pick. Oh, we have vanilla ice cream to eat with PW's Apricot Bars I made last week. We have some leftover. I made them with "Four Fruit" preserves, and they were excellent, but I still think I like apricot better.

Tuesday: chicken (from the freezer). I'm going to throw it in the crock with some cream of something soups. Add in some veggies and stuff at the end, serve over noodles.

Weds: Last of my busy after school days, and we will be having turkey sandwiches on sourdough (from the freezer) with whatever sides are leftover in the fridge.

Thursday: more leftovers, probably chicken.

Friday: take and bake pizza, and family game night. I'll make a cake during the day. When I figure out which one, I'll post it!

Saturday: BBQDude is on duty.

Sunday: we might go out, but will use some gift certificates to pay. Or just eat at home.

And as another school year closes...

2008-05-30T11:04:00.000-06:00

Kindergarten Grad Cert 2008
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

We had this monumental token of the year come home today....I'm sorta melancholy about it. I'm glad that she'll be in full time next year, but sad that my baby is growing up. Gosh, this is a great kiddo. They are all great, but she is the most snuggly and still fits in my lap.

Talk About It Tuesday

2008-05-27T11:42:00.000-06:00

BBQDude
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Over on this blog (which I REALLY, REALLY LIKE) there is a "blog carnival" going on called Talk About It Tuesday. Its just for upbeat things you want to share. I like that concept!

So, today...something fabulous happened. My DH, BBQDude, got a permanent offer from the company he's been contracting for. I am relieved and I am thankful. We are basically making the same salary he left beind, more benefits and more vacation. Oh, and a bonus! Woo hoo! Score! Well, ok...pretty much "break even"!

It will be nice to have the extra vacation time, we might actually be able to visit Ohio, even if I don't really want to. We might be able to see Yellowstone or Mount Rushmore. That would be nice; and we wouldn't have to rush off when visiting family either.

So, after all this, turns out my DH would be able to come to the wedding with us, instead of fly BBQDude and my daughter home right after the wedding. But we didn't know. And we already bought the plane tickets. She's always wanted to fly, so perhaps that will still that little piece in her heart.

Ok...so I'm again behind on the Menu Planning Monday, mainly because it was Memorial Day. We had had SUCH a busy weekend. And we were just stuffed. So I made my stromboli and called it good. We had BBQDude's Famous Pulled Pork Sandwiches on Sunday and potluck later that night at church. FULL UP!

So, here's my menu:
Monday: Stromboli
Tuesday: PW's Pot Roast w/carrots, and mashed potatoes.
Wednesday: freezer meal, probably pulled pork and cole slaw; in other words: Leftover Love
Thursday: fish , going to look for a good fish recipe to put here.
Friday: Game night, I think I'm going to grill some turkey sandwiches and make a relish tray.
Saturday: BBQDude is on duty!
Sunday: who knows!

Ok on another note:

Its the Basket Carnival, over at Organizing Junkie. I LOVE looking at the storage. Her rubbermaid storage is amazing and I dream of my garage looking like that one day. My pile in the middle is slowly shrinking, and we have plans for another pantry in the garage. I think it could happen. Then I could say that we officially survived our carpet installation three years ago. At that time, we removed everything from the living room and three bedrooms of our home. It was amazing. Seven years of his stuff, of my stuff, and stuff we brought from living alone for several years. We had a baby right away, so there was no time for sorting and purging. But here we are, ten years later, and lo-and-behold...there's time. I've never taken so many trips to the women's shelter, and the youth ranch. My 2007 taxes thanked me.

At any rate, in the interest of sharing...this has SOME baskets in it. I've shared this picture before, and it doesn't look like this now (because I've actually used this space) but these are Target cubes I purchased to help my scrapping area look a little nicer. It did for awhile. I still have lots of stuff that needs to go. And be gone through. I will get there. Slow and stead wins the race. Tonight I did a little more on my kitchen. It started on the weekend with a good cleaning of the bottom drawer of my stove. My oldest daughter helped me and it was a super cool thing. She did a great job.

At any rate, here is the photo!

I Have Received 2 or 3 FULL Night's Sleep! Its a miracle!

2008-05-26T04:23:00.000-06:00

and....I had a strange dream!

Very strange.

I had a baby. A baby boy. And he was as big as a 8 month old right off the bat. Somehow I didn't have him in a hospital either. I had him in a limo or something outside an old town shopping area I did not recognize. I remember rubbing his fuzzy baby hair head.

Its amazing what can be done when you actually sleep all night and dream too.

Anyhow, I just got back from this wonderful scrapbooking convention type experience called "ICE".

Super fun times. Full of nipple lights. Everywhere you go. What more could you ask for?

I got SOOOO much done. I feel much better about my standing in the world now. I got three swaps completely finished, and one teacher gift. I still have two weeks left to complete teacher gifts! So that is sumthin' sumthin'! (Considering I am making stuff for six teachers.)

I'll share my silly pictures later. I have to catch up on the MOUNTAIN of laundry and clean all the toilets and floors that remained untouched for three days. I also had to help my daughter remove an infected earring from her newly pierced ears. Well, the back of it anyhow. I think she will have one ear that is fine, and the other...well, it will have to be repierced. The stupid gem on the front of the earring came off entirely and the remainer of the earring recessed in her tiny earlob. I'm not sure what we are going to do. Short of trying ourselves and going to the doctor. She's so not happy.

Ok...well, I'm going to put on my cleaning clothing and get with it. I had my day in the sun. I'll scan my projects and share too. When I get my break. ;)

Glad to be home, but sorry its all over!

Monday Menu Planning, on Tuesday! (again)

2008-05-13T04:17:00.000-06:00

Yeah, don't ask me why I just can't get my Mondays rockin'. I don't know. Yesterday I think I had food poisoning from my Mother's Day meal (new restaurant). My stomach was in a bit of pain. And I spent a lot of time in the bathroom early in the day. My sides still hurt this morning.

Anyhow...on that happy note, here is my menu planning, a day late, and probably a dollar short:

MONDAY: Teriyaki chicken over a green salad. (I didn't eat it, but the kids told me it was good.)

Coldstone for dessert, as promised.

TUESDAY: Leftover cube steak sandwiches, salad, remainder of Coldstone if you didn't finish it yesterday. And PW's Apricot Bars. I even found the same preserves. I love to bake.

WEDNESDAY: $.99 kids meal somewhere. Probably NOT the restaurant we had for Mother's Day. This is my super busy day, and I dont want to cook something because we have a lot of leftovers.

THURS: Leftover chicken something. I have teriyaki chicken breasts and mesquite lime breasts. I think we'll have a stir fry.

FRIDAY: Paula Dean's Baked Spaghetti, PW's Olive Cheese Bread, and salad. Its also our game night, so getting this on the table when DH walks in the door, and right off the table is important if the parents want ANY time to decompress. ;)

SATURDAY: DH usually cooks. He's gearing up for the BBQ competition season. Or we'll have grilled turkey sandwiches and potato/sausage salad. (its Paula Dean's sons recipe, just this with sausage added.)

SUNDAY: Leftover baked spaghetti. Or a sandwich of their choice w/chips.

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T14:00:00.000-06:00

Mothers Day Breakfast
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Aw....look! Breakfast on the couch!

My oldest daughter made me her "omlet" (aka poached egg w/cheese and a ketchup garnish). She SO did not get this gene from me. But isn't it great!? I tell you, she could be the next Giada! So what if it was made with a mc-muffin-makin' machine I got at Target for $7.50!

I was honored this day on the couch, because my youngest was sick last night. I am soooo tired of the croup. We both got up when she started in, her for a drink, me to re-administer the meds, fill the humidifer and give her some comfort. I also sat for a few patting her back firmly to get the phlem back down so she could possibly catch some more shut-eye. (me too!) She won't spit it out much, but she is getting better about it; as I think she is also tired of waking each night. She is totally wiped out by the end of school each day. And there's just three weeks left. So I hate having her miss anymore. But you gotta do what you gotta do.

Mothers Day Me
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Later, I was to open presents from my younger to kiddos. Here I am in my full on "didn't sleep a good wink" glory. I am so frazzled by the lack of sleep I have chewed off my acrylic nails. They were kinda hoakie anyhow, as they had already started lifting, which is unusual.

Mother's Day Giftages
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

These are the creations from the children of my loins. Are they not fabulous? I was given a few hints on Thursday and Friday when my kids came home. They so wanted me to open them RIGHT NOW. But of course we waited. So there were hand signal hints and stories about picking out pink bows to be told. And how they could not wait for me to open them!

Later today my husband took us to lunch to a newly opened Applebee's near our house. Not too bad. We are all still so full from lunch, no one is even asking for dinner! And I'm not pushing it either! We even had dessert. Chocolate Molten Meltdown or something like that, and the kiddos had strawberry shortcake shooters. Very cute. Nice day.

I even got the kids to clean their rooms. Amazing how bribery works so well.

Thank You Jesus

2008-05-10T07:56:00.000-06:00

Thank You Jesus
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Just a quickie post. This is a drawing by my youngest daughter, Chloe. Its Jesus on the cross. He looks kinda happy about it here. I'm not so sure that's accurate. ;-)

I like the scalloped scissor-cut hill, don't you? And every Jesus should have great shoes too.

Swappin' Fool! That's me!

2008-05-08T05:25:00.000-06:00

Birthday Swap Card
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

I must be insane. I picked the busiest month of the entire year, for me (sans Nov & Dec, natch!) to sign up for a bunch of swaps! I LOVE swapping..its so fun to see what you get in return. So much creative juice flowing. But why, this month, me? Why?

Two of the swaps I signed up for are big...like 10 cards or more. One of those I signed up for two groups, like the idiot I am. I love to torture myself also, apparently. Self torture, its what's for lunch!

So this card is posted for that person who complained I'm not posting enough of the stuff I make. Neener, neener.

Also, I have to say its a shabby rip off of the fabulous Michelle Zindorf. She rocks my socks! And persuaded me to get out my five year old brayer. And buy a new little brayer. Mainly because its cute. But I might need two. I might!

I've also been considering this whole stamping thing!. Thank you dear friend, (aka Cindy) for introducting me to stamping. Oh yes. The drawers of my dresser thank you from the bottom of their overloaded drawers. ;-) I pretend not to like this hobby. Its so much better that way.

Stamping has actually taken over my scrapbooking impulses. As nuts as that sounds. I haven't made a page in a long time. You have to PRINT your pictures for that. Did you know that?

So now that I've totally burnt myself out on stamping....its back the other way. To scrapping. My half sister is having another baby and I really want to make it a book, and perhaps give her her son's book. What an idea!

Ok...on with my day.

Nej....I know you are flying today! Safe journey! I totally forgot today was Thursday and didn't say goodbye! Oops. Forgive me. I am on about 4 hours sleep!

Monday Menu Planning, on Tuesday!

2008-05-06T06:28:00.000-06:00

Yep...late again.

Its ok, however. Migraineland had been my dwelling for 2.5 days. And I'm relieved to be outta-there!

So here is tonights plan...bon appetite!

Cube steaks, creamed spinach, mystery rolls

Tuesday

grilled chicken, Not-Yo-Granny's-Mac-n-Cheese, and salad

Wednesday (my busy day)

Grilled cheese sandwiches, and any leftover sides we can find.

Thursday

Leftover grilled chicken wraps

Friday

We might do hot dogs on the grill. Or a steak for DH and I.

Dang...there's some good Hugh here!

2008-05-05T12:35:00.000-06:00

Just had to share this...cuz the man is HOT!

Oh yes, there's more!

Socks.

2008-05-04T13:14:00.000-06:00

Why am I a sock hoarder? Today, I went through a box I had full of socks. I matched them all up. And then I went to my garage and got a basket full of socks from there. Yes, that's right. Another.full.basket.

I used to chalk it up to having all those little girl socks. They need everyday socks and frilly church socks, and then there are the character socks they pick up here and there. Slipper socks and knee socks for colder weather. I no longer have itty bitty kids. I have a 6, 8, and almost 10 year old. Why do I still have all these socks?

So, I go and get the basket of socks. And they have been out there all summer and winter (2007) and have accumulated the appropriate amount of dog hair and garage muck. I had to wash the entire basket of socks, and it filled my whole washers basket. They are now drying.

My living room is covered with socks. Sorted into the following piles: adult white, adult male dark, adult female darn, preteen, childrens' white, children's color and short socks. And I have not sorted what is in the dryer. I can hardly wait. Is my sarcasm showing?

Yes, this was drivel. I have a headache...and I'm feeling lazy even if I did a ton of catch up stuff today.

The real question is, will I ever catch up??

Menu Plan Monday, on a Friday!

2008-05-02T03:42:00.000-06:00

Yeah, I'm behind. So I'll just go ahead and do it for today, the weekend, and the next week. It was just too crazy to get it done on Monday. I was wiped out.

So...today (sick kid home, nothing like passing it around!) we are having chicken nuggest for lunch. Because sick kid will eat them.

tonight

clean-out-fridge-frittata

Saturday (we have to work at the church if all goes well):

lunch: sandwich of your choice, chips, fruit

dinner: cube steak, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans

Sunday

Corn on the cob (I hope)

(ok. be back sick kid is distracting me)

Meeting new friends!

2008-04-27T15:45:00.000-06:00

Frank and Heidi
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Hey, here is my friends, Frank and Heidi! I had never met Heidi before (except online) but we both got invited to a retreat put on by a mutual friend! It was super cool to meet her! Hi Heidi!!!!

And there's Frank, with her new babe! He's a dollface and was super good inspite of being passed around by all his new "aunts". He was a good boy even with an upset tummy!

We had a great time that weekend! Chef Lark was at her best and we pigged! She even made ice cream! I've already made one of her outstanding recipes for my DH and he really enjoyed it.

It has taken me forever to get these photos off the card, and posted. Its just been one whirlwind after another. We have some big time family stuff going on and our support is very needed. I'm glad I went away to this retreat when I still had a moment; now all I'm doing is worrying. (and dog sitting).

Kitchen
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

This is the beautiful kitchen where we stayed. It was a very lovely small place. I just wanted pictures becaue I loved the way it was decorated!

Look at the bedroom! I have to remember that no one lives here. So there are no toys, no homework, and no dirty socks. I want to move in!

Bedroom
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

It was wonderful...thank you Chef Lark and your helpers.

There were some very interesting moments while we were there. Here's one now:

Nipple Light
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

The Bum
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

And here's another. Can you imagine what was said? hmmmmm

Our New Friend

2008-04-27T06:10:00.000-06:00

Our New Friend
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Finally a moment to sit down and tell about our new friend, No-name Kitty.

Here is a picture from his first day with us. He was skinny and sickly and hungry and cold. Rescued from under a truck near our neighborhood park, we discovered his true identity a couple of days later.

He has been approved as a "viable" kitten by our vet. He was sneezy, congested and had visible eye goop. Kitty is safely home getting used to us and our other animals. They aren't hip on this new addition, but they'll get used to him. He's great.

Unfortunately, (but fortunately for kitty) we discovered after spending $200 on this kitten that he previously belonged to our neighbors down the street. HOWEVER, the adults that live there had told their children that they took this kitten to the pound because it was making their other cat(s?) sick. The couple is divorcing and had rented this house at the beginning of the school year. The male (can't say man, because no real man would behave as he does) there has a nasty temper and doesn't care who's kids are there listening to his filthy mouth. So my kids ONLY go there when he is not there. Its been much more peaceful since he left. What really blows my mind is that the female there dressed up yesterday for his visit with his kids because "she wants him back". Sick! He's toxic and I am REALLY sorry for his children.

Menu Plan Monday

2008-04-21T07:01:00.000-06:00

Menu Plan Monday
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

I'm going to start doing this....for a few reasons:
a) I think this website rocks.
b) I think it will save me moolah.
c) I hate thinking of what to cook each day.
d) I can do all the shopping at once, or not, depending upon how much room I have in the freezer, etc.
e) my DH now gets paid weekly instead of bi-weekly, so menu planning will work well with that schedule.

So this is my menu plan for this week:
Monday
Fettuccini Carbonara (thank you, Lark!)

Tuesday
BBQ beef sandwiches, broc/cheese casserole

Wednesday (Good News Club day)
Leftover Love

Thursday
Teriyaki chicken salad w/honey mustard dressing (we just marinate it for the day and then grill)
Dump Cake

Friday

Leftover Love

Saturday
Cube Steak
Potato Quiche
Green beans or salad.

Sunday
Lunch out after church
Dinner: coconut chicken wings (like this, but wings)
steamed veggies
rice

2008-04-11T15:45:00.000-06:00

Look! I'm a princess!

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Ew.

2008-04-11T03:53:00.000-06:00

I feel like this.
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Why is it so bad to be a girl sometimes? I mean....not day to day. Just SOME days, if you get my drift.

My legs hurt so bad. And my head. I just haven't been this bad in sooooo long, it caught me off guard. I realized I really need to get that ablation done this summer. Its going to be interesting, because my DH has a new job, contract to hire, and while we've been assured he's hired, we're still unstable. So that issue and insurance come into play.

Today, I'm working through my pain. I have a birthday cake to make, and goodie bags to put together. My youngest is turning six! Unbelievable!

Ok...well, this post is over. I am going to lie down before I get up and tackle my chores. My friend, W, is going to stop by sometime and pick up some stuff too.

Out.

Happy Anniversary to ME! (us!)

2008-04-10T11:54:00.000-06:00

MFT Let's Go For A Walk Card Cafe
Originally uploaded by scrappysandi

Its our anniversary! Yay! Nine years of wedded bliss! ;-)
We are headed out to dinner. Our lovely pastor's wife has offered to watch the tutu wearing monkies for us for a bit tonight. We are off to the Outback Steak House. We haven't been there in ages. We usually go the more kid friendly route. It sounds good to me anyhow.

This is a card I made today for Card Cafe. The swap is called "On the Square" and you just had to have something square related.
My card, is square. Didn't I just over-do it on the creativity there?

Wanted to do more with my Cuttlebug square embossing mat, but just didn't have the time or inclination today. There lots more swaps, however!

For my weird friend ;-), because I lurve her.

2008-03-31T10:13:00.000-06:00

Taco Soup

2# ground beef, browned and drained
1 med. Onion, chopped fine
1 can chili beans, UN-drained
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can green chiles
1 can Rotel tomatoes with green chiles
2c water
1 package taco seasoning
1 package Ranch dressing mix

Combine and heat – can use Crockpot. Serve with Scooper FritosÒ , shredded cheddar, and a dollop of sour cream.

Weight Watchers: 6 Points

Use Baked Tostitos instead of Fritos: 2 Points added to the 6 for the soup (9chips), also omit shredded cheddar and sour cream

Recipe courtesy of Angie Pedersen, One Scrappy Site. Thank you, Angie. I've admired you for years, and this recipe has made it into our family favorites! Enjoy.