My first altered project!

I have finally completed my first altered project and I am so excited! I know it is not as fabulous as some other things I have seen altered but I am loving it nonetheless! I played along in a challenge at The School of Scrap to complete an altered "Thankfulness" project...and this is what I came up with.

It is one of those wooden photo boxes that I found on clearance for about $6. It has a place for a photo on top and then inside are little holders for tons of 4x6 photos. All the patterned papers and embellies are from BoBunny except for the ribbon. Inside each year I plan to have us all hand write what we are thankful for and maybe even add a small picture as well. I thought it would be a nice new tradition for us to start and I know it will be so cute to look back on when the kids get bigger.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

I can hardly believe Thanksgiving has passed and everything is already full steam ahead for the Christmas holidays...WOW! We had a nice Thanksgiving holiday in NC visiting the Biltmore estate (family pic was taken there) and then in VA with Steve's dad, grandfather and brothers. We also had a chance to visit with some friends in NC on our way home. I think my favorite part was just being able to really experience fall...the changing leaves were just gorgeous (Alyson and I couldn't stop "oohing" and "aahing" over them) and there was just the right amount of chill in the air! LOVE IT!

These are a few of my favorite pics...

What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

What The Holidays Mean to You

For you, the holidays are about emotional connections and bonds. You are happiest being around those you love. You celebrate the holidays in an over the top style. If something is cute, you'll buy it. People end up with a lot of gifts from you - and your house is like a holiday wonderland, full of decorations. During the holidays, you feel magical. You love all of the decorations and how happy people are. You like to sit back and take it all in. You think the holidays should be energetic and packed with activities. You'll double up on caffeine and sugar if that's what it takes to get you through them. Your favorite holiday memories strongly evoke your senses. You are vividly aware of all the tastes, smells, and sounds of the holidays.

What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

I am cast free!

My cast/splint came off for good today. I am actually feeling a bit naked without it! I have gotten pretty used to using my left hand...plus my right is pretty stiff and sore still. I think the doc was hoping I would have a bit more mobility in it than I do - guess I didn't exercise it hard enough these last few weeks :( I go to my first physical therapy appt in a week...and I must admit I am pretty scared of the pain that will be inflicted. I am going to work it as hard as I can over this next week but even attempting to write something is excrutiating right now. The doctor told me it will never be 100% and so I am worried as to exactly what it WILL be...this is my dominant hand we are talking about. Makes me SO angry at this 18 y.o. kid who caused all this. Wish I could just SCREAM at him -- not that it will make any difference but at least it might make me feel better.

My wrist looks so deformed to me now and I know that it will never look the same again...not to mention the scar I will be sporting now. I know it sounds so silly but it makes me feel so ugly right now. I should be focusing and remembering how lucky I am to still be here but instead I am worried about how it looks -- so superficial really. And I always liked my handwriting before but now it may never look as nice...stupid stuff, I know. I was rambling on about it all to Steve today and much to my surprise he was really supportive and even surprised me with a card letting me know he loves me no matter what.

I hate feeling so frustrated and angry about it all...but right now I just can't help it. It just isn't fair. :(

Remember Me

This was made by a 15 y.o. girl. It is so very powerful. I am so thankful for these men and women.

Halloween Cuties!

Okay, so I know I am posting these a few days late but here are my guys all decked out for Halloween...

Alyson was as pretty as ever dressed up as Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) in the beautiful dress that my mom made for her - so proud of my mom! She really does beautiful work and Alyson was just tickled pink to be in that dress (pun, intended! LOL!) She was constantly twirling around.

Stevie was as tough as ever as Jango Fett and as you can see in some of the pics took his role very seriously! LOL!

Steve surprised me!

I was getting ready to back out of the driveway this morning and head out to run a couple of errands when I looked in my rearview mirror only to find a Fed Ex truck blocking my way. I figured it was something for Steve for work so I got out to grab it only to be given a long box from 1800Flowers. I can't even remember the last time Steve brought me flowers let alone actually sent me flowers so I was immensely surprised to read the card and find they were indeed from my hubby! I was so touched I couldn't help but cry. (pathetic, I know!) I have been feeling so down and frustrated with everything the last couple of days even though I have been working to put on a happy face. His gesture just made my day and made me feel so special and so loved! I just had to share my happiness with anyone who would listen!

Virginia Tech GET JUMPIN'!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOKIES!

It's starting to look a little like Fall...

Well, maybe not...at least not here in The Sunshine State...this time of year really makes me miss living in Seattle. I loved taking the kids out to the pumpkin patch and watch the leaves change. There was always just the right amount of chill in the air to enjoy being wrapped in a soft sweater...*sigh*

Oh well, this is about as close as we are going to get to a pumpkin patch now, but at least I can just step right out my front door.

Soccer Stud!

Stevie had his very first soccer game this weekend...and he did SO great! I know I am probably biased but I reallt think with practice he is going to be a really great player. He almost seems to be a natural. He also spent a little time as the goalie as well which made me so nervous but he did a great job there as well. Daddy is the team coach which I think they are both really enjoying, too!

Where there's a will there IS a way!

I have been doing pretty well as far as keeping it together since the accident but today I had a complete meltdown. I guess it was bound to happen. Today was the day. The pain and frustration at not being able to do something as seemingly simple as putting my hair in a ponytail finally got to me. Poor Steve was trying so hard but finally had to walk away. My crying and temper tantrum even gave my kids a good run for their money. When Steve decided my pity party had lasted long enough he came back and did his best to get my hair up for me and basically told me that was it...no more feeling sorry for myself. He says he won't let me. Even though I continued to go on about all the things I can't do, he told me to go get some pictures and start planning some LOs for when I could start scrapping again. I sat at my desk and continued to pout before I finally gave in and took his advice. Once I stopped feeling sorry for myself, I even managed to come up with a way to at least cut some paper for the LOs I am planning...it takes a little more effort than usual but at least it is something!

It's been a week.

This time last week I was heading home from the hospital after having wrist surgery to fix the break with a metal plate and screws. I am so glad to have it past me. I still have one more week to go before I see the dr again and get the stitches out...not too sure what will happen after that.

I am doing pretty okay I think although it is so hard for me to have to rely on others for so much.

Ever since becoming a scrapbooker some 10 years ago, I have done my best to be thankful for the blessings in my life and take very little for granted. Since the accident I think my perspective on life and its blessings has been magnified even more. I asked Steve yesterday if he thought I was being silly or over dramatic and he said no. I think realizing how much there was for us to lose has actually given us both a renewed sense of what is really important in life.

Steve has been absolutely woderful through all of this as well as most of my family and one neighbor in particular. And I really believe that scrapbookers are the nicest people in the world -- the support and encouragement from my online scrapbooking sisters has meant the world to me...so thank you to each and every one of you!

Counting my blessings

This past Sunday I was involved in a pretty bad car accident. I was heading to Salsa class with my brother, my sister and my sister's boyfriend when this car comes barrelling around the curve, fish tails and then looses control and comes flying across the road into my lane. I just couldn't get out of the way, I had no where to go. I can still see the crash, I can hear it, I can smell it. I can still hear everyone screaming, especially my sister...and there was nothing I could do. Turns out it was an 18-year-old kid driving, obviously speeding, in a hurry to meet his friends.

Steve took me to see the cars yesterday because we had to get the tag off and double to get out what we could. I just stood there and cried. I have never been more thankful for my Toyota Sienna mini van as I was at that moment. That car saved our lives. My son always called it the magic van and it never felt more true than when I laid eyes on it yesterday. The kid's car was not too far away from mine...he had no passenger seat left basically. It is obvious he was going way too fast. If he had had a passenger in that car they would not have made it. The firefighters and paramedics kept telling us how lucky we were and yesterday I really believed them.

We all basically "walked" away...my brother, sister and her boyfriend have bumps and bruises, mostly from seat belts and airbags I think. I have a broken right wrist on top of my bumps and bruises. I went to a dr's appt yesterdat thinking I would come home with a cast...instead I have been scheduled for surgery this coming Tuesday. I am so scared. I am so mad.

Steve has really been wonderful through all this. I know it is hard trying to take care of me and the kids on top of his work. My car is totaled, and I can't drive right now anyway. I hate that I am so dependent on others right now...but at the same time I am trying to count my blessings and just be thankful I, and everyone else involved, were able to come home. i am going to have to do my best to remind myself of that a lot over the next 6-8 weeks.

What's in a name?

An online friend shared this today...thought it would be fun...

1. your rock star name (first pet & first car).
Lenox Civic
2. your gansta name (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie).
Chocolate Chocolate Chip
3. your “fly girl” name (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name).
Hrib (looks more like my foreign "fly girl" name!)
4. your detective name (fav color, fav animal).
Green Cat
5. your soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born)
Diane Lansdale
6. your star wars name (first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first).
Ribhe
7. superhero name (”the” + 2nd fav color, fav drink).
The Blue Vanilla Latte
8. nascar name (the first names of your grandfathers)
Walter George
9. stripper name ( the name of your fav perfume/cologne/scent, fav candy). Rose Milk Duds (ROTFLOL! NICE! Who wouldn't want a lap dance?!)
10. witness protection name (mother’s & father’s middle names ).
Christine Walter
11. tv weather anchor name (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter).
Maurici Minneapolis
12. spy name (your fav season/holiday, flower).
Christmas Rose
13. cartoon name (fav fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”).
Strawberry Caprie
14. hippy name (what you ate for breakfast, your fav tree).
Coffee Palm
15. your rockstar tour name (”the” + your fav hobby/craft, fav weather element + “tour”). The Scrapbooking Rain Tour

Completed my first mini album!

I have *FINALLY* completed a mini album that is just for ME! I usually make them for other people and end up giving them away but this one is MINE! MINE! MINE! I started this after the girls over at House of Paper decided to have a Photo A Day Challenge back in February. I wanted to make an album out of my photos. I got the last of the album completed today...man, I am feeling so proud of myself! LOL!

I've been tagged...

It seems Amanda tagged me and so here are the rules: I must post the rules, then list 7 random things about me and then tag 7 others to do the same by leaving them a comment...so here goes...

1. I absolutely loves red roses.

2. I am going to start Salsa lessons on Sunday with my sister (SO excited!)

3. I have already purchased 3 Christmas gifts

4. I am going out to dinner and to see My Fair Lady tomorrow night...bought a new dress, new shoes and jewelry!

5. When I get tired of hearing "Mommy" or any version of that word I tell my kids that I have changed my name and they must hence forth refer to me as "Disney Goddess."

6. I love organizing things...although I am not necessarily all that great at keeping things organized -- go figure!

7. I want to be a Disney Princess for a day!

And I tag...
Melissa
Christopher
Judy
Lisa
Wendy
Jenn
Sindea

Remember...

For some this is harder than others...but today I hope you will take a moment to remember and pray for those who were lost and for those they left behind. Pray for our troops and their families doing all they can to keep us safe...and free. Pray for all the police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical personnel...all those who have chosen to make their job protecting the rest of us. God Bless America.

BACK TO SCHOOL!

I could not have asked for a better morning! The kids were up bright and early this morning when their alarms went off -- and they were HAPPY about it! They eagerly got ready for school and even made their beds without having to be asked and we were out the door by 7:15am! The drive to school was so fabulous...the kids are starting in a brand spanking new school this year that is just minutes from the house. I really expected a lot of chaos with it being the first day of school and it being a new school which is why we left about 15 minutes earlier than normal but man, oh, man...things went smooth as silk! And I am just so proud of Alyson. She had such a tough time for probably the first 3-4 months of school last year - she cried and was so clingy and I was concerned that would happen again. But this morning she was such a big girl! And of course Stevie was ready for me to leave almost as soon as I got him to his class! I can't wait to hear how their first day goes!

Sea World

The kids and I spent a few days at Sea World in Orlando with my mom (July 31 - Aug 2). We haven't been since Alyson was about 2 and she is absolutely in love with dolphins right now so this was heaven on earth for her! We stayed at the Renaissance Hotel just across from the park and since we all have APs there was no rush to get through anything. Actually I was pleasantly surprised that it was not more crowded.


We really had a great time...the kids got to feed the dolphins, we went on the Polar Expedition tour where we went back stage at the Wild Arctic and even got to touch a penquin and on our last day there we had dinner with Shamu. If you ever get the chance to go I would highly recommend the dinner!

A couple of BLUE belts

Stevie and Alyson have made it to their blue belts in karate. Stevie tested for his a week ago and Aly finally was able to get hers yesterday. They were both very excited! Of course Steve and I are very proud of them. Alyson will be starting Hip Hop dance lessons towards the end of this month and she keeps telling us that she is going to stop karate when she starts dance but we are keeping our fingers crossed that she will do both. They are both doing so well, I would hate to see her walk away from that. Plus it was hard enough for her when Stevie got his blue belt first (because she opted to skip a class one day) so I can only imagine what drama will ensue when he continues to move up in belts and she won't. She just has to have and do everything her big brother does!