Getting ready for National Scrapbooking Day!

So, who's ready for National Scrapbooking Day this year? My Saturday is actually going to be pretty busy with a baseball game and 2 birthday parties but I am determined to squeeze in some scrapping! Plus, at The House of Paper we are celebrating all month long! If you don't already hang out with us it is not too late to be a part of the fun. For $5 you can have special access to the board dedicated to special challenges and you are automatically entered into the drawings for some really stellar prizes...some of which include a House of Paper Gift Certificate, Rebecca Coopers Book, a Page Maps Book, American Crafts Albums, Rubber Stamps, American Crafts Prize Pack, Crate Paper Prize Pack and a Kal Barteski! I am excited! How about you? Hope to see you there!

Turning 36...

This is my favorite LO right now...for a couple of reasons...not the least of which is that it was my first official assignment as part of the Design Team at The House of Paper! I was so excited to be asked to be a part of the DT...and I made my "debut" on April 7th and the theme was birthdays -- and it just so happened that the 7th was MY 36th birthday! I had a lot of fun playing with this Lily Bee French Couture paper - so yummy!

I love The House of Paper...I have been a part of the website from the beginning back in 2004...almost every single day you can find me on the message boards at The House -- several times a day at that! The group of ladies on that site are always so supportive and we have so much fun too! They have seen me through a lot over the last almost 5 years. I have tried other boards on the web but I always go back home to The House!

Aside from my debut on The House DT, I did enjoy a nice birthday. My co-workers surprised me with a mini-surprise party in the conference room complete with cake and Starbucks ice cream! YUM! And I was giving a piece of framed original artwork featuring my most favorite mouse - MICKEY!

Steve and the kids took me out to a nice dinner and Ms. Pat surprised me by joining us...

By the end of the day I had been treated to 3 cakes! Looking forward to dinner out with some of my favorite girlfriends pretty soon too! ;)

Picture of the day...

Went out to get the newspaper with Alyson this morning and she was playing some millipedes - we got this cool pic for the day. She asked me to "babysit" it while she went inside to grab her bug habitat...and that's when I saw it...that damn black snake, (also known as "Blacky" around these parts!) wrapped around the tree outside my dining room window. UGH! I managed to walk calmly in the houese without alerting the entire neighborhood of its presence. I received quite the angry "moooooom" from Alyson as I came in the door, but once I explained myself she forgave me. WHEW! Of course my crew immediately went to the window to check it out. According to them he is "only a baby". And what exactly constitutes "a baby"? Oh he is only about a foot and a half. ONLY a foot and a half?! Do they not realize that is the length of a 12x12 sheet of scrapbook paper...plus another half?! A baby, my ass! They watched as he made his way out of the tree and so he is now on the move...which means that at least the rest of the day (although probably longer!), I will NOT being using my front door.

I am going to stick with the millipedes!

Getting back into the swing of things!

It has been pointed out to me, by more than a few people, that I am behind on my blog. It is nice to know that there are people out there who are actually interested in what I might have to say or what is happening with my family...kind of gives me that warm fuzzy feeling inside! ;) So sorry for being a slacker...things have just been hectic.

Today seemed like as good a day as any to get back into the swing of things (yep, that pun was totally intended!) Stevie had his very first baseball game today...and I confess, I was absolutely dreading it. I know, what a bad mom, right?! I am just not that big of a baseball fan and was really not looking forward to sitting out in the sun and time dragging...but I was most pleasantly surprised. I love how this league runs their games and these guys did so great! I was super proud of Stevie too! He played second base today; he got a few outs and had some really great plays! (I know I sound biased since I am his mother but, really he did!) He was up to bat 4 times with 3 hits and came in with 2 runs! He was so excited when the game was over...the fact that his team won probably had a bit to do with that but he really had a great time playing. I am actually looking forward to the next game!
















I have been keeping up with my Project 365 although I haven't been posted them each day to the blog obviously. I am trying to decide which pic to use for today...what do you think? First hit or first run?!

I still can't believe it...

I have been a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since I was a kid. My mom and I moved to FL the same year the Bucs franchise began. I can remember my mom taking me to game when they were dressed in their orange and white uniforms - now referred to as the "creamsicle" look. We would sit in the old "Sombrero" stadium and she would hand me the binoculars and tell me to look for grass stains...and alas, my love of football began! ;) (they had white pants back then just in case you were wondering). Probably not the best thing to tell your young daughter to do but hey, it helped pass the time and kept me interested in the game!

I grew up as a Bucs fan...even when they were downright awful. I am not what some would refer to as a fair weather fan. I am a Bucs fan for life. Today though, I am truly disheartened with the whole franchise. Over the years I have not always agreed with some of the choices and changes they have made but today's big announcement really left a bad taste in my mouth and a heavy heart. They let Derrick Brooks and 4 other veteran players go. There are a small few who support the move but I, and quite a few others do not. My heart is heaviest at the dismissal of Derrick Brooks.

Derrick Brooks is a class act on and off the field. He does so much for this community and he has played his entire career as a Buccaneer. Even he was blindsided by today's announcement. I feel so let down by the whole franchise. They don't seem to have any sense of loyalty. Granted, I am not a football expert but I think Derrick could have finished his last year on his contract and then been given the chance to retire as a Buccaneer...let him go out the way he came in. I have lost faith in the whole organization and I think the move they made was disrespectful and just down right classless.

Warrick Dunn is another one who is truly a class act on and off the field and another one they let go. It is really unbelievable to me. Both of these men are tremendous role models for our kids today...man, I just can't believe how sad all of this makes me.

I know I am not alone in my feelings either. I don't think this year is going to be the same for the football fans around Tampa Bay. I wish both Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn, as well as Joey Galloway, Cato June and Ike Hilliard, all the best in their future endeavors. I am so sad to see them go.

"WHO's YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER? ---- MR. DERRICK BROOKS!"

"Who's Your Favorite Player..."

You will be missed!

Project 365 - Feb 9th

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...so what does this one say to you? LOL! That is our little Tiger Lily -- not so little anymore though. She hopped on the couch to keep us company while we were watching The X-Files Movie. Guess she figured since the kids were all tucked in bed we needed a snuggle buddy. She is rather partial to Steve.

Project 365 - Feb 8th

Another beautiful day outside...perfect for a birthday party. One of our neighbors had a party for her son who was turning 8...and for once I did not have a camera in my hand! One of our favorite neighbors, Amy, took some photos though...she probably wanted to make sure I didn't try and take hr little Sophie home with me! ;) Isn't she just the cutest...and she has 2 adorable big sisters too!

Project 365 - Feb 7th

The kids had the day off from school today (won't even get started on how ridiculous THAT was!) but it turned out to be a gorgeous day out and so I took them out for a bike ride around our neighborhood. It was so peaceful and quiet and for that little bit of time there was no fighting between them -- oh wait! I take that back, there was a brief interlude about being "first"! LOL!

Project 365 - Feb 6th

My little brother and his girlfriend...aren't they just the cutest? Her name is Christine and I think she absolutely rocks! They came over and played American Idol with us tonight...and can I tell you how proud I was of my brother -- he actually sang! And he didn't do too bad either! Christine totally rocked out, too! She likes Shane West as much as I do! *gasp* Haven't met anyone else who did! Oh yeah, I am totally adopting her!

Project 365 - Feb 5th

Today I had lunch with some friends from high school...haven't seem them in about 10 years! It was really nice to see them both and catch up -- well, as much as you can in about an hour! LOL! It is fun to hear how everyone has "grown up" (yeah, okay, so I use that term loosely! ;)

Project 365 - Feb 4th

Another one home sick...this time it was Stevie. Turns out he has all kinds of allergies...both environmental and food wise. Poor guys has had stomach pains for the longest time. Now that we know what the allergies are, hopefully we can get him feeling better soon!

Is it really February already?

Is it just me or do the days seem to go faster as I get older?!

Feb 1

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY! Our friends Jamie and Glenn decided to have a few friends over to watch the Superbowl and we were more than happy to go. Out of everyone there though me and Jamie's daughter Kathleen were the only ones rooting for the Steelers. Such a close game but the Steelers pulled it out in the end! WOOT!

FEB 2

PLAYDATE! I snapped this pic of The Ribble kids and The Hall kids when I came to pick up Stevie and Alyson from their playdate on my way home from work.

FEB 3

Nothing too exciting today. Took a page out of Becky Higgins 365 album and snapped this pic on my way to work this morning. Do you think maybe the sunglasses are a little too big? (Steve picked them out for me a couple of years ago...I am still amazed they have lasted this long!)

Finishing up January

My last few pics for January and the Project 365 album.

JAN 26

Donut? Steve is in major marketing mode for our Liberty Tax stores and he had an idea to bag up a couple of Krispy Kreme donuts, staple one our coupons to it and then pass them out to drivers on their way to work. It took us 3 hours to bag up 70 dozen donuts! WHEW!

JAN 27

I made it all the way to work this morning only to have to turn around and head to school to pick Alyson up when the school nurse called to say that Alyson was vomiting. When I got there to pick her up I was told that her whole table was out sick that day. So she spent some time cuddled up on the coach watching the Tinkerbell movie.

JAN 28

We love Miss Faith! Steve and I were attending a networking cocktail party and so Miss Faith came to sit with the kids. She is one of the most intelligient, well spoken, well informed teenagers I have ever met! She is a Christian and proud of it and I love that she shares her love of God with the kids. She is as beautiful outside as she is inside too.

JAN 29

Alyson grabbed the camera this morning and was having fun snapping pics while I was combing her hair before school. She is quite the character.










JAN 30

Stevie went to spend the night with his buddy Lucas so when Daddy called to see if his girls wanted to meet up for a little ice cream date our sweet toothed little diva was all for it!









JAN 31

Dinner is served! You know, some days there just isn't much else to take a picture of! LOL! Cheese pizza for the kids and Spinach and Feta cheese for the parents...and everyone is happy.

Project 365 - Jan 25

Every once in a while you have to break all the rules and let the kids have cake for breakfast!

January 24th - FAMILIES GAME NIGHT!

We are starting a once a month game night with 3 other familes. Unfortunately, Dave and Katheleen had to cancel at the last minute because their kids were sick. We still had a great time although we missed having them there -- hopefully next month! We played a little Catch Phrase as well as Beyond Baulderdash. Such an awesome good time!

January 23rd - Family Time

We had pizza for dinner and played a little Family Version of Cranium. It was Mommy and Alyson versus Daddy and Stevie...and each team won once.

Project 365 - Jan 22

HOLY COW WAS IT EVER COLD HERE!

I know for you northern gals 27 degrees is not that big of a deal...but for those of us in Florida, well, that just doesn't happen to often. I actually had to scrap ice off of the windshield -- which I was not really equipped to do and so I resorted to using one of the kids beach buckets that was in the trunk of Steve's car because his garage door opener wouldn't work in the cold either. Oh yes, it was a fun morning. The kids were enjoying watching the breath.

Project 365 - Jan 21

Our Liberty Tax Store hosted an "After 5" event for the CABA association. I snapped a pic of Steve while he was up in front of everyone speaking. I admire his ability to easily get up in front of people. Definitely not something for his shy wife to do!

I can't keep it to myself.

I am going to vent right now. And yes, it is in regards to politics. Consider yourself warned. I have held my tongue long enough and since this is my blog and I can say whatever I want…I am going to do just that. I respect other people and their opinions, but right now I get to express mine.

No, I did not vote for Obama. Yes, it is a wonderful thing for this country that we have our first African American President and I certainly do not take that away from him. It would appear that our country has come so far. I however do not agree with many of his policies. I will pray for him and our country. I will treat him with the respect that he deserves as this country’s President.

That being said, I am utterly disgusted with the vast majority of this country’s democratic party as well as the obviously liberal media. How anyone can say this country’s media is NOT biased most certainly has blinders on. I am not one to be easily offended but that latter part of the benediction given by Rev. Joseph Lowery at the inauguration yesterday was uncalled for, and I am absolutely offended. This was beyond the realms of simply being rude. This was downright insulting. I can hardly believe this was considered acceptable and actually allowed at a federal ceremony. I can not see how a comment about “whites embracing what is right” will ever help unite this country. People are people – not their color. We are the human race. Why must whites be stigmatized for things that were done well over a hundred years ago – which, by the way, many white people died trying to stop?! Had a white person made any sort of derogatory comment like that about another race it would be all over the news and “racist” shouts would be heard from miles away. I am utterly sick and tired of it. Enough is enough already.

The lack of class shown by some who call themselves democrats is pathetic as well. I saw a lot of people commenting to others less than thrilled to have Obama as President that they should at least be respectful of him. I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. However, what about that lack of respect shown to George W. Bush yesterday?! Apparently that is different?! I find it nauseating how he was treated. It shows a complete lack of class and an absolute inability to even behave in a civilized manner. The behavior was reminiscent of drunks at a sporting event. I don’t care if you liked him or not – how dare people in this country treat a man who took one of the hardest jobs in the world like that! No he didn’t always make the right choice for everyone, he isn’t perfect – nor is any other president. They ALL make mistakes. They ALL make Americans angry at some point. They ALL deserve respect. Period.

As much as I would LOVE to see and be a part of an actual “ United” States of America, I don’t see it happening any time soon. I was hardly inspired after some of the events of yesterday and, try as I might, I am not full of a whole lot of hope either. Yesterday had so much potential but unfortunately left me more disappointed than anything. Disappointed and tired. The hypocrisy in this country is enormous.