I've Moved!

You can find me here from now on. Thanks for visiting!

I'm ba-ack!

I needed two syllables on that one. Because it feels good to be home. I was in Atlanta at an IB conference for 4 days. Our school offers this diploma, and to teach certain higher level math classes you need the 15 hours of training. And next year I am teaching advanced juniors. Should be fun. Went with the department head of my building, the dept. head of the other high school, and the head of math for our district. We had fun together. NO major hassles with travel or anything until the flight home yesterday was delayed due to some pretty big storms. I really needed to get home because yesterday was Jenna's birthday. I was just about crying (OK, I WAS crying) when I heard some flights were being canceled, but in the end we were only delayed a few hours and I got to see my little 6-year-old.

She's 6. Wow. How did that happen? If you have kids you're going to know what I'm talking about here. If not, read on. You'll be bored. But the day of their birthday you think about the birth story. And you talk about the birth story. And others talk about their birth experiences. And you can tell through the telling what an impact having children has on us, both men and women alike. Both of my girls were born within an hour of my arrival at the hospital, so mine involve a lot of panic and watching the medical professionals run around in a tizzy. Good times.

Jenna got a tricked-out Schwinn with matching helmet from her daddy. I just cannot get through to him that she does NOT need the latest, greatest, most expensive bicycle EVERY YEAR. That maybe, and I'm just throwing this out there, she could ride a bike for, say, TWO years. I know, it's revolutionary thinking and I'm making a leap here. But it's his girl, and the new bike is his "thing." And I wouldn't change it for the world. That man loves his girl, I tell you. He took her to a restaurant for them to sing her happy birthday, and he got all choked up.

In Atlanta I couldn't help but think about the last time I visited to attend CHA, I met the ladies from Scrap Muse, and we had an amazing time together. These were all friends that I met through the internet, and they are still my friends now. Leslie, the owner of http://www.scrapmuse.com/ at the time, made it all possible for us. And seeing all of the military personnel in the airport made me think of her struggles with her son right now. If you're the praying sort, please keep Leslie and her son in your prayers. Please. See her blog here. He was wounded and is fighting for his life.

In scrappy news, while I was gone, (of course) this happened. First, my project for the Fancy Pants Blog appeared. It was a super easy frame using their amazing rub-ons. Then the amazing Ms. Klemish mentioned me on her blog post at Two Peas. Thanks, girl! And last, but certainly not least, my name appeared somehow on this list. You need to scroll down a bit to find it, but somehow my name is on the finalist list for the Chatterbox DT. Now I did apply, yes, but do you see those other names? I am seriously OUT OF MY LEAGUE here, folks. But I can't even tell you what it means to make the finalists with the likes of that talent. I don't expect to make the team, but cannot wait to play with the new lines. You can't win if you don't try, right?

OK, off to take care of the million and one things I have left for myself to do when I get home. Can you spell P-R-O-C-R-A-S-T-I-N-A-T-E? Me either.

Peace.

Sunday Randomness

OK, was that not the best tennis match EVAH? Go Nadal. I was in tears when it was all said and done. I'm cool like that. It makes me wonder why the obsession with tennis. I'm equally obsessed with hockey . . . Red Wing hockey, of course. I always say it's because the two sports are so similar . . . well, maybe not. But I love them both. Tennis, because it's hard. And you are relying on yourself, and only yourself. (Unless you're that Russian woman who kept yelling at her mother from the court. AWKWARD.) I love the mental strategy of tennis. And hockey because it is just good physical fun.

I think I need a twelve-step program . . . for pistachios. I am obsessed. My two thumbnails have been worn to the quick from the near-constant consumption of said goodies. It's not just the taste, and the salt, it's the satisfaction of breaking out one that you had deemed hopeless. No amount of split nails will keep me from these gems. I need help, I tell you.

And thank you, Emily, for turning me onto the Starbucks Doubleshot on Ice. Wow. Not too milky, not too sweet, cold, AND a good buzz. Good stuff, I tell you! A close second is the Sweet Tea from McDonald's. Try one. You won't be sorry. You won't sleep, but you won't be sorry.

LOVING my new phone. It's a Palm Centro. I can type in complete sentences with proper capitalization as well as punctuation. I'm cool like that too. But the best part is you can text WITH smilies and it appears as a chat. OK, it's not the IPhone, but what is?

For the fireworks photos I used the running man, or sports setting on my camera, and my 75-300 lens. I did not use a tripod. Here's what I found out. You need to track the fireworks as they are being launched. If you wait too long to take the picture, you get a series of dots in the picture, very uninteresting. You need to snap the picture just as it lights up to get the full shape of the fireworks. If it is not a particularly bright firework, your shutter speed goes so slowly you shake your camera thinking it's broken. Those are the blurry, bright photos. But in between the dots and the blur you can get some good ones. Trust me. I'm going to experiment with some sparkler (or as Jenna says sprinkler) photos. I'll keep you posted.

OK, enough of my random ramblings.

Happy Independence Day Weekend!

Hope you're having a good one! A lot of family time, as well as some fireworks, and then to top it all off, TENNIS. Go Venus! What could be better.

Sharing a few photos from last night. We need to finish off our sparklers, but Jen has had a bad day decision-wise. I thought a nap would help, but not so much. We went on a long bike ride this evening to the nature center, hoping she could use up some of her energies. She still managed to make some poor choices.

Looking forward to the Nadal/Federer match tomorrow. I'm rooting for Nadal. What about you?

Have a great weekend and week. I've got another busy one.

Wimbledon Magic

I'm such a fan, so you know what I am spending my time on right now. It's a hectic next two weeks, and I'd love some creative time, but it's highly unlikely. Especially given the fact that I just finished the last of my June deadlines. Talk about down to the wire!!!!! I'm turning into a slacker, I tell ya.

Here are some pics of my girls from yesterday. Em made it home for a scant 24 hours, and she even suggested I take some pics. Will wonders never cease?

I'd love to sit around and regale you with the minutiae of my life, but there's a tennis match happening, people. Got to go!

The story of a water balloon fight

She's got swimming lesson hair, that's for certain. Last night while we were playing outside she and her dad decided to have a little battle. Check out my photo blog for more pictures!

Summer vacation, my foot!

It's been a busy one. Oddly so. So here is a random listing of the last week.

~It was a rather stressful week with the family. My parents are aging, and they both have very different, yet pressing needs. I'm not going to go into details, but it ate up a lot of my emotional energy as well as time the past week. That being said, we are heading down the right track and making progress. Family is everything to me. 'Nuff said.

~Jenna had swimming lessons last week. And it was COLD. No complaints from her though. The girl is a fish. Her class is small, 4 kids, 4 teachers. A lot of individualized attention, for certain.

~Went cropping at my LSS. I went with the fabulous Sarah Klemish as well as my sister-in-law. We've been meaning to get together for some time. Finally it worked out. Miss Sarah conveniently neglected to tell us, however, that our local newspaper was coming in to interview and take pictures for an article for our paper about scrapbooking. She is a very sweet and humble individual who did not want the article to be just about her. It's a good thing she's so sweet, it makes it impossible to get mad at her! LOL! Got quite a few pages done that day, and haven't had time to scan or upload them all. Here are two I did for Sassafras Lass.

~Went to Saginaw Zoo. We love hanging there. Buy a yearly pass. It's close, it's very doable in a short period of time, and it's fun. Jenna just adores animals.



~Also took a trip to Frankenmuth. It's such a cool place to visit as well, but the construction we ran into along the way was BEYOND frustrating. There was a big pile up three cars behind me on I-75. There was a detour, and we were routed onto 675. Seems like an easy enough endeavor, and yet there was CONSTRUCTION on 675, with only one lane open. It was difficult hitting those breaks in time, and even once I did I was nervously looking behind me to see if others would be so lucky. Some were not. Won't be traveling south again any time soon. We did catch a little art fair and some German entertainment.

~Hit the Greek Festival as well. One of my best friends in high school was Greek, and we would go with her every year. The food is AMAZING. Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) are my all-time favorite, closely followed by tiropitas.

~Taught Photoshop Elements, and had 7 students. That is a good number! I so enjoy the people I meet in these classes.

~Emily went to Chicago for the weekend. Wend to visit the American Doll store for a bday present for JJbeans. Can't wait to hear how much fun she had. I love Chicago!

~Speaking of American Girl Dolls, Jenna asked if she could take Jess to Dow Gardens this a.m. So off we went. No major mishaps, except Jess lost her sunglasses. One minor hissy-fit later (Jenna, not Jess) and we retraced our steps and found them.

~One of my former students came over this evening for help with his college math. We worked on solving systems of inequalities using the Simplex method. I studied all afternoon so I knew enough to teach him. Nothing says fun like math in the summer! LOL! Seriously, we both decided that there was something oddly rewarding about working hard at a math problem and finally getting it. There were a few times when we would compare answers and his was right, mine wrong. The student becoming the teacher. What could be better?

~Took a few senior pics of my niece. (See post below.) Learned some things along the way, of course. I need to start noting the little mistakes I make so I don't forget them. Maybe when some time magically appears for me.

Hoping for a less stressful week. Hope you have a great one as well!

Hayley - Senior Pics, Round 1. DING!

Head on over to my photo blog to see some of the pics I snapped tonight. Hope you like them, Hayley! You know I'll be taking a million more!

Free at last.

This is the first Monday of freedom, and I'm loving it. By 10:00 a.m. I had done two loads of laundry, emptied the dishwasher, completed a layout and started on another, made a run to the post office and to Rite Aid to pick up my allergy meds, and dropped off Jenna at swim lessons. During her lesson I took my walk, and listened to my IPod. Sheer joy, I tell you!

It's funny that summer vacation is such an adjustment for me. While it's exactly what I look forward to, there is this weird time where I wonder, how can I fill a whole day? It passes, as long as I stay busy. So that's what I'll do for a while.

Finished a new book today. It's called But Inside I'm Screaming. It was OK . . . kind of a downer. I guess it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out given the title. What was I thinking? Need a new read. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I've finished 5 of the 9 scrappy assignments for June. I only have about an hour of creative energy a day right now (as luck would have it), so I'm scrapping like a madwoman for that hour and then walking away. I've learned you can't turn creativity on when it fits in your timeframe. Wish it would though!

Had a great father's day. Em came home and got Bill a golf pullover that says Michigan State. Jenna got him a beanie baby, and made a dish at school for coins and such. She also decorated a hammer for him at daycare. She wrote him a letter that had us all stumped. It said, "Dear Daddy, I do not want to go to college. I do not want to go to school I do not want to grow up." Um, OK. What is this all about? When Bill asked she said, "I don't ever want to leave you, daddy!" How freaking sweet is that?

It almost made up for her temper tantrum that got her sent to her room at 7:00 to bed with no TV. She tried to get on her bike WITHOUT her helmet. When I called her on it, she threw her bike down in a fit of rage. When I said, "that's it, we're going inside," she proceeded to tell me what a "mean mommy" I am. Well, that didn't work out so hot for her, now did it? You'd think I committed a heinous crime when I told her she was done for the night. After plenty of begging and pleading for "a second chance" it was off to bed for Trixie. Bill and I both felt we needed to make a point of putting the smackdown on her behavior right away for the summer. And that we did. She has been so much better today. The issue is to nap or not to nap. We've been so besy for the past 4 days, she hasn't napped at all. I think this is going to be an issue . . . she still needs her naps, but when do you wean them off of them, knowing she will be in all-day school next year? I consulted my "Parenting for Idiots" manual, and so far no answers.

Our town does a festival every June and one of the attractions this year was this aerial act. She did ballet in the air, as two people held the ropes so she didn't float away. Now THAT is trust, don't ya know. They were called conedancers. It reminded me that some cool things are available in my little town.

On a very serious note, my friend Leslie is going through quite a trial right now. Her son, Kevin, was hit by a suicide bomber in Afganistan. He is in a coma fighting for his life in Texas right now. You can follow the story on Leslie's blog. I read it with such a heavy heart. Les was the first person to hire me for her design team at Scrap Muse, which is a monthly kit club. The friends that I met through that experience mean the world to me, Leslie being the center of it all. You see, you get to know people through scrapbooking. It more than just "pictures and paste." It's telling about you, your family, your hopes and dreams. Heck, I jumped on an airplane and flew alone for the first time 4 years ago to Atlanta to CHA to room and hang out with people from Scrap Muse that I had never met in real life. And yet, the minute I walked into the restaurant to meet them, it was as if we had been friends our whole lives. Now one of these friends is going through a real struggle. Please, if you're the praying type, keep Leslie and her son in your prayers.

I'm out for now.

Almost There!

To the end of the school year, that is. Two more days of exams, and one workday. Then sweet, sweet summer. Nothing much earth-shattering going on, but here are a few tidbits from the last week.

Finished the book Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon. I've read the entire Mitford series, but this one was by far the best. LOVED it. It provided some background information on the main character of the series, and also dealt with getting older. That has tended to be the theme of that last few books that I've read. What do you think THAT means? LOL.

Went to the art fair this weekend. Spend time checking out all of the photographers' booths. It was HOT, but we spent time sitting in the shade checking out some artists working.

Air conditioner puked on Friday. After being in school with no air all day in 90+ degrees I was so looking forward to some relief when I got home. Not so much. No air, and no end in sight. They are ordering a new compressor, and hopefully that will do it. It won't be in until the end of the week though.

Went to a Loons game yesterday. It went from rain to a full-on monsoon during the game, so in 3 hours we saw 2 innings. Jenna was at the park at a birthday party and when the storm hit I was in a bit of a panic wondering where she was. Motherly worry. Good times. It was a school gathering and we had fun. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate!

Jenna had her last soccer game on Saturday. She's had so much fun this season. She was bummed she didn't get another goal, but she did a great job. It was SO HOT, and she got tired quickly. She hung in there though.

Had my last photography class. It was such a great kick start to get back into (and loving) photography. It was just what the doctor ordered.

In scrappy land, nothing new. I have a bunch of deadlines for June (9), and haven't started a one. I am convinced I have forgotten how to scrap, it's been so dang long.

Jenna's school was closed today due to a power outage. BIG storms last night. What a mess! I went to drop her off for before-school care, and the supervisors weren't sure what was going on. Only that there was no power. I wasn't comfortable leaving Jenna, so I took her with me into school. I had exams to give so I called Bill and had him come to the school to pick her up. As Bill was on his way to get her, the daycare people called and said they were setting up generators and school would be in session. So Bill took her back to school, knowing she'd be disappointed if she missed her end of the year party which was today. So back to school he took her. About an hour later the daycare ladies called again to say school had officially been canceled. ARGH! So in between exams I picked her up and drove 20 minutes each way to drop her off at daycare. Our district really dropped the ball on this one.

Nothing else new. Have a great week!

Happy June

FINALLY it's June. It has been so cold in Michigan this spring, and the temperatures would lead one to believe it is April. There was FROST last week. And after the brutal winter, we need warmth. My problem is I don't tell time by the calendar, I tell it by the weather. So this perpetual state of April is doing quite the number on my head. But the calendar says June. And June means that school will be out soon. NO. I am not out of school yet, like the rest of the world. We have two more weeks. Good times.

Busy weekend, as usual. Yesterday was coffee at mom's, a soccer game, laundry and housework, then out to eat with friends. Today was coffee at mom's again since Em came home for the day, grocery shopping, making a salad (which was delicious) for a steak dinner at one of Bill's shooting clubs, off to a graduation party, then to the steak fry. Absolutely no down time. This is becoming a habit.

Jenna scored TWO goals at her soccer game. I am so impressed with her coaches and this team and how much they have all learned while having fun. She was so excited to score, and hasn't had many opportunities because she's been playing defense in every other game. She was so thrilled, and Bill and I were so proud.

I'm off to celebrate the anniversary at Scrap Supply. There are some cool things going on today, including Bingo with Ali Edwards. Check it out if you get a chance!

Oh, and I had a page picked up for the November/December issue of Memory Makers magazine. I rarely get a chance to submit, so it's a good thing when something gets picked up. Now I need to fill out all of the paperwork to send it off.

Have a great week.

Some new pictures

Head on over to my photo blog for some new pics for class. Used the Orton effect on this one. Hope you enjoy!

Let the weekend begin.

Seriously. This was one long week. Today was an emotional roller coaster, with our staff honoring the retiring staff members. I am AWFUL with goodbyes. I mean seriously messed up. We are losing some fine educators. People who have spent a lifetime making a difference in the life of kids. Now tell me that doesn't choke you up. And as much as I am happy for the people who are retiring, you could see with each and every one of them that they weren't done making a difference. That's what hurts. Cried all morning. And that feeling of sadness stayed with me all day, which is rare.

On to better news, I finished my article for the Scrap Supply newsletter. Layouts? Check. Article? Check. Relief? Check. Check. It is such a feeling of accomplishment when I'm done with deadlines. And I'm proud of this article. You really need to stop by SS on June 1 for some serious fun. They are even giving away a Making Memories Slice. What could be better?

Also went to see our coworker, Mary, and her newborn baby girl. It still just amazes me the miracle of babies. And this one is a beauty. Made me want another one for a minute. Biological clock and all. I'm lucky to have my two girls, and I'm happy. So the feeling passed. Not the miracle part, though.

No big plans this weekend. We're not exactly the type to head out on vacation when everyone else is. We're more the type to go on vaca when everyone else is home. Bill and I both work with people EVERY DAY, and I have no desire to deal with tons of people on my free time. Now I love what I do, don't get me wrong. But sometimes getting away from the crowd is just what the Dr. ordered.

Sharing some pictures of the diva and the makeup transformation by sissy from last weekend. Doesn't she look adorable?

That's Entertainment

A few pictures from last night at dress rehearsal. Doesn't she look happy in the first? The had the kids line up for the finale first, and the girl would not crack a smile. She looks so happy trapped amongst the flowers, no? Then they went back to their seats and waited for their number. Well let me tell you this girl put on her game face when it was show time. That move in the second picture had Em and I hysterical in today's performance. I was laughing so hard I missed the final few moments from the tears in my eyes. She dances with heart, I tell you! And the last picture is the smile on her face when it was all through. Priceless.

Layouts and more

Here are three layouts for Fancy Pants Designs for this month. I actually took a personal day today and scrapped for three hours this a.m. I'm a bit stressed for a lot of reasons. I'm edgy and nervous. And there is a lot going on this weekend. YIKES.

Did all the laundry today as it will be too hectic this weekend with dance recitals and rehearsals. Between costume fittings and alterations, painting her BLACK tap shoes TAN, getting the proper lipstick (red), eyeshadow (purple), and blush (pink), none of which I own OF COURSE, the hairspray (ultra-mega-super hold), bobby pins, etc. I am plum worn out. How do the stage moms handle it? She's a leprechaun. Go figure.

Emily and one of her roomies are coming home for the weekend as well. I'm hoping in between the weekend we call DANCE I can get some pictures of the college girls.

I'm doing a photo shoot with some techniques I will share in the June Newsletter at Scrap Supply. Watch for the special anniversary bash, scheduled for June 1st. There will be contests, prizes, and all sorts of fun. I had a blast on NSD with the ladies from SS, especially playing Bingo. Check it out! Another cool twist is that the amazingly talented Ali Edwards. Can you believe it?

Speaking of SS and NSD, I created and shared some PS actions for NSD, and answered Photoshop questions. Well who dropped by but Crystal Jeffrey Rieger, a Memory Makers Master. Check out her blog post where she mentions yours truly. How cool was that?

Let's see what else. On the health-front, things aren't so swell. Turns out my Thyroid levels are all out of whack. I had a feeling because I am SUPER sensitive to cold right now. HATE IT. I get so cold the only thing that will warm me up is a hot shower. Hypothyroidism is a pain in my ever-growing butt. Seriously.

Two of my family members are having health crises of their own right now. I'm not sharing specifics, because both of them are private people, but it is 99% of my stress. We should have answers on both of them tomorrow. In the meantime, if you're the praying type . . .

Got a new lens for my camera. It is the Tamron 28-75 F2.8. If you look at my photo blog you can see a few I snapped tonight.

OK, I'm out. Have a good weekend.

Happy Mother's Day!

I know I had a good weekend. It was busy, but fun. Went to mom's for coffee yesterday a.m. Then home to finish my deadlines for Provo Craft. The got Jenna all ready for her soccer game, arrived at the fields, only to find out she didn't have a game after all. That will teach me to check the schedule. As we pulled away from the soccer fields, Jenna said "Mom, I am NOT a happy camper." True dat, my girl. True dat.

Went to the casino with the neighbors last night. And while I'm not exactly a high roller, playing the $0.02 machines and all, not spending more that $20 total, I ended up at $127.00. After paying Bill back the $20 he gave me to gamble, and also paid him the $20 he lost. Then I paid for dinner and the tip at $40. So we ended up with a free dinner and a bit of winnings to boot, without spending a dime. Odds were in my favor, I think.

Grocery shopping today in preparation for the week and a family gathering at mom's for lunch. The whole family was there, including Billy which was a great surprise. He has been moved to days (he is a police officer) so he can now come home some weekends. We had fun together, as always. Emily came home after work last night and left tonight. What would Mother's Day be like without my girls?

Speaking of my girls, this is one of the outtakes from the gardens last week. Priceless.

A few from tonight

Had a little fun tonight at the Gardens. My girls.

Happy Sunday

It's amazing to me how quickly time passes in the spring. It catches me unawares every stinking year. Soccer, with dance, school activities, and life in general. It's just kicking my butt right now. And making me long for summer, and a different pace. One that doesn't involve to-do lists that span the length of my arm.

One of the things that I spent the week (and last weekend) working on was my new Advanced Photoshop Elements class. It takes so much time, because I have to decide what I'm teaching, test each topic, write up the steps for a handout, and choose the pictures to go with the class. Then I have to drop the pics off at the store so they can be loaded onto the computers. The class is 6 hours in total, and I only got done with the first class. On Thursday night, after countless hours spent on prepping for the class, the camera shop called to say they didn't get enough people to run it. GOOD TIMES. At least I have more time to prep.

Yesterday I spent a lot of time at Scrap Supply celebrating National Scrapbook Day. What a blast! I have some Photoshop challenges and tutorials, and the other DT members have fun challenges as well. You really have to check it out! We played Bingo til the wee hours last night and it was a blast. I even created a few actions if you have Photoshop, although they won't work in Elements.

Emily is now officially done with her junior year of college. She called yesterday and talked about how she feels like a zombie now that exams are over. I remember that feeling. She's working at a coffee shop (I believe she is called a barista, but she doesn't find the title nearly as charming as I do.) She's taking classes all summer. I just cannot fathom that she's already been away for three years. Yikes. She gets to come home and hang for a few days and I can't wait to see her. It always makes me feel like my family is complete when she's home.

School is busy too. Grades were due this week, and the kids have been absent in droves due to field trips, sporting events, club competitions, etc. So every day after school I had droves of students needing the lesson repeated or to make up the tests they missed. Plus it was prom last night, so they were really wound up in class getting ready for the big weekend. I got so busy at the end of the week I got kind of cranked. That usually doesn't happen. I'm usually really on top of things at school. Somehow with the make-up work it was impossible. Here's hoping for a more relaxing week. Wish me luck.

I've been working hard on my photos for my photography class. I am learning so much about my photo skills and point of view. We are supposed to shoot a series of photos with a theme/story. It turns out I don't really have one. I'm disappointed in how "snapshotty" my photos are. I want photos that look polished, well-composed, and a little artsy to boot. Doesn't seem like too much to ask, IMO. My passion is photos of people. Not just my girls, although that is a good 90% of the passion ... but that's just because they can't say no when I want to take their picture. So I really wanted to take pictures of Jenna for my series. But I did bring pictures in to class last time of other shots I have taken so the teacher could see I'm not just a mom with a camera. (MWAC.) He particularly liked one I had taken of a corn stalk. And literal-minded math teacher w/a smart mouth said, "It's JUST a corn stalk." Nice, Kay. Now let me tell you about this teacher. He is an accomplished photographer who has studied with several famous photographers, and can make even the most mundane things beautiful. You should have seen the look he shot me. So after much deliberation I have decided to make my series "Things Along the Trail." Little things I observe when hanging out at the Nature Center. Maybe focusing on something OTHER than people will push me forward. Here's hoping.

Just finished the book Water for Elephants. It was REALLY good. In fact, it's the best book I've read in a very long time. Now I'm reading The Year of Fog. It is good, but leaves me feeling so sad every time I pick it up. It's about a missing girl and the endless search for her. I think this time of year I need something a bit more uplifting, and a little less heart-heavy. Next time, I guess. I need to keep reading because with every page I'm hopeful that they find her. I'm going to be a wreck if it doesn't happen. That's all I'm sayin'.

The picture is of my girl last week. Hope you have a wonderful week!

A few faves from today

Here are a few of my faves from today shooting on the train tracks. I've wanted these pictures for a long time, but I wish the weather/light would have been better. Oh well. Baby steps.

Has it been a week already?

Seriously, time is just a flying right now. Let's see. It was a pretty busy week again, what with dance, soccer practice, soccer game, parent-teacher conferences for J, a trip to the dentist for J, photography class for me, a crop on Friday night, and just life in general. And I wonder why some mornings Jenna wakes up and the first words out of her mouth are "Is today a day off?" Is it wrong that someone so young is already worn out? Probably, sadly, so.

Got three layouts done for Fancy Pants, one for Sassafras Lass, and two projects for ProvoCraft. That means I'm DONE WITH MY DEADLINES FOR APRIL!!!! Can you feel the joy? I'm feeling it. Today's task is to develop my "Advanced Photoshop Elements" class that I'm teaching next weekend. Plus grocery shopping. Plus laundry. Good times.

Em is preparing for her exams for next week, and stressing to the max. Good luck my girl. You're almost there!

OK, off to face the day. Be careful out there!

A tale of the teeth, part III

Here's the latest. Both top teeth gone. THANKFULLY. The one hanging, dead tooth in a gap of epic proportions was not a good look for Miss J. The funniest part is her permanent teeth are already coming in. She has to work hard not to, but there is no lisp. You can see her struggle to avoid it, and it is so cute! Maybe the whole shark teeth thing wasn't so bad after all.

Soccer game today. It was her first one this season, and the poor thing coughed and snotted her way through. Bill and I talked about the fact that she will most likely not be able to play an outdoor sport due to her allergies. Poor baby. They are so bad in the fall and spring. And unless we decide to go the way of allergy shots, she's just too miserable. She doesn't look too miserable in this picture though. She sure has grown to love this game!

We went to a Rugby game last night. A few of my students asked me to come watch, and I didn't know anything about the game. WOW. Let me just say I was unprepared for the rough nature of the game. And yet, I was impressed with the strength and tenacity my girls showed. I took some pictures, and I'll share them if I get the OK from my students. Bill was impressed, and Jenna was excited to meet my students. I had them in middle school, and now again in high school (they're juniors), and it was an honor to be asked to attend. You learn something new every day!

Off to dinner tonight with the neighbors. Jenna and my niece played with my sister and had a blast. I think Jen was sad to see us come home.

Emily hurt her foot at school this week, and is in a boot. Bad sprain I guess. Plus her allergies are giving her grief. Sorry my girl!

OK, off to edit more pics for my photography class. Peace!

Random Ramblings . . .

Taking a photo class. It's on shooting a series. Meets every other week, and I love the concept. It's got me out shooting again. YEAH!

Had family birthdays over the weekend. Dad, my BIL, and my sister. It was fun having the family together. Missed Billy.

Funny moment of the day, Jenna was spelling words, names specifically. We asked her to spell Emily. She wrote M - O - L - E. Sound it out. She just may be a genius!

She lost one of her front teeth last night. Don't you just love the result? By the way, her face is wet because we were blowing bubbles and a big one popped in her face. It is not DROOL, Em. LOL!

Parent-teacher conferences last night and again all day. BUSY.

Dance and soccer every week. Can you spell busy?

FINALLY some warm weather. Got up into the 70's. Makes me weep with joy.

Jenna is sick again. Allergies are a bummer. Back to the Dr. but thankfully at this point her ears are good. Wish us luck.

A quick BasicGrey layout to share

I could not WAIT to play with the new Basic Grey. I am utterly, totally in love. Here's a quick layout about my girl. Sorry it scanned crooked . . . don't know why that always happens to me! Just this week we have been joking at Scrap Supply about hoarding scrap supplies. And there are a few lines that I am obsessive about. BasicGrey being one of them. These lines have to have their own shelves and separate drawers, they are THAT important to me. (Can you spell obsessive?) Hey, I own it. Steph and I have a little contest going on who has the most BG. We're both going to snap a photo (aka admit our problem) and compare the illnesses. Now if I only had more time to play!

Thoughts on Antiques

So over the weekend we went to Bay City to the antique warehouse looking for fishing poles. Long story. Anyhoo, whenever I am around antiques I feel a strange sense of sorrow. Maybe it's the smell . . . it smells just like my grandparents' homes in Wisconsin. Maybe it's the sense of history. Who did these possessions belong to? What is their story? What gets me the most is the old pictures. That just cuts me to the quick. Wasn't there anyone who cared enough to keep them? Or was it that the story of the people in the pictures was somehow lost in time. Like someone inherited the pics and didn't really know who was in them. Makes me sad, I tell you. When we walked into the store Jenna said, "Mom, there are things in here from generations of people!" True that, my girl. True that.