And the "my goodness you're dumb" award goes to . . .

me. Yep, yours truly. Sometimes I wonder how I survive at'all.

Here's the story. It's spring break, and I'm home. Pouting. And yes, I realize this is not attractive, and I'm horribly shallow. I'm OK with that. They say the first step to solving a problem is recognizing it, right? Anyhoo, decided a little retail therapy via a trip to IKEA may just help. Couldn't hurt, right? Went with my sister Beth, and met Emily there. Perfect, since Em needs her rent check for college, and I can just deliver it to her that way.

Got some doors (4) and drawers (4) for my Expedit bookshelves. Also bought some more frames so I can finish my photo wall. A few more odds and ends, and we're ready to go. Packing it in the car is always a little difficult, especially with my shopping cohorts. But Em drove herself this time so I could actually see out of my rearview window. SWEET. We went to Chili's for lunch, gave Em a hug and "I love you" and we're on our merry way.

Then Em calls me on the way home, and says, "Mom, you forgot to give me the check." DUH. Um, that's one of the reasons we went to IKEA in the first place. But no worries, she's behind us on the expressway, and we'll just pull off at the next exit and make the financial transaction. Off we go, pull over, and I take out my checkbook. NO BLANK CHECKS. None. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Wait, there's one I wrote incorrectly. Could I fake it? Let's just say my forgery skills are weak and it didn't work.

Em said she'd drive home the next morning to pick up the check. She wasn't even mad at me, (probably because she's immune to my idiocy.) Of course the mom guilt got the best of me, so I told her I'd drive down in the morning to deliver it. So up early Sunday morning, getting ready to go out the door, and realize I haven't refilled the checkbook. Go into the cupboard to find said checks, and NOTHING. I have no more checks. You see, I don't write many checks. A box can last me a good 6 months or more. I pay all bills online. Now what?

I had a few used check packs in the box WHERE THE NEW CHECKS SHOULD BE and luckily I can't count and had one blank check. (Cue the sound of angels singing, that's how happy I was.)

The good news was I got to see my girl again. I took Jenna and she was happy because she knew I had seen sissy the day before and was jealous. It all worked out in the end. I still get the award, I know.

BTW, putting together the shelves and drawers took me 6 hours. Yep, that's right. A few minor flesh wounds and pounded thumbs later, they were all done. It looks so much better now that my junk isn't quite so visable. I also got lamps for the room. It is now 99% done. The last step is for Bill to add the moulding, and voila. Done.

Went to school to scrap all day today. Felt good to scrap just for me.

I got tagged by my scrap idol, Dena, and I will be tagging people tomorrow.

Enjoy your Monday!

Fun Weekend

Well I had a wonderful weekend! It was filled with family, and that's what matters most to me. Went to the parent's yesterday, and got some good family shots. Hopefully I'll have time to post soon. The Easter bunny did make a stop at our house, and hid the basket in the OVEN. Jenna just couldn't get over it, and told the story over and over. There was no hiding the eggs outdoors as it SNOWED yesterday. UGH. Have I mentioned how much I loathe the cold weather? I have? Really?
On Saturday we visited the Butterfly Exhibit at Dow Gardens. It was SO COLD outside, then you go inside the exhibit and it's tropically warm. I think it took 25 minutes before my camera lens would defog. It was all about who could get the butterfly between Jenna and Emily. They both had success! I want to go back and just spend two hours watching and taking pictures. It's such a glimpse of warm weather and gorgeous color of butterflies and flowers. LOVED IT. There is a separate room with orchids. They are such cool flowers! I'll try to remember to post more on the photography blog.
We also went to an Easter Egg Hunt at my school Saturday morning. There were so many eggs Jenna filled her basket in about 5 minutes, which was good because it was so cold I wanted her back inside quickly with her ear infection. Emily got the eggs out of trees, as I think those were left for the older kids. LOL! It's such a fun event. We're lucky my friend Jen organizes it every year. It's a ton of work!

Got my scrappy deadlines done (or almost completely done) which is a huge relief. Maybe, just maybe, I'll find some time to scrap for myself. Doubtful . . .

Allergies?

I think that's what it is, but Miss J. has a seriously bad cough going on. Poor baby. My guess is allergies because every single year around spring break the girl gets sick. I guess this year is no exception. So here I am, bored at home. We've been snuggling on the couch all a.m., and I've been reading the book Runner for the staff version of "Battle of the Books." It was really good, but now that Jenna is napping, I'm back to bored.

Went shooting yesterday around town. I was inspired (yet again) by the fabulous Torm and this post on her blog. It was SUCH a grey, dreary day. (Big shocker for Michigan, I know.) But it was FABULOUS to be outside, walking around. It was about 35 degrees and felt warm. Sad? You betcha. The Native American is from a painting on the courthouse.
I'll post more later.

Just received a box-o-goodies from Sassafras Lass which are calling my name. A few more deadlines, and it's time to PLAY!

Have a great week. And if you have any ideas for allergies, let me know!

Feeling a bit under the weather . . .

Got a bug this week. It was a cold with a fever, and it has wiped me OUT. I've been so fortunate this winter, and have avoided much of the sickness that has been going around. Not so this time. So I stayed home Thursday and Friday and did NOTHING. And I do mean NOTHING. Wow, it's scary how lazy I was. It seems like a good thing, R&R, but frankly I was just B-O-R-E-D. Read a little, took a nap. Had a snack, took a nap. Watched some TV, took a nap. Getting the picture?

Did I mention a lot of TV? I swear, daytime TV is incentive to work outside of the home. There is absolutely nothing on in the daytime. I did catch up on "Gone Country," and who knows why I like that particular show, but I do. Also, watched the "America's Next Top Model" marathon. Seriously, I think my IQ dropped a few points. But my all-time fave show right now is Project Runway. Got to see a few episodes in between naps.

Took Miss J to the carnival Friday night. She has been SO excited, and Bill offered to take her so I could rest some more. The guilt of missing her first school carnival got to me and off I went. Looking FABULOUS, don't cha know. Of course I ran into a ton of people that I know, as luck would have it. The weirdest thing was how many people (including myself) went to this elementary school, and now we're all sending our kids there.

Speaking of J, do you like the fake smile in the picture? Can't you just see the frustration in her face? "Take the dang picture mom!" Her front tooth is so loose, it's hanging off to the side, making the gap even larger than it was before. It looks so dang funny! I was dreading her losing said tooth, but now that it's all lopsided it can drop out any time. LOL!

Emily made it home from Spring Break. She was by Charleston, SC, and had to drive home yesterday. Her route was through OHIO, and Bill detoured her through Indiana. It added some time to their trip, but thankfully they made it home through minimal weather conditions. (Welcome home, my girl!)

Taught Photoshop Elements yesterday. I felt a bit better and thought I would be fine, but about 5 minutes into the class I got a coughing attack. You know the type . . . eyes watering, trying to clear the gunk in your throat, gasping for air, while these poor, unsuspecting people are waiting for me to get a grip. The cough drop didn't help, so I resorted to chugging my coffee in an effort to breathe. Once "the episode" passed, my voice was gone. With three hours of class to go. GOOD TIMES. Thankfully it came back, I got my bearings, and everything worked out. Of course the minute I got home I took a monster nap. Near death experiences wear you out, I'm telling you!

Went to a dinner last night with Bill's shooting club. About 10 minutes into the meal my ears got completely plugged, and I ceased hearing. Between not being able to hear, the coughing, and the sneezing fits, well, I'm sure I was the life of the party. As soon as we got home I went to bed. Are you noticing a theme here?

Still feeling bad today. Hoping for a reprieve this week. This busy, crazy week. Wish me luck!

A normal March day in Michigan

consists of snow and grey skies. UGH. But it was rather warm, so off we went to City Forest. First, we went skating.

Then trudged up the hill to go tobogganing. Both Bill and I remember the winters of our youth, when the lines to go down the run were endless. There were very few people there today. Sad, really. It's a cheap day of entertainment, with skate rentals $2 for 2 hours, and the toboggan was $4 for 2 hours. Jenna wants me to go down the hill next time. Yeah, right.

Then into the warming house for hot chocolate.