I wish....

The MM contest page had me thinking what do I really wish for? I'm not sure really beyond the on going health and happiness of my family and friends.

I remember as a child wishing I had blue-eyes and blond hair. I'm over that one. Had blond hair out of a bottle once upon a time, doesn't suit me. I don't want to wear contacts to have blue eyes. I'll leave that to Paris Hilton...MEOW! My claws are going away now...

I wished for children. Warning be careful what you wish for.... Just kidding! I can't imagine not having my girls. I remember when we were having fertility issues being so scared. I did wish for a boy, but it wasn't in the cards. We decided two children would be as much as we could afford to raise and still have retirement for us. I don't regret that decision most days... We can always do the foster care thing or have an exchange student...

I guess I wish to be thinner, and I'm working on that one. I'm down another pound this morning! WOO HOO! To be able to travel all over. Working on that one too. It's hard on only two or three weeks vacation a year. I think we'll be putting in more of an effort on it.

I think everyone wishes for world peace, except the truly twisted ones. A cure for cancer, A cure for ( fill in the blank here), end to hunger etc...

So if you had three wishes. They have to be selfish wishes not altruistic in any way. What would your wishes be?

I've given this some thought I want to get the most bang for my wishes! ( I need a life, LOL!)

1. I would wish that I could be completely fluent in every language ever spoken on the earth, and beyond ( hey there might be little green men). That mean to me be able to understand, speak and read the language.

2. Ok this one is really vain but.... I want to look like my eighteen year old self without having to work at it, have good finger nails, slightly bigger eyes, and longer eyelashes.

3. Be able to master any skill, and perform it at an expert level extremely fast.

Tell me what you'd wish for?

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE PHILOSOPHY OF AMBIGUITY...

1. DON'T SWEAT THE PETTY THINGS AND DON'T PET THE SWEATY THINGS.
2. ONE TEQUILA, TWO TEQUILA, THREE TEQUILA, FLOOR.....
3. ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION.
4. IF MAN EVOLVED FROM MONKEYS AND APES, WHY DO WE STILL HAVE MONKEYS AND APES?
5. THE MAIN REASON SANTA IS SO JOLLY IS BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHERE ALL THE BAD GIRLS LIVE.
6. I WENT TO A BOOKSTORE AND ASKED THE SALESWOMAN, "WHERE'S THE SELF-HELP SECTION?" SHE SAID IF SHE TOLD ME, IT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE.
Just thought it was pretty funny.... I love some the web wisdom!
7. WHAT IF THERE WERE NO HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS?
8. IF A DEAF PERSON SWEARS, DOES HIS MOTHER WASH HIS HANDS WITH SOAP?
9. IF SOMEONE WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES THREATENS TO KILL HIMSELF, IS IT CONSIDERED A HOSTAGE SITUATION?
10. IS THERE ANOTHER WORD FOR SYNONYM?
11. WHERE DO FOREST RANGERS GO TO "GET AWAY FROM IT ALL?"
12. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE AN ENDANGERED ANIMAL EATING AN ENDANGERED PLANT?
13. IF A PARSLEY FARMER IS SUED, CAN THEY GARNISH HIS WAGES?
14. WOULD A FLY WITHOUT WINGS BE CALLED A WALK?
15. WHY DO THEY LOCK GAS STATION BATHROOMS? ARE THEY AFRAID SOMEONE WILL CLEAN THEM?
16. IF A TURTLE DOESN'T HAVE A SHELL, IS HE HOMELESS OR NAKED?
17. CAN VEGETARIANS EAT ANIMAL CRACKERS?
18. IF THE POLICE ARREST A MIME, DO THEY TELL HIM HE HAS THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT?
19. WHY DO THEY PUT BRAILLE ON THE DRIVE-THROUGH BANK MACHINES?
20. HOW DO THEY GET DEER TO CROSS THE ROAD ONLY AT THOSE YELLOW ROAD SIGNS?
21. WHAT WAS THE BEST THING BEFORE SLICED BREAD?22. ONE NICE THING ABOUT EGOTISTS: THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.
23. DOES THE LITTLE MERMAID WEAR AN ALGEBRA?
24. DO INFANTS ENJOY INFANCY AS MUCH AS ADULTS ENJOY ADULTERY?
25. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR?
26. IF ONE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER DROWNS, DO THE REST DROWN TOO?
27. IF YOU ATE BOTH PASTA AND ANTIPASTO, WOULD YOU STILL BE HUNGRY?
28. IF YOU TRY TO FAIL, AND SUCCEED, WHICH HAVE YOU DONE?
29. WHOSE CRUEL IDEA WAS IT FOR THE WORD "LISP" TO HAVE "S" IN IT?
30. WHY IS IT CALLED TOURIST SEASON IF WE CAN'T SHOOT AT THEM?
31. WHY IS THERE AN EXPIRATION DATE ON SOUR CREAM?
32. IF YOU SPIN AN ORIENTAL MAN IN A CIRCLE THREE TIMES DOES HE BECOME DISORIENTED?
33. CAN AN ATHEIST GET INSURANCE AGAINST ACT OF GOD?

Deep Thoughts For Those Who Take Life Way Too Seriously

1. Save the whales. Collect the whole set.
2. A day without sunshine is like. Night.
3. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
4. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
5. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
6. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
7. He who laughs last thinks slowest.
8. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
9. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
10. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.
11. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
12. Change is inevitable. (except from vending machines.)
13. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
14. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
15. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
16. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
17. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
18. Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.
19. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
20. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
21. What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
22. I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.
23. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?
24. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened?
25. Just remember--if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
26. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
27. Life isn't like a box of chocolates...it's more like a jar of jalapeno's. What you do today might burn your a.. tomorrow.

HOT

It is Freaking unbelievably HOT! Can't do a thing out side with out sweat pouring off a person. Being in the pool is the only activity fit for July in Tennessee.

I don't have much to say because the sun done burnt out my brain!

Home again!

I have BOTH my daughters home again!!! I'm so happy! I love that they are able to go places and do things that enrich their lives, BUT it is hard on MOM. I want them to experience new and different things to stretch beyond our little town, BUT boy it nice to have my babies back!!! I do enjoy my quiet time, but I think I OD on it! It was lovely to have my husband all to myself for a bit.It is nice to eat out and have uninterrupted conversations. A preview of empty nest... Not bad, but I'm not ready YET.

I think they were gone a bit too much because I wasn't even mad when I found wet towels in a pile in their bathroom... I'm sure that will change by tomorrow! ROFL!

Cleaning up my MESS! Organizing the scrap area from HELL!

Do you ever wonder how thing just get so out of hand sometimes? My scrap area for example. I sat there with the wonderful closet man, and told him exactly what I wanted for cabinets, counters, and add-ons for ribbon and such. The problem is I never really organized it when we moved in, I had good reasons. I was in the middle of putting on a scrapbook convention, and decorating the rest of the house. But after 3 years that excuse just doesn't wash. I was burnt out. I wasn't scrapping at all. The only projects I did in 2005 pretty much were contracted for publication that is the only reason I scrapped. So at that point I really didn't care about my scrap area. Finally in the Fall of 2006 I started scrapping again and enjoying it. There is HUGE danger in making your hobby your profession. It sounds really good in theory, but when I'm burnt out at my job I turn to my hobby.... So did a lot of reading.

Oops! I'm rambling.

I really didn't think it was that bad, but I was delusional. My scrap area was an unorganized mess. I couldn't find a thing or I'd find after I got frustrated and used something else. I've been slowly organizing. First, I did all my papers. They weren't too bad because of my racks. BUT what do you do with good scraps? That needs a solution still. I then focused my brads. Once I got them all in one place I was amazed at how many I had and the duplication. I got all my rubber stamps in order. Some I didn't even remember having! I even broke out the UTEE! Yesterday I finally after 3 years put my Sizzix towers to use I put all my dies in them. Better late than never, right?

I purged my magazine stash. I seriously doubt that I'd ever use ideas from 1998 through 2005. Even if I would I haven't as much as looked at those magazines since I housed them there in the cupboard in 2004. they are just taking up space I could use for other things. The only magazines I kept were from 2006 through 2007 and the issues that I had projects on the pages. I'm still not sure what to do with the Idea books. I do know I won't purchase an idea book unless it is on a technique I can't figure out for myself. My quilling, Punch art, iris folding, painting techniques, tea bag folding and kaleidoscope idea books were a good investment. The purely "IDEA" books weren't a good investment. They just get out dated like the magazines.

I organized my acrylic paints. I got a cute little basket type thing meant for shower use with a handle in the middle. Perfect for my stash! I can see all the colors easily. I'm still working on my ribbons. I have three very full hanging bars. Not nearly enough! so far I put them in trays, but I have to take the trays down to see what is in them. I'm not happy with this solution. I think I may buy paper towel holders. I bough more containers to put all my quilling and paper making supplies. I'm going to tackle my drawers next! I bought "junk" drawer organizers. I have a feeling I'll be going out for more...

One or two projects a day and I'll be done soon! I HOPE..... I hope I don't ever let my stuff get in this condition again!

Updates

Got on the scale yesterday and it read 195! One pound closer to my goal! Plugging away at it! I now fit into most of clothing in my closet! that means I can button and zip the jeans not wear some in public... not into camel toe or having them fall off!

Courtney called from Australia Tuesday. she got to hold a koala bear! She said it was so cute cuddly, but it stunk! She petted Kangaroos. She said she's havinga an AWESOME time. Oh and she running out of money....

Nothing too exciting is happening here. Jim and I went out this weekend and spent more money... We got the some finishing touches for the "den". It's a decorative floor display. This HUGE metal plate on a stand , (reminds me of a gong) a Large I-Dream-of-Genie type bottle green speckled that we put curly twigs and a spray of multi-colored eucalyptus in, and a ball made out of banana leaves on a iron stand. It turned out cool, at least we like it. I feel very interior decorator like! LOL! Soon the room will be done. We have the water color my mom did for us of our back yard out to be reframed. It may have been an award winning painting but the frame was hideous( mom won three prizes for it in art shows around Cleveland). One of those black generic metal ones didn't fit the picture at all. I know why it was in that frame because competition you can not have a "fancy" frame. The frame and matting will be done right after Courtney gets back. We just need a something for the other walls. I'm thinking of doing multi- photo frame and putting our pictures up in black and white or sepia. I guess we'll go on from there!

All up dated!

Growing Pains ( the tween years are HARD)

Right now my youngest is going through a phase, isn't that the NICE way to put it? She's driving her father and me NUTS! Nothing we do is ever enough, and she doesn't appreciate our efforts to please her. When we finally lose patients with it and call her on it, she cries. Then we all feel worse.

She's going through a gawky phase her hair is always a mess. She is wearing her bangs over her face to hide a few pimples that have decided to show up. I know it won't be long till Aunt Flow starts visiting... OH NO! Katie with PMS? She has to get braces too. Shoot me now! She is already wearing black all the time with skulls she's all ready for the funeral... I love Halloween , BUT everyday?

She's very tall almost my height now. Pretty soon she'll pass me up in height. She still has her baby fat. It is pretty much only in her stomach area though no where else. Her face is still very full and round, but that will change with more maturity. Courtney's did over night, so did mine once upon a time... She has no hips! I'm thinking as she grows that belly will go away some what Courtney's did though she'll tell you she's fat too....GROAN! She is still wearing her glasses though we did get fitted for contacts. She had a devil of time using them unlike Courtney that just popped them in and never looked back... We'll try again this fall.

Katie looks at her big sister and compares...Katie doesn't see anything about herself as pretty, smart, special, or good. I'm not sure how to fix this or if I can. She has beautiful eyes and her hair could be gorgeous with the nice natural curl. She can lose the glasses, we'll work on the "baby fat". She just has to believe in herself. How do you get someone to do that?

how NOt to use a Waterpic....or read the directions first

I have this tooth that I keep getting food stuck. I have got to see my dentist but until I do... Flossing and brushing just wasn't enough. So I thought that I'd try a Waterpic. I've heard they are excellent for oral hygiene, and gentler on your gums than floss and those wooden things they want you to poke inbetween your teeth to the gums, so I went to WalGreens and bought one.

I get it home and rinse out basin for the water, and the attachments. I put the water in the basin, and adjust the level I think I want the water to come out, and turn it on to use. This is like power washing your teeth, think of a mini fire hose. I had that baby cranked up ! It actually stung a bit as it hit my poor unsuspecting gums. So I jerk it out of my mouth spraying water everywhere. I got a little bit of water to go a LONG way. Conservationist should be proud of me! I got the mirror, my make case, my night gown, tissue box, and counter. So when all else fails read the directions... If I'd done that I would have realised there is a kill switch in the handle, and level three is a good starting point for use of the water pic. OK try this again! Very much like the denists tool but no lovely suction hose, so you have to stop and spit frequently or drool. I must say it cleans well. I wish I'd bought one years ago then maybe my tooth would be taking on unwant food particles. I'm afraid soon you'll be reading about my adventures getting a crown put in....

Inspiration! HELP I LOST MY MOJO!

I need some inspiration! I've got some incredibly cute pictures to scrap but not an idea in my head right now how to scrap them. Kate's mojo has left the building...

What do you do when you can't seem to get that spark? I've done my usual tour through the galleries of my favorite sites, NADA. Flipped through magazines, strolled through the card shop.... can there be less than nothing??? Music isn't doing the trick. What do you do when all your tried and true methods fail?

Not exactly a good time for my mojo to take a vacation. I'd been toying with the idea of entering the Memory Makers Masters contest. Very doubtful that will happen now. Oh well! That isn't important. I'd just like to scrap!

Any new tips of how to jump start my mojo?

SLOW DOWN!!! not ready for FALL

Wow, this summer is moving at light speed! I can't believe it is all ready the 5th of July! the fireworks are over (well at least in theory I'm sure for the next week or so odd pop and burst will show up from the left overs). At this rate it will be fall before I know it!

The 4th of July was a lovely day! Jim and I went and worked out (we deserve a pat on the head and cookie!). We then went shopping. We're going to be broke at this rate! Oh well! We found pillows for the new couch, a new art piece for the wall ( kind of a metal sculpture and painting in one), and the folding chair that match our patio set went on sale for $14 time to BUY! We had a lovely lunch at Jim and Nick's BBQ at Katie's request ( her favorite restaurant). After that we got ready for the neighborhood party. Jim drug out the HUGE misting fan ( the kind you see on the sides of pro football games), helped set up tables, and decorated. It was HOT! The fan was needed for sure. There was a good turn out for the party. I think everyone had a good time.

I got some fun pictures from the 4th celebration. Lots of the bike parade with Jimmy Morris driving his decked out lawn mower, and all the guys on the "float" ( Jim was one of them). I got an adorable one of Caroline ( friend's dd) with blue icing every where! SO CUTE! But I'm glad my girls are through that stage and I happily take pictures of my friends children who are still there.

Katie chose going back to camp over getting her own Ipod. she got all A's and B's on her report card at the end of the year. That is MAJOR for Katie both Jim and I were so pleased and proud of her. So I'll be calling and trying to get her in for the next session.

Still waiting on another call from Courtney in Australia. I never found out if her Debit card issues were resolve. I'm assuming they have since I haven't receive another call or she's out of cell phone range somewhere. I'm dying to know what they've been doing!

any way I want time to SLOW DOWN! So much more we want to do this summer!!!

Happy 4th of July

1. Is July 4th just another fun day off work or a day that you truly celebrate freedom?
I think it is both! We usually mark it in some special way, and have fun.
2. Do you consider yourself patriotic? Why?
Sort of, I choke up when the Nation Anthem is played, and I'm proud of my country.
3. Do you have a flag or anything patriotic decorating your home during the holiday?
Yes, I have red, white and blue stars hanging on my front door, kind of country-ish style out of wood
4. Do you attend fireworks, buy your own for a home display or do both?
MTSU holds the firework in Murfreesboro it is so close by we can watch the fireworks from our neighborhood. Every year one of neighbors buys enough fireworks to do a bit of a display too.
5. Who's the pyromaniac in your family?
My husband, the over grown boy! last year they made a potato gun during the 4th and were shooting off potatoes!
6. Which is your favorite of the fireworks? (Describe it or share a picture!)
the ones that look like palm trees
7. Where do you go to see the fireworks, if you watch? Inside the event, outside the event or from afar?
See question 4
8. Do you have a traditional meal or festivity on the Fourth of July?
We have a HUGE neighborhood party, with a bike parade that the kids decorate their bikes, good food, fireworks, wonderful company, and laughter.
9. What other traditions do you have for the Fourth? Camping with friends or family? Picnics? Family Reunion?
See number 8
10. Where's the most exciting place you've seen fireworks displayed on the Fourth?
In 1986 I celebrated in Germany with the army officers.
11. If you'd like to go there...Does the fact that we are a nation at war this year affect your feelings regarding our freedom?
I'm proud of the men and women that have given up so much to try to protect us and protect others. War is never a good thing but sometimes a necessary evil. I wish people would get a clue and stop hurting each other over religion, greed, and hunger for power, but I fear that is but a dream. I think God that I was born in the USA where I'm relatively safe, have freedom, have education, and have a good chance at a good life.
12. What's your best Fourth of July memory?
In Conneaut, Ohio where I grew up there was always a 4th of July festival down by Lake Erie. It was the BIG event of the summer. It isn't one memory but a whole group of memories about the festival. The smells, the food, the rides, the friends, the fireworks displays.... Magical to me.
13. What's your favorite patriotic song?
American the Beautiful it chokes me up too.

Up date

We got rain lots of rain this past week! I think we are actually drying out now. I'm not complaining about the rain we really needed it. It stayed away when we were picking up Katie from camp Saturday till the evening. I'm profoundly grateful for that, it would have been a muddy mess....but they might have cut short the area demonstrations.....lets just say it ran WAY too long. They were cute and informative at least the "rock" climbing wall and ropes was something I didn't know that much about. Very cool what the kids get to do at camp.

Courtney is in Australia. So far so good only two minor emergencies. she lost her bathing suit somewhere on the bus ( didn't take the plastic bag with her like I told her to for her wet stuff... we only packed 15 or so... KIDS!) Her debit VISA wouldn't work after I'd gone in to make sure they KNEW she was going to be out of the country, and not to stop transactions. I was fit to be tied! I called and was very polite and calm, but I STRESSED my 14 was in a strange country without access to her money. I guess the problem was they should have run it as credit or so the bank told me after a few hours of trying to see what was wrong. They looked up the transaction. So she shouldn't have any more problems.

I just got my hair (gray roots) colored and cut, so I'm about as gorgeous as I get... kind of sad really , LOL! this time I like my hair. Very pleased! A bit shorter and sassy.... I just hope I can style it like David....GROAN! Probably not....Pony tails are my friends.

I did the lunch thing with my girlfriend Sunnette yesterday. She my once a week lunch buddy and sometimes walking partner. We went to a new-ish place called Goodness Gracious. Very cute very ladies who lunch type place a little on the fru-fru side but fun. The food is wonderful! The turkey Rueben and baked sweet potato fries was to die for!

I'm SO glad we found a consignment shop that will pick up the furniture and sell it! they get 50%, but I don't have to deal with newspaper ads and have strange people come to our house or worse strange people that don't show up when they say they will.... Not to have those hassles is worth the 50% to me.

Last night Jim and I saw our trainer. She made us nice and sore. well, at least me adding more weight, BUT I've got a secret weapon! I'm finally using the massage Jim and the girls bought me for Mother's Day. If that fails I'll crawl into the hot tub or use my heat wraps ( LOVE THOSE THINGS). in April I did a whole blog on them I love them that much!

Jim finally called the doctor office, more to get me to stop bugging him then anything else ( good to be a nag sometimes). I think he is being over medicated for BP. He's lost 40 pounds with no adjustment of meds. He's been having dizzy spells when he stands up too, quick very classic low BP. I guess we'll know after next week.

Katie and Melissa are throwing the annul 4 of July Party, but this year Jimmy told me it will be over in our cul' du sac. So a little different this year ( YIPPEE, no cooking for ME!) plus it is being catered BBQ for $10 a family can't beat that! We just need to bring our own booze...I MEAN DRINKS...really you know diet coke, water,etc....LOL! ( Darn I shouldn't eat today!) That is really going to be a challenge on a "healthy eating plan" ( remember diet is die with a T).

All up to date!

Spending money!

We've been spending money like drunken sailors on leave lately. YIKES! Jim and I have been wanting to replace the couch and TV in the den for a while. When we moved into the "new" house in 2004 we put the couch from my office in the den, and the old entertainment center. They weren't quite right for the rooms footprint, but we made them work. The couch was pretty new at the time, plus we were buying so much furniture for the rest of the house that was bare, and putting the pool, and the fence... Only so much money so many places to put it...

Well, the couch for my office was really never intended for the amount of use that it received in the den. It was meant to be used more like a chair not something to recline on and cuddle up with a bunch of family to watch a movie. We pile up like a bunch of puppies to watch TV. On that couch it just wasn't big enough or comfortable enough. It is a recliner couch the feet come up, but the bars in the middle are comfortable to lay across, and if you did recline you'd hit the wall. Not good things. Jim's had to touch up the wall where it was.

We've been searching for for over a year to find the right couch. We wanted something big enough for our"puppy pile" but small enough not to dwarf a 12x14 space. This elusive couch ideal was the hardest thing to find! But we finally did! Burgundy red leather sectional in a L shape that fits the room like it was made for it! Thank you Rooms to Go! We got it delivered on Friday. bright and early! They were prompt! Moved the old couch and had the new one in, less than 15 minutes! I was impressed.

Well, by Friday night Jim was in search of the perfect TV, and perfect TV stand. We found it Saturday. Samsung 32 flat screen HDTV. The picture was awesome! It was on SALE! It was ours! I'm really happy we got it we saw the same TV twice more for $400 more. Thank you Circuit City!

Now for the stand. the TV in the den had been in one of those HUGE amours designed for the old box style TVs, which was what was in it.
We bought it years ago when we first move to Tennessee, that would make it 13 pretty much. It was lovely but too big for the room, and wrong for the style and size TV we wanted. It needed replaced. We've been looking but until we bought the new TV didn't know what would be right.
most stores didn't really have much in the way of the style we wanted.
H.H.Gregg had the perfect stand! so pleased. It reminds me of graduated toad stools on the tree. Black and glass the TV bolted on it and the shelves hold the cable box, and in the future the DVD surround sound... guess what our next purchase will probably be... NEXT month or when the old furniture sells in the consignment shop...