Sunday Happenings

:::::::::::::::::::::My Product Recommendation for Friday on Sunday:::::

I must give major props to PUFFS because their tissues allow for minimal damage on a repeatedly blown nose. I have tried other and somewhat cheaper products and I have yet to find anything superior. I don't buy the lotion version because, invariably, the lotion gets wiped on my eyeglasses and that drives me bananas.


Aaron has caught Eve's cold, as well. He and Michael went on a 30 mile bike ride on the Silver Comet Trail in Marietta with a couple of other scouts and Donnie Hall, the Merit Badge Counselor for Cycling. He persevered through his illness, but he had to stay home from church today due exhaustion and a bad cold and throbbing headache. I made him a chili-flavored ramen for him and he had a hot bath. He says he is feeling much better.

::::::::::::::What? Another Layout From the Family Reunion::::


Credits: DJB Michael by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick, Kaleidoscope Papers, My Little Heart by Sausan Designs, Tape Doodle Alpha, Black Doodle Alpha, Doodle Alpha by Kate Hadfield, Funky Junky Spring Collab kit by Kate Hadfield, Michelle Godin and Rachel Young

::::::::::::::::::::::Layouts From Our Summer Vacation::::::

I get around to things when I get around to them. That sounds like a tautology I think. But, I finally scrapped the photos from our last official site seeing stop, which was the Kirtland Temple in Ohio. I used some different blending methods to bring out colors or just to play with the photos.






My goal for scrapping the Summer Vacation from 2007 is March 1st. Wow, 6 months. More like, YIKES!

::::::::::::::::::::Family Home Evening:::::::::

We are about to run off for F.H.E. at Michael's sister's house. The kid's love their aunts, uncles and cousins.

Cough, sneeze and Smiles!

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired...

says Evey!

One sick little girl can really put a wrench in my blogging schedule! :) Eve is in my lap chattering right now. She is begging for me to play the Myst series with her again. She loved the characters and the "spooky music". Due to her high fever, cough and general lethargy she was forced to miss "Dessert with Dad" at her preschool. Michael told her he would take her for ice cream at Bruster's. Not only was Eve sick, but I had my final Wilton decorating class for Course 1. I was able to get my cake baked, iced and smoothed with all of the decorator icing prepared. Unfortunately, I left 2 of the tips I needed in the dishwasher due to being distracted. While I was getting ready to leave and taking care of Eveybug Michael was repairing my brakes. I told him on Sunday that they were hashed and having to stop quickly and pull over for an ambulance to pass did them in. He drove the car to work on Monday and agreed that they were bad. He has been working 50 hour weeks, getting ready for scouts, helping with homework, cuddling a sick Eveybug and getting no sleep because he is in our full size bed with a sick toddler. All of these factors combined he still was able to run to the auto parts store and get new pads and rotors for my car and fix the brakes. He drove my car to work this morning and said he thinks all is well.

Eve has had her bath, her fever is gone, but not her runny nose and cough, so she is staying home again. She will be by cake decorating trainer for my push to finish my last cake decorating assignment. My roses came out ruffled because my icing is too stiff. I think they look "Shabby Chic".

::::::::::::::::Please Take a Second to Check Out::::::::

my new "Humanitarian" section. I have links to Free Rice and a new one for a 20 minute video called "Story of Stuff". I found that 20 minutes incredibly informative and thought it very worthy to share.

::::::::::::::::Finished and on Order::::::::::

I finally finished my SIL's Christmas present and ordered it today. I sent her the Shutterfly link so she could check for errors. She said she really liked it, so that make me happy. Here is the Front and Back Cover:



Credits: Font: Grinched, Kay Miller's Lagoon Kit, Kate Hadfield's Vehicle, Pirate and Animal Doodles, also Summer Collab Kit from TLP, Susan Long's castle doodle, Erica Hite's Dear Diary Doodle for the banner.

Here are a few layouts:

I will update the credits for this one soon.



This is one of my sweet nieces, Isabell.


Credits:
Darcy Baldwin: DJB Doodle E Doo at The Digichick
Designs by Angelica E.: Happy Doodles
Kate Hadfield: Lovebirds, Chipboard Doodled Hearts
Ida: Heart Doodle Alpha
Natalie Braxton: Strings from the February B.Y.O.C.
Kristin Cronan-Barrow: Lovedovey glitter

A couple of nieces and a nephew playing in the leaves.


Credits:
Darcy Baldwin: DJB MICHAEL at The Digichick
Ida: Fall leaves doodles, Crayon Doodles
Catrine: Explore Solids
Katie Pertiet: Taped frames

::::::::::::::::::::::::::Dawn Inskip Layouts::::::

I made these as part of a tryout for a guest c.t. spot using her freebie::


Eve likes to imagine she is a flower fairy when the azaleas bloom in our front yard.


Credits:
Dawn Inskip: Guest C.T. Mini Kit
Darcy Baldwin: DJB Connorbuck at The Digichick


Aaron and Rachel are like a couple of lizards on a wall when it comes to climbing.
Credits:
Dawn Inskip: Guest C.T. Mini Kit
Darcy Baldwin: DJB MISH at The Digichick

I will update tomorrow, as Eve should be back to school. I have been tagged by Carol and also need to hand out my blog awards. Later today is the teacher conferences for Rachel and Noah...should be interesting!

Smiles!

Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men...

often go awry.

The Christmas tree is still bare of any lights and ornaments. Both Michael and Eveybug have been sick. Poor little Evey was heaving her wee guts out the other night, but she was so brave! She would just pat me on the arm and that meant it was time to make a run for it. I had Michael sleep on Rachel's trundle so if he needed to get to the bathroom we wouldn't be in each other's way. Michael and Eve stayed home yesterday and she had fallen asleep by the time I got home from running the kids around. So, I don't know if she will be going to school today.


:::::::::::::::::Wednesday::::::::
Yesterday, I checked Rachel out of school to get her retainer. She picked one in an ocean blue color.

The appointment to a little over an hour because they stack the kids like cord wood with their scheduling. I suppose these folks could easily get a job in traffic control at Hartsfield...they have such similar...should it be called...skills? She was instructed to wear to only remove the retainer to eat and brush. I maintained the tradition of taking Rachel to Bruster's for a scoop of Cotton Candy Explosion. I had turtle ice cream in a waffle cone. The pecans were perfection itself...mmm good!

Noah and Aaron had scouts. Michael was supposed to go, but was too sick. The cub scouts conducted a flag retirement ceremony and they did a fantastic job. They were very respectful and reverent during the ceremony and the boys did a, mostly, good job of listening. Afterwards the boys were treated to hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies.
Aaron was supposed to have his board of review for advancement, but his dad, the Scout Master, was sick and the Committee Chairman had to leave because his son's stitches came out during a game the scout's were playing, so he will have to wait a few more days for the review.

::::::::::::::::George's Secret Key To The Universe:::::::::



This book written by Lucy and Stephen Hawking sucked the kids in like the black hole that is discussed in the book. The stories title character, George, is a boy who wants to learn about technology, but his parents are extreme environmentalists. George meets his young next door neighbor, Annie and the adventure begins. Annie's dad is a scientist who uses a sleek looking laptop named Cosmos to research the universe for an earth-like planet for us to inhabit after we have depleted our own world. George has a couple of thrilling space adventures, which kept the kids wanting me to read the next chapter...and the next. Interspersed throughout the book are photos and facts about space. The book has information, as recent as, 2006. In the part of the story, specifically, about the black hole the theory of Hawking Radiation is explained. What was really cool about it was Michael had read about it and was animatedly explaining how it worked to the children and me.
The moral of the story is that we need to take care of the planet we have, while looking for another habitable planet. The story was a fun and informational read. I recommend it if you have kids who enjoy space and science adventures.


::::::::::::::::::::::Magic And Other Misdemeanors



by Michael Buckley is the next book in the series of stories about the Sisters Grimm. My kids were so anxious to get this book started and see what the girls and the crazy town of Everafters were up to in Ferryport Landing. The first chapter was packed with excitement with the zany character, Puck and his chimpanzee army. This should be a wild adventure!

::::::::::::::::::::::::Family Reunion Layout:::::::::::



_{Darcy Baldwin: DJB MICHAEL, SAVE THE DATE at The Digichick,
Gina Miller: Canvas of Color
Catrine: Journaling papers
Jenn Patrick: Backward Staples
Kate Hadfield: Rainbow Rubberbands, Heavy Duty Staples
Katie Pertiet: Taped Frames
Ida: Crayon doodles
Amy Wolff: Chalked Swirls}

Right Field...It's Important You Know...

:::::::::::::I'm Not The Only Thing Headed For A Break Down::::::::

I sent the kids off to the bus top, then a couple of minutes later Rachel rushed back up to the house to get her terrarium with a worm for school. I said, "Hey, luckily the bus is running late so you were able to run back and get that." Then, 2 minutes later I hear a rush of thundering kid feet and yelling voices. The kids from the bus stop are running to my house. The said the bus was broken down and they needed a ride. So, I loaded 3 of the neighbor kids and my 2 in the car and headed for school. I was third in line and we just had to wait 10 minutes until the school was open. That was a valuable 10 minutes. I used the time to sing with the radio and dance in my car seat to the utter and complete embarrassment of the children. That was a satisfying 10 minutes.

::::::::::::::Almost There:::::::

I took Rachel for her last braces adjustment before their removal next month. She is so happy to be getting so close to the end of her tooth confinement.

:::::::::::::Right Field:::::::::

This is a 2 page layout of my boys playing trap ball at Colonial Williamsburg. It is an English game that was part of the evolution of modern baseball.


Kate Hadfield: http://www.digiscrappingqueen.com/blog/ created the super amazing Dandelion Doodles as a request. Thank you, Kate!
Wordy Bits, Messy Staples, New Home doodles
Jen Wilson: Simple Expressions
Michelle Coleman: Color Me Solid (freebie on her blog)
Amber Clegg: Date Stamp


Font: DJB MISH/ DJB LIZ by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick





::::::::::::::::::Zneet Znatter Zneet:::::::

Rachel has been watching Season 2 of My Hero. The Christmas episode is hilarious...hold your sides, tear up and start laughing like a seal hilarious.


::::::::::::::::::: A "Relatively" Nice Evening:::::

Reuben, Ang, Gabriel and Afton came over for dinner last night. The kids had fun on the computer and making bead watches. Reuben helped roll up the egg rolls, which I can not figure out how he does it. His fingers are like thick sausage links, but he can make quite an attractively rolled egg roll. Michael made some tasty ginger beef soup, breaded chicken cutlets, and rice. The Hmong eggrolls were so delicious!
After dinner we just talked and then Eve wanted to watercolor, so Afton, Reuben, Noah and Rachel were given watercolors and the watercolor paper. They left about 11:00p.m. Noah and Eve were instantly asleep and the rest of us soon followed.

:::::::::::::::::::Always Behind::::::::::

Laundry, a couple of subjects for school with Aaron, homework with Noah and trying to remember where I left my mind. Time to go do a couple of science experiments in kitchen stadium.

Teach a WOman to Fish:

My BIL, Reuben, taught Rachel to fish. He helped her catch two brim. He told her it was traditional to kiss your first fish, so she puckered right up!





Journaling Paper by Catrine
Cluster Frames by Nancy Comelab
Alpha Tape by Kate Hadfield
Doodle Hardware, Doodle Paper Arrow by Kate Hadfield
Stitched Blooms by Natalie Braxton
Thingz on Strins by Natalie Braxton
Grunge Alpha by Birgit
Curled Page Tear Template and Torn Template by Jen Caputo
Backward Staples by Jenn Patrick
Messy Staples by Kate Hadfield
Paint Stamped Alpha by Rachel Young
Ziggity Zag Stitches and Book Plate Alpha by Christina Renee
Teeny Tiny Tags by Jessica Bolton
Write It Down journal element from Little Dreamer Designs
Date Stamp by Amber Clegg
Going in Circle Doodles by Weeds and Wildflowers
Canvas of Colors by Gina Miller
Ultimate Background Vol. 1 by Nancy Comelab
Pinned letter A by Amy Wolff
Fonts: DJB Michael/DJB LINDSE1 by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick

:::::::::::::::Last Minute Get Togethers:::::
because school starts Monday.



::::::::::::::President Faust::::::::::::::::

has passed away. The most recent Conference talk of his that stands out to me is the one on Forgiveness. He was so tearful and earnest that we follow the example of the Savior. He used the recent killings of young Amish girls and the subsequent forgiveness by the Amish community. He is a sincere soul that will be truly missed.


:::::::::::::Have a wonderful weekend!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity, Jig:

We have arrived home...again! We were a bit soggier and a lot sandier, but none the worse for wear. I, however, did break Rachel's glasses on Friday night and she had to go through Saturday and Sunday a bit blurry. Michael is taking her glasses by Sear's Optical today to see if they can be repaired. I took a slew of photos and some video at one point had filled up my 1 gig card and my batteries had run out. I borrowed my sister-in-law, Laura's, Nikon D40 and played around for a hundred, or so photos. My sister-in-law, Lettitia, had a bunch of fun crafts for the kids to do: puppets, design your own frisbee, bracelet making, and foam photo frames. The children put on a puppet show with their creations on Saturday. My brother-in-law, Reuben, helped the everyone tye dye shirts (onesies for the baby boys). My BIL, Stephen, did a quick tutorial with Reuben on creating spirals, then started helping anyone who wanted that pattern, too.
The weather over the 3 days was mild a sunny. We did have spotty showers, but nothing heavy until time to break camp. Michael and I had our campsite cleared and stowed right after breakfast. Stephen had his family do the same because he had a flight to catch for work. After we were done with our stuff Michael and I helped out by babysitting the cute nieces and nephews. I got to hold the newest addition to the family, baby Elliott. I walked him around in the baby sling, then let him sit in my lap looking at all of the activity until he fell fast asleep for 3 hours. Michael played with Spencer who was absolutely sweet and watching the other kids play in the sand. He never slept and never fussed. Michael, at the same time, held Corinna. She had recieved a bite to the arm by her twin sister, Dakotta, and needed some TLC. Michael held her and she fell asleep for a couple of hours. There was only one tent still set up when the heaviest rains came, so everyone took refuge for about an hour under the tarp in our common family area that was set up on the first day. During a lull the last of the tent was put away. The rain picked up again, but we got the main tarp down and made sure the campsite was clean. On the way out I saw a penny (heads up...good stuff) and at a campsite that wasn't ours, or any one's for that matter, there was a plastic knife on the ground and right next to the knife was a dime. Boy howdy, I was eleven cents richer!

The family reunion was held at Duckett's Mill on a little peninsula jutting out into Lake Lanier. Their was a lot of shore line exposed due to low water levels. The kids spent their time picking up the shells of the fresh water clams and digging in the Georgia red clay. All of the kids loved swimming, even Eve who had to be rescued TWICE! The first time Eve had trouble in the water Michael was on the shore watching the kids. Eve was even wearing a life preserver that had a little bit of bouyancy, but not much. I guess since the shore has a staggered plateau effect she must have stepped down to deep, or a wave hit her. I heard her crying out for daddy. I know the sound of distress in her voice, so I took off running to the shore from our tent. By the time I got to the ridge overlooking the shore Michael was coming up the path with Evey. She had swallowed some water and was scared, but other wise she was okay. Michael was drenched and he was wearing his blackberry phone. I suppose today he will tell work that baptizing his phone was an unfortunate consequence for saving his daughter. Now to the next time.
Eve was brave and excited to return to the water with all of her cousins the next afternoon. My sister-in-law, Shelene, was watching her kids, so I went down to life guard mine. I had been using my SIL's camera at the the time, so I jokingly said, "I better take this off encase I have to go save Eve." I put the camera away and went to a rock on the edge of the shoreline. I think it had been about 15 minutes when Eve gurgled, "Mom" as loudly as she could. I ran in a grabbed her up out of the water. She cried for a bit, and said she was pushed by a girl in a blue swimsuit, but wanted to go back in. My niece, Kyra, grabbed my shoes out of the water. (Did you know that Croc flip flops float?) Eve insisted she would stay in the water right at the shore line and she would be fine. So I perched on the rock and they all played until dinner time.

Rachel and her cousins Afton and Rebecca slept in a tent set up next to ours on Friday night and then Afton said that it was her turn on the air mattress in her parent's tent so she wasn't sleeping over another night. So, on Saturday night Rachel and Rebecca's voices were the last thing I heard as I drifted off to sleep.

I forgot to tell you how I managed to break Rachel's glasses. The shower facilities at Duckett's Mill have much to be desired. There were no benches on the shower that had the best water pressure and was big enough for the girls to shower together. I also made Aaron shower in the other side (much to his dismay...but hey...there were curtains!). Aaron's side had a shower that would hold a host of Lilliputians, but was entirely inadequate for shower supplies and a change of clean clothes. So with no good place to leave the glasses Aaron and Rachel gave me theirs and I put them in my pocket. I bent over slightly to wash Eve's and I felt a bend. I pulled the glasses out and Rachel's created an L shape. I was so mad! I felt really bad, too because I was projecting how I would feel if I had to go around for days having things blurry. Rachel was really sweet about it. She accepted my apology for breaking her glasses and had a great, yet blurry time.

I will finish uploading photos to the family website when Michael gets home from work. I have a few hundred and I can only upload 4 at a time. I think I've uploaded about 30, so far. FUN!

:::::::::::::::::Book Review:::::::

On Saturday night we finished reading Escape From The Carnivale. The kids and I enjoyed the story. Noah was, especially, eager to read each new chapter. The imagery in the book is written so vividly that it helps you visualize the scenes very well. The book has a mixture of magical creatures, a far away island setting and pirates, so it is great for all ages and genders. The theme of a little girl and her friends getting into trouble because they have delibrately disobeyed is one that everyone can identify with at some point in their lives. How they get out of a terrible fix is a great story. There is also a fun twist in the chapter right before the end of the book. This story is an enjoyable read. If you get the opportunity check it out!

::::::::::::::::New Family Reading Book:::::::


The Sisters Grimm: Once Upon a Crime. We have already plunged into the first chapter and the story line is moving at its normally quick pace. The kids all groaned when I stopped reading. This one looks to be another great installment!

:::::::::::::::::::Salute to the States:::::::::



_{Background: Alexander by Janel Kretschman,
Journaling Bits and Music Doodles: Kate Hadfield,
Font: DB Michael, Jane Austen,
Painted Alpha: Rachel Young,
Vintage Frame and Cluster Frame: Nancy Comelab,
Alpha: Christina Renee}

Weekend Events

It was a sleuthing weekend. Friday night on a classic movie channel they showed the original Nancy Drew movies from 1938-1939 with Bonita Granville. I was able to watch the first two, but Michael had to work the next morning so we went home. Rachel watched the remaining two movies and especially liked the final film called "The Hidden Staircase".








Emma Roberts did a great job as the new Nancy Drew. The story line could have been better, but it was a good start. Maybe they will do more. I really wanted her to solve a mystery along side her chums George and Bess. I'm glad they made sure she had a roadster...so cool!


My mom took Noah and Evey to see the new Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. She reported that they were very chatty during the movie, but that they enjoyed the film. Noah was very animated while trying to explain the story line, which always makes me laugh.
:::::::::::::::::Father's Day::::::::::

I made Michael a slideshow of photos from 2006-2007 of him doing things with the kids. We went to hear Reuben speak in sacrament meeting, then we were invited over to Stephen and Shelene's house for lunch. The Stephenites know how to feed a crowd. There were pancakes, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and omelets to order. The kids loved playing with their cousins.

I called my dad to wish him a happy Father's Day and my stepmother, Alice, invited the kids to stay a couple of days. We went by our house and grabbed some clothes for the kids, then stopped by mom and Jim's to give him his shutterfly book. His eyes are coming along great.

Then, to my dad's. My niece and nephew were happy to see their cousins, too. Tyler ended up wanting to go home with his mom, so Tracy took Haley, Tyler, Rachel and Eve to her house, while Noah and Aaron stayed with Paw Paw and Granny. They hope to go to a bounce house today.

Michael and I came home to a quiet and messy house, so I guess I will take this break from the kids being home to clean up after them.

I hope y'all had a fabulous weekend!

Do you suffer from...

Photo Anxiety Disorder Or Photograph Avoidance Syndrome?


Do you suffer from
P.A.D., or P.A.S.?
Don't be discouraged! Millions of people have experienced pronounced episodes of the same problem. Photograph Anxiety Disorder and its close relative, Photograph Avoidance Syndrome can be overcome.
Here are a few ways to relieve some of the stress:
1. Relax...at least the person taking the picture thinks you are interesting enough to photograph.
2. before going in public make sure that you aren't wearing anything you would find embarrasing.
3. check your face for any stray bits and things.
4. if the feelings of anxiety become to intense point out any nearby "adorable" children, which usually will distract the photographer long enough for a get away.
5. Buy your own camera and don't be afraid to use it!


Side-effects: You might end up with a really cool picture you like, Family members that live far away will get to put a name to a face, you might end up laughing or smiling. You might find your self looking through scrapbooks for pictures of yourself, not just your cute nieces, nephews, cousins, grandkids and others.
_{Papers and Inked edge from Studio Chic by the Shabby Princess, Polariod by Canay, Arrow dooles from Brushy Sketched Arrows by Cindy Irvine, Designer Digitals chat freebie by sketched corners, Question mark by Jack Eckles, Paper Curls by Anna Aspnes, Doodle line by Amy Martin, Font: DB Michael}

:::::::The person in the layout is one of my brother-in-laws, Reuben. All of my BILs are funny guys. Reuben and I are the same age and have needled each other since Sunday School.


:::::::::::::Art Show and Book Fair:::::::::
Michael and I took Rachel, Noah and Eve to the school art show and book fair last night. Aaron was playing with his friend Jacob after running club. We purchased the framed artwork created by Rachel and Noah, then went to the chaotic book event. I made a list of books to purchase on Wednesday because our neighbor will be working the book fair and can get us 10% discount. The kids also want to each donate a book to their class, so I included those extra books on my list.

::::::::::::::Excerpt from The Phantom Tollbooth::::

..."There were great crowds of people rushing along with their heads down, and they all appeared to know exactley where they were going as they darted down and around the nonexistent streets and in and out of the missing buildings.
"I don't see any city," said Milo very softly.
"Neither do they," Alec remarked sadly, "but it hardly matters, for they don't miss it at all."
...
"Many years ago, on this very spot, there was a beautiful city of fine housed and inviting spaces, and no one who lived here was ever in a hurry. The streets were full of wonderful things to see and the people would often stop to look at them."
"Didn't they have any place to go?" asked Milo.
"To be sure," continued Alec; "but, as you know, the most important reason for going from one place to another is to see what's in between, and they took great pleasure in doing just that. Then one day someone discovered that if you walked as fast as possible and looked at nothing but you shoes yhou would arrive at your destination much more quickly. Soon everyone was doing it. They all rushed down the avenues and hurried along the boulevards seeing nothing of the wonder and beauties of their city as they went."...
"No one paid any attention to how things looked, and as they moved faster and faster everything grew uglier and dirtier, and as everything grew uglier and dirtier they moved faster and faster, and at last a very strange thing began to happen. Because nobody cared, the city slowly began to disappear. Day by day the buildings grew fainter and fainter, and the streets faded away, until at last it was entirerly invisible. There was nothing to see at all."


::::::::I'm Off:::::
(there never was a truer statement!)...to work on a last minute request for a 10 minute slideshow for the Boy Scout Court of Honor tomorrow. A 10 Minute video takes awhile to make. I'm hoping for some inspiration on a song to use with the canoe pictures. So far I'm using 2 Jack Johnson songs: The 3'Rs (for a clean-up service project) and Upside Down (A love the Calypso rhythmn). I'm also going to grab a portion of Elevation by U2 for several pictures of the boys on top of Mount Yonah in North Georgia. I'm taking about a 10 second sample of the song Mr. Big Stuff by Jean Knight for one of the scouts who loves to show his arm "muscles". He loves to take of his shirt and is a super ham.

See ya later alligators!

Barefoot in the Spring:

Text: “If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.”

_{Sing Spring kit by Sausan Designs at Scrapbookgraphics, Curled Edges by Anna Aspnes, Font: Jane Austen}

This layout uses an excerpt from this poem:

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax, I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.

I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles,
but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who live
sensibly and sanely hour after hour,
day after day.

Oh, I've had my moments,
And if I had it to do over again,
I'd have more of them.
In fact, I'd try to have nothing else.
Just moments, one after another,
instead of living so many years ahead of each day.

I've been one of those people who never goes anywhere
without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat
and a parachute.
If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over,
I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.

Nadine Stair,
85 years old.


:::::::::::::::::Paint, Caulk and Sheetrock::::

Oh, my! Michael, Aaron and I went to help Reu and Ang work on their house to ready it for sale. The taupe wall color Ang picked looked great. Michael spent his time working on taping the sheetrock and sanding the walls. Michael's hands were cracked and painful from being dried out by the sheetrock dust. He used my watermelon scented Shea butter. He is now a shea butter convert.


:::::::::::::::::My Hero::::::::::::
Granny Sue bought this for Rachel:



Here is a synopsis that I found on Amazon.com: George Sunday's life took an unexpected turn when he met and fell in love with Janet Dawkins, a nurse from Earth. The thing is, George is also Thermoman, from the planet Ultron, who dashes from one catastrophe to another as he juggles his two jobs: superhero and health food shop owner. Keeping George's identity secret is very difficult for the young couple, but luckily Janet's parents and colleagues just think he is an idiot.

Disco Floor and the Tardis!

I have yet to see elation equalled to that exhibited by my children as we pulled up the linoleum to discover the original disco floor. Eve and Noah jumped and screamed for joy when they saw the floor. When Aaron and Rachel came in after playing with some of the neighbor kids Rachel said the floor was soooo cool! We disappointed all of the children by letting them know we were replacing the floor with an engineered Red Oak. She asked if we could put it in as the floor to her room. When we said that was not possible she went to her room and cried! (Marsha, Marsha, Marsha! What is the world coming to?!?)




Here is Eve helping Michael with the flooring process:




We have been so blessed with family and friends willing to help. My dad popped in on Saturday morning and fixed the hole in the fascia and soffit. Michael and I were surprised he showed up because he had other projects and when we asked him why he came he replied, "I said, self, you need to go fix that hole. So, I came. I'm going home now. See ya later!"

Michael's brother, Reuben came over and brought his son, Gabriel. They helped deconstruct the top of the deck and pour new footers to place the new support beams. Since the cement needed to cure they came in and helped us start laying the floor in the entry and kitchen. They were both a lot of fun to have around. Gabriel also delivered some deer meat from his recent hunting expedition.

I've ordered some new appliances and I hope that we can pull everything together soon because we are hosting a couple's dinner in almost 2 weeks.

:::::::::::THE TARDIS SPOTTED:::::::::::::

in Tucker, Georgia. Michael drove us through a cute new subdivision with Craftsmen style homes to look at styles and house colors. Eve got really excited and called out, "Look! There's the Tardis!" We looked to where she was pointing to see a Port-O-Potty sitting in the center, big, rectangular, blue and with a door. We said that sure does look quite a bit like the Tardis, but don't let Dr. Who know that his lovely blue police box looks a bit like an American Loo!


Smiles!

We're Not Team Players...

because it can get too rough. My husband and I aren't great athletes by any stretch of the imagination. Michael likes mountain biking, camping and rock climbing. I like researching dead people (and live ones, too), gardening and walking. All of these can be achieved with little or no assistance. I played basketball, but if you have ever played church basketball you know it a vicious and rowdy sport (taken all too seriously). I believe you can learn good skills working with a team. We signed Aaron up for soccer for a couple of years and Rachel signed on for one, but the rude parents and the negativity from my own kids made me angry. My motto is "Cheer for your own team and say nothing negative about anyone else".
Our children have grown up not watching sports, but an occasional baseball game. I actually like watching volleyball (collegiate is my favorite), but I don't like when folks start talking nasty about the other team. This layout is one from 2003 when Aaron was trying to get involved with his uncles and cousins in a family game of touch football. His Uncle Reuben was trying to give him the basic lessons of how to play. The sad thing is Aaron never fits in to these games. For one thing he is shady on the rules and strategy, and another thing is he has a very slim build and doesn't like people hitting him. (Bad thing if you plan to play football!) So, inevitably he gets trounced by a bigger kid, or adult and comes over crying and hurt. Michael's response is "that is the point of football and that's why I don't play." I feel really bad for him because he desparately wants to fit into a world that doesn't value his presence and is quite happy to have him not participate. This carries over into his relationship with them in general...he doesn't play rough...he must be a wimp...mentality.
It's kind of funny that I right all of this because I actually thought this layout was fun to make and a cute photo of Aaron trying something different. Atleast, he tries to fit in and make friends. It's just unfortunate that others don't reciprocate.


_{Sketch by Jen Caputo
Papers, alpha and brushes by Tia Bennett (Free Pea Football Kit)
Font: Century Gothic}

Text: Uncle Reuben teaches Aaron some football basics.

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Rachel has already had a glasses malfunction. The screw came out of her nose piece and she doesn't know when it occurred, so tomorrow after the funeral I have to drive over to the optical department to see if they can do a quick and solid fix.

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Noah's teacher sent a note home requesting that he work with playdough or clay to help strengthen his fingers for writing. When I told my mother tonight she said, "And who is going to pay to get it out of my carpet!" She is the one that goes to the dollar store and replenishes the dried out and color combined globs of dough every couple of months. She's a trooper with my kids. She, in true granny fashion, ensures the kids have as many paints, crayons, paper and playdough they request...(beg, plead, whine).

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Only one chapter left of Peter and The Shadow Thieves, but the kids are at my parents' house for Friday sleepover. We will all have to wait until Saturday night for the finale. It has been an amazing book, thus far!

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I have been in a reading groove lately. I finished The Wine Dark Sea
and the library has sent me a notice that The Commodore
is waiting. Michael keeps telling me, "Victoria, you know they're not real!" I got upset that Capt. Jack Aubrey had a very brief kava induced dalliance with a nicely "scented" Polynesian woman. Patrick O'Brian weaves such a wonder tapestry of words, places and ideas that I feel like the characters just stop in place waiting for me to open the book to start their action again. Totally absorbing reads!


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I saw this on Janna's blog so I decided to check out my color:

You are Ocean Blue

You're both warm and practical. You're very driven, but you're also very well rounded. You tend to see both sides to every issue, and people consider you a natural diplomat.

What Color Blue Are You?

Hug O' War

_{Oh baby by Sandra Boddington, Frame by Mo Jackson, Scroll frame by Shabby Princess, Imagine tag by SSD called "Dream a Little Dream", Brown tag from Sonoran Sunrise by Mindy Terasawa, Font: Pea Lis}

Wave Your Hands:

Text: Reuben and Gabriel kept their arms raised for the entire ride from MGM back to our hotel at Pop Century. They couldn't stop laughing and their humor was rather infectious!



_{Papers: Tia Bennett's "Dude Totally", Rhonna Farrer's Rockstar, Chris Ford's paper strip, Mickey Mouse eyelet and brad by jlr,
Date Stamp by Jenn Star on her blog
Font: SA Apricots/Carnivalee Freakshow/Walt Disney Script}

I have a few silly watermelon eating pictures I will post when Michael drags them over to my shared file this evening. Rachel is making her usual goofy faces. Eve is wearing the watermelon as much as eating it. Aaron doesn't do fruit, so he isn't in any of the photos, and Noah only likes apples and bananas...so no Noah either!