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my week six work ...

Here are two of my layouts from week six of Design Your Life.  I still need to work on my "real world color" layout, but at least I got these two done.  They are both 8 1/2 x 11 layouts (doing a lot of those) and liking the change.  My album looks really cool too with all the different sized layouts.

The first layout is about the love I have for my family.

 

This layout is about the stories told by friends/family when we get together during the holidays.

 

Had a great day at work today - got some online shopping done.  Now I only need to get a few more things,and also create my "shutterfly" Christmas card.  I think I'll do that tomorrow.

We had dinner with Nanny and Poppy and my sister-in-law/brother-in-law, and kids tonight at Bensi's Restaurant.  I ordered the BEST sandwich evah ... chicken with mozzarella, roasted peppers, caramelized onions on a panini type bread.  I LOVED it.

I'm sure everyone has their Christmas decorations up, tree decorated, etc.  I'm hoping to do that some time this week - have to work again tomorrow.

Enjoy the rest of this long weekend!

recap and friday fill ins ...

Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving!  We had a WONDERFUL time yesterday.  As usual, we ate way too much, but isn't that what you are supposed to do on Thanksgiving!!  After all the food we consumed (appetizers, dinner, dessert), we played a few games of LCR and then two games of Outburst.  We laughed so hard and had a great time. 

Here are some pictures from the day.

Nicholas before we headed out for the day ...

 

Nanny getting the turkey ready ...

 

And my favorite -- Tracy and Ryan (mommy and son) ...

 

And, since it is Friday, I'm starting something new --- it's called Friday fill-ins.

1. My stomach is still full from all the eating yesterday.
2. Crab pastry puffs (great appetizer) is what I ate the most of on Thursday.
3. The yard is covered with morning dew.
4. Home is where I'd rather be at any given time.
5. The smell of pumpkin scented candles reminds me of Thanksgiving.
6. To take a shower is what I need right now!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to possible heading out to shop, tomorrow my plans include cleaning and Sunday, I want to relax, but I have to work!

Enjoy your day everyone - are you shopping today????

i'm so thankful ...

This post is to wish all my family and friends a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Wish we could all be together some way, some how, but we can't, so I want you all to know that I'll be thinking of you on Thanksgiving, hoping you are having a great day being with your friends and family and celebrating life and all that you are thankful for.

I am thankful for so many things, my family, my friends, having the chance to live in this great world we live in.  I'm thankful for all of my old and new friends, even the many new friends I've met through this awesome life we call "blogging."  You all know who you are -- thank you for your support and sharing your lives with me too.

I'm thankful for my husband and all that he does to support me and my family.  I'm thankful for Nicholas and for all the happiness and silly times he brings into my life.  I'm thankful for my job and having the opportunity to work with a great team of people.  I'm thankful for all the friends that I reconnected with this year.  I'm thankful for being able to have time in my life to dedicate to my passion of scrapbooking.  I really could go on and on, but I'll stop there.

So with that said, my wish to all of you is to have a wonderful, safe, Happy Thanksgiving!

his thanksgiving feast ...

Nicholas had his Thanksgiving Feast at school on Friday, so the mom's and dad's were invited to join them.  First, the entire class dressed up like Indians, sang some songs for us, and then his teacher read to us what each of the children were thankful for.

Here is Nicholas in his costume - his Indian name was "Flying Owl."

 

 

They colored their vests, hats, and feathers; made a shield with their Indian names on it; and made necklaces.  They also had coffee cans (decorated) as their drum.

Some of the things that Nicholas was thankful for were --- his family, green beans, lucky charms, chicken nuggets, chocolate pudding, the two dogs he sleeps with (Doko and Spot), and a few other things.  I was shocked not to hear chocolate milk, which he drinks on a daily basis at least two times a day, and his two school "girlfriends."

The afternoon ended with a feast for the kids (and the adults) of turkey, stuffing, muffins, etc.  It was a fun-fillled afternoon, and I'm so glad that I was able to share it with Nicholas.  Poor Rob was installing a hot water heater and missed out - he was very upset.

The rest of the weekend was pretty hectic.  On Saturday, Nicholas and I ran some errands (got his haircut), got the turkey for Thursday, etc.  Yesterday I worked at the store and Nicholas came with me - we had a fun day together. 

Last night, Nanny and Poppy came over after the long drive in from Ohio.  They brought Ryan and Paige with them, so the reunion of the three cousins was very special.  They all missed each other so much.  This is going to be a great week for Nicholas.

That's it for now - enjoy the rest of your day!

things i've done ...

I found this on my friend Tina's blog . If you want to play along, just copy the list and highlight all the things you've done.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band (does singing back up with my cousin jen while my brother played the guitar count?)

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/world

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo (in grammer school)

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (who hasn't)

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar (only a taste, and never again)

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone (and didn't know it)

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

That was so much fun - you should try it.

And ... crowdSPRING, hire Kelly Purkey for your new Community Marketing Manager!

Nicholas has his Thanksgiving Feast at school today - looking forward to seeing what they have planned.

Have a great day!

trip to linens and things ...

I don't know if they are all going out of business, but all of the Linens and Things stores near my house are going out of business.  During lunch today, I had to run some errands and was in Somerville (had to stop in at Barnes & Noble), and while there ran into Linens and Things.  I thought I better use the gift card that was in my purse for God knows how long before I can't use it.  I was able to buy a few kitchen utensils at a STEAL.  Go check out the sales before they close their doors for good.

It was determined last night that I will not be hosting Thanksgiving after all.  My mother-in-law will be cooking - they have so much more room than us and have double ovens to cook everything.  I will still be making mashed potatoes, green been casserole, etc., but Thanksgiving dinner will be at her house.

There are two books that I need to get my hands on (one is already out, and one will hit stands in December).

I need to get this one ...

 

And this one when it comes out in December ...

 

That's it for now folks - enjoy your evening!

do fish usually sleep a lot ...

Nicholas's little betta fish "French-fry" is always sleeping.  Is this normal?  Sometimes I think the poor little thing is dead in the tank because half of the time it is not moving (because it is sleeping).

Anyway, Studio Calico has their sneak peeks of their December Kit posted on their website.  Here is one of the sneaks, and it's a good one.

 

Off to Wall-Mart tonight to get some accessories for Thanksgiving next week.  You know, the plates, napkins, table clothes, maybe some goodies for the kiddos.  If anyone has a good Thanksgiving recipe that you want to share with me, please do - I'm hosting Thanksgiving for 14 people this year.

Enjoy your evening!

my october 12 of 12 ...

As you know, I'm a little behind on my scrapbook projects.  Today I finally finished my "October" 12 of 12 layout.  I took pictures for my November 12 of 12, but still needed to complete the October one, and here it is.

 

The pictures are really not blurry, I'm not sure why they are photographing blurry.

Nicholas was definitely in a rare mood today -- Rob and I were both ready to ship him out (for the day).  I think it's because he has been couped up in the house for so many days because of the rain and the cold weather.  Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Enjoy your evening!

finally a weekend at home ...

I could have attended a 12-hour crop today; however, I had a jewelry show (pretty successful, I may add) to do last night and wanted to do so much around the house today.  I was finally able to change out my summer clothes to my winter clothes (always a depressing thing to do), and do many other errands around the house.  I have more to do tomorrow, but that time will come.

I was able to do some creating tonight - a layout for "Design Your Life" and a layout for "Inspired Blueprints."

My "DYL" layout is of Nicholas in a tent he received as one of his birthday presents last year.

 

And my take on the "Inspired Blueprints" sketch #3.

 

And, now after I just spent about 30 minutes cleaning up my scrapbook desk because Nicholas just spilled half a can of soda (thank you Rob for giving that to him) all over it and it went EVERYWHERE, I'm going to have a bowl of mint chocolate-chip ice cream.

Enjoy your evening!

he is so dedicated ...

I usually do not talk about my husband very much on my blog, but today, I just have to. 

Not many people see all of the things that Rob does for our family.  Yes, he is a stay-at-home dad to Nicholas, and a Computer Network Engineer by trade, but he is so much more than that.  If you are in a bind (computer related or not), you can always count on Rob to help you out. 

He takes care of our home with his whole heart --- during the spring/summer/fall, he is always outside either working around the house, mowing the lawn, taking care of the pool, maintains keeping the cars working, just working on making things look nicer.  When he is inside, he cooks, does laundry, vacuums (on occasion), washes windows, puts things away, organizes constantly, and does whatever else he can to make my life easier so when I get home from work, my night is easier.

This past month has been rough at home - the pipes that feed into our furnace had to be replaced, and just yesterday, our hot water heater decided to give up on us.  Out he went to Home Depot last night to pick up a new hot water heater and when he got home around 9pm he started to prep for the work that is being done today - I don't think he slept at all last night.  This morning, he got up with me at 5:30am to make sure that the pilot light on the hot water heater stayed lit so that I could take a warm shower to go to work.

We may argue from time to time, but I just want to say that I'm so grateful for all that he does - I don't know what I'd do without him.

Okay --- so did you catch the CMA Awards last night?  I thought the show was pretty good; I wasn't impressed with some of the song choices that the artists decided to sing, but all in all, it was a good show.

My reviews for the evening ...

Worst dressed (in my eyes).  I did not like her dress at all.

 

And this one makes me think I'm in a casino and she is my waitress.

   

I loved this dress worn by Leann Womack.

 

And I thought this was a fun dress - just not the right time of year to wear it.

 

Wasn't crazy about this dress - but just love her.

 

And HE can wear anything and look GREAT!

 

My favorite songs sung during the evening were Kenny Chesney's "Everybody Wants to go to Heaven" and Carrie Underwood's "Just a Dream."

That's it for my reviews -- enjoy your day everyone!