CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER!
Things I will be doing while I am not here blogging this summer:
Sew something cool - checked out a great book from the library: Sew What! BAGS! on a recommendation from How About Orange!
6 week summer class - Business/Corporate Law
Scrapbook more
Make 2 special "albums"
Go on at least 2 Boston Walking/Photo tours
Read all of the Twilight series
Paint the kitchen
Paint the kitty's room
Revamp the office
Revamp the back porch
Clean out my closet
Paint ceiling medallions and hang them on a wall
My kid sister is coming August 1-5 from Fargo, ND
In the meantime...I'm over at Facebook - where it's the hip-cool place to keep up with your peeps!
Don't worry, I'll be back late summer! (Or before, if I have something cool to share!!)
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Butterfly
When I adopted Abigail from Lansing, Michigan's Capital Area Humane Society in August 2004, her name was "Butterfly". It's not a name that stuck with her. "Helga the Horrible" might have been a better choice, but I settled on Abigail. I did this digi page for Designer Digital's 4th Birthday Contest.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Dirty Dancing!
I had the most amazing night, with 2 of my girlfriends; we went to see Dirty Dancing at the Boston Opera House. WOW! I was amazed at how awesome the production was! It was right down to the little antics of the show that made it so special and memorable! Of course, theater productions add their own flair to some parts and it was totally awesome!
My crappy old (hideable) camera didn't take the greatest pictures of the inside of the Opera House. That place is MAGNIFICENT! Hopefully Andrea's camera grabbed better pics. I'll share when I get them. Of course, my camera had 2 pics of us girls on there and both are blurry, too. I can't even fix them.
Here we are!
Inside:
Inside:
Stage:
The End:
My crappy old (hideable) camera didn't take the greatest pictures of the inside of the Opera House. That place is MAGNIFICENT! Hopefully Andrea's camera grabbed better pics. I'll share when I get them. Of course, my camera had 2 pics of us girls on there and both are blurry, too. I can't even fix them.
Here we are!
Inside:
Inside:
Stage:
The End:
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Let's Go Red Sox!
Well, today might be a better day for the opening game at Fenway. Yesterday it rained so hard and it was windy! I was prepping part of dinner when I saw the kids walking home from school in the rain. I sort of felt bad for them, because it started just about the time school let out. The high school is about 1/2 mile from our house.
Saw Twilight last night - good movie! Wishing I had read the book first though! That's my summer goal - to read the books when I get a 2 month break from school in July + August.
One more day before I go to the Boston Opera House to see the theater production for Dirty Dancing!!! Am so excited! I am going with a couple of my girlfriends, we've been waiting for this!!!
The only thing that stinks is I lose a homework night tomorrow night. Been buried deep in a paper that is probably the hardest part of my Legal Writing class. Plus, my Wills, Trusts & Estates class is vamping up to 2 chapters per week because we're a bit behind. UGH!
LET'S GO RED SOX!!!!
Saw Twilight last night - good movie! Wishing I had read the book first though! That's my summer goal - to read the books when I get a 2 month break from school in July + August.
One more day before I go to the Boston Opera House to see the theater production for Dirty Dancing!!! Am so excited! I am going with a couple of my girlfriends, we've been waiting for this!!!
The only thing that stinks is I lose a homework night tomorrow night. Been buried deep in a paper that is probably the hardest part of my Legal Writing class. Plus, my Wills, Trusts & Estates class is vamping up to 2 chapters per week because we're a bit behind. UGH!
LET'S GO RED SOX!!!!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Trying something new!
Smokie and Abigail have both asked if they can have their own Facebook page and while I thought about it, the thought of Abigail or Smokie sitting in my office on the computer all day instead of napping made me shudder. Instead I told them they could have their own blog. It seemed more age appropriate for them two!
Without further do, please come visit Smokie + Abigail's "Cat Box Chronicles" as they blog about their lives, their humans and whatever else they see fit!
Without further do, please come visit Smokie + Abigail's "Cat Box Chronicles" as they blog about their lives, their humans and whatever else they see fit!
Friday, April 3, 2009
April showers...
bring May flowers!
At least April is good for something!
Been super busy with school - being in school for my paralegal certificate is just like being in law school. The classes are taught by attorney's (and judges) and the work is hard. Interpretation and analysis of the law is not an easy task and definitely takes some getting used to and practice to learn all of this stuff.
Something wrong with my Smokie-Mokie. He has been super quiet (no meowing), passive and he's limping on one of his front paws and that leg is swollen. Paul said he laid in his basket all day yesterday and didn't move. I don't want to go feeling him all over and making him hurt, so I'm typing this as I am on hold with the vet to get him seen today. He's eating and moving around a little bit and is using the kitty-box, so that's good. He's 18 years old and has been in kidney failure for about 3 months though we have that under control and he is doing very well on his new diet and sub-q treatments 2x/week. He's even gained some weight! I hope it's maybe a sprain or something little because I can't afford to take any more big hits to my checkbook!
Back from the vet: It appears that Smokie may have dislocated his shoulder, or fell on it or hurt it somehow. We opted to wait 2 weeks to see how he does and will Xray it then. In the meantime, we'll watch to see if he gets better.
At least April is good for something!
Been super busy with school - being in school for my paralegal certificate is just like being in law school. The classes are taught by attorney's (and judges) and the work is hard. Interpretation and analysis of the law is not an easy task and definitely takes some getting used to and practice to learn all of this stuff.
Something wrong with my Smokie-Mokie. He has been super quiet (no meowing), passive and he's limping on one of his front paws and that leg is swollen. Paul said he laid in his basket all day yesterday and didn't move. I don't want to go feeling him all over and making him hurt, so I'm typing this as I am on hold with the vet to get him seen today. He's eating and moving around a little bit and is using the kitty-box, so that's good. He's 18 years old and has been in kidney failure for about 3 months though we have that under control and he is doing very well on his new diet and sub-q treatments 2x/week. He's even gained some weight! I hope it's maybe a sprain or something little because I can't afford to take any more big hits to my checkbook!
Back from the vet: It appears that Smokie may have dislocated his shoulder, or fell on it or hurt it somehow. We opted to wait 2 weeks to see how he does and will Xray it then. In the meantime, we'll watch to see if he gets better.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Yes, I'm alive! Just busy!
HA!
Wanna see something very cool? I stop in at Sandy Krieger's blog (she has some of the best eye candy!) from time to time, and she posted pics of someone's wedding (Not sure who, but you gotta go check this out! What a FUN FUN FUN wedding reception and check out those colors!) Reception and Wedding Photos.
OH, btw...does anyone NOT see the background on my blog? It's a blue/black damask background. I can't see it from my iPhone, so I wonder if my iPhone just doesn't pick up the linked background or it's really not working. I see it, but temp files/cookies, yada yada might contribute to that.
Not a lot of excitement in my life as of late. I'm dreaming of warmer weather.
Finishing up the last DIGI class at Jessica Sprague - Digi In Deep. Will share my projects next week, when I get them all completed.
Wanna see something very cool? I stop in at Sandy Krieger's blog (she has some of the best eye candy!) from time to time, and she posted pics of someone's wedding (Not sure who, but you gotta go check this out! What a FUN FUN FUN wedding reception and check out those colors!) Reception and Wedding Photos.
OH, btw...does anyone NOT see the background on my blog? It's a blue/black damask background. I can't see it from my iPhone, so I wonder if my iPhone just doesn't pick up the linked background or it's really not working. I see it, but temp files/cookies, yada yada might contribute to that.
Not a lot of excitement in my life as of late. I'm dreaming of warmer weather.
Finishing up the last DIGI class at Jessica Sprague - Digi In Deep. Will share my projects next week, when I get them all completed.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Happy Spring!
Well, we should be over the hump they call winter by now, though it can creep up on us if it wants to for another couple weeks (although rare). The temperatures are getting a bit warmer and the sun is staying out a bit longer as the weeks pass! I've noticed that its getting a bit "greener" out, too! Trees are starting to bud a little bit, but also the snow has melted and the grass that had been suffocating under blankets and blankets and blankets of snow, can breathe again!
My camera gets used a LOT this time of year! Like a breath of fresh air waiting to be photographed for memories to come!
My camera gets used a LOT this time of year! Like a breath of fresh air waiting to be photographed for memories to come!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Vaca over...back to work tomorrow!
I'm glad to be going back to work tomorrow, actually! I miss my peeps! That and I am excited to get back to routine! Up at 630am tomorrow, off to the gym by 8 and at work by 10:30...
Plus it's one more day towards Wednesday when we get our new bed - I can hardly sleep on this mattress we have anymore!
Plus it's one more day towards Wednesday when we get our new bed - I can hardly sleep on this mattress we have anymore!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Vaca Day 7
WOW! I have to go back to work in a couple days! This week cruised by pretty slowly (you know how vacations fly by? This one was just right!) and I guess I feel relaxed and rested. I'm ready to go back to "normal" - and normal means going to work...and school, in my case!
Paul and I went out today on a mission to find "decor" for our bedroom and we didn't come home with anything exciting. We did buy a new bed though. We've struggled with beds. We started with my Full sized bed in 2005, then upgraded to a pillow-top Sealy in 2006 and that is the most uncomfortable mattress, EVER! We have been dying to get a new bed and never knew where to turn. Finally we decided on a Tempurpedic - memory foam mattress. I hope we like this one because I am so ready to sleep better. At least it comes with a 30 day in home trial.
It's been so beautiful here the last few days. 50*+ and the sun is shining. It's so nice!
Paul and I went out today on a mission to find "decor" for our bedroom and we didn't come home with anything exciting. We did buy a new bed though. We've struggled with beds. We started with my Full sized bed in 2005, then upgraded to a pillow-top Sealy in 2006 and that is the most uncomfortable mattress, EVER! We have been dying to get a new bed and never knew where to turn. Finally we decided on a Tempurpedic - memory foam mattress. I hope we like this one because I am so ready to sleep better. At least it comes with a 30 day in home trial.
It's been so beautiful here the last few days. 50*+ and the sun is shining. It's so nice!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Vaca Day 6
After a long week of painting, rearranging, moving, shopping, and trying to put a bedroom back together, I present you with the semi-finished results! Of course as you might be able to see, Paul still needs to finish cutting in the dark brown to the light paint color on the right of the bed... (I am terrible with paint in the first place and sure as hell can't paint a straight line in a corner connecting 2 paint colors!!)
The next thing you'll notice is that I am yet to "decorate" the walls. I honestly was in no mood to go shopping today for a few things to decorate...maybe tomorrow or Monday. I made the 3 little pillows on the bed. I purchased the pillows at IKEA, then I bought material to cover them and I can change them anytime I want to. I painted the large light one, with the orange paint. Inspiration came from here as I was trying to work out curtain ideas.
Those curtains you see are $5 a panel at Target (I have 6 panels) and these were the 2nd set of curtains I bought. The first ones were SUPER UGLY and make the room look like a freakin' cappucino - they were tab top panel curtains which let no light in and they were khaki brown.
We still need to buy a headboard or make one. The original bed we were going to buy was too big for the room, and alone it's $209. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I want the whole damn bed frame for $249.
I put together the bedside tables. They were super easy, really. I bought a dresser, too. Paul is yet to put it together...anyone want to place bets on how long it'll take for him to do that??
The lamps are from IKEA, too. We're trying to sell our 50" Plasma TV to buy a smaller LCD for the bedroom. Anyone interested in a great deal on a plasma tv? You don't see that honkin' tv in the room as it's inside on the right and no sense in taking a picture of the tv...but if you are interested in it (seriously), then I can certainly take pics.
OK, without further ado...
Bedroom After 1
Bedroom After 2
Bedroom After 3
Bedroom After 4
Then, I got a wild hair up my ass to update our bathroom. There was not much "style" in there until I found the hand soap pump, blue cup, and the shower curtain rings at Kmart. Then I found the great blue curtains at Target. I originally didn't buy the accessories until I went to Target and saw the curtains and then I went back to Kmart and got the accessories and the candles in the window! The blue really made my day! I LOVE Martha Stewart and I love her brown/blue color combos...funny... the accessories are Jacqueline Smith!
Bathroom 1
Bathroom 2
It took me over a year to get that bedroom done, Paul and I are so happy with the way it turned out! Not sure where I'll go with the decor. I might do a ton of black and white pictures with different frames on the inside right wall. It'll definitely be a work in progress!!!
The next thing you'll notice is that I am yet to "decorate" the walls. I honestly was in no mood to go shopping today for a few things to decorate...maybe tomorrow or Monday. I made the 3 little pillows on the bed. I purchased the pillows at IKEA, then I bought material to cover them and I can change them anytime I want to. I painted the large light one, with the orange paint. Inspiration came from here as I was trying to work out curtain ideas.
Those curtains you see are $5 a panel at Target (I have 6 panels) and these were the 2nd set of curtains I bought. The first ones were SUPER UGLY and make the room look like a freakin' cappucino - they were tab top panel curtains which let no light in and they were khaki brown.
We still need to buy a headboard or make one. The original bed we were going to buy was too big for the room, and alone it's $209. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I want the whole damn bed frame for $249.
I put together the bedside tables. They were super easy, really. I bought a dresser, too. Paul is yet to put it together...anyone want to place bets on how long it'll take for him to do that??
The lamps are from IKEA, too. We're trying to sell our 50" Plasma TV to buy a smaller LCD for the bedroom. Anyone interested in a great deal on a plasma tv? You don't see that honkin' tv in the room as it's inside on the right and no sense in taking a picture of the tv...but if you are interested in it (seriously), then I can certainly take pics.
OK, without further ado...
Bedroom After 1
Bedroom After 2
Bedroom After 3
Bedroom After 4
Then, I got a wild hair up my ass to update our bathroom. There was not much "style" in there until I found the hand soap pump, blue cup, and the shower curtain rings at Kmart. Then I found the great blue curtains at Target. I originally didn't buy the accessories until I went to Target and saw the curtains and then I went back to Kmart and got the accessories and the candles in the window! The blue really made my day! I LOVE Martha Stewart and I love her brown/blue color combos...funny... the accessories are Jacqueline Smith!
Bathroom 1
Bathroom 2
It took me over a year to get that bedroom done, Paul and I are so happy with the way it turned out! Not sure where I'll go with the decor. I might do a ton of black and white pictures with different frames on the inside right wall. It'll definitely be a work in progress!!!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Vaca Day 5
OMG! I slept like a baby last night! We're finally back into our bedroom, instead of the living room floor!
I got a ton of great stuff at IKEA yesterday, but I wasn't able to buy the bedroom furniture I wanted originally :( Our bedroom is way too small and the dressers were either too tall or too big, so I opted for a smaller one, same color (black-brown). I couldn't buy the bed frame, again it's because our room is too small. The frame adds an extra 3 inches all the way around to the already tight squeeze we have in the room. (I had sort of already came to terms with this the other day when I actually measured the room...but still had hope until I saw the beds in person!) I did buy the bedside stands though, which match the smaller dresser. All in all, I'm happy with what I got for furniture...now to put it together!
I didn't get to buy curtains or curtain rods at IKEA, they were wiped out of rods, seriously. I opted to wait and go to Wal-Mart to see what they have. I got rods and some panel curtains, which after an hour of trying to get the rods hung and curtains washed, dried and hung...I HATE THEM! Off to buy something different today. I might even go to JoAnns and buy material and make my own curtains if I don't find anything good!
So, today I will work on the decor and share pics soon!
ALSO...I want to share a cool website that I find very inspiring! How About Orange - I love the daily posts and the color and design ideas. If you ever feel down and out, step into this blog and just look at the color and you're sure to feel much happier when leaving!
On a side note, this blogger shares a LOT of great ideas for books about crafts, DIY, etc. I am not a book collector and I try to avoid buying new books, as I seriously do not have the room for them, they collect dust, and are heavy to tote around. If I do want to buy it, it's probably because the library won't give me any more rental time on them, as there might be 5 people waiting on the list because the book is so good! I get all books at my local library first, when I can. If I find that the book is really good and something I can refer to in the future, I will try to buy a used copy and if all else fails, I make the dreaded trip to the bookstore.
My message here? UTILIZE YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY! Especially more now than ever when we can't afford to spend money where we don't have it!
I got a ton of great stuff at IKEA yesterday, but I wasn't able to buy the bedroom furniture I wanted originally :( Our bedroom is way too small and the dressers were either too tall or too big, so I opted for a smaller one, same color (black-brown). I couldn't buy the bed frame, again it's because our room is too small. The frame adds an extra 3 inches all the way around to the already tight squeeze we have in the room. (I had sort of already came to terms with this the other day when I actually measured the room...but still had hope until I saw the beds in person!) I did buy the bedside stands though, which match the smaller dresser. All in all, I'm happy with what I got for furniture...now to put it together!
I didn't get to buy curtains or curtain rods at IKEA, they were wiped out of rods, seriously. I opted to wait and go to Wal-Mart to see what they have. I got rods and some panel curtains, which after an hour of trying to get the rods hung and curtains washed, dried and hung...I HATE THEM! Off to buy something different today. I might even go to JoAnns and buy material and make my own curtains if I don't find anything good!
So, today I will work on the decor and share pics soon!
ALSO...I want to share a cool website that I find very inspiring! How About Orange - I love the daily posts and the color and design ideas. If you ever feel down and out, step into this blog and just look at the color and you're sure to feel much happier when leaving!
On a side note, this blogger shares a LOT of great ideas for books about crafts, DIY, etc. I am not a book collector and I try to avoid buying new books, as I seriously do not have the room for them, they collect dust, and are heavy to tote around. If I do want to buy it, it's probably because the library won't give me any more rental time on them, as there might be 5 people waiting on the list because the book is so good! I get all books at my local library first, when I can. If I find that the book is really good and something I can refer to in the future, I will try to buy a used copy and if all else fails, I make the dreaded trip to the bookstore.
My message here? UTILIZE YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY! Especially more now than ever when we can't afford to spend money where we don't have it!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Vaca Day 3
Didn't get the first coat of color up in the bedroom last night, like I wanted to. Paul said it was best to let that 2nd coat of primer dry really well.
Today I should be able to get a coat up this morning and then another coat in the evening. Depends on how it dries, it's going to rain most of the day. I'm getting excited! Most of the prep work is done, just have to slap up the color and call it good.
Been in a standstill about bedroom furniture though. Paul's mom and I were looking through the online catalog yesterday (she and I are headed to IKEA tomorrow to pick everything out, then Paul and Steve will go back to IKEA on Saturday and pick up all of the big pieces (bed, dresser, etc.) I started looking at the bed sizes that go in the frames and we have a pillow-top Sealy spring mattress and I'm not so convinced that it will fit in the bed. IKEA furniture is made about a 1/2" to 7/8' smaller than regular beds and if you have a spring mattress, it may not fit. I'll make all final decisions tomorrow when I get to IKEA and can talk with someone about it. The back up plan is to get a platform bed that any bed can go on. Decisions! Decisions!
I went over to HomeGoods yesterday and found the quilt that I've been "drooling" for! It is so pretty! Once I saw it about 2 weeks ago, I knew it was the inspiration for our bedroom...I just wasn't convinced I wanted to spend $70 for it! BUT, I did yesterday because I went back and it was still there. I knew it was meant to be for me! It was still $70!
I took before pics and realized that I should have just changed over my lens on my SLR to take wider shots (I was too lazy), I was trying to take shots on my 50mm and I couldn't get wide enough angles, so I opted to use the point and shoot nikon and I hate that freakin' camera! It takes the crappiest inside shots!
Here's the pics...crappy shots included!
The wall colors. Seriously this is a BAD representation of the colors I picked out. This swatch looks like a freakin' cappuccino , the brown is more of a grey-brown, no so chocolaty and the light color doesn't look like a version of dusty rose. It's a very light non-yellow cream color. You'll see it soon enough on the walls.
THE QUILT! OMG is she not the most beautiful things you've ever saw?
WARNING! Paul can't hang up his clothes in his closet, he had recently turned the treadmill into a clothing rack and we look like we live like the Beverly Hill Billies - We got LAZY and didn't care anymore and this room became the room to throw all the shit in that we didn't want to use!
Before 1
Before 2 (SLR)
Before 3
Before 4
Getting there 1
Getting there 2
Today I should be able to get a coat up this morning and then another coat in the evening. Depends on how it dries, it's going to rain most of the day. I'm getting excited! Most of the prep work is done, just have to slap up the color and call it good.
Been in a standstill about bedroom furniture though. Paul's mom and I were looking through the online catalog yesterday (she and I are headed to IKEA tomorrow to pick everything out, then Paul and Steve will go back to IKEA on Saturday and pick up all of the big pieces (bed, dresser, etc.) I started looking at the bed sizes that go in the frames and we have a pillow-top Sealy spring mattress and I'm not so convinced that it will fit in the bed. IKEA furniture is made about a 1/2" to 7/8' smaller than regular beds and if you have a spring mattress, it may not fit. I'll make all final decisions tomorrow when I get to IKEA and can talk with someone about it. The back up plan is to get a platform bed that any bed can go on. Decisions! Decisions!
I went over to HomeGoods yesterday and found the quilt that I've been "drooling" for! It is so pretty! Once I saw it about 2 weeks ago, I knew it was the inspiration for our bedroom...I just wasn't convinced I wanted to spend $70 for it! BUT, I did yesterday because I went back and it was still there. I knew it was meant to be for me! It was still $70!
I took before pics and realized that I should have just changed over my lens on my SLR to take wider shots (I was too lazy), I was trying to take shots on my 50mm and I couldn't get wide enough angles, so I opted to use the point and shoot nikon and I hate that freakin' camera! It takes the crappiest inside shots!
Here's the pics...crappy shots included!
The wall colors. Seriously this is a BAD representation of the colors I picked out. This swatch looks like a freakin' cappuccino , the brown is more of a grey-brown, no so chocolaty and the light color doesn't look like a version of dusty rose. It's a very light non-yellow cream color. You'll see it soon enough on the walls.
THE QUILT! OMG is she not the most beautiful things you've ever saw?
WARNING! Paul can't hang up his clothes in his closet, he had recently turned the treadmill into a clothing rack and we look like we live like the Beverly Hill Billies - We got LAZY and didn't care anymore and this room became the room to throw all the shit in that we didn't want to use!
Before 1
Before 2 (SLR)
Before 3
Before 4
Getting there 1
Getting there 2
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Vaca Day 2
Here we are, day 2 already! It's really day 3 if you consider Sunday in there, and then it's really day 1 if you consider Sunday and Monday's are my days off. Either way...Day 2. Here we go!
My back is KILLING me, I'm icing it up and headed to the gym as soon as I finish this post.
Yesterday, I prepped the bedroom, taped everything off, covered everything in plastic, blah blah blah...and I primed with 1 coat. Today I will prime again and later tonight I should be able to put 1 coat of paint on.
I'm taking pics as I go...I'll put them up later today!
My back is KILLING me, I'm icing it up and headed to the gym as soon as I finish this post.
Yesterday, I prepped the bedroom, taped everything off, covered everything in plastic, blah blah blah...and I primed with 1 coat. Today I will prime again and later tonight I should be able to put 1 coat of paint on.
I'm taking pics as I go...I'll put them up later today!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Vaca Day 1
I'm off from work until March 17th. I spent almost all of today on the computer working on some digi stuff for a book I am having printed eventually from one of our trips to Vermont this past year. I did a couple LO's about Abigail today, too. I'm in another one of Jessica Sprague's Digi classes: Digi in Deep.
It was like 60* out today! WOW! But would you believe that I didn't really pay attention to it, probably because I'm used to being cooped up in the house all damn winter. Speaking of winter...more snow tomorrow! 1"-3" - no biggie, but just enough to annoy me!
I intend to get all of the supplies tomorrow, to paint our bedroom on Wednesday. Going with a light and dark combo of some sort. Something neutral that will work with anything...and I vouch to never paint with the color maroon again!
Got back in touch with an old friend from high school this week. I think Kim and I have been friends for about 22-23 years! We've lost touch a couple of times, life just gets in the way but am so happy she threw me an email last week!
Off to change the blog scenery again! I just love House of 3's Couture!
It was like 60* out today! WOW! But would you believe that I didn't really pay attention to it, probably because I'm used to being cooped up in the house all damn winter. Speaking of winter...more snow tomorrow! 1"-3" - no biggie, but just enough to annoy me!
I intend to get all of the supplies tomorrow, to paint our bedroom on Wednesday. Going with a light and dark combo of some sort. Something neutral that will work with anything...and I vouch to never paint with the color maroon again!
Got back in touch with an old friend from high school this week. I think Kim and I have been friends for about 22-23 years! We've lost touch a couple of times, life just gets in the way but am so happy she threw me an email last week!
Off to change the blog scenery again! I just love House of 3's Couture!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
3 days to go...
and I'm off work for 9 days after that. Taking a little time off to kill some excessive vacation time I have at work. If you don't use it, you lose it. End of story.
I plan to repaint our bedroom and then go to IKEA and get our new bedroom furniture and some decor.
Funny, I intended this very same thing here and here last year around this time! The only difference is this year I get new furniture!
...off to the gym!
I plan to repaint our bedroom and then go to IKEA and get our new bedroom furniture and some decor.
Funny, I intended this very same thing here and here last year around this time! The only difference is this year I get new furniture!
...off to the gym!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
It just tastes better with whole milk!
OH how I miss whole milk in my diet! I used to live on that stuff, seriously! Back in the day, all that was in my refrigerator was a gallon of whole milk, bottles of water, and a bottle of ranch dressing! The ranch was for the occasional hot wings and the milk had special dates with the box of cereal (probably Rice Krispies) or it was goin' in my coffee!
I just ate some Rice Krispies, my fave cereal ever, and I had it with 1% milk, which is a definite upgrade from skim milk. However, it is NO CONTEST to whole in all its milky glory!
In other news, I took my sweet Smokie Mokie to the vet on Monday and he gained a few ounces and his blood work came back great! He is almost back in the normal range again and we'll just keep up with the sub-Q treatments 2x/week, his special diet and come back in 3 months! HOW GREAT IS THAT NEWS!?!
I just ate some Rice Krispies, my fave cereal ever, and I had it with 1% milk, which is a definite upgrade from skim milk. However, it is NO CONTEST to whole in all its milky glory!
In other news, I took my sweet Smokie Mokie to the vet on Monday and he gained a few ounces and his blood work came back great! He is almost back in the normal range again and we'll just keep up with the sub-Q treatments 2x/week, his special diet and come back in 3 months! HOW GREAT IS THAT NEWS!?!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
4 years!
Today marks 4 years that Paul and I have been together. We use today's date as the day we met each other, 10 days after Valentine's Day...our anniversary! It's been a terrific journey, it's been a blast and I love him as much today as the day I met him!
XOXO
Monday, February 16, 2009
OH!
Hi there! LOOKY! It's Monday again! My fave day to blog! LOL! Seriously, nothing too exciting in my life to blog about lately. Same ole, same ole!
That's my exciting life...ta ta for now!
- Weather has been nice
- Snow is melting slowly
- In another month, it'll almost be Spring
- Had a nice VDay
- Back to the pool tomorrow
- Smokie is doing so much better
- Thinking about redoing our bedroom, new paint, new rug and new bedroom set:
That's my exciting life...ta ta for now!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
...it was one of those days...
started with the phone going off at 630am to tell me one of my clients was sick. ANYTIME my phone rings before 9am, it sets my mood for the day and it ain't pretty.
...without further detail, I'm not gonna complain. I say the worst of it's over and tomorrow is a new day. At least it better be! *Screw* you Tuesday, HELLO Wednesday!
I need an anti-depressant.
OH and last night, I watched My Best Friend's Girl - OH MY GAWD! What an outrageously FUNNY, comical movie that was! LOVED IT! I highly recommend it if you need a good laugh and the *F* word doesn't bother you!
...without further detail, I'm not gonna complain. I say the worst of it's over and tomorrow is a new day. At least it better be! *Screw* you Tuesday, HELLO Wednesday!
I need an anti-depressant.
OH and last night, I watched My Best Friend's Girl - OH MY GAWD! What an outrageously FUNNY, comical movie that was! LOVED IT! I highly recommend it if you need a good laugh and the *F* word doesn't bother you!
Monday, February 9, 2009
-13
Yup, that's the total amount of weight lost since January 6th, when I decided to go back on Weight Watchers! Believe me, I've had my fair share of slip-ups, but I'm on the course and I'm doing good.
There are a few things I have found that has contributed to my little bit of success:
1. No more than 4-6 cups of coffee in the AM (in cups I mean real 8 oz. cups) with 4 Tbsp. of cream. See I won't drink coffee without cream, so I limited my intake of coffee to reduce the points I got from the cream. Coffee really doesn't give you but a 0.5 point, but the 4T. of cream is 2 points. In reality, that 2 points from the cream could mean a yogurt or a banana or something way more enjoyable than cream in some coffee. I used to drink upwards of 2 pots of coffee a day. Coffee also made me HUNGRY! I found that reducing my coffee, I was less hungry and was able to get through the morning without completely blowing my points by noon! Also, I drink hot tea (decaf) throughout the day, to give me that "hot beverage" fix. I don't put cream or sugar in my tea.
2. Once I start eating for the day, that's when I think about food the most. I try to push off my first meal of the day until after 11am, even if that's breakfast, I don't care. My ability to push off hunger until at least 11am or later contributes to being able to pace myself for the day.
3. I need exercise "structure". I went back to my aqua aerobics class, and I'd done very well at keeping up with it. I've missed the last 2 weeks ONLY due to work and being sick last week. I've since cleared my schedule to ensure I am available to go. Obviously things come up, I understand that. So the next session, I joined 2 classes so that I am can go to a class everyday if I want, or get in at least 2-3 different days so I am not missing only the Tues or Thurs classes. By signing up for 2 classes, there is a M/W/F class and a T/Th class. Never fails that something ALWAYS comes up on a Tuesday or a Thursday
4. I ONLY weigh myself on Monday AM because if I do weigh-ins during the week, I get sidetracked by the fluctuations!
Pics to boot later in the week!
There are a few things I have found that has contributed to my little bit of success:
1. No more than 4-6 cups of coffee in the AM (in cups I mean real 8 oz. cups) with 4 Tbsp. of cream. See I won't drink coffee without cream, so I limited my intake of coffee to reduce the points I got from the cream. Coffee really doesn't give you but a 0.5 point, but the 4T. of cream is 2 points. In reality, that 2 points from the cream could mean a yogurt or a banana or something way more enjoyable than cream in some coffee. I used to drink upwards of 2 pots of coffee a day. Coffee also made me HUNGRY! I found that reducing my coffee, I was less hungry and was able to get through the morning without completely blowing my points by noon! Also, I drink hot tea (decaf) throughout the day, to give me that "hot beverage" fix. I don't put cream or sugar in my tea.
2. Once I start eating for the day, that's when I think about food the most. I try to push off my first meal of the day until after 11am, even if that's breakfast, I don't care. My ability to push off hunger until at least 11am or later contributes to being able to pace myself for the day.
3. I need exercise "structure". I went back to my aqua aerobics class, and I'd done very well at keeping up with it. I've missed the last 2 weeks ONLY due to work and being sick last week. I've since cleared my schedule to ensure I am available to go. Obviously things come up, I understand that. So the next session, I joined 2 classes so that I am can go to a class everyday if I want, or get in at least 2-3 different days so I am not missing only the Tues or Thurs classes. By signing up for 2 classes, there is a M/W/F class and a T/Th class. Never fails that something ALWAYS comes up on a Tuesday or a Thursday
4. I ONLY weigh myself on Monday AM because if I do weigh-ins during the week, I get sidetracked by the fluctuations!
Pics to boot later in the week!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Magic Hat
My favorite beers comes from a Burlington, VT brewery called Magic Hat. I highly recommend visiting if you are ever in the area, they have a great little taster bar, a totally hip brewery and a really cool store. Anyways, there was a video contest Feast of Fools and this guy won and after seeing this funny clip, I have to agree! "When winter's got you down."
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Change of scenery!
Dont-cha just {HEART} this new background and header? You can get your very own over at House of 3.com! Heidi Swapp, Rhonna Farrer and Janet Hopkins have a new place called House of 3 and they have the most EXCELLENT scrapbook (and blog) couture! Totally go check it out!
In other news...home sick today, went to the Dr. and the doc thinks I may have pneumonia. Chest Xray tomorrow and I can go back to work unless I get a fever. Am on a new antibiotic, too. I've had this recurring cough for like 3 weeks (kinda like a smoker's cough) and I have been wheezing when I try to sleep and this morning, I got up and I almost fell flat on my face, I was feverish and woozy. I could barely sit up most of the day, just got dizzy and feeling blah.
Here's to hoping I feel better tomorrow!
In other news...home sick today, went to the Dr. and the doc thinks I may have pneumonia. Chest Xray tomorrow and I can go back to work unless I get a fever. Am on a new antibiotic, too. I've had this recurring cough for like 3 weeks (kinda like a smoker's cough) and I have been wheezing when I try to sleep and this morning, I got up and I almost fell flat on my face, I was feverish and woozy. I could barely sit up most of the day, just got dizzy and feeling blah.
Here's to hoping I feel better tomorrow!
SHE
A cool book I made about "Muah" that I meant to share earlier! I'll post a couple pics here, but you can click here to see the rest of the book!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Hey Monday!
Monday's seem to be the magic day these days to get a blog post in! Since I've started school again and with other things going on, it's like one of those days I "think" to post!
Friday night I did my first Sub-Q treatment with Smokie and it went fine. The hardest part was poking him with the needle, that thing is HUGE! I had the support of my friends who came over to help, and we all went for a much deserved drink afterward!
I didn't stay up to finish watching the game last night, I was just too tired to care. The whole time though, I was pulling for the Cardinals, the underdogs. I see that they came up a tad short when I looked at the news this morning. BUT, it was a good game, from what I watched of it and it is what it is.
Friday night I did my first Sub-Q treatment with Smokie and it went fine. The hardest part was poking him with the needle, that thing is HUGE! I had the support of my friends who came over to help, and we all went for a much deserved drink afterward!
I didn't stay up to finish watching the game last night, I was just too tired to care. The whole time though, I was pulling for the Cardinals, the underdogs. I see that they came up a tad short when I looked at the news this morning. BUT, it was a good game, from what I watched of it and it is what it is.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Results, Results, Results.
OK, I got the test results back from my BRCA1 and BRCA2 and I do NOT carry the mutated genes, therefore...well....I don't have them. I guess the only good thing about knowing whether or not if you have the mutated genes are you can take special precautions to lessen the chances of breast cancer coming back or other cancers forming that are linked with the BRCA1 & 2, specifically ovarian cancer. The bad thing, in my opinion is that it didn't give me the answer as to why I got breast cancer in the first place. Only a positive result for mutated genes would give me an answer and I guess that not knowing is better than having the genes, right!?!
Smokie - well took him to the vet today, she (the vet) was super nice to me, answered all my questions and talked about that Smokie is in the early stages of kidney failure. He did have a UTI, so we're treating that, too. They taught me how to do the Sub-Q treatments for Smokie. AY YI YI! We put him on a new diet, gave him special supplements and our goal right now is to not let him lose any more weight. He weighs 7.6 lbs. which is NOT GOOD, though Smokie has been this little for many years, he was over 12 lbs. or so in his prime back 7-10 years ago. I think I can manage his disease. I only have to do the Sub-Q treatments 1-2 times/week.
In other news, wht the hell has happened to my blog and it's pretty layout? I've exceeded the bandwidth for the LO? What a crock of shit! Off to make a new header and go back to the black LO!
OH and laying in bed, watching rented movies on my iPhone is pretty cool!!
Smokie - well took him to the vet today, she (the vet) was super nice to me, answered all my questions and talked about that Smokie is in the early stages of kidney failure. He did have a UTI, so we're treating that, too. They taught me how to do the Sub-Q treatments for Smokie. AY YI YI! We put him on a new diet, gave him special supplements and our goal right now is to not let him lose any more weight. He weighs 7.6 lbs. which is NOT GOOD, though Smokie has been this little for many years, he was over 12 lbs. or so in his prime back 7-10 years ago. I think I can manage his disease. I only have to do the Sub-Q treatments 1-2 times/week.
In other news, wht the hell has happened to my blog and it's pretty layout? I've exceeded the bandwidth for the LO? What a crock of shit! Off to make a new header and go back to the black LO!
OH and laying in bed, watching rented movies on my iPhone is pretty cool!!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Back to life...back to reality...
Loved En Vogue back in the day...Ahem! Great lyrics in that song, I say!
Awwww geeeee...so I went back to work, back to the grind, back to stress, but back to reality I guess. I'm thankful to work in the job that I do right now because I pretty much have job stability. The chances of my program being cut or closed is very slim. I can see that we may have to live with a little less and endure with the things we have. I'm ok with that and I'm glad to know that my company is a wise spender. I'm thankful that our CEO is careful about how we do business and he and his team have kept the company afloat despite the tough times.
I'm back to school now, too. I started Thursday night and I also have a class this morning before I go to work. I'm taking Legal Writing and Administration of Wills, Estates and Trusts. I still have 2 classes to go before being finished. I had to take a break this semester and go only part-time because 4 classes last semester was tough. I'll be finished by next December, but I'm hopeful that I might be able to get into a law office before then and gain some experience.
Smokie is doing pretty good, by the way. He goes to the vet Monday for his check-up and then I will discuss with the vet about the next steps of his treatment. I have a lot of questions and concerns that I want to talk to her about before proceeding. We'll see what Monday brings...or what Monday doesn't. I'm still on the fence about this veterinarian.
I also have an appt. with my Oncologist Monday morning to find out the results of my genetic BRCA1 and BRCA2 tests that I had done before Christmas. The tests came as a result of my quest to have a tubal ligation, which turned into the possibility of taking my ovaries instead, which then turned into finding a doctor that I liked and that would talk to me about my options and then turned into the genetic tests. What it all means is depending on the test results, I either have a tubal ligation or I have my ovaries removed.
Awwww geeeee...so I went back to work, back to the grind, back to stress, but back to reality I guess. I'm thankful to work in the job that I do right now because I pretty much have job stability. The chances of my program being cut or closed is very slim. I can see that we may have to live with a little less and endure with the things we have. I'm ok with that and I'm glad to know that my company is a wise spender. I'm thankful that our CEO is careful about how we do business and he and his team have kept the company afloat despite the tough times.
I'm back to school now, too. I started Thursday night and I also have a class this morning before I go to work. I'm taking Legal Writing and Administration of Wills, Estates and Trusts. I still have 2 classes to go before being finished. I had to take a break this semester and go only part-time because 4 classes last semester was tough. I'll be finished by next December, but I'm hopeful that I might be able to get into a law office before then and gain some experience.
Smokie is doing pretty good, by the way. He goes to the vet Monday for his check-up and then I will discuss with the vet about the next steps of his treatment. I have a lot of questions and concerns that I want to talk to her about before proceeding. We'll see what Monday brings...or what Monday doesn't. I'm still on the fence about this veterinarian.
I also have an appt. with my Oncologist Monday morning to find out the results of my genetic BRCA1 and BRCA2 tests that I had done before Christmas. The tests came as a result of my quest to have a tubal ligation, which turned into the possibility of taking my ovaries instead, which then turned into finding a doctor that I liked and that would talk to me about my options and then turned into the genetic tests. What it all means is depending on the test results, I either have a tubal ligation or I have my ovaries removed.
Monday, January 19, 2009
What I did on my time off!
So, I've been off work since Thursday afternoon for a much needed 4 day weekend.
- I've holed myself up in the house pretty much for 4 days straight!
- I've left the house once and that was for dinner at a friends' house Sat. night for a couple hours
- I went outside to shovel the snow this morning so that it's done and over with. My boots got filled with snow, there was so much! As of today, we've had snow on the ground for 1 month and it feels like 3! I think we got another foot of snow since yesterday
- I read 2 Janet Evanovich books (13+14) in 2 days
- I cleaned my scrap room and organized my paper and supplies...I found cool stuff I forgot about!
- I made a new mini book called "She" - I'll share later
- I organized a ton of my photos, I put a bunch on an SD card for our digital photo frame
- I have lost 8 lbs. since starting Weight Watchers on Jan. 5th.
- I'm still waiting on the vet to call about Smokie's urinalysis
Friday, January 16, 2009
Back again!
Made this today:
I seen something like this at a scrapbook faire last year. Totally fell in love with the concept. I threw my own twist on it and decided to make one. This one is for my teenage sister, so I decorated most of the pages for her to get her started. I'm considering making and selling these too.
To see the rest of the pictures and more views, click here!
I seen something like this at a scrapbook faire last year. Totally fell in love with the concept. I threw my own twist on it and decided to make one. This one is for my teenage sister, so I decorated most of the pages for her to get her started. I'm considering making and selling these too.
To see the rest of the pictures and more views, click here!
Hanging in there...
SUCCESS! I did in fact, get the urine sample and dropped it off to the vet on Wed. morning. M-Th was such a blur. I'm still waiting on the results to see where we go from here.
In the meantime, I went to the library to get one of my favorite books, one which I have somehow misplaced or borrowed to someone. Complete Guide to Natural Health for Cats & Dogs by Dr. Richard Pitcairn. I knew that there was a great section in there about Feline Kidney Failure as I had remembered reading it many years ago, and also referring to it when my friends' cat got the same diagnosis back in like 2002 or somewhere around there. We also referred to this book when my Rottweiler, Scorpio, was diagnosed with Erlichiosis and his kidneys were shutting down, as well as his liver, eyesight and everything else. The knowledge I gained from this book put new life into that dog. It didn't save Figaro's life (my friends' cat), his disease, at 7 years of age progressed too too fast, even with a diet change and Sub Q fluids daily.
Right now, what I know is this. Smokie's diet will need to change to something with less protein and phosphates. Whether I find a dry cat food that Smokie will eat and provides all that or I start making my own and adding vitamins in with it, providing Smokie will eat it. I'm still researching.
Smokie's energy seems a bit up. Might be because of the nose drops we got for him to help clear up that snotty nose. He just seems a little more alert.
I took a much needed long weekend. Like I said, this week was a blur, really. it's a lot of work to take time off at work, so much to plan out, so much to do. But, I got done what needed to be done, so I could just sit at home for the next 5 days and relax. I grabbed a few other books at the library too. School starts next week for me again.
More news as I get it. Thanks for listening!
In the meantime, I went to the library to get one of my favorite books, one which I have somehow misplaced or borrowed to someone. Complete Guide to Natural Health for Cats & Dogs by Dr. Richard Pitcairn. I knew that there was a great section in there about Feline Kidney Failure as I had remembered reading it many years ago, and also referring to it when my friends' cat got the same diagnosis back in like 2002 or somewhere around there. We also referred to this book when my Rottweiler, Scorpio, was diagnosed with Erlichiosis and his kidneys were shutting down, as well as his liver, eyesight and everything else. The knowledge I gained from this book put new life into that dog. It didn't save Figaro's life (my friends' cat), his disease, at 7 years of age progressed too too fast, even with a diet change and Sub Q fluids daily.
Right now, what I know is this. Smokie's diet will need to change to something with less protein and phosphates. Whether I find a dry cat food that Smokie will eat and provides all that or I start making my own and adding vitamins in with it, providing Smokie will eat it. I'm still researching.
Smokie's energy seems a bit up. Might be because of the nose drops we got for him to help clear up that snotty nose. He just seems a little more alert.
I took a much needed long weekend. Like I said, this week was a blur, really. it's a lot of work to take time off at work, so much to plan out, so much to do. But, I got done what needed to be done, so I could just sit at home for the next 5 days and relax. I grabbed a few other books at the library too. School starts next week for me again.
More news as I get it. Thanks for listening!
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