American Girl

Unconscious Mutterings Week 323

2009-04-10T07:43:00.000-07:00

Log :: Lincoln

Plaything :: Toys

Broom :: Witch

Heels :: Sexy

Smoke in :: Hollywood

Guests :: Party

Attraction :: Physical

Shiny:: Chrome

Risked ::

Velvet :: Couch

Now you try!

If you give a mom a muffin...

2009-03-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

I received the following poem through email last week and thought it was so funny...and close to my heart, as I"m an avid coffee drinker...multi-tasker and mother...enjoy!

If You Give A Mom A Muffin

Original Author Unknown

If you give a mom a muffin, She'll want a cup of coffee to go with it..

She'll pour herself some.

Her three-year-old will spill the coffee.

She'll wipe it up.

Wiping the floor, she'll find dirty socks.

She'll remember she has to do laundry.

When she puts the laundry in the washer,

She'll trip over boots and bump into the freezer.

Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan for supper.

She will get out a pound of hamburger.

She'll look for her cookbook ("101 Things To Do With a Pound of Hamburger").

The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.

She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow.

She will look for her checkbook.

The check book is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two-year-old.

She'll smell something funny.

She'll change the two year old's diaper.

While she is changing the diaper, the phone will ring.

Her five-year-old will answer and hang up.

She'll remember she wants to phone a friend for coffee.

Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup.

And chances are...

If she has a cup of coffee, Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.

And I just had to share this video...I can't get over how funny it is!!

Crazy Hair Day

2009-03-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

In Celebration of Dr. Seuss Birthday the kids had

"CRAZY HAIR DAY"

today at school...

we had a little fun this morning...

Cookie-mania!

2009-03-01T19:48:00.000-08:00

We had a busy weekend with COOKIE Booths...overall for the weekend I think my Jr. Troop ended up selling almost 700 boxes...YIPEEE!!!! Here are some highlights....

Unconscious Mutterings - Week 317

2009-02-28T06:40:00.000-08:00

Carpet :: Shag
William :: Walker
Oh! :: Boy
Board game :: Clue
Sunlight :: Shadows
Delay :: Traffic
Winner :: Medal
Concubine :: loose
Comatose :: Dead
Satisfy :: Chocolate

Now you go try!

Typography Tuesday - 2/17/2009

2009-02-17T07:11:00.000-08:00

It's a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you often get it.

-Somerest Maugham

Had a busy weekend hanging out with my little sister...we met in Tuscon on Saturday and spent the night in a wonderful hotel (BTW I totally recommend using Priceline)...anyway then we drove back to NM on Sunday. It was an uneventful rest of the weekend. Eric left for a TDY on Monday and it seems as if time just goes by faster when he is away. Not much planned for the rest of the week...school, work, play...you know just normal stuff...maybe with some fun surprises thrown in just to mix it up a bit!

We went to the movies today...Confessions of a Shopaholic...it was a fun girly love story that was not so believable in the real world, but quite enjoyable to loose yourself in for a few hours!

Hope everyone is having a productive week...

Meme Monday - Manic Monday #155

2009-02-16T08:34:00.000-08:00

1. Of all your favorite foods, which one would you find the most difficult to give up for the rest of your life?

This would definitely be chocolate. I could not go a day without some kind of chocolate...just a little nibble to hold me over! My favorite is the dark rich bars that are 85% cocoa or more...those are so rich just one square curbs my cravings...and if you can believe it, it's actually good for your body because of the antioxidants!!

2. Which month of the year do you thing best describes your personality?

I would say that June would be a good month to describe my personality. I choose June because it reminds me of new adventures, a clean slate after the school year has ended with unlimited possibilities. I kind of feel like my personality is up for anything and everything....

3. If you could be a contestant on any game show, past or present, which show would you pick?

I would have to pick Family Feud...I grew up watching the original and loved trying to guess the correct answers!

You can visit more here!

Thursday Thirteen

2009-02-11T22:27:00.001-08:00

Movies I would like to rent...and ones that are in theaters or coming soon!

The Duchess

Stop-Loss

The Air I Breathe

Bonneville

Cassandra's Dream

Nights in Rodanthe

Revolutionary Road

Angels & Demons

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Night at the Museum : Battle of the Smithsonian

Shutter Island

Works for me Wednesday

2009-02-11T22:03:00.000-08:00

I'm having one of those nothing works for me Wednesday's...as I'm sure many can relate! I did go to the "linky" page and check out a wonderful array of tips...but as for me, nothing on this fabulous (NOT) Wednesday!

My "did" list for today...

Homework, Exposure Diagram for photo class and posted discussion responses for my online class!
Went to class - Digital Imaging II - Picked final images for National Park poster - Yeah, that was a great stress reliever...now to get those edited and start finalizing my design. I picked Alaska's, Wrangell-St. Elias Park and found some awesome panoramic pictures.
Took power nap...woke up in a crappy mood!
Cooked dinner, Spaghetti with Italian sausage
Went to class - Photography - Learned how to "burn" and "dodge"...very cool! Oh and I developed my first print tonight with success!
Went to book store and treated myself to a "large skinny iced latte with one pump of sugar free chocolate and one pump sugar free carmel syrup"...I was trying to be good! Then bought my first book club book and read the first three chapters!
As soon as I can get this post complete...it's off to bed!

My to-do list...for tomorrow!

Clean desk/office area
Go through my collection of magazines I have no idea why I keep so many. (note to self, drop some off at the clinic...I can't look at another Air Force, Readers Digest or Sports Illustrated)
Start Photo Project for Class Assignment #2
Take inventory of summer clothes for girls I have been collecting all winter...see what I have stored away from last year to check sizes.
Finish Girl Scout Patches for JRS...ORDER patches...Yikes Leslie don't read that one!
Drive up to Ruidoso and do some work
Take Taylor to the dentist to get her tooth pulled
Call eye doctor to schedule appointment for Taylor...we think she needs glasses!

Typography Tuesday - 2/11/2009

2009-02-11T06:46:00.000-08:00

Some of you know about my interest in the "Simple Abundance" journey. Those you who have not heard me mention this book before you should really take a peek. Basically it's "a book of 366 evocative essays-one for every day of your year-written for women who wish to live by their own lights", written by Sarah Ban Breathnach. I have read this book for years, starting over each January, wondering what connection I will make with the essays each year.

One entry has stayed with me for a few days, it's title is, "Knowing What You Love," dated February 2nd. Each entry also has a quote relating to the entry...I look forward to these quotes just as much as the entry! February 2nd's quote was, "Perhaps loving something is the only starting place there is for making your life your own"-Alice Koller

I think the reason this entry really stayed with me is because I have been searching as of lately for the things that I love....not the things that my kids or husband want me to love, or the things I "like" just to get by, or hold me over...but things that I really LOVE! My tastes have changed over the years and it's liberating to discover how much so that they have become my own!

So here is my question. Have you discovered what you love? Clothing style, Home Decor Style? What about your favorite food...not something your family loves for you to cook...but your favorite meal you would order or prepare for just YOU?

When researching Alice Koller from the quote mentioned above I came across a book she has written called an Unknown Women and I will definitely add this on my to-read list, as the reviews on Amazon sound interesting. It's based on a time around 1962 in Nantucket...read more reviews here.

Speaking of reading...last night I attended a planning meeting for a book club the spouses group I belong too is organizing...and I'm so exited to actually have a plan...and details...and even a book list!! It took some time to get it together...but Leslie did a wonderful job at hosting and now we just need to spread the word and hopefully get a few more interested spouses to join us!

The book we choose are:

The Time Travelers Wife

And a book about with stories about women of Islam (not sure on the title)

I'm itching to go buy the first book and start reading!

Meme Monday - Useless Info about me...

2009-02-08T20:20:00.000-08:00

Meme Monday...useless info about me!

Enjoy...

* * * * *
Geeks have one. So do hairy gay men and their admirers.Isn't it time bloggers have a code to describe themselves as well?(OK, so maybe not, but we charge forward nonetheless).
Answer the following baker's dozen questions.Select the answer in each category that best describes you.The code will only be as accurate as you are truthful.(Skip the question to leave any quotient out of your code)

I answered all the questions and this is what it came up with...

B9 d- d-- k s u-- f- i-- o x-- e l- c--

If your name was spelled on a Scrabble Board, how much would you me worth?

Pholph's Scrabble Generator

My Scrabble© Score is: 38.
What is your score? Get it here.

Where have you been in the United States...

these are the States I have visited one time in my life!

And last but not least...a place on the web that give you one question a day!

February 8th, 2009
If you had to could you bounce a quarter off the sheets on your bed?

Well to tell you the truth I could care less about my sheets being pulled so tight I could bounce a quarter off of them...but on my husbands side of the bed...I could see it actually happening! The biggest problem is he tries to straighten out his side while I'm still in the bed...

Meme Monday - 25 Random Things

2009-01-26T22:41:00.000-08:00

It's Meme Monday...this is something that was sent my way on facebook...Some of my dedicated readers are not all facebook savvy...so here it is as my meme Monday!

1.I’m addicted to online TV, we don’t have cable so I get my fix online! ABC – Brothers and Sisters, LOST, Grey’s Anatomy, The Bachelor. NBC – Lipstick Jungle. CW – 90210

2.Anything crafty is my bag…Scrapbooking, photography; sewing, painting, stamping…I’ll try just about anything once!

3.I love toast with real butter and sliced bananas – My Nana’s favorite!

4.Coffee is one of my additions, with real cream…dark roast…I’m getting goose bumps just thinking about it.

5.Touching anything in a gas station bathroom makes me nauseous…especially if the bathroom is for both men and women.

6.When I was little we lived on a farm with pigs, chickens, goats and horses. Those are some of my best memories as a child.

7.All through High School my dream was to become an Interior Designer.

8.When I read a good book I feel it’s my mission to read every other book by the same author.

9.My music is very eclectic…depending on my mood! Country…Rock…Jazz…Heavy Metal…folk and even classical!

10.I can’t stand power scented deodorant…powder is for babies…not for women!

11.I have lived in 17 different houses/apartments that I can remember since about the age of 7yrs old. 5 of those were because of the military…

12.I miss my mom and sister and wish I could visit them more often.

13.I’m a paper collector…where does it all come from?

14.I love old junk…one man’s trash is my treasure!

15.As much as I complain about the military and moving…I’m so grateful to have the opportunity of living in different places and meeting some of the best women I will ever know!

16.Getting enrolled in college was the best thing I think I have done for myself in a long time…it’s been a long time coming and I’m having so much fun!

17.Bread is my enemy…I could eat a full loaf of the “fresh from the oven” loafs from the grocery store!

18.Girl Scouts ROCK…I love being a Girl Scout Leader…and love my girls, as well as other girls learning how they can do anything they put their mind too!

19.I would really like to get a tattoo…maybe one day I suck it up and just do it!

20.I have my ears pierced 4 times on one side and 2 on the others.

21.Cereal for dinner is sometimes just what’s for dinner…no questions…K?

22.I feel so powerful when I hear the washing machine and dishwasher going…

23. I think biting ones nails is really gross

24.Presentation is everything, if only more people actually cared!

25.Holy Moly…it’s hard to come up with random things…but I secretly liked it!

Sucky Sunday

2009-01-25T20:22:00.000-08:00

It's been one of those Sunday's...the ones where you have dreams of cleaning the house and getting everything you had planned done...and then BAM it's 9:00! I had dreams of clean laundry, my Christmas decorations packed away and homework complete! Well I decided to have a lazy Sunday and spent more of my day reading. Yes it's my own fault...the book Angles & Demons is to good to put down...now I really need to find my copy of the Da Vinci Code so I can re-read it as soon as I'm done with this one!

I also have homework that needs to be completed...so I guess I'll be up late. I have to draw a diagram of my camera...with all the important parts labeled. I had visions of how exactly it was going to look...now who cares how it looks as long as it's done for class tomorrow night! I also need to take some pictures for class, 8 sets to be exact, 3 in each set. I hope I can find some interesting enough shots tomorrow morning before my first class. Yes can you tell I procrastinate...and do that rather well if I will say so myself!

SO this is why it's a SUCKY SUNDAY...and yes it's all my fault...but this book is worth it...so I guess it's not so sucky after all...just a few more pages and then I promise I'll do my homework!

Oh...yes this is what I was surprised with yesterday....I could have KILLED my husband when I saw my youngest....I'm thinking she look rather cute with it cut...but COME ON...he is lucky he will be gone for a week or he might be getting the cold shoulder!

Here is a before and an after...YIKES!!

Have a wonderful week!

Thursday Thirteen

2009-01-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

Thirteen projects I would like to get started on (cross of my LONG to-do "soon" list)

Craftster Craft Challenge #35 - Craft Your Resolution - Due Feb 1 - Feb 5 2009
Go through the black hole of a hall closet I have, donate, reorganize and label whats in there!
Develop a study schedule for my classes...and implement it into my week.
Get a workout/activity plan mapped out and get it on the books!
Organize my stamps and stamping supplies...LESLIE!!
Alter my Day Planner...YES Leslie again :)
Plan 6 months worth of scrapbooking club, something I do for the Girl Scouts and need to make a new flyer and think up themes for the next 6 months!
Purchase plastic totes and repack all the clothing I have saved for my kids as they grow into or out of sizes. I have most of it in boxes...or in piles on the shelf in the closet...I would love to get it more organized!
Print pictures, stamp and alter desk calender for a certain someone!
Make "taggie" blanket for new baby niece.
Make one of these with some pillowcases from my Nana I have been holding onto for quite a while...my girls will look so cute this summer!
Backup my computer...on disks...and get an external hard drive case.
Go through my old scrapbooking supplies, purge...purge...purge.

And there you go...my first Thursday Thirteen complete! Go check out more here!

Works for me Wednesday

2009-01-21T05:46:00.000-08:00

I know I have mentioned this on my blog before...but because it's January and the more times you hear something out loud...the more it sinks in, right? I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things and keep up with the cleaning program from FLYLADY

I found this website years ago and thought, WOW, what a great idea! Back then I went full force and even subscribed to the daily emails, but soon discovered those will sure overwhelm even a "Stepford Wife".

So I put my "control journal" in a dark closet...and never looked back.

Over the past few years I would visit the site often and read the daily missions and think about getting back into the world of FlyLady. It really makes sense for someone with a hectic social calender and little time to think about what needs to be done today.

I can admit I do better with a schedule, so for 2009 I think it's time for me to try again. I have made my daily schedule according to what is happening in my life and encourage you to give it a try as well. It's not as overwhelming as one might imagine, I have been looking over the website with gobs of useful information and plan to start this weekend with the Beginner BabySteps Page.

Anyone want to join me?

See more Works for me Wednesday here!

Typography Tuesday - 1/20/2009

2009-01-20T20:21:00.000-08:00

It feels like a Monday! I have been dragging my but around all day feeling like I just want to crawl back under the covers and snooze the day away. The holiday yesterday threw everything off kilter...and I will be paying for it for the rest of the week!

It was a whirlwind of a weekend with our trip to Albuquerque for Taylor's Gymnastics Meet. She ended up placing 3rd on Vault and 6th overall for her age group. I hope this meet gives her the confidence boost she needs to become more excited about gymnastics. It seems we struggle to keep her motivated for practices throughout the week.

When we were in Albuquerque I treated the girls to a movie, Bride Wars, it was funny but one scene I thought was inappropriate for a PG rating. When I mentioned it to a friend she told me about a website called Kids-in-mind.com. After checking on the website it does a great job describing this scene that caught me off guard in great detail. I will definitely keep Kids-in-mind in my bookmarks and visit it frequently if I need to check up on a specific movie. All in all the girls and I had a nice weekend away...from the boys of the family!

I started back to school last week, 11 credits this semester. I'm excited to get back into my photoshop skills, and photography, as I have missed using my film camera. I have a Black and White Photography class where we will learn to actually develop film in the dark room, this was something I have always wanted to learn. Digital Imaging II will be using the photoshop program from my previous class, but will concentrate more on the marketing aspects of graphic design.

I just finished reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Let me just say this was a wonderfully entertaining story with a bit of history intertwined within it's pages. I enjoyed the style of writing and found the characters to be interesting and yes a bit bizarre! Note to self: Put film in NextFlix Queue. I would be extremely interested in taking a trip down to Savanna to visit the sites, I was reading they even have a book tour around town! Anyone interested in a road trip?

My current book is The Way the Crow Flies. This is a bit off from my usual pick, but after a slow start I'm almost done. With almost 850 pages it's not a quick read, but I'm enjoying the authors style of writing.

So my Monday is officially over, I know it's really Tuesday but after feeling sluggish all day I'll be playing catch up for the rest of the week!

My To Do list of the week:

Put away Christmas decorations last have been put in a pile in my dinning room weeks ago!
Go through hall closet (AKA-the black hole) and weed out what does not really need to be stored in there!
Make a menu plan for the week...and shop for whatever's needed to get through the meals without freaking out when I discover that one ingredient is not in the cupboard (example:tonight's dinner)
SELL girl scout cookies with the girls...we are sooooo lagging in this department. We just need to get our butt's in gear and get out there!!
Make flyer's for girl scout cookies to hand up at the college...TONIGHT!!

Enough already...goodnight!

Meme Monday - ABC Favorites

2009-01-18T18:23:00.000-08:00

ABC Favorites

Here is a list from A to Z with favorites of mine. This was much harder than I thought it would be...so I understand if these two ladies (Gretchen and Jennifer) that I'm tagging don't actually complete it themselves. Take a few weeks and see if you can come up with your own list...

it might be fun!

Adobe...Photoshop to be exact...ohhh how I can waste time with that! One of my fun examples!

Body Butter, from The Body Shop

Coffee...french roast with REAL cream, that is my morning wake-me-upper...if I miss that, watch out!!

Diet Dr. Pepper, hmmm from Sonic because they have the crushed ice!

Esty...Your place to buy and sell all things handmade

Flickr, online photo community. Visit my pictures here!

Graphic Design - one day I hope to have my degree!

Hobbies include sewing, scrapbooking, baking, photography

Independence, this is something I will never loose...no matter what.

I need to make it a priority to become more financial independent, 2009 can be the beginning.

Junk Gypsy Co...fun, girly, outrageous goods! LOve This braceLet

Krispy Kreme, a guilty pleasure...good thing we don't have one close or I would be in big trouble!

LOST...my guilty pleasure...can't wait for the premier...OMG, I'm biting my nails to little nubs just thinking about it!!

Magazines in my basket include, Real Simple, Body & Soul, Fitness and if I actually read and followed through with all the great advise I would be an organized, healthy and fit women...and then I wake up into reality and think shit I need to go to the gym!

NBC, LipStick Jungle is one of my all time favorite shows. Something so out of my lifestyle, I think that is why I love it so much!

Obligations...something I love to say YES too...but really need to start saying NO too. I need to really start picking and choosing the things that truly make me happy.

Peeps, my girls...we kick ass!! Leslie, Judy, and the two I really miss hanging out with Jennifer, and Jennifer!

Quotes...I love quotes and always seems to find one that slaps me in the face with reality!

Reece Witherspoon, My girl!

Shoes, Red cowboy boots

Thai food, chicken curry is delish...

Uxorious...one of the only words listed under the letter "U" I had never heard of...of course after reading the definition I understood why in the heck I had never heard of it, do you think they teach a class called Uxorious-R-Us??

Uxorious Excessively fond of, or submissive to, a wife; being a dependent husband.

How wouldst thou insult, When I must live uxorious to thy will In perfect thraldom! --Milton. -- Uxo*o"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Ux*o"ri*ous*ness, n.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. Cite This Source

Victoria's Secret, what girl doesn't love it?

WWW, where would we be without it...YIKES!

XM radio, well now it's also Sirius. I had a subscription...took a few months off, but now I'm back...I can't believe how much I missed it.

Yellow Tail Wine, this brand is wonderful...my fav is Shiraz Cabernet

Zzzz, Sleep is almost my most favorite thing...if I could sleep in everyday I would!

2009 here we go....

2009-01-16T18:30:00.000-08:00

One of the reasons I began this blog was to use it as a journal, over 300 posts later it seems pictures are the main focus. As much as I love to take pictures I would like to also get back into the writing aspect. I have noticed many blogs I browse on a regular basis have somewhat of a schedule. Certain days are for different types of posts, or themes if you will. So to start off the new “blogging” year…here is mine! Some days are for writing and others for pictures, this I hope to be the balance I’m searching for!

Monday-Meme Monday:

Meme (mēm)
A unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another.
Dictionary.com

Tuesday- Typography Tuesday: Journal Entry for the week

Wednesday- Works for me Wednesday
Sponsored by Rocks In My Dryer

Thursday- Thursday Thirteen
Sponsored by Thursday Thirteen

Friday – DIY Projects Friday

Saturday-Photo Hunt
Sponsored by tnchick at PhotoHunt

Sunday- Weekly Winners
Sponsored by Sarcastic Mom

Join me when you can as I hope to begin this 2009 blog adventure on Monday. This weekend the girls and I are traveling to Albuquerque for a gymnastics competition for Taylor. We get to stay in a hotel for the night and enjoy some cable!! Taylor is super excited…I’m just hoping she gets through it without hurting her knee. I will for sure post some photos of that when we return!

On a more somber note...

It’s been an emotional roller coaster for the holidays with this being the 1st Christmas my dad was not here with us. After is passing in March it’s hard to imagine I will never see him again. I have been thinking a lot about him lately, just small moments that pass quickly but give me a short moment of sadness.

A friend of mine is also dealing with some personal issues that bring tremendous pain to my heart. She is a strong woman, although I don’t think she knows just how strong she really is. I know she questions her decisions, but will realize over time decisions like those are never easy. I will keep her and her little Hippo in my thoughts.

Remember…
Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

Unconscious Mutterings - Week 310

2009-01-10T20:28:00.000-08:00

Confirmation :: email

Verse :: poetry

Authorize :: credit card

Blog :: blogger

Thirty :: something

Heir :: throne

What are you doing? :: what's it too you?

Complaint :: department

Leave :: 50 ways to leave your lover

Tune :: Itunes

Now you try...

Pictures of the girls...

2009-01-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

Pictures of the girls... we had fun taking these!

And one of me...with a new color and cut...
it's the sassy style I needed for the new year!

New Years Day Snow fun!

2009-01-01T21:33:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to ALL!

We had some family fun today in the snow!

The kids had a blast...

I'll let you know tomorrow how much my

butt hurts from walking up the darn hill!!

All in all it was a good day...

Unconscious Mutterings - Week 309

2008-12-29T18:08:00.000-08:00

Destined :: succeed

FAIL :: safe

Camping :: Lake Tahoe

Only you :: Eyes for

Incessant :: whining:)

Tomorrow :: new beginnings

Impressive :: abilities

Riches :: Rags to

Dislike :: mean people

Speaker :: of the house

Eventful Weekend

2008-12-14T10:29:00.000-08:00

Busy weekend...

Nana came to visit us for two weeks, picked her up at the airport yesterday!

Christmas Lights parade with the Girl Scouts...unfortunately no good pictures...but will be encouraging friends to send me some ASAP...posting will follow for sure! We dressed up as the Nutcracker...with the Brownies as ballerinas and the Jr's as mice. I was the Nutcracker, with my partner in crime (co-leader) as the Sugar Plum Fairy...all in all it was fun, not to cold and the best part was the girls had fun!

And then we decorated out Christmas Tree...

And one of my biggest baby...

Unconscious Mutterings-Week 306

2008-12-10T16:56:00.000-08:00

Love affair :: Clark Gable

Bubble :: gum

Pimple :: yuck

Knocks :: ups man

Persistent :: little shit

Infected :: virus

Yay! :: Over

Repaint :: fingernails

Daily :: grind

Quickly! :: morning

Now you go try!

Gymnastics

2008-11-23T09:09:00.000-08:00

We had a fun afternoon yesterday at a gymnastics competition for Taylor...this is her first year at the competition level and is having a blast. She placed in the high teens for overall, but placing anything is just what she needs right now!

The other two girls from our gym placed 3rd and 4th overall...