Life According to the Wall Street Redneck's Wife

Journey Through Time

2008-05-01T16:54:00.004-04:00

So, I've decided to start pursuing genealogy as a hobby again! What have I gotten myself into?!?

So, the other day, I downloaded and installed Legacy Family Tree software and I've been rocking and rolling. Up to about 100 names in my family file, and that's going off of information I remember from the last time I did this, finding some of my former genealogy buddies' sites - especially if they were distant relatives and I shared information with them!

Today, I got some dates from my mother about her side of the family to help narrow my searches. Although with the surnames Margiawicz, Dobritzky, Ardahl, and others that are just as obscure, it's been like finding a needle in a haystack.

My grandparents, Hilding Einar Ardahl and Sadie Henrietta (Lundquist) Ardahl are intered at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East. My other grandparents, Albert Peter Margiawicz and Vera Petrovna (Dobritzky) Margiawicz are intered at Evergreen Cemetery. As it turns out, Find-A-Grave doesn't have listings for any of them. Apparently no one has totally cataloged these cemeteries yet. I'm hoping to make a trip to these cemeteries soon to take photos of their headstones for the Family History. I know that when my grandparents were intered at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East, it was a relatively new cemetery, most of the cemetery directories I've searched so far don't have it listed at all. As I recall, the place was huge and beautiful.

My friend, Sherry also does some genealogy... and she closes all of her genealogy postings on her blog with "Happy Hunting"..... so I'll do the same!

Happy Hunting!

Hmmm...

2008-03-13T13:21:00.003-04:00

Couldn't think of a title! LOL

Just got home a bit ago from seeing the nurse practioner at my OB's office. Routine. Do this, don't do that. Weight check. Wish I could say that I was happy with my weight, but all it's going to do at this point is go up!

The nurse calculated my due date to November 2, 2008. I'm sticking with what I calculated - November 7. Doesn't really matter, because I highly doubt that I'll still be pregnant on November 1. All three of my children arrived early.

I've got an appointment next week for an early ultrasound. It will be pretty cool to see our little baby this early - never got that with the other three. Basically, they're dating the pregnancy and confirming viability.

I don't actually see the doctor until late April. I was relieved a bit to find out that of the five doctors in the group, the two that I like the least are leaving. In fact, the one I really didn't like, his last week is this week. So, I don't have to worry about seeing him! I didn't much care for the woman in the practice either. I don't remember when she's leaving, but it's before I actually start seeing the doctors on a regular basis - so that's cool with me too.

DH is a little disappointed that he won't get to be there for the first ultrasound, but there's not a lot I could do about it. He's going to be in Kentucky next week. He didn't get to go with me today either - he's in Iowa.

One of my babysitters is going on vacation for the 2 next weeks. Scheduling babysitters for all of this stuff is proving to be a challenge. I'll manage though.

Guess that's all the news from my part of the world. Until next time...

Oh, BABY!! - Part 4

2008-03-10T10:46:00.005-04:00

ROFL! Couldn't think of a better title! So, I decided to go with that...

Anyway, we found out on March 7, 2008 via home pregnancy test that we are expecting our fourth child. We spent the weekend breaking the news to our friends and family (most of them anyway). Definitely a mixed reaction - which doesn't surprise me - considering my mixed emotions about the whole thing right now.

I must admit, now that we're sharing the news... I'm feeling a bit more upbeat and ok with this whole fourth pregnancy thing. I go to the doctor on Thursday for my appointment with the Nurse. I'll schedule with the doctor after that.

This will definitely be my last pregnancy, so I'm going to savour every moment and document/scrap like crazy.

Baby XI. is still with us! We're only just starting to find out what sorts of issues she's going to have. We're definitely looking at Palate Correction Surgery and tubes in her ears in the next six months.

Layout Credits: LadyBug Picnic Quick Page by Ellie Lash; Date Bits by Misty Cato

Crazy & Out of My Mind!

2008-02-26T20:13:00.002-05:00

I just accepted placement of two more foster children today! XII is a boy, age two & XIII is a girl, age 10.5 months.

This give me.... six children - four of whom are age 2 and under!!

XII. and XIII. shouldn't be here very long, the agency needed a temporary placement while they found a new placement for these little ones.

I feel like all I've done tonight is change diapers.

Have you every tried to get two 2 year olds to share?!?! It's not easy!! I thought my N. was going to give XII. a black eye at one point.

All I know is that I'm glad this is temporary! I don't know how mom's with multiples do it!!

12 year old boy
5 year old girl
2 years 2.5 month old boy
2 years 2 days boy
10.5 months girl
6 week girl

WOW! That should keep me super busy for the duration of XII and XIII's stay with our family. I can already feel the extra weight I packed on over this long cold snowy winter starting to melt off!

Before & After

2008-02-23T17:54:00.003-05:00

Look at the photos in the post titled "Need I Say More" to see the before shots.

We took N. today to get his first hair cut! He climbed up into the chair, sat there like he'd done it a million times. Not a single tear!

My other two children - you'd have thought we were trying to cut off their heads when they got their first hair cuts!

Need I Say More??

2008-02-20T15:17:00.001-05:00

Tagged!

2008-02-09T21:40:00.000-05:00

I got tagged by my RLF, Sherry! So, here goes...

*You must post the rules before you give your answers.
*You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name.
*Each fact must begin with that letter.
*If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name.
*After you've been tagged, you need to up-date your blog with your middle name and answers.
*At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog for details).

M - Married, almost 15 years!
A - Artistic. All sorts of different mediums - writing, crochet, digital scrapbooking, and photography.
R - Really tired - Hello?!? I have four children, one of whom is a newborn, this makes total sense!
I - In excruciating pain at this moment. I slipped and fell on the ice on Thursday and injured my shoulder.
E - Extreme Home Makeover - one of my favorite television shows.

Now, I need to tag five people.

WOW!

2008-02-05T20:39:00.000-05:00

Found this from Christine Smith's blog....

Sue Me...

2008-01-25T16:00:00.000-05:00

I dropped off the planet for a couple of days! ROFL

Having a new baby in the house has certainly changed and challenged the amount of time I have to do anything! Blogging and scrapping have really taken a hit - my family seems to think meals and clean clothes are more important!! ROFL

The baby is gaining weight. She seems to be learning how to self-soothe, like if she gets startled or something. Don't know when she'll successfully be able to suck on her hand/thumb/fingers, but she's at least trying to do it. The other kids just adore her and run to tell me if she so much as whimpers, which keeps me quite busy. This little one really, really, I mean REALLY likes to be held. If I put her down, she screams. Screaming causes her to burn up the precious calories I manage to get into her, so I try to keep her "lung exercising" to a minimum.

I'm looking forward to a decent nights sleep... soon, I hope. Or at least a really good nap. I'm hoping tomorrow morning, my hubby will let me sleep in while he takes care of the kids.

We're doing pizza for dinner tonight. We bought Disney's "The Game Plan" this week, so we're planning to watch that. M. just loves "Sophie" (Madison Petis) from Disney's "Corey in the House" series - so natch, we had to buy this movie.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I'm hoping to get in some scrapping time... and maybe just some in general me time (read NAP).

Oh... and Scrapbook-Bytes turns 5 this weekend! Head over there and check out the festivities. Unfortunately, at this time, their store is down - server upgrade/issues. Hopefully it will come back up soon, I'm dying to do some shopping!

Oh, BABY!! - Part 3

2008-01-17T11:45:00.000-05:00

It's been a rough couple of nights! I forgot how much work newborns are at 3 AM when a person would rather be sleeping. It's ok - it's all worth it.

I so wish I could show you pictures of the little angel. I wish she were really mine so that I could share her with the world, but right now, I have to protect her.

She's a little more alert today than yesterday! YAY! She's also eating a bit better. I had my husband pick up some different nipples at the store for us to try. The ones from the hospital are/were ok, but she works the ones we purchased so much better.

N. adores her. Showers her little head with kisses every chance he gets. It's so sweet! Can't wait to capture some photos of these moments for the scrapbook - won't be able to share them here.

M. sings "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to XI. Too cute. XI. just looks up at M. and drinks it all in.

C. melted when he first laid eyes on her. I think he's anxious to hold her. He's been a huge help around here with M. and N. so that I could care for the baby or catch a few ZZZ's.

XI. has my husband wrapped around her teeny-tiny, eentsy-weentsy finger! He's smitten with the idea of another little princess in the house!

More later, and hopefully some other topic than the new baby! :) - Now don't everyone go and heave a sigh of relief all at once!! LOL

Oh, BABY!! - Part 2

2008-01-15T11:15:00.000-05:00

I'll be leaving home soon to go pick up little baby XI. from the hospital. She's scheduled for a 1 PM feeding and the hospital staff, case manager, and Protective Services worker would like me there for it.

Originally, I was supposed to be to the hospital at 11 AM. Schedules got conflicted.

There is a possibility this little angel will be placed with relatives by the weekend, but she needs a place to go in the meantime. It's also possible, that the placement with relatives won't be approved. (I'm secretly, or not so secretly now, hoping that is the case.)

More updates to follow when I've got them.

Oh, BABY!!

2008-01-14T20:10:00.000-05:00

This afternoon around 3:30 PM, I got a call from the placement worker at the agency we provide foster care through. She asked if we could accept placement of a baby girl.

OF COURSE WE CAN!!

Tomorrow morning, I got to pick up baby XI. from the hospital!!

The baby will be classified as medically fragile. Cleft Palatte and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I've got some research to do tonight.

We went out tonight and bought some diapers, a little snow suit thing, and a little outfit to bring her home from the hospital in.

I'm so excited!!

Stay tuned - I'm sure I'll have more details to follow.

Stripper Song?!?

2008-01-13T18:27:00.000-05:00

Your Stripper Song Is

Like a Virgin by Madonna

"Like a virgin, ooh, ooh
Like a virgin
Feels so good inside
When you hold me, and your heart beats, and you love me"

No virgin-ness implied. Not at all.

What Song Should You Strip To?

Mystery of Multiplying Laundry - SOLVED

2008-01-13T14:48:00.000-05:00

For weeks now, we haven't been able to figure out why N. (the two year old) has so much more dirty laundry than any one else.

The usual explanations would be... 1. He's a boy. 2. He's two years old.

Nope none of those.

I hadn't been paying much attention to what was in the hamper when I'd wash laundry. I was feeling quite proud of myself that I was washing laundry at all.

N. in his excitement and eagerness to "help Mommy", I started letting him put away some of his own laundry.

He wasn't putting it away.

He was putting it back in his hamper!

I'm sure he's got the cleanest socks and such for a two year old! Now that we're on to him, he won't be putting away his own laundry unsupervised!

I only let him put away his socks and his pajamas - easy, doesn't really require any degree of neatness. He was always eager and willing to "help."

Now if the rest of the kids could take on a little of N.'s enthusiasm for helping Mommy!!

Reformat Nightmares

2008-01-13T13:22:00.000-05:00

Oh, Boy! Did I ever bite off more than I can chew!

Decided I didn't like the way my laptop was acting - I've had it for almost a year - so I decided to back everything up and reformat. Well, my laptop acts better for the most part! :)

But... (and you had to know there was going to be a BIG one)

I forgot to back up iTunes! I'm sure I forgot some other stuff also, but I'll find that out as time goes.

I'm positive that I got all of my photos backed up - and my digital scrap supplies.

Fonts - not to sure about those, but I can get most of them again. Besides, who needs 5000+ fonts installed on their system?!? It just sucks that inorder to get some of them back, I'm going to have to install some software that I don't want on my system because I don't use it.

Took me forever and a day to figure out how to get into my Hello account. Should have remembered to change my email address on that account when I stopped using my HotMail account. Who can remember all this stuff?!?

On the bright side, most everything is reinstalled that I absolutely need. Other stuff will wait for right now. Will just have to make do with Windows Calendar instead of AnyTime Organizer Deluxe (even as much as I love it). The only instant message/chat software I'm installing is Hello - I might install Windows Live, but I don't know. Windows Live Journal doesn't work with blogger, so I don't think I'm going to reinstall that. I don't think I really need Web Authoring software (I used NVu) so I'll hold off on reinstalling that for right now.

As long as I can blog, scrapbook, and check email - I'm a happy camper! And I can do those things right now....

so....

I must be.... Happy right now.

Alphabet Shoot - A

2008-01-10T13:45:00.000-05:00

There's a new challenge at SBG - and I just had to jump onboard! Alphabet Shoot - every other week, a challenge will be issued that 1) involves a letter of the alphabet, 2) contains an "All About Me" type twist. Unique!!

Without further ado, here's my layout for the letter A.

Credits:

Background by Michelle Godin from Light & Dirty (blog freebie)
"A" by Aneczka W. (blog freebie)
glitter swirl by Michelle Godin from Funky Junky Christmas @ FunkyPlaygroundDesigns
hand print by Michelle Godin from Birthday Party Elements
daisy by Debbie Pearson from "Poetry"
sunflower by Debbie Pearson from "Fabulous Fall"
"Life is a Journey" word art from Cottage Arts Destinations Sampler - I added the "Scrap it!"
Fonts: Candy Round BTN; Chunky Times; and PegsannaHMK

Completed; 2008-01-09

40 Days - Day Thirteen

2008-01-10T13:44:00.002-05:00

Journaling:I was growing in one of my mom’s hearts, while I was growing under my other mom’s heart.
Both of my mom’s made sacrifices. One had to come to grips with infertility and chose to raise the child of another woman. The other found herself in a bad situation, and making the best of it chose to have her child raised by another. Both of these woman are veryimportant parts of my life. When I became a mother, three women became grand- mothers. My moms and my mother-in-law.
Sometimes I dream about the day my adoptive mother meets my biological mother.
I often wonder if they could be friends. For now, I live with my two mothersas separate parts of my life. Neither is really ready to meet the other. This is difficult sometimes, but most especially when I was first reunited.My adoptive mother supported me in my search, but I think deep down she hoped I wouldn’t actually find.
My two moms are forever connected, through me. A pretty unique place to be, for me.
Nature versus Nurture. Truly fascinating. After I reunited, I discovered which of my
personality traits and quirks were biological and which were environmental.

Thank you to my two moms, one for giving me life and one for providing for my life!

Credits:
Template "Close Knit" by Kim Broedelet (blog freebie)
Heart element is from the template, but I used Plastic Action by Atomic Cupcake
Little white satin bows by Ann Benjamin (blog freebie)
Everything else by Royanna Fritschmann from "Life Unexpected" @ DivineDigital

Completed: 2008-01-09

40 Days - Day Twelve

2008-01-10T13:44:00.001-05:00

Journaling;
Christopher, your wonder, amazement, awe, and curiosity about everything has always been one of the qualities I admire in you. Sometimes I get frustrated with you because you seem to be in your own little world. I have watched you since birth, you take in everything with such a hunger for knowledge. Your world is a constant source of wonder and amazement. You sometimes have difficulty processing all of the input, but you do eventually get it figured and sorted it - just not the way the rest of us might. You are fascinated by animals, so when our pet parakeets laid eggs in the Winter of 2006, you would check the nest every day to see if any had hatched. The first time I let you hold one of the baby birds, this was the scene before my eyes. Such a look of wonder, awe, love, and tenderness! I had to grab my camera to record this moment.
Credits:
Background by Michelle Godin from "Boy Experiment" Collection @ SBG
"Wonder" from Boy Experiment Alpha by Michelle Godin @ SBG
Spikey round frame by Michelle Godin from "I Met A Boy" Elements @ SBG (recolored)
Date stamp by Yin (blog freebie)
brush used in corner by unknown - I have a ton of brushes with no record of where they came from.
Font: PegsannaHMK

Completed: 2008-01-09

40 Days - Day Eleven

2008-01-10T13:43:00.000-05:00

Credits:
Template: Ring Ring by Janet Phillips @ SBG
Scalloped Circle from Out Numbered Girl by Jessica Bolton @ SBG
Rusted arrows from Memories by Lucie Goikoetxea (aka LemonaidLucy) blog freebie
"On the Move" word art from Vivacious_Artful Declarations by Carrie Stephens @ SBG
"Unconventional" word art from Bohemian Peddler (blog freebie add-on) by Jessica Bolton
Paper Scrap from Legible Set 1 by Meredith Fenwick @ SBG
Stripped paper from Out Numbered Girl by Jessica Bolton @ SBG
Dots paper from Out Numbered Girl by Jessica Bolton @ SBG
Background Paper from Folk Art by Meredith Fenwick @ Songbird Avenue
Paper scrap from Happy Hour by Debbie Pearson from the SBG Queen of the Crop Swag Bag #1
Paper scrap (green) from Day Dreams Collection: Garden Papers by Meredith Fenwick @ SBG
Paper Tear & Curl Template and Actions by Marci Reckinger @ Funky Playground
Stitched Stems from Urban Stems by Christina Renee (blog freebie)
Butterfly from Bohemian Peddler by Jessica Bolton @ SBG
Pink flowers from Sparkle Flowers by Carrie Stephens @ SBG
Yellow Flower from Urban Buds by Christina Renee (blog freebie)
Flower from Folk Art by Meredith Fenwick @ Songbird Avenue
Word Art/Quote by Lynn Ingram
Sunflower Corner from Sunflowers by Leslie Hasenkamp (blog freebie)
Chipboard Flowers from Day Dreams Collection: Garden Elements by Meredith Fenwick by SBG
Fonts Used: AL Sandra, Shatter, Spongy, Script MT Bold, Spharty Girl, Beyond Wonderland, Cold Spaghetti BTN,DJ Rugged Stone, DonnysHand, Galeforce BTN, Arial, Hannah

40 Days - Day Ten

2008-01-10T13:42:00.000-05:00

Journaling:

Dear Patrick,This is going to be sappy, gooey, and sickeningly sweetly mushy - You’re veen warned! -giggle-My true love.My soul mate.I believe I am a better person because of you.You complete me. If I lost you, I’d be that puzzle in the closet with the missing piece that no one even looks at any more.You’re my strength.The wind beneath my wings.Sure, we’ve had our problems. We’ve been down a rocky road or two - but we always seem to work it out.You’re a great husband. I don’t think anyone else would put up with me the way that you do.ou’re a spectacular father to our three gorgeous children. I don’t think anyone else in the world could teach them to be silly and to find the joy in the little things like you!Here we are - almost 15 years after saying, “I do.” Can it really be that it’s been that long? Seems like just yesterday we were young and holding each others’ hand - right now, we’re busy holding our small children’s hands - to be sure, sometimes I just want to hold yours. Before we know it, the children will be grown and on their own - we’ll have plenty of time for hand holding, just the two of us.Every minute we’re together, is a moment to treasure. I love you with every beat of my heart.

Credits:

Paper, ribbon buds, dried rose, and leaf by Michelle Godin from The Marilla Collection @ SBG

Frame by Kate Hadfield from Funky Junky Collab @ FunkyPlaygroundDesigns

Heart doily by Traci Sims from Victorian Dream Sampler (blog freebie)

Paper journal stack by kim Broedelet (blog freebie)

Font: PegsannaHMK

Used several different filters from Virtual Photographer by OptikVerveLabs, layered them changed opacities,and erased areas - couldn't tell you exactly what I did.

40 Days - Day Nine

2008-01-10T13:41:00.002-05:00

Credits: Background by Lie Fhung; Ribbon by petitemonaeux from Dreadfully Happy at DigitalCrea

40 Days - Day Seven

2008-01-10T13:41:00.001-05:00

Credits: Paper, metal heart, ribbons, fancy brads by Alexandra Brandwein from Grandma's Flowers; Pressed flowers by Sylvie Wagner (Sausan Design) @ SBG; Font is Pegshanna

Completed: 2008-01-05

Margiawicz 1972

2008-01-10T13:40:00.000-05:00

This photo of my grandparents was taken in 1972. I never got to know Grandma Vera, she passed away before I was born. This page will given to my mother to add to her Brag Book and to the digital photo frame she and dad were given for Christmas 2007.

Credits: 4x6 QP by BannerWoman from 3Scrapateers Girlfriends Mega Kit. Font is PC Dazzle

Completed: 2008-01-05

Best Friends 1996

2008-01-10T13:39:00.002-05:00

There's nothing on earth like sloppy, wet, bologna scented, new puppy kisses!

Photo of me with my puppy, Sir Nelson Chi-Lin in 1996
Due to a hereditary health condition, Nelson had to be euthanized in 1998. It wasn't going to be fair to him or to me for him to suffer - the disease was slowly and painfully going to take his life.

Credits: 4x6 Quick Page by BannerWoman from the 3 Scrapateers Girlfriends Mega kit. Font is Patient Paige
Completed: 2008-01-05

5

2008-01-10T13:39:00.001-05:00

A few photos from M's 5th birthday party.

Credits:

Template by Monica McGill for January 2008 Template/Sketch Challenge at GottaPixel

Papers and Elements by Michelle Godin (Birthday Party: Girl and Paperbag Alpha: Girl Colours coming soon to SBG)

Completed: 2008-01-03