Going for Greatness

Arlington Twilight Convention!!

2011-04-11T15:31:00.001-04:00

Going to Arlington @TWI_TOUR!!

http://twilightconvention.com/cal/twilight_va.htm

Can't WAIT! WOOT

So proud of you Emersyn!!

2011-01-25T16:04:00.003-05:00

For all you are doing at such a young age to raise awareness for abused animals! At the age of 9 1/2 you have already made an incredible difference to so many!!!

I am so proud of you!!!

I truly hope that Ellen sees your blog.. I've emailed her and tweeted her with hopes that she will see it... She should see what an amazing humanitarian you are!!

Check out Emersyn's blog here! http://emersynscrafts.blogspot.com/

She's truly an amazing role model!!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T14:16:00.002-05:00

Proud of my Hubby and Father in Law!

2010-12-20T08:59:00.002-05:00

Progress in medical research

Isle Esme

2010-11-10T12:26:00.003-05:00

Beautiful!! More can be found on TwilightMoms.com

Congratulations to my husband and his father

2010-11-09T12:45:00.002-05:00

Articles below written by: GatesFoundation.org
I Highlighted in Red my husband and father in law's projects!!

Foundation Funds 65 Novel Ideas to Improve Global Health, From Vaccines Delivered in Local Cuisine to Blankets of Light for Jaundiced Newborns

Researchers from 16 countries selected to explore concepts for new health technologies

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Phone: +1.206.709.3400
Email: media@gatesfoundation.org

SEATTLE -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced 65 grants of US$100,000 each to pursue bold ideas for transforming health in developing countries. The grants support projects in 16 countries with ideas as diverse as a TB vaccine delivered in a traditional Asian bean dish, a mobile phone tool to identify complications for community health workers caring for pregnant women and newborns, and solar powered, therapeutic blankets of light for newborns suffering from jaundice.

“Grand Challenges Explorations is producing innovative ways to tackle ongoing global health challenges like vaccine delivery and caring for mothers and newborns,” said Dr. Tachi Yamada, president of the Gates Foundation’s Global Health Program. “By applying mobile technology and other tools to global health, we hope to produce breakthrough solutions that could save countless lives.”

In five rounds of the foundation’s Grand Challenges Explorations initiative, 405 researchers representing 34 countries have been awarded grants. Projects in this round include developing a synthetic lymph node to deliver vaccines, creating a low cost needle-free treatment for post-partum bleeding, and making a mobile phone-based tool that combines diagnostic testing with economic incentives to improve drug compliance.

These grantees were selected from more than 2,400 proposals. A wide range of disciplines are represented, including applicants from traditional life sciences, public health, engineering, math and computer sciences. They are based at universities, research institutes, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and private companies around the world.

Project examples include:

Innovative vaccine strategies:

Michael Chan of the Ohio State Research Foundation will develop a safe strain of the Tuberculosis bacterium and use it to ferment beans used in the traditional Asian dish natto, which could then be eaten as an oral TB vaccine;

Ali Salanti of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark will develop and test a vaccine combining a novel placental malaria vaccine candidate with the cervical cancer vaccine, with the potential of inducing a strong protective response against both diseases;

Steven Meshnick and Carla Hand of the University of North Carolina will develop a biodegradable “synthetic lymph node” that could be placed under the skin to deliver more effective vaccines.

Low-cost cell-phone applications for global health:

Terry Ferrari of World Vision will field test in central Mozambique two mobile phone modules that prompt community health workers caring for pregnant women and newborns to assess, take action, and to refer care in cases of complications and emergencies;

Mark Thomas of VaxTrac in the U.S. will field test a mobile phone-based vaccination registry that uses fingerprint scans to track those who have received immunizations in hopes of reducing redundant doses and boosting coverage levels in developing countries.

New family health strategies:

Arye Rosen of AMT, Inc., in the U.S., along with neonatologist Harel Rosen, will test a low-cost, solar-powered portable blanket that can provide light therapy to jaundiced infants;

Haim Breitbart of Bar-Ilan University in Israel will design and test molecules that would inactivate specific genes within sperm that are essential to the fertilization process to develop a reversible oral male contraceptive.

Md Abdul Quaiyum of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Bangladesh will develop and test an inexpensive, biodegradable absorbent mat that can be placed under mothers who have just delivered babies to assess immediate postpartum blood loss. The mat can be weighed at regular intervals to measure absorbed blood, providing easy and early detection of postpartum hemorrhaging.

About Grand Challenges Explorations

Grand Challenges Explorations is a five-year, $100 million initiative to promote innovation in global health. It is part of the Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative, which is supported by the Gates Foundation to achieve major breakthroughs in global health. Applications for Round 6 of Grand Challenges Explorations will be accepted beginning in March 2011. Details are available at www.grandchallenges.org/explorations.

###
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

PRESS RELEASES

Nov 09, 2010Foundation Funds 65 Novel Ideas to Improve Global Health, From Vaccines Delivered in …Oct 28, 2010International Medical Corps Receives $700,000 to Respond to Deadly Cholera Outbreak …Oct 27, 2010Foundation Expands Investments in Innovative Global Health Science

Fall Foliage!!

2010-11-01T18:43:00.004-04:00

Stage 1 of Halloween Decorating...

2010-10-11T19:48:00.001-04:00

John Basilone Parade 26 Sept, 2010

2010-09-26T20:04:00.001-04:00

My Friend Vicky is soooo sick :(

2010-09-07T13:05:00.002-04:00

I love you Vicky!! Please feel better sooon!
xx

Coke 1944

2010-08-13T14:17:00.001-04:00

Fire And Ice Photos Necklace Give Away contest!

2010-03-24T10:34:00.004-04:00

Oh wow this is STUNNING!!

CHECK THIS CONTEST OUT!!

Fire and Ice Photos Blog

Sooo it went like this...

2009-11-25T22:12:00.004-05:00

I tweeted to Peter Facinelli to come join his birthday party on his app.
Little did I know that he was already IN there.....
Sooo... hahahhah I went in.....

HAHAHAHHAAH!! Too funny!
Ya had to be there I guess!
He had a good time with us all in there!
Happy Early Birthday, Peter!!

First Day of School!

2009-09-17T09:21:00.006-04:00

Wow it's been a while since I've updated !!
The summer flew by and the girls are back to school!
Ellie has started Kindergarten and M'Kayla is in 2nd grade.
Time flies!
Here are their 1st day of School photos.

In our front garden before the bus came

Kirby watching for the bus, waiting for the girls to get home

FUN DAY today at The Cullens Online!

2009-09-12T11:45:00.003-04:00

Writer's Block Can Get A Little Frustrating

2009-05-17T19:47:00.000-04:00

Have you ever had something to write but it just didn't come out the way you wanted it to? I have such a great story in my head and it's in desperate need of being written down. I can't seem to find the time nor the right inspiration to get it started. I've written a LOT of fan-fic and also even much more of my own stuff.
On occasion I get wicked, nasty writers block and seek inspiration from other talented writers and artists.
When you get writer's block, what do you do? Who/What do you seek for inspiration? Once you get those creative juices flowing can you stop and re-start successfully?
Tell me everything! I'm a writer, desperate to get my gears greased and back in operation!!!

My iPhone!

2009-05-09T18:22:00.001-04:00

I am posting from my iPhone!
Very cool!
Now that I can Blog on the go, I hope to be more consistent with posts!
I'm off to discover more goodies on my phone!!

--
I Posted this via Skypetr, 2009-05-09 18:19:39 -0400

On the blog again....

2009-04-04T22:51:00.001-04:00

Wow, it's been ages. I haven't had a hi-speed connection in a long time and we've finally gotten that taken care of so I think I'll be a bit more regular here again.
Lots of stuff going on over here. We've been doing great through the school year and M'Kayla is almost finished with 1st grade. What?! It's insane to even think of her being 7 years old but hey, she is and she's the height of a 9 year old. VERY tall and just sweet as can be.
Ellie is just about to finish up her pre-school class and will move ahead to kindergarten in September........... What?! HOW did she grow so fast? AND she's already lost 4 teeth and is now, patiently, waiting for her '2 front teeth' to grow in. She's so cute!
I wish I had photos on this computer but as of yet I do not. I will upload some very soon and get a blog or 2 up about our recent trip to England, Scotland and Wales. We hope to return to the UK in September! I just LOVE it there. I've got some sort of a magnetic pull that draws me there.
Enjoy the day. We've got 'Seattle' type weather going on here in NJ... misty, fog and drizzle-rain.

All I want for...

2008-12-28T20:02:00.005-05:00

Christmas and Hanukkah is.......
BUTTERSCOTCH!
Our family celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah. December is a whirlwind! Ellie's birthday, Hanukkah and Christmas all fell within the same week this year! C R A Z Y!
The girls were VERY excited about their presents this year. We payed extra attention and got them things they REALLY wanted. One such present is 'Butterscotch' the Pony. She's a large mechanical pony that responds to touch a special brush and carrot that came with her. She has several sensors all over her which make her do all sorts of things when she's touched by you or 'hears' or 'sees' you.

The girls enjoyed spending time with all of our family over the past few days! I love this time of year because we all get together and have a chance to catch up and enjoy each other. The rest of the year always seems to be all hustle and bustle and time just slips away. We always have ntentions of seeing each other through out the year but that seldom happens. I love December because for us, it's family time and there's no better time than that!!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2008-11-26T15:02:00.004-05:00

Wishing you and your families a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!!!!

Halloween 2008!

2008-11-06T10:32:00.012-05:00

It's been a long time since my last post! *eek!* I think it's about time for an update, eh?

Halloween!

Halloween around our house is a big deal! We love to decorate the entire house, in and out, including a graveyard, ravens, pumpkins a skeleton and various other creepy stuff!

Here's Captain Jack and Mr. Skelly in our entry hall!
Captain Jack was soon joined by Daphne from Scooby Doo and Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb!

Here are a few shots of our 'graveyard'

Ellie decided that she wanted to end the night as a little witch!
We had a great Halloween, as always!!

It's the LAST DAY of JULY!

2008-07-31T08:37:00.002-04:00

I can't believe how quickly the summer is going by! For some reasons I'm happy to see it going by so quickly and in a way sad too! I LOVE taking day trips with my family, visits to the neighbors for evenings of chat and fun outside, being on the patio in the shade, watching my girls splash in their little pool and their little dirty bare feet right before they are put in the tub at the end of a very fun, active, sweaty, heat and humidity filled day!
It amazes me how quickly the seasons pass by us! I remember as a kid, summer really did feel endless and carefree. I miss those days! As adults, nothing is really carefree anymore. We've got sooooo many responsibilities and obligations that sometimes we let the days pass without so much as a blink. I haven't taken the time to update my blog because we've just been having such a great time together that I haven't thought much about the computer. I know that as soon as school starts (early September) I will have more time and will update more frequently.
We've had family visiting from over seas! Lots of things on the 'to-do' list before she leaves on August 15!
So far we've .......
gone to the mall
Philadelphia Zoo
IKEA
Crystal Cave
Atlantic City Boardwalk / Beach
Valley Forge National Park
New Hope, PA
Monmouth County 4H Fair

Still to do:
Bushkill Falls, PA
Somerset County 4H Fair
6 Flags Great Adventure and Safari
Discovery Museum
Ringing Rocks
and a few other places that I can't remember at the moment!

It's been a jam-packed summer so far with lots more to do! I hope everyone else is having a great summer, too!!

Parades!

2008-07-12T10:05:00.003-04:00

Ahh the summer.... lazy days, heat, humidity and PARADES!

We do several parades a year. This was our 1st time in the Rocky Hill Independence Day Parade.

We drove our WWII ambulance this time. It was great weather UNTIL we go to the end of the route and the picnic got rained out!

Thank a Veteran for your freedom!

A Kick-Start into Summer!

2008-05-27T16:16:00.007-04:00

For us, Memorial Day weekend is the 1st 'official' day of Summer!
Our weekend usually starts with my husband driving one of his WW2 vehicles in a local parade. This year he participated in 3 different town's parades.
We find it incredibly important to honor those who serve and have served in our country's military.
Whether you approve or disapprove of the government's involvement over seas, we ALL need to respect and honor those who give all to protect us.

On Saturday our new neighbors invited us over for a BBQ and a dip in their pool! What a fun afternoon we all had, especially Mackie and Ellie who were in the pool for 4 straight hours!
Even Kirby got into the pool for a few seconds to cool off. It amazes me that he's just 4 months old, has never been in water (other than the groomer's sink) and he KNOWS how to swim!

On Monday, we opened our little pool, we fired up the grill and we headed outside for a BBQ!
It was a PERFECT weekend. I can't remember a more perfect Spring than we've had this year.

Lil Fuzzy Pom

2008-05-20T20:39:00.004-04:00

Kirby is SO friggin' CUTE!
He was only 2.5lbs in these photos!
Here's a layout of pictures of him from the 1st few days right after we got him. He's still teeny but he's bigger than this now (4Lbs).... *sigh*
I was inspired to do this layout by a challenge on "A True Friend A Priceless Treasure" blog! I love that blog because it's for scrappers who love to scrap their PETS!
Anyway, here's my take on this week's challenge.

Mobile blogger

2008-05-18T22:48:00.001-04:00

Back in the scrappin' saddle!

2008-05-07T10:55:00.004-04:00

It's been a while since I've scrapbooked anything. Over the past couple days I've actually been able to sit and relax and pull out some scrap supplies. Here's what I've worked on.

I am on a roll over here and hope to get a few more pages done by the weekend!

Gators and Turtles and Snakes, OH MY!

2008-05-03T13:32:00.004-04:00

We went to Charles Towne Landing in Charleston, South Carolina with our friends, Beth and Ed. It's such a gorgeous place. The trees are ancient and so huge, there's wildlife all around. We saw a lot of different 'critters', including alligators!
And, yup... we were THAT close! *Gasp*

Beth found a snake while she was walking in the grass. He didn't even seem phased that she was about to step RIGHT ON HIM! She called Ed over and he picked the snake up (grass snake) and showed him to the girls.

He then released it onto a tree branch to get it off the ground away from harm.

The trees in Charleston are HUGE! During our walk at Charles Towne Landing, we came across some GIANTS! The girls loved playing beneath the beautiful huge trees. There was shade everywhere we walked.

Everything's bigger in South Carolina....or is that supposed to be Texas?? LOL! Anyway, the girls, being the animal lovers they are, were also fascinated by the bugs. Yeah.. they're a LOT bigger than they are used to seeing and they loved picking them up off the walkway on leaves and sticks and putting them back on the grass or trees.

As we walked the path we saw a large box turtle and decided to take a picture of it. When we approached we noticed she was laying eggs. We got a fast picture. We didn't want to disturb her.

Can you see the tiny fiddler crabs? Look hard.... there are lots of them!! The girls had fun trying to count them as they scurried around.

I will post more pictures as I download them from my camera. All the photos above are by Beth King. ( Thanks Beth!! )

Therapy Dog in Training

2008-04-10T12:32:00.005-04:00

We recently got a Pomeranian. His name is Kirby. He turned 3 months old yesterday (April 9th 2008).
He is SO good. He doesn't whine, complain, yap, or carry on in any way at all. He's friendly to everyone, which is probably because we take him just about everywhere we go! He's started training to become a therapy dog (Therapy Dog International) and will take the place of the 17 year old dog, Bailey, we recently lost 2 weeks ago.
I had taken her to Stonebridge (an over 55 community which also has an Assisted Living section where they house advanced Alzheimers patients.) Bailey was the resident therapy dog there until about a year ago when she became deaf and could no longer her commands. She lived a great, long life and we miss her terribly!
I think she'd be proud of this little guy following in her footsteps.
Kirby will be the resident Therapy dog for the Montgomery Senior Center! His training has started and he's just such an 'eager to please' kinda boy!
If you are unfamiliar with the work of Therapy dogs, I can explain it a bit and you can check out the website for more info! You may have a dog who could change lives!!
Therapy dogs are friendly dogs with excellent behavior that visit hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers etc and bring a bit of joy to the residents and patients who live there. They are excellent dogs to help people without them even knowing it!!
People who have had strokes reach out to touch/pat the dogs making strides where they didn't THINK they could!
There was a man who had a stroke and hadn't spoken in 3 months but when he saw my dog (Bailey) he said "Well hello there little dog!" . The nurse just about fainted because this man hadn't said a word since his stroke and the dog made it effortless for him.
Kids recovering from trauma and childhood diseases brighten up when the therapy dogs come in the room! Older people in nursing homes LOVE when we bring in the dogs. They always reminisce about a dog they had 'way back when' and how wonderful the dog was and how "this dog reminds me of....."
It's an excellent, excellent therapy for memory, motor skills and just plain morale. We are excited that Kirby is so compatible with the training so far and hope that he continues on the road he's on! He's gonna be a star!!!

Weather Woes!

2008-04-06T10:47:00.003-04:00

I am tired of all the rain. ALL WINTER all we've gotten is day after day after day of RAIN, RAIN, RAIN! WHEN WILL IT END? We had one or 2 nice days in the past 2 weeks and today, once again, RAIN. *sigh*
I am drowning over here in mud, muck and RAIN!!!
We got one small snowfall in late January or early February. That was it. This was the rainiest, wettest, dreariest winter I think I've ever experienced.
Spring is here and yes, it's supposed to be a 'rainy season' for the most part but 5 of 7 days a week of RAIN is pathetic. I think I need to migrate like birds do. I'll winter in a place where it's sunny and in the 70s with VERY LITTLE RAIN and then I'll summer in a place where it's 70s, SUNNY and VERY LITTLE RAIN! lol
Can ya tell I'm all washed out by all the RAIN?
I hope your weather is better than mine has been for the past 5 months!!!

Scrapgarden's Blog Challenge for today

2008-04-05T21:17:00.003-04:00

Do you make it a habit to do something scrappy each day?
I DO! That's not saying that I actually ACCOMPLISH it.....
More often than not, I get side tracked by laundry, scrapbooking forums online, a phone call or something good on TV. Sometimes it's something as simple as being distracted by wanting to be LAZY.
I don't get any daytime scraptime. It just doesn't work that way. My scraptime only comes after 8:30PM and honestly, MOST of the time I'm feeling kinda lazy and un-scrappy by then.
I get cattle prodded now and then by my buddy, Laura!
Going to check out the scrap blogs of my friends and the forum galleries can get me inspired too. I TRY to get SOMETHING scrappy accomplished daily but it just isn't always in the cards!

Spring

2008-04-01T23:05:00.003-04:00

is REALLY here! How do I know this, other than the obvious calendar? Well I know it because the PEEPERS SAY SO!!

The Peepers? What's a PEEPER, you ask?

Wikipedia can give you a good idea about the Spring Peeper.

" A Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer, synonym Hyla crucifer) is a small tree frog widespread throughout the eastern USA. The spring peeper is a small frog, attaining an adult size between 0.75 and 1.5 inches (up to 40mm) long. They have a dark cross on their backs roughly in the shape of an "X", though sometimes the marking may be indistinct. The color variations of the spring peeper are mostly tan, brown, olive green, or gray. Females are lighter-colored, while males are slightly smaller and usually have dark throats."

Photo by United States Geological Survey

Are these little frogs cute or what?!

Every night at 11PM I walk the dogs for the final walk of the day. I've been listening and listening for the Peepers for about 2 weeks now, hoping that I'd hear them soon as this really IS the sign that Spring really IS here! Tonight, I walked outside and was greeted by the sound of 100s of Peepers, singing and peeping and just making my heart soar! I LOVE these little froggies and can't wait to hear them on their 1st night, every year! We're lucky enough to live near the canal and river where they breed and live so we get a concert every night through the Spring right on into the summer!!

These little frogs sing their chorus and keep me company, late at night when I am walking my dogs. For more information about the Spring Peeper, check out Wikipedia

Whoa.. I scrapped!

2008-04-01T16:18:00.003-04:00

I got to hang out with my buddy, Laura on Friday. It had been SOOOOO long since I'd scrapped a page and having her over just jump-started my creative mojo! This page was done for our newest challenge over at Scrapdragon! Ya gotta go take a look! The challenge is amazing and our creative team rocked! The prize is a gift certificate to Crop Addict so be sure to go check out the challenge! Enter and ya never know... you just may win!!!

Mommy, can we keep him? Oh CAN WE??

2008-03-29T20:29:00.002-04:00

YES!!

Say WHAT?!

Yup... you heard right! YES! We CAN keep him!!

His name is Kirby Commando and he's a 10 week old Pomeranian puppy. He's adorable, sweet, well adjusted and loves EVERYONE including cats, other dogs and even guinea pigs and hamsters! He's SUCH a cool little boy and we're already madly in love with him!

He fits perfectly into our family!
Welcome home little boy! You've found your forever home!

Scrapdragon Creative Team Call!!

2008-03-27T10:55:00.002-04:00

Laura and I have been brainstorming and we've decided to kick up our challenge blog a notch! We're calling for some new members for out creative team ! Check out the call below!!

Scrapdragon Creative Team Call!!

Rapidly growing contest blog seeking creative team!!
The Scrapdragons want YOU!!

We are looking for 4 more members to join our Scrapdragons Creative Team!!

This Creative Team call is open to EVERYONE - World Wide.

What You Will Get:

A 6-month term on the Scrapdragon Creative Team with options to renew at the end of the 6 month term.

Scrap STUFF! Each month we'll send you a small scrap rak pack of goodies to play with! It will depend on the month what we send out but we have our hands in the latest and greatest stuff!! As we grow and get more sponsors we hope to have more goodies to pass along!

What we am looking for:

Creative scrapbookers who like to think outside the box. This is a challenge blog with funky and fun challenges!

The workload for the creative team will be light and quite easy to manage (only 2 layouts a month are required) but an ability to get things done on time is definitely important!

What You Need To Do:

E-mail us at twoscrapdragons@yahoo.com Put "Scrapdragon Creative Team Applicant" in the Subject Line.

In the body of the e-mail please include the following:

Name

e-mail address

Link to your personal blog and/or online gallery

3 links to layouts/projects that you have made that YOU feel are your personal best .

A list (with links if possible) to any past/current Design Teams you are on, guest design spots count as well! If you've NEVER been on a team before that's great too - We'd LOVE to see some new faces!!

DEADLINE to get e-mail applications in is May 1st 2008. An announcement will be on the Scrapdragon site on May 2nd with the list of new Creative Team members!

We will not be replying to each application sent in. You will hear from us on May 2nd via e-mail with instructions and more details if you are chosen.

Any questions about this design team call can be sent to twoscrapdragons@yahoo.com with "Question About Creative Team" in the subject line. Depending on the amount of e-mails and applications we receive it may take a while to respond!

Look at this cuteness!!!

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

I am an avid scrapbooker but ya know what's even more fun than scrapping a page yourself? It's when your friend whips out a page like THIS ONE for ya!!!
Isn't this soo cute?! I LOVE IT! This is Ellie at the 4th of July party last year that we were invited to. Thanks Laura! You are THE BEST!!

Laura made this for the American Idol contest over at Scraptastic. Check out that site, there's so much creative talent over there!

Back in the Saddle!

2008-03-07T18:49:00.002-05:00

Honestly, there are few things more frustrating than computer problems, especially when you're a blog addict like me! I haven't been able to blog in months.
I'm here now and need to 'catch up' on my blog strolling too. I have missed seeing everyone's posts and being a part of their lives through their blogs.
Let's see.. what have we been up to lately:

January -
Disney World
The girls experienced "Pirates of the Carribean" for the 1st time and fell head over heels in love with "Captain Jack". There is a really cool mini-show right outside of the ride where you get to see Captain Jack and 'become" a member of his crew. Totally cool and omg.. lemme tell ya... the guy they have portraying Captain Jack is really good!!
Ellie (age 4) braved the "Haunted Mansion" and loved it! I am so glad that my girls are adventurous! We had a great time and actually got to do the 'rides' this Mackie turned 6 and celebrated her birthday at Cinderella's Castle with a lovely dinner. Unfortunately in the middle of the night she got stomach virus that lasted through the entirity of the trip. The poor thing was a trooper though. I think we probably visited every bathroom in all the parks! lol Luckily, none of us got her tummy bug!
Computer Virus *ACK*
My laptop got a virus which brought my computer time to a complete halt! Some type of virus ate the McAffee. Ate it. *GULP! BELLLLLCH!* and it didn't even say 'Excuse me!'
Birthdays!
My hubby, mother in law, Mackie and I all had birthdays in January. Needless to say, it's a busy, busy month!

February
School Pictures
Nothing to write home about... I was pretty disappointed. I won't even bother to scan them in.... *sigh* Poor Ellie had croup for a week. Picture day was the 1st day she was back to school and she was drained, grey and very tired looking. *UGH*
Mackie's turned out "ok" but still nothing like what I wanted. I will have them done again at another place in a week or so.

So that's about all we've been up to, other than the mundane errand running, laundry doing, meal cooking, house cleaning stuff that we all deal with on a daily basis!
we were in NYC the other day. I will blog about that on another day once I get the pictures back!

Ok off I go to do some blog strolling... I gotta go see what you have all been up to!!

Didn't Disappear....

2008-02-25T20:25:00.001-05:00

Just having computer problems and have been uber busy.
I'll update soon!

Back from Disney World!

2008-01-23T19:48:00.000-05:00

And what a time it was!
If you're going in the near future and have a chance to hit the Pirate's and Princesses Party, I highly recommend ya do!!!

And that's just ONE reason to do so! The Disney experience is always magical, no matter how many times you go. We've gone every year, at least once, for the past 7 or 8 years . One can never see it ALL, no matter HOW many times you 'DO the Kingdom'

This time we focused mostly on Magic Kingdom and Epcot, leaving only one day for MGM and a 1/2 day for Animal Kingdom. The girls were most interested in meeting characters and riding "Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom, and the Gran Fiesta Tour in Epcot. It was a nice, relaxing, no pressure vacation!

Photos to come........

Almost 2008!

2007-12-26T20:56:00.000-05:00

Almost 2008....

As I gaze at the calendar I see we're just about wrapping up 2007 and entering the gates to 2008!
It amazes me that the older I get, the shorter a year seems! It feels like we just rang in 2007 yet here we are at the threshold of another year!

So... got resolutions?
Whatcha got on your list for '08?

I'm not a resolution kinda girl.... not my thing. I know that the moment I make 'em is the moment I'm gonna break 'em so I don't even 'go there'!!!
I'd love to know what your New Year's Resolutions are and if you've made any that you've actually KEPT in years past.......

The Witching Hour

2007-12-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

Who has kids who, mysteriously, morph into beasts at a certain hour each day?

For us, the time begins at between 4:30pm and 5:00pm.

It begins with a little giggle that grows and grows!

Eventually the giggle is followed by a very loud,
"STOP IT"!!

The, "STOP IT!!" is then followed by an even LOUDER giggle as the little giggler continues to pester, poke and piss off her sister.

This is maddening.

The little giggler is bound and determined to cause turmoil, stress and aggrivation, interrupting the quietest of evenings and the calmness of the 5 year old.
With each, "STOP IT!!" comes even more naughtiness, and GIGGLES until it gets so bad that the little giggler winds up in time out, crying and losing a sticker for her behavior chart.
NEITHER child is innocent as I've seen the 5 year old, on occasion, provoke the little giggler.... but I often wonder if this is just a sibling thing (having no siblings anywhere CLOSE to my age, I am rather clueless to the dynamics of siblings) or if it's a stage that they'll eventually grow out of?
I have visions in my head of them, at age 22 and 24, sitting in a restaurant poking, kicking and provoking each other into a food fight.....*gasp*! And what about their weddings? Will they poke and prod, kick or pull each other's hair as each one is a brides maid for the other while they walk down the aisle??
I guess I won't REALLY know until many years from now........
According to "Life with Derek" (disney Channel) it appears that these antics will, indeed, continue at least through the high school years........
Lord Help Me............
HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mini Shopping Carts for Kids!

2007-12-13T08:46:00.000-05:00

(The following post was inspired by a post on Kerri's Blog)

Oh Cool! The mini-carts for all the mini-me shoppers! Just lemme say EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEgads! I have one of those 'mini-me' shoppers ( 3 year old) and lemme tell ya.... those carts are just a joy! NOT!
"Why?", you ask.

6 reasons come instantly to mind:

1. She can barely steer herself. Adding a cart to the mix brings the aisle end displays to the endangered species list.

2. Oh yes.. she wants to put the milk in HER cart. She grabs a gallon, not realizing that it weighs 1/2 as much as she does and DOWN she goes, milk and all..... Did you know that a gallon of milk makes a Tsunami wave about 4 feet high?

3. Oh my bruised achilles tendons!!! Ok.. yeah well the carts don't have brakes and wow... they sure smart when they ram, full force into your achilles tendon at 55MPH.......

4. If you are lucky to make it the check out before you are battered, bruised and completely embarassed. Your sweet, darling 3 year old will INSIST that since SHE HAS HER OWN CART and she will be checking out ON HER OWN. Needless to say, a nice full blown tantrum begins as I say, "let me help you. you can't reach to put it on the counter."

5. Injuries abound as she, in her last effort of control, grabs the frozen peas out of her cart and tries to throw a 50 yard pass to the the counter, hitting 3 people in the head as it flies by, only to land on the floor, exploding sending peas flying like shrapnel in all directions.

6. Frozen peas, floor;Bad mix. The cashier presses the "RED ALERT" button as he hollers "CLEAN UP, Check out 13"
By now... my 3 year old is freaking out, My groceries are spewed all over the floor and people are glaring at me from allllll angles.

ALL BECAUSE OF A pint sized shopping cart.
*YIKES*
I RUN from them. I will go in the OUT door just to avoid her seeing them. They are things of pure EVIL!
Well, that's all for now. I need to go ice my Achilles tendons............ LOL!!

December? What ? Already?

2007-12-06T18:45:00.000-05:00

When did that happen? I was minding my own business going about life as I generally do and I glanced at the calendar and it is clearly marked, "DECEMBER 6TH, 2007"
WHAT?!!!
DECEMBER 6th, 2007 ALREADY?
Umm, where'd November go?
It's been a beautiful Fall here. The leaves were absolutely gorgeous and stayed so for a good long time. Over the past 2 weeks I've noticed the bright yellows and oranges turning to deep reds and now they are brown. Most trees dropped their leaves during the past 2 days with the wind storm that we had. We also got a bit of snow, just enough to cover the ground and make it feel like winter. My girls were so excited about the little bit of snow that they raced to get on their hats, mittens and scarves!

I am sad that the beautiful bold colours of fall have gone, but I am also glad to see the 1st snows of winter and all of the beautiful little birds that come with that 1st wave of cold weather.
Our birdfeeders are stocked full and then, within 2 days, they are empty and in need of filling again. We have lovely little birds that visit every day. We have a pair of Mourning Doves, lots of Black Capped Chickadees, 2 Bluejays and a number of different little finches. I LOVE my quiet mornings with just me and my birdy friends. I sit here gazing out the window at the feeders and and somehow they turn my grumpy mornings into nice, peaceful ones!

Fall Photo Shoot!

2007-11-27T19:06:00.000-05:00

I had an idea today. My idea was to drag the girls after school to a little place in the Doris Duke Estate off the public road where there's a stone gazebo with well in the woods. It's such a quaint spot, I thought it perfect for a little photo shoot!!

I am still learning the settings on my new camera so the photos aren't exactly perfect. I hope to tweak the settings and try some more the next time we have a nice, bright sunny day. As you can see in some of the photos, myself and a tree behind me were causing shadows that I didn't really notice while taking the pictures. Another little lesson learned LOL!!

Over all, it was a pretty fun little photo shoot and the girls had a blast. I learned a lot about the camera and angles and such and have a starting point for the next photo shoot. My girls were so patient with me, I am so proud of them and happy that they enjoyed it as much as I did!

Hair Do or Don't?

2007-11-21T15:25:00.000-05:00

My 5 year old has recently discovered the art of hair manipulation ( combing... ummm.. rather YANKING!!)
Lucky for me I have circus-freak hair and yanking, pulling and tugging doesn't hurt me at all!! While we were waiting in the car, she wielded a brush and I was her 'model' ! What a way to pass some time!
Here's some of the silliness she created!

New Camera!

2007-11-17T09:57:00.001-05:00

My poor little digital Olympus died a few weeks ago. I had admired my mother in laws Canon Elph for quite some time so decided to go check out Target to see what they had.
Well.. they had the newest version of the Canon Elph that my MIL has so I decided to take the plunge and get it.

Wow!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this little camera!!! It's not the most expensive thing on the planet and it's by far, nothing like the Digital Rebel... BUT.. it's a powerhouse of a little camera and does an amazing job! The view screen is a lot larger than the one on the Olympus and there's virtually no lag time when I press the button. I hated that about the Olympus....... it didn't take the picture instantly, no matter what setting it was on, so it took me 20 attempts to get one good shot.
Just had to share my excitement about my new toy!!

Temper Tantrum!!

2007-11-08T08:57:00.000-05:00

Wow... has your child ever had a super-sized, enormous, huge-ass temper tantrum that lasted for an hour or more?
My 5 year old has the occasional tantrum, much like the one I described above. Hers are super cell tantrums, much like that of a tornado. She starts off starting to jump up and down, then her face gets red. Her eyes get all glazed over and red, mind you, there are NO TEARS.... her tantrums are all about CONTROL and the rage that follows if she doesn't get her way!!
Most often the things that set her off are VERY minor little nothings to any passer by. This time it was the fact that her sister, age 3, joined the conversation without being invited. She merely said ONE WORD and that was the ignition to the tantrum. My 5 year went full force into an F-5 raging tantrum that lasted 40 minutes!
When she is mid-tantrum, there is NOTHING that can be done to ease the rage. She generally says one thing over and over and over and over again. This time it was, "I want to tell you something!" to which I replied, "Yes? What do you need to tell me?"
And rather than just tell me, she kept repeating, with more and more rage, "I want to tell you something!" There was nothing that could be done. She was out of control, out in the middle of the back yard where the WHOLE neighborhood could hear her yelling and see her flailing herself on the grass, kicking and screaming. My 3 year old stared at her in disbelief and my husband simply went inside!
I stood on the patio, waiting for the storm to clear for what seemed to be forever. She kept up with fierce tempo, "I want to tell you something!""I want to tell you something!""I want to tell you something!" Screamed over and over again in an eerie rhythm. It was almost like she was in a self-induced trance or something.
After being ignored for about 35 minutes she showed signs of recovery. She had demands though and was determined to show the world that this calming of the storm was HER CONTROL and hers only. She made demands that I STAY STANDING right where I was until SHE told me otherwise. I found that amusing and started to giggle which only fueled the storm back to an F-4 for a few moments until she realized that I wasn't going to cave to her demands. She gathered her senses, stood up and walked over to me, asking for a hug.
I guess they get all their frustrations bottled up to a point of explosion and when that ignition is sparked, it just goes full force until the needle is on empty!!!
Thankfully those tantrums are Few and far between!!

Boo to you and you and you and you! Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T20:17:00.000-04:00

If you've ever been to Disney World during October, you'll recognize the title of my post for today!

Wow! What a fun Halloween! My girls were actually old enough to enjoy trick-or-treating this year! Last year we just barely made it to the 6 houses on our own street. This year, we walked our street, 1/4 of the circle and the one behind! The girls filled their little trick-or-treat buckets and were so excited!!
One thing about taking kids OUT trick-or-treating is that I MISS OUT on handing out candy! I must say, it was quite a busy year here with kids. Even though we were out most of the evening, we still got a good amount of kids and I handed out 90% of the candy I bought.

I have to wait until I get the pictures from my mom. I forgot to take pictures of the girls in costume yesterday!! *DUH*!! What kind of scrapbooker AM I??!!

BUT.. I did get some great shots of our cat. He's definitely a team player and was in costume too!!

Here's a shot of part of the front of the house. It's not the full view. I'll have to wait till I can get pictures from my mom. I was so caught up in the girls having fun that I really didn't think about my camera!!

Ellie was a red bat (who refused to wear her wings) and Mackie was a butterfly (who insisted on wearing her coat!) This is the only photo I managed to take of them.

I can't wait to get my mom's pictures! My hubby was dressed in full Civil War uniform and carried a lantern. He stood in our 'graveyard' and when the trick-or-treaters came by, he moved just enough to freak them out ( only the big kids) Everyone LOVED our decorations. I'll take pictures tonight. Everything is still up !

I hope that everyone had a fabulous Halloween! I am already planning for next year!!

Halloween Art!

2007-10-25T10:55:00.000-04:00

My friend Debbie is as inspired by Halloween as I am and she's created such a fun piece in honor of the upcoming holiday. I absolutely LOVE the way she did this! The mummy is so sassy and the Canopic jar is looking at her so lovingly. This piece has gotten my creative juices flowing! I'm off to my studio to see what fun things I can play with!!
Her blog is full of fantastic, vibrant art work. You've gotta check it out!!!
Thanks Debbie for your, often comical, always inspiring pieces! I can never get enough of your talent!!

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!

2007-10-22T07:39:00.000-04:00

My husband had a conference at Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando. We decided to take a few extra days after his conference to enjoy the Disney parks!

We planned a little bit in advance so we could attend the ever so popular, "Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party" at Magic Kingdom. It was AWESOME!
The entire park is decorated for Halloween!

Mickey 'grew' some really HUGE special pumpkins for Fall!

They put on a special fire works display and there's a special Halloween parade as well. There are trick-or-treat stations all over the park and they gave us FISTS full of candy at each station. The girls were in AWE the entire evening! We loved that the characters also donned their favourite Halloween costumes and took part in the festivities!
Here's Mickey dressed up as a scarecrow!

And Minnie as a Sorceress!

This creepy guy was on the steamboat..... Needless to say, my girls were NOT amused!

The Halloween Parade was soooo fun! They had the villians, the haunted mansion and other creepy characters all represented! The best part was the start of the parade with the headless horseman riding down the street! It gave me goosebumps!!I wish I got a picture of him.. but he rode through soooo fast that by the time I got my camera out he was long gone.
It was an awesome night of spooktacular fun!

Scrapdragon!

2007-10-04T09:08:00.001-04:00

My dear friend, Laura and I decided back in July to start our own challenge blog! We've been up and running since August 1st, running contests every 2 weeks with some FABULOUS sponsors awarding some wicked-awesome prizes!! Go check out our latest contest! You'll want to enter... the prize is yummy, yummy, yummy!!!

Turtle Back Zoo!

2007-10-02T20:44:00.001-04:00

What a fun zoo! We'd never been there before though it's only 40 minutes from us! When I was a kid my parents would never want to go there because it was a run down, icky place. That was BEFORE the state bought it from the owner I guess. Now it's a County Zoological Park and it's undergone LOTS of renovations and upgrades! The zoo is mostly made up of local NJ wildlife. Bears, deer, cougars, porcupines, ground hogs and some farm animals, lots of birds of prey and local reptiles and such. They also have a few llamas and penguins and a assorted foreign animals but not many.
It's a nice place to spend a few hours of the day.

The highlight of the visit for the girls was the pony rides!!

A great day!!

October!

2007-10-01T21:40:00.000-04:00

*Sigh* alas... it's here. OCTOBER! My favourite month of the year. I love the bright blue October skies, the warm days and crisp nights and the onset of LOW HUMIDITY again!! YES!! It's true.... NJ does have a few months of LOW humidity! (Believe it, it's true! I promise!!)

What I love most about October is the temperatures, the position of the sun and, of course PUMPKINS! I LOVE PUMPKINS! I decorate like mad around here. It's SO MUCH FUN and my whole family gets into it as well. We have the absolute BEST 'dressed' house for Halloween!! I will upload photos when we're done. It's a month long process ;)

I can't believe how fast September went by... I still can't believe it's October 1st!!

FINALLY!

2007-09-25T21:18:00.000-04:00

Our Patio is FINISHED!
YAY! Jason finished the patio! Yeah.... it's a little late in the season but it's sooooo gorgeous and we've still got a lot of warm days and nights ahead. No matter how many photos I have taken, I can't seem to get a good one that shows the whole thing at a decent angle.
Here's Ellie coming down the steps on the side of the patio. There's a nice walkway that goes to the driveway that starts at the bottom of the steps.
I LOVE the lights that he built into the steps. There are 3 sets of steps. One set here where Ellie is heading, the one behind her that takes you into the house and then on the right in the front of the patio (facing the back yard) is the 3rd set. All have built in lighting with a timer. They go on at 5PM and off at 11PM. They give such a gorgeous glow and it's really so cozy to sit out under the night sky.
I'm just SOOOO glad it's done! We've been waiting for 6 months!!

It's a 1944 Willy's MB

2007-09-17T07:55:00.000-04:00

And there she is in all her glory! We purchased this beauty from a WW2 veteran who just wasn't able to drive her as often anymore. He didn't want the jeep to fall to neglect. We found out about it from a mutual acquaintance before he even listed it for sale!
We've done some research on the jeep and have found that it served in France during WW2. We don't know any details of who had it or who it drove around. We're still digging for more info. Often the information like that is lost, never to be found.
So now we have the Wc54 1942 Ambulance and the 1944 Willys MB. The next vehicle we would like to purchase is a Staff Car! Every day we get a little closer to getting the museum organized, ready to get into a building and on display! It's a lot of work to organize and catalog everything but will be soooooo worth it in the long run!

I've been scrappin' a little...........

2007-09-08T11:22:00.000-04:00

Did this one for Scrapbooking Moments in Time . I'm currently a Design Team member there and enjoying SOOOO MUCH each kit I've gotten! There's SO MUCH stuff in the kits that you can do several pages along with cards and altered items as well! In this kit I received S.E.I. papers and decided to take on a Halloween Feel. (The embellishments are Prima and My Minds Eye)

(Mackie age 21 months - Oct 2003!!)

This little thing is an altered Rolodex Card. What a fun way to dress up the mundane Rolodex! The information of the person pictured on the front (in this case, it's me! ) is on the back side of the card. Again, I used all S.E.I. papers for this with an Iron-on transfer ( white vine on my photo). The flowers are by Prima.

Claws N Paws Animal Park

2007-09-05T09:09:00.000-04:00

Last week we had a great opportunity to visit Claws N Paws animal park in Pennsylvania! It was a 2.5 hour drive but was well worth it. It's a smallish zoological park with a lot of wonderful animals. Most of the animals are rescue animals that could not be rehabilitated and released back into the wild.

This is the only zoological park we've ever been to where the zookeepers host feeding time and the public actually gets to FEED a GIRAFFE! (Ignore the "DO NOT FEED" sign. That's there for when the zookeeper isn't present) Look at the TONGUE on this guy!!!

Mackie posing on an alligator sculpture

Look at this cute, cute little ape named Siam. She was so friendly and curious. She's 12 months old and was part of the zookeeper's lecture series. We were in the 1st row so we got up close to the animals.

Camel..oh so funny!!

Ellie became 'best friends' with this goat...

And this one....!!
Mackie and Ellie 'hatching' from dinosaur eggs!
Totally cute tortoises!
The park is mostly shaded which made for a VERY nice walking experience. We all know how it is in August in this area....HOT HOT HOT and HUMID! The shade made for a comfortable day!

Insectropolis

2007-09-01T22:37:00.000-04:00

Both of my girls LOVE BUGS! I decided to do a search on-line for a bug museum and there just happens to be one about an hour and 1/2 from us. We put the girls in the car and headed south to:

INSECTROPOLIS!

What a great place for that bug-lover in your life! It's full of displays of real and well, not so real anymore, bugs! Everything is displayed so perfectly. The girls had a blast playing in the ant tunnel!

There were a few art-inspiring moments......... I found these displays of colorful butterflies. I'm sure I'll find a way to incorporate these photos into scrapbooking art!!

Yes.. these ARE alive and yes they are really HOLDING them. *Gasp*!!!

Mackie and the giant Millipede.

Ellie and the Hissing Cockroach

Mackie with a 'walking stick' on her elbow

Ellie holding a tarantula.

The girls loved interacting with these live critters. I was very happy to be occupied with a camera so I didn't 'get a chance' to hold one. Hahahah!!!

Scrapdragons Challenge #3 ~ "Mix It Up!"

2007-09-01T10:16:00.000-04:00

I am excited to announce that Scrapdragons has just posted Challenge #3!!
Be sure to check it out so you have a shot at the really awesome prize!!

A Visit to the Aquarium

2007-08-28T13:03:00.000-04:00

Summer has been a whirlwind of activities. I haven't had even a chance to blog about even 1/2 of them! I need to catch up!! Back on August 6th, we took a trip to the NJ State Aquarium.

We love this place. It's full of lots of exibits and there are a lot of interactive things here as well.

The girls had a blast in the 'touch pools'. The water is FREEZING cold. They were able to touch starfish, shrimp and a few other critters. Ellie wanted, sooo badly, to pick up the starfish and give them a kiss. I was cracking up!!

Below we see Mackie here with her frozen hands in the touch pool.

I caught a rare moment of Sisterly Love here on film!

Ahh.. the giftshop. Of course, the girls wanted one of each thing they saw! This is just silliness!

Everyone needs an octopus to wear on their head, right??

Yeah.. there's this plexiglass TUNNEL that you walk through to get from one part of the aquarium to the next. You walk in and you're being transported under the sea. Imagine this thing coming at you as you scuba dive..........
NO THANK YOU!!

Overall it was a great day. A little crowded but a great day just the same!!!

Send in the Marines!!

2007-08-22T07:28:00.000-04:00

We went to the Trenton/Mercer Airport to see a WW2 Bomber Display. They had 3 gorgeous planes that we were able to view and tour. Alongside the planes was a small display of military vehicles. There were 2 WW2 Era Jeeps, our WW2 Dodge Ambulance and a modern Marine Corp Truck, complete with it's crew.

It was a gorgeous day, the high reaching only about 75 degrees! I loved seeing the planes and reading the poster boards about them and their crews and missions during WW2. The planes look so big and bulky that you can hardly imagine them being graceful and stealthy!
What I love most about the planes is their nose art. Some of them have some really detailed artwork on them. This one is one of my favorites. It doesn't have all that much artwork on it but it lists the names of all the crew who ever worked with this particular plane. It's amazing that so many people are connected with just this one plane.

The names cover almost the entire side of the aircraft. Here you can see only a small area. It's amazing!
After the display closed at 5PM they sold rides on the bombers. The money goes to the upkeep and fuel for these flying fortresses. It's a pretty penny for a flight at $425.00 for just 30 minutes! Most of those who flew that day were Vets who had actually been crew members on a B17, B25 or B24 Bombers during WW2.
For my girls, the highlight of the day was hangin' with the Marines. We were set up next to their huge truck and the girls befriended one Marine in particular. PFC Wolf. He was fantastic with the girls, showing them the truck and equipment. He was so nice to them that they just wanted to hug him all day long! Thanks PFC Wolf!

2007-08-21T14:52:00.000-04:00

My friend recently posted this on a scrapbooking site we are on together. I wanted to give it a little more exposure so I decided to post it here in my blog.
Thanks for your support!
~Gabi

My mother is terminally ill with congestive heart failure, copd, and emphasema
and is on oxygen 24/7. My mother lives in MN and I am in WV. I am not able to give her the support that she needs due to how far apart we live. My mom's birthday is August 25th. I wonder if anyone is interested and has the time, could make my mother a birthday card and send to her with well wishes.
This would be so uplifting for her during this very hard time.
She also spends 5 days a week alone because her husband is in construction and is gone the whole week. I've seen other communities doing this for others and I think this would be so wonderful.

Many thanks and hugs,
Denise

If you are interested I'd be very happy to give you my moms mailing
address, please email me - emersyn_mom@yahoo.com
thank you!

Studio Friday - August 17th, 2007

2007-08-18T07:16:00.000-04:00

Favorite item in the Studio
"Thanks Lauren for suggesting this Friday's topic! It might be difficult to narrow it down to just one?!! item, but let's try and have a look..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I first saw the Topic I knew exactly what I would write about. See this little, cluttered, green table?

It belongs to another artist with whom I share my studio.
She's 5, very creative and I think she has this artist thing mastered, straight down to the cluttered work space!!
This table is my favourite thing in my studio. It makes me happy to see my girls wanting to be creative. It gives me hope that they will spend many hours in here with me, just hangin' out, playing and spending precious time together creating!

Scrapdragon Challenge #2

2007-08-16T08:40:00.001-04:00

Here is my layout for Scrapdragon's Challenge #2!

I had a blast creating it with Laura's sketch!
You can see it if you mosey on over to Scrapdragon!
Head on over and enter and check out the prize!

A day at the beach!

2007-08-10T10:09:00.001-04:00

Yesterday we went to the beach with Laura and her kids, Rachel and Caleb. We went to Point Pleasant to Jenkinson's Beach and had a fantastic day. The weather could not have been more perfect!

Laura and I had a blast watching the kids enjoying the sun, sand and surf!

We always have a fantastic time together!! The kids get along wonderfully and play so well together.

We found a beached mermaid!!

The surf was really rough and pretty high at times. Mackie and Rachel LOVED being out in the waves.

A great time was had by all of us!!

Challenge 8 issued by A True Friend A Priceless Treasure blog!

2007-08-05T21:52:00.000-04:00

When A True Friend posted Challenge 8 , I knew it was one I had to take!! This is my cat, playing with one of his many toys. He's not really spoiled he's just UBER-LOVED!!!

I'm a Rockin' Girl Blogger!

2007-08-05T07:51:00.001-04:00

Lissa nominated me for "Rockin' Girl Blogger" status! WOOO! Thanks Lis!!

Ok so here's how it goes. I tag FIVE bloggers I feel are 'ROCKIN' GIRL BLOGGER' material and then they tag 5 and so forth and so on!

I choose:
Laura - She's the one who keeps me going day to day! My creative soundboard and biggest cheerleader! Her blog is just kickin' with fun stuff!
Tracie - Definitely a ROCKIN' GIRL BLOGGER! Her fire and determination are SO inspiring to me. She is a talented writer and has me going back for more, every day! GO ROCKIN' GIRL!!!
Debbie - Her wit and art inspires me to strive to bring my creativity to the next level. She writes with a style that just has me going back for more! She's totally a ROCKIN' GIRL BLOGGER!!
Nik - A very talented Aussie scrapper and one of my dearest friends! Her work both inspires me and brightens my day! YOU ARE A ROCKIN' GIRL BLOGGER!
Scrapdragons - A fabulous NEW challenge blog that has taken off like a wildfire and is definitely ROCKIN'! GO GIRLIES GO!!

Already August?!

2007-08-01T13:06:00.000-04:00

Wow it's already August. I'm stunned at how quickly the summer is whizzin' by!
I did this layout this morning for Scrapdragon. We just posted our 1st contest over there so everyone's just GOTTA check it out!!
I also uploaded it over at The School of Scrap for their August Advanced Math challenge!

All About Eve Challenge #3 - Escape

2007-07-28T17:51:00.000-04:00

Ah... I just LOVE the challenges at the "All About Eve" blog!

"What is that one place or one thing that makes you forget everything? Is it a trip abroad or in your mind? A chick flick? Shopping? Scrapbooking? That perfect piece of pie? Everyone has that one thing or that one place that makes everything else disappear. Tell us about it."

My take is a bit different. As I was looking through photos I came across the one I used here on my layout. It shows my girls walking ahead of me, just a little further than they usually do. It made me think about their journey to independence and how their confidence builds a little more every day.

My journaling reads as follows:

"Watching the two of you becoming a little more independent each day brings my heart to a peaceful ESCAPE from normal mommy woes and wonders. Seeing you encourage each other to explore a little further brings me bittersweet joy. You're growing up so quickly right before my eyes and I'm so very proud of you both!"

Studio Friday - Week of July 27, 2007

2007-07-28T07:28:00.000-04:00

" FAVOURITE RESOURCE(S)!
What is the most favourite resource you use to seek encouragement, understanding, enlightenment, inspiration, strength, to gain further knowledge or fun? Is it a book or a magazine, a quote, a website, a photo, another artist? How often do you turn to your source and at what point on your creative path?"

As a scrapbooker there are many, many online sites that I can go to to seek inspiration. When I get scrappers-block I tend to browse the awesome galleries to find inspiration. I also love scrapbooking magazines and idea books. There are so many great scrapbookers online that all I need to do is browse blogs and websites until my creative mojo starts flowing again. My favourite sources of inspiration are online galleries and other scrappers blogs.

Siblings!

2007-07-27T10:12:00.000-04:00

I don't have any siblings so I cannot really relate to what my 2 girl's go through, with each other, on a daily basis.
Morning either comes in smooth or it comes in all chaotic. This morning started like WWIII. Mackie was up 1st and enjoying her morning dose of Sesame Street. Ellie sleeps about an hour later than Mackie does and that's actually nice because Mackie doesn't always wake up on the right side of the bed, know what I mean?! Her morning time is crucial.
Well, Ellie was up a little early today......Garbage truck........ damn.
So down she comes, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD on the steps. When she's woken prematurely, she's an evil deity.
She graced the room with her scowl, fixed her attentions on her SISTER and promptly went over to her and "WHAM" fwatted her on the head with her teddy bear and went over and plopped on the couch.
Of course, that sends Mackie into a crying frenzy and Ellie refuses that she was the provoker!
I'm not personally familiar with sibling dynamics. I am learning as these 2 grow up together. Yeah, I've heard stuff from my mother ( one of 4 girls) and my cousins (2 girls and a boy) and a few other friends who have siblings, but seeing how horribly these 2 little ANGELS treat each other sometimes is really shocking! They will brawl like wrestlers and then the next moment be on the couch together snuggling.
In this house, ELLIE, my 3 year old, is the dominant of the 2. She's a BOSS, a DICTATOR, A NAPOLEON of sorts. It seems that Mackie winds up crying 90% of the time and Ellie walks off, head held high as if she's accomplished great things.
I KNOW that their bickering is normal sibling rivalry, but my 5 year old seems to, more often, behave like she's the 3 year old and Ellie's the OLDER sibling.
How did this tiny 3 year old rise to become the BOSS of her older sister? Can someone explain it to me because I'm a tad confused!!!!

Sisterhood of Scrap - Challenge # 9 UPDATE

2007-07-18T20:07:00.000-04:00

Here's My challenge for the Sisterhood of Scrap Blog Stroll !! Click on the link to see other fabulous challenges!!

My challenge for you is to create a layout using the following:

*There will be a prize drawing from everyone who does my challenge.*

* - Doodling with a white pen

* - 4 pieces of chipboard

* - 3 different pattern papers

* - Title to be in a circle or arch!

Have fun and be sure to leave me a comment and post a link to your layout so you can be counted in the prize drawing!!
~Gabi

People who have completed my challenge - Check out their fabulous creations!!!
Laura
Cheryl
Lois
Emily
Charlotte
Jessie
KSmith
Deanne

Gettin' Sketchy - Challenge #15

2007-07-18T19:23:00.000-04:00

I loved this sketch from the moment I set eyes on it over at "Gettin' Sketchy"

I just had to accept the challenge. I love the showcase of just 1 photo on the 12 x 12 layout. Here's my take on the sketch.

"A True Friend" Blog Challenge

2007-07-18T10:32:00.000-04:00

I love blogs. I love surfing and finding others out there who share the same hobbies and interests as I do. I ran across this blog, A True Friend, about a month ago and have been checking out the challenges and layouts that everyone's been doing. I finally decided to step out of lurkdom and join in the fun!
Here's my take on their challenge:

Challenge 7
"For this next challenge we want to see all those gorgeous faces. So the challenge is the face i love."

the layout scanned dark, no matter what I did. I couldn't adjust it. It's not really this dark, it just looks that way on the scan. I hope you can see it. It's Zippity and Me!

Have you ever been on a roll?

2007-07-16T10:05:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been on a roll and then viciously interrupted by life calling you to do other things?
I was completely in the zone yesterday, cleaning and re-organizing my studio. I pulled furniture out, dusted, vacuumed, picked up brads, beads, eyelets and various other tiny embellishments. I unplugged everything, dusted it all off, coiled up the cords and made them neat. I rearranged the desk, side table, bench, computer desk and got it all put back up, nice and neat. I was totally happy with my day's accomplishments. I went to bed, happy, slept like a babe and woke this morning with reclkess abandon, wanting to get back to putting everything AWAY that I had scattered everywhere ELSE during yesterday's cleaning frenzy.
Then I remembered. I remembered that I have to take the dogs to the babysitter. I have to get cat food, and pack small suitcases for an overnight to my inlaws. We'll have a great visit with them but my mind will be on my unfinished studio and the STUFF that's EVERYWHERE except where it's supposed to be.
That was it. My cleaning mojo was abruptly halted. It won't be until WEDNESDAY that I will be able to 'pick up where I left off'. Who knows.................. by then my cleaning mojo may move on. So here I sit, blinking, blankly staring at the computer screen, wanting to jump up, grab some stuff and start rebuilding my studio, knowing I have to go up and get packed and ready to zip outta here as soon as my husband gets home. Any minute now, I'll get up. I'm procrastinating, sorting a container of brads and wishing I could just sit here and perfect my studio.

Road Trippin! ~ Jim Thorpe, PA

2007-07-14T22:38:00.001-04:00

We went 'road trippin' yesterday. Destination: Jim Thorpe, PA.
It's a common thing for us to just jump in the car, pick a direction and just drive!
The drive was about 2.5 hours so it wasn't too bad. The girls enjoyed the scenery along the way and also Spongebob (in the dvd player).
When we got there we parked and started walking along the main street.
The houses and busineses here are all beautiful, each one seemingly restored to it's Victorian splendor. As we went in to the various shops, we noted things such as the steps, windows, railings, door knobs, gas lanterns, crown molding, plaster etc. The insides of these victorian beauties are also restored. It was a really nice outing. I wish I had taken photos of the insides of some of the places but we were caught up in the shopping aspect and I totally forgot all about my camera!
Look at the patina on this door. It's the original door, never been replaced, painted or altered in any way. It's creepy kinda.... but if you know me, then you know I LOVE CREEPY!

Check out this cellar door. OMG! I LOVE the old cast iron doors. This one is particularly cool. I love the circular iron handles. The grate behind it is awesome too. Again.... all 100% un-touched in original condition. See the grate behind the door? It has a round thingy with holes in it....... I asked a few people what that is and no one knew. I'm on a mission to find out. All of the grates had something similar on them. It almost looks like a telephone mouth piece, sorta-kinda.
I'd LOVE to own one of these Victorian homes here......... the charm, beauty and history is all so fascinating!

Along the road, at each residence, people planted different types of potted plants, hanging plants and window-boxes. It was fun to walk beneath the cascading vines of various flowers. The girls especially had fun as they walked beneath them and they tickled their faces and arms.

There's LOTs to do in and around Jim Thorpe, Pa. There's an old steam engine railroad you can take a ride on. There's river rafting, mountain bicycling, hiking, camping, lots of antiquing, music festivals, curio-shops, antique car shows and county fairs. It's a great destination for a one day excursion or, if you have the time, a 2 week leisurely vacation. We love it there and we'll go back in the fall when the leaves are changing. The mountains are gorgeous then!!

Always wanted to be published?

2007-07-14T08:07:00.000-04:00

I am on the design team for The Untamed Scrapper. They are seeking talent for their e-zine! Come on over and take a look!!

"Always wanted to be published? Don't have a clue how to do it? Too many rules and stipulations? Don't have the right product?

Well, have no fear, the only stipulation here is that you have fun and like using sketches! Add "The View from Untamed" to the mix of publications, now accepting your layouts!

We are taking submissions for the August Issue of "The View from Untamed", a jam-packed e-zine full of ideas, tutorials and inspiration! Submitting is easy!

Select any sketch on Sketch It! uploaded between June 25th and July 25th.

Use that sketch to create your layout and submit your work to: webmaster@theuntamedscrapper.com . (Digital, paper and hybrid layouts all welcome!)

All work must be submitted by the 28th of the month.

You will be notified no later than the 29th if your work will be selected for publication in The View.

Now how much more simple could that get? So come on over and have some fun! I can't wait to see what you have for us!"
~Lissa Ballard

Blog Prompt - 11 July, 2007

2007-07-11T13:30:00.000-04:00

This layout works for 2 separate prompts today!

1 - Scrapbook Playground - "Take a self potrait of yourself, scrap it and then blog that page. You can blog the photo by itself it you like but I wanted to make it scrapping related this week. The photo must be taken by you and taken this week. Great prompt, Katajone!"

2. All About Eve -
Challenge #2: Age

"Do you cringe when you are asked your age? Do you lie about it? Do you look much younger/older than you really are? Are you having a mid-life crisis or are you still in the first flush of youth? However old you are and whatever your feelings are about it, let everyone know.
Scrap your age."

I had a blast with this today! I needed inspiration and this filled the need! It also drove me to tackle the task of doing another page for my "About Me" album!

Studio Friday

2007-07-07T07:41:00.000-04:00

Studio Friday topic for July 6th:

This week's topic for Friday July 6th suggested by Gabi : TAKING (DIGITAL) NOTE!
As I was browsing through a flea market recently, I came to discover how useful my cell phone's camera is. I didn't bring my camera because I'm not thrilled with carrying it around to places such as flea markets or crowd filled places for fear of it being stolen or lost.
On this most recent trip there was a cloth merchant. Ohhh the lovely fabrics she had!!! I didn't want to purchase them but I DID want to remember the patterns and textures so that I could do a scrapbooking layout. I snapped a pic with my camera phone and instantly had it sent to my computer.
Have you used your cell phone camera to capture images to use in your creations?
-Gabi

Thanks for using my prompt, Tine!!

I was recently in Hawaii for 10 days. It was glorious but it was VERY humid! With my digital camera, I couldn't capture the haze that just hung in the air. I don't have a terribly expensive digital camera with all the interchanging lenses.I COULD, however, capture it with my digital cell phone camera! This photo will be used in one of my scrapbooking layouts. I love the soft slightly blurred way the cell phone captured the humidity.

I have also found my cell phone camera particularly useful at flea markets and antique shops. The other day we were looking at something and it turned out to be a fantastic bargain at the price they had it marked as. I sent a text-photo from my cell phone to my friend who was able to look it up online for me. Technology is astounding.. I can't wait to see what they come up with next!!

A new hang-out for us!

2007-07-05T10:27:00.000-04:00

While we were driving around on Saturday, garage sailing, we were directed to this great place for lunch.
Gabriel's Fountain

While we were driving around on Saturday, garage sailing, we were directed to this great place for lunch. Since Laura and Ray-Ray met up with us, we decided to go to lunch together. I got a few cute pictures while we dined. I had been here before but not before it had been completely refurbished. It's a lovely spot and they have fantastic, delicious, WONDERFUL ice-cream too!

Laura and my little one, Ellie

Ellie, Ray-Ray and Mackie

Out behind the restaurant was a nice large field. Propped up on some rocks was this old WW2 Civil Defense Truck. Old cars always pique the interest of my hubby and kids! The girls enjoyed looking at this old truck and posing next to it.

Landscape/Hardscape - Front - Complete!

2007-07-02T18:35:00.000-04:00

The front is complete! (except for the end of the walkway which will meet the driveway, which will be complete next week)
It's dusk so the photos aren't lit properly but it gives a good idea.

They used a nice, rich dark brown mulch that has plant food in it and the rocks are river rock.
I can't remember the names of all the plants, shrubs and trees......... but all are drought and deer resistant. We have a ton of deer around here and it's sad to see people put in brand new landscaping just to have it be deer food!!

At the top of the walkway they made a very nice circle. I love it! It adds a nice touch to the walkway.

They started on the back today. All they did was the girl's playground area. They edged around it and dug out the sod and put down a landscaping tarp. They filled the area with a rubber synthetic 'mulch'. It's soft and when/if the kids fall off the slide or swings, they land on a sort of rubbery cushion. I didn't take pictures of the back yet. I will tomorrow before they start construction on the back patio/walkway and landscaping! I can't WAIT to have a patio out back!!

CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST

2007-07-02T17:16:00.000-04:00

CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST!

Your task is to create a layout on which you have RHYMING journaling.
*note* It has to be your OWN Rhyming journaling ..not a poem or rhyming quote from somewhere... I want this to be YOUR creation!
What you need to do is post your layout on your blog and leave a comment here on this thread with your blog URL by JULY 8th so I can check out your fabulous creation!!
Myself and a few design team pals from various scrapbooking sites will vote. I will post the winner on SUNDAY MORNING July, 9

*PRIZE* - Newest releases of..... Prima flowers, Chipboard letters, rubons and MORE!!

If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I"ll get back to you ASAP!

Summertime!! (sisterhood Challenge)

2007-06-28T20:46:00.000-04:00

Summer time is such an awesome time... for both young and old alike!

Do you remember how exciting it was to get home on that last day of school?
What are your favorite summer memories of your childhood?
Is it something you did every summer, or perhaps one summer that stands out in your mind?

Blog Prompt by Tina M.

I do! I do remember the feeling on the very last day of school! We almost always had field day or a picnic or a yearbook signing day as our last day of school. The anticipation of that last bell ring was exciting! When the doors open, we all poured out into the school yard, some staying behind to finish signing yearbooks and t-shirts and getting phone numbers to 'keep in touch' over the summer. Truth is, we rarely kept in touch because we were ALWAYS SO BUSY!!
Some childhood summer memories include, but are not limited to:
1. Spending every moment I possibly could at Aunt Donna's with my cousin Kristen
2. Swimming in Aunti's pool
3. Making 'couch forts' and sleeping in them
4. SLUMMING! (playing in the woods by the river and getting dirty!)
5. Watching taped re-runs of Simon & Simon
6. Going to Maine with my dad's side of the family for 2 weeks.
7. The Ice Cream truck!
8. Having dinner out on the patio
9. Being in bed, listening to my parents chatting out on the back patio and the smell of the oil torches and sounds of the cicadas and night bugs.
10. Horseback riding camp with Chris and Kim!

One summer that stands out in my mind was the summer of my sophmore year. I was allowed to bring a friend up to Maine that year and we were wading, picking up shells. The water was right below our knees. We were finding lots of sand dollars. It was great............UNTIL I stepped on a small ray which struck my on the bottom of my foot with such a sharp barb!!! It was the first time I EVER said a curse word in front of my father and it just so happened to be the "F" word!

Landscape/Hardscape Progress! Day 1

2007-06-16T17:00:00.001-04:00

Here are some progress photos to show day 1 of the work we're having done out front. In one day, they've take out the old pavers and dug out the area for the new walkway and landscaping beds!!

This is the side of the house where they put all the dirt and grass they dug out!

These photos were taken from my driveway and show the view of the dug out area for the new walkway.

Here's a view from the front yard. In this photo, below, you can see the flower bed is dug out, that's where the girls are standing

Below is shown the side of the house. They dug out a nice flower bed there for a few bushes and flowers to hide the air conditioners! I love the way all of the flower beds have been dug. They aren't just basic lines. I love the curves!

I can hardly wait until Monday when I can take more pictures!

Busy Busy!

2007-06-13T18:07:00.000-04:00

It's going to be a fun-filled, jam-packed summer! Today was the last day of school here, though it doesn't feel like Summer at all! It's 70 degrees and overcast.
We're looking forward to many day-trips, car shows, concerts on the lawn at the town center and of course, let's not forget 6-Flags!~ WOOO!!
This morning the 4/5 year old classes had their 'graduation' ceremony. Although it was brief, it was cute! They sang a few songs, recited a little bit of this and a little bit of that and then all involved retired to the multipurpose room for refreshments.

The landscaper came today. He marked off the areas they are going to be working in and it looks like a sports field out there with white lines all over the place. They are doing a walkway out front, flower beds/gardens, some shrubs/bushes and a few small trees. The design looks really nice and they did it on the computer so we actually got a glimpse of what it's going to look like, before they even broke ground. They will start in 4 - 5 days with the front and then the back patio and landscaping will start about a week or so later. I'm PSYCHED! WOOOO!!

Hawaii ~ Chapter 2

2007-06-10T23:34:00.000-04:00

The International Market Place in Honolulu is such a fun, festive place. Along the way there are various signs and statues. This one tells a bit about Queen Emma Kaleleonilani. The girls loved to stop at each one while we read the details and took pictures.

The girls loved hanging out in the courtyard at the hotel. There was a big Koi pond full of brightly coloured, BIG Koi fish for them to look at. I got a couple of good pictures of the girls 'posing' on the rocks in front of the pond.

This is a Banyon Tree . The roots grow down from the branches, resembling a waterfall effect. VERY HUGE and VERY cool to hang out and play under this beautiful tree! Ellie looks like a toy standing beneath just ONE branch of this enormous tree right outside of the Honolulu Zoo.
Mackie always walked ahead of us, just about everywhere we went, she was leading the way!

If you do visit Oahu, you MUST visit Waimea Falls! It's a little bit of a hike up to the falls but once you get there you're rewarded with a swim in the pond at the base of the falls! Here's Ellie, pretending to do a back-flip off the patio area near the Waimea Falls pond.

On our 1st day, we did the Circle Island driving tour. What a gorgeous circle! This was one of our 1st stops. This is Chinaman's Hat. There were very few people there that day. It was well into the 90s and the humidity was sooo bad! The girls didn't seem to mind. They ran right to the shoreline, plopped down and started playing in the sand!

I will have more pictures uploaded tomorrow.

Aloha Oe!!

2007-06-10T13:46:00.000-04:00

Ahh...Oahu, Hawaii.. the unspoiled sea air, the black sand beaches, majestic volcanoes, music and frolic!! We were on Oahu for 10 days. Hawaii is gorgeous.... sooooo beautiful!!
The island you see below is called "Chinaman's Hat"

The scenery of Oahu is breath taking. You can go from Tropical beach to Rain Forest in about 2 hours driving time and from City to deserted beach in about 30 minutes driving time. It's phenominal!
The next photo is of a small Island called "Turtle Island"

Yes.. the sunsets over Oahu really DO look like this!!
The island is lush and green due to the daily rain showers. Usually they are either very early in the AM or very late at Night.

There's a lot more......... I need to upload more so I can post them!

Look! My husband is in the local paper!!!!

2007-05-24T10:55:00.000-04:00

Some of you know that we do WW2 Living History and reenactment events all over the East Coast. Here is my husband doing a demonstration for the local public middle school. The kids enjoyed the 'hands on' demonstration and were captivated by the ambulance and it's contents!
Below is an article that appeared in our local newspaper, The Courier News

Photo by: ED PAGLIARINI/COURIER NEWS

WWII era comes alive for youths
Bridgewater pupils get field lesson from re-enactor

By CHAD HEMENWAY
Staff Writer

BRIDGEWATER -- A history appreciation group from Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School got a firsthand account Wednesday of what it was like to be a medic during World War II.

"It's always been an interest of mine," said re-enactor Dr. Harel Rosen, who works with newborns needing intensive care. "Now I go around and share the interest and hobby with others."

Rosen said his hobby and collection of World War II memorabilia began with a G.I. Joe in 1965.

It appeared Rosen's passion for history transfixed the eighth-graders in the Veterans History Project Group, who experienced the unique lesson in a parking lot at the school. About a dozen students listened intently and asked questions of Rosen in front of his impromptu field hospital -- a restored ambulance from 1942.

In giving his lesson, Rosen explained how medics lived with infantrymen and gave first aid to the wounded, helping them out of the line of fire. With a collection of surgical tools, a stretcher and other equipment, Rosen was able to supply visuals of how medics were able to stabilize a wounded soldier to get him to an aid station.

Science teacher Michael Russell, a veteran of the National Guard and Army Reserve, started the project group about six years ago at the school. Nationally, the group is administered by the Library of Congress.

"The kids have learned so much through this," Rosen said.

Rosen said the group has met with veterans of World War II, Korea, the Persian Gulf war and the war in Iraq. Most recently, the students were visited by a soldier who served in Iraq, and with whom they have kept in touch.

"Mostly, I think they benefit from hearing a voice and seeing a face one-on-one," Rosen said. "When we have the vets come in, sometimes they get emotional, and the kids see that -- they can connect with the experiences of people who experienced war."

"It's so important, especially to learn about World War II, because we are losing many of the men who fought for us during that time," Rosen added.

Chad Hemenway can be reached at (908) 707-3148 or chemenwa@gannett.com

My Little Buddy

2007-05-24T07:11:00.000-04:00

This is my little Jack Russell Terror. You met her a few months ago when I wrote about her little overnight adventure. She's such an awesome dog! She loves being in the car with us on our travels. We take her all over the place. Summertime is a bit harder because it's SO DARNED HOT and we can't leave her in the car when we run errands. I hate to have to leave her home! Just look at that face! Can't you tell she's HAPPY? She's SMILING!

Since it's summer, her car-trip days are limited to evenings and park visits only..... It's the part of Summer I hate most.... I feel bad leaving her home, looking at her sad face and knowing that she doesn't understand WHY she can't go with us!!!

More Disney Layouts!

2007-05-21T07:26:00.000-04:00

I am on a roll with my Disney Album.......

MGM Studios has a play area for the kids. EVERYTHING is huge to make them feel like minatures! It's sooo cute. These ants were a huge hit with the girls. (No pun intended!! )

We had never met 'Clarice' the Chipmonk before! The girls stood in line for a good long time to get to an autograph and photo with her. Clarice is all about the fashion... uh huh!!!

This one scanned in a little dark for some reason... I used 2 castle photos here and then cropped some 'not so great' photos into small ones for this one. Magic Kingdom is aptly named!!

If you know my kids, you know that EATING is just not in their itinerary for the day. To get them to sit and eat ANYTHING is like pulling teeth from a live, very awake crocodile! I snapped a few photos of this very rare occasion to prove that they do, indeed, eat on occasion!!!

Visiting Animal Kingdom was a highlight of our Disney Vacation. The entire park is so well done. Each 'country' has such an authentic feel to it. I think it's my favourite park of all! Mackie LOVES birds and this guy caught her eye, so brilliantly green and polite too!

This round layout I did for a challenge. It was fun but I think I don't like the paper I chose! This was also at Animal Kingdom. Every day they have a parade and the girls were WILD about it! Minnie Mouse's safari truck was Ellie's FAVORITE part!!

Breakfast at Chef Mickey's was a TRUE adventure! I don't think there was much eating going on but I know there were LOTS of characters to see, giggle about and HUG! Pluto is one of Ellie's FAVORITES so this was definitely a highlight for her!

That's all for now........................

VIRGINIA!

2007-05-17T11:51:00.000-04:00

We decided to go to VA for a few days to hit the amusement parks! What a fun time we had! We first stopped in Maryland to visit the Aberdeen Proving Ground. Tanks, Tanks and MORE TANKS!!

Aberdeen Proving Ground Tanks, Tanks Tanks~!

When we got to the hotel, the 1st thing the girls did was get into their bathing suits. They were SO excited UNTIL we got down stairs and found that the POOL WAS CLOSED! *GASP* I had to quickly think of a distraction to dry those tears of disappointment! TO THE BEDS!! Normally I wouldn't allow this but since I was RIGHT there, I let them jump back and forth between the beds so I could snap some great airborne photos!!

Ellie Takes Flight~!

Mackie's Flyin' High~!

We drove to VA the next day, arriving WAY late. I was completely bummed out because we were supposed to meet my friend, Lissa and her son, Dalton for a park play date and dinner at around 4. Well, the traffic had OTHER plans for us and we didn't roll into town until after 9:30PM. Sadly, our meeting didn't work out this time . The traffic was INSANE. We were sitting on the road for HOURS.............. absolutely horrendous. NEVER EVER, EVER drive thru that area if you don't have to! EVER!!!
The next day we got up at and were ready to leave the hotel at 8AM. We drove to Busch Gardens and got an early start. It was nothing at ALL like the Florida Busch Gardens... but it was a nice day anyway!

Busch Gardens Fountain

Having fun in the fountain at the entrance of the park! FUN STUFF! The girls were ALL about getting wet!! If it was a water attraction, they were RIGHT THERE!

Ahh... the day was soooo busy and full of adventure and things to do and see, but the girls never give up an opportunity to stop and smell the flowers!!

Never miss the chance to stop and smell the flowers~!!

Most of the day was spent playing in this little 'water park' in the fountains.

There was a cute little section of the park that was all for pre-school aged kids. Though they mostly wanted to play in the water fountains all day, they did go on a couple of the rides. This one was particularly cute!

Little Dragon Flume~!

This was the favourite spot for the day! It was a cute little area with little fountains to splash about in. The girls played here most of the day!

FOUNTAIN FUN~!

Lil Fishy~!

The next day we got up early and checked out of the hotel in Williamsburg and headed north towards Richmond. We spent the day at King's Dominion amusement park. We really enjoyed this place! The girls were SO excited that there were characters to meet and take pictures with!

DORA THE EXPLORER~!

Diego and Dora~!

There was a cute little set up where you could get your photo taken 'in' the Mystery Machine!

Mystery machine!~

There was such a cute area to go 'meet' BLUE from 'Blue's Clues'! It was indoors and a little dark but it was airconditioned :) SMART!!

Meeting Blue~!

Though ALL of the areas of this park were adorable and fun, the HIGHLIGHT of the trip for the girls was, most definitely, meeting SPONGEBOB and PATRICK!!

Spongebob Squarepants and Patrick Star~!

Spongebob and Patrick~!

Rain, Rain Go Away!!

2007-04-27T17:40:00.000-04:00

It's been raining HARD here lately. Our part of NJ is constantly in the News. (Bound Brook, NJ and Manville, NJ) go take a peek if you have a minute.

About 2 weeks ago, Bound Brook had flooding over 6 feet on Main Street. 100s of people and businesses were, literally, washed into ruin. This has happened before ( Hurricane Floyd) but I guess you can just never be prepared for such a catastrophe. We had a few dry days, but nothing long enough to let the canal levels go down again so this rain storm, last night into today, has once again, flooded Bound Brook and parts of Millstone and Manville. Our town is the next town up from there and we're a little higher up from the Canal. We're not flooded here but our town is sort of an island, so to speak, since the roads surrounding us are flooded and we're sorta stuck here. (National Guard mans the flood zones and doesn't let anyone drive thru it. Yes. People are actually STUPID enough to drive thru the deep water. NOT smart, lemme tell ya! )

I didn't realize that it had flooded again until I got to the girl's school this morning and the parking lot had about 4 inches of water flooding it. There were only 3 cars there, so by deduction, I figured it out... No School today. I sure wish I had known that before I got SOAKED while herding the girls into the car and into their car seats this morning. I was completely drenched and cold and just not in the best mood.
I was supposed to pick up my friend's dog to watch her this weekend at around 11AM but I decided to skip over there and get the dog before the roads got flooded and the traffic got horrendous. I got home around 9:45 and we haven't left the house, nor will we!
I have made myself comfy at my scrapbooking table, the girls are playing nicely with the dogs, Legos, Blocks, Playdoh and My Little Ponies!
It's been a great day to be creative!

And the winner is....................

2007-04-25T13:07:00.000-04:00

CONGRATULATIONS PAULINE!!

I will be running another contest soon so keep your eyes peeled!!

Lotsa Layouts!!

2007-04-23T07:43:00.000-04:00

I have been scrapping, quite a lot lately. Over the past 2 months I have scrapped MORE than I had in the past 2 years. Here are a few recent layouts.

SCRAPBOOKING SKETCH CHALLENGE

2007-04-16T10:14:00.000-04:00

Ok! This one's for a PRIZE from ME! (Something new and fun from PRIMA!)
Let's get scrappin'! I want you to scrap a page, using my sketch here, and then post it on your blog. Please post me a comment so that I can visit your blog and leave a comment.
I will put each participant's name in a bucket and have my daughter draw a name next Tuesday. You have week to complete the challenge!
Here's the sketch..... Click on the sketch for a larger version.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!

{Studio Friday}

2007-04-15T08:29:00.000-04:00

SF topic for April 13th

Part IV of the new Studio Friday mini series looked at from an artist's perspective in a different angle and light: "The Seven Deadly Sins"
This week's topic for Friday April 13th: Sin #4: SLOTH!
How do you fail to utilize your gift and talents? How do you feel at those moments? Are you unwilling to act? Is it that you are afraid? What is really going on? How can a few simple steps change you? What do you need for that happen?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This is an interesting take on this one this week! I had never thought of the '7 deadly sins' from an artist's viewpoint before... it's a very neat perspective!!
I don't think that I fail to utilize my abilities though I do feel that I have let opportunity pass me by once or twice without jumping on the bandwagon. I am not competitive though I do love a challenge and a lot of my best work has been created under pressure.
I am not unwilling to act nor am I afraid. I love that my craft is one which is only a hobby and that I can do at my will. I wouldn't want to HAVE to do it for my livelihood or else it would become more of a chore and I know I would procrastinate and put it off. Scrapbooking is my favourite thing to do with MY time. It's my relaxation, my down-time and my time to just let go and create with wild abandon!
There's no sloth here!!

I've been tagged!

2007-04-13T07:51:00.000-04:00

I've been tagged!

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog! OK, here goes:

1. I tend to procrastinate

2. I love writing. I love it more than almost everything else.

3. I am going to the Memories Expo today

4. I am not big on reading. I'd rather play a video game.

5. I'm a perfectionist...it has to be done right and perfectly or I'm just not happy. (Me too!)

6. I am infatuated with laguages and dialects.

7. My husband and own and operate a traveling WW2 Museum. We are constantly adding to and searching for the perfect site to give it a permanent home.

I tag Laura, Jax, Tracie, Emily, Beth, Raven and Michelle

~Bad Habits~

2007-04-12T16:25:00.000-04:00

We all have bad habits. Some of us are easier to recognize and admit it than others. I am one who's upfront about that sort of thing with myself. There's no use in being in denial. It doesn't do you any good.

The 1st step to starting to correct a bad habit is to admit it to yourself.

I am a nail-biter. I hate it. I would LOVE to have gorgeous, natural nails. I have always been a nail biter. It never really was an issue really, before my kids were old enough to question me about it. I'd either go get my nails done ( acrylics and polish) or I'd do them myself with those wicked, evil stick-ons that hurt like HELL if you caught your nail on something and bent it back..... *OUCH!*

Lately, my 5 year old has been noticing that I bite my nails. I've caught her and my 3 year old emulating me and I don't want them to fall into the dark, ugly habit that is nail biting!!

The 2nd step is to make yourself aware when that habit creeps up on you.........

That's a lot easier to write than it is to put to practice. Bad habits come at us from all directions. Some are done out of nervous energy and some out of boredom; some show up when we're watching a scary movie or waiting in line in anticipation of a roller coaster. In other words, these bad habits feed the pleasure seeking part of our brains. We have to become aware of these times and replace them with another action. Some people have incredible willpower. My dad was one of those people. Once he made up his mind to do something, he stood, steadfast and didn't falter. I wish I had received that from his genetics, rather than my short stature! HA!!
For me, willpower is just not an option. I haven't got a drop.

The 3rd Step is the solution
Now that we're aware of the bad habit. What can we do about it? How can we replace that habit with something that will equally feed the pleasure seeking part of the brain? Now, for each of us, this can and probably will be different. Some people put nasty-tasting nail polish on their nails and some will chew gum or suck a lollipop. None of those things work for me. I am not a gum person and I can't stand hard candy. I am still seeking a solution that will work for me. The nasty nail polish works to an extent.... maybe I'll be persistent with that........

What's a bad habit of yours?

A Tuesday Venting Session

2007-04-10T22:42:00.000-04:00

Pre-Schoolers. Little beasties, hell bent on pushing your every button.

"May I have gum?"
"No, Mackie. It's bedtime."
"Please?"
"No, Mackie, It's bedtime."
"Why?"
"Because it's 7:30 and it's bedtime, Mackie"
"But I want gum. I need gum, I NEED GUM!"
"Tomorrow you may have gum Mackie, go brush your teeth, it's bedtime."
"PLEASE, Mommy?"
"No Mackie. I am getting angry. Just go brush your teeth. The quicker you get to bed the faster morning comes. And tomorrow you may have a piece of gum."
"Mommy, what time is it?"
"It's almost 7:30; Bedtime."
"Isn't Midnight tomorrow, Mommy?"
"Yes. Please, Mackie stop talking and go brush your teeth."
"Well......if Midnight is tomorrow, can I have gum at midnight?"
"No, Mackie, you may not have gum at midnight."
"WHY? You said I can have gum tomorrow. Midnight is tomorrow. So I can have gum at Midnight."
Mackie, EVERYONE is in bed at midnight. Even the dogs are sleeping."
"But Mommy, you have an alarm clock. You can wake me up at midnight and I can have gum."
"We don't set our alarms to wake us up to have gum."
"Why?"
Mackie, please. Go brush your teeth."
"Well.. if you let me have gum, the gum would have already cleaned my teeth!"

**She has only had sugarless gum, which, on tv has claimed to 'clean teeth'. She remembers everything and finds loopholes where ever she can. The conversation took all of about a minute but while we were having it, it seemed to take HOURS. With every response I made, she came back at me with another..... she is a master at this. She knows what pushes my buttons. She LOVES to get me riled at bedtime!! It makes me CRAZY!!!!!
The conversation ended with her last comment. She cracks me up, infuriates me and makes me wanna pull all my hair out, all in the same second!

Spring Fever!

2007-04-10T06:51:00.000-04:00

Since the arrival of Spring, I have been incredibly organized. I've cleaned off my craft table and gotten some of my scrapbooking stuff out of storage. I have been really in the zone, creating lots of fun layouts! Too bad I can't be as organized and excited about cleaning the house! LOL!!

This photo was taken in the Fall of '06 at the Brandywine Battlefield in Chadds Ford, PA. We are out there, quite frequently, house hunting! We LOVE this town!!! I created these layouts for a design team challenge for Scrapbooking Moments In Time.

This next one is of my 5 year old (at the time of the photo she was 4). We were at Sesame Place a lot during the summer of 2006. The girls were marveling at a flower garden that was there. I was able to steal a few close-ups of them as they were exploring, completely oblivious to my existence. The scan makes the photo appear dark, but it's not actually dark at all.

This is one of my 3 year old (at the time of the photo she was only 2). This was taken at Sesame Place as well, in the same flower garden. I love that they were completely engrossed in the flowers and ignored my wild, picture taking, antics!

Going for Greatness

Arlington Twilight Convention!!

So proud of you Emersyn!!

Merry Christmas

Proud of my Hubby and Father in Law!

Isle Esme

Congratulations to my husband and his father

Foundation Funds 65 Novel Ideas to Improve Global Health, From Vaccines Delivered in Local Cuisine to Blankets of Light for Jaundiced Newborns

Researchers from 16 countries selected to explore concepts for new health technologies

About Grand Challenges Explorations

Fall Foliage!!

Stage 1 of Halloween Decorating...

John Basilone Parade 26 Sept, 2010

My Friend Vicky is soooo sick :(

Coke 1944

Fire And Ice Photos Necklace Give Away contest!

Sooo it went like this...

First Day of School!

FUN DAY today at The Cullens Online!

Writer's Block Can Get A Little Frustrating

My iPhone!

On the blog again....

All I want for...

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Halloween 2008!

It's the LAST DAY of JULY!

Parades!

A Kick-Start into Summer!

Lil Fuzzy Pom

Mobile blogger

Back in the scrappin' saddle!

Gators and Turtles and Snakes, OH MY!

Therapy Dog in Training

Weather Woes!

Scrapgarden's Blog Challenge for today

Spring

Whoa.. I scrapped!

Mommy, can we keep him? Oh CAN WE??

Scrapdragon Creative Team Call!!

Look at this cuteness!!!

Back in the Saddle!

Didn't Disappear....

Back from Disney World!

Almost 2008!

Almost 2008....

The Witching Hour

Mini Shopping Carts for Kids!

December? What ? Already?

Fall Photo Shoot!

Hair Do or Don't?

New Camera!

Temper Tantrum!!

Boo to you and you and you and you! Happy Halloween!

Halloween Art!

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!

Scrapdragon!

Turtle Back Zoo!

October!

FINALLY!

It's a 1944 Willy's MB

I've been scrappin' a little...........

Claws N Paws Animal Park

Insectropolis

Scrapdragons Challenge #3 ~ "Mix It Up!"

A Visit to the Aquarium

Send in the Marines!!

Studio Friday - August 17th, 2007

Scrapdragon Challenge #2

A day at the beach!

Challenge 8 issued by A True Friend A Priceless Treasure blog!

I'm a Rockin' Girl Blogger!

Already August?!

All About Eve Challenge #3 - Escape

"What is that one place or one thing that makes you forget everything? Is it a trip abroad or in your mind? A chick flick? Shopping? Scrapbooking? That perfect piece of pie? Everyone has that one thing or that one place that makes everything else disappear. Tell us about it."

Studio Friday - Week of July 27, 2007

Siblings!

Sisterhood of Scrap - Challenge # 9 *UPDATE*

Gettin' Sketchy - Challenge #15

"A True Friend" Blog Challenge

Challenge 7

Sisterhood of Scrap - Challenge # 9 UPDATE

CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST

SCRAPBOOKING SKETCH CHALLENGE

~Bad Habits~