Aqua Flamingo

my poor bloggy...

I have been neglecting her so.

The past few weeks have been such a whirlwind of sicknesses and activities. I can't believe how time has flown by.

I was sick for a week with some mystery illness. Something that just makes you tired and headachy. And that same week was parent teacher conferences at school for 3 of the 5 in school.

My fifth grader had 2 cello recitals. One was with the school's orchestra and the other with the Orchestra Camp he went to. He played so well. He's trying hard on this cello thing. I'm so happy he hasn't given it up.

 

Thanksgiving week was so busy!

I had to get shopping for t-day dinner done before the kids were out for break. So, Monday and Tuesday were booked solid with running errands.

Then the kids were at home. We hung out playing XBOX and Wii.

T-day I felt like a cafeteria worker. I swear just for our family I had to make like 10 different things to make sure everyone had something they liked to eat. It was such a busy day. But everyone had a good time. I made the kids watch the best Thanksgiving movie ever ~~~ Planes, Trains, & Automobiles. That movie is truly a classic. And so freakin' funny!

Friday... Black Friday... Yes, I went out this year. Only to Target though. I got some great gifts for the kids (thankfully my oldest went with me and helped out). We did get everything on our list. Stopped at Starbucks for a Salted Caramel Hot Choc & and a Peppermint Mocha. Picked up breakfast. And was home for the rest of the day.

Did I mention that I was so worried about getting one gift, that I woke up at 2 in the morning? I did. I wound up watching Married with Children on TBS. And it hit me... When I was talking with one of my friends last week, I came across a headline on yahoo about a place having it's first ever Black Friday sale. So, I turned on big jumbo (the desktop 'puter) and went to the site and found exactly what I was looking for! So, I ordered it! And was so relieved! (Great thinking for me on 2 hours of sleep!)

Friday night/Saturday morning it was snowing! We woke up to wonderful snow!

The kids all went out and played in the back yard for a bit. Then they came in for hot choc. We decided to go out and go sledding. We drove around until we found a great spot. Sledding was tough though because the snow was really wet. But, I don't think anyone cared.

 

Sunday it was snowing even more. I went through all of the ads and decided to go out and hit the stores. I was glad I did. Not only were the stores so empty, I got most of everything on my list. Only one place was out of their limited item. (I think because those ebay selfishers went out and bought them all. The $6 items are going for $30 on ebay. CRAZY!)

Then later that evening, we all went to see Bolt. We saw the 3D version. That movie was so cute! (LOVE the pigeons!) And the 3D was awesome! Even my preschooler (the youngest) kept grabbing out in front of herself to try to touch the stuff. And she cried at a few parts of the movie. It was so sweet.

And, I have a sneak for the next challenge over at The Pretty Committee...

 

Gee, I wonder if you can tell it's Holiday/Christmas related?

;)

Later.

Talking on...

Well, since I didn't get to talk about some of the things I wanted to yesterday, I'll just continue on today...

1) I went to see Tropic Thunder about a week ago. I liked the movie. It was definitely funny in certain parts, but no so funny in others. Everyone is right about Tom Cruise being good in this movie. I think my favorite part overall wasthe very beginning. Oh, and definitely Tobey Maguire. I still giggle at the part he was in. SO FUNNY! Ben Stiller was great, and so was Jack Black. It was great fun to see a movie poke fun at the whole idea of making movies. I was surprised that I even liked Matthew McConaughey in this movie.

2) True Blood anyone? Am I the only one catching this on HBO? I can't get it out of my mind. 2 shows in, and I just want to see what's next. This was one that I was not expecting to like (especially since it will run at the same time as Dexter in a few weeks), but I can't stop watching.

3) I am excited about the Office & 30 Rock coming up in a few weeks. I was a little disappointed about the shows that are coming out this season. There really aren't any new ones that are a must watch for me. And only a few that I loved to watch are actually coming back this year.

4) My oldest daughter started choir last week. She has been singing around the house like a crazy songbird.

5) Fall is settling in here. The weather has been so nice and pretty. Definitely headed out to the park. Perfect for playing outside.

5 1/2) I'm starting to feel in the mood for Halloween. The kids are deciding on whether they want to get a cotume and trick~or~treat... or... do they want to stay home, watch scary movies make caramel apples and homemade candy. I guess it just depends on what the weather is like. At least that's what they are saying right now. I HATE last minute hallow~shopping. The costumes are all the wrong sizes, the good candy to give out is gone, nothing much is left the days before. I am trying to talk them into deciding sooner than later.

So, now that I have managed to ramble on about nothing much, I just want to share the newest l/o that I did this morning. I did this for my vacation album. (I used the Sept Dozen's kit)

{are we all here?}
 

The flowers I put on pop dots. I don't know why I felt the need, but they are pretty.
   

I have no idea why the stitches came out in different size zigzags. It's weird. Shows how much I know (not) about sewing with a machine.

Now, I think I need to update my galleries and I'm still thinking about my new banner. I like the aqua~ish color, but to do what I'm thinking, I may need to change that. Oh well...

Later...

So, How was everyone's holiday?

We had such a busy week.

We went and saw Wall*E.  How absolutely cute is that movie? I LOVED IT! And what a weenie I am... I cried.  But it was just so sweet, how could you not???

I saw quite a few DVDs and DVR recordings...

Be Kind, Rewind... It was nothing like I thought it would be. NOTHING!!!  It had it's moments. I am not totally in love with this one, but it was a different story and I would watch it again.

Mr Brooks... WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!!  TOTALLY!!!!  I loved this movie. Not just because DC was in it. He was awesome, but the story... The story was so good! Unexpected things happened. With being an avid movie watcher, I tend to expect certain things to happen. I jumped 3 times. It was the BEST movie I have seen in quite a while... Well, in the psychological thriller genre. OMG THE BEST EVER!!!

I am so disappointed in the judges choices in who goes to the finals in Last Comic Standing. Why do they omit the totally funny people and put on such clunkers???  At least this year there are a few I am happy to see make it, but most of the choices just SUCK!!!

I've started watching Sheer Genius. It's that summer void that drives me to watch shows I may not normally watch. I really hope that they require something outrageous for a do. And again, some of the people the are choosing just don't ring for me. (I cannot believe I get so mad at these shows sometimes.)

We finally got a grill and some outdoor furniture. It was our celebritory splurge for selling the house. I am so happy to be grillin' again. We had some cook out (about 5 times in the past week). And eating outside is so nice when you don't have bugs constantly flying in your face or on your food. Another thing I don't miss about TX.

Fireworks... we parked ourselves on top of the hill that we went sledding on last January. It has such a great view of about 210▫. from that vantage point, we got to see about 6 private shows and 8 public shows. It's just awesome seeing all of the works. I even got to use setting's on my camera that I had never used before. I got some AWESOME shots of the fireworks. So, I'll share a few today instead of sharing some layouts that I should probably turn in for something...

 

I love that I discovered that camera setting. These are only a few of the 80+ that I took. Well, I am off to take the oldest to his job.. Oh, yeah, he started working at the movie theater last week... How cool is that first job?... Later all!

Catching Up... Pt 3

And hopefully the last of this vacation post series. And hopefully I can fit in a few layouts as well.

Well, while in TX it was hot!  And oh so windy! It was hovering around 100. On the weather, we would see back at home temps (highs) around 68 with rain on and off. Not fair!!!

So, WInston did not deal with the heat well! He hung out on the tile and under the bench outside. He did feel free to make a pig of himself. He ate my parent's dog's food. I think this boy gained about 15 #s while on vacation.

Stinky on the other hand, enjoyed the heat. He loved being outside and not freezing to pieces.

Friday, I went to the GASC in Arlington. It was fun. I love shopping, and am really proud I didn't buy much. But, at the same time I was a little disappointed. Most of the booths this year were die cut/laser cut pages. And, not so many deals on things. Definitely emptier than in years past. And less vendor, too. I was sort of bummed.

So, while I was in Arlington, the hubby took the kids over to the park before it got too hot. And as usual, the kids loved playing.

I'm glad he took pics for me.
















Later that evening, we had a marshmallow roast.






















Ok, the funny story about the squirrell.

















Stinky was out one morning and noticed a squirrell on the fence. He started barking (which is not usual for this scardey cat).  The squirrell looked at him like "You're kidding, right?" So, after about 5 minutes of being barked at, the squirrell ran off down the fence. Well, Stinky got an attitude like he was da' bomb. He went around prancing and treating everything like he was the boss of it. So, after a few hours of putting up with that inflated ego of his, we had had it. When we took him back out, he was wandering near my mom's dog (who's a rottie by the way). We signaled for him to bark right when Stinky was almost next to him. Well, that bark sent Stinky running for what he thought was dear life. He was definitely knocked off his high horse. It was funny to watch him flatten his ears and run off to hide.

I won't bore you all with the almost non-story return home. The pics aren't even anything new really.

So, what happened to me while I was on vacation...

Maybe aliens zapped my creativity part of the brain??? Maybe something seeped into my head while at the convention??? Maybe it's all the stress of what's going on that has come back when we returned???

My scrapping layouts are being a little non-artistic for me.  It's something weird for me. These style of layouts are ones I haven't done in years. Definitely off for me.

I got some October Afternoon papers and stamps. The deers are so cute here I couldn't resist. But this is my newest layout...

{barefoot in the grass}






















Not like my usual self at all. The pic coordinates with the paper. It's not overly embellished nor drawn on. It's really rather simple, and I feel it's complete. Odd for me, Right???

BUT WAIT THERE"S MORE!

This is another one I did. I used some old AC (American Crafts), Piggy Tales, and Making Memories papers. This one is so basic and simple. And weird for me to do. Really weird. But, I like it. I got to tell the story I wanted to.

{cute kid, crappy car}






















And then...

I used the reverse of the deer paper (blue grid portions), and some newer paper scraps. I took some puppy stamps and stamped tone-on-tone paw prints and puppies. Then added a rub on border, title, and little tiny speaking bubble. So not like me as well.

{dean-a-rino fund}






















It looks good. I'm pretty happy with the results. I just cannot believe that there's not much decorating or doodling. I did outline the rub on border, but that's it.  Another odd one for me...

But, before I left, I was doing this...

{diet coke plus}

I used some of the new Cosmo Cricket (well from CHA-W new). Looks so cute and just so much eye candy and details.

Here's a close-up of the swirl and sparkles (that I glued on one by one).
















Then another close-up of Michelle Clement's stamp I used on a note pad and cut out. (PS how cute is that piggy?)

















And the last before layout I could get on here...

{future artist}






















Very colorful! Very doodley! Very bright! and oh so cutesy!!!

This is me... er, well... was me. I'm not sure if I have changed permanently or not. Not sure what to think about my new vs. old creations.

You all let me know what you think. As I'm not quite sure what to think.

Later!

Catching up... part 2

  SO... Picking up pretty much where we left off...

The kids were all excited about staying in a hotel! (Just look at my middle girl's face...)



The next morning we were out and off to TX. We stopped in Tatum, NM to refuel the car (almost didn't make it because the moron husband did not listen when I told him to gas up before we left Roswell.) In Tatum, their street signs were so cool! Just iron cut outs and the street name. I wanted to take pictures of every sign, but again husband in tow, so I could only capture 3 with my camera.

After gasing up, we drove through a part of NM that looked even more desert like with sand dunes everywhere. Supposedly there's a lake and parks behind all that sand.

















We finally hit the red clay of west TX. Nothing exists out there but the clay and the sky.



We did see a few dust devils. (I over saturated and arrowed the pic so hopefully you all can see one of them.)






















Nora spotted a Dean-a-rino on a water tower in a tiny town. So, I took a picture of it for her.


















I got really thirsty and was really tired of drinking water. I wanted something flavored. So, I made On-the-Road lemonade.  It's basically 4-6 lemondrops and a bottle of water. Just shake until drops are dissolved. It really makes the perfect faux lemoande. Just the perfect amount of sweet and sour!






















The new sight seeing tour in West TX ahould be seeing the wind farms. Lots & lots of windfarms.

















We fianlly made it to my mom's house. We unloaded the family. Not long after we got there, my brother showed up with his new baby... My nephew... The kids' cousin!  The girls just adored their baby cousin!!! If they could have brought him home, they would have.  I think he was fascinated with them. He loved looking at everyone ohh-ing and ahh-ing over him. But, as babies do, they always find something new within minutes to hold their attention...






















And no exception here...

He loved his hand!

















That definitely didn't deter the girls from doting on him. They all took turns on feeding him bottles.

 





















OK, I still have more pics for part 3. For some reason when I get more than 10 pics on here, TypePad goes crazy. (That's how I lost my last post).  Hopefully tomorrowI can finish up with part 3. I also have some layouts I want to post... And I'm sure when you all see them, you all will think I didn't do them at all. Everything I have done since returning is so not like my normal self.

Hasta!

Catching Up... part 1

Ok, I'm going to try this post again. I lost the entire long post last night, after it was all typed. Color me MAD !!!

SO... The past few weeks have been so full for us. We had a Kindergartner graduate.  She was so proud of herself. The teacher would ask each child what they wanted to be when they grow up. So when it was her turn, she answered "ARTIST!" It was the cutest thing.

Then, we had a Continuation Ceremony for our 6th grader. He is so excited about 7th grade next year. He can't wait to start cooking and play soccer.

Then, we decided to take a family excursion. We drove down to Roswell NM. I know it's not the number one tourist destination, but the boys really wanted to see the place where the aliens [supposedly] crashed. So, since it was on the way to our final destination... sort of in a round-a-bout sort of way... we were on the way.

WARNING...THIS IS THE PART WHERE IT GETS PICTURE HEAVY!!!!

Just checking that everyone was ready to hit the road.

 

The kids at a rest stop in NM.

I know he's looking a little car sick, but he didn't get sick once the whole trip! GOOD BOY!!!!

The only trees seen in the desert... Windmills!

The view at my feet... (I was really bored!)

















Wind Blown























Pretty much what almost all of New Mexico looks like...

















I'm writing a scathing letter to Google Maps. From where we were it was supposed to be 19.2 miles to a right turn. At 19.2 miles exactly there was a right turn. We turned onto an almost no lane road. A road that eventually turned into a dirt road... A private dirt road... one with a sign reading that trespassers will be shot on sight... so we turned around fast!

The dirt road...

Well, the path less traveled had a few neat things to get pictures of...

Among them was an old stone barn...

















And an aluminum church






















We took a detour through Las Vegas...

Las Vegas, New Mexico that is.

A view through the sunroof of my van. (again, I was really bored!)

















We finally hit the edge of Roswell. There was an alien there to greet us on the Sam's Club fence.






















Roswell New Mexico!  It's a tiny little town. It was hot as Hades at 107 that day. Aliens everywhere in the little down town area. It was sad to see that so many things there had been let go. That little town with it's 50s style downtown area, was just screaming to be revitalized. We did enjoy all of the alien & UFO things though.

We definitely were in the...






















There were aliens hanging out on the awnings of businesses...























The lighposts were aliens in disguise...

















There were some cute little shops...











































OK, so it's not alien related, but I could not resist taking a picture of the bright pink dog grooming studio...














Then the oddest name for a BBQ joint I have ever come across...

















Even the Arby's welcomes visitors of all kinds...






















Just a piece of the wall mural at McDonalds...

















Me with the kids...















There were also a ton of really cool old buildings around town. But with the spouse in-tow, there was really no opportunity to get any great pictures.

















So the story goes...

There was a UFO crash...

















There were aliens found and captured...
















Then they were autopsied...
















There were a lot of really neat metal work statues around town. This is my favorite...






















Then to end the day we cooled off with some alien cola...






















That is all for the NM part of our trip. I'll post other pics from the rest of the trip later. And I really apologize for the oddness of this post. Typepad has apparently changed everything around so even my pics and journaling don't line up correctly.

Later all!