Behind the Scenes

A very long and exhausting weekend

This weekend was a very busy one for our family. John played in a softball tournament and Steven tagged along with him. Mackenzie and i were at the Association Meet. Saturday was a very long day......7am arrival time and I think we were home at 8pm. Then back again Sunday morning at 8:30am till about 2pm. Note to self......don't schedule a blood draw on the day before a synchro meet. On a positive note.......the weather was absolutely beautiful. Low 70's. Why we live in the Valley of the Sun. Here's a quick picture of Mackenzie and her awards. She had a pretty decent meet. She came in 5th in figures, 1st in team, 2nd in duet and 4th in Trio. Still can't figure out why she is swimming where she is for trio.......but it wasn't my decision. Enough said.

Don't have many pics from the weekend because Sunday I drove off without the camera or video camera as welll as my wallet. Smart move eh?

So I'm off to work for a little R&R. haha!

Why is it that some days.....

even though you try very hard to get something done, you feel no sense of accomplishment? That's how I feel today. I did get my butt out of bed to exercise (just barely). I was very tired and had to force myself to drive to the gym. Then I forgot to sign in for cycle, the class was full and when the instructor asked if someone forgot to sign in......I had to admit I was the bird brain.

Steven had the lens fall out of his glasses today and I did manage to get him over to the eye doctor and have them repaired. Also scheduled a check up for him because he thinks his eyes might be getting worse......not good.

Also scheduled an appointment for Mackenzie and I to go check out the IB program at Westwood High School for next year. My neighbors son is transferring out of Mesa High and into Westwood on Friday because they aren't happy with what Mesa High has to offer. I told Mackenzie to keep an open mind. We'll see if Westwood's program seems like a good fit for her or not. I would just like to feel comfortable that she will head off to college with the basics under her belt. So far, I haven't felt she's been academically challenged.

That is it as far as getting things done around this joint.

Since I'm really trying to post every day I thought I would share a picture of Steven's cherry tomatoes that are finally turning red.

Tuesday's Accomplishments

Well, I'm feeling pretty good about what I've accomplished this morning......

1. Weight class

2. 3 loads of laundry

3. cleaned three bathrooms

4. Banking

5. e-mails answered

6. Checked out new phones at Alltel (sure wish I was on another plan!)

Now I'm heading off to school to review some paperwork for approval. Then pick up my children, head to the ortho with Mackenzie, finish mowing my back yard and hoping to get a bit more time to knit. Guess I'd better throw making dinner in there somewhere. LOL

Today is another beautiful day outside. My flowers are totally enjoying the weather. Here's a picture of what they look like today. 

 

 

My latest Creation

As some of you know I've been trying to learn to knit and it's not necessarily an easy task due to being left handed. So, I've been watching videos on you-tube and going to the knitters club. For the last few months I've done nothing but make wash clothes for newborns. Well, I've actually graduated and am now making baby hats. This is my first one and I'm darn proud of it!

 

My long term goal is to be able to knit Christmas stocking for the rest of my family similar to the ones my Great Aunt Net used to make when I was a child. We'll see how I progress this year:)

Trying out a new Layout

Thought it might spur on my posting if I had a calendar to fill. So here goes a shot at posting a photo a day. I need to start getting back to taking more photos of radom things that make me happy:).

Here's a picture from the Chicken Chili I made earlier this week. I got the recipe off of Cathy Zielske's site.  All of us agree this dish is to die for!!! It's also very healthy for you. Now that's a great combo if you ask me!

Tonight we are heading over to the Vogt's for a little homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs. Steven has been requesting this dish from me and heck I'm not Italian......I don't do meatballs. So Debbie, bless her heart, is taking care of my son's needs!

Where did the week go?

I was doing so good on posting daily and then just fell off the wagon. This week flew by and I'm staring a busy weekend in the face. I did manage to get a little stampin in this week on Tuesday when Jackie and Piot came over. I have three new cards and am very proud of the fact I used two Papertrey sets that I'd never used. Here are the cards I made.     

Last night I went to see John Legend with Karrie and Tara. It was fabulous!

Then this morning instead of going to the gym I hiked with Piot, Jackie and Dena on South Mountain. Can't believe how beautiful this weather is!! 77 degrees is hard to beat in January.

Happy Monday Everyone!

Even though I didn't sleep well at all last night between the Hubs snoring and hot flashes....I'm trying to remain positive.  Here's a little something to brighten your day and then I need to fly out the door.

It's all about the scraps!!!

Mackenzie and I were busy in the office yesterday afternoon before we headed off to the Gully's for dinner. She needed to get some more service hours completed. I agreed to get a bunch of my scrap paper out and let her go to town with making more baby cards. Here's some of the designs she came up with.
I did end up helping her cut and fold the card bases but then I went on to create my own cards from scraps i had laying around. Here's one of the cards I made.
We had a fun time over at the Gully house.We participated in a white elephant exchange and had a good time fighting over gifts! We ended up coming home with some movie tickets, itunes gift card, battery operated wine opener and something else that doesn't come to mind......gosh am I getting old! Short term memory is suffering. We also played some Euchre and watched a slide show of the recent Gully trip in the Bahamas. Jackie got some fantastic pictures and video of the girls. Sounds like everyone had a good time except maybe the trip was a bit long for the girls. No cell phone or internet for 2 weeks!!! Ah, what a life.

Rachel and Mackenzie also entertained us by dressing up in all Riley and Jenna's old dance costumes. I can't wait to see those pics!

Off to read a bit more of my book and then maybe stamp a little more:)

Off to read a bit more of my book and then maybe stamp a little more:)

Happy Birthday Miss Sydney Pasternak!!!!

Hope your day is filled with lots of family, fun and of course food!

Karrie's Reject

This little card is one of Karrie's rejects. The poor little Quackers didn't know what hit them when Karrie decided she didn't want to use them on her card anymore. So, I moved right in and made my own card design with them.

Aren't they cute? Pucker up!!!! Thanks for coloring them in Karrie:)