Precious Moments Remembered

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

2011-03-17T12:25:00.000-04:00

I am feeling good today!! I have been creating and it feels stinking good! Here is what I did!! I can't believe all the curls in Max's hair!! I miss them so much! Now he wants a mohawk...nope...I am so mean because I won't let him do it! I have also been playing with Cricut which up until now has been sitting on my table totally unused. Well I have been having lots of fun using a new cartridge making lots and lots of flowers. I need a little spring in my life and nothing says spring like flowers. Planning out a project to use with them and I am excited to see how it comes out. I just need to keep this creating thing going because Abby's graduation will be here before I know it and I need to scrap lots of her pics!!

Getting Back on Track

2011-01-26T13:04:00.000-05:00

I have not blogged in forever. I have not really created in forever either. But there is a really good reason for me being so absent. On July 28 2010 I had surgery to remove a 24 lb. tumor. Yes you read that right! I had a tumor on my right ovary that grew to be 24 pounds and another smaller tumor on my left ovary. So consequently they removed the tumors and just about everything else too. People ask me all the time how did I not realize I had such a large tumor in my abdomen. I can't honestly say how I didn't realize it. I just thought I was fat....very fat. But when I started losing weight I just couldn't lose it in my stomach. I was frustrated but just decided to work that much harder on the abs. You wouldn't believe the number of crunches I did in a day!! My doctor said that because I lost so much weight the tumor had no place to go anymore and started to cause all sorts of pain. Thus the trip to the emergency room and a very rushed surgery to remove it. At first they believed that it was cancerous and let me tell you that was one very difficult night to live through...the not knowing was unbelievably scary. But by the grace of God it was not malignant and I was 24 pounds lighter in a wink of an eye. Ok not quite a wink because it took about 4 hours for the surgery to be complete but you know what I mean. I feel wonderful....better than I have felt in a long long time. Now I know that things I had been feeling were related to the tumor...lovingly named Gertrude by my husband. I have been working very hard to continue with my weight loss and to exercise every single day. I even joined a Zumba class! Now that is a hysterical sight to see. But it is fun to be with friends and laugh (alot).

Since I am feeling better and trying to resume to a normal life (normal for me that is) I am hoping to get that creative bug again and start doing what I love to do the most. I have made several cards and have lots of ideas...I just need to get past the hump and actually do it. Hence the reason I am posting today. Maybe this will be the spark that I need to get my butt in gear. It's funny too because in the weeks before my surgery, my husband totally redid my creative space. I had just about had it all finished and organized before the surgery and I was so excited to get in there and work. I laugh now because I hardly remember where I put things and everyday I am finding new things. It's almost like Christmas. Here are some pictures of the room....before I put any of my stuff inside:)

I am just hoping that I can get back to where I was....just a little afraid that when they took "Gertrude" out that they also took my "mojo" Let's hope not!!!

Graduation Day!!

2010-06-25T07:21:00.000-04:00

So tonight this little guy...who if you all know him...isn't so little anymore, will be graduating! It is a bittersweet time for me because I just can't believe that 18 years with him have gone by so fast! He makes me so very proud in all facets of his life. I truly love what he has become...the man that he has become. I pray that Drew and I have taught him well....to go on to this next journey and become all that he hopes to be. May he never forget to keep dreaming and may he never forget to keep God in his life! I love this guy so very, very much! I will miss him deeply while he is away. But I know that this is life and this is what life is all about. Love them, teach them, guide them and let them go when it is their time to fly!

Congratulations Andrew Thomas Pingitore! You will go far....we just know it!! You make us so very proud and we love you so very much!!

OOPS!!!

2010-05-20T11:58:00.000-04:00

So I didn't keep good on my resolution to keep up this blog and ummmm....the creating has been a little on the sparse side as well but I DID MANAGE TO LOSE 50 POUNDS!!!! That wasn't even a resolution I had made and it hasn't all been since the new year....more like the last 9 months or so but.... I DID IT!!! I kind of got all wrapped up in the weight loss and exercise that I forgot to keep up with the other stuff. However, this week I realized that Drew will be graduating in a little over a month and I seriously need to get some of his scrapping done!! It was nice to have some new pictures to work with from the prom and his beautiful girlfriend Anna. So this layout is of them dancing at the prom. The other layout was absolutely inspired by a song on the TV yesterday morning....Smile. I know it isn't a layout of Andrew Thomas but hey when you get inspired you get inspired. I think it kind of turned out neat....I took it of Drew while we were on the beach in Myrtle Beach. He thinks he looks like a walrus but he was very touched by the layout nonetheless!! So hopefully this will be the start of a whirlwind scrapping spree for me so that I can put a dent into all of those pictures of Andrew Thomas.

Life has been busy and there is way too much to try and catch everybody up on but lets just say that life has been very good for us. Andrew Thomas will be attending Washington and Jefferson College in the fall and playing football. A life long dream of his is about to be realized! I am going to miss him like crazy but I am not allowing myself to wallow at the moment. Too many things to do and cherish before that time comes!

Maddie is doing very well too....she works too much and has put a lot of pressure on herself this year but she finished up her junior year at UofR and I can't even believe that I am saying this...."I have a senior in college!!" I certainly don't feel old enough for that...but it is true!!

Abby is finishing up her junior year and doing quite well too I might add. She will be my senior in high school girl next year...can't believe that one either!!

Max is Max....doing quite well in school, finally learning how to write neat and growing like a weed!! He is going to miss his big brother more than anyone so we will have to make sure his days are quite full next year so he doesn't realize it so much!

Thanks for checking in and for those of you who kept pestering about some new stuff...I hope you like it!!

Happy Birthday to Me and Thank you Mom!

2010-01-14T11:12:00.000-05:00

So today I am 41....I don't feel 41 and I don't feel at all bad that I have made it to the 40+ ers as my husband informed me this morning. I am embracing a new year of life and I am going to enjoy all that it brings my way! I get a little sad though thinking that the woman who gave me life is no longer here with me to celebrate but I am always thankful for what she gave me and still gives me today as everything that I am is because of her!

What I am I doing to celebrate this day...well, I haven't really thought about that yet. The kids are so busy with school and extras and as always money is a little tight after the holidays so I really don't want to go out to eat and waste money or sabotage my diet. I know that my sweetheart is going to make me a cake with his new mixer from Christmas and I am a bit excited about that. Other than that I think it will be a quiet night at home with my family whenever they get home and a Sabres game. Maybe even pop some popcorn! Oh and maybe even some special hot cocoa. I don't need a lot to make me happy!!

Saturday though I am going to get my hair done. It is a long awaited reward for getting something taken care of last year that I had put off way too long. SO I am going to get my hair cut....I am thinking short because right now it is down to my butt and the only way I can stand to wear it is a pony tail. So I am thinking of going drastically different! Let's see if I have the guts to do it!

And I have been faithful with my resolution of creating everyday. I have started a long term project of a beautiful afghan in a creamy oh so soft yarn. It is done up in little 4x4 squares of which I have to make a ton of! Then painstakingly sew them all together. I usually just crochet one piece afghans so this is something different for me but I really think the end result will be so worth the work!! I also scrapped this adorable photo of my cousins daughter and grandson. When I received it in their Christmas card this year I just knew that I had to scrap it. And....I am thinking of opening an ETSY store. I had been very successful on EBAY when I had my store but I just needed a break and ended up closing it. This time I am looking more at making embellishments and little pieces for scrapbooking rather than the larger projects that took so much time and stressed me out. I am still not sure but I am in the thinking process of it now. I will have to research further to see if it would really be worthwhile.

So I thank you for stopping by today and I hope that you have a wonderful day filled with many blessings! The sun is shining here and we are over 30 degrees...God is really smiling down on me today!!

I Remember How To Scrapbook!!

2010-01-07T12:02:00.003-05:00

Oh My!! It has been so long since I have created a layout! I felt so rusty at first but I think I finally got myself in tune with my inner creative me! I had this picture of Max and Abby sitting on my desk for months...I loved the picture...their tan faces, the warm sand background. It was a fitting picture to scrap after the nasty weather this past week and the cold and snow....and a long time away from sun and warm and sand!! That is why I named it...."Dreaming of those Summer Days" I have to say too that I was inspired to create this because I actually got onto Coordinates Collections yesterday for the first time in forever and found their "In with the new and out with the old" challenge. Use something new and something old....I have plenty of old and I just so happened to go to JoAnn's after Christmas and picked up these pretty papers from K&Company. So I finished a layout, completed a challenge and actually posted it on my blog. How is that for keeping up with my New Year's resolutions?

As for the weather...it has been quiet yesterday and today but I guess some snow is coming later tonight and tomorrow. I really don't know how much because they never get it right so we all just wait and see what the day brings with it. I know my poor brother and sister out west are getting hammered again. I have asked them to please keep it there or at least send it in a different direction but somehow I don't think that all of my pleading will work. It is beautiful and It WILL Melt...keep telling myself that so I keep a happy disposition!!

And....for any of you who are thinking about getting the Wii Fit Plus....DO IT? Oh my gosh I have never had so much fun exercising. I have even lost a couple of pounds (not just using the wii, but through diet and walking as well) but it is a lot of fun, it makes sure that you keep balanced so you use your core muscles and even though it is kind of mean and gave me a chubby mii.....I think that it is a great tool for working out (especially when there is 3 feet of snow outside!) Here is to getting a much leaner and fit mii really soon!!

Have a great day people...hope you are all keeping your resolutions too!!

Too Much Too Fast!!

2010-01-05T11:26:00.003-05:00

This is our Christmas tree that just put outside the morning of the storm...by nightfall you couldn't see any of it!
My picnic table is under there somewhere...today you can't even see that there is anything there!

I really thought that we were going to have such an easy winter this year. I mean we didn't have hardly any snow fall during November or December. And I laughed because my brother in Nebraska and my sister in Kansas had far more snow then we did which is pretty unusual. But alas, I joked too soon and we were hit this past weekend with more than 3 feet of snow in my backyard. And to this day it is still falling although not as much but definitely filling up the driveway yet again. I am not a fan of snow or should I say cold weather...I am just so much happier when it is 80+ and sunny but I am not going to let it get me down this year. It is beautiful to look outside in the back where it has been untouched and it is so pretty to watch it fall outside the window...kind of like I am in a snow globe. SO I am going to enjoy the beauty of it for now and try to remember that eventually it will melt!!

I have been having fun cleaning and organizing the house now that the kids and hubby are back in school. I am getting rid of junk and lots of it. I don't need this much stuff and I really need to declutter for my sanity! The snowy weather has made it easy to stay inside and get these things done. I have also made good on my resolution of creating everyday. So far it has been crocheted dishcloths. Not sure why I picked this for my first project of the year but I did need new ones and it has been fun to make my own. Saves a little money too and I know that they will last a bit longer then the ones you buy in the stores. Today I am even thinking of getting in my scrap room and getting some layouts done or at least starting the process. I have to find some space first cause ummm....that room was used as a catch all over the holidays. But I am grabbing my garbage bag and heading in!!

The end of a year....the beginning of a new decade

2009-12-31T07:54:00.003-05:00

The entire Pingitore crew minus Maddie (breaks my heart!)
The Pingitore siblings....a recreation of one done when they were little
Andrew Thomas and his football buddies with their awards for the awesome football season
Max the Builder!
Maddie, Doug and Sabrina....such a beautiful picture!!

So I have seriously been neglectful with keeping up on my blog. Well, a new year and new resolutions. These are resolutions that I plan on keeping and actually succeeding with. Creating everyday, keeping up with my blog, keeping up with my family through phone calls and letters and of course continuing on with our quest for better health and making sure we get those 35g of fiber everyday!!

Our Christmas was wonderful...albeit a bit different this year. Our first without Maddie. I did pretty good until she sent me a Christmas card that made me cry for about a day!! But...she is doing so well in her new life and I am so proud of her that it helps to take the sting out of her growing up on me! She has been doing well with school and her full time job as a resident counselor for Heritage Christian Centers. I think God has led her exactly where she needs to be at this moment. We were also blessed to finally meet a very special person in her life...Doug and his daughter Sabrina. We have heard so much about these two and it is so nice to finally know them and have them a part of the family.

Andrew Thomas is recovering nicely from his surgery. He is doing very well at PT and the doctor believes that he will make a full recovery and be at 100% in time for baseball this year. And he will definitely be good to go for his college football career wherever that may be. Many coaches recruiting him, which is exciting but difficult all at the same time. I am hoping that after his overnights with a few of the colleges one of them will jump out at him and he will know in his heart where he wants to go. Not only to play but to learn as the learning is the most important part!!

Abigail had a great season in volleyball this past year and she continues on with her JAVA travel team. She has an amazing spike and it is so much fun to watch her play. We keep hoping she will want to continue to play in college but she has just not decided yet if that is the way she would like to go. We shall see what happens after this years JAVA and of course her senior season next year.

Max is doing well too...he is very smart and loves to learn. He does however need to slow down when he writes as his handwriting is a bit atrocious! He is also not the neatest colorer in town but hey...he has other things on his mind. As Abby says "he doesn't like to be limited by lines" So I guess we will go with that one!! Hopefully over this break we will teach him to tie his shoes...we have been a bit remiss about that one as it is just so much easier to do it ourselves as we are running out the door to get to the many places we need to be. Fingers, toes and laces crossed on this one!!

Drew has had a great year as well. He continues to be an amazing teacher to his many, many students. It is so much fun to hear the kids talk about him and to know what a positive influence he has had on so many. He has also been officially published. His book hit the printers this past month after ummmm...many, many, many months of it being a work in progress with the publishing company. Not sure how successful the book will be but it is pretty exciting to be married to a published author!!

I have been well this past year too. It is a bittersweet year because it is Andrew's senior year and so many things will change and then following right after will be Abby's. But I need to remember to embrace these changes and look forward to the new things we will have in our life. Growing is always a good thing....I need to keep that in mind when I am feeling a bit blue.

There are so many things to talk about as we wrap up this year but I feel like I would be typing forever to get them all down. So instead I will just share a few pictures and promise that this year I will keep up on things a bit better!!

I am so bad!!!!

2009-09-23T12:09:00.002-04:00

I can't believe that my last update was way back in August!! We have been so busy with life this past month that I just haven't had a moment to spare to write in my blog. So sad!! But I have reclaimed some of my life back now that the kids are squared away in school, the bathroom is almost completed and most of my house has been scrubbed clean of summertime wear and tear! I have even printed out some pictures to scrap later today which is something that I have not done in a long, long time!!

Quick updates...the football season for the boys has been off to quite a great start! They are currently 3-0 and hope to remain with the wins after this saturday's game against Gowanda. It has been so much fun and I have enjoyed cheering these boys on so much this season...knowing that it will be the last is bittersweet but we are trying to enjoy and savor every moment that comes!!

Volleyball is so much better this year than last year....Abigail has become quite an amazing little player for our team. She remains one of the top offensive players and has an amazing spike that people keep commenting on...I guess she does it an unusual way which is very hot according to coaches. I always knew she had it in her she just needed the chance to show everybody!! The coach is the same and although she is a bit more improved as far as learning the game of VB she has still a long way to go to learn how to deal with teenage girls. This has caused a lot of drama on the team but I am hoping the girls all learn how to deal with this and continue on playing as good as they are. They have only one league loss so far and we are a pretty damn good team if they keep their heads about them!!

Max loves first grade!! He is doing very well...needs to be a little neater with his writing skills but he is working on it!! He even received his very first 100% on his very first spelling test last week. Makes a momma proud!!

Ok...now that I made the first step in updating my blog I am going to go work in my scraproom and create...FINALLY! Thanks for stopping by!!

Happy Sweet 16 Abby!!

2009-08-17T10:53:00.004-04:00

My baby girl is 16 years old today!! Unbelievable to me...seriously...where did my peanut go? So later on we are off to the DMV so she can get her permit and then dinner out somewhere of her choice. She is thinking Ruby Tuesday's...hope she sticks with that because it is one of my favorites!!

This past weekend we spent up in Olcott Beach at my brother Kerry's cabin. He took us all out on his amazing charter boat so we could catch some "big" fish!! It was such a wonderful weekend. Kevin, my other brother, the kids, Andrew and I plus our neices Margaret and Kelsie and nephew David all went. Aside from having to get up at the ungodly hour of 4AM!!!! to get on the boat we certainly enjoyed the experience. Margaret and Kevin were the big winners of the day with the largest fish over all. Max by far caught the cutest little fish. And David, well, he happened to be the one that lost the most fish...three to be exact. But he pulled it together after his sister caught hers and he was able to reel one in....a bit...okay a lot smaller than his sister but who cares....teheheheee. So I just want to say thank you to my amazing big brother Kerry who owns the Overboard Charters for giving us all such a wonderful experience on Lake Ontario. The kids are already talking about going again!! Oh and we grilled some of the catch of the day and it was awesome!! Can't get any fresher than that!!

We have a Winner x's Two!!

2009-08-03T10:18:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to get on here this morning and announce the winners to my blog giveaway! They did such a great job on their layouts and I am so happy that I was able to spur them on to get so many done!! The winners are ALicia (Txscrapper) and Boydsscrapper!! Congratulations!! Please email me at jpingitor@earthlink.net with your addresses so that I can get your prizes out to you!! Thank you so much for playing along with me!! I am personally behind on my own challenge but ummm....the bathroom has been taking wayyy to long!!

I have a prayer request. My brother is in need of many prayers right now. So without going into details please pray for his strength and well being. It has been a rough weekend for us and prayers are very very welcome!

Thank you all!!

Still Here!!

2009-07-31T10:39:00.002-04:00

I am still here....we have been remodeling our bathroom...the only bathroom in the house! So it has been kind of a nightmare at times but I know that it is going to be so worth it in the end. Consequently I have not been creating...not doing much of anything but being a gopher for Andrew while he works. It is coming along quite well and even though there were a few days where we had to go to my sister Lisa's to shower and ummm well use the potty...it has been ok.

Have quite a few people signed up for my giveaway. Tomorrow midnight is the deadline to post your links to your projects. I am so excited to see what everybody has made. Hopefully when the bathroom crisis is over I can once again get into my scraproom and create.

Have a great day everybody and thanks for stopping by!!

Wednesday...Only Wednesday!!

2009-07-22T14:09:00.002-04:00

Okay...1 more down...only 16 left to go. I laughed so hard when the girls (Margaret is my niece) came out onto the deck where I was reading to show me how they passed some time while being bored. They were suppose to be frosting cupcakes but instead they frosted themselves! Those two...I can always count on them for giving me some scrapping material and inspiration.

Have a few people signed up for the blog giveaway. I have to tell you that it is really a neat feeling to look at what I already have and find ways to actually use it instead of wishing for other stuff. It has been refreshing!! I made my own flower embellishment for this layout and used letter stickers that I have had for awhile. I even used a brad!! I haven't used those in awhile. But everything is coordinated using Three Bugs in a Rug papers. Cute stuff!!

Tomorrow Drew comes home...Yeah!!

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to sign up for the giveaway if you are a scrapper!!

Blog Giveaway!!

2009-07-21T12:15:00.003-04:00

Okay all of my scrapping friends...I am having a blog giveaway. And believe me that I have a lot to giveaway in my scraproom...all fun stuff I can assure you!! I have imposed on myself a no buying restriction until I create 20 items from the stuff in my stash. My challenge to you all is to create at least 5 items from your stash by midnight August 1 ET. All you have to do is leave me a comment that you are in and then when you complete all of your items leave me another comment with a link to where they are. I will draw a random winner from all who participate.....the more who participate maybe...just maybe the more winners there will be!! Your projects can be anything...layouts, cards, altered items...anything...just don't buy anything new to create them. USE YOUR STASH!! So come on everybody...join in the fun!! Can't wait to see your creations!!

These three layouts are my first ones done during my "restriction" 3 down and only 17 more to go...woohoo!! Max's last day of kindergarten was so much fun. I had to do a layout about how they were finally able to go down the big slide now that they were first graders. A silly rule in the school that kindergarteners were not allowed to go on the big slide. I coordinated the two layouts to go together using the same papers and a similar theme when I created the picture of his classmates on the playground bridge. I love the papers that I used...Penny Lane from My Minds Eye. Thought they were perfect compliments to the playfulness of the pictures. The third layout is Max during his first field day. He had such a blast and was just so thrilled to have his brother and hero there to help with all of the festivities. His face is priceless...pure 100% boy! How could I resist scrapping that one?

Today is a rainy, icky day...seems we have one good day and then a week of ick. Sure makes me appreciate those good days even if they are few and far between. A good day to stay inside and create I suppose. And I guess I should be happy that God is watering my gardens for me today. One less thing that I have to do. We even skipped swimming lessons although I did hear that they were going to cancel them. I just wasn't about to sit on the wet cold beach.

2 more days and Drew comes home...missing that guy so much!!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you scrapper buddies of mine join in on my giveaway!!

I Won!!

2009-07-20T09:43:00.003-04:00

Bo Bunny was having giveaways on their blog all last week. They showed their new paper lines and you had to leave a comment and had a chance to win. I was so excited to be one of the lucky winners. I am receiving some of the new paper from the Kitchen Spice and Flutter collection. I seriously can't wait until it comes in. I am laughing though because I made myself be on another buying restriction (after cleaning up my scrap room and realizing that I have more stuff than a store!!) But I get new stuff anyways...for FREE! Can't beat that I suppose!!

Last night we walked to the playground at the school and I couldn't resist some picture taking moments. These are just a couple but I am sure that you will see the rest in some upcoming scrapbook pages. We had a great time and the sun was even shining finally...although it was kind of cool. But probably a great temperature for some heavy duty playing!!

Andrew Thomas left for football camp yesterday and won't be home until Thursday. The house is quiet and just keeps reminding me of how it is going to be after next summer when both he and Maddie are out of the house. Half way to being empty nesters I guess. Not sure how much I like that idea!!

Who Said Summer was for Relaxing?

2009-07-16T11:22:00.003-04:00

If I was hoping for life to settle down for the summer...I hoped wrong. But seriously I don't think that I would want it any other way. Too quickly life changes and so I am enjoying every bit of running around and being busy. Swimming lessons, baseball, weddings, volleyball, more baseball, shopping to keep food in the house for all of the kids that end up here....constantly moving!!

I did get to create however. I absolutely loved working with the August kit for Coordinates Collections. I can't share yet but I was really pleased with how everything came out. Her kits are amazing. Check them out if you are a scrapper!! I also made this canvas for another friend of Abby's. She liked the one that I did for Elysia so much that she has put in a few orders for her other friends birthdays. I loved this one...I am such a circle geek and I love all the Pink Paislee that I used on it. Just about everything was from Pink Paislee....love, love, love their stuff!!

Last weekend we went to a wedding reception for my nephew Colby. He was married in Indiana in June but they had a reception here in NY for everybody that was not able to make the wedding. Unfortunately we couldn't attend in Indiana because it was during crunch time here with school and baseball. They showed the video of the wedding and had a very yummy dinner afterward. My sister Linda and her husband Scott came up for the weekend from Kansas too attend. After we had a bonfire at our house complete with Pizza and Wings, S'mores and of course Gin and Tonics. We had to dodge a few rain drops and lightening strikes but it ended up being a very nice relaxing evening by the fire. We topped off the weekend by attending the "Fly In " breakfast at the Dunkirk airport with my dad, brothers and sisters. Max had a ball with all of the planes and he even had a chance to sit inside the Starflight helicopter. He wasn't exactly thrilled to do that though...I am not sure why it scared him. Hopefully he or any of us will never have to see that up close again.

We have also attended a couple of Jammers games and a Bison's game this summer too. I can't remember if I talked about that yet. But we have a ball watching baseball so everybody enjoys going and eating hot dogs and singing Take me out to the ball game!!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you get to enjoy this beautiful day!!

Happy 4th of July!!

2009-07-04T14:16:00.003-04:00

I hope that everybody has a safe and happy 4th of July!! We celebrated yesterday with Andrew's family and had fun in spite of the weather!! Today it is actually sunny so my smile has returned!! We even were surprised with a visit from Maddie and that made my smile even bigger!!

Thank you everybody who has made it so we can celebrate our independence today!! Everything that you do for our country is such a blessing to us all!!

I am so excited!!

2009-07-02T09:18:00.003-04:00

Abby and Kelsey at Kel's graduation ceremony
Andrew, Abby, Kayla and sweet Nana who was the foreign exchange student from Denmark this year. This was the last time the kids were going to see her and they were pretty sad!
Andrew and Nate at Nate's graduation party. Nate and Nana are dating and Nate is planning on moving to Denmark to go to college and be with her. How sweet is that?

Remember that I told you earlier this month that I submitted a layout to be considered for winning the Guest Designer Spot at Coordinates Collections? Well, I WON!! So I get to be the Guest Designer for August and I can't tell you how excited I am because I just love this site and I love Jamie's kits and I am honored to have been chosen!! I can't wait to get my kit and work on my designs!!

I also won the CPS card sketch blog last week as well and I received in the mail the cutest stamp sets from 2 Red Banana's as well as a bunch of ribbon!! I can't wait to work with these new stamps as well!! I guess I have plenty to keep me motivated and in the creating mood this month!!

I have had the opportunity to take lots of pictures this past week as well. With grad parties, graduation, a Jammers game (which was rained out) and a Bisons game which was also rain delayed...not having much luck in the baseball department here lately due to all of our crappy weather!! But at least we have been busy and trying to enjoy the start of summer even though it really doesn't feel like it with the rain and chilly temps!!

I also spent yesterday accomplishing something that I have wanted to master for forever it seems. I have been crocheting since I was a little girl. My Grandma Mary taught me and I enjoy making blankets, especially baby blankets. I never did get to learn how to knit though and it has bothered me quite a bit. I have tried several times to teach myself and just didn't get it. Well, with a new found determination and a pretty cool website: Knitting Help, I think that I have finally figured out the casting on part and the knit stitch. Maybe today if I feel brave enough I will try and conquer the purl stitch. Now I certainly am not ready to follow a pattern and make anything of substance but it feels good to know that I have figured this out for the most part and hopefully can continue on and learn how to knit a pair of socks. That is my goal for this year...to knit a pair of socks!!

My Little Graduate!!

2009-06-23T13:29:00.002-04:00

Can you believe it? This little man is officially a kindergarten graduate!! It seems so unreal to me how fast this year truly has flown by. It seems just like yesterday that I was putting him on the bus for the very first time!! Now he is a seasoned student who loves school and thinks that riding the bus is the best thing ever!! Now I will have to think of plenty of things to keep this guy occupied this summer. Thankfully he loves to read so I am sure we will be making plenty of trips to the library!! First grade here we come!! Look out Mrs. Scudder!!

CPS 120 Two Posts in one day!!

2009-06-19T13:11:00.003-04:00

I decided to make Elysia's birthday card using this weeks sketch from Card Positioning Systems. This is sketch #120. I used all of the papers and embellies that I used in the canvas layout so that it would coordinate. It also used up my scraps which always makes me happy!! Okay, now I am off to wrap the gift and get it ready for the party!!

A Few Things to Share

2009-06-19T09:08:00.003-04:00

This is a canvas layout that I made for Abby's friend Elysia for her 16th birthday. I am so pleased with how it turned out. Elysia and her family have been friends of ours for a long time!! When Elysia was 9 her mother, my very good friend, was killed in an automobile accident 2 days before Christmas. She has faced to much in her life and yet she always has a positive attitude and is really quite an inspiration. I hope she likes this canvas...I wanted to showcase the friendship between the two of them!!

In my last post I mentioned that Andrew would be receiving an award at the Spring Sports banquet. I am pleased to tell you that he received the Holley-Brunson Memorial Award which is given for dedication, leadership, sacrifice and cooperation. We are so proud of him for winning this very special award!!

We finally have a boys 16-18 baseball league started this year. Last night was their first game and although they didn't win they really played very well. Our team is made up mostly of the Cassadaga Cougar team with a few other players from around the county. The team we played last night was made up of all All Star baseball players from the county. So they were an exceptionally good team. It was really cool to see our guys hold their own...even without a single practice before hand!!

School will be wrapping up for good next week. Abby and Andrew have one more exam on Tuesday. Max graduates from kindergarten on Tuesday as well but his official last day is Thursday. Andrew (hubby) has his last day on Thursday too. So then we can officially ring in SUMMER!! I sure hope that the weather gets back on track though because the last few days have been terribly rainy and chilly! I want SUMMER! I want SUN! I want HEAT! Is that too much to ask for?

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you all have a great day!!

Creating again and it feels so good!

2009-06-10T13:12:00.003-04:00

For the Card Positioning Systems Blog Challenge 119 and....For a sketch challenge over at Coordinates Collections

It feels so good to actually be working creatively again. Here is to hoping that there is plenty more to come and that my creative drought is over!! Just in time for the summer right...where it is hard sometimes to get myself to stay inside the house but hey, if it means that I have to carry my stuff outside to the picnic table then by golly I will do just that!!

Nothing else is happening around here today except we have the Spring Sports Awards banquet to go to tonight. Andrew Thomas is suppose to win some award but he isn't suppose to know about that and we have no idea what it is either. We just got a letter from the school saying to please have him there. Guess I will have to let you all know tomorrow what it is.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Things are Winding Down

2009-06-09T08:55:00.003-04:00

His first roller coaster ride!
He just loved the paddle boats...of course he spent most of the time trying to get his friends wet!!
Driving all by himself this year!!
With one of his "girlfriends"

The school year is just about over...My Lord, where did it go? It just seems like yesterday that I was putting Max on the bus for the first time ever...now he is mere days away from becoming a first grader!! Andrew and Abby have just 5 full days left of school and then their wonderful regents exams to take the following week. Max graduates from kindergarten on the 23rd but his official last day of school is the 25th. We know who is teacher is going to be next year and I am thrilled to pieces because she was the other kids teacher too. I just love her!!

Last week I went with Max's kindergarten class to Midway Park and he had the absolute best time ever! I did however learn that my son is quite the ladies man! He spent a lot of time with the girls!! He was also able to drive the Bumper Car all by himself this year..imagine that...he is tall enough to reach the pedals. Let us just say that I am very thankful that there are quite a few years yet before he will be able to drive an actual car...he wasn't the greatest at steering quite yet!!

Abby joined a Sand Volleyball league this summer and her first game was last night. She just loved it!! I keep telling her that she could be the next Misty May....wouldn't that be a hoot!!

The sun is shining today and I am very happy about that! I have some weeding to do in the gardens and then I may just pull up a chair in the sun and read and relax and enjoy my peace and quiet before all heck breaks loose next week when everybody and their friends are all here!!

A Heartbreaking End to the Season!

2009-06-02T09:27:00.003-04:00

Well, I had hoped to be sharing the news that we were moving on in the playoffs but...unfortunately the Cougar Curse reared its ugly head in the final inning of the game last night. This was such a heartbreaking loss for the boys...I can't even begin to describe how much it hurt to see these boys lose this game. And the kicker of it was...they had it...they had it...but then they just fell apart. I can't even explain how that happened because it just was so unreal. So things are quiet around the house...not many smiles coming from Andrew Thomas. And as we left the game last night I said "Next year guys" but the real kicker is that we have only one more "Next Year" as this great group of boys who deserve so much will all be seniors. That can just tug at your heart strings just a little bit. But, we need to put things in perspective...it is just a game....and it is what it is. Maybe in a little while the boys will all realize this and move on and quite possibly learn something from all of it. Here is to hoping and praying it doesn't take them too long to do just that.

My friend Lisa Monacelli took this cute picture of Max at last weeks play off game. He truly is the coolest bat boy around...her words but I have to agree with her. No matter what sport is being played he somehow ends up being the "Team Mascot" It is really quite cute to watch him with the boys...he just looks up to them so much!!

This past weekend was the Prom. Andrew Thomas went stag with a bunch of his friends. Thankfully he really isn't into a particular girl at the moment (something I can do without for awhile...teheheee) They had a great time and after the Prom the school hosted an After Prom Party all night which is great because it keeps the kids off the roads and helps keep them safe. Andrew had fun at that too and came home with a $25 cash prize as well as 2 free Bison's Baseball Tickets. Pretty cool I think!!

I Finally Created!!

2009-05-29T13:32:00.002-04:00

So after weeks and weeks of not even picking up a piece of paper...I finally created a card for the Card Positioning Systems blog challenge this week using sketch 117. Now, I am not entirely thrilled with what I came up with but I AM THRILLED that I created something finally. Maybe this will be the start of my creative comeback. Here's crossing my fingers and toes on that one!!

We had a beautiful Memorial Day weekend. On Monday we went to the Allegheny State Park with mom and dad and our niece Margaret for a day of fishing, hiking (gone bad for the two girls!!) canoeing and eating. It was a beautiful albeit kind of chilly day and it was so nice to just relax and not do much of anything. Lots and lots of people were enjoying the park that day. Max caught two fish...more than anybody else. He wasn't so sure that he liked fishing before that though because he said you just stand here and can't move around at all. But after hooking that first fish of his I think he was "hooked" Yes, I know, bad pun but purely intended!! Grandpa also said that he was an expert paddler in the canoe...he was so cute!!

Tonight the baseball team is playing in the quaterfinals of the playoffs. On paper these boys should win without a hitch but sometimes they forget to bring their all when it comes down to these important games. I sure hope tonight is not one of those nights and they win so they can continue on. I guess I will be crossing my fingers and toes for this too and saying lots and lots of prayers.

Other than that things have been really quiet here. Just trying to get my plants planted and finish up things that I want to do outside for the summer months. We had so many days of beautiful weather that I became completely spoiled. Fortunately for our gardens though we did get a bit of rain the last couple of days and even a few nasty thunderstorms. I wasn't happy to be stuck inside but it was much needed so I am not complaining!!

Thanks for stopping by today and I am promising not to be so much of a stranger anymore!!

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-23T10:29:00.003-04:00

I love this weekend....yes because I believe that we should all take the time to remember, thank and pray for our military...both past, present and future. Because of them we are allowed so much that we have in our amazing country.

This weekend also is a special because it begins all of the fun summer time activities that I so long for after such a long and hard winter!! Planting gardens, spending time outdoors, bon fires and being with the family outside enjoying the beauty that God has provided!!

We have been busy here in NY....baseball is now into the playoffs...hopefully we will have many more games to play....as long as they win we keep on playing. Andrew and his friends Dan and BJ spent an amazing day in Cincinnati at the Bengals stadium last week for a football combine. They enjoyed themselves and had a chance to "strut their stuff" for their future college coaches. We have been getting many, many calls and letters from colleges all over the country interested in Andrew. It is exciting but overwhelming all at the same time. It makes me tear up just a bit knowing that next year is his last year here at home and after that....who knows but God what life will hold for him. I am excited and sad all at the same time!

Our weather has been just plain gorgeous here this past week and I have spent many hours outside in my gardens. Hoping to get out and buy some plants to put in today. But of course we are always busy and always on the go so I am not sure just how much I will be able to get done today.

I have not created in a long, long time...I did however print out a picture that I am mulling a layout over in my head. Hopefully I will be spurred to create...I can't explain the emptiness it causes me when I can't get myself create. I am sure it is much like a writer who isn't able to put words to paper. I sure hope it goes away soon!!

Have a great weekend and enjoy your time with family. Remember to hug a veteran and give them a big thank you!!

Where to Begin!!

2009-05-12T12:57:00.003-04:00

It has been a long time since I blogged last. Too long!! I just took a lot longer to recover from my incident then initially thought. Hopefully I am on the mend now and soon I can wake up without any sort of ailment!!

I don't know where to begin so I guess I will just start with Mother's Day. I had a wonderful day from start to finish....I woke up to my hubby's famous pancakes and went to sleep when the day was done with my son's awesome cheesecake in my tummy! And everything in between was wonderful too. I did have a moment of sadness while sitting in church and seeing a little girl in front of me with the most beautiful gingham dress on. It had adorable pink buttons and she had adorable black mary janes on. Why would this make me sad? Because it reminded me of all of the pretty little dresses that my mom would make the girls and it just made me miss her so terribly much! I can't even begin to count how many dresses she must have made. Each one was a little piece of artwork....she was an amazing seamstress!! I still have hanging in my closet the very last dress that she ever made...Abby's First Communion dress...I don't have the heart or the gumption to ever put it away...it is a reminder to me of my mom and what an awesome mom she was. Eventually when the time is right I will give this dress to Abby for her own daughter to wear but for now it is a piece of my mom that I can't bear to give away.

Okay, I guess I got a little sidetracked there....We went to the Olive Garden with Andrew's family for dinner. The great grand parents, the grand parents and Drew's aunt and uncle from California. The biggest and best surprise was that Maddie drove down from Rochester to eat with us. I didn't even have a clue that the boys called her to tell her about it. That was a wonderful Mother's Day surprise for me!! Then of course because we were in the "big city" I was allowed to go to some craft stores and of course buy some new goodies!! Hopefully these new items will get me out of my crafty slump and help me get my butt in gear once again!!

On that note...I have a tiny little bit of exciting news...I won a layout contest for an online scrapbooking magazine!! You can click here to see the article. So my layout above has been published!! How cool is that!! This is a favorite layout of mine and it just warmed my heart that it was chosen. Made my crappy month just a little bit less crappy!!

I am going to go and create now in my newly cleaned and organized scrap room. Hopefully (fingers and toes crossed) I will have something new to share with you tomorrow!! Thanks for stopping by!!

An Update On Me....

2009-05-01T08:46:00.002-04:00

I have been terrible about posting since being back but I have a good excuse. I had not really felt well ever since being back from vacation...my sinus' were terrible and I was just not feeling like doing anything at all. Sunday my chin started swelling up and I had terrible pain in my mouth...of course I tried to treat these symptoms by myself because 1. I hate going to the doctor or dentist and 2. I hate being on antibiotics. Unfortunately though I was not very successful in curing my problem. I woke up Wednesday morning at 3am and my entire face from chin to ear was swollen, I had terrible cold sweats and just felt like my brain was not working well at all. I called my poor sister Lisa at 4am (don't ask me why I just didn't go upstairs and wake up Drew...cause I just don't know why I didn't) She came over and took one look at my face and marched upstairs to wake Drew up and have him take me to the emergency room. So off we go and...well...my sinus infection decided to take up residence in my gum area around a tooth that had been broken. The doctor decided that he needed to lance my gum to get the infection out...omg...I have never in all of my life seen anything so gross as the stuff that came out of my mouth!! But as gross as it was it was an immediate relief of pressure and pain. So he sent me home with some awesome pain pills and super strong antibiotics. I am starting to feel human again and I have learned that I need to not let a sinus infection go for as long as I did!! Scary, scary stuff!!

Consequently, I have not created in weeks and I have really not done much of anything except try to get through each day. We did celebrate Andrew Thomas' 17th birthday last week. Watched a bunch of baseball games for the boys...which their record is now 2 and 2 in t he league. And the weather last weekend was absolutely gorgeous here so we spent many hours outside working on the yard and the deck. I have to say that this is the first time we have ever been able to pressure wash and seal our deck in April!! Of course the weather since has been a bit dreary and rainy...little bit of sun but kind of cool temps. I just wish that summer would get here already!!

Thanks for stopping by and checking on me...have had lots of people wonder where I was and that kind of makes me feel pretty good!! Have a great May 1st!!

Home again....and sad about that!!

2009-04-20T13:09:00.003-04:00

This was what we woke up to every morning from our hotel room...gorgeous isn't it?
Soaking up some of that sun!!
Playing mini golf with the Oakes and Grandma and grandpa
waiting to go into Hooters....that was kind of a bust this time!

This is the front of our resort. We were on the 5th floor this year which was totally fine with me...the kids were not happy because they wanted to be higher!! Poor things!!
The boys are flying kites...kite flying is pretty awesome on the beach...you don't have to work too hard!!
Maddie, Abby and Max being cute on the beach!!
A little beach loving with Abby and Max.
Max blowing the bubbles that he got from the Easter bunny (yes the bunny found us!!) off of our balcony.

I am so sad that we are home....I just love the beach and it was so hard to pack up on Saturday and come back. We had such a relaxing time and enjoyed the days by the ocean and the sunny warm temps. We didn't do a lot of touristy things this year...mostly we stayed on the beach or at the ball games. We did get in a couple of nights of mini golf because Max wouldn't hear of not doing that!! All in all the trip was amazing and I am counting the days till we go again. I have warned my husband that as soon as he retires we are heading to the ocean to stay forever. So my goal in life now is to save enough for house on the beach!! (smile)

So I guess I need to try and get my bearings again and get back into a routine. It was hard to send everybody off to school this morning but I had lots of laundry and dog hair to take of today!! Hopefully I will get back into the swing of things soon!! By the way...our weather is crappy today here...what a stinking reality check!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope I didn't bore you with my pictures. I can't wait to scrap some of these!!

Snow, Packing and a Card

2009-04-07T13:43:00.002-04:00

So this morning we woke up to lots of snow! Not at all what I wanted to wake up to but it is what it is. You would think that after living my entire life in western NY that I would be used to this by now....apparently I am not!!

I did spend some time creating today and I made this card for the Card Positioning Systems blog...using sketch #110. This truly was a card made up of bits and pieces that I had laying around. It is so fun to see what you can make with what might just have been thrown away. I like how this one turned out alot...I am loving the yellows and oranges....it brightened up my mood since it is such a dreary snowy day.

I started to pack today...figured that there was absolutely no chance we were going to need to wear shorts and summery things this week so I might as well get them packed up. I thought that I was going to be good this year and limit what I take. Ummmm...that is really hard to do. I keep telling myself that we have a washer and dryer in the room and I can wash the clothes and wear them again but...it really isn't working. You just never know what you are going to need or better yet...what you are going to feel like wearing. Guys have it so easy and all they do is complain about how much we pack!! Hopefully I will figure out a good compromise or else I will be hearing about it when we pack up the van.

Thanks for stopping by today...I hope that you have sunshine where ever you are and if you do....think of me when you are outside in it!!

IC Sketches #10

2009-04-06T13:55:00.002-04:00

Just a super quick card that I did for Inspirational Card Sketches...nothing fancy and certainly nothing too exciting but I needed a quick card for a little boys birthday coming up and it is Max's best buddy who just happens to love frogs!! This is another great challenge blog with lots and lots of inspiration!! I will probably be spending more time over there too (smile)

Making Lists!!

2009-04-06T12:20:00.003-04:00

First off I just wanted to say toot toot!! The girls took first place in their final tournament yesterday!! What a way to end the season!! I am so proud of all of these girls...they really played hard and stuck at it through everything!! I am going to miss them all and I am looking forward to next year!!

Another cool thing that happened yesterday was....Most of you know that I am HUGE Sabres fan and yesterday who should be watching his daughter play in the same tournament that my daughter was playing in? Lindy Ruff...for those of you who don't know who he is...he is the Head Coach of the Sabres. I just thought that it was so cool that the guy I see on tv all the time was spending his Sunday the same way that I was!! I tried to get Max to go over and do what Max does with everybody because I figured then I might actually get to talk to the guy but Max chose yesterday to be shy for the very first time in his life!! He was even wearing his Sabres sweatshirt and everything. But he recognized who Lindy was and wanted to go over there but only if mommy went too...ummmm....nope!! Of course my father inlaw said that maybe he should be wearing a mask...Lindy that is...because the Sabres have all but lost any chance of making it to the playoffs this year. But I still love them...even if they make me cranky!!

Now as for my lists...I am a list maker and today I have about 20 of them going to get ready for the trip. I am always afraid I am going to forget something which is really kind of dumb because anything I forget I suppose we could just pick up while we are down there but....It is just the way that I am. I also have lists for sister who will be taking care of my animals and lists for the neighbors who will be watching the house. I am sure that they will all think that I am a little crazy but writing everything down really seems to settle my mind. We have decided (for which I am very grateful!!) that we are going to leave Friday and only drive about half way down then find a hotel to stay in overnight. This makes me feel so much better knowing we are breaking it up into two days....I think Max will be happier and I also think it will be more relaxed and won't take us a couple of days to recooperate. So that is the plan for today. Can you tell that I am getting excited!!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope everyone has a great day!! We have snow coming this afternoon and tonight...they are measuring this snowfall in quite a bit of inches...I so hope that they are wrong!! But remember...I told you this would happen because we took those darn snow tires off that darn van!!

Another Sketch Challenge and Some Weekend Fun

2009-04-04T05:36:00.003-04:00

This card was made using sketch #23 from 2 Sketches 4 You. The flower that I used actually came from a piece of lace and I just cut the flower off. I like how it turned out and of course....it will be used for one of the weddings coming up this summer! I was hoping to get another card done for another blog challenge but hubby came home yesterday early and well....that just kind of throws my days off...kwim?

Today the wrestlers are hosting a dodge ball tournament. So I am getting ready to spend the day selling concessions as well as praying that nobody gets hurt!! We did this last year and it ended up being a lot of fun and no injuries whatsoever but.....I still worry about broken bones and blood when you get a bunch of teenage boys together throwing balls at each other!!

Tomorrow we will be heading up to Buffalo for Abby's last tournament. Bright and early....7AM...not too happy about that but hey...it is the last one I suppose! Unfortunately our weather has taken quite a bit of a turn for the worse. We have snow in the forecast for this weekend as well as the beginning of next week. I am now more than ready to hit the road for some sunshine!! Less than a week and we take off....just can't wait.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you all have a super great Saturday!!

I May Just Be Addicted!!!

2009-04-01T12:03:00.003-04:00

To card challenge blogs that is!! I created this card today for the Card Patterns sketch#8 challenge. I at first thought that this would be an easy sketch but 2 hours later I am finally done with it. Not sure why it took me so long...I just kept switching things out and redoing everything. I think I like how it turned out....finally!! We have four weddings coming up this summer and I am getting my cards out of the way so that I am not frantically trying to come up with something on the day of each one. Maybe that is why I am enjoying these challenges so much!!

Yesterday the boys did end up having their baseball game. The weather was just beautiful...the field a little muddy as told by my son's white baseball pants when he was done. Who on earth would pick white baseball pants...I just don't think he was a woman!! They lost the game but it really wasn't that bad. This being one of the few times that they were actually playing outside on a baseball field and not inside a gym...it took a little time to get the kinks out. But by the end of the game their throws were right on, catching was awesome and they just kind of got it together. They are suppose to play again tonight but it is raining pretty horridly today. Still waiting to hear if it will be a go or not. I love baseball but even I don't like it when it rains!!

Abby's last practice for JAVA is tonight. She is kind of sad and I guess I have to admit that I am going to miss it as well. She has a tournament bright and early Sunday morning in Buffalo and this will be their last one for the season. I am pretty sure that she will be doing this again next year so we can look forward to that I guess.

Thanks for stopping by today...I hope you enjoy your day. I am off for a walk in the rain. It sure beats my walks in the snow that is for sure!!

Some Blog Challenge Cards

2009-03-31T13:10:00.003-04:00

This first card is for the Card Positioning Systems blog. I used sketch number 109. Four weeks in a row for me now...these card sketches are perfect and have really helped me to build up my card supply which I so desperately was in need of.

This next card I created for the Caardvarks Sketch challenge. I am so pleased with how this one turned out...mostly I guess because I used such pretty spring time papers from Making Memories. This is the first time that I have ever completed a challenge from this blog site. I look forward to doing more in the future!!
So see, I did spend some "me" time creating this morning. Now I have to finish up some laundry and get ready to head out to the first baseball game of the season...well that is if the snow from yesterday melted off the field and didn't leave it a muddy mess....teheheee

Tuesday....getting closer!!

2009-03-31T09:22:00.002-04:00

These are a few of the things that I created this weekend for the Coordinates Collection March Madness crop. There were a total of 7 challenges and I completed 5, which I was very proud of myself for getting done. I am usually a pretty slow scrapper because I change, rearrange, and rearrange some more before I actually commit things to paper. I did win a pretty cool RAK of stamps that I can't wait to get in the mail. All in all it was a fun weekend and I am glad that I was able to participate this time!!

Sunday we worked at the spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the boys tournament in Myrtle Beach. It was pretty successful and we ended up having lots of fun working. Max ate about 4 little cups of ice cream throughout the day so he was pretty happy. He also helped the boys serve up the dinners and take the tickets. He was so cute!!

Yesterday the kids had off of school and my sweet children spent their day off cleaning their bedrooms. I thought that was pretty cool...of course we woke up to snow yesterday morning so it really wasn't the best of days to do spring cleaning but hey...at least it is done for them and when the weather finally stays nice they won't have to think about it!!

We also went shopping this weekend for some new clothes for the beach. It is so hard to buy shorts, bathing suits and tank tops when there is still snow on the ground because you just can't imagine being able to wear them!! And it is a bit scary to ummmm see just how white we really are after such a long winter! The kids want to go tanning before we leave but I have never done that and just don't think it is necessary. Sorry guys...you will just have to put up with our very white skin for a couple of days until we get some color down on the beach! Thankfully we tan quickly and pretty easily so it should only take an afternoon in the sun to make us not look so freakish!! (smile) I did however have to invest in some industrial strength razors for the forest on my legs but I think after the first mowing I pretty much took care of that problem. Yes, I know too much information but it is a fact of life...I don't shave in the winter...I need the fur to keep me warm...teheheheee

I guess that is all for today....just waiting to hear about the van....she is at the doctors getting one last check up before we leave just to make sure she will be able to make the trip down. And of course we are taking the snow tires off today so I expect a major snowstorm sometime soon...isn't that just the way it goes? Hope not!!

Thanks for stopping by today...after all that cleaning yesterday I am going to spend some creating time today...need to make a few birthday cards...seems that April is a month filled with birthdays!!

CPS Sketch 108

2009-03-27T10:52:00.003-04:00

Boy I just may be on a roll....three weeks in a row I completed the card sketches over at Card Positioning Systems! I apologize profusely for the poor picture but I was in a hurry to get it uploaded.

Today is a gorgeous sunny day here in Cassadaga...I am hoping that it does actually warm up to almost 60 degrees like they said it would. I freed up most of my day so that I could work on the challenges over at Coordinates Collections so I am really excited to hear what the challenges are.

The Sabres play tonight and let me tell you...I am just going to be one crushed Sabres Fan if they can't get themselves into the playoffs...hear that guys...keep on winning cause I need you in the playoffs!!

Other than that...a very quiet day, hopefully a very quiet weekend and yes...only thirteen more days untill we leave!!

The Coordinates Collection Crop is today!!

2009-03-27T08:48:00.002-04:00

Just a reminder that Coordinates Collections is hosting their March Magic crop today. Lot of fun stuff going on over there...come on and check it out!! Jamie has some pretty awesome kits and the girls there are wonderful!!

Some Cards to Share....

2009-03-26T09:43:00.003-04:00

I have been working on some challenges for The Shaker Box this week. Linda is having a contest for everyone that completes all 7 challenges with a chance to win a RAK...I love RAK's so I am all over this one!! The Shaker Box is fast becoming a hopping site and I just love all of the ladies over there...so much inspiration. Stop on by and check us out...there is still time for you to get on this challenge this week!!

The first card I did was a challenge to make a window card....you can see through the punched circle that I have a tree stamped on the inside. The inside greeting says "It's Spring!" I thought that it turned out kind of cute but I have to admit....this is not how I invisioned it when I first started the darn thing. But you know how it is...go with the flow...right?

The second card was a recipe challenge where we had to use 2 patterned papers, a rub on, a flower, a button and thread or ribbon. I made my flower out of patterned paper, put a rub on flower in the center with button and thread to complete. I also used my Fiskars Threading Water punch on it too....love that thing!!

Well the countdown is on....14 days till we leave! I am so excited! Had a meeting last night with the coaches and the team. Have our game plan all laid out for the week. We play Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night at 8:30 pm...then from there it all depends on how we did with those games. I am happy that the games are at night because that gives us the days to have some fun. The boys just have to remember not to have too much fun so that they aren't ready for some baseball!! No sunburns and no hot tubs!!

This weekend the baseball team is putting on a spaghetti dinner to help defray the costs of the tournament. I hope that it is successful...so if you live around here....go on over to the Gerry Rodeo grounds Sunday at noon and get yourself some spaghetti and meatballs!! All homemade meatballs and sauce...can't wait!!

Thanks for stopping by today....I am cleaning my scrap room to get ready for a cyber crop over at Coordinates Collections this weekend. I am excited because it happens to fall on a pretty quiet weekend in this house...I am gonna get my scrap on!!

Too Stinking Cute!!

2009-03-24T13:45:00.002-04:00

Is Max just not too stinking cute in this picture? I found it this past week while looking through my older pictures. I didn't like the way he was not centered in the picture but I wanted to use it so badly cause of that sweet little face. I decided instead of cropping it I would cover the part of the picture I didn't like with my title. Something different I suppose. Not sure how I feel about the entire layout but that face is to die for don't ya think?

Our weekend is over...thank goodness. The recruiter meeting had to be rescheduled due to a conflict in both of our schedules. That is okay...at least my house was kind of cleaned in the process. The musical was amazing...the kids in our school are so talented! They put on the Children of Eden and Max was thrilled from beginning to end. This is the first musical that he has actually stayed awake for. Of course we did take him to the matinee just for that reason! But he absolutely loved it and clapped after every scene.

Volleyball was interesting. Of course we missed the first day because of the musical but Abby was able to pull off a late night party and still be amazing when she played. She truly has come a long way since JAVA started. Unfortunately the girls were taken out by a pretty hot team in the playoffs. Boy could those girls play....except for the fact that they were beating our girls they were fun to watch...so with it all the time!

This week is proving to be a quiet one and I have to say that I think I like that. I just have one meeting this week and then an entire weekend off. I think we are going to hit the stores to do some shopping for our trip. And at some point we need to have the van looked over once again before we drive down...I am a little nervous because our stinking check engine light is on and this time it won't turn off. I guess maybe we should have gotten a new car earlier but I really didn't want to have a car payment for awhile. I am just hoping that there is not anything major that needs to be done and that we make it down and back safely without any major breakdowns. I guess that I will be crossing my fingers and my toes on that one!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope everybody is enjoying the beautiful spring weather...at least here in NY!!

A few things on my mind today....

2009-03-20T13:34:00.003-04:00

First off...look what I got in the mail yesterday! My Coleman shirt!! I was so excited to receive it and so sad at the same time. Coleman is a little guy that I have been following for awhile now. He had cancer and he went through so much that it just sickens me to think about it. But his motto was Neva Give Up! (That is what it says on the other side of the shirt.) He passed away earlier this year. First thing I did when I opened the package was to kiss that sweet little face. Then I promptly started to cry and so desperately wanted to hold Max right then and there. Max and Coleman are the same age. After I gathered my wits I praised God that he was with Coleman right now...and Coleman was healed and no longer in any pain. He was free to be a little boy once again!! Coleman is going to the beach with me in a few weeks....and I will proudly wear his sweet little face!!

My second thing I want to mention today is of the political nature. Sorry if I offend anybody but I can't help it...I was truly offended by the remarks of our President of the United States....and believe me I now say that phrase loosely!! What he said about the special olympics was deplorable! Totally despicable!! And if the media just lets it slide by then they too are deplorable and despicable!! I can only imagine if it were President Bush that had said that and what a media circus that would have been!! I mean I seem to remember what a circus it was when a particular Vice President had a bit of difficulty with a potato!! The media wouldn't let up on that for months...well this is the president for goodness sake and for him to make such a low down cruel joke such as he did then he should be put through the wringer for it!! I will admit, I did not vote for the guy...my choice as I live in the United States...I will admit that I wanted ever so badly to hang my flag upside down outside my home the day after the election (A symbol that our country is in crisis for those of you who may not know that) and I will admit that I pray daily for the man and for our country so that no harm will be done in the next four years. But never, ever in my wildest dreams did I think that what he said would ever come out of that mouth of his. I will continue to pray for this...........not even sure what I want to call him anymore but believe me my prayers will be a sacrifice!! Sorry if I offended anybody.

Onto a brighter note...we will be meeting with NCAA recruiter tomorrow morning for Andrew Thomas. I have been frantically trying to clean the house...oh boy...well, it is what it is and I just hope and pray the guy isn't very observant (smile) Will let you all know how it goes later.

The kids have the musical this weekend and I have to tell you...I haven't seen my kids all week!! I will be glad when this thing is over. Sunday Abby will play volleyball in Jamestown for the big JAVA Spikefest!! She will have to miss Saturday because of the musical but hopefully she will be awake enough to play Sunday.

Thanks for stopping by today and hey if I made ya upset about my rant on Obama then I am sorry but it is what it is!! (smile)

Is it Thursday already?

2009-03-19T14:24:00.004-04:00

I am amazed at how fast this week has been going....ok...how fast this month has been going! I am happy though because the time to leave for Myrtle Beach is fast approaching!! Remind me of that when I start panicking because I am not ready!!

We have been hearing from lots and lots of different college coaches about Andrew Thomas recently. It is kind of exciting and kind of sad all at the same time. I am so excited to know that he might actually realize his goal of playing college football but I am sad because it means that he will be leaving soon. Ok...not for another year and a half but hey, I know pretty well how fast that time will go. So, I was spending time going through photos and found this one of him when he was 2. I knew right away what I wanted to do with it and here is the result:

He was such a skinny little thing when he was younger. Nobody would have expected then that he would grow to be as big and strong as he is now but besides his size I just always knew he would be an awesome athlete. I mean come on...his daddy had him throwing and catching footballs by the time he was 2. Still amazes me how well he did that young but like I said even then we knew he was going to be amazing!!

Grandma Snyder was taken to the hospital for a possible heart attack last night. They still don't know if she actually had one but will be running more tests. We will be heading out to see her after Drew gets home from work and we have the kids settled as far as the musical is concerned. So of course now we are pretty worried about her and are praying for the best.

I have much more to share and talk about but will be keeping this one short today so that I can get ready to go to the hospital.

Thanks for stopping today!!

Hello Spring!!

2009-03-16T12:14:00.003-04:00

The weather has been just spectacular this weekend and continues on into today. It put me in the mood to create a springy card for the latest Card Positioning Blog sketch. I made this card using sketch 107....see I told you that I would fast become addicted to this site!!

This past weekend we were actually able to work outside in the yard. I found my long lost Halloween decorations that were buried under the snow since that first storm way back in October. Some of them are pretty worse for wear but it really couldn't be helped considering that there has been mounds of snow on top of them since like forever (smile) We also managed to pick up most of the tree debris that was littering our lawn from the many wind storms we had as well. It is surprising to me that we have any branches left on our trees. We also managed to rid the yard of 6 months worth of Kody poop....I know...You really didn't need to read about that but it was sooooo bad this year...I mean seriously bad!! Max was thrilled because he was finally able to play out there instead of hearing...No, you can't go out there because it is too poopy!! The boys have been chirping about taking the snow tires off of the vehicles...I just giggled and shook my head...you know we have at least one more major storm coming before it is officially over right? I mean when have we ever had a March without a major snowstorm...can't thing of any myself so I really hope that they decide to wait just a bit before doing such a thing!!

Yesterday we took Maddie her car after the repairs were done. She was really pretty bummed that it cost about $600 but like I keep telling her....cars are like money pits and you just have to expect that. I just hope it doesn't continue to be a burden to her...I would really like her to have a positive experience with her first car...but who am I kidding...cars stink!!

This week is really busy for the Andrew and Abby...the school musical is this weekend with performances starting on Wednesday. They are both on the stage crew so they are behind the scenes...the unsung heroes of the performance...teheheheee. Abby also has a tournament this weekend but will only be able to play on Sunday...she is a bit worried about how well she will feel like playing after being at the cast party following Saturday night's performance. Hmmmm....it might be comical.

Thanks for stopping by today...I am heading outside to work in the yard again....woo hoo...it is nice to see the sunshine!!

I did something different today....CPS106

2009-03-13T13:09:00.006-04:00

I really love to blog hop and see all the inspiration that is out there. Especially when I am feeling not so creative. Today I stumbled upon a challenge blog...like I really need another challenge in my life...right? Well this was a card sketch from Card Positioning Systems and it totally caught my eye and I was inspired right there on the spot!! I so love when that happens. So here is the card that I created using sketch CPS106. I think that I am going to be spending lots more time over at that blog. Lots of fun stuff to see and inspire! And well, since I finished the card in time, I told myself to go ahead and link it up to their site to see if I could be the lucky winner. Who knows...it is Friday the 13th....could be my lucky day after all!!

Nothing to do this weekend!!

2009-03-12T12:12:00.003-04:00

It appears that this weekend will be a pretty quiet one! Thank goodness because I really need a weekend where we aren't running around. Although...the guys are going to have to make a trip into Rochester to return Maddie her car. Yep....she made it here the other night safe and sound. But we took her car to our mechanic so that he could get the inspection done and he found...of course you knew that there would be issues because this family and cars just don't get along...that she had a terrible gas leak. And of course when he tried to fix the hoses the rusty stuff under the car caused problems and well...it turned out to be more of a job then he could fix in a day. So poor Maddie went back to Rochester without her car...thank goodness for grandpa and grandma because they were able to get her back in time for work. It seems like the car will be finished by the weekend and that is why the boys are heading up there. Max and I will stay home though because he really isn't a fan of driving in the car for 4 hours. Hopefully the repair bill won't be too awful bad but of course we are more concerned with her having a safe car then anything else!!

I did scrap today...I have been making myself dig out my older pics because...well...I have boxes and boxes of them that need to be scrapped. Of course the layout I did the other day was a really old picture but this one isn't too awful old...2005. This was Max's first Burger King Kid's Meal. He was really more interested in the toy then the food and I guess I have to say that he still is like that today. We have yet to get him to try a hamburger or cheeseburger though. Only the chicken nuggets. He is not a fan of mixing up his foods either so I think that is why a sandwich doesn't interest him. Too funny. I have also taken up to doing a lot of my journaling for my layouts on the back. Sometimes the journaling just does not fit my design...but telling the story is very important to me. To be able to do both I figured writing on the back was the best bet. This way I can tell the whole story and not have to worry about space. I can also easily add that the pictures were from this date but I journaled it on this date. It just makes me feel a little better knowing that I am actually getting the story written. I know...I am babbling again.

Can you believe what a pumpkin he was? Sometimes I forget how precious his little face was. Of course he still has the most precious face but it is soooooo different now that he is a "Little Man"

Thanks for stopping by today. Tomorrow I will be posting a new recipe challenge over at The Shaker Box so pop on over if you want to see it. Oh and by the way...we woke up to snow this morning! I was not a happy camper!! Myrtle Beach cannot get here soon enough!!

A Blast From The Past!!!

2009-03-10T17:06:00.003-04:00

Oh boy...is this picture ever a blast from the past!!(1990) I did this layout today in honor of my firstborn buying a car! Yes you all read that right...Maddie has got wheels!! And I am a nervous wreck!! Then if that wasn't bad enough, she calls me about an hour ago and tells me that she is driving home to visit tonight!! Just tell me please....where does the time go? Hence the title for my layout! Anyways, this is Maddie's first time ever driving from Rochester and she is doing it alone. I have to say one thing...Maddie sure has guts!! I know that I have to realize she is a grown up and she should be doing these things but when I think of her it is hard to not think back to when she was this little. It seems just like yesterday only....boy this parenting stuff just keeps getting harder and harder!!

I want to thank everybody that left comments or emailed me after my little (okay...big) rant on Monday. I am feeling much better about it all and I just have to learn to not let it get to me. You are all right....Jealousy was probably the major component and I need to turn the other cheek. I know that what I am doing is right for my family and that is all that is important. Thank you all for supporting me about that!!

Thanks for stopping by today...I am off to continue saying my prayers for Maddie to have a safe journey home. May have to include a stiff drink with that as well....JUST KIDDING!! (Or maybe not!)

A Monday Morning VENT!!

2009-03-09T10:00:00.002-04:00

First off....before I start venting and rambling....here is the entire layout that I did for The Shaker Box crop this past weekend. The recipe included using only patterned paper...no card stock whatsoever, journaling strips, rub ons and or alphabet stickers, some bling and of course some ribbon ( those of you who have seen my scrap space know that I have quite the affection for ribbon!!) I think that this was such a cool picture of Abby and daddy....of course Abby let me know that she thinks her nose is too big and daddy commented that I covered up his face perfectly to hide it. Oh boy....are they ever happy (smile)?

Now for my vent and excuse me if I start to ramble but yesterday I was faced once again with somebody pointing out to me that "I don't work" so I have no place to claim that I am busy. This was done in a roomful of parents, the same parents and children that I worked very hard for this past month in organizing a banquet for. It wasn't done in private, it was done to shame me because I do not work. And of course it was followed up with the same old same old...."Must be nice not to have to work.... wish I could stay home everyday" Okay....so here I go (and this is for all of you stay at home moms...for all of you domestic engineers....

First off....My husband and I decided long ago (20 years to be exact) that one of us should stay home and raise our kids., He was farther along in his college education and of course I was 9 months pregnant so it was decided that he would finish his education and be the bread winner. This was not a decision made lightly, this was not a decision made because I was not the educated one...I was pursuing a degree in accounting at that time. (One that I later worked on as well) This was a decision based on what we felt would be best for our family at the time and in the future. Believe me at that time we certainly needed and could have used a second income!!

Coming to my second point.....We have made MANY, MANY sacrifices along the way so that I can stay home with the kids. We don't get a new car everytime we turn around, we don't have more than one tv, we don't have more than one computer. My kids get the things that they need to excel but what they don't get is all of the extras....the name brand clothing, the expensive cell phones, every new video game that comes out. They are fine with this, they have learned the value of a dollar and they have the same appreciation as I do for the words "Clearance" in a store. I am not saying that if you work your kids are spoiled....no not at all. What I am saying is that my family does without all of the extra's so that I can stay home with them and raise them how we feel that they should be raised.

I understand completely that there are families that absolutely need a second income...when Andrew was just starting out in his job as a teacher we seriously could have used a second income....times were stinking tough...but we made it work and somehow we managed to get by.

I understand all of this and I don't criticize anybody because they work...but why oh why do people feel the need to criticize our decision for me to be a stay at home mom. Why do they seem to think that all I do is sit on my butt all day long at home? Why do they feel the need to tell me that I don't really work? Why do they feel the need to tell me that I am so lucky my husband has such an awesome job that I don't need to work? How in the world do any of them know what a day in my shoes is like, how do any of them know what my husband actually makes as a teacher (which by the way is one of the poorest paying professional jobs out there but one with a high education cost...just check out our student loan payments each month if you don't believe me) and that he makes enough for us to be "lucky" for me not to have to work....try disciplined more like it....we don't spend money like it is water.

I don't ever regret our decision for me to stay home with my kids. My kids are good kids (Okay, I think that they are Great kids but I may be a little biased) My kids are honor students, they have a strong faith, they excel in athletics and they are extremely thoughtful and caring to others. Yes, they would probably be this way even if I did work outside the home but I really like to think that my staying home and being there for them had a little something to do with it. (I really do think it actually had a lot to do with it but......)

Okay, I vented, I rambled but I was seriously hurt and offended yesterday. Of course after I got home I had thought of a million things I could have responded to her with but me being who I am I thought of them too late. I guess I would just like people to think before they open their mouths. That would be in a dream society I guess.

So if you made it here and you made it through all of my ramblings I just wanted to say thanks for stopping by today. Have a great one!!

The week has flown by!!

2009-03-06T12:08:00.005-05:00

I have been busy working on the wrestler's blankets that we are giving them at the banquet on Sunday....remind me in the future not to have such brilliant ideas!! No, actually they aren't too bad to work on and they are really, really cool looking but it seems like as soon as I sit down to stitch I have a million interruptions and one very white cat that feels it is necessary to sit on my lap!! Yes, white cat hair on red and blue fleece blankets is not very attractive!! I have 2 more left to do but today I had to work on a scrappy project. Thank goodness for that because I soooo needed to feel some paper!!

The Shaker Box is having their Grand Re-opening Crop this weekend....starting tonight actually at 6pm. As part of the DT I get to host a challenge so.....I love making recipes (now for those of you who really know me you are probably laughing pretty hard right now....cause you all know how much I hate to cook!! (smile)) but nope, this kind of recipe is totally paper related. I list certain things that need to be on the layout. Then everybody uses the recipe to come up with their own project. It always amazes me how you can all have the "same" items on your layout but have completely different looking ones in the end. Anyways, here is a sneak peek at the layout I did for my challenge....if you want to see the rest of it then you have to go over to The Shaker Box and join in the crop!! I am offering a RAK as well for one lucky participant who cooks up my recipe and I know that there will also be lots and lots of other prizes and give aways all weekend. So hop on by and have yourself a look.

Tomorrow we are going to PA for yet another volleyball tournament. Thankfully this is just a one day deal and we shouldn't be home too late. And after this one we only have 2 more tournaments left. I can't believe how awfully fast this season has gone by!

And one more sign of spring here in NY is that the baseball season officially started this week. Of course those boys are probably not going to see an actual field to practice on for a few more weeks (you see, we still have mounds and mounds of snow on the ground) but hey...it is a start isn't it. Abby has the countdown for baseball in Myrtle Beach already. I haven't asked her yet what we are down to cause I know it will be here awfully soon and I still have about a hundred things I need to get done before then. Maybe I should have her tell me so that it might light a fire under my butt....(smile)

Thanks for stopping by and I hope that everybody is getting a chance to feel some nice springtime weather this week!!

PHEW!!!! I am glad that this weekend is behind us!!

2009-03-02T09:04:00.003-05:00

I am totally whipped! The poor girls played over 20 games this weekend...I seriously lost count after 20 and my brain was so shot that I couldn't even try to figure out how many they actually did play. They ended up taking first in their bracket which sounds more glamorous then it really was but let us just say that when push comes to shove these girls CAN make it happen. And I am so proud of them for that! Abby totally rocked this weekend...well more so on Sunday. Saturday it didn't seem like the girls were very in tune with each other but my goodness on Sunday Abby, Michelle and Amy just rocked. I don't know the exact number of kills that Abby had because I lost count of that too....but just about every time they set her the ball she nailed it. Unfortunately for a couple of girls on the opposing teams she nailed it right in their face. Daddy was oh so proud!!

We left here on Friday afternoon and didn't get back home until late last night. Lots of driving and sitting and driving and sitting. A little bit of pool time and lots of eating fast food. My tummy will take a few days to recover from that. I am looking forward to a home cooked meal tonight. Our hotel was kind of stinky....lots of problems with heaters and elevators and can you believe this....no hot tub!!It did have one major attraction though.... a Target half a second away!! It also had a Michaels and I was so excited to see that but alas....I only had time to hit Target that first night for a few minutes and was unable to muster up enough energy to hit Michaels later on in the weekend. Oh well, my pocket book is probably much better off because of it!!

We got to spend some time with Maddie on Saturday which was very good for my soul. I miss that girl so much!! She looks great and she is always the person I can go to to make me giggle in times of stress....and we had lots of times of stress this weekend. I just can't wait to spend the week with her in Myrtle Beach....counting down the days!!

Today I am going to try and regroup and work on these fleece blankets that we had made for the wrestlers and coaches. They are pretty hot and I will have to show you them when I am finished.

Oh, and I have to share this too....a few years ago one of my friends was killed in an automobile accident...it was a really tough time for all of us. I babysat her daughter and our families are really very close. Anyways, they did an article about her and Elysia (her daughter) in the paper today....relating to a memorial fund raiser in Xylia's honor. I thought that it was pretty neat.

Another weekend away....

2009-02-27T09:13:00.002-05:00

We are heading out to Rochester tonight for a weekend tournament of JAVA volleyball. It should be fun...a change of pace from the stressful wrestling tournaments!! We will even get to spend some time with Maddie so that is always a big plus. Of course my bleacher butt isn't going to improve over the next couple of days but hey...that is what being a mom of athletes is all about.

Things are improving with Andrew's shoulder everyday. We have had a few emotional blow ups (both he and I) It is just hard not knowing what to do about it. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately because they really do care...) several of the coaches have been putting in their 2 cents about it...surgery or no surgery...when to have it if we decide to. At this moment I don't think it is the proper time to make any decisions. He was scared because of the intense pain he felt over the weekend...but the doctor told him that it what it was going to be like if he got himself caught. The tear isn't going to get any worse...it is torn and he can't tear it anymore. It is just a matter of how much pain he can tolerate. If you ask me...wrestling is not the sport to test it but of course nobody asked me. The doctor is least worried about baseball, then football with the special brace....wrestling on the other hand was a different story. So with that being said....baseball starts next Wednesday....I think he is going to play. As far as the surgery goes....haven't a clue...but time line wise....I think it may be after football season next year if he feels it is warranted.

Okay...onto much happier things. I have been creating all week. I am in a card swap over at Coordinates Collections so I have been working on those. These are a couple of my favorites and again I am using up all of my scraps. I am having fun coming up with different ways to use my bits and pieces...makes me feel good. I still have a couple more to do but I will probably have to wait until next week to finish them up. I also posted my weekly recipe challenge over at The Shaker Box today....so if you have a chance go on over and check it out.

I am off to finish up laundry and get packed. Thanks for stopping by and keeping up with my crazy world!!

It Is What It Is....

2009-02-23T09:04:00.003-05:00

and it is over....My worst nightmare of this wrestling season came true at Andrew's tournament this past weekend. He had to forfeit due to injury. Yes, his shoulder. It was the hardest thing for me to say to the coach that it was over but I really had no choice. He physically wasn't able to go on and there was absolutely no way that he would be physically ready to wrestle next week at States....so the decision was made to end it.. It started with his first match of the day....he wrestled a true 285 pound wrestler. He made a mistake early on and had gotten himself in a position of having to fight off being pinned. The other guy fell on him...yes...right on his bad shoulder....Andrew fought off this pin for over 1 minute and amazingly he did! He then went on to get a reversal and then he pinned his opponent. But...the damage had already been done. He had 285 pounds on his shoulder for over a minute....his pain was almost unbearable. At that time I should have stopped him from continuing on to his next match but I couldn't bear the look he gave me. He went on to wrestle again and had a tough match that he ended up losing...partly to the fact that he couldn't lift his arm and partly to some major officiating issues. (that is a whole other story that I am not going to get into.) He had to wrestle again 45 minutes later...he did pin this kid somehow but by this time he had tingling in all of his fingers....not a good thing. We begged him to make the decision not to wrestle....he knew that all he had to do was win one more match and he would still be going to states because he had enough wildcard points to get there. Stupidly we let him continue....not long into this match....Andrew took his kid down and then....he couldn't get up off the mat. He was in so much pain. It was then that I told the coach it was over....they had no other choice then to listen to me because they knew if they didn't I would have marched on that mat and ended it myself. Emotionally Andrew was crushed, physically he was crushed. It was such a disappointment to him but he knows that it was not worth it. That continuing on would have been disastourous to his football career and that is what he is working so hard for....not wrestling...and not some trophy to add to his collection. Fortunately though after being examined by the Sports Specialist on site he did not dislocate the shoulder (that would be bad and would mean immediate surgery) But he stressed the muscles and ligaments enough to cause swelling and nerve pain. With ice therapy the swelling has gone down. He still has difficulty getting dressed but there is no longer tingling in the fingers or numbness. I think he dodged a bullet. As hard as it is to see him so disappointed I am actually relieved....very relieved that it is over. Will he wrestle next year I have been asked....not if I can help it. But we shall see when that time comes. There is a lot to get through between now and then. Baseball is on his mind now....2 weeks and that starts back up. Hopefully he will be on the mend and okay to play....if not...then It is what it is and we will deal with that.

We did manage to have some fun this weekend despite the disappointment. Max loved his first time seeing that Falls. I think he might have enjoyed it more if the wind wasn't so bitter and the ice pellets hitting his face didn't hurt so bad but hey...It was gorgeous. Seeing all of the trees covered in the ice....just like a fairy tale. Grandma and Grandpa went with us and we all stayed in the same hotel. Relaxed by the pool and in the hot tub....ate lots of yummy food and just enjoyed being all together. The pictures from the Falls really do not do the beauty of them justice...they are awesome to see in person...it just makes you awestruck to stand near them.

So today I am going to unpack from the trip, do some laundry and then have a little me time this afternoon. I want to make a special card for Niki and get that sent out to her. My heart is still broken thinking about that family. My sadness over what happened this weekend at the tournament pales in comparison to the sadness that Niki is dealing with. Putting things in perspective.....a lesson they have taught me time and time again.

Very Sad News This Morning

2009-02-20T08:11:00.002-05:00

Dear sweet Ellie Rose passed away last night. In her mommy and daddy's arms. She is no longer in pain. She is flying with the angels. She will forever be 5. God Bless Niki and her family today and always!

Lots to do today...

2009-02-19T16:22:00.003-05:00

I have been finishing up my DT work for The Shaker Box as well as catching up on laundry and getting the house cleaned before we leave. We have decided to stay an extra night at the Falls so Andrew Thomas can have an evening of chilling out in the hot tub and just relaxing before we drive back. I am not looking forward to the tournament at all....only because my mommy nerves are just about shot at the moment. I just pray that he is stays safe and that whatever happens everybody is fine with. I know that however far this kid goes I am more proud of him then ever no matter what!! He has exceded my expectations this season and I can't believe how far he has come even with his injury. I personally am ready for it all to be over with but only God will know the answer to that and whatever happens Saturday happens so I just have to go with the flow. Can you tell that I am trying to convince myself to chill? Maybe I need that hot tub more than he does!!

Anyways, these are the layouts that I did for my DT work at The Shaker Box. This was using the February kit which I am telling you right now was my favorite kit to work with so far. Just love everything in there and have plenty more to use on future projects.

I received in the mail today my package from my shopping spree the other day. Oh my....lots of fun stuff to play with. And when I went to the Mall yesterday I used my 50% coupon over at JoAnns and picked up some more yummy paper from Heidi Grace. I know....I am so bad! But I have given myself a new challenge....20 more projects from my stash before purchasing again!! I figure that this will help me to actually get my scrapping done since I can't wait to shop again. What is it about scrapbooking that is so addicting? I just can't figure out this need of mine to have everything!! Oh well, it is probably better to be addicted to paper then to some other things in life...(smile)

Here is a funny for you too....we have been trying to find the time to get poor Max a haircut for weeks now and it never worked out for us. He was getting pretty annoyed with his hair because it was always in his eyes. Anyways, yesterday at the mall I said we are getting your hair cut no matter what today! He was so excited. After the lady finished cutting his hair...which mind you...she took a lot off....Max told her "it wasn't short enough" "Don't cut all of it off he says but you need to cut it some more" So she did and he was happy as a clam. Now I think it is pretty short and if it were up to me I wouldn't have taken that extra off but he is so happy with how it turned out. How can you argue with that? Of course I haven't taken a picture yet and at the moment I am just too lazy to deal with taking one and getting it on the computer so you all will just have to wait until another day.

Prayers please too...Ellie is rapidly declining and now Ellie's dad was put into the hospital for a severe anxiety attack. This poor family is just going through so much right now and I wish so much that there was something I could do for them. Prayers are all I can manage right now and prayers are probably the only thing that really matters at this time. I keep telling myself that but I do wish that there was something more. Like finding a cure for Ellie so that they don't have to watch their little girl die.

Don't mean to leave you on a down note but life is life...enjoy each moment that you have and remember not to sweat the little stuff....It isn't worth wasting your time.

Thanks for stopping by and hopefully the next time I update I will have lots of exciting news to share and pics from our Falls getaway. Keep Andrew Thomas in your prayers this weekend too and maybe remind me to just chill and know that it is what it is and whatever happens, happens!!

Updates!!

2009-02-16T10:16:00.004-05:00

Andrew Thomas wrestled extremely well this weekend and we live to see another tournament. Which means, he took first in the Class A tournament and will be competing next weekend up in Niagara for the State Qualifiers. Another weekend of total stress for mom but not much I can do about that I guess. We are going up Friday and spending the night at the Falls. Kind of a getaway since the kids are off from school this week and we really can't get away for anything else. Andrew Thomas even made the paper today .... Observer Today and that was pretty exciting.

I did manage to complete my challenge of 10 projects from stash and then I promptly went to my shopping cart and checked out on Friday....I know....I am terribly bad but hey it was an awesome sale and I just couldn't pass that up!! Not just how much creating that I will be able to do this week with everybody home but you never know. I may just need to shut myself in my room for some peace. (smile)

And....I have a prayer request. Andrew's grandfather is in the hospital. He was admitted last Thursday and as of this morning they still don't know what is wrong with him. He is 86 years old and up until now has been doing very well. Andrew's grandma is getting to the point of total frustration and very stressed out. This is not good for her health either as she has heart problems and is currently battling a relapse of Lymphoma. So prayers are needed for them both and for the rest of the family to make smart choices in how they handle their care needs.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you all have a great week!!

Thank you Uncle Kerry and Aunt Patty!!

2009-02-12T11:56:00.002-05:00

Max had such an awesome time at the game last night! He was so excited all day and was non stop talking on the way to the arena. I thought for sure that he would have fallen asleep before the game was over but nope...he was having too much fun!! He just couldn't get over being at the arena and seeing his Sabres play. Unfortunately for him (and of course the rest of us) they lost. Max's quote of the evening was "They could have won for my first game mom!" So yes, he was disappointed about the outcome of the game but he had so much fun that I don't think it bothered him too awful much. He slept in this morning until after 8am and even then I had to pry him out of bed so that he could make it to the bus on time. But he was very excited to go and tell his class about his night. No grumpies even after having to be woken up!!

I was so pleased with the picture I took of Max looking down at the ice that I couldn't wait to scrap it! This is probably the first time ever that I scrapped an event so soon after. Of course there was the added incentive of getting another project done using my stash!! I am almost there....3 more things to go and I am hoping to finish them up today because Coordinate Collections is having a Lucky 13 sale tomorrow. I have already loaded my shopping cart waiting for the sale discount tomorrow but of course if I don't make it to 10 then I will have to forgo the sale. I can't do that.....there is some amazing stuff in my cart!!

We are having some wicked weather today!! High winds like crazy and later some snow. I am amazed that we still have power here....lots of places around us have lost theirs but somehow we are managing to stay powered up. Thank goodness. It was a horrible wait at the bus stop this morning. I was really afraid that Max would blow away or that power lines and tree limbs would fall on us but thankfully we survived the wait. I am hoping that things settle down pretty quick but it isn't looking that way. At least it is not the terrible weather that Oklahoma had with all of the tornados. For that I am thankful!!

Ok....I am off to finish my 3 projects....wish me luck and thanks for stopping by!!

I Have My Windows Open!!

2009-02-11T09:28:00.002-05:00

Can you believe it? We are at 50 degrees this morning and heading to 60 or so they say. I turned down my heat and opened a few windows!! Haven't been able to do that in so long but I am so happy to smell the fresh air in the house! Too bad the sun isn't shining and too bad that the temperature is going to take a drastic turn downward tonight and for the rest of the week. But for now I am enjoying the springy smell!!

I am doing so good with my no buying challenge. I just delete all of my emails that are showing all of the new products from CHA and I have resisted visiting my online favorite stores...okay, maybe it is a little harder then I am saying but I am actually doing very well. I am trying to hurry up and finish my 10 items though so that I can at least look at all of the new things coming out!! (Smile!!)

The cards I am showing today were made with the tiniest of scraps in my collection. I just punched out squares with my punch, inked the edges and placed them on the card. Then I used my paper piercer and punched a heart shape through the cards and the punched squares. Hand stitched with some embroidery floss and sewed a button and flower on top. I also inked the edges of the card for an aged look. Added some sticker letters (oh my I have so many of those that I never ever use!) and wallah.....a finished card. How simple and inexpensive is that?

Yesterday I made homemade sponge candy!! Yum!! I made it over Christmas and it was a big hit so I decided to make some for Valentine's Day and send some to Maddie and Grandma and Grandpa Snyder. Thought it would be a sweet surprise for them!! The candy is so easy to make and is just as good if not better than what you buy. A heck of a lot cheaper too....can't beat that!! Here is the recipe if you are interested....

1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Karo Syrup
1 Tblsp. Vinegar
1 Tblsp. Baking soda

Combine, sugar, karo syrup and vinegar into a saucepan, heat until the sugar is dissolved. Cover for 1 minute so that the steam brings the sugar crystals down off the sides. The continue cooking with the top off until the mixture reaches 300 degrees. (Hard crack stage) Remove from heat....add baking soda and stir. Then pour onto a buttered pan and let harden. Break into pieces. Then I use Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips that I melt in the microwave with a little shortening. Cover your broken pieces with the chocolate and place on wax paper until they harden. Oh My....this is awesome stuff!!

And we are all very excited today because we are going to the Sabres Hockey game tonight in Buffalo. My awesome brother Kerry has a suite at HSBC Arena and he called us this weekend to see if we would like to go....Ummmmmmm Heck Ya!! So we are heading out there later this afternoon. Max is so stinking excited...this will be his first ever NHL hockey game live. He wore his Sabres Jersey to school this morning. I have to say that it was the easiest morning yet to get him dressed because he couldn't wait to put that jersey on. Of course it will be a late night for everybody but who cares!! This is an awesome opportunity!!

And.... a couple of prayer requests: Ellie and her family are having a rough time. Things are progressing quickly...it just breaks my heart to think about what this family and what this little girl are going through. So I know that you keep them in your prayers and I don't need to remind you but the only thing they have right now is all of us storming the doors of heaven with our prayers.

Andrew Thomas: Please pray for him as well....no nothing serious and I feel funny even asking but....his shoulder is giving him a bit more trouble as the wrestling season has progressed. This kid works so hard and just has one goal at the moment....to make it to States. I am just not sure how much more his shoulder can take and I am just not sure how much I can take watching it. I keep asking him if it is worth it and he keeps answering me yes! But I can see how much it is troubling him....so if you could send a few extra prayers for him I would appreciate it!!

Thanks for stopping by and if anybody tries the recipe I would love to hear how it turned out and what you think!!

No Buying Challenge!!

2009-02-05T13:52:00.003-05:00

Hahahahaaaa.....I allowed myself to be in a no buying challenge which means that I have to make 10 things with stuff that I have on hand and no new stuff!! I can easily make hundreds of items with what I have so that really isn't a problem at all. The problem is the no buying part!! Anyways, these two cards that I made yesterday and today are for this challenge. I had fun going through all of my stuff and finding the little doodads to use. It feels pretty good I must say. So 2 down and 8 more to go before I can hit the stores!! I better hurry up so that I shop again!!

The "Love You" card I used bits and pieces of things that I had left over from a kit from Kelly's Kit Shop. Love her kits because of all of the yummy embellies that she includes. It was so easy to put this one together. The flowers have bits of bling in their centers, I inked all of the edges to give it a distressed look and added prima Whispers letters for my sentiment. I think it turned out kind of cute and will be sent out as a Valentine this year.

The second card is made out of an envelope. I recceived the tutorial from Split Coast Stampers (Go ahead and check it out!!) and was so excited to try this one. Again, I raided my stash to find all of the doodads to include. Bits of lace from my sewing days too...lots of fun.

Today has been a quiet day....lots of sun but oh so stinking cold! It was -7 at the bus stop this morning. Man I can't wait for it to warm up and stay warm!! Everybody will be home late today so once Max gets home from school it will just be him and I. I am hoping to be able to take him down for a haircut this afternoon. We have been trying to get him one but every time we are free the hairdressers are too busy!! So wish me luck....he really, really needs one!! Other than that there isn't much going today....the calm before the storm or actually the busy weekend ahead of us. Wouldn't want it any other way I suppose. Life would be boring then!!

Good news today too....Maddie worked out it with all of her professors and she will be able to come to Myrtle Beach with us!! I am so stinking happy!! Last year it was so very hard to go without her and I am just so thankful she could get it all worked out. Yeah!! We are going to have so much fun....sun, sand, sun, ocean, sun.....and hopefully hot, hot weather!!

February!!

2009-02-03T08:42:00.003-05:00

I never would have expected that I would be so happy to see the month of February but January was such a snowy, crappy blue month that I am thrilled to be moving on and a little bit closer to Myrtle Beach!! I haven't started an official countdown yet but just knowing we are one month closer helps get through the mid winter blues!! Unfortunately that Phil guy saw his shadow so he is predicting 6 more weeks of winter BUT Dunkirk Dave didn't see his shadow so I think I am going to believe him....I mean really he is only just a few miles down the road and I certainly like his prediction much better!!

Being that it is February I have decided to surround myself with pink!! I am working on lots of Valentine goodies and having fun using the colors of the holiday. How could Pink not brighten anyone's day? Speaking of pink, my friend Kimmy was my Valentine Diva swap partner and oh my did she send me some yummy stuff!! She wrapped all the little packages in pink paper and added ribbons and hearts. It was just what I needed to get myself moving and out of my winter doldrums. Thank you KIMMY!! You are the best!! I have been using the special goodies from her to make Max's Valentine's for his class. It is so much fun to be able to do this all over again!! I have to say having an "Oh my gosh" baby has been quite a treat!! Anyways, when I get them finished I will share them...I think they are turning out quite cute if I say so myself. I also managed to make a card to keep in my stash. I am trying hard to use up my scraps and make cards so that I have them on hand when the need arises.....it will be so much nicer to just go and get one out to use instead of stressing about getting one made in time. I haven't really scrapped any layouts in awhile...being sick and seasonally depressed has sure put a crimp in my creativity but hey....I think I am working my way out of that!!

We have a busy weekend ahead of us....Volleyball for Abby on Sunday and a birthday party for Max on Saturday. But the next few weekends will be far busier for us with lots of traveling for tournaments both wrestling and volleyball. I am also hoping to plan a tiny little get away for when the kids are off this month for winter break. We would so like to squeeze in a night at a hotel in Rochester with Maddie...one with a swimming pool so we can spend some time together just relaxing. Would love to be able to coordinate with extended family members too....I think we all need a get away about this time! Hopefully the kids sports schedules and Drew's college schedule will allow us to get some time away. Fingers and toes crossed!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a great day!!

Catching Up Again

2009-01-27T15:29:00.003-05:00

It always seems that I fall behind in just about everything I do whenever the weekend comes around. This past weekend was no exception!! We had both a volleyball tournament and a wrestling tournament Saturday. Fortunately they were not too far apart from each other. Unfortunately....Andrew Thomas ended up pulling out of the tournament due to having the flu!! He wrestled 2 matches...won both but decided that it really wasn't worth it to continue wrestling feeling like he did. So he finished early and then Drew, Max and I spent the rest of the time at Abby's tournament. Where they were feeling the effects of the flu as well....it really is hitting our part of the country pretty hard right now. Her team ended up taking 3rd which was not too bad considering they ended up with 4 less players by the time they played their last game. Thankfully this weekend we don't have any tournaments and we only have one make up wrestling match at home. Phew...I will feel like I am on vacation!!

Scrapping has been kind of non existent as of late. I did manage to make 2 cards this past week....the one that I am showing you today and another that I still need to photograph. I am hoping to get that done tomorrow so I can share that one as well. I need to work on my cards for Janice's family this week and finish up my Valentine Swap as well. I have a couple of places that I need to send examples of my work so I seriously need to get those things together and done before the deadlines. I just have been so out of motivation as of late...I think when Max and I were so sick last week with the flu it took all of my mojo!!

Speaking of sick...Max was sent home again today because his teacher just didn't think he felt right. He has been playing and eating and playing and eating since he got home so I just can't figure out why she thought that he was ill. He has no fever but he does still have his runny nose from last week. It is running clear though and most of that I believe is from his allergies. So it kind of puts me in a pickle for tomorrow cause if I send him will they just turn around and send him back home? Maybe we won't have to worry about it though because we are suppose to get a winter storm tonight and tomorrow. You know the one that is hitting the entire east coast!! At first they said it would miss us be just this afternoon they posted the warnings in our area. HHHmmmm.....and I thought we were going to get lucky.

And...I have included a picture of Abby from this past weekend going up for a spike!! She gets so high up sometimes it just amazes me!!

Sometimes....things are hard to understand

2009-01-23T10:16:00.003-05:00

I have been scrapping for many years as most of you know that. I have been scrapping online for about 5 years and through this I have met (even if only "cyberly") many, many friends. I was deeply saddened yesterday to hear of the passing of one of my oldest and dearest cyber friends Janice. She and I met at ScrapJazz first and we have been following each other around the net ever since. She was one of the sweetest ladies that I have ever met. She was true to her faith, so very much in love with her husband, her family was everything to her and this was all seen through her wonderful layouts. I feel like I know her family almost as well as my own. She was always there to give you a compliment on a layout or words of encouragement when you needed to hear them. She was pretty uncanny that way always seeming to know when somebody needed a lift. Her daughter Rachel had the enormous task of letting each scrapping community that Janice belonged to know of her mother's death. I can only imagine how terribly hard that was for her. Not to mention that Janice had many, many scrapping places she called home. It was not long before the entire Cyber Scrapping Community was made of aware of her passing and not very long after that that people have gathered together trying to think of things to do for Janice's family. If you knew Janice and want to do something special follow this link to the Coordinate Collections Blog and Jamie has a few ideas there for all us to do.

I know that personally my life was made so much brighter by just knowing Janice and seeing her smiling face every time I logged onto my computer. She will be deeply missed by me and so many others out there. But I can imagine she is right up there with Jesus helping him make a scrapbook of his journeys. God Bless You Janice...I already miss you!!

Yuck!!!

2009-01-21T18:51:00.002-05:00

So Max and I have the flu!! Mine started Monday night and Max was sent home from school early yesterday....high fever, aches and chills, and just exhausted and miserable. Today he and I stayed home and cuddled on the couch and watched some movies. He actually started feeling better and we put on the wii to play. Of course I think we over did it a little because both of started feeling a bit crappy again this evening. I put him in the shower and now we are going to hang out on the couch and watch the Sabres. Hopefully I will stay awake for this one!! And....why oh why didn't we get our flu shots this year? Just rambling on about the what we should have dones!!

He won!!

2009-01-18T15:21:00.002-05:00

So Andrew Thomas wrestled at the PJ Morales Wrestling tournament in Falconer this weekend and he took first place in his weight class!! I was so excited and proud of him yet again. This is a special tournament that is held in memory of a friends of ours son who was an excellent wrestler at Falconer High School and who tragically lost his young life to menengitis several years ago. Andrew wrestled this tournament last year taking third place so I was really excited to see him win first this year. Of course this means 2 more days of my life sitting in a stinky gym with hundreds of sweatly wrestlers and 2 more days of sitting on very hard bleachers that really do a number on my rear end....but seriously....where else would I rather be?

Since I was not home this weekend there was absolutely no scrapping or creating in this house but that is fine....I will get back to that during the week when everybody is back in school. But I did want to share that my friend Vicki is teaching an online Sweetheart class endorsed by Prima Marketing. So you all know what that means....lots of yummy Prima products to play with!! Here is the link with more information. Vicki And YES....I am enabling you all!! I think that this will be such a fun class and I am so hoping to be able to take it myself....I mean seriously who wouldn't want to work with yummy Prima flowers!!

Have a great day everyone and for those of you dealing with snow yet again....stay safe and warm. I think I am just about done with the white stuff falling outside my window...as pretty as it is I am just feeling the need for some sunshine!!

Cold, Cold and More Cold!!!

2009-01-17T09:15:00.003-05:00

Boy has it been cold here in New York!! Yesterday the schools were closed due to the negative temps and wind chills. So we spent a cozy morning here in the house then had to venture out later on in the day for Andrew Thomas' wrestling tournament in Falconer. They were allowed to attend even though the schools were closed because it was due to temps and not hazardous driving conditions. He did well last night....he was seeded first so he had a first round bye...then in the second round he pinned his opponent in 39 seconds qualifying him for the semi finals today and then hopefully (fingers and toes crossed) the finals this evening. As much as I hate to watch him wrestle I want him to do well cause he just works so hard!!

I actually scrapped this week and it felt good....so good to be scrapping for me again and no stress involved. I did this layout for a welcome challenge over at The Shaker Box I found this old picture of Max from a couple of years ago and I can't believe how much he has changed....my goodness he just looks like a chubby faced toddler...oh where did the time go!! See, this is why scrapping is so important and I need to remember to not let the ultimate goal of recording memories be lost in all the drama and competition. I mean really....scrapping is my way of recording for my kids and all who want to know...the journey of our life. That is what is truly important. The stories told, the memories of these precious moments in life...too important to let slide.
****And I want to mention that the papers I used in this layout are Basic Grey Obscure collection which I received from my awesome secret santa over at Coordinate Collections She spoiled me rotten and I am so excited to use all the things she sent me!!

On a different note... a sad note....you all know my friend Niki and the battle that her daughter Ellie is facing with DIPG ( an incurable, inoperable brain tumor) Ellie has shown tumor progression and the MRI recently done this week has shown them that there is new growth in the original tumor area as well as another spot. They are running out of options....in fact I am not even sure what options are available to them now that are recommended and not experimental. This is a terribly sad type of brain cancer...there are no answers for them and the doctors keep trying things but this beast keeps fighting back and harder each time. For Christmas Drew gave me a book that was written by the parents(Brooke and Keith Desserich) of a little girl named Elena. She had the same type of tumor and this book was actually their journal that they kept during Elena's journey. They wanted Elena's little sister to know everything about her because they knew how bad the odds were that she would survive. The book is called Notes Left Behind 135 Days with Elena. It is a terribly sad book to read because we all know the ending before you even start it. But this book also gives you a different outlook...hope and it reminds us all to live for each day and to enjoy the simple things in life....we don't need fancy cars and lots of money when all we really need to see is our children's smile. I never met this little girl....I don't know her parents....but she has changed my life in such a way and for that I am grateful. Now, the reason that I am recommending this book is that all of the proceeds go to helping find a cure for this disease. This is something that is desperately needed because way too many children are being diagnosed with this type of brain tumor and we really need to find a way to fight it for these kids. Please go to Ellie's website and leave some prayers for her and her family. They so desperately need them at this time.

Okay, I don't mean to leave you all on a downer but this has been a rough couple of weeks for a lot of my CarePage kids and I just hope that we can all help to make the goal of curing all childhood cancers a reality.

Happy Birthday to me!!

2009-01-14T12:14:00.003-05:00

So today I turned 40!! And you know what? It truly doesn't bother me!! I wasn't sure what to expect when I woke up this morning and when I did I felt no different than yesterday. So even if my knees and elbows were a little creaky getting out of bed....I am just going to blame that on the ridiculously cold temperatures we are getting right now. I feel like I am still 20....but with a whole lot more wisdom then I had 20 years ago and for that I am grateful!!

I finally get to share my new DT work for The Shaker Box This kit was amazing and filled with so many goodies that I still have so much to work with. Linda really knows how to make a kit!! Check out her newly reopened forum and see all the neat things that we have in store for all of you. Her hubby just had surgery yesterday so things are slowly getting put together but we plan on having a huge grand reopening in March. Should be pretty exciting....stay tuned for more details.

The little altered can that I made was actually an after Christmas bargain. It was filled with red and green gum balls but I took those out and made a neat little Valentine Gift container. I think I am going to fill it with some of my homemade sponge candy and give it to my sweetie. I made the card to coordinate with it as well....my sweetie is my best friend and I can't wait to surprise him with these. Of course he will probably complain that I am making him fat with the candy but hey....Valentine's day is all about the chocolate isn't it????

My Blog got a makeover!!

2009-01-13T17:55:00.002-05:00

My friend Jill, who by the way shares the same birthday with me.....gave my blog a makeover!! I am so excited about this.....so the next couple of hours/days...however long it takes me will be spent getting it where I want it to be with all my pictures and doodads. So please be patient and bear with me....it will all be worth it guys!!

Just so you all know Jill is the best and she spent hours today helping me find a template that I liked and then once I did find one she did all the extremely techno stuff for me cause you all know how computer illiterate I can be. I think she did a fabulous job and I can't thank her enough. She says I owe her a Starbucks Mocha....I think I owe her a whole lot more!!

2009-01-13T13:46:00.001-05:00

NEW TEST POST (NOW CALLED ENTRY - ha)

A new year, new things and a new place to be!!

2009-01-12T09:52:00.003-05:00

Well, it has been a busy and hectic first couple of weeks of the new year. On the family front we had wrestling tournaments, volleyball tournaments and lots of family time. This past weekend we went to Bradford, PA for Abby's first JAVA tournament. It was a new experience for all of us but you know it was really actually a lot of fun. The girls did very well for their first time actually playing together....they went undefeated through the first 3 games then lost one game and went on to the semi finals. They kind of broke apart though during that game. Not sure what happened but I know their coach will get it all straightened out. I have to say one thing and believe me I am not bragging I am just in awe....Abby is an awesome volleyball player...she just has it all and it was so nice to see her playing and playing so well after what the "barbie" doll did to her. Her JAVA coach is absolutely incredulous about what happened and really hopes that I go in to the school and give them a piece of my mind. I feel justified in doing so now after seeing Abby play saturday.
The only draw back about the tournament was the extremely horrible weather we had to deal with. Interstate 86 was 25 mph traffic and absolutely horrible conditions. I am not even sure a plow went through there once! Of course NYS is trying to save some money because our higher authorities don't have a clue how to budget but seriously....at the risk of peoples lives. Come on Governor Patterson....don't be worried about saving people from the evils of sugar while letting them risk their lives on the roadways. Oops....sorry for the political venting.

Andrew Thomas also participated in two wrestling tournaments these past two weeks. He took first place in both which is pretty exciting. I am still not a happy camper when he goes out onto that mat but I am a tad bit more peaceful about it. He has a tournament coming up in couple of weeks and possibly next weekend if he decides to wrestle in that one.

We took Maddie back to school yesterday (yes, we were in the car a lot this weekend....over 400 miles worth!) and I am a bit sad today. I lost my Wii partner!! We had such a great time with her home and I really enjoy her company....she has a spirit about her that just makes me smile. I miss that when she is gone....the house is just a bit too quiet!!

Now onto my scrapping life....I am no longer designing for the site I was previously working for. There were some...how shall I say it......Complications would be a good word I guess....with the site owner. She just seemed to create a very unhealthy situation for me and a few others so we bowed out as quickly as we had the guts to do so and it is honestly the best thing that could have ever happened!! I now design for a wonderful woman Linda from The Shaker Box kit club. She makes the most amazing kits and I am loving working with them. She has reopened her forums as well and lots of my old scrapping buddies that were lost due to unmentionable reasons have now found their way to their way to The Shaker Box and I am so excited to be reunited with old friends that were very dear to my heart. One thing I learned in all of this is that I don't deserve to be treated the way I had been treated. And I learned a lot about friendship and how truly amazing it can be. Look out scrappy world.....there is going to be a brand new bunch of ladies rocking it!! I will keep you all posted as how my new endeavors are going and in the mean time why don't ya come on over to The Shaker Box and take a look around. The forums are just starting and there is a long way to go with them but hey....it is going to be awesome!!

Happy New Year.... a tiny bit early but....

2008-12-31T11:15:00.002-05:00

We all know how well I have been blogging lately so I figured I would do it early rather than not at all!! These pictures are from christmas eve. The first time we have had a family picture since I think Max's baptism. The kids picture makes me giggle cause it is soooooo just like them all.

We had a wonderful Christmas and it really couldn't have gone any better. It ended up being a white one even though we had 50 degrees and rain on Christmas eve. The weather was a little dicey so grandma and grandpa snyder were not able to make it out which was kind of sad. Grandma gave us all a scare with what we originally thought might have been a blood clot in her leg but thankfully it ended up not being one and was actually an inflammation of sorts. She was put on antibiotics and is doing well.

The big present for the family this year was the Wii....I am not sure who enjoys it more, the kids or Drew and I. It is so much fun and it is going just about every single minute of the day. I have to admit that after the first day of playing I awoke with muscles pretty darn sore!! Thankfully I have played enough now that they don't hurt so much anymore. I highly recommend this game to everybody....young and old!!

We had our annual brunch on christmas morning and there was plenty of food and goodies....I really needed the Wii to work off everything I ate. But you know....it is only once a year so you gotta do it right?

Tonight will be a quiet night I think....we are not big celebraters of New Years Eve and our weather is kind of snowy and blustery today so it will be perfect to stay home and pop in one of the new dvds and play some games. Still waiting to hear if Maddie has to babysit or not but I am hoping she doesn't so we can all be together. New Years eve and New Years day always make me feel a little bit melancholy. You just never know what the new year is going to bring....whether it be joy or sadness. Makes me worry just a bit. It is also sad cause a new year is starting once again without mom.

I am not a resolution type of girl....can't stand making them and then failing them. I am however a goal oriented girl. This past year I realized several of my goals such as earning a spot on a design team as well as some personal goals for myself. This year will be no exception...I have a list started of things that I want to accomplish this year and I will enjoy crossing them off as I do them. It is a new beginning and I plan on making every moment count. No more wasting time and effort on things I can't change and no more whining when I feel that life is unfair.

Athletically....Drew did very well at the wrestling tournament this past weekend. He placed first in his weight class. All matches were pretty quick with him pinning his opponent in less then a minute but the last one. The last one lasted the full 6 minutes....scared the bejeepers out of me when his opponent used an illegal move on his shoulder but thankfully Drew and the coach both stopped the match before things got too bad. I was very pleased with how fast they both responded...Drew by tapping out to the ref and the Coach by jummping on that mat faster than I have ever seen him move. They both know that that is my stipulation for letting him wrestle this season and they both reaccted exactly as they should have. He has another tournament this upcoming weekend so again I will be on pins and needles but hey....he is happy and that is all I can ask for at the moment.

Here is wishing you all a very Happy New Year with many, many, many blessings to you all.

Where do my days go???

2008-12-18T14:01:00.002-05:00

So yes, I haven't blogged in awhile...just haven't had a second to sit down and write a coherent thought!! Even now as I am battling a pressure headache due to the impending storm headed our way....I am not sure how much sense I am going to make. Bear with me.....smile!

So Max had his very first christmas concert at school last week. He was adorable and I know that I am biased but my goodness he was just the cutest thing. Runny nose and all. They also included an art show and the kids worked so hard on their beautiful art as well.

Last night was Andrew and Abby's winter concert....it was amazing. Their band continues to astound us every single time they play. I mean the songs they play are extremely hard and just amazing to listen to.

Drew is wrestling well...last weekend he went 5-0 at our own schools tournament. 3 pins and 2 forfeits. I am still and always will be a nervous wreck while he is wrestling but I am happy that he is happy. We spent all day there saturday putting on this tournament...concessions, scoring, admissions, raffles, clean up.....the list goes on. I was exhausted when it was finished but I so enjoyed a drink or two at the christmas party we went to in the evening. I think that I deserved it. They wrestled last night too...before the concert and I was setting up and selling concessions for that too. Then running across the school to watch the concert....home at 10 pm and asleep on the couch by 10:05!!

I can't believe that christmas is less then a week away. I finished all the wrapping today for my kids and hubby....that is a first to not have that hanging over my head on christmas eve. I am planning on doing some baking and cleaning this weekend. Getting ready for the annual christmas brunch at our house....the kids just love that!! They wouldn't even think of not having it even if it means they have to do a lot cleaning!!

Did I manage to get all of my christmas gifts made? Nope...but I am cool with that...I put an honest effort into christmas this year and I am pleased with what I did accomplish. People will be getting their cards after christmas I am sure but that is only because I have everybody sign the cards and with the schedules of this house....well....let us just say that it is always hectic.

We did get our tree last sunday....it has lights on it but remains undecorated...partly because we didn't have time on sunday but mostly because we wanted to wait until maddie was home to put the ornaments on. Which by the way will be later on today that she is home!! Grandpa is driving out to get her today cause a big storm is coming in tomorrow and we want her home before that. Thank goodness for grandpas cause I certainly would never be able to drive all that way with my hands and if we wait until drew can do it then we risk the storm coming in before we get back!! I just can't wait to see her....oh yeah....and her two new rats....one of which she believes is pregnant. Oh joys!!

Hope you enjoy the picture of max in his outfit from the concert. I promise to blog a little more often then I have!!

Well, the stomach bug has hit our house

2008-12-09T04:52:00.003-05:00

Yep, already, not sure if it is the flu or what but we now have all been officially touched by it. Poor Andrew Thomas was the first to be struck down. He was suppose to wrestle in a tournament on Saturday but he woke up at 2:30 that morning and was sooo sick. So he stayed home and thankfully recovered rather quickly by saturday night. Then Sunday night it hit Max and Abby and on Monday it hit Drew and I. Max was so sad to miss his first day of school ever for being sick but thankfully he will be going back today if he is as well when he wakes up as he was last night.

Andrew Thomas had his Honor Society Induction last week....it was nice to see the number of kids from his class earn this honor. His class is kind of amazing because it is filled with a number of awesome athletes as well as very intelligent students. We parents must have done something right at the time in our lives. LOL. He isn't too fond of the pictures but I am sharing them anyways cause I think that he is a cutie.

My scrappy world has kind of been put on hold while getting everybody through this stomach bug so I really don't have anything to share with you all today. But I am hoping to get into my room today and get some much needed things done. Like my christmas cards....here I thought that I was doing so well getting them done and oops....I have become a little behind.

Our weather has been really snowy as of late...can't remember a time when we have had this much snow this early. Today is suppose to get into the mid 40's but then drop into the teens tomorrow. I do hear that next week is suppose to be in the 40's at least in the beginning. That will be nice except that then the snow turns all brown and yucky. It will be just our luck that we have a brown christmas instead of a white one. But I haven't heard any predictions yet for that. This picture was taken of Andrew on sunday as he and David went out to hunt. David took it with his cell phone so it isn't the best of pictures but it can give you an idea of just how much snow we have at the moment.

Yep....I am behind in my blog again!!

2008-12-02T17:13:00.002-05:00

Just had a busy week last week with Maddie home for Thanksgiving and visiting all of Drew's family that were home over the holiday. We had a very good Thanksgiving...lots of food, lots of laughs and lots of snow. Well actually the snow was the day before and the day after so travel was pretty safe on Thursday.

It was so nice having Maddie home....we had an incident though with her pet rat Trinity. Ummmm....we don't know where she is! Sometime overnight her cage was knocked down. I am guessing it was Kody cause they was a juicy piece of ham in there. Anyways, after searching and searching and not finding any remains (gross...I know but) she is either hiding somewhere in the house or Kody swallowed her whole. Believe it or not I have been investigating his poop over the last several days and no sign of her there. My heart was just broken for Maddie and there was nothing worse then packing up her empty cage to go back to the dorm. I did get a call last night and we have a new baby!! His name is fourty-two....I guess there is something significant about that cause her dad knew exactly why he was named that. Over Christmas break I am locking the rat and the cage in my bedroom so we don't have a repeat performance!!

Saturday was Maddie's 19th birthday too....it was great to have her home to celebrate cause last year she wasn't here for her 18th. That was kind of hard to take. Anyways, we took her to Applebee's and then spent sometime shopping, came home and watched Fred Claus on pay per view and promptly fell asleep. We are quite the partiers aren't we. I took some pictures of Maddie in the new outfit I got her for her birthday....she is so cute isn't she!!!

Now in my scrapping life....loaded my DT work on the first so I can share it here with you. Had so much fun working with this kit from Linda at the Shaker Box. Lots of snowflakes and winter themed papers....perfect for all the snow pics I was able to take this past month. CHeck out Linda's shop at the Shaker Box....she has lots of cool things in there as well as the awesome kit.

Okay, off to make dinner and then get Max in the shower. Oh by the way....Drew will be wrestling this season...match by match....to see how it goes. I have lots and lots of stipulations and they are doing their best to abide by them. So extra prayers always welcome!!

Happy Thanksgiving a tiny bit early!!!

2008-11-26T16:27:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving and hope everybody is safe in their travels this week. I am so thankful this year for so many things and the one thing that comes to mind first and foremost is the health of my kids. I am watching so many of my care page kids and their families struggle this holiday and some that are mourning the loss of their children. It just makes me take a step back and look at my life and realize that struggles I am having at the moment are nothing in comparison. And to remember that on any given day my world can be rocked to the core without any warning. So I am vowing to not stress, get cranky and have to be perfect this upcoming holiday season. I am going to enjoy the days from Thanksgiving to New Years with my family and have some fun creating memories....ummmmm just like having my two girls today creating paper christmas chains to decorate the house. They haven't done that since they were in elementary school yet today they got the idea and ran with it. So cute to see teenage girls like that.

Speaking of Maddie....she is home safe and sound for break. I went to bed last night with such peace and it was just because I knew that all of my babies were home and under my roof sleeping. It just doesn't get any better than that I think.

And on the weather front...We are looking a bit more like Christmas today then Thanksgiving because yet again we are getting socked with some lake effect snow. I am fretting just a little bit because our satellite has been out all day and there is a Sabres game in a couple of hours. The Drew's are outside at the moment trying to clean it off but if not then I guess we will throw in some Christmas movies and go with that.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!

P.S. This layout is one that I made for a layout tag game and I couldn't share it before until everybody finished....this is one of the things that I am very thankful this year....that when Max was hit with the foul ball at the baseball game in the spring that he came away with nothing more than a bruise, a tad bit of a headache and the ball that hit him. Oh my, it could have been so much worse....he had his guardian angel grandma looking over him that day!!

I really hope this isn't a sign of what winter is going to be like!!

2008-11-21T12:06:00.004-05:00

Snow and snow and more snow!! It just keeps coming and it isn't even Thanksgiving yet. The forecast for today and tomorrow is 2 feet for when it is all said and done. This is on top of the foot and a half already on the ground. The Farmer's Almanac did say that this was going to be a snowy winter and we have really been lucky the last few but goodness....does it have to be so much so early? This picture was taken earlier this morning and I have to say right at the moment it is NOT snowing and the sun is actually out. It could be deceiving but one look at the radar tells me plenty more is on its way. Oh the joys of Lake Effect!!

So being in the Christmas spirit...how could you not with all that snow? I created this countdown calendar for Max this christmas season. I have had this for awhile but didn't know what papers I wanted to use until I found the My Mind's Eye Be Merry collection. Oh my these are the cutest papers ever and they just make me smile!! I mean really, look at the snowmen....who could resist a snowman this cute!! I am not sure what I am going to fill the boxes with yet....it reminds me of an advent calendar my mom had for us when we were little. One year she filled it with little candies and I can remember being so excited when it would be my turn to open the surprise. I might fill Max's with little ornaments and then get a small tree for him to hang them on so the closer we get to christmas the more decorated his little tree will become. But if I know Max he would probably love hershey kisses inside more than anything!! Maybe I can fit both in. We will have to see.

Back to work for me....now I have to finish up some more of my deadlines before I get fired!! LOL!

Andrew Thomas had a very good day yesterday!!

2008-11-19T09:08:00.004-05:00

I am so proud of this kid...I can't even begin to tell you!! Yesterday he was inducted into the National Honor Society....the official ceremony will be on December 3rd. With everything that he does he still maintains high grades and it just amazes me how he does it all! Then last night at the Football Banquet he received the Joe Annarella Sportsmanship award which is a big big thing in our school. Joe Annarella was a previous football coach for CVCS when he was tragically killed in an automobile accidentmany years ago. This award is voted on by the team so it is really special to Andrew that his team mates chose him for this honor. He also joined the ranks of the 1000 pound club.... a newly formed club which was established for whomever can lift 1000 pounds doing 3 types of lifts. He is actually at about 1200 now but I don't know the exact weights for each lift. I will have to figure that out later. Andrew is such a hard worker in everything that he does. He doesn't give up even when things are pretty tough. I truly believe that this attitude is going to take him so far in this world. I do have one beef with him at the moment and that is because he is completely stressing me out. He wants to wrestle this year...he feels that since he is not having surgery and that he wrestled all last season with the same injury that he should be able to wrestle again this year with a few precautions. I have not decided on this issue yet....I know what his dad wants him to do and I know what the coaches all want him to do but there is a big difference from last year. Last year I knew that his shoulder hurt.....this year I know WHY! And knowing that makes this decision very, very hard to make. Please pray. By the way he is practicing for wrestling and he did get certified in his weight class yesterday but officially nothing has been decided.

Now onto scrapping....since I was talking all about Andrew in this post I thought it would be kind of neat to show the layout that I did this week when he was born and Maddie met him for the first time. He has grown kind a bit don't ya think?? Maddie's face always kills me in this picture because I knew that she loved this new baby but I think that she was trying to grasp just how much her little life was going to change from that moment on.

I am still working on Christmas cards and gifts. Will share more of them later. I have deadlines upon deadlines that need to be met this month and I am running out of time. I think that I need another me!! So cutting this short so I can get off this computer and get myself back to work!!

Some good news to share!!

2008-11-13T11:54:00.002-05:00

Andrew Thomas went to see the specialist yesterday and he was very pleased with how Drew handled the football season with his shoulder. He was surprised that the pain was still manageable and that he didn't hurt it during the season which would have required immediate surgery. Now with that being said he has recommended that we hold off on the surgery. It is a surgery that he does most often in older patients that cannot stand the pain anymore. He feels that since Drew is doing so well that the risks of surgery at this time, coupled with the 5 month rehab that we should postpone it. We are so very pleased to hear this and to know that he will be able to play baseball come March. He will however not be able to wrestle this year and most likely next year. The risks involved in injuring it more are too high in wrestling and in doing so he would most likely jeapordize baseball. It is his call and I know it was hard for him to make it but I am happy that he has chosen not to wrestle at this time. Dad is sad but there is not much that can be done about it. So woohoo....NO SURGERY at this time!!

In my crafty world I have been busy creating more cards and gift items for the upcoming holidays. I am so enjoying the process at the moment. Nice and relaxed and pleased with what I have accomplished so far. I of course am sharing another new card with you all so I hope you enjoy it. I also finished up a scraplift contest from Scrap Whispers today and I can't wait to see the final run of that. It is where you get sent a layout and scrap lift it, then it gets sent on to another person and they scrap lift that...it goes on several times and in the end you get to see the original layout and then how everybody interpreted it from there. It is so much fun to see what happens along the way....kind of like that telephone game we used to play long, long ago.

Our snow has melted for the time being....thank goodness....but more is expected this weekend. Right now it is just a muddy mess outside....reminds me of why I dislike spring so much. The kids all enjoyed playing outside in it while it was here and poor Max was quite dismayed this morning on our way to the bus because it was all gone. Lucky for him we live in Western, NY and it will be back and stick around for quite a long time pretty soon!!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!!

2008-11-10T13:48:00.003-05:00

So this is what we woke up to this morning! I have to admit that it was really, really pretty but....I am just not ready for dealing with this stuff yet. Max was so excited this morning...had to wear his snow pants and boots to the bus stop. I took them a bit early so that they would have a chance to play in the snow before school. I have to say that the three kids were in heaven. That of course puts a smile on my face and makes me forget about what a pain in the butt it is to get everybody dressed and out the door in their winter gear!!

So with all the white stuff on the ground I spent most of my day creating more christmas cards. There is something about the snow that makes you feel all christmasy inside. How could it not? Also been working on some layouts for my dec. DT requirements, and starting some christmas gifts. I am happy to be starting as early as I am this year because I usually wait too long and drive myself into major panic attacks come mid december!! (smile) Nope, I am enjoying the season this year no matter what.

Last night we went into Buffalo for Andrew's concert at Saint Brigids...it was a beautiful concert and there was tons to eat afterwards. The only downside was the nasty weather we had to drive home in. But with $400 worth of brand new snow tires (that we got on in the nick of time I might add) it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Abby had her first JAVA practice last night and she enjoyed herself so much. It is good to see a smile on her face again where volleyball is concerned. Max and Drew stayed home and had a nice evening together just being brothers. And get this...the dishes were done and Max even had a shower before bed. Can't ask for a better big brother than that can you?

And on another happy note....my nephew Colby called me today to let me know that he is getting married!! I am so happy for him...he snagged a good one and I can't wait until the big day!!

Feeling Christmasy!!

2008-11-07T13:41:00.002-05:00

Not sure why really cause it is 70 degrees and sunny outside but I have been none the less in the Christmas spirit. So today I have started making my Christmas cards. I have a new way of thinking this year....they are all going to be different!! I usually make up a card that I like then mass produce it. But at about the 6th or 7th one I hate it!! It becomes a chore and I no longer enjoy the process. So this year I am going to spend a little time each day (or as often as I can) just creating cards...all different...all unique. And maybe as I make each little piece of art I will continue to enjoy the process this year and keep Christmas in my heart. So that is the plan for now...I am hoping I can stick with it. I made my first card today....I will show it here but if you are on my Christmas card list...don't peek cause you never know this may just end up in your mail box. (Smile)

Exciting news too....Abby made the JAVA Travel Volleyball team...First Team too!! That is for the best of the best....we are so proud of her. She so totally deserves it after what she has been through with the supposed coach of her highschool team. Yeah Abby and big hugs to you...love ya girlie!!

God Bless Our Country!!

2008-11-05T13:48:00.002-05:00

I hope that everybody had a chance to get out and vote yesterday. I know that we did bright and early. It was so cute because as soon as Max woke up at 6:30 am we hustled him into the car so we could go and vote before Drew had to work. Max had a card from school that said he went with us to vote and the inspector had to sign it so he could bring it back to his teacher. He was so proud to do that. As far as the outcome...well, I am not going to say whether I am disappointed or not. All that I will say on the subject is that this country wanted change and I pray that they will all be able to handle the changes that are coming. Enough said.

I created this layout today of Max in his halloween costume. He was so stinking cute that I couldn't wait to get one done of his elephant costume. The reason for the title was because where ever we went he was always asked if he was suppose to be Horton from Horton Hears a Who...well Max had no idea what a Horton was...he was just a Max dressed as an elephant. Too funny!! I guess that I am a bad mommy because I didn't take him to see that movie. Anyways....

Life goes on here in Cassadaga, pretty low key these days without any sporting events to go to. I am thinking that we are going to have to figure out some other things to do so we aren't just sitting at home every evening. I thought that I would enjoy not having to go anywhere but ya know what? I think that I will get pretty bored with that soon enough.

I am off to get some ironing done this afternoon....my most dreaded household chore. I so wish I could be like my mom and enjoy this task but it ain't happening!!

Crazy, crazy weekend!!

2008-11-03T11:53:00.003-05:00

I am just now starting to catch my breath again. First of course Friday was Halloween and I spent the afternoon in Max's classroom. Oh my gosh...it was so much fun! They had a little party, everybody was in their costumes. There were games all through the school and then a little parade with all of the classes showing off their costumes. Max had so much fun and he was just as cute as can be. Then we came home and quickly ordered pizza and wings for dinner. Everybody was coming and going so we really didn't have a sit down dinner...just eat when you could. Drew and I took Max trick or treating at about 5pm and the night was absolutely gorgeous! It was almost 70 degrees and beautiful. You can see just how pretty it was in the pictures. Abby and Andrew Thomas went around town with their friends but had a pretty early night of it because Abby had tryouts in the morning and Andrew had his football game in the afternoon on Saturday. We took Max for a quick trip to his grandparent's house but by then he was just totally pooped! He looked in his pumpkin and told us he has enough candy and he just wanted to go home.

Saturday was the last football game of the season. It was a little tear jerking but the boys won and it was a fitting end to a bit of a disappointing season. Here is to next year and a trip to states!! We cleaned out the concession stand, fed the boys some pizza and wings after the game, cleaned up the cafeteria and then headed out to Angola to help Drew's grandparents with an electronic issue...they couldn't get their new tv to work. Came home from that and went to bed after watching the Sabres game. Then....... we got up bright and early Sunday morning, drove out to Rochester to see Maddie play rugby (oh my goodness that is a rough sport!) then had to turn right around and head back to get Abby to her second round of tryouts sunday night. I am just pooped and have spent the day today trying to find my house....it was quite the pigsty when we got home!!

Hope that you all enjoy the pictures of Halloween. I think that we live in the prettiest place around and there is nothing like an Autumn evening in Cassadaga, NY!!

Snow is coming!!

2008-10-28T17:46:00.003-04:00

It has been a few days since updating but that is just because life is busy as usual! We are getting ready for our first significant snowfall of the season...and though I am hoping they are wrong my bones are aching like they are right. Will have to let you know tomorrow. The wind is surely howling out there right now.

On the family front...Abby is currently 2 hours way in Roy Hart for a volleyball playoff game. We opted not to go because it is sooo far away and well because....lets just say past experience tells us we don't really need to be there. (Coach issues) anyways, if they lose then the season is done and I have to tell you that Abby would be perfectly fine with that. JAVA starts on Saturday is she is just anxious to get that started.

The boys will be playing their final football game on saturday. Against an old rival....Falconer. It should be pretty exciting and I certainly hope that they end the season on a positve note. Fingers and toes crossed!!

We still haven't gotten a chance to see Maddie play rugby but we are hoping that everything works out for this sunday for us to go up there. She has a new pet....I think that it is a rat...a white one. Cute little bugger and she named her Trinity. I am glad that she will have something to keep her company while she is busy studying...not sure what I am going to think when Ms. Trinity comes home for vacations....teheheee.

We had some sad events happen over the past week as well. Andrew's great aunt Phyllis passed away from pancreatic cancer. We knew that it was coming but it still is a sock in the gut when it happens. But then Phyllis' daughter went to wake up her husband the next day and he had passed away in his sleep. He was only 47 and he had a massive heart attack. So poor Wendy lost her mom on Sunday and then her husband on Monday. Please keep her family in your prayers. She has 2 young children and they are taking it very hard.

I have been busy scrapping this week. Lots of deadlines to meet and lots and lots of things on my plate. I can share some of them but the others will have to wait (smile) The first layout is of a picture that I took of my brother at his 4th of July party this past summer. I really liked the perspective of this picture. And my journaling talks about how proud I am that he is my brother. This was for my recipe of the week over at MMFY The next one is also for MMFY and it was for my October stash DT challenge. What do we all have in our stash? Scraps....so you had to do a layout using only scraps and nothing larger than 2x2. I am holding Maddie in this picture and it tugs at my heart whenever I see it. It just really amazes me that she is off on her own and oh so grown up. How in the world did that happen.

Feeling Better....

2008-10-16T14:33:00.003-04:00

My pity party for myself is over! I am proud of myself for get over mom's anniversary as well as I did this year. It is something that I don't ever think I will get over but at least it is not paralyzing me like it used to. Anyways....

I have been scrapping a lot this week! Or doing scrappy projects. I made an altered clipboard count down to santa....can't share that with you yet because it is going to be in the ezine. It turned out so cute. I have been in the christmas making spirit too so I am happy about that because maybe just maybe I will get all of my christmas gifts done on time this year. Oh yeah....who am I kidding right? I think that I may even start my cards this week....that would be a shocker!! I do know that I have to get working on Max's Halloween treat thingys that I am making for his class. I also have to figure out how I am going to make him into an elephant for halloween. An elephant....where in the heck did he come up with that idea? Last year he was a bee which I thought was pretty cute. He keeps insisting that is what he wants to be and he hasn't changed his mind in 4 weeks....so I guess an elephant is what it is going to be!! Oh my!!

I have continued doing my scrap recipes over at MMFY because the ladies just love them over there. This layout today is my recipe for this week. I made them pull out their paints and paint on their layout....anywhere they wanted to just so there was paint on it. I love coming up with the different ideas for each recipe....keeps me on my toys so that they don't become bored with them.

On a family note.....hhhhmmmmm.....last night was volleyball.....still no improvement there with this coach. Things have gotten worse (if that is at all possible) but on a happy note....1 more game, 1 more tournament and then playoffs. We will be done with her and done with VB for school. Hoping and praying and doing whatever we can to make sure she doesn't come back next year. We will have to see how that one goes.

Football Friday night all the way in Allegheny Limestone....but it will be a pretty drive out there as the fall colors are just about at their peak!! 2 more games to go after this and then hopefully we can get Drew's surgery scheduled pretty quickly after that. We do have a deadline you know....baseball comes up pretty quick in the spring!!

And I also had to share Max's very first school picture (actually it is his very first professional picture ever!) Is he just the cutest or what?

Thanks for stopping by!!

Happy Anniversary in Heaven Mom

2008-10-14T09:15:00.002-04:00

Today marks 4 years without my mom. It still takes my breath away to think about the fact that she is no longer here with us. I will always remember the last weeks of her life. Fall was such a favorite time for her...she loved the beauty of the trees changing and the chill in the air. It was fitting for her to pass away on a Fall day! She was such an amazing woman, even more amazing mom and there is not a minute that goes by that my heart doesn't ache for her. To just hear her voice once more. I know that she is in a good place....no more pain, no more tears...just peace and happiness. I miss you mom, today and always...you will always be my hero!

And I totally forgot to mention....

2008-10-09T18:28:00.003-04:00

That I have been published in the MMFY online ezine This months issue is jam packed with some pretty neat stuff. Lots of inspiration in there!! I didn't really forget to mention this but sometimes I have a hard time giving myself a "toot" but I really want you all to see the ezine because it is just so cool!!

Just letting you all know.....

2008-10-09T17:28:00.002-04:00

about another fun crop happening this weekend. Coordinates Collections is having a Fall Crop starting tonight. It is going to be a lot of fun with lots of challenges and prizes. If you get a chance come on over and check it out.

Speaking of Fall...it is just beautiful here in western NY today. The temperatures are warm, the sun is shining and the colors are just spectacular. I love this time of year!! The kids have a long weekend starting tomorrow so I hope between the football game and the volleyball tournament that we can get some time to go to a pumpkin patch or some other fallish thing. I am just drooling over the thought of the beautiful pictures I could scrap with!! I am crossing my fingers that everybody cooperates!!

A prayer request goes out today for my friend Niki's daughter Ellie. She had her MRI today and the tumor is progressing. She has completed radiation and is currently on chemo but this monster of a tumor just keeps growing and growing. My heart is just breaking for them. Please visit her carepage Ellie and give them some prayers. Thank you!

What a great weekend!!

2008-10-06T10:31:00.002-04:00

Okay, for the most part it was an awesome weekend. The boys finally won a football game! It wa homecoming so if they were going to win one this is the one they needed to win. It was a defensive struggle but oh what a sweet victory! I was so proud of Andrew too...I think that this was the best game he has played all season and he was picked MVP of the game by the radio station. So stinkin proud of him!! Here is a link to the article of the game in case you are interested. Observer

Then of course there was the homecoming dance. Abby looked just beautiful in her dress and so did all of her friends. It was mighty chilly out that night but they were all brave and let us take pictures outside. Even Max had to get in on all the fun!!

Now for the icky part of the weekend. We were all sick! I think that I slept more hours than I was awake yesterday. I am so hoping we all feel better soon because it is costing us a small fortune in tissues. But seriously, it is nothing compared to what others are going through.

Happy Birthday Max!!

2008-10-02T12:04:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it but Max is 5 years old today!! Where in the world has the time gone? His birthday is always a little melancholy for me because when we celebrated his first birthday it was in the nursing home with my mom where she was spending her very last days. I am bound and determined not to go there today though. My baby is 5 and it is his first time having a birthday at school. I have been baking cupcakes all morning and getting them ready to take to the school at 2. He is excited that I am coming to his classroom today and I have to say that I am pretty excited about it too!! We are having pizza and wings for dinner....was there any doubt that that would be what he requested for his birthday dinner....nope. Not at all!! Then having grandma and grandpa over for cake and ice cream. Or actually cupcakes and ice cream at Max's request. Poor little guy has to wait until 7 to open his presents because daddy and Drew won't be home until then. I think he will make it though!!

This layout today is one for the new recipe in October over at MMFY. Max certainly loves his chocolate. Of course he asked for chocolate cupcakes and chocolate frosting and chocolate ice cream for his birthday. Wonder where he gets his love for the stuff....I can't even imagine (smile)

And I wanted to share the kids pictures from school this year. I am so happy with the way they turned out. I think they are pretty darn adorable kids. Can't wait to see Max's when they come in sometime next week.

Well I am off to finish cleaning....can't have the grandparents coming to a messy house tonight.

MMFY Scrap Pink!!

2008-09-26T12:18:00.003-04:00

Seriously....Couldn't you just eat this cute little face???

2008-09-25T13:16:00.003-04:00

I can't believe how much Max has changed since I took this picture in May!! He is so much a little boy now and not this toddler cheeky pooh!! Anyways, this is the layout that I did for my fourth and final recipe of the month for September. I am so impressed with what all the wonderful ladies did with my recipes over at MMFY There sure is some awesome talent over there and I can't wait to see what they come up with for my October recipes!!

Life here has been pretty hectic. The boys football game last Friday was a bummer. Now mind you...they played the absolute best that they have played all season. Coaching was great for the most part. They scored the very first touchdown on Southwestern's brand new field but....they lost the game. Not only that but they lost another 2 starters to broken hands and Andrew messed up his ankle pretty bad. He stayed in the game though which after seeing his foot I am just not sure how he managed. He did say that he didn't notice any pain in his shoulder because his ankle hurt so bad. Anyways, he treated it with ice and elevation for several days and the swelling did come down and of course he is practicing again getting all ready for the next game. Can't keep that kid down for nothing.

And...my world is rocked yet again....Andrew Thomas is now the proud owner of a NY State License.! He passed his road test yesterday....first time. I am now a nervous mommy because we all know how much I hate driving and how much I hate that I have 2 kids out on the road driving. But I do have to admit that this is going to make our lives a bit easier with getting kids to and from EVERYTHING!! So I just have to keep saying my prayers and stressing how important is to drive safe. He is a good kid so I am thankful for that!!

Abby's volleyball is about the same. Maybe a teeny bit better but not much. She just keeps plugging away knowing that JAVA will start November 1st. This should be an excellent opportunity for her.

Maddie absolutely loves Rugby....she had her first game last weekend and she couldn't stop talking about it. I need to get up and see her play soon....although I am a little scared to because I am told that it is a bit rough.

Max is totally in love with school still. It just makes me so happy to know that. Talked with his teacher yesterday and she said that he is the sweetest, most polite kid and even though he did not attend Pre-K he is above and beyond the ones that did academically. And his gym teacher who happens to lift weights with Andrew Thomas and has coached him as well says that Max is by far the most athletic kindergarten student that he has or ever has. I guess we should never have doubted that since sports has been his life from day one.

Remember that this weekend starting Friday is our Scrap Pink Crop for breast cancer awareness tomorrow over at MMFY So go on over and give it a looksy....it is going to be a fun one!! I will be hosting a sketch challenge as well as word game. Prizes and all!! And it is for a great cause!! Hope to see you there!!

Sorry that I have been MIA this week

2008-09-17T09:58:00.002-04:00

Lots to catch up on I guess. We will start with football...well, the game Saturday night was very painful to watch!! The poor boys were beat 18-0! Let me tell you there were some not very happy dads on the sidelines and even unhappier boys on the field. It was just a game where neither the coaches nor the players were on the same page...at all!! There is so much individual talent on this team and I just hope and pray that these coaches can figure out a way to make it all work together or this team is never going to win a game. And I just can't stand the thought of that happening. They have been practicing hard this week to get ready to face the undefeated Southwestern Trojans. This particular team just moved down into our class this year and they have a reputation for being an awesome team. It would do our boys so much good to pull off a win here and I do believe they have the talent to do so!! So fingers and toes crossed for Friday. Oh yeah....forgot to mention...our team is starting to get injury riddled. One player broke his hand Saturday on the opening kick off...didn't realize and kept playing the entire game!! Only to find out Sunday just how bad it really was. He is hoping to get into a hard cast this week so that he will be able to play Friday....man oh man this kid has guts and determination!!

Abby's volleyball woes are getting a teeny bit better...not much but we parents have all come to the conclusion that there is really nothing we can do about this coach and hopefully the school will realize that there was a reason she was let go from her previous job. Anyways, Abby is looking forward to starting with the travel league in November.

Maddie joined a rugby team at UofR...yep you heard that right and she is having the time of her life. I guess that I need to learn all about another new sport because I haven't a clue about rugby. We are hoping to get to see some games too. SHould be lots of fun!!

Now onto the scrapping world. First...MMFY is having a Crop Pink for Breast Cancer Online Crop on the weekend of Sept.26-28th. Please come over and join us for lots of fun challenges, games and prizes. It is all for such a great cause. So if you haven't registered there yet...please do!!

This layout is for my Recipe Challenge that I have going on over there every week. This weeks recipe includes:

Cardstock

2 Patterned Papers

Hand Written Title....don't be afraid...I just drew block letters and outlined them with my sharpie and colored them in. Easy Peasy!!

Flourish

Double Matted photo(s) You can use as many photos as you want...just make them double matted

Staples....I stapled my flourishes on to my layout

1 Paperclip

Journaling Tag

I thought that this funky look with the hand written title worked really great with the funky pictures my kids gave me!! They really do crack me up sometimes!!

Okay I am off to finish canning my spaghetti sauce and also hoping to scrap a bit today!!

Do you ever have one of those days....

2008-09-12T13:45:00.002-04:00

Where you just can't do anything? I am in such an unsettled mood with everything that is going on with Abby and volleyball...I just can't seem to function. I know, I know...I need to put it in perspective but it is so hard to see your child hurting no matter what the cause of it is. She is just heartbroken over all of this and it is tearing me up inside. After tonights game Andrew is going to step up and say something to the coach...and I use that term very loosely. This has brought on a whole other agony for Abby as she would just rather not be the kid whose dad talks to the coach. But the stupidity of this woman has gone on far too long and for whatever reason my husband is the only one with guts (or stupidity) to confront the situation. It hasn't been an easy decision for him either as he knows what this can do but enough is enough already. I have been praying and praying that something good will come out of all of this. I am seeing bits and pieces of possible good but not a whole lot. Guess I keep praying.

This is so exciting!

2008-09-09T13:42:00.002-04:00

Andrew received his first letter requesting game films from a Division I University! Syracuse University is looking at recruiting him!! How exciting is that? He has worked so hard for this and continues to work hard even faced with his shoulder injury. I am just so darn proud of him and can only hope and pray that all of his hard work and dedication will lead him to a whole world of opportunities! Now lets just hope the cougars can step it up the rest of the season and make their playoff dreams come alive!!

Abby is still having some major issues with volleyball. But I am so happy to see that this morning my sweet daughter woke up with a new found source of determination!! She is not going to let a ditzy blond coach get in her way of her hopes and dreams and both Andrew and I stand behind her 100%! We will do whatever it takes to help her achieve her goals.

Abby's struggles were the source of inspiration for this layout today. Is she gorgeous or what? I have some hidden journaling behind the photo because I don't think she would be ready to read what I have said yet...it might embarrass her a wee bit. But I felt it was important to journal my thoughts today and there will be a time when she will appreciate my words. (At least I hope so)

Max is still enjoying school and for the first time there was no lunchroom saga. He remembered that I packed his lunch and for the most part actually ate it! Phew...hopefully that is one less thing for me to have to stress about this week!!

So it wasn't really a good sport week for this family

2008-09-07T12:02:00.002-04:00

Volleyball did not go any better Friday and I am at my wits end as to what to do. It is so hard being a mom seeing your daughter get screwed...believe me that is not the word I want to use!! I keep reminding myself to put it in perspective and if this is the biggest thing we have to worry about then we should be pretty darn thankful. Sometimes that works and sometimes that doesn't. I guess I just need to pray some more on what I am if I am suppose to do anything about it all.

Football didn't turn out so hot yesterday either. We lost the season opener 7-6. Not the kind of start everybody was looking for. I am not sure who is more devastated...the kids or the dads. We did have a great time before the game tailgating. Lots of good food and laughs and just pure excitement. It was fun while it lasted but as the dads were leaving they were carrying their hearts in their hands. But seriously...it was one game...now hopefully the coaches will be smart and look at what worked and what obviously didn't. And then take that information and fix the issues. Again .... put it in perspective!! The cougars do have a neat website all their own and not affiliated with the school. Cougars Football Click on that and you can see some fun pictures of Andrew at the bonfire and also pictures from the game yesterday.

I am canning spaghetti sauce again today and in honor of the season opener for the Bills I have my traditional chilli brewing in the crockpot. The house smells sooooo yummy!!

2008-09-05T14:35:00.003-04:00

I have always wanted to know how to link to another site without actually having to paste the entire url address....I think it looks much cooler that way. So I am going to experiment and see if I figured it out....teeeheeee

MMFY

OH MY GOSH....it worked!! How cool is that!!

Day 3 and still going strong!!

2008-09-05T13:47:00.004-04:00

He still likes school!! You just don't know how relieved that I am about this fact!! And I am finding that I am enjoying my time here at home. I have been able to work on a lot of things that I have been putting off as well as creating new items for my eBay store. SO I think that this is going to be a good thing all around (smile) I do have another lunch saga to share with you all though...he gets off the bus today and says "Mom, you forgot to pack my lunch" ummmm Max we have been through this...we decided that you were going to buy this week. Well, I didn't like it. Why not honey? They put jelly on my peanut butter sandwich. A big NO NO in Max's book. He apparently didn't want the hamburger and fries so they asked him if a peanut butter sandwich was okay....well it would have been except that there was jelly on it. So I spent $1.40 for chocolate milk today because that is all he had. Needless to say....I am packing him a lunch on Monday with a big big note to his teacher telling her that he brought his lunch!! I am just thankful that these lunch sagas are my biggest concern with school....thank goodness for that!

So while he was gone today I scrapped his picture from his first day of school. I am so proud of myself for getting it done this year and not when is 20!!

Okay, just have a small prayer request...nothing serious....nothing health related....just an issue with Abby and volleyball. I am having a hard time keeping my mouth shut and all I am going to say is that I really think a volleyball coach should be hired because she knows how to play, has played before and can teach the girls something....and not because she is a size 2 blond that looks good....enough said but please pray for Abby to be able to deal with the poop she is dealing with and please say a prayer for me because I need (ABSOLUTELY NEED) to keep my mouth shut and we all know how hard that is for me!!

Tomorrow is the opening game for Cougar football...keep Drew in your prayers too so that this brace does what it is suppose to do and no injuries!!

Day Two!!!!

2008-09-04T13:36:00.002-04:00

And he came off the bus just as happy as yesterday. He thought school was pretty cool today too because they had their first fire drill...he loved it! Only Max!! I sent him lunch money for the week including yesterdays so hopefully we won't have any more mishaps in that department. He wasn't too thrilled with lunch today though because it was a chicken tender sub...and if you know Max you know he doesn't like sandwiches...something about mixing his foods. He will only eat a peanutbutter sandwich with NO JELLY! Anyways, he said he had to take his chicken off his sub and then wipe off the white stuff with his napkin...yep he doesn't like condiments of any kind either. And then to top it all off...they changed their minds about serving cookies and served bananas instead...he refused to put the banana on his plate. He is just too funny...he used to love bananas but for some reason he can't even stand the smell of them anymore!!

I actually scrapped today...no interruptions...okay I did have interruptions...Kody was a pain in my butt today constantly under foot and wanting to go outside. My scraproom is so tiny but he insists on being in there with me while I scrap...no room to move around or nothing. I guess he loves me!! Here is the layout that I did today. At MMFY I am doing a weekly "recipe" challenge for the members...the recipe being a scrapbook page that has to have certain things on it. This is my first "recipe"

1 Piece of cardstock

3 Patterned Papers

6 Buttons

2 Ribbons

Please use circles somewhere on your page

And must have visible journaling somewhere on the page

The recipe idea has been met with lots of excitement so I can't wait to see what everybody comes up with. There is a RAK involved so if you want a chance to win go on over and register then play along with me all month!!

We Survived!!

2008-09-03T16:37:00.002-04:00

The first day of school that is. Max was so excited when I woke him up this morning (yes Ihad to wake him up because he stayed up late watching his favorite reality show last night...America's Got Talent...I am such a bad mom!!) Anyways he got dresses and tried to eat breakfast but he just wasn't hungry. Ellie and Emmy came and then we got in the van and went to school. He was totally stoked!! There was a second of apprehension when he asked me where I was going but then his teacher told him to go find the hook with his name on it to hang his backpack and off he went...never even looked back! I was pretty proud of myself too...no tears. There was a moment of sadness however later in the morning when I picked his blankie off the floor but then I quickly thought...hey he isn't home and he will never know if I wash it!! So he has a clean, no longer smelly blanket to cuddle with tonight.

He had a short day today and I went to pick him up off the bus...he was smiling and chatting and telling me how much he loved his school and was happy to go back tomorrow. I also noticed that he had pizza on his face...ummmmm....I packed him a peanut butter sandwich. Guess he forgot I packed his lunch so he told his teacher he would like the pizza please....yeah right he forgot! He just saw pizza and there was no way he was going to eat his plain ole peanutbutter sandwich! I guess I send extra money in with him tomorrow for todays lunch....and then I guess since he enjoyed buying lunch he can buy again tomorrow!!

Enjoy the pictures of my little man....can't believe he is this old already!!

As of yesterday....

2008-09-02T15:12:00.003-04:00

I officially started my reign as a DT member over at MMFY...this is going to be so much fun and I am as excited as ever about this. These layouts that I am sharing today are my first DT uploads from my kit from Kelly's Kit Shoppe...OMG...I loved this kit!! There are so many new things happening over there this month with all of the new DT starting and bringing a whole lot of new ideas and inspiration. Some really fun games and scrapping going on over there. So please all you scrappers go on over and take a peek...you won't be sorry!! Another cool thing happening over there is that they have a monthly ezine and it is so cool and so full of information and inspiration. In fact I will be writing a monthly article on Scrapping on a Budget. I have to figure out how to post the link to the ezine...it is in PDF format and is really nice!!

Tomorrow is the big day....everybody goes back to school and of course that means Max too this year. He seems to be excited...he is actually counting down the days. We packed his backpack today with all of the required supplies. He helped to write his name on his belongings too. I sure hope that I do as well as he appears to be doing. It will be an emotional time for me I am sure but I keep thinking how clean my house is finally going to be and that makes me smile!! Or of course it may not be because I might just go into my scrap room and forget about the entire house all day!! That sounds a bit more fun but I don't think that it will go over well with the rest of the family.

Yesterday Drew and I canned our spaghetti sauce....such a long process but thankfully we both enjoy doing it and this year it was even more fun because the tomatoes came from our own garden!! Tonight for dinner I am making Zucchini Parmesean with you guessed it...our own sauce and our zucchini fresh from the garden!! Yummy!

My neice had a little scare this weekend...she lives in LA and experienced her first hurricane. Thankfully she and Ryan did just fine and I think all of the horses made it through too. I can't believe I am saying this but give me snow any time over hurricanes and tornados. Remind me that I said that come January.

Here are the promised pictures....

2008-08-30T12:25:00.002-04:00

This is her kitchen...sin't it cute?
Her own bedroom and those windows have such a nice breeze...they over look the courtyard
Another pic of her kitchen...sorry I didn't remember to turn the picture
Max Hugging her good-bye before we left Cassadaga...He wants to visit her 100 times!!
And last but not least her quirky..."see ya mom...I am going to be fine!!!"

So today is the start of the big Labor Day festivities here in the village. We will be going to Rod and Lisa's for a picnic then off to watch the parade. The annual ducky derby after that...let me tell you I better win something this year! And the best part of all....sitting on the golf course watching the fireworks. It is so cool to be watching them when they are right over top of you....they light them off towards the back of the course and we all get to sit on the front of the course. The absolute best way to watch fireworks for sure!! I always make special homemade popcorn and we set up a blanket to sit on. Have a couple of beers/pop and snack on the popcorn....perfect!! Although, Drew has to work at the Dale tonight. His last night for the summer so he will be watching from the gate. Kind of a bummer but as I am learning...life is always changing much to my dismay!!

Stay safe this weekend and have a wonderful end of the summer blast! I know that we will!!

Sad, sad, sad

2008-08-29T20:50:00.003-04:00

Just a quick one tonight...I am sad. We took Maddie back to school today. I cannot believe that summer is actually over! She was so excited to go back to school and I have to say that makes it a bit easier on me. Her apartment is so cute...I mean it doesn't have any decorative qualities but it will once her and Brit put their touches to it. But it is so much nicer than her dorm room last year in that she has her own room, a kitchen and get this...their very own bathroom!! Life is good when you don't have to share a bathroom with 60 other people!! I took pictures and will post them tomorrow...just haven't got the heart to get them off the camera tonight.

Abby's volleyball team won their first match today against Gowanda...we had to miss it but she completely understood. Can't wait until Wednesday to see the next one.

Drew has a scrimmage tomorrow...say a prayer for his shoulder please.

Promise...I will post pictures tomorrow!!

So I am a little bummed.....

2008-08-22T10:28:00.003-04:00

I can share my Master's layouts with you all today because alas...I wasn't chosen. Not that I was expecting to because they had thousands and thousands of entries but boy it sure would have been fun to be one of the lucky and talented 10 that were chosen.

Life is getting hectic here...Abby made the Varsity volleyball team which is really great since she is only a sophomore. She has practice every single morning at 7:30 am!! Then Drew has football practice every single night from 4-7pm. We are constantly driving which is scary because gas is still so darn expensive...although we are under $4 now. All the way to $3.99!! Maddie is trying to get ready to go back to school next friday so we are trying to make sure she has everything that she needs and is packed. Of course I am already starting to get weepy and then it only gets worse the following week when my little sidekick starts school. Life sure has a way of changing on you doesn't it?

And an update on Drew's shoulder....went to the specialist one more time before the season starts and he ordered a fancy schmancy brace for his shoulder to be worn during games and practices. Thank goodness we have good insurance because this brace costs almost $300!! It will be worth my piece of mind though! Still looking at surgery in November and we are hoping it will be early november so he can play baseball. His baseball coach is already fretting that he won't be cleared in time. I am leaving it all in God's hands and told the coach to do the same!!