I just had to post this photo of two of my favorite people - Stephanie and Ethan. I took this picture and I think it's hilarious. Ethan and Stephanie actually have a lot in common - they're both music lovers with exhaustive collections, they both have social anxiety, and they both have great senses of humor, which is one of the reasons I love both their company. 

This modest house in the Taftville section of Norwich is where my life began, somewhere between July 31st and August 1st 1974.  

I'm working on a Sweetwater album for my Scraptalk assignment this month and the theme is My Hometown. I went to Norwich on Tuesday and took a bunch of photos for it and now I'm feeling all nostalgic. This beautiful building is the City Hall! 

Questions from Stephanie's Blog....

Hot Chocolate or Egg Nog? Hot Chocolate. Chocolate always gets preference.

Does Santa wrap the presents or just set them under the tree? Santa only fills stockings in our house.

Colored or white lights on the tree/house? White outside, colored inside.

Do you hang mistletoe? Of course - the more smooches the better.

When do you decorate? Usually not at least until 12/15, and we keep decorating until 12/24. 8-)

What is your favorite holiday dish? Turkey!

Favorite Holiday memory as a child? When both sides of my family all went to my Aunt Beulah's house for Christmas. I was really lucky to have grandmothers who were friends - I got to have my whole family together for most holidays.

Favorite Holiday memory as an adult? Esme realizing that she should be excited that Christmas is coming!

How and when did you learn the truth about Santa? First grade, when a classmate told me there was no Santa. I wasn't shocked though.

Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve? Esme opens gifts from her Nonna on Christmas Eve, but other than that, no.

What kind of cookies do you set out for Santa on Christmas Eve? This year, Alfajores, Chai Shortbreads, Two Bit Wonders, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Sugar Kisses, White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal, Cafe Latte Bars, Eggnog cookies, Chocolate Spritz cookies, Marmalade Morsels, and Granola Butterscotch.

Snow! Love it or hate it? When Esme sees it and her face lights up, I love it. The rest of the time I'm just tired of it.

Can you ice skate? I've never tried.

.Do you remember your favorite gift? My favorite doll - My Friend Jenny.

What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? Ethan & Esme

What’s your favorite holiday dessert? Chocolate Dream pie.

What’s your favorite holiday tradition? watching It's a Wonderful Life with Ethan

What type of tree? Artificial all the way.

Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving.

What is your favorite Christmas Carol? Go Tell it on the Mountain

Candy Canes-- great for decorating and dipping in cocoa.

This Santa is on my nice list! Esme had an absolutely miserable Santa experience on Saturday, and I was worried she wouldn't want any part of him anymore. But Tuesday Donna and I took her up to Yankee Candle Factory, where the REAL Santa visits with boys and girls. This man is wonderful. He took the time to really pay attention to her and talk about her favorite subject - Elmo. There's a photo of her with him on our family blog.

I love Freecycle! I am cleaning house and getting rid of lots of stuff. Last year I bought Esme a toy Boobah that sings and dances and I have grown to really despise the thing. We don't even watch Boobahs, but our neighbor had one that she really liked. I am so glad it is going to a good home and out of mine! Also she received some Peek A Blocks for her first Christmas that she got very little play value out of, and those are also going to a good home. The best thing is that all I have to do is put them out on my porch and they magically disappear! Hooray!
I'm getting rid of some old dishes, a crib mattress, some clothes she's outgrown, and more.

Plus, I can ask for things whenever I want. Someone gave me some curtains, I've gotten some office clips, an easel, etc. If you haven't tried Freecycle check it out at www.freecycle.org - it's a wonderful system!

It is wonderful to enjoy the holiday season with a two year old! Today on our way to pick Ethan up at work, Esme and I saw several houses decorated with Christmas lights. Esme was excited by EVERY strand of lights, no matter how small. She was wowed every house we saw, and kept shouting, "Let's see more!"

We went to Kohl's this year and found some great buys. I have been searching everywhere for a boy Cabbage Patch Kid for Dylan and they are very hard to find! Toys R Us had all girls, Target had all girls, and Kohls had all girls except for ONE boy! Dylan James will be Daddy to Daniel Calvin. And he was even on sale. A couple weeks ago I'd told Esme that she could pick out a toy to buy for a little girl who might not get many toys this Christmas, and today she found what she considered the perfect one. It was a lavendar plush My Little Pony (also on sale whoo hoo) and we're going to donate it to Toys for Tots this weekend.

Today we started the Advent calendar Edwina and Wolfgang got Esme. She really loves it because it has a baby on it, so even though she's only 2, it's been a good opportunity for my to talk to her about Jesus being a baby. It's a cute, but not too cute, manger scene. Behind every door is a one line of the story. Tonight before she goes to bed she'll get to tear the first link off her Christmas chain.

Christmas with a child is much different than Christmas as just a couple. The fun things we want to do are all oriented around Esme, and the gifts were are most excited to give usually have parts designed not to be choking hazards. This year she speaks well enough to give us her interpretations on everything, and to make requests, and to express her delight.

I asked her what she was going to tell Santa she would like for Christmas and she thought about it for a really long time and then answered seriously, "A toy." She had to think really seriously again when I asked her what kind of toy she wanted, but of course the answer was, "Elmo!"

I just had to post that my mom has redeemed herself from the sorry-there-is-no-turkey-for-you-your-aunt-and-I-ate it incident. She took the little that was left and made these super yummy cheesy, oniony, crescent roll things that Ethan and I ate today. They were soooo good!!

Stephanie may not have gotten her candied sweet potatoes, but I didn't even get turkey! The snow kept us from going to CT to my mom's house, so our grand feast was leftovers from Wednesday night. Our one treat was that I had been designated to bring a chocolate cream pie, so we did have that on hand. We took it over to my MIL's house and shared it with her since her Thanksgiving plans were also cancelled.

My mom cooked a big meal so she very graciously saved us the leftovers so we could have Thanksgiving dinner late. But then she called me today and said we could have everything but the turkey, because she and my aunt had eaten it for lunch today. Gee, thanks!

It was nice to have a relaxing day with Ethan and Esme. I have been battling a cold for about a week and I really enjoyed getting some rest. Esme really enjoyed making the pie, and I think Ethan enjoyed just having a day off!

So, I don't get to go to NYC on Thursday. It's supposed to rain or snow and we just can't see having Esme standing out there in the cold and wet for hours. Boo! I really wanted to go!

Instead my mom invited us to come to her house - the beauty of that plan is that my 1.5 year old nephew, Dylan, will be there, and I'll get to spend some quality time with him. I love that boy so much! He is so special to me! I made a litte 6 by 6 album of him for my brother for Christmas - I can't wait to give it to him!

I started my Christmas shopping - Esme is getting a ton of Play Doh and Play Doh accessories this year. I got some great scrapbooking supplies for my best friends, and I have a couple cool ideas for Ethan-Boo. The one person I'm always stumped for is Sarah, my other brother's long time girlfriend.

I am so tired of being sick. This is my third cold of the school year (although I didn't get this one at school) and it just doesn't seem fair to have this many. I am so congested that it wakes me up and I have to go take a decongestant. I want to go to NYC on Thursday but I'm afraid if I don't improve I won't be able to.

I took this photo of Ellen and Stephanie today at lunch. Don't I have cute friends? 

I had a hard mommy day today.

First, just when I had finished my time out with Ellen and Stephanie, Clare called to tell me that Esme was having an allergic reaction and had a puffy face. If she gets facial swelling we are supposed to call 911, so this freaked me out! I was just a short way away from Clare's house and since she didn't seem to be in crisis, we jetted over there. It turns out it was just hives on her face and not facial swelling, so I was very relieved. I have to give her about 100 kisses, but she didn't really understand why I was interrupting her eating a graham cracker. I was impressed how calmly Clare handled it, but still with the perfect amount of concern.

Then when we went to visit Ethan for the first time at his new job at the library, Esme and I took a tumble. It was really more of a crash actually. We fell down the last 3 or 4 steps of a concrete staircase onto a concrete floor. Neither of us were hurt badly, just a few bumps and bruises. Of course Esme sc-reeeeeeeamed bloody murder, which echoed all through the stone room with cathedral ceilings in an otherwise quiet library. Then she started yelling, "You knocked me down! You knocked me down!," (which is not what happened, just for the record) and then started screaming, "I waannnntt CANDY! I waaaanttt CANDY!"

Ironically earlier today Ellen, Stephanie, and I had been talking about how I don't really worry too much about her allergies, and how she doesn't usually say embarassing things in public. Sigh.

I learned tonight that Compact Flash cards have a finite life. All of a sudden my camera stopped working and this turned out to be the culprit. I'd use the card from Christmas last year and had success with it through Halloween, but I've taken a TON of photos in that time, and I feel it has led a productive life. The good news is that its successor has double the memory, which means double the photos I can take at a time! RIP old camera card!

This may have been my favorited Halloween EVER!! Earlier today we made pumpkin muffins to bring to the neighbors we know and to friends whose houses we were going to stop by. We had so much fun going out tonight! Around 5 Esme and I went over to Gollie's new house to Trick or Treat. He and Sue were excited to see us and gave Esme some candy. Then we went to another person from our church's house, and came back to our street. This was Esme's time really Trick or Treating. We went to the end of our road and down a couple side ones - Esme was a huge hit in her Halloween costume and people were giving her handfuls of candy! She was so happy to see lights on and kept saying, "Let's get more candy!" It seemed like a dream come true for her. She was very good about saying, "Twick aw Tweat," and, "Tank you," at everyone's doors. She was so sooo sweet and I loved spending this time with her!

Going home to take over passing out candy on the other hand, wasn't such a good experience. As we were walking up to our own door, a teenager tried to steal one of our gourds right in front of us. I yelled, "Hey!," and started screaming at him to put it back until he threw it into one of our bushes. Punk! We had adults trick or treating at our house. I don't mean young adults either - people gray hair who didn't even have kids with them. I think that is really lame. Then right toward the end of the night I was running low on candy and got a group of about 13 people. I said I was going to give it to the kids only and an adult held out her bag. I said, "I really want to save it for the kids.," and she said, "Well this is for the baby!," and pointed to a child less than one. I said, "Oh does the baby eat Milky Ways?!?," and she said, "Yes she does!" So I finally gave her one, but she was pissed and talked about me all the way down the street. I was irritated because the other kids had to miss out so the mom could either keep the candy for herself or give it to someone who doesn't even have teeth. Sigh.

I love Karen Burinston's work and I was so excited to see she started a blog! I added her to my links list!

I was just sitting here reading my email when I heard Esme start crying. She'd really started wailing, "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!," by the time I got to the top of the basement steps. I went upstairs to her room and opened the door and asked her what was the matter. She smiled sweetly at me and said brightly, "Mommy, tell me a story!"

Esme and I made out own applesauce today and it was soooo good! I'd never made applesauce before - my grandmother Adams' was soooo good I knew I couldn't live up to those standards. Recently though I saw a post on the peaboard about how to make it in your crockpot, so I decided we should give it a try. We used the apples we picked with my mom a while ago. It was incredibly easy and came out so well. I was so glad we tried it - there's nothing like warm applesauce on a cool Fall night!

I'm a little worried about adjusting to Ethan's new work schedule. I'm so excited for him, and can't wait to hear about all his interesting new work stuff, but he's going to be working a ton of hours. That means less hours with him and more hours alone with Esme. As much as I love her, that can be very stressful at times.

So, I'm starting to plan ahead. I found a couple local parent drops in centers that we can go to, just to get out the house, play with other kids, talk to other parents, and one even has a music class once a week. I think it's important for Esme to start doing things in groups so that's an added bonus. We have our membership to the Chilren's Museum which is great for rainy days now or the cold days that are coming up. Esme could spend hours and hours there. Kidsports in Hadley looks like it might be fun too, and it's a lot less expensive than I thought. We might be able to go there once a month or so just for a change of scenery. Friday and Saturday are going to be our hardest days, so hopefully I can visit and be visited a lot by my friends and family in CT those days.

I would do whatever it took to make these jobs work for Ethan! I'm so happy to see the spring back in his step and to know he'll be working somewhere he'll be appreciated!

OMG I am being buried under Fall photos!! I cannot believe how many photos I have from this year so far - as Stephanie pointed out, I have enough to fill an entire scrapbook with just this year! So far we've
-been to the Big E
-been to a small, local fair
-been apple picking
-been to the pumpkin patch
-been to Mt. Sugarloaf to look at the leaves, and been in the newspaper on top of that!
-gone to Halloween activities at Look Park
-made Jack o Lantern Crafts
-gone to Fright Fest at Six Flags
-done Fall photo shoots with on a nice stroll, and of course with pumpkins
-gone to Pumpkin people
Plus we are still going to:
-go to a Halloween party
-do a photo shoot of Esme in her costume of course - this is a must!
-rake and jump in the leaves
-go Trick or Treating
-make pumpkin muffins for our neighbors
-Thanksgiving dinner preparations (whether making the meal or just pies)
-eating Thanksgiving dinner
-and of course I have to make a page about why we're thankful for Esme

I've been tagged by Stephanie!!

Five Things I Plan to Do Before I Die
1) Go to Seattle - I haven't been since my first birthday.
2) Finish a scrapbook about myself.
3) Get a car with less than 50,000 miles on it.
4) Learn to make a souffle.
5) Win HOF.

Five Things I Can Do
1) Scrapbook.
2) Plan enough activities to entertain a 2 yo any day.
3) Remember almost my entire life.
4) Organize numbers into patterns.
5) Make pumpkin muffins.

Five Things I Can't Do
1) Get anywhere new without getting lost.
2) Do any complex computing in my head.
3) Beat my brother at arm wrestling.
4) Win a video game against Ethan.
5) See scary movies.

Five Things That Attract Me to the Opposite Sex
1) Sense of Humor.
2) Kindness.
3) Intelligence.
4) Cool Hair.
5) Being a good Kisser.

Five Things You Say Most Often
1) I love you!
2) Stop right there!
3) Don't hug the kitties!
4) Do it again and you'll be in bed!
5) That sucks. (trying to stop this one.)

Five Celebrity Crushes
1) Alan Rickman
2) Colin Firth
3) Anthony Hopkins
4) Sean Connery
5) Orlando Bloom

I tagged Glo-Girl!

We had such a nice weekend! We woke up fairly early Saturday and went to see Sesame Street Live. Esme and I had been earlier in the year but this time Ethan got to go. We came home and took a family nap afterward, which was very relaxing. Today we went to Six Flags. We all painted pumpkins and we took turns going on rides with Esme. It was just a fun day all together - my favorite kind of day!

I'm so proud of Ethan! He interviewed several times and landed an awesome new job! He was the Textbook Manager at a severely struggling college store, and now he's got a cooler Textbook Manager job at a healthier trade and textbook store! I'm so happy for him because they take him for granted where he is now and I know he'll be given more respect and appreciated more at his new store. It seems like a more professional environment, and will definitely give him some new skills. Plus they have a great trade (regular) book section and my discount on books is going up to 40% off! Whoo-hoo!

I'm finally feeling a bit better!

Ethan and I are hooked on Dr. Mario again. We have the game for his original Nintendo set, and it's set up in our basement. In the past we've gone through spurts when we played maniacally for hours every night. The last few days since he set it up we've been playing a few rounds every night. Although we are almost equally matched, he is slightly better than me and wins more. I blame my parents for not letting me play video games at an early age!

Between being sick and playing Dr. Mario, it's no wonder I'm hardly getting any sbing done. I'll get back down to business when my next DT package arrives next week.

I'm so tired of being sick now. This cold is now officially kicking my butt. I woke up this morning with a sinus headache so bad I couldn't open my eyes. I have to work tomorrow so I am pray that this improves before then.

I started reading The Sound and the Fury a few by William Faulkner a few days ago. Normally I am the kind of person who HAS to finish a book if I start it, but I am considering putting this book down. I got through the first section, which is from Benjy's perspective and is supposed to be the hardest to read, but now that I'm in Quentin's section I'm not so sure I want to go through with it. I might stick a bookmark in it and set it aside for a time while I decide.

Last night we had the Alfredos Angels reunion! It was so good to scrap with our group again. It had been a really long time and I've missed having that regular scheduled time to meet with friends and get out of the house. I finished two pages with difficult journaling, which is always more difficult at a crop. Plus I got to sit next to Stephanie which is always a pleasure!  

Even though I wasn't feeling well I managed to do 2 pages last night that I'm really happy with. You can see them here:
My Scraptalk Gallery. Silly is really a departure for me from most things I do - I don't usually leave anywhere near that much negative space!

I've done a lot of pages for my All About Me album lately but I feel like I'm only scratching the surface of what I want to express. I want this album to really express who I am. I'm going to a crop tonight (health permitting) and I might take my copy of The Book of Me along for inspiration.

I woke up this morning with a sore throat. I feel like I just got over being sick and I am sooo no ready to be sick again! Plus I have a big crop on Tuesday that I'm really looking forward to, and I really don't want to miss it! Wah!

I love October. I never cared much about Fall until Esme was born, but the last two years Fall has been a fun and happy time for us. We do lots of Fall activities like going apple picking, hayrides, pumpkin picking, playing in the leaves, baking Fall foods, going to see the Pumpkin People. I love the weather because it is just so generally comfortable. Last year in October I got to see Stephanie a lot and that made is great too. I'm so glad today is October 1st.

My self portrait from the House of Mirrors! 

OMG I am so tired right now. We spent 6 great hours at the Big E today, and it wore me out! I love going places with Ethan and Esme. They are so fun to be with, and Esme loves getting both her parents all to herself to take her on exciting outings.

Esme was very interested in the animals, the rides, and the food. She got to try a lot of treats today like a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, fried dough, a cider doughnut, and a caramel apple. Of course these were all things she just had tastes of. Her favorite ride was a little train she went on with Ethan. She was happy because they got to sit in the engine car. She also got to see a parade right before we left and the marching bands were a big hit.

I got to do something new too - I went into a house of mirrors for the first time. I went in by myself and took my camera to get some fun self portraits. I think I got a couple good shots.

I haven't scrapbooked in over a week! OMG that is a looong time for me! I usually scrap at least 3 nights a week and for an extended period on Thursday. Last week I was sick and then I was helping my MIL with her craft fair so I didn't have time to do anything. I'm soooo excited to get back to it tonight! Now I just have to decide what I want to work on!

One more list for tonight...some of the reasons I love Ethan:

1. He's so cute.
2. He's very interesting to talk to.
3. He's very thoughtful in both his actions and opinions.
4. He's a great dad to Esme.
5. He has cool hair.
6. He's very supportive of everything I do.
7. He's made and is continuing to make a real effort to understand my religion.
8. He has a great sense of humor.
9. He plays the video games I like with me.
10. He makes me dinner when I don't feel up to it.
11. He lets me sleep in a lot.
12. He runs errands for me.
13. He's a good listener.
14. He understands me.

My results from TheColorQuiz.com:

Existing Situation
Defensive. Feels her position is threatened or inadequately established. Determined to pursue her objectives despite the anxiety induced by opposition.

Stress Sources
Eager to make a good impression, but worried and doubtful about the likelihood of succeeding. Feels that she has a right to anything she might hope for, and becomes helpless and distressed when circumstances go against her. Finds the mere possibility of failure most upsetting and this can even lead to nervous prostration. Sees herself as a 'victim' who has been misled and abused, mistakes this dramatization for reality and tries to convince herself that her failure to achieve standing and recognition is the fault of others.

Restrained Characteristics
Egocentric and therefore quick to take offense. Sensitive and sentimental, but conceals this from all except those very close to him. Very exacting in the standards she applies to her choice of a partner and seeking a rather unrealistic perfection in her sex life.

Desired Objective
Urgently in need of rest, relaxation, peace, and affectionate understanding. Feels she has been treated with a lack of consideration and is upset and agitated as a result. Regards her situation as intolerable as long as her requirements are not complied with.

Actual Problem
Depleted vitality has created an intolerance for any further stimulation, or demands on her resources. A feeling of powerlessness subjects her to agitation and acute distress. Tries to escape from this by relinquishing the struggle, and by finding peaceful and restful conditions in which to recuperate in an atmosphere of affection and security.

Actual Problem #2
Disappointment at the non-fulfillment of her hopes and the fear that to formulate fresh goals will only lead to further setbacks have resulted in considerable anxiety. She is trying to escape from this into a peaceful and harmonious relationship, protecting her from dissatisfaction and lack of appreciation.

This is a challenge from 2 Peas - Ten Weird Things About Me:

1. I hate tomatoes. Lots of people don't like tomatoes, what's weird is how much I abhor them. I hate tomatoes more than I hate social injustice.
2. If I start saying the alphabet I have to say the whole thing, even if it's only in my head. It must be an OCD thing.
3. My family secretly pretends that a former U.S. Congressman my mother knew as a child is my real father.
4. I cannot eat food that was stored in a community space or fridge. I don't mean in someone's home, but like at work. I bring a cooler so I won't have to put my soda in the fridge.
5. I still love listening to what was my favorite record at 4 years old. (Peter, Paul, and Mommy.)
6. I do not like people to sit on my bed. My only exceptions are my DH (of course), my DD, my nephew, and one of my brothers. I don't know why it doesn't bother me with one of my brothers, but it does with the other.
7. I cannot develop an accent for any language but English, no matter how hard I try. I've been told I have a strong Connecticut accent.
8. I am only good at video games that move vertically rather than horizontally.
9. I never get any suggestion of sex or homosexualtiy in movies unless it is specifically spelled out.
10. I love listening to a couple conservative talk shows even though I'm a die hard liberal.

Tonight rush at the bookstore is officially over! Yayyyyy! Now normal life can resume in our home! I'm so glad I'll finally be able to spend some quality time with Ethan again.

Both my grandmothers were born in September - on the 14th and the 25th. I've been thinking about them a lot lately, and remembering their houses and the way they made me feel. I've been recalling all the sensory details - the way my grandmother's "beef with onion soup" smelled, the way the paint on her door felt. Or the way my other grandmother hutch smelled inside when she opened it to get me a Hershey kiss, or how excited I was to watch her *color* TV. I want to scrapbook these details as soon as possible and share these memories with my family.

Word on the street is that the calls could come out from Memory Makers as early as tomorrow to the winners of the Masters contest. I wish it was going to be longer! The longer they wait to announce, the longer I can dream that maybe I'd win. I keep thinking what it would be like to have that $1,200 box of scrap supplies arrive at my door. And what it would be like to call Stephanie and Lisa and tell them about it. Geez, just being a HM would be such a thrill! I wish it was another month until the announced the winners.

I received my first Design Team supplies! I got an envelope from Scraptalk and a box from ScrapZone yesterday! Of course I had to start a layout last night. I got about halfway through before I realized it was really time for me to go to bed.

I've unpacked several more boxes and started to reorganize our laundry room. My house is so disorganized right now it's overwhelming. I'm glad I can get little bits done while Esme is occupied by something else. I want to have a harvest party at my house and so I want to get the whole house in good order in time.

The idea of a harvest party really appeals to me. We have some friends that don't do Halloween, but they can still do pumpkins and apples and all kinds of other fun fall things. Also, by having a harvest theme instead of Halloween we have a much greater range of time we can plan in, and we won't have to compete with other parties. I hope I'll be able to have my family and few friends come.

Well, I've decided it's time to unpack. We've lived here for 11 months and I'm tired of looking at the boxes. So today Esme and I made pumpkin muffins and while they baked and cooled I unpacked three boxes. It takes a long time for me to feel at home anywhere (probably because of the number of times I've moved) but I finally feel like settling in here. I want to set everything up the way we dreamed it would be. I want to have our rooms in order. I'm starting with the kitchen because that's the place I feel like I have the most control over.

It is wonderful to cook with Esme. She is an enthusiastic chef. She loves getting ingedients out of the pantry, pouring, and mixing. Cooking with her brings back so many happy memories of cooking with the women in my family.

Summer is officially over. I have to work tomorrow. Boo hiss! I'm going to be in a classroom with kids with severe special needs - it won't be an easy day and of course tomorrow is Ethan's only day off this week so I'll miss out on spending time with him to boot. Arrgh.

I am getting frustrated with reorganizing my scrapping space. It seems like it is a neverending project. But when I take break to do some actual sbing, it seems like all my work gets undone and I have to start over. I wish I could hire a professional organizer to come in and do it for me!

I really need to get some photos of myself. Lately I've been having all sorts of ideas for my All About Me album but I don't want to do all just-journaling pages! I want to do pages about my political affliation, being an Episcopalian, being a landlady, etc. Plus I need to get a new pink outfit so I can scrap being a Pink Lady.

My friend Sheila had the best idea to document where and when she was published. She has a mini album and on each pages she included a little copy of the page or card, plus the cover of the publication. I think it's such a great idea, I'm going to start one myself and include being chosen for the Design Teams.

I can't stop thinking about the Chronicles of Narnia. They were so beautiful from a Christian perspective and they really opened my eyes in certain ways. I love how Aslan was both terrible and wonderful at the same time. I keep going over certain quotes in my mind and thinking that C.S. Lewis must have had a very close personal relationship with God, and I hope someday I will have as deep an understanding as he did. I'm going to post my favorite and what I found the most thought provoking quotes, but I have to wait for Ethan to finish the series so I don't give too much away!

I hate rush! Ethan is the textbook manager at a college store and this is his busiest time of year. I hate it!! I miss him so much when he works these crazy hours, and it makes for a long day with Esme without the breaks he gives me when he gets home! I'll be so glad when it's over.

The school system I sub in starts back tomorrow, which means I could be busy myself. I have LOVED having the summer off this year. It's been so refreshing for me. It will be nice to occasionally have some money again though.

This is the response to a blog challenge at 2 peas from pussicat. It was to take your own portrait and post it.  

For weeks or maybe even months now I have been keeping my mouth shut for the most part on the NSBR section of 2 Peas. I'd just had enough of the mean-spirited bickering. Tonight there was a big political discussion going on and I jumped in! For anyone who doesn't know, the NSBR is mostly very conservative, with a few moderates, and a few liberals. You can imagine that what I said was not well-received. BTW, you can see the thread here I jumped in at the top of page 3.

On one hand it felt really good to be part of a lively political debate, and I definitely stand behind my statements. On the other hand it felt like a step backward. I've been working so hard to be recognized as a scrapbooker, I don't want that to evaporate because people see me arguing in on a message board. Not everyone is able to seperate someone's work from their opinions. And anyway I'm not sure I want to argue anymore unless I'm in a group where it might actually matter. Often arguing with the peas can be just for arugments sake. I don't want to waste my energy.

So now I'm not sure if I regret it or not - but it's out there. And even though I will try, anyone who's placing bets on me being able to keep my opinions to myself in the future is probably going to be losing money.

I had the nicest day with Esme today. We were supposed to go to Six Flags but that didn't quite work out the way I'd planned so we went to Northampton instead. We walked through Thornes and Esme saw all kinds of things that she was interested in - pillows shaped like cats, cups for babies, etc. We walked down the street to Cha Cha Cha and had our usual quesadillas. I took her into Sweeties for the first time and got to take photos of her looking at all the candy! We bought lollipops and then went for a walk and ate them. It was the biggest lollipop she'd ever had so it took her a looong time to finish. It was so nice just to be outside with her and watch her observe and comment on everything. She pointed out the front of a building that was covered with rocks, a tiny dog (nothing is small to her - there is only big or tiny), people walking, etc. I love her interpretations of the things around her. After Northampton we had to go to the Holyoke Mall on a couple errands and she was fascinated by a couple of babies she saw. She loves riding in a shopping cart and got quite excited about it at Target. I love that my daughter is only 2 and already loves shopping!

I finished reading the Chronicles of Narnia today. It was very interesting to read them as an adult and gave me a totally different perspective. The only one I hadn't finished as a child was Voyage of the Dawn Treader because it was too scary. I found I was even more scared for the characters as an adult! They really made me think about Christianity in some different ways as well.

Oh my goodness - I logged onto Two Peas this morning and discovered I am the Pubster of the Day! Sometimes it's easy to start feeling invisible in such a big crowd of people, so this was such a nice surprise! I need to think of some good RAKs for this evening.

Today was my last Thursday babysitting for Liam and Grace. I've looked forward to seeing them every week and I'm glad Esme's had this chance to socialize with them on a regular basis. We made a special cake today to celebrate the fun we had this summer.

I'm a Pink Lady!!!!!!!!

I didn't think I had much of a chance of making the Design Team at scraptalk.com, but I got the best news today - I am on the team! Yay!

I was just reading on the message board that the owner had made her decisions, and that everyone would hear in the next few days. I checked my email and didn't have any new messages so I was a little bummed. Just a few minutes later my phone rang - it was Deb from scraptalk inviting me to be on the team! Yaaaayyyy!!!

PS All that waiting I was complaining about - it was SO worth it!

I got to swim in the ocean today by myself. My mom, Esme, Charles, and Dylan were all in the vicinity, but I lot to laze around in the cool water and let the waves rock me all by myself. I thought about a tiny shell being washed out to the big ocean and imagined what it would feel like. It was very peaceful.

I really missed my dad today. I almost called him while I was in Groton but I didn't.

I really enjoyed seeing Lisa earlier in the day. She is such a wonderful person. I love how unconditional she is with her love and affection, and how patient she is with children. She was having a rough time taming 3 kids under 7, but she did pretty well.

I was just invited to be a Guest Designer at PurpleSnoodle. I don't know what month yet, but when I get some layouts up I will post a link!

I just finished reading Beloved by Toni Morrison. I read Sula a few years ago and was prepared to dislike Beloved as much as I like that book. I saw a copy while I was babysitting and it was just calling to be picked up so I did. So I read chapter one and then asked Ethan to get it out of the library for me. What a powerful book! I really, really enjoyed it. I heard it was creepy and sad and of course it was both those things, but it went far beyond those elements. It's a story about strong women who are worn out by the terrible circumstances they are placed in, and what happens through 3 generations. I would highly recommend this book!

I feel very sensitive right now. I have a lot going on with important relationships.

Last night I took Esme to Evelyn's house in NH to see the fireworks. Esme had such a wonderful time and I was so glad. Even when I am very depressed, seeing her happy brings me joy. She stayed up super late and never really got cranky either, which was near a miracle.

I can't wait to get working on my Design Team assignments. I can't wait to find out what products I'll be working with and what challenges I'll find!

I had the best time scrapping with Lisa last night! I got to her house at nearly 9 and I stayed til midnight! I got to do this album for Ethan though: A Girl For All Seasons

Whooo-hooo! I got more good news today! I am going to have a scrapbook page published for the first time! I am going to have a Fall page of Esme published in the Joann's Idea Book 2! This is a big accomplishment for me!

I am finally at liberty to say, I made the ScrapZone.dom Design Team! Yaaaayyy! I am soooo excited! Now I just can't wait to find out who the other DT members are.

I love love love that Ethan got me a DVD player for my scrapbooking room for my birthday. He has been very into watching movies lately, so now he just sits down and we watch them together while I get some scrapping done. We watched a couple episodes of Six Feet Under last night and it was such a nice, simple way to spend time together.

On another positive note, Wolfgang is fixing our car for us. We appreciate him so much, and this was sooo generous of him. Now we'll be paying a lot less and know we're not getting ripped off.

I feel like I am dealing with one crisis after another right now. First I start with problems getting a prescription I really need filled, then our car breaks down, etc. I would like one day when I don't have to make any phone calls, don't have to pay out any huge sums of money, etc.

Right now I am lifting my spirits through scrapbooking. I am working on a mini album to give to Liam and Grace at the end of the summer. I'm keeping it pretty simple, but it's coming out pretty cute so far. Here a link to it: Liam and Grace's Album. It's amazing how much better I feel after channeling some of this energy into creativity!

I had the best time at Six Flag with Liam, Grace, Clare, and Esme on Friday. They are so fun and it was exactly what I needed. Liam and Grace are so full of youthful exhuberance and curiosity - I loved watching them get excited about the trip. At one point we were on the highway and Liam said, "I see it! I see it!," and I had to say, "No, that's the city of Sprinfield." OMG these kids crack me up. I love the way they are with Esme too. They are always willing to help so she can take part in the fun.

No announcements yet. The stores got so many entries that they both had to delay their decisions. I think I have a good chance at one of them, but it could be another week before we get word. I hate waiting!

I'm re-reading the Chronicle of Narnia. With the movie due out this Christmas, I wanted to remember all the little details and enjoy them again before seeing it. I just started The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Ethan and I were trying to decide if we should read them in the order they were published or in the chronologial order of the story. I've reached the chapter where all four children go into the wardrobe, and I'm finding it almost as exciting as the first time I read it when I was 8.

I have applied to be on 7 Design Teams in the last month and I was sooo pumped up about applying! But now that the time to sit back and see if I've got a place on any of them has come, I bummed out. The applications made me feel very motivated to scrap - I'd like to get onto one just to have that sense of a deadline to motivate me further. I will be the Guest Designer at ebbcreations.com for the month of October, but I am waiting to hear back from 6 others sites. Two announce on Monday.

Today I realized the 8,582nd reason I love Ethan. He is so wonderful with our nephew! I've loved Dylan since he was born because he is Charles' son, and Charles is my brother. Ethan loves him just because he is Dylan. I love how Ethan gets right down on his level and shows so much genuine affection for him. I am so glad to have such a wonderful husband, who is so generous with his love!

We have Dylan this weekend. It is amazing how different he and Esme are. Part of it is their age (he is 1 yo, 13 months younger than her) but another big part if it is their personalities. He is so fussy! He gets a tiny bump, the kind Esme wouldn't even notice, and he's hysterical. He can't be left alone in a room or he'll scream his little head off. Esme goes in her playroom and closes the door. He is much more easily distracted that she is though - once she gets fixated on something there is no turning her away from it. He is more like baby mood swing - he can be bawling and then 2 seconds later be laughing at a funny face you made. Both kids are very affectionate and I love that about them! Dylan and Esme both give great hugs! Having him here this weekend definitely makes me appreciate that I live with the easy-going child in the family.

Esme and I got to join Ellen, Liam, Grace, Clare, and Stephanie in a swim this afternoon! It felt so good to float around in the water after all the hot days we've been having. I'm feeling a little water logged now but not too bad.

I had my first layout accepted to the Basic Grey Gallery today! It's not as fabulous as getting published or anything, but it's still good so I was happy. Here is a link to it: Esme - Youth

I am so freaking tired. I haven't been sleeping well for weeks and it's really starting to catch up with me. I think I need a day just to get some rest!

I love scrapbooking. It is the perfect hobby for me. I love taking photos of the people I love and then making a creative way to showcase them. I love the supplies used in scrapbooking - ribbon, pretty papers, fabrics, etc. I love the community of scrappers I've found. Most of all I love that I was introduced to scrapbooking by my friend Lisa, and that I met my friend Stephanie through scrapbooking.

I'm really appreciating my friend Janis right now. She knows I have been depressed lately and has been calling to check on me a lot. Also she got me a great birthday present and made a special effort to call me today. She is a very thoughtful person and I love that about her.

Well, it's my birthday. I thought I was going to be spending the day with my two best friends today but that didn't work out. I sat around feeling sorry for myself this morning and then decided to take Esme out for a while. We went and had lunch at Cha Cha Cha and then walked around Noho a bit. I took a few photos of her that came out beautifully. Then we went to the hospital where she was born and visited one of our nurses from our stay. The nurse was excited to see Esme and showed her one of the newborns in the ward now.

I mailed my Memory Makers Masters entry this week. Of course everyone wants to win, but I am hugely proud of myself just for entering. Every year I have talked about entering the big contests (MMM, HOF, PK) but this i the first time I have sat down, worked extra hard on my pages, and sent them in. I even got as far as copying some one year and then lost my nerve. Just preparing and sending the entry was an accomplishment for me. Whether I win or not I am glad I took that step.

Today may really be my birthday. I was born at home around midnight, so even my mom doesn't know when my real birthday is. She knew she was going into labor so she called my dad at work to come get her and take her to the hospital, but he was never given the message so he never came. A while later she called an ambulance which also didn't come. She finally gave birth to me, on the couch by herself. Then she picked me up, still attached, walked over to the phone and call the fire department. Finally someone came to her assistance. The arrived and cut the cord, delivered the afterbirth, got us cleaned up, etc, and took us to the hospital. We were officially checked into the hospital at 1:20. My birth certificate says I was born at 1:20, August 1st, so that is when I we celebrate. I've been working my mom for the 2 birthdays = double presents for years, but so far no success.

One of the Design Teams I applied for made their announcement - I did not make the team but I am going to be the Guest Designer for October. This is my first experience on a DT in any capacity so I am looking forward to it.

Ethan gave me a great birthday present early! A DVD player for my scrapbooking area! It's the really small, simple kind, but great for watching movies while I scrap. Right now I am working on Disc 1 of the North and South series. Now he can also come down and watch a DVD with me while I scrap! What a guy!

All of a sudden I feel the need to be recognized as a scrapbooker. I mailed my Memory Makers Masters contest entry this week, and in the past 2 weeks I've applied to be on several Design Teams. I don't know if any of these will pan out, but I definitely felt that the MMM contest helped me stretch a little bit to do some extra good pages. I really love scrapbooking because I love to look at photos of people I love, and because I love the creative outlet, but it would be nice to get some recognition too!