I loved these photos of Esme sooo much, I had to do a Friendly's tribute page. I found their logo on the internet, printed it out, and then layered UTEE on top of it. It's a fairly simple layout, but I'm happy with it. 

I cannot wait for Tuesday. As of Monday at one I am free woman for the summer. Tuesday I am planning to dye two purple streaks in my hair.

I've always wanted to dye my hair purple. I decided this summer HAS to be the time if I'm going to do it. If not now, when? I used to think I'd just put a layer of purple over the brown, kind of so I had highlights. Then a couple months ago I saw someone who'd done that and it looked just awful, so I decided I needed a different purple-hair alternative. I decided I need to bleach my hair so the purple will really show, but the idea of bleaching my own head is downright SCARY to me, and after all, I am the mother of a 3 yo so I don't want to be totally ridiculous about it. So I have settled on two thin streaks, near the front, one on each side. Once bleached I will dye them BRIGHT purple, and then dye them back to brown before school starts in the Fall.

Lisa has agreed to do the process for me. I think half of her is hoping I'll change my mind and the other is just afraid I'll like it and want to keep it that way. Fortunately I do have a job I have to go back to, so I don't see purple hair in my long-term future.

I've been having so much fun scrapping with friends lately. I went to Lisa's house Monday night and we stayed up til 2 in the morning scrapping! Last night Stephanie O. and I went over to Ellen's and scrapped the night away. I never get as much done as I do when I'm home alone, but I love sharing this hobby with friends! 

It's Father's Day! I am so lucky to be married to the greatest Dad I could imagine. I'm so glad that Esme has such a wonderful father. He is the most kind and loving and generous person I know! I appreciate him so much.

For his gift this year I made him these coupons - I appreciate all he does with Esme and around the house, so these coupons are designed to give him a break - they're for things like unloading the dishwasher, tucking Esme in, etc. I used my new Junkitz foam stamp that I got from Scraptalk, and the font that SeptemberMyles made for me.

Ethan asked me last night if I thought women were more likely to read books written by women. Someone at work told him people are more likely to read books written by their own sex, and he had argued against the point saying he didn't believe it at all, only to realize all his favorite authors are men. I thought for a moment...hmmm....Jane Austen, Amy Tan, the Bronte sisters, J.K. Rowling.... Not that I have anything against men, but it seems that women are more likely spin the kinds of stories I like to read.

I finished reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd this morning. My mother loaned it to me - she tends to like a little more "feel good" stories than I do, so I wasn't so sure about it. I did find it melodramatic, but otherwise I liked it. It's the story of a white teenager with a tragic past who runs away and stays with a black beekeeper in the South during the Civil Rights movement. It's partly about relationships between people of different races, but it's a lot more about mothers - well, not so much motherhood, but being the daughter of a mother.

I have a lot of choices on my plate next. Stephanie loaned me a romance novel since she said the only one I've ever read (and hated) by Danielle Steele and was crap. I still have Teach by Frank McCourt and The Opposite of Fate by Amy Tan leftover from Christmas. I decided I should really finish The Sound and the Fury because I'm most of the way through it, and if I take the short time to finish it at least I can say I read it. What I'm most interested to read next is The Jungle. Ethan was making fun of me ("ya want a little light reading? pick up the Jungle!") but I think he secretly jealous because he HAS to read new releases for work, and I can read anything I want. I am most interested in the classics, because hey, if they were critical AND popular successes, they're probably pretty good, right?

This is getting to be an epic post but just for Ethan's amusement I have to write about how I chose to read The Sound and the Fury. I don't know anything about William Faulkner. I don't even know if I spelled his name right. But I'd heard his name and knew he was highly acclaimed, used in schools across the country,etc. So as I was perusing Ethan's bookcase one day (better than a trip to the library BTW) I saw his name and decided if I want to be well-rounded, I really should acquaint myself with his work. Of all Faulkner's books Ethan has, I thought The Sound and the Fury was the most enchanting title and decided to read it. If you've ever so much glanced through The Sound and the Fury, you know it and "enchanting" should not even be in the same sentence. It's nearly impossible to read, and I hate it. But I AM going to finish it! Ethan has been laughing at me for weeks now for choosing it. But hey it was on HIS bookshelf! I think if he's going to keep books I won't enjoy on his shelves, he should at least keep them a shelf above my eye level!

This was a fast and easy one I did a few weeks ago.... 

Whoo hoo I am sooo psyched! I just got an email requested a layout for the upcoming Memory Makers Scrapbook Idea Gallery 7! This is my third pub but my 1st in a major scrapping mag, so I am thrilled! Plus I just found out that I won't be getting a goodie box, I'll be getting cash!!

I re-read Charlotte's Web yesterday. I started during my prep at school because I had to read a chapter to the class and I hate going into the middle of the story. My lunch was interrupted and I didn't get to make it the whole way through, but fortunately I have a copy at home. My aunt gave it to me when I was around 8 or 9. I finished it before I went to sleep last night.

It is so wonderful to go back and read childhood favorite's of mine as an adult. As a child I never appreciated that the whole town really considered seeing the words "Some Pig" appear in the web a religious experience. I didn't comprehend the significance of people driving from great distances to witness it, and experts coming out to debunk it. As a child I was disgusted that Fern's mother didn't want her to spend so much time in the barn. Most importantly, I never even thought about how Charlotte's words MAKE Wilbur a better pig. I completely missed his transformation from runt of the litter to really Terrific and Radiant.

I'm posting this layout in honor of my high school friend Heidi... In art class I seemed to have a problem keeping my hands clean, or getting all the paint off of them properly, and that problem seems to have carried over into adulthood! Last week I was dying some lace and right when it was time to take the lace out, my tweezers snapped in half, so I had to stick my fingers in to get it out. After scrubbing for a week I still have slight traces of it on my hands!!  

I love this photo of Ethan and Esme. It makes my heart happy. 

Ahhh...the joys of yard saling. I spent half the day yesterday dividing up yards of lace, rick rack, etc. to distribute to friends and I still have an obscene amount left over from 2 tags sales, that will take me literally years to use. Today there was a yard sale not far from Ethan's office, so Esme and I stopped by. I am so glad we did! I got 2 full sized park benches, 2 chair sized park benchces (super cute!), and a wheelbarrow for $25. For anyone who doesn't know, that is an amazing deal. The cheapest (and I do mean cheap) park benches I've seen start around $40, so to get that many for so little is really great! I am so excited to have them! I started work on my garden late this year due to Esme's allergies, but since we've been going outside more I've been enjoying it thoroughly. I love having nice seating throughout the yard so I can enjoy all my work.

I just finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird. It's amazing that I made it to 31 years old, 4 years of high school, and a Bachelors degree without every having to read it. People have been recommending it to me for a long time, and Ethan had a paperback copy, so I finally picked it up. What an incredible book!! I wish I had a dad just like Atticus Finch. (Ethan says everybody who ever read the book wishes the same thing.) I loved the subtlety of the story...how things escalate but that isn't always the focus. I'd always heard it was about racism, but I love how it's really just about being a good person.

Ethan just moved the movie to the top of our Netflix queue. I can't wait for it to arrive.

It's June 1st!!!! Hoory!!!! 25 short days until I am freeeeeee!!!!! Most of the time I really like my job, but at this time of year the kids are tired of school and even the teachers are more irritable. I taught this week in a school that seemed like a greenhouse. June 26th is the magic day - the last day of school for the year. Then I'll have two beautiful months off!! It's not like I work a lot to begin with...I average about 5 days a month. But just knowing I'm not going to get that call in the morning makes me sleep better at night. I can't wait to have the time to just devote to Esme. We'll do all kinds of great summer activities and have a wonderful time together. Sigh. 25 long days.

This was such a fun day for me. Esme had a wonderful time running around the courtyard outside the Atheneum after we'd been inside for a while.  

This is another one of my Pink Lady projects for this month - I am loving these big Rusty Pickle letters!! I've scoffed two page layouts with pics on only one side in mags for years, and here I am doing one of my own! I asked for this letters so I could do this layout to show Ethan my appreciation for what a great Daddy he is! 

This is one of my Pink Lady projects...also took this pic today.  

I took this photo of me outside today with my timer and I really like it. It's so hard to get pics of myself to use on my AAM album, that I've resorted to trying to use my timer creatively.  

I've just started a journal of advice to my future self regarding my relationship with my adult daughter and her family. Here's what I have so far:

1. Offer to take care of your grandchild frequently. It's not babysitting, it's special time with a special child.

2. If your child asks you to do something, say yes or no. Don't say yes and then guilt her about it. If you can't do it graciously, don't do it at all.

3. Offer to do diaper changes when a baby is visiting. Mommies and Daddies do them constantly, and just doing one for them will seem to them like a mini-vacation. (Especially offer to change poopie ones.)

4. Be a good listener. Be more interested in your child than in yourself.

5. Validate your child. Even if you are tempted to play the Devil's Advocate, remember your child needs someone to be on her side.

6. Do not minimize your child's concerns, hurts, or fears.

7. Give your child space and respect her boundaries, but don't create distance between you.

8. Never stop telling her she's beautiful and smart, and how proud you are of her.

9. Make an effort to get to know and be friends with her in-laws. This will make her life MUCH easier!

10. Let her to the traditional treats (stockings, Easter baskets, etc.) for her children. You had your turn when she was little, and there are plenty of other ways to spoil your grandchildren.

11. Unhealthy foods are NOT a good way to spoil your grandchildren. Keep healthy snacks they like on hand.

12. Do not repeat stories in front of your child in which she comes off poorly.

13. Do not burden your child with unpleasant information about your past.

14. Be realistic about your spouse (and possibly sympathetic!) but never talk badly about him. This can be very divisive to families. Continue to foster a good relationship between your spouse and child.

15. It's okay if your child calls just to talk to Dad.

16. Whenever possible, be waiting at the door when your child arrives and wave goodbye from outside. This lets her know how happy you are to spend time with her.

17. Do not criticize your grandchildren's behavior, even if there is something the parents need to be made aware of. Just tell them the facts without editorializing. Also, if your child is present at the time of the offense, it is not necessary to point in out to her. She has the same powers of observation that you do.

18. Expect the same standards of behavior from your grandchildren that their parents do. When you are caring for them, your grandchildren's discipline is your responsibility. Ask your child to she handles discipline and follow her lead when the children are in your care.

19. Do not blow off your child for different plans unless it is an emergency situation.

20. When your child is an adult, it is okay not to blow off previously made plans for her.

21. Just because your child does something with her children differently that you did or would with her, doesn't mean either of you are wrong. Be open and supportive to your child's ideas.

22. Give the gift of family memberships.

23. Continue to celebrate your child's accomplishments.

24. Offer to take care of your grandchildren if your child isn't feeling well - even if you can only spare a couple hours, it can help!

25. When your grandchild is first born, go over to visit the baby and send the parents to take a nap. Do this often!

26. Offer to keep your grandchildren overnight from an early age, but don't push it if his or her parents aren't ready yet.

27. Let your grandchildren decide whether they sleep with you or alone when they sleep over, and give them both options every time.

I love these photos of Ethan and Esme. I'm glad I got these beach theme supplies from Scraptalk (Narratives by CI) so I had an excuse to pull them out. 

I got the new Rusty Pickle chipboard letters from Scraptalk this month...this is the first layout I've done but I loved playing with them! Hope to get a chance to do some more this weekend. BTW this handsome boy is my nephew at his first birthday party. 

OMG where does it end? In November I started convincing myself that after the holidays, life would slow down, and I'd have tons of time to just hang out or get stuff done around the house. It seems like just when things start to slow down a little bit, we're into a whirlwind again. I'm not saying some of these activities aren't optional, but how to do we fit in everything we HAVE to do, and everything we WANT to do? This was my schedule for the last week or so:

Good Friday: to CT Vicki's house for party, visit to Aunt Mary who I hadn't seen in 7 years, evening with Lisa
Saturday: opening day at Six Flags - got there early and then spent the whole day there with Lisa & family
Sunday: Easter - activities around home and then back to CT for dinner at mom's and a stop at Lisa's house
Monday: drive Ethan to work, run a bunch of emergency errangs, pick Ethan up, and back to Six Flags
Tuesday: went to the office and met my boss for the first time, ran more errands, scrapped with friends at night
Wednesday: this was supposed to be our official day of rest...what we actually did is escaping my tired brain
Thursday: went on scrap store adventure with Stephanie, out to lunch, and to the park with Esme
Friday: babysat Liam and Grace, went to Yankee Candle factory, took Esme for allergy consultation and to have blood drawn
Tomorrow: back to CT for Lisa's "Post Easter Egg Hunt" and more family visits
Sunday: back to CT AGAIN - this time for Dylan's birthday party
Monday: I'm praying to work so I can finally get some rest!

Lately I've been thinking about how important it is to show people in our daily lives how much we love them and how much they mean to us, and I've resolved to do it more. I started by saying, "I love you," every time I see my niece and nephew. A lot of times I just didn't think about it in the craziness of having toddlers together, but now I'm making a special effort.

Tomorrow I'm going to Vicki's annual Easter egg coloring party so I thought about how I could show her I value her. I made her the topiary, and I'm bringing the scrapbook pages of the kids at events at her house during the past year. She throws awesome parties and I think the pages show how much the kids enjoy them. She is a very loving and generous person and I want her to know she is appreciated!!

A year and a half ago, my mother gave us the down payment for our house. I want her to know how much we appreciate and remember that on a daily basis, so for Mother's Day I'm going to make her a shadowbox with a photo of the house in it, and write her a special message from Ethan and me, letting her know how much it means to us.

I want to remember and appreciate all my blessing each and every day. I want my life to be focused on the positive, and spread the love around.

This is one of the stranger projects I've done, but I think I like it! I wanted to give Vicki something tomorrow - she always invites us to her awesome parties, and we just love her. She loves getting homemade gifts, so after seeing a SBR topiary on the Doodlebug site, I decided to igve it a try. It is super glittery in real life! 

I was just printing out pics to crop tomorrow and I came across this. It looks so sad, but it actually one of Stephanie's and my favorites of Esme. The three of us went to see Sesame Street Live right before Esme turned 2, and this photo is a testament to how much Esme loved, it because she started bawling when it was OVER. She cried bitter, bitter tears when she realized the characters were not coming back on stage. Stephanie and I tried not to laugh, but it was so sweet. She'd been absolutely stoic though the whole show, and then later in the afternoon she'd look at us and say, "Elmo!" in a happy way.  

This is my new favorite pages. I did it for Scraptalk - the project was to use the Chip Chatter letters.  

I'm on a mission to improve my language. I'm working toward changing both my grammar and reducing the use of certain words. The words are: Crap Hell Damn Sucks. My little darling (Esme, age 3) has started to pick up a couple of these gems and I'm determined to nip it in the bud. I hardly EVER swear, so I would probably die of embarassment if we were strolling along in Target and Esme said something sucked. As far as the grammar goes, I am perfectly capable of carrying on a grammatically correct conversation, but during the years between moving out of my parents' house and the birth of the Es, I've become very lazy about it. I recently realized that I need to practice what I'm preaching.

I just got my June issue of Memory Makers, and the details of this year's Master contest are outlined. Last year was the first time I really put all the effort in and actually entered a big contest. The hardest part was eating, sleeping, and breathing it right before I mailed my entry. Actually it wasn't too hard on ME, but I think it might have been hard on Ethan, Lisa, and Stephanie. And I think Kyle may have hoped I'd win just so he wouldn't get so many email attachments begging for his excellent constructive criticism. So anyway, beware family and friends, I do intend to enter this year. I've done some of my best layouts in the last year so I'm excited about what this will inspire me to create!

Saturday night I took some nude photos of myself. Last night I scrapped one and posted it on Scraptalk. Okay, so, they only showed from the shoulders up. I was still proud of myself!! Artists do nudes. I could debate being an artist, crafter, designer, or all 3 all day, but on this layout I was striving to be an artist. Nudes show people at their most vulnerable, and I was trying to create a page that really expressed what I was trying to say. The journaling says, "Sometime between the ages of 29 and 30, I forgot how to love myself for who I am. I'm so glad that at 31.5, I can finally remember!"

Fortunately or unfortunately, I can't share the layout with anyone else yet as it is made from some mock products, from a line that won't be debuting til later this year. Not sure when they'll go public, but I'm amazed that I'm completely open to sharing my nude layout with the world!

My very first pub has hit the shelves! Look for a page of Esme on page 144 of the Joann's Idea Book Volume 2!!

Three things you wish for:

1. To be the best wife possible.
   
2. To be the best mother possible.
   
3. To be the best friend possible.
   

3 Things You Would Do To/For Yourself If There Was No One To Judge You (…or if you had the guts to do it!)

1. Color my hair purple
   
2. Wear beads in my hair
   
3. Never wear footwear again
   

3 Bad Habits You Have

1. Not cleaning up after myself
2. Being Judgemental
3. Staying Up Too Late
   

3 Insecurities You Feel

1. I don't have any original ideas.
   
2. I'm way overweight.
   
3. My friends don't love me.
   

3 Talents/Skills you wish you had

1. Play a portable instrument.
   
2. Scrapbook as Freely as Elsie Flannigan
   
3. Housecleaning.
   

3 Things That You Would Do If You Had More Time

1. Scrapbook
2. Read more
   
3. Write

3 Things That Bring You Peace/Relaxation

1. Scrapbooking
2. Family naps
   
3. Visiting my best friend.
   

3 Things That Spark Your Creativity

1. Great photos.
   
2. Pink Lady projects
   
3. new idea books

I'm going to take Ethan and Stephanie!

I am tired of living in a disorganized house. I am SO tired of it. I wish I knew how to be better at keeping things together. It seems so easy for some people, but it's so hard for me. I grew up in a household much worse than my own, so in some ways I'm glad I'm at least doing better than my parents. Ethan and I are both natural packrats so that doesn't help. Right now my sbing area is such a mess, I have to specially clean it to have my best friend over tomorrow. Aye aye aye.

On my drive home from CT on Tuesday I was thinking about scrapbooking and original ideas. Sometimes I wonder if there are any original ideas left, and then someone comes out with some amazing new products, or I discover a new person's work who blows me away.

For the last few months I've been working on getting a little more recognition as a scrapper. Being a Pink Lady boosted my ego tremendously, but now I'd like to get a few more things in print. My first published layout is in the Joanns Idea Book Volume 2, which should be hitting the shelves any day now. But every time I read a mag I see ideas and I think...how come I can't come up with something like that? How come I don't have a new and fabulous techniques that gets me into CK on my first try?

Some designers say you shouldn't read the mags if you want to get published, because your stuff ends up looking too much like everyone else's. But I LOVE reading the mags!! Until last week I had about 4 feet of copies of Creativing Keepsakes, Memory Makers, Simple Scrapbooks, and Scrapbooks, Etc. stacked in my living room. I have to keep them close so I can read them again and again. How would I know what Brecken, Porter, and Tyler were up to if I didn't read CK?!?! Seriously though, the fact that I can name children of 3 of the editors makes me believe that I AM too invested in these mags. (and yes I can name a lot more than that.)

So anyway, while I was playing with Esme and talking to Lisa on the phone today, I came up with what MAY be an original idea. I'm going to try to put it to use tonight while Ethan is working late. Look for me in the Tips and Techniques section soon!

I've been finding so much sbing inspiration lately. First, I finaly decided it was time to recycle all the mags I've been amassing since the Fall of 2000. I have at least a couple trees worth on my shelves. So I'm going through them and ripping out the pages that have ideas I want to save. I have LOVED looking at these so much! I keep finding myself drawn to the same designers over and over - Rebecca Sower, Michelle Minken, etc.

Speaking of designers, I am newly a big fan of Elsie Flannigan. I love her style! It's so fun and funky and free! I want to be more free like that with my pages. I loved her layout in the new CK where she drew on the aluminum tape and then painted it. If you haven't seen her work, check out of her blog. I added it to my links list.

I've also been finding inspiration in the clothing around me - not mine, but other people's. Esme has a cute little jumper with embroidered flowers on it. I was looking at the flowers very closely yesterday, and thinking how much fun they'd be to recreate with paper. The other day I went to a meeting at church at the priest was wearing an exact same shirt that Stephanie has. That doesn't seem like a big deal, but they are very different people, and it was a pattern that I strongly associate with Stephanie, so it was a little weird. It got me thinking about what patterns and fabrics I associate with other people, and I was thinking I should use that idea on a scrapbook page.

NSBR. It's making me very sad. I'm not sure I can take it in there anymore. People are calling each other terrible names, they're hurting their friends, they're making racist remarks, or nasty remarks about other Pea's autistic children. Is this what the world is coming to? I sincerely hope that this isn't what a slice of the real world is like. I keep going back because my best friend, Stephanie, and I like to talk about it. But at this point I'm not sure if this is something I need in my life. For now I think I'll be sticking to the Pub and GS.

Thinking about this makes me really grateful to be a part of Scraptalk. I feel very at ease there.

Anyway, as a general rule, I have decided to try to minimize the violence, negativity, and other non-essential disharmony in my life. Ethan and I decided this weekend to stop eating beef and pork. We're trying it til Easter and then we'll evaluate to see if it's working for us. I am 99% positive that I'm going to stop watching 24. It's hard because of peer pressure (Ethan!) but I'm just not sure I can take another season of the non-stop, gratuitous violence. Maybe I am becoming a hippie, but I feel this will be better for me.

I hate insurance. Any and all insurance. It's a scam. Just had to get that off my chest!

I had a wonderful day today - I got to spend more than 3 hours talking to and shooting photos of my brother and his fiancee, Kim. She is everything I could hope for for him. They have similar senses of humor which is a little bit scary! They brought me along to check out a potential site for their wedding - I'm honored they want my opinions on something as important as their wedding plans. They suffered amiably through an outdoor photo shoot on the beach in New England in January with no coats! We laughed sooo much - it made my heart happy spending time with them.

The next cover of GQ...I don't think so! This is my youngest brother, Charles, during his solo section of the Engagement photo shoot today. He thinks he looks like "Nick Lachey." Ugh! This photo cracks me up though, so I had to post it. 

Remember how excited I was a few months ago to be accepted onto 2 Design Teams? Well, I resigned from one of them today. The owner so was disorganized and uncommunicative, I just couldn't take it anymore. I'm bummed though - I wish it hadn't come to that. I tried to address my concerns but got no response, so I guess it really was time to move on.

I'm so glad I still have Scraptalk!! I love being a Pink Lady and can't wait to see Deb's Scrap Scoop from CHA!!

My nativity is still up.

Esme has a cold. Yesterday she was soooo good-natured and sweet about everything - I felt soo bad for her because she obviously felt miserable but she had such a good attitude. Today made up for that. She was MISERABLE. The only thing that has made her happy all day was seeing Jenn L, the scrapbooking manager at AC Moore. They have a very close relationship. Esme sees Jenn more than she seems my mom!!

So when Ethan gets home, I'm going to hide for a while. I'm coming down to the cave and I'm going to continue organizing my scrapbooking supplies. It gives me a chance to fondle my paper so it's actually pretty fun. Plus I can watch a Seinfeld rerun - ahhh simple pleasures.

This Saturday something very exciting is going to happen - I'm going to be taking my youngest brother's engagement photos! I'm taking them at Avery Point in Groton - what a wonderful setting! I can't wait to pose them and take great shots. Plus I'm finally meeting Jill, his future sister-in-law, who both he and his fiancee say I will love.

Things I'm Thinking About Today:

I hate American Idol. It makes me want to cry for the people who don't make it, or who get publicly voted off after all the work and passion they put into their songs.

Esme said today, "I love you the most, Mommy. And Greyson and Pekoe and Daddy." It was so sweet. I always ask her who loves her and since she has such a long list, I usually have to say, okay, but who loves you the most? I say Daddy and Mommy but she adds the kitties too.

I hate the new morning TV line up. I used to like to relax and possibly watch at sitcome in the morning and now it's all court shows and games shows. Boring! I miss the days Stephanie and I used to both watch Roseanne reruns. Or hey at least give me Frasier. I can't take that Judege Mathis. I can't wait for Spring so I can spend my mornings digging in the dirt instead of stuck inside!

I need to do more scrapbooking. And I need to get faster at it. I don't know what's wrong with me - I used to do 4 or even 5 pages on a good night and now it seems like if I do more than one it's a miracle. I don't know why I'm so slow, but I need to pick up the pace!

There was a rumor on NSBR today that Two Peas was going to close. I believe it was unfounded, but I had to think - would it be such a bad thing for me if it did? I'm a bit too caught up in the pea-world I think. If I didn't visit Two Peas I could probably cut my online time back by two thirds or so.

In 2 short weeks I will have health insurance. Thank goodness! We haven't been without it since 1999 and it's been a bit scary these last 2 and a half months. I've really been trying to make my prescriptions last. Plus it seems like little kids need to go to the doctor frequently. Thankfully we'll have insurance by Esme's 3 year checkup.

OMG did I just say Esme's 3 year check up?!?! My baby is going to be 3 in 2 months and 6 days. Aye aye aye. I can't believe how fast the last year went. I'm considering a fairy themed party. Why? Because I have an adorable fairy themed costume for Esme. Anyone who doesn't want to be a fairy can be a pirate.
Esme's party means there will be Jera's party too, and not too long after that, Dylan's parties. Their birthdays are all within 45 days of each other's.

I'm tired of my nativity being up. It's the only strictly Christmas decoration left up. I'm taking it down tomorrow.

While working on my MMM entry last year I was bitten by the contest bug so now I'm working on my HOF entry. With the deadline so quickly approaching, I'm not sure if I'll quite make it or not, but I am really putting my all into my layouts. I'm worried that my layouts are to stylistically similar, and that I'm just plain not good enough.

Being chosen as a Pink Lady last year really gave me a big confidence boost. The other women on that team are sooo talented, I am so proud to be one of them. I wish when I sat down to scrap I felt more free to just go with it and try anything, as some of them seem to. I guess tonight when I sit down to work, I should try to leave my sbing inhibitions behind.

Another thing that gave me a big boost of confidence was something Stephanie said. I was griping about my lack of sbing abilities and she said she wouldn't be encouraging me to try out for HOF, to try to be published, etc. if she didn't feel I really was good enough. If anyone knows scrapbooking, it's Stephanie, so if Stephanie thinks my pages are good enough, I feel like they must be at least pretty okay.

Anyway I'm going to keep plugging along toward this entry. I'm going to the teacher store this afternoon to get Esme some paint cups, but with the secret motivation to try to draw some inspiration from the fun supplies they carry there. Plus because I'm a sub I get a 10% discount, and that never hurts. If anyone with a critical eye reads this and is interested in helping a struggling scrapper out with some constructive critcism, email me and I'll send you a link to my top secret pages!!

I've been tagged by Cat!!

4 Jobs You Have Had in Your Life:

1. Substitute Teacher
2. Administrative Assistant the the District Manager at a large bank
3. Cashier at a car dealership
4. Receptionist at a answering service

4 Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:

1. The Godfather
   
2. Love Actually
   
3. The Joy Luck Club
   
4. The Princess Bride
   

4 Places You Have Lived:

1. Norwich, CT
   
2. Ware, MA
   
3. Groton, CT
   
4. Bozrah, CT
   

4 TV Shows You Love to Watch:

1. The Apprentice
   
2. 24
3. ER
4. All My Children
   

4 Places You Have Been on Vacation:

1. Cape Cod
   
2. Misquamicit
3. Chicago
   
4. North Carolina
   

4 Websites You Visit Daily:

1. Scraptalk
2. Two Peas In A Bucket
3. Pink Martini Designs
   
4. Freecycle
   

4 of Your Favorite Foods:

1. Mashed Potatoes
   
2. Prime Rib
   
3. Tacos
4. Pizza
   

4 Places You Would Rather Be Right Now:

1. Paris
2. the beach
   
3. New York City
   
4. Lisa's house
   

4 Bloggers You are Tagging:

1. Stephanie

2. Kellie

3. Hillary

4. Linda

I just came across this photo I'd forgotten I'd taken one night as I was leaving Clare's house...I really like it. 

I currently have my fifth cold since September. I'm starting to wonder if something is wrong with me!! I got this one from Ethan and it's the nastiest of the ones I've had. My mom suggested I start taking a vitamin every day.

Esme had her first sleepover Saturday night and we all survived! I was sooo happy to see her little face when we went to pick her up! She had a great time and was perfectly well adjusted. I'm very glad that she is able to go stay at other people's homes, but it's a little bittersweet that she doesn't miss us AT ALL when she's gone.

I have the post-Christmas blues!! I had such a wonderful time with my family and friends, especially Ethan and Esme, that I can't believe I have to wait a year to do it again. Esme and I did a ton of Christmas activities this year and I loved seeing how excited she was. Because of her age, no two Christmases will be the same and I wish I could go back and relive this one!

I've been purging my scrapbooking paper, which is a task that was LONG overdue. I purged it a couple months ago but wasn't really honest with myself about what I am really going to use. Last week I gave the pile from my first pass to Hillary and it made her so happy I was inspired to give her some more. My new pile is probably double the size of the first, and I really feel what I'm left with is paper I'd actually enjoy using.

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.