Saturday, July 30, 2005

DAVID'S HOME & BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS!!



well, my lil brother david came home today from the navy. so i invited him and mom over for a cookout. we had loads of fun and had some good food today and then watched some tv. mike took mikey to the movies since its his last summer weekend and mom, david, and myself caught up on some junk on mtv. bella had fun running around scaring all of us b/c we thought she would fall and break her other arm.



on a side note, the bobbsey twin books that i won off of ebay arrived today and i squealed in delight. i don't know if i have mentioned it before, but my mom had the bobbsey twin series when she was lil and my aunt had nancy drew (jealous!!! esp. if she still has them...do ya aunt madelyn?).

so due to the fact that my mom DOES NOT READ ANYTHING and that she held on to a few of her books over the years, she gave them to me when i was younger. there were only a few left and since i READY EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING i have held on to them. when i found out i was pregnant will bella, i decided that i would try and buy her the whole set (which i believe is about 72 books and the ones with the lavendar spine copyright 1961 or so). so here and there i have been picking up bobbsey twin books when i would see them at bookstores or antique shops. i almost won a complete set one day off of ebay, but at the last 4-friggin-seconds, someone out bit me and i didn't have time to go higher.

so anyway, i got her more books (even though 5 or 6 of them are duplicates) and can't wait to complete the set. now i just need to write up a list of the ones she has and put it in my purse so i don't buy anymore duplicates.

sorry for the boring post. i wanted to work on more owls while my guys are at the movies, but i think that i am going to hit the couch with my sex in the city dvds.

also, hopefully tomorrow i will have some exciting pictures of something else i am trying to score off of ebay that i am so excited about. if i get these, they will inspire my craftroom in the new house.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

I HEART THESE KNITTING NEEDLES!!!



here are a few facts about these wonderful needles.

*i think every scarf (the only thing i know how to knit..lol) i have knitted with these needles
*they are size 10
*i bought then when i learned how to knit
*i love that they are wooden
*and how the yarn just glides over them
*i love how they feel in my hands
*i love how they are big but not too big
*i simply love them

the past week i have been nutso over scarf making. it is so friggin relaxing. this is prolly why i am kinda intimidated about learning how to do anything else, i'd have to count things and such :) so here are the two of i have made:


i luv this scarf. i wanted it to not have hanging ends. so i when i was done with it, i took the two ends and handstitched them together. so now when the fall/winter rolls around, i am going to loop it around my neck. i love it.


this right here is pure heaven. i bought this yarn the day i learned how to knit and have been sitting on it (well not literally) since i bought it almost a year ago. i didn't want to use it. i luv the color and it is so darn soft i didn't want to mess anything up. i decided to just go for it, its only an hour+ ride to go buy more. i am so happy with how it turned out. i know its just the basic knit stitch, but the yarn really makes it.

maybe one day, i will go back to and learn how to purl correctly and knit something other than a scarf ;)

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

MEET SAMMY & STUART!!!



say hello to ollie's new friends, sammy (the lil guy) and stuart (mr. studious).

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

MEET OLLIE!!!



ollie is the newest love of my life! isn't he just the cutest?!?!?!

while i was surfing blogland yesterday, i stumbled across while she naps and i saw the cutest lil owls that were in one of the japanese craft books she had that is taking the craft world by storm.

later on, i found crafting japanese who posted a link to craftster where the pattern was posted.

i printed the pattern out, stared at it for about 30 minutes, broke out the sewing machine, started cutting out what i thought would be the pattern, and began to sew. mistake number one was born. i stared at the pattern again for about another 15 minutes and then finally the lightbulb went off. about an hour after i broke out the sewing machine, ollie began to come to life!!!

oh look at him! i could just eat him up. i was going to put in the mail sometime this week, but i think i will keep him. i will go make him some friends that can go out in the mail.

UDDERLY IRRESISTABLE!!!!



how cute is he!!! i wonder if i can convince mike that i need an $80 clock who looks like a cow with spoon ears.

hmmm....

you can find him here.

Monday, July 25, 2005

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION!!!



mikey's new upcoming school, collects box tops for education, campbells soup labels, and tyson project A+ labels.

this upcoming school year they are trying something new. they are having a contest to help encourage people to take a minute to cut them out. from august 2nd till december 16th, the child who sends in the most labels will receive $25 and the classroom that brings in the most will have a pizza party.

i am currently scouring everyone's kitchen cutting off these lil boxtops, hoping to help mikey raise some money for his school.

this is where you guys come in. if you not currently participating in this program yourself and would like to help my lil bug and his school out, i would be willing to send you some goodies in the mail in return.

just contact me via email to get my addy and i will get yours. send me an envy with the boxtops in them and i will send you an envy of surprises.

below is a list of products worth saving:

boxtops for education

CEREAL
Cheerios®
Apple Cinnamon Cheerios®
Honey Nut Cheerios®
Frosted Cheerios®
MultiGrain Cheerios®
Team Cheerios®
Berry Burst Cheerios®
Wheaties®
Rice Chex®
Corn Chex®
Wheat Chex®
Multi-Bran Chex®
Frosted Chex®
Honey Nut Chex®
Total® Raisin Bran
Whole Grain Total®
Total® Protein
Total® Honey Clusters*
Total® With Strawberries*
Kix®
Berry Berry Kix®
Cinnamon Toast Crunch®
Reduced Sugar Cinnamon Toast Crunch®*
Peanut Butter Toast Crunch®
French Toast Crunch®
Lucky Charms®
Chocolate Lucky Charms®*
Trix®
Reduced Sugar Trix®*
Cocoa Puffs®
Reduced Sugar Cocoa Puffs®*
Golden Grahams®
Cookie Crisp®
Peanut Butter Cookie Crisp®*
Kaboom®
Reese’s® Puffs®
Franken Berry®
Boo Berry®
Count Chocula®
Raisin Nut Bran
Basic 4®
Oatmeal Crisp® (any variety)
Honey Nut Clusters®
Fiber One®
Fiber One® Honey Clusters*
Country® Corn Flakes
Para Su Familia
REFRIGERATED/DAIRY
Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuits
Pillsbury® Grands!® Sweet Rolls
Pillsbury® Crescent Rolls
Pillsbury® Cookie Dough
Pillsbury® Breadsticks
Pillsbury® Ready To Bake!® Cookies
Pillsbury® Dinner Rolls
Pillsbury® Italian Meal Breads
Pillsbury® Pizza Crust
Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls
Pillsbury® Pie Crust
Yoplait® Trix® Multipack Yogurt
Yoplait® Yumsters® Multipack Yogurt
Yoplait® Original Multipack Yogurt
Yoplait® Go-GURT® Yogurt
Yoplait® Go-GURT® Smoothie
MEALS/SIDES
Hamburger Helper®
Hamburger Helper® Value Size*
Tuna Helper®
Chicken Helper®
Slow Cooker Helper®*
Betty Crocker® Casserole Potatoes
Betty Crocker® Potato Buds® Mashed Potatoes
Betty Crocker® Seasoned Mashed Potatoes
Betty Crocker® Deluxe Potatoes
Betty Crocker® Oven Favorites® Mix
Old El Paso® Taco Shells
Old El Paso® Dinner Kits
Old El Paso® Salsa
FROZEN
Pillsbury® Waffles
Pillsbury® Toaster Scrambles® Pastries
Pillsbury® Dunkables™ Cinnamon Bites*
Pillsbury® Dunkables™ Mini Pancakes
Pillsbury® Dunkables™ Waffle Sticks
Pillsbury® Dunkables™ French Toast Sticks
Pillsbury® Toaster Strudel™ Pastries
Totino’s® Pizza Snacks
Pillsbury® Oven Baked Rolls*
Pillsbury® Oven Baked Biscuits*
SNACKS
Milk ’n Cereal Bars
Oatmeal Crisp™ Fruit ’n Cereal Bars
Betty Crocker® Fruit Gushers® Fruit Snacks
Betty Crocker® Fruit by the Foot® Fruit Snacks
Betty Crocker® Fruit Roll-Ups® Fruit Snacks
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Fruit Shapes*
Winx Club Fruit Shapes*
Shark Bites Fruit Snacks
Discovery Kids Dinosaurs Fruit Shapes
Jungle Animal Craze Fruit Shapes
Trix® Fruit Shapes
Lucky Charms® Fruit Shapes
Care Bears® Fruit Shapes
Mucha Lucha® Fruit Shapes
Team Sports Fruit Shapes
Scooby Fruit Shapes
Looney Tunes Fruit Shapes
Princess Fruit Shapes
Shrek® Fruit Shapes
Dunkaroos® Snacks
Chex Mix® Snack Mix
Chex Mix® for Kids*
Pop•Secret® Microwave Popcorn
Bugles® Corn Snacks
Gardetto’s® Snack Mix
Nature Valley® Crunchy Granola Bars
Nature Valley® Chewy Trail Mix Bars
Nature Valley® Chewy Granola Bars with Yogurt
Nature Valley® Sweet & Salty Nut Granola Bars*
Nature Valley® Healthy Heart Chewy Granola Bars*
BAKING
Betty Crocker® Frosting
Betty Crocker® Pour & Frost™ Frosting
Betty Crocker Complete Desserts™
Betty Crocker® Angel Food Cake Mix
Betty Crocker® Variety Dessert Mixes
Betty Crocker® Supreme Brownie Mix
Betty Crocker® Pizza Crust
Betty Crocker® Sunkist® Lemon Bars
Betty Crocker® Quick Bread Mix
Betty Crocker® Pancake Mix
Betty Crocker® Snackin’ Cake® Mix
Betty Crocker® Muffin Mixes
Betty Crocker® PremiumMuffin & Quick BreadMixes*
Betty Crocker® Cornbread & Muffin Mix*
Betty Crocker® Cookie Mix
Betty Crocker® Warm Delights™*
Bisquick® Complete*
Bisquick® Baking Mix
Gold Medal® Flour
BAGS/CONTAINERS*
Ziploc® Brand Freezer Bags
Ziploc® Brand Storage Bags
Ziploc® Brand Easy Zipper Freezer Bags
Ziploc® Brand Easy Zipper Storage Bags
Ziploc® Brand Sandwich Bags
Ziploc® Brand Snack Bags
Ziploc® Brand DoubleGuard®Freezer Bags
Ziploc® Brand Snap’n Seal Containers
Ziploc® Brand Twist’n Loc™ Containers
Ziploc® Brand Big Bags

cambells labels for education

save Front Label
Campbell's Beans Products
Campbell's Condensed 10 oz. Soups
Campbell's Condensed 26 oz. Soups (Family Size)
Campbell's Low Sodium Soups
Campbell's Kitchen Classic Soups (18-19 oz. can) *
Campbell's Tomato Juices (12 oz., 46 oz., 64 oz.)
Campbell's SpaghettiOs, Any Shape Paste
Campbell's Gravies

Save 2 Code Numbers from Outer Case
Campbell's Tomato Juice (11.5 oz./24 cans/case)
Campbell's Tomato Juice (5.5 oz./48 cans/case)

Save Lid
Campbell's Ready To Serve Soups (plastic)

Save UPC code
Campbell's Soup & Recipe Mix
(with the entire box bottom panel)

FOOD SERVICE
Save Front Label
Campbell's Chef's Kettle Soups (50 oz.)
Campbell's Foodservice Soups (50 oz.)
Campbell's Low Sodium Soups (50 oz.)
Campbell's Healthy Request Soups (50 oz.)

Save Front Label
Campbell's Carb Request Soups

Save Front Label
Campbell's Soup At Hand *

Save Front Label
Campbell's Chunky Soups
Campbell's Chunky Soups (bowls)

Save Front Label
Campbell's Chunky Chilis

Save Front Label
Campbell's Healthy Request® Soups


Save UPC Code
Campbell's Supper Bakes

Save Front Label
Campbell's Select Soups *
Campbell's Select Soups (bowls) *

Save Front Label
Campbell's Soup To Go® (tub)

Save Front Label
Campbell's Simply Home® Soups

Save Front Label
Franco-American Gravies
Franco-American SpaghettiOs, Any Shape Pasta
Franco-American SpaghettiOs, Meat Sauce

Save Front Label
Pepperidge Farm Soups

Save UPC code
Pepperidge Farm Breads, Croutons, Rolls & Stuffing (bag or carton)
Pepperidge Farm Cookies, Crackers, Goldfish Crackers, Goldfish Cookies & Snack Mixes (bag or carton)
Pepperidge Farm Frozen Garlic Breads, Cakes, Turnovers, Dumplings and Puff Pastry (bag or carton)

FOOD SERVICE
Save 2 Code Numbers from Outer Case
Pepperidge Farm Foodservice

Save Front Label
Swanson Broths
Swanson Foodservice Broths (49.5 oz.)
Swanson Canned Chicken (paper label)

Save UPC code
Swanson Broths (carton)

Save Front Label
V8 100% Vegetable Juice, all varieties
(12 oz., 46 oz., 64 oz.)
V8 Calcium Enriched 100% Vegetable Juice
(12 oz., 46 oz.)
V8 Low Sodium 100% Vegetable Juice (46 oz.)
V8 A.C.E. Vitamin Rich 100% Vegetable Juice (46 oz.)
V8 Splash Juice Drinks, all varieties
(16 oz., 46 oz., 64 oz. *, 96 oz.)
V8 Splash Smoothies (10 oz.)
V8 Splash Smoothies (46 oz.) *

Save UPC code
V8 Splash Juice Drinks, all varieties
(6.75 oz. boxes/8 pack)

FOOD SERVICE
Save 2 Code Numbers from Outer Case
V8, V8 Splash (11.5 oz./24 cans/case)
V8, V8 Splash (5.5 oz./48 cans/case)
V8 Splash (16 oz./12 bottles/case)

Save Front Label
Prego Pasta Sauces (14-28 oz.)

Save Lid
Prego Pasta Sauces (46 oz. and larger)
Prego Pasta Bake Sauce (27.75 oz.)


Save Lid
Pace Salsa, Picante, and Picante ConQueso
Taco Sauces, Enchilada Sauces
Mexican Creations

Save Front Label
Refried Beans

* Bonus Brand for 2004-2005


tyson project A+

Breast Tenderloins
Southern Style
Breast Tenderloins
Spicy Breast
Tenderloins
Honey BBQ
Chicken Wings
Barbecue Style
Chicken Wings
Hot'n Spicy
Chicken Wings
Wings of Fire®
BBQ Chik Ribs™
Popcorn Chicken
Chicken Bites™
Fun Nuggets
Breast Patties
Southern Style Patties
Nuggets
Breast Nuggets
Southern Style Nuggets
Breast Tenders
Honey Battered
Breast Tenders
Chicken Breast Strips
Fajita Chicken Strips
Southwest Seasoned
Chicken Breast Strips
Diced
Chicken Breast
Seasoned Beef Strips
Deli Style
Oven Roasted
Chicken Breast
Deli Style
Honey Roasted
Chicken Breast
Deli Style
Smoked
Chicken Breast
Deli Style
Rotisserie Flavor
Chicken Breast
Deli Style
Oven Roasted
Turkey Breast
Deli Style
Honey Roasted
Turkey Breast
Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken Fajitas
Beef Fajitas
Chicken Quesadillas
Chicken Stir Fry
Chicken Nuggets
Breast Patties
Chicken Breast
Tenders
Crispy Chicken Strips
Chicken Breast
Fillet Fritters
Popcorn Chicken Bites™
Teriyaki Flavored
Chicken Breasts
Mesquite Flavored
Chicken Breasts
Buffalo Style
Chicken Strips
Buffalo Style
Hot Wings
Italian Style
Chicken Meatballs
Honey BBQ Wings
Honey BBQ
Drumsticks
Fajita Chicken Strips
Diced Chicken Breast
Chicken Breast Strips
Southwest
Seasoned Chicken
Breast Strips
Seasoned
Beef Strips





if you guys don't feel like sending them to me, check it out to see if your local school collects them. what school couldn't use a lil more money????

Sunday, July 24, 2005

WHAT A DAY!!!!

so like i mentioned before, we went to my mom's house today for bc's bday party. we got there and of course my mom had enough food to feed an army. we were all noshing on snacks while my mom and bc got the grill going. once the grill was nice and hot, my mom started to put on the chicken and beef kabobs that she made for dinner. bella went outside with her nonna (my mom) to play. we were all inside in the living room chattin' it up.

at that point, i thought that i heard bella laughing but my mother instint wasn't sure if it really wasn't her crying. i got up and started to jot to the back door when i heard my mom calling for me. bella was crying in pain and had dirt all over her. my mom had that panicked look on her face while i gave bella a good overall look. my mom said that bella was climbing up the lil swing set/fort thing in her back yard and had gotten up to the first or second bar (note about 2 feet from the ground) and had turned around and said "nonna look at me" and then that is when she fell. she def. landed face first with all the dirt on her face. after i took a good look at her, i thought she looked fine, however, she was still crying in pain and her left arm was just kinda hanging there, all limp like. we thought that she had done something to her arm, but she was able to bend it and such. for about 15 minutes, we were all taking guesses as to what could be wrong. there were only certain times that she really cried out in pain, but she wouldn't say where she hurt (she normally points to her boo-boo to let us know where she is hurt). so i took her upstairs to lay down with her. mike came up and then my mom. my mom was really concerned about that left arm. my mom then bent it again and told us that we need to take her to the hospital. she could feel the break.

so a very panicked mommy and daddy drove her to the hospital. i kept asking mike "are you sure you think its broke?" due to the fact that he felt it also and i wouldn't even dare attempt to move her arm. i was alreay about to throw up at the fact that something had happened to one of my children.

we get to the emergency room and note there was a full room. i was already stressing out and now i am pissed thinking they better take us first. well they did. bella was a brave lil girl and had her xrays done.

the result: a fractured radius and ulna (aka two bones in her forearm)

and apparently children normally break one or the other. its pretty rare to break both. so they were able to wrap her arm and put it in a sling. the orthopedic of course was not working today, so i have to take her tomorrow to his office to get a lil cast put on it. the good thing is, apparently children heal a lot faster than adults so i guess she will be wearing a cast for about 4-6 weeks.

my poor lil bella. she is doing fine now. once we were done at the hospital, we went back to my mom's, who of course was on the verge of calling the hospital to see what was going on since my cell phone was dead and mike didn't have his with him. we ate and everything was normal besides the fact that my baby was walking around like this
.

she's in bed sleeping soundly now (thank God for pain medication) but i keep having the urge to run in there to see how she's doing. i have been in and out of her room since we put her down.

my poor lil girl. oh how i wish the pain isn't that bad for her and that she can pick out a nice bright pink cast that will be her newest pretty (jewelry/accessory).

so neeless to say, its been one hell of a day.

AHHHH...SUNDAY MORNINGS!!!

now i know last week i bitched and complained about sundays, but that was sunday afternoons. sunday mornings are a different creature all together.

i woke up refreshed this morning (despite the fact that me and mikey shared a twin sized bed last night) and felt the need to once again fix allison's fruit salad. oh its so yummy. i also made some wildberry muffins (martha white mix) and some french vanilla coffee. me and bella (she was having her almost third breakfast for the morning) sat at the table and we looked at the gooseberry patch catalog that came in the mail.

breakfast was delish!!!



mikey is currently watching hunter quietly in his room and lil ms. bella is down for a nap. we will be getting ready shortly to go to my mom's for bc's bday party. i am bringing deviled eggs. i have never made deviled eggs before, so i relied on good ol recipezaar to help me find a good recipe. i haven't assembled them yet, so i will let ya'll know how they went. if they are good, i'll post a pic and the recipe.

i am hoping to get a few more loads of laundry done before we leave. if not then before i go to bed. i took tomorrow off of work to take care of my bug. so i am wanting to devote the day to finishing july's pink lemonade apron for tie one on. i would also like to make lil aprons for me and my mom to wear at our garage sale this upcoming saturday. it will come in handy for holding our price stickers, change, etc. i don't know if my mom would actually wear it though. but i have some monopoly money fabric that i think would look cute. esp. since we hope to make lotsa money :)

speaking of monopoly money, i recieved my package from glitter's favorite thing swap. i, of course, choose games and krystle sent me the most awesome pkg:

*razzles card (i'll talk about that in a minute)
*desperately needed pens
*monopoly community chest/chance cards bookmark
*handmade monopoly money picture frame (pure brilliance)
*handmade hi ho cherry-o notebook
*handmade monopoly gameboard notebook

thanks krystle!! i loved everything.





now about the card. i am in love with the card and when i turned it over to see where/who made it, i noticed that it was made by taschen who also made the book krazy kids' food! vintage food graphics which i bought at old navy and luv!!!! if you love graphics, esp. vintage, you must go check out their website. i just saw a vintage halloween graphics book that i.must.own!!!

oh yesterday while i was surfing around, i found this website full of japanese jewelry goodness! i want almost everything they sell. the only bad thing is i can't read japanese and i have no idea how much anything is. but it is a great site for inspiration. now only if i knew where they bought their beads/buttons. anyone have any ideas for great bead/button websites?

okay, one more thing, below is what i made for dessert last night. i had some cherries that i need to use and since we had cheese enchiladas and these lil tostido scoops things i make (see below for recipe, i decided to make a mexican-type dessert.

so i took some foil and waded it up into a ball and sprayed both the foil and a tortilla with pam. i sprinkled cinnamon on the tortilla and draped it over the ball of foil, and attempted to make a bowl shape. i then sprayed the outside of the tortilla with pam and sprinkled with cinnamon/sugar. i then baked them in the oven until they were golden brown. once outta the oven, i filled with icecream, homemade whipped cream, chopped fresh cherries, and mini chocolate chips. they were really good.




bella enjoying hers.

elizabeth's mexican scoops

line a baking sheet with foil and spray with pan. place tostido scoops about an inch or so apart on the baking sheet.

take a can of del monte's savory sides rio grande vegetables and place a spoonful in each tostido's scoop.

top with some shredded cheese.

bake in a 375 oven until cheese is melted.

voila!

Saturday, July 23, 2005

THRIFT SCORES!!!

monday, since i only worked one hour out of the day due to doctor appointments and errands that didn't get ran over the weekend, i decided that i would stop by my local thrift shop. this one is literally right down the street and for living in the country, that is saying a lot.

the store isn't that big, but it is very clean and has some cute things in it.



i bought the kiddos some more books (i am on a big book buying kick right now, especially books for isabella's collection).


i got mikey these great maze books for his recovery time. i couldn't believe that they didn't have pencil/pen marks in them already. how lucky!!



i also bought them out of zippers. how could i resist? they were about 15/$1. i really want to start making zippered pouches for christmas time and they will become lil extras in some swap packages.


then i bought this great ribbon. i am already inspired by the black and red ribbon.

i may try and hit a few other thrift stores during lunch next week. i am on a mission for more buttons which is so sad b/c i have a ton of them in the other room. i really shouldn't be bringing any more stuff in this house (since i am trying to get rid of stuff) and spending money.

oh well! we'll see.

MORE PIN CUSHIONS!!

i am addicted to making these lil pin cushions. however, i'm sad that i only have about two more baskets left. i will def. have to hit the dollar stores to see if i can find more.

anyway, i made the icecream cone (which is my favorite so far) for the summer swap. i sent my partner a whole pkg. of icecream goodness.

the kitty kat pincushion with matching pins are for a swap that i participated in over at glitter.

oh, i must find more of these baskets!



SUMMER FUN SWAP HAS ARRIVED!!

i am involved in the snail mail group swaps that are going on for the next three months.

the first month's theme was "summer fun" and i received a whole package of fun! i was so excited to see that the person who had me is giao since i have been a fan of both her sites for quite a while now.

she sent me the most fabulous goodies!!! i love her notecards and all the stickers. the candy is about gone and the kiddos loved the sand bucket.

thanks giao!!!

MIKEY'S TONSILS ARE OUT!!!!

i wanted to post this yesterday once we got settled in at home, but me and mikey spent the rest of the day in his room watching season 2 of hunter!

mikey did really well yesterday (and so did i surprisingly ;). the staff at the outpatient surgery center were fabulous. mikey got to wear the cutest lil hospital gown and we got to go back with him while we waited for them to wheel him off.

the whole procedure took about 20 minutes and when it was over they called us to go back there for the 2 hour recovery part. that part was a lil rough at first b/c mikey wasn't thrilled with the iv in his hand and just wanted to go home. the great part was that they had these huge recliners that i got to sit in and hold him. so he wasn't just laying in a bed. i think that helps in the comfort area.

after the two hours were up, he woke up and got to eat a popsicle before he left. which surprisingly he was able to eat.

he was the bravest lil boy that i have ever seen. he didn't cry before he went back or anything. the doctor's said he did great!! i am so proud of you mikey!! i luv you.

he is doing really well except for the fact that he is aggravated that he can't have any chips :)

thanks to everyone who had encouraging and comforting words for me and all who wished mikey well :)


one last time to see the tonsils.


mikey is his space hospital gown.


me and mikey before he got wheeled back.


afterwards, just waiting to go home.

you can see more pictures here.

Monday, July 18, 2005

MY BUG IS HAVING HIS FIRST SURGERY!!

well, today mikey had his appt. with the ear/nose/throat doctor and it was determined that he needed to have his tonsils and adnoids removed. i thought that it would have been done more due to the fact that his tonsils are HUGE!!! but it has more to do with the fact that he has sleep apnea due to it.

when i told the dr. that mike thought that he stopped breathing while he snored his head off, and that i thought mikey was just switching where he was taking his air in at (nose to mouth/mouth to nose) the dr. just kinda laughed and said that was a nice theory and all but he was stopping his breathing.

so luckily i was able to schedule the surgery (out patient now, when i had mine out when i was mikey's age, it was a day or two stay in the hospital) for friday. i'm not sure what time yet, but since he will need to stay out of school for a week, i was lucky to get it done now. the doctor will be on vacation next week and bug starts school the week after that. my heart would have been broken if he missed the first week of school.

so i'm a lil nervous about how he is going to handle it. i have explained as best as i can what is going to happen, but i think the only thing he understands is that this weekend and next week he is going to be able to eat icecream and popsicles whenever he wants.

i have more things to tell you guys about, but i need to get bella in bed.

Sunday, July 17, 2005

SUNDAYS IRK ME!!!

and this is why, i wake up and i don't feel like doing anything. i spend all day laying around watching whatever is on lifetime (and i have both regular and the movie network) or whatever is on mtv. i don't do anything. i may take a nap, i may fix the kiddos lunch (just kidding, they do get lunch).

and then, around 430 in the evening, i get a huge burst of energy to do all the things that i should have been doing since 7 when i woke up. i wanna do laundry, fix something delish to eat, clean up the kitchen, craft, pay bills, etc.

why is this? does anyone else experience this? i mean sundays are so hectic with trying to get everything ready for work/daycare the next a.m. and having the kiddos in bed early.

so getting the mojo juice at 430 is a lil inconvenient.

okay, enough ranting and off to finish:

*paying already late (i'm sure) bills
*folding a load or two of laundry
*throwing another load in
*finish getting the kids ready for bed
*eating icecream
*watching six feet under in less than an hour
*cleaning off the dining room table
*taking pics of some good mail i have recently received


see my problem?

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

ON A SIDE NOTE!!!

just a few other things that are going on....

*i am not getting contacted via email when a comment is made here. i have no idea why. i guess another reason that i stick with blogger ;) so if you make a comment and you don't hear from me, its 'cause i don't know ya said something unless i visit the blog-a-roni myself and see that a comment has been made.

*i am currently working on two swaps. the "my favorite thing" swap over on glitter and the july swap over at the snail mail project.

*i am also working on getting stuff to the storage unit, stuff in the garbage, or stuff to my mom's for a garage sale. i am hoping to have this place up for sale by the end of the month so we can start building our new dream house.

*i just took the best bath with as hot as i could handle water and a bath bomb from lush.

*since the beginning of the year, i have lost a grand total of 30-friggin-pounds!!! i am super excited. i have not dieted. i have only watched the amount of food that i have eaten, made those food choices as wise as possible, gave in to cravings, drank more water, laid off any soda that wasn't diet, and excepted that it was going to take time.

*now i just need to start exercising to lose some more and to tone things up. however, i have to wait until after next tuesday when i go to the orthopedic surgeon to see what the hell is wrong with my right knee. you would not believe the crunchy noise/feeling it makes when i walk up and down the stairs. and boy does it get sore. i am hoping that it is nothing too serious.

*mikey starts kindergarten in a few weeks and i can't believe my baby is a big boy now.

*bella's new favorite thing to say is "awwww man!" when she doesn't get what she wants.

*i am glad to be back and up to date with the ol blog-a-rooni!!!

DETAILS OF HURRICANE DENNIS!



while while we were on our trip, we heard that there were a couple of storms in the gulf. tropical storm cindy hit while we were gone and brought a lot of rain at home. when we came back, we had to prepare for dennis.

we knew dennis was a strong one, it had peaked at a high 4 (for those of you that are unfamiliar, hurricanes are ranked on a scale of 1-5; 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest).

so mike prepared for his 12 hour shifts and i packed up me and the kiddos and headed to my mom's house. she had the windows all boarded up and we were ready for dennis with all of our junk food and water.

as you all well know, dennis ended up hitting poor pensacola again and we were once again spared. i owe that to all the praying i did before hand and all the fingers you guys had crossed :) we only ended up getting a lil bit of rain and some strong wind gusts. we were able to go home by sunday evening.

now that dennis is over, we have to worry about emily. emily is supposed to be in the gulf by sunday and of course it is still too very far out to know where it is going to hit.

i tell ya what, we are only a month into the hurricane season and i am already sick of it. i have to worry until november.

i just wish our house was built.

oh, and robin i didn't get any crafting done. me and my mom watched junk tv ;)

you can view more hurricane pictures here

OUR DISNEY TRIP (WORK RELATED MIND YOU ;)



well, as i stated in an earlier post,i was gone for a week at a conference for work in orlando. well, i failed to mention that the conference was being held at the disney dolphin resort and we got to stay at the disney yacht club. and lemme tell ya, the hotel was gorgeous!!!!

mike was able to go with me and the kiddos stayed with my mom. me and mike were getting a week long vacation!! i was so excited. my boss and a couple of other people from work went also.

now don't get me wrong, we did some work at the conference but we also had a lot of fun. we went to the magic kingdom, epcot, downtown disney, and did some eating out at some restaurants in downtown orlando.

we did some shopping and the kiddos made out like bandits since i had the major guilts about not bringing them. they didn't even know "exactly" where we were at. i even broke down and cried at epcot b/c i felt so bad. i cried while i was eating one of the mickey mouse icecreams (even though i was disappointed that they were now 100% completely covered in chocolate unlike the ones when i was lil where mickey's head was vanilla icecream and only his ears where dipped in chocolate. it was still delicious though ;)

unfortunatly, i came down with a really bad sinus infection on monday and that kinda put a damper on things for the last four days. i couldn't talk, i couldn't swallow anything, and all i really wanted to do was stay in bed. i do think i was a good sport though and made though the parks as best as i could.

while we were at disney, i wasn't able to speak to mike the whole day. we stood in line at splash mountain for about and hour and a half and i think i said two words...lol...i joked that i was more quiet that day that i have been the past 6 years of our marriage put together.

we had a load of fun and since i have been home, i sure have been missing that hotel room and boardwalk. even if it was so friggin' hot and humid and i walked around looking like i just got out of the swimming pool (and believe me i hadn't).

you can view the photos from our trip here.

Saturday, July 09, 2005

DAMN YOU HURRICANE DENNIS!!

well, i was hoping that my first post when i got back from florida would be one about the fun that me and mike had at the conference at disney, but unfortunately there really isn't time for that. we are getting ready to head on over to mom's to make it thru hurricane dennis. this is the 4th hurricane in 100 years that have hit in july. we normally don't get this degree of hurricanes until later in the season.

so needless to say, i am not happy camper. i have to worry about mike (and of course all our other coworkers) who have to work the road and try to remain calm for the kiddos. at least i'll be in the same place as my mom and brother.

and please, oh please electricity, don't go out and if you have to, only go out for a lil bit. it is friggin hot outside and when you are sitting inside a boarded up house can you say ugh??

i am hoping that everything will be done and over with by monday afternoon and that the damage will be minimal we can come home.

everyone keep their fingers crossed for us!