Think I'll have more time now?

I can't tell you how many times I've tried to upload the pics for 5/18!  Something interupts me or my computer crashes or I can't locate the pic (the blog entry is saved,  I just haven't published it yet!)  And now, I'm going back to work.  Full Time!!!  HUH????  It's going to be a MAJOR adjustment but, I did find when I was working before, I had a better handle on my free time.  I was able to get up, get my shower & then post my pic of the day for the previous day.  Maybe, after a few weeks, I'll get used to that again.  Of course, the last time I worked FULL TIME, I didn't have a blog or FB or Twitter.  I hadn't even started hanging w/the girls on  Paper Crafts that led me to the Stamp-Shack.  Wow!!  I guess something will have to give...... but NOT this blog!!!!

HELLO???? Anyone still out there???

I've been MIA for SOOOOO long!!  I do have TONS of pics, probably not every day but some neat ones of vacation and just this & that.  THIS is the picture that really stalled me.  I KNEW I could do it but couldn't figure out HOW!!  Then, I figured out how & forgot.  Then the greatest friend on earth (except for all the other greatest friends out there; you KNOW who you are!!!) Angie taught me how to do it (and I retained the knowledge) and taught me how to video chat.  How fun!!!  Anyway, I had tons of pics of the Great Grace Race and wanted to use a template.  This is what I came up with.  The pics weren't "perfect" with the template but pretty good.

Hard to believe that school is about to start again & I still haven't posted these. 

Anyone have any links to FREE templates.  Now, I want to do MORE!!!

day 137

WOW!!!  2 Nick posts in a row???  This is Nick at the school musical, The Amazing Grace Race.  He played the announcer of the race.  Hence the tie.  LOL (It belongs to Scott & smelled like Hollister when he got it back.)  Nick had TONS of lines & did EXCELLENT.  Remembered every one of them!!!  What an actor!!

Day 136

Isn't he such a stud!!  He NEVER lets me take pics, so when I got this shot & he DIDN'T immediately try to delete it I thanked my lucky stars!!!  He's such a cutie!!!

And a goofball!!

Day 135

My neighbor's Irises.  PRETTY!!!

Day 134

Jack LOVES to sit at the basement window & watch the squirrels (and birds) out the window.  He usually "barks" at them while they "violate" HIS yard.  He's so funny sometimes!

Day 133

This is the NEW Azalea.  Scott bought it 'cause it promised to bloom all year long.  Well, it was blooming when we bought it & all those blooms are dying.  Nothing new.....yet?

Day 132

This the barberry bush in my front yard.  I'm SO digging the colors right now.  But watch out, there are thorns.  Those tiny ones you don't see until it too late.  Ouch!!

Day 131

Here are the "old" azalea's in the front yard.  WHY are all the flowers UNDER the leaves.  It's never done this before (that I know of anyway).  Weird.  Not NEARLY as pretty this year as in years past!

Day 130

this is my grass.  Well, maybe it's grass; I don't now.  Maybe it's some sort of weed.  I really hope not 'cause it's obviously gone to seed & now will plant millions more weeds.  I'm saying it IS grass.  Thought it looked kinda cool in the pic, not so much in the lawn. 

Day 129

Scott's sister & Bro-in-law are in town so they came by to see is.  They are currently living in Germany.  Talked to them for a couple hours & had a nice visit.  Probably won't see them back for at least a year or so.  Unless we go to Germany to visit THEM!!!

Day 128

Happy Mother's Day!!!

As per tradition, we went to Pasta House for free spaghetti & cheese cake.  Oh was it all YUM!!!!  Scott bought me a set of Ippity Stamps (thanks Angie!!) and an Achiver's Gift Card.  Yea!  Now I can buy the Smash book when it comes out!!!  This is the gift the kids' got me!  Don't you love Becca's wrapping paper?  It's one of my old work aprons.  And, inside?  I Alton Brown cookbook.  YEA!!!!  I can't wait to read it & try some recipes!!!

Day 127

I could tell by the envie that there was gonna be trouble.  This is the FIRST time that I've had a swap damaged in mailing.  And, if this was going to happen, I'm glad it happened on the way BACK to me instead of on the way to the hostess! 

When I opened the envie, some of the ATCs were creased but, by & large, they were really pretty ok.  I put them all in a new protector & they look ok.  I'm glad!!!  One of of HUNDREDS of swaps is pretty good, right?



Day 126

Today, I volunteered at the kids' school.  Mrs. Stegall was working on graduation so I covered lunch.  I love how my daughter won't look up.  LOL

Day 125

Driving home with Becca, probably from getting gas.  With gas prices being so high, it's worth the drive across the Mississippi to MO to get cheaper gas.  <sigh>  When will the prices go DOWN?!?!?!

Day 124

Usually, it's Becca spread out all over the couch.  Today, it's her STUFF (and a little of Nick's)  It's amazing how much space these kids take up.  At least when they leave for school, the living room will be neat & tidy.  Their rooms are a different story!!

Day 123

Last week, Scott & I planted some grass seed.  It was seed, fertilizer & mulch all in one.  Seemed a bit pricey but, thought we'd give it a try (we've not had much luck overplanting grass seed prior to this).  Well, everyday I looked to see if anything had sprouted.  No luck.  Finally, today I was rewarded w/this tiny little shoot!!  Yea grass!!!  One day, I want a LAWN, not just a patch of greenish weeds!!!

Day 122

Nick the Baker is at it again.  This time, he wanted Choc Chip Cookies.  Yea!!!  Baked goods I didn't have to make!!!!

Day 121

Never name a cat Jack.  I think the name makes him obsess over boxes.  Put ANY box on the floor & he HAS to examine it &, if he can, wear it like a hat.  Silly Kitty!

Day 120

Strawberries!!!  But, I don't think in the 6-7 years we've had them, we've ever gotten decent berries off these plants.  We put 3 plants on the other side of the house & they produced nice berries but the bunnies usually got to them before we did.  We planted 3 more plants on this side of the house, mostly as ground cover.  The bunnies never come to eat the slightly mis-shappen berries here.  Scott keeps hoping we'll get nice strawberries eventually but, not so far.....

Day 119

My carnations still haven't bloomed.  I dont' know if they should have or not but it sure FEELS like they should have by now.  Scott says they're dead but there are TONS of buds all over the plant.  I'm sure they'll burst into color any day now!!!

Day 118

It's not a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, it's a STEAKBURGER!!!  LOL  We were eating at Taco Bell when we noticed the rainbow.  It's really a double rainbow but you can't see it in this pic. 

Day 117

Rain, rain, rain, rain.  We've had several days of rain.  Makes ME happy but no one else.  The river is up but the threat of real flooding here has past.  I tried to get the motion of the splash but it didn't quite turn out like I wanted....

Day 116

Spring is starting to spring!!  This is our "old" azalea bush.  It has the prettiest flowers but it only blooms for like 2 weeks.  Why isn't spring pretty longer??

Day 115

Came around he corner & caught Scott in his office. Little out of focus but probably the best pic I've taken of him......EVER????  He doesn't photo well.  Always closes his one eye.....

Day 114

Happy Easter Everybody!!!

Scott thinks the kids are too old for Easter Baskets.  I STRONGLY disagree.  Although, I DO agree that they are too old to HUNT for Easter Baskets.  Next year, we'll just leave them on the table.  Or, maybe hide them scavenger hunt style; leave them notes to lead them to the baskets. 

Anyway, at the bottom of Nick's basket was a note that sent him on a mini hunt.  To the laundry room to find his new PS3.  His died.  We knew it would take FOREVER for him to earn even HALF the $$$ to buy a new system.  So, we bought him one for Easter.  With the promise of extra chores for the entire summer.  It was technically a gift for all of us: NO ONE wanted to face the summer w/Nick & no video games!!!!

Day 113

This is all the stuff I took to 'Palooza with me.  It's STILL not unpacked.  It sits there, mocking me.  I haven't stamped a THING since I got back!!!  Eventually, I'll HAVE to unpack.......maybe.

Day 112

Nick was bored (his PS3 broke yesterday, BUMMER!!) and couldn't find anything to do & couldn't find anything to eat so he asked if he could bake a cake.  YES!!!!  I supervised him & he made it all by himself.  I ended up icing it for him.  Didn't take a pic of the finished cake 'cause we ate it too quick. 

Day 111

BANQUET!!!

We've been waiting for this day for months!  This is Bethel's version of Prom.  Every year, the Senior class plans a fancy dinner and activities for the entire high school.  This year, it's dinner at Julia's, bouncing at the Sky Zone & then back to the school for a video scavenger hunt.  

Becca  got out of school at 11:45 so she could make her 12:30 hair appointment.  Then, we painted her nails & got her ready.  We got to the school at 4pm, the appointed time.  Last year there was at least a half hour before they left to take pics.  So, I didn't take a whole lot of pics at home.  Of course, this year, they had NO TIME for pics.  I grabbed a couple of quick shots but this of Becca & Zach is awful!!!  In a hurry & they were facing into the sun.  <sigh>

The only full length shot I got was part of the group shot.  <sigh again>  next year, it'll be better!!!  Since there will only be 3 Seniors, I hope they let the Juniors help plan!!!

The kids had a blast at the sky zone.  I was there when they got back so I could help w/the video scavenger hunt.  It was soooo much fun!!  They had a list of 20 things they had to do & I had to take pics or video of them doing it.  I had a great group that wasn't the LEAST BIT EMBARRASSED to act like fools. (This pic was taken in the PITCH BLACK of the park.  I had no idea how it was going to look until it was taken.  Becca, JOIN THE GROUP!!  LOL) 

Day 110

He did it again!!!  At least the clothes were dirty this time.  He has a perfectly comfy bed.  WHY????

Day 109

Tonite was the sports "banquet".  For some reason, it was downgraded to a "tea".  Who's ever heard of a sports tea??  I HATE these things.  Waned to pretend I forgot it.  But, Nick wanted to go.  So, we went.  Stopped at Dairy Queen for yummy dinner first.  There was some rain & tornado warnings but nothing too looked too serious where we were.

Well, Scott & Nick were helping put the tables away afterwards.  Becca & I walked outside & it was SCARY looking!!!  I yelled at Scott to grab Nick so we could get out of there before the storm hit.  Stupid idea.  We should have stayed until the storm blew over.  We got caught in HEAVY rain & HAIL!!!  Was a little scary driving.  By the time we got past Bethalto, the sun was out again.  Then it rained, sun, rain, sun, rain.  Let up a bit when we got home!!  Rained & stormed the rest of the night but no power outages of funnel cloud!!

Day 108

This is a picture of the exact amount of potato pearls that it takes to make a "family" serving of instant spuds.  While I worked for the school, I got addicted to potato pearls.  They are the BEST instant 'taters & NOTHING that is sold commercially compares.  I've tried everywhere to find them.  Finally, Scott found a bulk foods company out of ALASKA that was willing to ship to a non-business address.  The pearls are NOT CHEAP but I can't even eat "real" potatoes anymore.  It has to be these little bits of heaven.

Scott wanted to learn how to make them so, if I'm ever out of town again, he can make some.  2.5 cups water, 2.5 cups milk, .25 cups of butter & 1.5 teaspoons of salt.  And THIS MUCH potato pearls.  For the record, Scott is the one who wanted this to be my picture of the day.  LOL

Day 107

Saddest day of the weekend, going home day.  I had so much fun w/these girls; hate to say good bye.  We got up & Sherri left first.  Longest drive!!!  Then we all went to breakfast.  I got to meet the famous Josh!  Stuffed myself beyond words!!  I was soooo tired by the time I got on the road.  My GPS took me thru the heart of Indianapolis.  That was under CONSTRUCTION!!!  Argh!!!  Lost about 45 minutes.  Finally got to IL & took a LONG rest at the Wendy's!  "Lost" even MORE time 'cause my GPS thinks that the speed limit in IL is 70 when it's only 65.  Finally made it home about 6:30. 

Somehow, in my picture taking I missed pics of Robin, Chelsea & Traci!!!  How'd that happen??  Can't wait for next year.  Utah in the fall doesn't look good :(

Day 106

today was Jennifer's surprise baby shower.  The real surprise when she didn't even guess.  Not even when she walked into the room & we were all standing there staring at her.  She noticed US, not the decorations!!  She was so funny!!  She got tons of cute things.  Mostly green & mostly jungle themed including a GORGEOUS quilt that Mary made for her!! 

Making a PSE collage takes a WHOLE lot of work!!!

Day 105

Happy Friday from Palooza!!!  Unfortunately, Joanne didn't make it :(  But, we're having a total BLAST!!!!  So much fun with such great people!!!  One of the knitting club that the girls met last year took this picture for us.  Now, if only it warms up & the rain holds off!!!

Day 104

Well, the best laid plans.......  Joanne's flight got cancelled last night.  New plan; I will pick her up from the NEW flight at the airport this morning!!  Well, she got bumped from THAT flight.  She's gonna try to get another flight into either Indianapolis or Ft. Wayne & one of us 'paloozers will pick her up there.  I quickly loaded the car w/all our stuff & headed out about 8:30am!!

Made pretty good time & managed to stay awake without too many problems.  Got to the inn & learned that Joanne wasn't able to get on any flights today :(  She had one more shot that would get to Ft Wayne on Friday morning!!!  Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

Day 103

I'm getting ready to head out for a girls stamping weekend!  About 15 of us are heading to extreme Northeast Indiana to a State Park for 4 days of stamping, laughing, eating and girl fun!!!  The TINY box is Joanne's stuff, all the rest is mine.  Joanne's supposed to fly into StL tonite & then we'll drive up together first thing tomorrow morning!!!  I'm soooo excited!!!  Gonna be a BLAST!!!

Day 102

I have no idea what these flowers are.  They were under the holly bushes at my MILs house.  I thought they were kinda pretty......

Day 101

Tulip tree.  So pretty.  Not damaged by the cold weather this year!

More pics on the way

I can never seem to keep up.  Life's crazy right now.  Maybe this next week when Scott's back to work (but still home) I can get caught up.  Whew.  Whirlwind but FUN!!!

Day 100

A squirrel running around my back yard.  Well, actually on the power lines in my back yard.  Silly Squirrel!

Day 99

This is Jack & his girlfriend Trixie.  Actually we don't know what her name is.  In fact, we don't know for sure she's a GIRL!!!  LOL  She's just a cat that wanders the neighborhood.  She obviously has a home and appears to be well cared for.  She's just not licensed and has no collar.  When she comes around, Jack goes nuts.  Trixie sits outside the doors & windows & growls.  It must be love, right??

Day 98

Went out to run some errands (and realized I hadn't left the house in 2 days!!  Plus side of having another driver!!!) and saw these tiny petals on my car.  I thought they looked so pretty.  Of course, they're probably whats making me sneeze too!

Day 97

My cat is a THIEF!!!  See that bag in front of him; he STOLE it from my s/b tote.  I have extra bags in there in case I need a trash bag or something else.  He stock his little nose into the pocket, dragged the bag out & over to the window & searched thru it like he thought that was where I kept the tuna.  Then, later on, he stole ANOTHER bag.  He did lose interest in them fairly quickly.  Silly Kitty!

Day 96

It was very weird this morning to get up and watch the kids leave for school.  It may change my whole morning routine.  I may stop getting up before them.  I might sleep in.  Nah.  I have informed Nick that Becca is the driver.  Whatever SHE says GOES!!!  If she makes him do something goofy & stupid, I'LL deal with her when she gets home!!!  But, while she's driving, he will listen to her!!!

They made it to school & home again.  I think I'm going to like having an extra driver!