Happy Happy Birthday...

to my wonderful pseudo husband.

The big 3-4. (his birthday was actually Tuesday). I fortunately don't have school Tuesdays and he took work off so we went our for a fall foliage picture taking adventure on the motorcycle...damn near froze my.....hands off. Very cold. And there were almost no leaves changing along the delaware river.... but all in all it was fun,and we stopped in at a yummy restaurant and had lunch.

I love you, bob!

It's the spongebob cult cake-creepy!

Please PLEASE PLEASE....

If you live in the good old state of PA...please make sure you are registered to vote. The deadline is tomorrow. Remember, it is in our hands to vote for one of, if not the most powerful person on the face of the planet. That's HUGE. I am not even going to tell you who to vote for. Just do it! It is such a huge responsibility, and an honor to be able to vote, and it makes me sad to see people apathetic about it. So.... log on, or go to a government office and register to vote. Another day I will get into my politics, but for now...I just want you to register.....

By registering you are at least saying "I might vote, and I can vote" by not registering you are say "I don't care, and I won't vote." Registering is not committing... it's just the free pass to get in :)

Be responsible Americans.

I'm just going to pretend...

a couple of things... that

A) It hasn't been 3 months since my last blog, ya know that time when I swore that I would be the *bestest* blogger on the planet. AND I know you all are all thinking "yeah, she's said THAT before"...ok, so I suck at blogging, but I am willing to embrace that.

And..

B) That the two dogs going nutso at my feet are just going to go away so I can type in peace.....please?



No such luck....



Aren't they cute?



'Nuff about them-- this blog is all about me right??? lol

School is going well. I managed to squeak out a 4.0 last semester which puts me on track into the honor roll and got me accepted into the international honors society. I will be transferring to one of 3 schools next fall, and I *think* as of right now i am on track to maintain my gpa. I was never this good in school- don't get me wrong I was always capable of being this good, but never put the effort into it. Now it's like I am being driven by some other force-- besides myself to get school done, and the absolute best that I can do. I feel like i took my life off hold for the first time in 8 years and I am finally living a dream I didn't know even existed...so that's cool.

An update on my sister for those of you who are interested- they did all the tests and scans and stuff and didn't find a tumor or the other disease it *could* have been, but obviously wasn't.... So, they are monitoring her very closely, and are doing more tests. They need to figure this out because she is not able to function like a normal person with the migraines she is getting, but her spirits are considerably better considering it isn't a tumor or the "other possibility."

My mother on the hand had several scares with her health this month. She is having heart problems. They thought she ahd several minor heart attacks, but it turns out they weren't (thank god) they are keeping a monitor on that, and she is having gall bladder issues. I wish she would take better care of herself, I worry that she really IS (she recently stopped takign it for a few weeks...thus causing many health problems) going to just stop taking all of her medication one day, and I am going to get that phone call that I dread every day of my life. She seems better when I am out there, but I can't babysit my mom the rest of my life.

Bob and Chris are both good. Chris started middle school this year, and it's very weird. We have had a few minor issues with school policies and the way they want to do things (that make NO sense), also they have the kids "tracked" which I hate...its just a way to make the moreabled kids get further and the less abled kids get further and further behind.....Bob is well...working alot and going back to school wednesday nights with me for english class. It's interesting to go to school with one's spouse, we are two completely different studying styles, and two completely different goals (I want an A...he wants to pass). It is VERY nice to have someone to study with though, and he is very helpful with my obsessiveness on my papers ( I do 6-8 drafts of things).

Thats about it thats going on here. I don't even have any pictures to show. I haven't really taken any since June (or uploaded them at least). Oh, and for those of you who were at August SAVE I wanted to send out the pictures that many of you asked for, and what I am going to do is upload them to snapfish and send you the link. You *should* be able to order copies of them if you want, if that doesn't work and there is something you want we can work something else out.

Miss you all!

A whole lotta bloggin to blog

First things first- I am adding comments back in for a little while- give it a test go. If it works out well I may keep it up- if not...it comes back down...keep your comments honest (and kind if possible), and please at least leave your first name :)

Ok- so here is my life in the last couple weeks- WHIRLWIND style.

So- get out to Utah, mostly uneventful- plane was delayed due to tornado warnings, so I didn't get to my moms house until like 2 am, but thats all good right? Well, it would have been fine if my brother and SILs beautiful little girl hadn't decided to make an early arrival. We were out ofthe house at 7:30 am and was born after5:30pm. She is lovely and sweet, and Lindsey will surely kill me for posting this picture!

The next few days were pretty much uneventful. We celebrated my beautiful adopted sisters 18th birthday and her and Emmas grduation from high school. There was some drama, and waiting for goats to have babies (though they never did) and at one point I was ready to hop an early plane home.

But it all calmed down and I got to enjoy time with my family whoI only get to see twice a year. I also took the oppurtunity (being surrounded by such gorgeous women) to take some pictures of some of my sisters and my mom.

(that is paint on emma's face not a crazy tattoo or anything-- or acne!) and the hair totally suits her personality.




Poohnee.......seriously wouldn't take a million dollars to be13 again,but she is so sweet and beautiful!



and my mom...is amazing and lovely. It is a miracle she let me take these pictures, but I made a promise i would delete any she hated. But they turned out great.

All the pictures still need to be photoshopped- these are all completely un edited.

I also got a little bit of shopping done- my mom bought me this fabulous little robots that has boobies (its too cute) and was actually sad to leave on Thursday night.

Plane got delayed from denver to philly and we detoured through Texas- we were about an hour late, and by the time I got home i was exhausted and slept.

Saturday we had family over for c's birthday and fathers day. Signed c up for guitar lessons and just enjoyed a few hours of just downtime (ok really I was cooking ad tryingto get everyone fed).

We left monday morning to Atlantic City (I have yet to upload my pictures). We went and toured the Absecon Lighthouse, the boys did the ripleys museum, I gambled (and won) for a few hours, we played on the beach alot, did steel pier and ate some REALLY good food. We were in a cool hotel room too, 28 stories up oceanfront property with an oceanview suite...it was amazing...seriously amazing. Pictures soon to come.

We got home wednesday afternoon. Picked the dogs up from the kennel and brought the stuff in the house. I grabbed the mail and had 3 things from school. The first thing I opened was my transcript with my transferred classes. The next thing I opened was a paper saying my loan had been approved for 3500 (1750 for each semester-- enough to almost cover my tuition-I was super excited). The next thing I opened was a paper that said.....wait for it.....

You have been approved for 45fuckinghundred dollars in grant money!!! I ran (and I don't run) aroudn the house shrieking like a crazy woman!!! I grabbed bob and hug and kissed him (he thought someone died or something). called my mom (she wasn't excited enough for me), and then shrieked some more just for fun. Now it feels totally surreal.

I can't even express how important this is to me. I have been trying to get a higher education for 6 years now, but could never afford it (and being with b and having c with us I could never justify spending the money.) It finally came down to the fact that I can't seem to have babies, and soon c isn't going to need me here all time.....so I decided to go back to school and become a history professor (its ALOT of school, but I am only 23). It was finally made possible by the fact that I no longer have to count my parents income...they make way too much money and there was no way that I would have ever been approved for anything based on need. My parents can't help me,--so I was stuck....

So to me- this is such a great gift...its amazing (said with tears streaming down my cheeks). I will take the grants and pay for book and tuition and stuff and use the loans to pay off my credit card that my summer classes are on, get a new computer and printer, and health insurance (woohoo- its been a touch a go few months without it). The rest will be saved for future school stuff. Seriosuly I feel so blessed. I never expected grants-I only thought I would get the loans...really really amazing.

Oh and did I mention it snowed (twice!!)while I was in Utah. UGH!!!

If you made it this far.....holy shit you are dedicated! Ok- so tomorrow we are off again to the poconos until sunday night.

Bye y'all....will post with pictures next week.

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

don't know when I'll be back again....ok yes I do--I will be back planted at home for the rest of the summer (for the most part) on the 22nd of JUne, however until the 7th or so of july my life is NUTS!

Anyways- can't wait to see my family, gonna miss the hell out of my boys and my friends, and going to study hard while I am trying to party just as hard!

Peace is...

“Peace is not just a colored ribbon. Its more than a wristband or a t-shirt. It’s not just a donation or a 5k race. It’s not just a folk song or a white dove. And peace is certainly more than a celebrity endorsement. Peace is a full time job.” George Clooney in an advertisement for UN PeaceKeepers

I just heard this quote, and it really got me thinking---I agree 100% with what it says---while all of those things (except maybe the celebrity endorsements) help, and possibly attribute to achieving peace--- it is so much more than that. It is noble and self-sacrificing to donate money and time (and completely neccessary since, unfortunately current peace efforts are expensive), but Peace is an attitude. Peace is a frame of mind. Peace is agreeing to disagree--without blowing each other up. Peace is finding common ground..... Peace is not bullying, Peace is not bribery, Peace is not my country/my way of life/ My god is better than yours. Peace is loving everyone unconditionally, and Peace is knowing we need each other to survive. Peace is knowing we need to stop fighting, stop polluting, and start loving each other....

the most wonderful things...

my blackberry smells like spearmint gum--- awesome!

I just ordered two books-- will share the...fruits of these books in a few days..

chris competed in the 45th annual BASD (bethlehem area school district) 5th grade track and field day, and did well- it was a big accomplishment to even get to compete so Yay for him!! I went and watched...it was hot and loud...

dude-

I wish I had had my camera last night at the crop at Rollies house....

total blast was had by all, as always.

I fingerpainted, and supervised some scrapbooking ventures, and ended up with an art journal I loooove. BTW the new prima studs are FAB...totally.

tomorrow is mothers day, missin my own mom- and I know she doesn't really like mothers day as it just makes her say missing her own mom and her kids. THEREFORE mothers day has been rechristened Happy glad you're my daughter day--- which means I should get presents right??? J/k Love you mom..I will see you in less then a month and I have some totally stellar not-for-mothers-day-mothers-day presents (since you didn't want me to send them in the mail).

And since I can't blog without a picture....my puppies...love them to death.

its the little things

that make what has been a shitty start of my week go to not too bad. Nothing can make how bad I felt all day yesterday go away (seriously I HATE being a woman...seriously), and now my throat hurts, BUT...

School decided to accept 2 more of my transferred classes (there were originally only going to accept 3 classes (9credits-thats a huge kick in the balls), but today they decided to accept two more classes--hallefrickinlujah.

AND THEN I get home and another canvas has sold on my etsy site...I have sold 3 things, and have had a couple under the table offers for things from people on etsy (but I am being good and keeping it all legit). I TRULY never expected anything to sell anything-- I make stuff that I love, and actually have hanging on my walls (what better way isthere to store art??) But am also happy to see my creations go to loving homes....Sofor now, I will continue to put my art out there... even if nothing ever sells againI feel Ihave grown so much as an artist and am loving where I am going with it.

I also want to share some pictures from over the weekend...had such a good time taking the boys the aquarium.

I'm 10-and have an attitude (don't they all??)...got about 30 pictures of chris and dylan runng around the outdour stadium... this one isnt my favorite, but kinda sums up the 'tude.

*sigh* so pretty...i love coral (is it coral???) statement ammended...I love whatever it is.

*double sigh*I love whatever this is too....hehe. You're a good man hunny..

Chris took this picture, and I pretty much think it kicks major ass. Yes,there is some flash issues, but....seriously--how freakin rad is that?!?! I can remove the flash problem, turn it black and white blow it up and scare small children....

So glad...

that the chicken pox are gone, and chris is feeling better and back at school!



Will update more later- just wanted to assure my handful ofreaders that I have not given up the ghost of blogging. Not until june at least when I can no longer find my head---will post about that another day...today I am just enjoying that fact that my head is still securely attached.

we've got...

the pox- andwe feel like parents of the year for not realizing what they were sooner (thanks nancy and mom!), but neither one of us has had it (pray for us) and, you just dont see it all that often anymore. We are taking him to the peds. tomorrow to confirm-- looks like a long itchy week ahead for chris, and hopefully no itchy pox for b or I.

At least he's in good spirits!

Excellent Day with my bff...

will have to borrow one of the many shots we *tried* to take this afternoon andmaybe post it here.

Seriously, other then that though...I have lost my faith in humanity. I seriously think damn near everyone is going straight to hell...donotpassgodonotcollect200dollarsfuckyougooddayamericaandallthatjazzamen! Ugh-Iam not even going to going to go into what happened (two things two days in a row) because it is over and done with, and it just makes me miserable to dwell on it, but I am disgusted with people in general...

Another thing that totally bums me out is I dont feel like scrapbooking at all...my mind is so focused on other things right now that the need and drive to want to be creative just isn't there(other then painting here and there for my etsy shop)

Somebody pray that the blahs leave me soon....UGH- thank god fucking winter is over....praise the lord!

Imagine....me- having a crazy life---

NAH. never...no couldn't be possible! Well, I am about to wrap up the first 7 week session of water aerobics on friday- today was the last weigh in date before then. I am down a total of 12 lbs from when I started 7 weeks ago. I did gain from this weekend---all the alcohol and junk food. I will probably check again on friday, but overall I am happy with 12 lbs- it's a great jump start, and its more then my one pound a week goal.

Friday B and I are going to sign back up for school. I am GOING TO FINISH SCHOOL DAMMIT! There, I said it, and now its true. I am really going to do it this time come hell, high water, and student loans. Do I know what I want to be?? No, not really... but we will get to that eventually. I know that my major will be history or Poli Sci. And that my future career will fall somewhere in there... maybe I will double major?? I kinda just figured since the baby thing doesnt seem like its going to pan out.....I should probably do something with my life :-/

The only other thing I have really been doing lately is uploading all my pictures to snapfish- a very long and tedious NECCESSARY process...please, if you dont have your pictures backed up online...please do so TODAY!!

This just cracks me up





ummm ok, so the pictures got all screwy when I adjusted their size, but you get the point- I had a great weekend-- love you girls!

TGIF

Thank god it's friday, I totally didn't go to class today--- and I will probably regret it all day, but I just didn't feel up to it, plus I am totally blowing my diet this weekend---why not start today right??? Peanut Butter M&Ms for breakfast!!

I am so excited to spend some time with some of my girlfriends this weekend- much needed time away to just relax and not have to worry about the boys or the dogs, or mr.panicatthediscobunny.

I *hope* to get some scrapping done today- even if it is just one page- I just got the hottest new paper from Rollie- its from MME, and its fabulous as all their products are. I also have some paper I am dying to work with from Cosmo Cricket. Their stuff is so beautiful, and the blackboard chipboard intrigues me with all the stuff you can do with it..... so... lets hope for some selfish creative time soon.

To whom it may concern:

Ok. so I am going to send my 'lovely' neighbors a singing telegraph--preferably delived by a california raisin with a brooklyn accent, and this is what it will say.

To whom it may concern:

It has come to my attention that maybe you misplaced your copy of "Living in a twin home: a guidebook, general rules, etiquette and such." If this is the case, let me highlight some of the more important items in it:

1. Vacuuming after 10 pm is not generally acceptable. Vacuuming times are appropriate between the hours of 7 am- until 10 pm.. this gives you plenty of time to suck up those nasty dust bunnies.

2. It really is not neccessary to play the song War by Low Rider every night at 10:26 pm, I promise. If it is part of some video game...turn it down.

3. If you know that there is not a complete wall in the basement between the two houses (and you do) then please do not fill our house with incense. Please use incense where all walls are fully intact. I am a little tired of incense induced migraines.

4. Your children should not be running around like crazy animals at all times of the day and NIGHT. Remember if you can hear us WALKING around our house, we can hear the stampedes going on at your house.

5. I do not like Mariah Carey, just as I am sure you do not like my punk rock music mixed in with my broadway showtunes. I make sure that it is not heard through out the entire house, can you turn it down a notch, I am tired of not being able to hear what going on on card sharks.

6.IF you insist on having like wars at your house all the time, will you make sure that htey dont spill out into the streets. Waking up to the sounds of sirens and flashing blue and red lights is enough to give you a heart attack.

7. Lastly, if the religious people come to your door remember it is good etiquette to tell them that we are not home, nor are we interested, and htey don't need to leave a pamphlet. I do it for you all the time when the missionaries stop over.

I hope you soon happen upon your handbook.

The Neighbors

O-bla-dee-o-bla-da life goes on....

yaaaaa shananana life goes on...

This is where I am at... this is my frame of mind in accepting things I cannot change, and hoping and praying that someday soon things will fall into place as they should (hopefully as i want).

I've been in a funk lately, and should apologize to my friends, but thats why they are my friends I imagine---they understand and know when I am in a funk, and forgive me before i even say anything.

Its going to be another crazy weekend(on top of this week already being crazy,and its only WEDNESDAY!!), probably head down to my FIL house- he has been in the hospital this week, and so we need to head down there and see him. We also want to get onelast trip out ofour zoo membership before it expires.

In happy news--- I was out of water aerobics for a week, was terrible on my diet, and I didn't gain any weight!!! Woohoo!!

and whats a post without a picture??

this is happiness--- serious happiness (oneday of retail therapy at DSW)

and guess who has to go on a diet???

thats right, Buddy...or as I call him...Butters

I think I can... I thinkI can...

keep blogging...just keep blogging. I really want to do it, and I want to be consistent, so I am really tryign to make an effort.

Easter was a blastaround here-- we even colored eggs (which we had never done together), but we did not have an Easter egg hunt-- our Easter bunny just leaves baskets out.

In etsy news I uploaded more items to my etsy shoppe today- I am really feeling good about the whole thing :)

Holy Freaking GD wow

(first official item sold from my etsy shop)

I am blessed by good friends! My etsy shop opened up with a bang- 2 orders (one froma dear friend) within 12 hours of officially opening her up. Seeing what has gotten hits and what sold I kinda havea better idea of what isgoing tosell, and whats not so much.

Etsy is a great resourcefor crafters/artists...it puts your stuff out there (really inexpenisvely)andkeeps it up for four months. I have a betteridea on shipping now which is good- somethingsi under priced on shipping and some things i was pretty much right on. My whole goal with this is to sell stuff I love and toshare that love iwth other people--I am not just making shit to sell shit, and to make money(however, that part is a plus). I am very very happy with the whole process, and you willbe seeing lots more from me soon :)

Post Number One-Back to Blogging

Under my own terms, saying what I want to say, and not allowing anyonescomments to interfere with any of that.

That being said- my etsy shop is open, and I couldn't be more excited about it! This is one of the little beauties available on my site- keep your fingers crossed for me.