Beth and Karen's visit

My sister and Karen came to stay with us for a week and we had so much fun together!..we had made a list of options of things to do and as soon as they got here, we got busy!..eating out, shopping, sightseeing, hiking, games, karaoke...and so much more!!..I am worn out, but I sure do miss them alot...I had a hard time on Monday, when I had some time alone- just realized how wonderful it was to have some family to do things with....

wow!..it's been a long time!

I have been having a busy summer, after being worried that I would be bored!!..just got back from Orlando with my good buddie Susan..we were there for the CHA trade show and helped another friend, Sabrina buy new scrapbook products for her store.
So fun to get to see all the new stuff and have an opinion as to what to get for the store! here are some pics of some of the layouts, most of them using the lines of products that we purchased...

a fun filled 4th!

We had such a fun day yesterday..it started out with a fun Harley ride over through Shelton along the water..a perfect temperature for riding!..then home to get cleaned up to go to a BBQ held by some friends and their whole cul-de-sac. Great food and fabulous fireworks, they have a competition amongst the other neighborhoods around them for best show...they spend about $1000 on fireworks!!!..it rivaled Cheney Stadium!!..good day, long and tiring, but fun!!

a new fun place to go...

My friend Judy took me to a new place in University Place..it is a tea place called the GREENSPOT. She had been there a couple of times, since she loves to try out new places!!..it was fabulous!!..I had a "dreamcicle" iced tea and a blueberry scone (to die for!) and she had her favorite "mint Mojito". I recommend this place highly even if you arent a tea lover, as it really didnt have a tea flavor at all, just YUMMY!!..check them out if you are in the area..they are right on Bridgeport and 33rd in the new building with condos up above...they folks that run it are super sweet and they even have a small meeting room that would be perfect for a book club!!

a visitor...

Roger and I have become really interested in feeding/watching the birds that come into our yard..lately we have had a some really gorgeous finches at our feeder. I was finally able to get a decent picture of one. From what I understand these yellow finches are the Washington state bird, and are not seen a whole lot. I need to get a bird book for birds found in WA...any recommendations?

some mother's day pics

I had a wonderful Mother's day!..was surrounded by my guys who cooperated with me getting some new family pics!..I told them that is all I wanted for a gift from them..altho I did get some Starbucks love and flowers too!!

a cute spring idea

ok, trying to pull out of this funk and get on with life!!..so here is a cute spring idea that one of the parents gave me for teacher appreciation week..so cute! and you can plant them right in the egg shell!

anxiety...

I have been struggling for awhile with severe anxiety about my health...this is brought on by 2 gals I know being diagnosed with MS and another gal my age having a double heart bypass!..for some reason I just felt myself becoming panicked..tingling hands and feet, off balance and rubbery legs...symptoms of anxiety (and also MS)..I know the odds are that I am fine, but my mind is obsessing over this.

I have started counseling and also my Dr put me on some mild anti-anxiety drugs and along with tears and prayers and trying to stay occupied, I hope to feel better soon. I know that God is with me and doesnt want me to live in fear, so I am trying to rise above this and keep on going and try to be positive..thanks for "listening" and prayers are always welcome..

northwest paper chase

Wow!..my friends and I got back from 2 whirlwind days of shop hopping!..fun times, we went to 19 stores in 2 days!..we started in Bellingham and ended in Centralia, we went almost 300 miles the first day!..there were some stores we opted not to go to since they would take us far out of our route- some of us may try and hit those stores in the next 2 weeks.

There are many fabulous stores out there and many more that were just not good or eh?..one store owner was so rude I will never go back-(The Sqeaky Page in Oly)... The stores were to provide a black and white tag make and take for us, and some of them were really nice and some were just junk...wide range, just like the stores!

My friend Angie used her camera for all the pics, so will post pictures from our trip when she gets them to us!

friday night fun

Roger plays in a band with a couple of his buddies most Friday nights. His friend Harvey, who plays the bass is moving to Germany for 4 yrs, so we had a big get together/going away party for him and his wife. It is sad, since they enjoy playing together so much..they play classic rock and are so good! A fun way to hang out on a Friday night!

more creating!

I am so in love with the new trend in paper crafting of making banners...they make me happy, and I have made several over the last few months..I take them to school and use them to decorate my class/bulletin boards..this is my latest one!..I am so looking forward to Spring..enuf of this snow crud!!

been creating

I just love making mini scrapbooks, and have been wanting to do one about my love of coffee...I finally found some coffee paper that wasnt too cutesy and made a little book out of it!..will add photos this week after I get them printed.

I am ambidextrous

Someone commented on me being left handed the other day..someone I have known for a long while and they had not ever noticed I write with my left hand. I am one of a minority of people, since I do many things with either or both hands.
I write, eat and brush my teeth with my left hand, but cut with scissors, play baseball and open jars with my right hand. I can iron or vacuum or sweep with either hand equally well!!..

My parents were/are both rightys and my sister and I are both leftys!!..my Dad's father was left handed, is that the family connection?..does there have to be one?..hmm??

good marriage advice

When Roger and I were separated and going thru counseling, our counselor used the Gottman Method...very logical, useful methods to help us get thru the troubled times. I found this list of some tangible, easy ways to stay connected to your spouse..hope this helps someone like it has helped us!!


Gottman found that these small, but important, steps when done consistently will improve and strengthen your relationship. At the end of the week, the total time for these steps is approximately five hours (that's less than one hour a day to spend on your relationship!).

Partings-when you part in the morning make sure you've learned about one thing happening in your partner's day. Estimated time: 2 minutes per day x 5 working days, totals 10 minutes per week

Reunions- Spend 20 minutes at the end of each workday to reconnect and talk about your day. Such a conversation with reduce your stress at the end of the day. Estimated time: 20 minutes per day x 5 working days, totals 1 hour, 40 minutes per week

Admiration and Appreciation-Find some way every day to communicate genuine affection and appreciation toward your partner. Estimated time: 5 minutes per day x 7 days, totals 35 minutes per week

Affection-Kiss, hold, grab and touch each other while you're together - be playful with each other. Make sure to kiss each other before going to sleep. A kiss can be a way to let go of any minor irritations that may have built up over the day. Estimated time: 5 minutes per day x 7 days, totals 35 minutes per week

Weekly Dates-Take at least two hours every week to stay connected in a low-pressure way. Use the time to talk to get to know each other even more, update each other about important issues, go out on a date, and enjoy being together. You can also use the time to work through any arguments or issues that may have come up. Estimated time: 2 hours per week

Valentine's weekend

We drove back from Seaside thru Portland and stopped at several of our favorite stores..drove thru some snow..pretty but scarey!!..Saturday I got up to find Roger had gotten me a valentine mug, and balloon and also a bottle of my favorite perfume- he noticed I was out!!..so sweet!!

Later on that day we went to see the movie- "TAKEN"..we enjoyed it alot and give it two thumbs up!..after the movie we enjoyed our traditional heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphys...a nice, fun weekend!!

early Valentines getaway

Since we both had off Thursday we decided to head to the beach for an early Valentine's getaway!..we stayed at a little inn right on the beach in Seaside Oregon..very cozy and fun.

Valentines for my class

I found the template for these adorable Valentines on my friend Valerie's blog (thanks Val!)..so I spent this afternoon printing and cutting..I need to get suckers for them- a peppermint tootsie pop was all I had for my prototype..a red sucker will look cuter...

Ethan turns 21!!

It is hard to believe that my baby is now 21!..just seems like yesterday he was born!..we had a fun family lunch at Chevy's..he was treated to a song and a sombrero- to his chagrine!..lol!..love you son!

movies

Roger and I love to watch movies, whether it is at the theater or on pay per view or a rental from Blockbuster- in the cold dreary days of winter, this is our entertainment of choice.

We tried a new venue to get our movies, and we are amazed at how easy and cheap it is!!..it is the REDBOX movie rental. I had seen them cropping up in our area and we finally decided to try it this weekend. How can you beat $1.00??..in this time of tightening our budget belt, this is definately a great way to go!

to sell or not to sell...

that is the question!..Roger and I find ourselves rattling around in this big house..we have 3 bedrooms and a bathroom that no one even uses!..with the downturn of the housing market/economy it may not be the best time to try and sell, but we may just give it a try..it would be nice to not have a huge payment anymore!

movie day

Roger and I went to the movies today, to see Gran Torino. The movie stars Clint Eastwood in his self proclaimed last acting roll. The movie was very powerful, but rather tough to watch in spots. There is much racial slurring/prejudice going on, so that is hard to take- but it is very good and worth hanging in there for. Roger and I both give it 2 thumbs way up!

2 nice things

I had 2 nice things given to me today!..just randomly, but things that make me so happy!..

After work today I stopped into Starbucks to get a latte and happened to ask one of the gals that has worked there forever, if they ever marked down their holiday/Christmas blend coffee beans. She said they were marked down and then went back up, she asked me to hand her a pound and then proceeded to tell the cashier to grind them for me and to charge them to her number (they get a lb a week)...so I got my FAVORITE coffee beans for free!!

After getting a latte, I went next door for a pedicure and when the lady sitting next to me was done, she asked me if I would like her Oprah, O magazine. It is the newest issue, and one I was going to buy!..

I know these arent earth shattering things, but 2 nice, unexpected things I am grateful for today!..those, along with the sunshine have raised my spirits!

my word for the year

After much thought, I have decided to focus on the word- GRATITUDE for this year. I constantly have to remind myself to see the glass as half full, not half empty. I want to change that and be grateful for my many blessings!

a big scrappy gift!

Today was our first day back at school, and since we missed the last 3 days before Christmas, we were given several gifts today from our students/families. It is such a huge blessing and one of the many perks of being a teacher!!..along with movie tickets and Starbucks cards (YAY!) I was given this huge scrapbooking kit. I am not usually that keen on kits, but this one has amazing stuff in it, along with 2 albums!..wow!..it is hard to tell in this picture, but the kit is about 3 feet long!
I forsee some cool pages done with it.

christmas mini album

I went to Redmond on Friday to hang out with my buddy, Susan..we went to Lasting Memories in Lynwood and I got this little Christmas kit, designed by Teresa Collins. She does such cute stuff and it was half off!!..we went back to Susan's and scrapped and I got it all put together, just need to journal. Woohoo, Christmas '08 already done!! I will do one 12x12 layout for my Christmas album tho.

another party!

I had all my coworkers over last Tuesday for our annual get together..it had been postponed due to snow..we had such a fun time eating and doing our gift exchange..we drew names. I am so blessed to work with gals that I call some of my closest friends!