Seriously. Ridiculous.

HEY DONNNNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAA....

2009-04-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

Look! I'm doing it!

I think I've just felt like I haven't had much to say. But in truth, I could get on here and start typing and never stop. Which I don't really have time for! It's that time of year - dance pictures, year book, etc. Plus, I'm the Marketing Director for DanceMotion, a non-profit group in my area that helps make money to pay for dance. I'm so excited about the things Dance Motion has lined up for the next year, but I need to not get overwhelmed.

I'm pretty sure I'm going back to school... Did you know you can get grants for Master's Degrees now? I'm working with the financial aid counselor at Franklin Pierce University right now to find out how much I can get. If it's paid for in full...I'm going!

There's probably so much more I could say but I have a headache. LOL! :-D

I just wanna try this...

2008-04-16T13:32:00.001-07:00

My New Shoes

2008-03-04T18:25:00.000-08:00

Janelle wanted me to post a picture of my new hot shoes. I LOVE these shoes! They are the most comfortable shoes I've EVER worn. I have a friend who has at least 30 pairs of them! I won't go that far, but I can guarantee that I'll be getting more. I want pink. I wonder if they have them in purple?!? OMG, the possibilities are endless!!

I've been Bag Tagged!!

2008-03-02T08:54:00.000-08:00

Here are the rules:

1. You have to show your bag.

2. Show all the contents in the bag, no cleaning it out first.

3. Bag tag 5 more people.

Here is my bag:

My kids got it for me for Christmas last year! I love this bag. It's just the perfect size for me, and it's all open with one small pocket so my disorganization is evident, but I'd never be able to find anything if my purse was organized! It's amazing what this thing can hold.

OK, ya ready? Here's what's inside:

Here we go...

10 hair clips
2 hair bands
1 barrette
9 lip glosses
2 lip sticks
113 pennies
21 nickels
30 dimes
15 quarters
hair spray
my adorable wallet
2 RX meds
1 empty ibuprofen bottle
1 motorola phone keypad housing (I think that's what he said it was! LOL)
1 motorola bluetooth headset
4 pens
2 Hannah Montana movie tickets
5 gift cards (don't know if there's a balance or not)
Stride gum
Nail clippers
A discount card for Triple S Harley
A Borders Book card
2 Valentines Paddle ball thingies
1 written prescription for birth control
1 mini SD memory card for my phone
A belt clip for my old phone
Reminder wrist bands for Ethan

I think I listed everything. Wow, do I really carry all that stuff around with me every day? WTF? When I put it all back, I did put all the change in my change jar (but I guarantee there's already more in there from yesterday!).

I'm going to tag: Janelle, Parkie, Sharlene, Leslie Lou, and Missy

Start All Over

2008-02-23T10:03:00.000-08:00

Such a little performer! I love it!

I DID get tagged! (hehehehe)

2008-02-01T07:57:00.000-08:00

Here are the rules:

1. You have to post the rules before you give your answers.
2. You must list one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name).
3. After you are tagged, you need to update your blog with your middle name and your answers.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and that they need to read your blog for details.)

Here is my list:

L - Love seems to elude me, but I still have hope!
Y - Young - I feel much younger than I am, most days! That's a good thing, right?
N - Not a day goes by that I don't think of the people I miss...

I have to tag someone now. Let me go see if there's anyone who hasn't been tagged... Juliekins, Amy Z and Lynnie haven't done this yet...

My Bucket List

2008-01-18T11:01:00.000-08:00

This was a Question of the Day, but someone said it would make a great blog post and I agreed! The question was what are the five things you want to do before you kick the bucket...here's my "Bucket List"

1. I want to find my true love - it's only true if he loves me in return.
2. I want to meet my grandchildren and watch them grow up.
3. I want to spend some time in magical Ireland.
4. I want to catch up on my scrapbooking to leave that legacy for my children and grandchildren.
5. I want to go to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, and NYC for New Year's Eve.

When There Was Me and You

2007-12-09T18:43:00.001-08:00

Here's Meghan singing her favorite song from High School Musical. I love the passion she puts into it! <3 <3 <3
And the end...LIKE IT???? Hehe!!

Boo!

2007-10-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

It's Halloween and everyone who knows me knows how much I love to get dressed up! I went to a party this weekend with Janelle and my friend Beth from work. Here's my costume...
Yes, of course I was a pirate...I'm obsessed this year!! :-) Janelle wore my corset...

And Beth was a saucy beer wench...

My friend Lela was Marie Osmond, and our friend Robert was Donnie - they were so cute!!

As it turns out, Lela's husband John was a pirate too! We matched perfectly!

The host and hostess of the party...He was an AMAZING Ace Ventura...he even had the mannerisms. Hilarious!

Karaoke time at the White House

2007-10-16T17:04:00.001-07:00

This is quite possibly one of the cutest things I've ever seen. Man I love these kids!! They love to sing as much as I do. I told Ethan the other day that he was a great singer and his response was, "Well, MOMMY, I'm part of this family!!" Woohoo!

Start spreadin' the news!!!

2007-10-15T18:09:00.002-07:00

We had a GREAT time in NYC this weekend! For the first time, I was able to take the kids out to the Statue of Liberty. In the past the weather has always been too bad. It was WINDY this time, but we did it! They were highly impressed, but still more interested in running around in the grass at her base. Oh to be a kid... Of course, the fact that I'm not a kid didn't stop me from laying on the grass to get this picture. :-) Ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right?

Meggie and I on the ferris wheel in Toys R Us. This is a staple of every trip!! The kids never get sick of it.

The Museum of Natural History. We spent most of our time there looking for Dexter. Do you know who that is?? Yeah...I did. We didn't find him. Or Rexy. We did find a statue of Teddy Roosevelt, though. Thank goodness. The kids were THRILLED to be able to go there, and are saying that was their favorite part of the trip.

Times Square 2007

NYC Cops

The busride back to the hotel is always a good time!

On the boat...boy was it COLD!!

Ethan and I waiting for the bus. Meg took the pic!

E just being cute.

I love this pic! It's so...them!!! ROFL!

Fun on the subway...too bad we lost that precious hat mere hours after we bought it!

I didn't think he existed....

Arrr!! Me day's been overrun by PIRATES! Shiver me timbers!

2007-09-23T12:57:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, Mom, the kids and I traveled to Janelle & Kyle's house so Kyle and I could go to the WVU/Maryland game (LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS!!). The game was Thursday, and then Friday Mom and Janelle and all the kids and I went to the fabric store and bought about 100 yards of different fabrics (seriously you should have seen the cutting ladies, I think they were appalled). We went home and started to sew...we made skirts for ourselves, and entire pirate costumes for each of the kids (yes, we even made the waist cinchers for the girls - we're THAT good). Mom actually got stuff to make herself some garb, but it turned out to be kind of a difficult pattern so she's going to take it to a seamstress so she can dress the next time...

The next time what, you ask?

THE FAIRE, OF COURSE!!

Yes, we sewed til 3:30am and took four little pirates to the Maryland Renaissance Festival. This was the first time I had been to one with children - it had its ups and downs, lol! They wanted EVERYTHING they saw, of course...and I couldn't provide, of course.

However, they did have a great time playing with the Bubble Fairy, getting their faces painted, sliding down a GIGANTIC slide, playing at the park and RIDING AN ELEPHANT. Yes. I kid you not! Ethan was absolutely beside himself with joy. It was about the cutest thing ever!

At the end of the Faire, the Rogues always close the show at the Dragon's Inn Pub. I love them! And apparently, Meggie does too! She and I DANCED our hearts out and had a blast!

It was a lot of fun, and at the end of the day we were all exhausted.

Live to Ride

2007-09-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

On Sunday while we were at Mom and Bill's for the birthday party, the kids decided they wanted to try out the motorcycle. All we had for them was a batting helmet, but considering they were only going right in front of the house at about 2mph, we figured that would be ok.

When he got done with that short ride, Ethan decided that he LOVED it and needed to go for a REAL ride. So we put Mom's helmet on him and Bill took him around the neighborhood. I just did a search - apparently there is no minimum passenger age in the state of WV. Wow. Anyway...THAT'S my baby! When he got back from that ride he said he understood why I loved it so much and why I want a bike of my own! LOL!

September birthdays

2007-09-04T15:38:00.000-07:00

Mine is one of them!! WOOHOO!

We had our party on Sunday. The kids were adorable and the gifts were fabulous. Some pictures of my new jewelry... I *HEART* MYSTIC TOPAZ!! Cara and Grandma got me this fantastic ring.Mom & Bill got me this fantastic ring and necklace!! :banana:

Here's a pic of all four of us...

Mom - Sept 5, Tyler - Sept 18, Meg - Sept 3 and me, Sept 7.

My favorite food.

2007-08-05T17:20:00.000-07:00

Or one of them anyway. I could eat it every day. Hell, this weekend, I practically did - twice Friday and for dinner Saturday.The place we go most often (seriously 3 times a week at least) is called Ogawa. They know me well there. They know I drink Diet Pepsi during the day, or if I'm there for dinner it's Miller Lite time. They know I order edamame for my appetizer.I think my friends and I crack them up because we're SO into our sushi. This restaurant chose to close for three weeks in July so they could all go on vacation. They told me they'd leave me a key under the mat! ROFL!

Honestly, the presentation is always beautiful and the food is SO GOOD. I can't stay away!! I try to get something new every time I go there, but I definitely have my favorites...
We can't forget the wasabi. Many people I know won't even try it. It adds SO MUCH flavor to the sushi, though! Sure, it's spicy. But everything in moderation, right?

2007-08-04T18:34:00.001-07:00

You Are 48% Pure

You're not so innocent... in fact, you're quite unpure.
You have seen and experienced a lot. And you're no worse for the wear!

The 100 Question Purity Test

2007-08-04T18:30:00.001-07:00

Your 80s Hunk Is

John Stamos

Who's Your 80s Hunk?

2007-08-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

You Are 92% Creative

You are an incredibly creative person. For you, there are no bounds or limits to your creativity.Your next creation could be something very great... Or at least very cool!

Lynette is fabulous!

2007-08-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

For the Ego Booster Challenge, I get to talk about Lynette.

What a wonderful, beautiful lady, who I wish I could meet in person! She is very family dedicated, which is a strong characteristic in my book. Lynette is so super friendly! I love her pearls of wisdom on the board - when someone is having a crisis or a bad day, she'll come in and say something that often strikes a chord with me. I love that! And every once in a while, she'll say something that just CRACKS me up!! Anyone who can make me laugh is a friend in my book!! :-)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-07-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

I'll bet if you searched blogs right now, there would be 100s, even 1000s of blogs with this topic.

It's over. I closed the book and sobbed for half an hour...I'm in mourning because there won't be any more!

I have had my favorite authors in the past, and I've fallen in love with characters before. But not to the point where I get dressed up and go at midnight to get a new book!! I'll never be able to do that again!

I loved the last book. I won't say anything about it here, in case you're checking my blog and you haven't finished it yet. But I LOVED it. It was action packed from beginning to end. There were times, reading it, that I was having trouble BREATHING there was so much going on!

I hope JK writes more about the wizarding world. I want TL's story!!

Almost Heaven?? I think not.

2007-06-21T08:08:00.001-07:00

I'm pretty sure I can see angels in EVERY ONE of these photographs.

Yesterday was such a fantastic day. We were in Elkins, WV for a meeting for work, which ended up getting over a little early. We were so close to Seneca Rocks - and I had never been there before, so Pepper and I decided...why not?

Indeed. Why not.

After about a 45 minutes, a stop for some Diet Pepsi's and snacks, and some of the most beautiful scenery I had ever seen up to that point (remember this), we arrived at Seneca Rocks. As I was wearing flip-flops, we opted not to climb, but we did have a fantastic lunch on the porch of a restaurant overlooking this amazing sight.

Note to self: BRING SHOES SUITABLE FOR CLIMBING, HIKING, OR OTHER WALKING ACTIVITIES TO FUTURE MEETINGS. You just never know.

We were sitting there eating, and there was a gigantic map of WV on the wall. Pepper started looking at it, and realized that we could see a few other amazing WV sights if we took a certain route. Not having ever been in the area before, I just got in the car and said, "Let's go!" Thank God.

We drove for a while longer, on a curvy mountain road that followed a beautiful river on our right side. Then...we were on an even curvier mountain GRAVEL road, which had a sign at the beginning that said the road was impassable in the winter time. Wow!

We drove and drove, up and up...occasionally catching a glimpse through the trees of the beautiful scenery...just enough to tease. We got to the top and got out of the car to walk out to the overlook - this was a bit of a challenge (remember the flip flops?) but as Pepper claimed this was one of his favorite spots in the whole world, I didn't think I could afford to miss it.

I couldn't.

What I saw when we got there literally took my breath away, and I'm pretty sure I cried just a little. The pictures don't do it justice. We were on top of the WHOLE world up there! This was Dolly Sods...

We looked for a little while and then off we went...more adventure awaited! We just drove and talked and laughed and had fun - if we wanted to stop, we stopped. The skies were blue as blue can be. It was a little windy, and actually a cool day for the last day of Spring. What a way to spend it!

We had to work for it a little at Blackwater Falls. This was a walk down 217 steps to an overlook which, again, took my breath away. This place is a mere 1.5 hours from my house. Why on earth have I never been here before?? Absolutely stunning...

After Blackwater, we meandered back home. We did not see interstate for the entire trip. It took us 1.5 hours to get to Elkins on Tuesday - and about 6 hours to get home on Wednesday. What a perfect day!

Do you see the angels? I sure do.

Apparently there's a challenge...

2007-05-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

and since I love prizes...woohoo!!

I've been SOOOOOO busy. Between work and the kids and my friends and my family....WHEW! I need a vacation. I think it's because I TOOK a vacation, though. lol

Let's see...got my hair cut last night. It looks fabulous. Tonight I went to a bbq at my brother's house - he's getting ready to go down to the Greenbrier for his three-year apprenticeship. Wow. That is seriously so amazing to me! Maybe we'll see him on Food Network one day.

OH! I sang karaoke at an actual bar! You can check it here: Singing at Vice

Add to My Profile | More Videos It's not the best I've ever sang that song but I can't begin to tell you how nervous I was because that was only the 2nd time I have EVER sang Karaoke in a bar. I sang two other songs that night and wasn't remotely nervous.

Here's a bit of a better version of it...

UM...I think that's about all I have to say about that!

Singshot.com ROCKS!

2007-04-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

Let's try this and see if it works...

Here's Meghan:

And Ethan...

Isn't that CUTE?!? We had SO much fun with this. They LOVED hearing themselves sing once the recordings were done. Who knew a lil microphone could bring so much family unity? It's just something we ALL love to do, though! I'm so glad they had such fun with this. And it will be something I can cherish forever!

2007-04-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

I'm so sad about what has happened at Virginia Tech. I have opted to stay off the news channels for the most part today - they suck me in and I sit here and cry. I can't even begin to express my sorrow for those who lost loved ones in this tragedy, and for those who will have to deal with the aftermath of it.

I'm pretty angry about the angle the news is trying to take on this. There is NO ONE to blame but the man who chose to pick up the gun. Virginia Tech, the City of Blacksburg, and all the officials that have anything to do with the University are completely blameless in my opinion. I wish the news people would let it go and let those people start the healing process. They have so much they will have to go through to get beyond this, they don't need the news casters throwing stones.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Hokies.

N'awlins...

2007-04-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

It's one of my favorite cities in the world. I love the mixture of history and technology, the beauty and the filth (although I have to say it was cleaner than ever before this time - they hired contractors to clean the streets of the FQ and they don't even stink anymore!). I love everything about it. To me, it's not just about the party. I love the people. I could sit in a cafe in full view of the Vieux Carre and be perfectly happy just people watching for hours. I love the St. Louis cathedral, and the fact that so many people gather at the doors of that beautiful place. I love the little shops and boutiques on Royal Street. I love the FOOD. I've never had better. But most of all, I love the culture. It's like a completely different world, all packed into just a few city blocks.

So here's my "around town" picture. I took it while sitting in Desire Oyster Bar in the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street. For some reason, it just strikes me...

A challenge...

2007-03-18T18:17:00.000-07:00

Blogging in general is going to be a challenge for me, but perhaps with these weekly photo blogs at SD, I'll be able to do it a little. Why is it a challenge? I'm convinced no one really cares what I have to say. :-) But here goes!

This week's challenge is to take a picture of a corner of your house and post it. I chose this corner:I chose this corner for a number of reasons. I think, aside from my scrapping area, that this is the most interesting corner in my house. There are a number of things that say a lot about me in this corner.

First, the shelves. So many things that are important to me are represented on those shelves! My family (my kids aren't there, but they have another spot in the living room), my friends - not all my friends of course, but there is representation. Performing arts - I love it, can't get enough. If I could go see a play, ballet, concert, Broadway show, SOMETHING every night of the week, I wouldn't be happier! Music - what would life be without it? Food - specifically Junior's Cheesecake here - but food in general. Yes, I struggle with my weight, but WHATEVER. Food is good. And dear old Mickey Mouse. One of the great loves of my life.

Then there's the photos. I love taking photographs. I don't claim to be good at it, but sometimes something freaky happens and I get some REALLY good shots!! These four are photos that I took in NYC, one of my favorite places on the planet. The top one is the cross that still stands at the WTC site. The 2nd one speaks for itself. The third is just a random artsy fartsy photo I took of Grand Central Station. The fourth is probably my favorite photo that I've ever taken of something that is not my children. I'm SO proud of that photo! The Statue of Liberty means so much to me, so this photo is my one true photographic accomplishment.

The last part of my corner is a canvas that my mom and sisters made for me for Christmas. It's all about...JUNIOR'S! Ok, yes, I obsess a little. I can't go to NYC without having Junior's at least once - and lo and behold, last time we were there we discovered there is a Junior's right in the theater district. Woohoo! The original is definitely the best all around for atmosphere and food, but any Junior's will do!

Hmmm...well I guess I've now blogged. :-) We'll see how this goes!