Monday, March 30, 2009

Long weekend....

A warning now....this might be a long post!

Saturday was already long enough. Jacob had his Zone quiz and it lasted till 1:30! He ended up with a Bronze trophy which is really awesome considering they kept calling time outs every 2 or 3 questions and the questions didn't come from previous questions but from the book of Exodus. I wasn't there for most of the quiz--I have a REALLY hard time sitting still, especially when I have other errands to run. But I should have just stayed because it didn't seem I got anything done. I do want to send a {{BIG HUG}} out to my friend and our Quiz leader who did stay the entire time, Melissa! Thank you, Melissa!! You are so appreciated!!



So, after the quiz, we did a few errands, and then went grocery shopping. Finally, at 4:15, we were ready to head home. Half way there we ran into some very heavy rain, and I thought about stopping at The Gift Box to wait it out. But, they had already closed--which is a shame because it would have prevented what happened next. Just down the road, when the rain had slowed to a sprinkle, a truck was getting ready to make a left hand turn. So, I slowed and stopped, remarking to Jacob that he kind of stopped too soon (meaning he still had another 50 feet he could have gone to make the turn). Anyway, I was stopped. Next thing I hear is the squeals of another vehicle and I look up into the rear view mirror just in time to see, and feel, a car slide into the back of our van. Luckily, there was a place to pull off the road just a few feet ahead, so I pulled up, and asked Jacob if he was okay, which he was. I got out and surveyed the damage.

The other driver was a woman (darn me, I forgot to get her name) with 3 teenage girls in the back of a silver PT Cruiser. She apologized, saying she wasn't expecting anyone to be stopped on the highway, and looked up to see me stopped and hit the brakes. Thankfully, when she saw she wasn't going to stop in time (the road was slippery from the heavy rain), she tried to steer away to try to miss me. My left rear bumper and side, and her front right was what got damaged. She no longer has a headlight. and here's the damage to my van:


So, I get to spend some time on the phone with the insurance company, and fill out paperwork to send in, while dealing with a sore neck. It's not nearly as bad as I was expecting....it actually feels better today, but still sore. I went to the ER yesterday and they gave me some Ibuprofen, Robaxin, and LorTabs (not to be taken until you are safe to sleep!). I took them last night and had a hard time waking up this morning, so I'm not much in the mood to get on the phone right now. Besides, I've got to start getting ready for the kid's dental appointment. That's right all 4 kids. So, I've got to go pick up Ashley from one school, Jacob from another, and head in. I try to get to this dentist a little earlier to allow the kids play time in the waiting room. Dr. Deeds is a great dentist, perfectly suited for his job. You can tell he loves kids! His office is set up for kids. The waiting room has arcade games that don't use money, and lots of other toys for smaller kids (although they all like to try to play the car game with the steering wheel). Then in the back, the treatment area is decorated like a big aquarium and there's another little room in there with more toys and a tv for little ones whose siblings are getting treated. Just a really great environment!!!

Maybe I have time to call the insurance.....at least, it will be out of the way and I don't have to think about it later.

I pray my neck heals real soon!! I've started working out again last week, and it always seems once I get started, something happens so I can't continue! I have found "My Fitness Coach" for the Wii and I love it! It's like having your own personal trainer in your living/family room--you get a different workout everyday. The first day, she(Maya) does a fitness test to see where you are. You'll do jumping jacks for 2 minutes to measure your heart rate. Then you'll as many modified pushups, squats, and crunches as you can do keeping in time and in correct form up to 50. Then, you'll enter your weight and measurements. Then, every so often, you'll repeat this test so you can see your progress. When you are ready to workout, you get to choose what your focus for the day is (yoga, cardio, upper body, lower body, core, or flexibility), how long you want to workout for (in 15 minute increments), what music you want to listen to (it starts with hip hop, eighties, or latin, and then others open up as you continue to workout), what environment you want to see, and what equipment you want to use that day (heart rate monitor, step, weights, and/or stability ball). And then you have a personalized workout just for you!! You have the option during your workout to increase or decrease your difficulty, and Maya will ask you a couple times during the workout how you feel and will adjust the next workout accordingly. If you like aerobics, but dread doing the same workout(s) over and over, then this is for you! Get it! It's only $30 and the best workout tool you will own!

Okay, I guess I better go now....but I hope YOU have a Blessed day!!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

2 cards for Precious Scraps

I almost forgot to add the two cards I did last week for Beverly!! Nothing fabulous...just two little quick, simple cards. I believe the pattern paper is from the Memory Box line (6x6), and the stamps used are (well, I'll have to get back to you on that one!).

Apron

I've finally made my apron!!! I think it's very cute!! I've been needing some aprons, but just hadn't found anything I really liked. I like the retro style, so I found a book with a few patterns for retro aprons. I've been working on it the past 2 days---really doesn't take that long to do it, but I ran into the problem of having to turn two 48" straps right side out. Next time I think I will just top stitch them rather than hem, turn, and top stitch. So, here is my first one.....

It looks like a little dress, don't you think? LOL!! It didn't turn out as "retro" as I'd like it, but I think it's still 'purty'. :)

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Our new baby chicks...

are here!! We got 10 chicks from Rural King, three different breeds--they told us Barred Rock, White Leghorn, and Red Comet but also said they were all brown egg layers and according to Cackle Hatchery (where they get their chicks from), White Leghorn is a white egg layer, and they don't carry Red Comet. They have Golden Comet and Red Star....so I guess we'll have to see what they are when they get bigger. I'd still like to get a couple of Rhode Island Reds as they were the first chickens we had and I'm kind of partial to them. Anyway, here they are at 5 days old (they were born March 16th):


Have a Blessed Day!!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Spring is in the air!!

No pictures today, but I thought I'd let you know what we've been up to. Let's see....we borrowed a tiller from Beverly and Larry, but Ryan had to do a little work on it to get it started. It's an older tiller, but well taken care of; but as with all things, sometimes it needs a little love to get going. Ryan ended up needing to replace a torn gasket on it and really didn't want to drive the 40 miles into the store to get one or the punches to make it, so he asked me if I had anything that would work. I asked him what material he had planned on using so he showed me, and I said "As a matter of fact I do!!". We ended up making a new gasket using my Cricut and small hole punches!! So, see ladies, you can show your husbands that the Cricut (and other die cutting machines) can help him out in a time of need as well. LOL!! I just realized that I should have taken a picture but I didn't think about it. He did get the tiller running, got about 1/2 the first run through, and a belt broke! So, he's on his way into town to get a new one of those, another panel of fencing because I want the garden a little bit bigger(and we need to keep out critters as we are surrounded by deer, coyote, rabbits, and other wild animals), and some baby chicks! Yes, I'm crazy....but I'm in a much better place than I was even a few months ago, and I really miss the eggs and having those chickens around!!


Ryan has also replaced a knob and deadbolt on one of our doors, put our kitchen table back together (somehow it never had screws put in, but we think when the guy we bought it from varnished it, it just got stuck together), and today he's going to reinstall our dishwasher (the little ones, and I've caught Jacob doing it too, have used the door as a step stool), and move the playground set over near the garden for me. The good news is that will be way on the other side of the house from our neighbor who I want to get as far away as possible from. We've been tossing around the idea of putting up a fence between our two houses(for privacy and setting a boundary to make it more difficult to just waltz over whenever he pleases), and a living fence came to mind. If you have any ideas for what to use that would be good in full sun, good soil, on a little bit of a slope, easy to maintain, grow fast and stays green throughout the year, please let me know! Anyway, I plan on making a "retreat" of sorts near the vegetable garden that has a few flower gardens that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds, with Daisies (my favorite flower) and Sweet Peas, plant a few Bradford pear trees (my favorite trees), and one or two shade trees, as well as sitting areas, and of course, the chickens. I wish all of this could get done now, but I know it will take a couple years to get it how I want it.


I haven't had much time for paper crafts this week, but please be sure to check out the links to the left for the Blogs I enjoy. Claire has the cutest little basket and Niki has an adorable layout with her baby girl! And Beverly has been receiving submissions from her Design team all week. So, get inspired!!


Have a Blessed Day!!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Just checking in....

I told you I'd be busy!! We've been to the movies to see 'Race to Witch Mountain' with the older two kids. It was a great movie--you gotta love The Rock! Yesterday, I got a massage :) and we went to Paris for a little shopping and to look at Tractor stuff. He bought an old Allis Chambers right after Christmas and then left a week later, so this is the first time he's gotten to work on it. This is the BEFORE pic (it will be awhile before we have an after pic):



It's a lot like the Ugly Duckling right now, but Ryan has lots of plans for it!

Friday, March 13, 2009

My hubby comes home tomorrow!!

I'm so excited!! He will be here for a week and is on the road now driving from NY. I love being able to spend time with my soul mate! Here's a pic of us (isn't he HOT?):

I still plan on posting each day, but just in case I get a little busy.... ;)
And, I have some other wonderful news......I have been chosen to be on the local Design Team for Precious Scraps!! This is my first time being a design team member, but I hope I can live up to Beverly's expectations! I'm really honored to have been chosen!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Got a lot....

done yesterday!!! 5 loads of laundry, cleaned the carpet in the family room, and picked up the toys and clothes and everything else that ends up everywhere!! And I still had time to make this scrumptious salad......

My husband's landlady in NY made this when I was visiting and I loved it! I made it a little different, however. I used a pre-bagged mix of baby spinach, baby romaine, and baby leaf lettuces, and then added some red leaf lettuce, fennel, strawberries, and pecans. Top it off with a Raspberry Vinagrette, and you have a healthy, delicious salad!!

Enjoy!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Cleaning Day

Today, I really, really need to clean house and do laundry. I have been enjoying spending time reading blogs and being at Beverly's store, that I've let some things go. So, I will share a card real quick, and then off to cleaning :( But once I get done, I can relax and do the things I enjoy without feeling guilty!

I really enjoyed making this card!! It was for a special friend and the first time I just really let my imagination go (since I wasn't going to have to make 60 of them!).




Paper: My Mind's Eye (Tres Joles) Stamps: CTMH (For Every Occasion, Dream Wishes, God Bless You) Ribbon: CTMH Other: Pearls, brads, vellum, flowers cut with Cricut (Walk in My Garden)

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Today is a Special Day

I just want to send out a huge



to my new friend Bev. I hope it's a wonderful and blessed day!!

Welcome to Chaos!!

I've finally come to the world of blogging....maybe this will motivate me to actually get things done for myself! I love to do papercrafts, but unfortunately, the only time I have actually done them lately is when I do invitations for my church. I love making these invitations!! I know sometimes they think they are overwhelming me--NOT AT ALL!! It's a passion, and sometimes the only time I will make to subcomb to this passion. Speaking of which.....here's the most recent card I did for a wedding shower. Please bear with me as I learn the most effective way to post pictures--this card is scanned. You can't see it well here, but the main part of the rose is a red parchment-like paper (unknown source) that gave it some texture and visual effect of real rose petals.
This card is made mostly of Close To My Heart papers with the rose, stem and oval cut with the Cricut. Brads are Spare Parts.