Getting Ready for the Rain

that they say is coming today.  We sure can continue to use the moisture.  It rained over night taking away the last remnants of our winter.  Although part of me is sad to see the snow disappear (since we only had it a short time), there is a larger part of me ready for spring and the coming months.  It is 65° degrees here today and it feels good. 

Friday we went to {the rescheduled} Kindergarten round-up.  It was exciting yet kind of made me sad at the same time.  My little girl is growing up and will be in “real” school next year {can you hear the tears?}.  Allison got to see some of the classrooms, we filled out paperwork and met all the teachers {we won’t know who she has until the fall}, and then we watched a video the school had made about a typical Kindergarten day.   As we watched Allison commented “Boy, that sure does seem like a long day, Mom”.  I kind of chuckled and said “Do you think that you will be able to do it?” , but at the same time was thinking the same thing…a long day to be without her, too.  I’ll have to remember that the next time she’s getting on my nerves. 

I actually did get out my Easter decorations, but not until Wednesday.  I realized that I don’t have that many of them, so we (the kids, Ryan and I) made a couple yesterday morning out of that foam material in craft stores.  I figured it would be easy for the kids to do and fun at the same time.   An hour later they were done – yah! A craft project, a decoration and some family time – I LOVE IT! 

Yesterday afternoon, I took Allison and we browsed a new antique shop in the area.  No “treasures” were found, but it was an enjoyable afternoon.  I can feel that treasure hunting spirit coming alive within us now that the weather is warmer.  Here’s  a page I actually did as part of an online challenge last spring showcasing some of the treasures we have found. 

 

I can feel the spring/summer projects starting to lurk around the corner as well.  With the snow now gone, we can see what’s left of the grass, where I’d like to plant some flowers, deck maintenance and then there’s always the “wish list” of things we would like to someday do. 

I guess we just need to be patient and take things one at a time and enjoy our lives a little bit too.  You know what they say: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”  We’ve already made some plans for camping and bought tickets to see “Thomas the Train” live and in person in June.  That seems like a great start for the summer.  We’ve got weddings coming up, too and maybe a four-wheeling trip.  Did I mention that we’ve scheduled ourselves a bit?  Maybe summer projects won’t get done, we’ll have to see.

As for today…it’s the Bristol NASCAR race.  Ryan was there last summer, so it will be fun to watch today so he can narrate the sights, as well as the “Car of Tomorrow” that they are running.   Is anyone ready to bet on a NASCAR champion yet?  I’m not quite sure yet myself, we’ll have to see.

Later
-K

Scrapping My Heart Out

Scrapped a bit last evening.  Enjoy:

   

“Personality” CREDITS: Tag and Papers: Holly McCaig;  Staple: Kim Christensen;  Crocheted Flower: Shannon Lee;  Title Alpha: Gina Cabrera;  Glitter Flowers: Dani Mogstad

 ”Your Smile” CREDITS:  Staple: Holly McCaig, Fall Velvet Kit;  Brads: Jen Wilson, Winters Grace, Seasonal Scraps CD; Flower, Word Art, Alpha, Overlay, Papers: Jen Wilson, Sunny Side Up Kit:  Stamp: Gina Cabrera, Forever Grateful Kit

 ”Just Me” CREDITS:  Papers, Staple, Stitches: Michelle Coleman, Genuine Spirit Kit;  Midnight Sepia Photo Action: Dave Jaseck

“If I Would Lost You: CREDITS: Papers, Flower Stamp, Metal Circle Tags: Jen Wilson, Sophisticated Tidepool Kit, Seasonal Scraps CD;  Distress Overlay: Amy Jo Smith;  Frame: Carrie Stephens, Funky Frame;  Warming Photo Action: Holly McCaig

Enjoy!
-K

3.1.07

The beginning of March is here, and it is arriving like a lion.   It has been snowing for nearly 24 hours straight and it looks like a winter wonderland outside.  We are experiencing minor drifting since we are so sheltered here by the trees, so what is coming down is for the most part piling up.  They say this one could bring about 20″ when it is all said and done.  I’m thankful that we are getting it though, because we certainly need the moisture. 

Today was a quiet day.  I talked with one of my girlfriends for nearly an hour {which is so unheard of in a house with kids} and it was nice.  We were talking about our school system and the lack of responsibilty and guidance provided by some parents these days.  For instance,  when the teacher assigns homework, the parent calls up the teacher and asks “why they assign homework”?  I guess I grew up in a household where if you had homework you did it and didn’t complain.  Most of the time you were thankful that you didn’t have more .    It just makes me wonder where we are going as an entire society when we don’t hold our kids responsible for their actions, and allow them to go through life with us “fighting all of their obstacles for them”.  What are they going to be like when they are adults and are in the “real” world.  Okay.  I’ll get off my soapbox now.

This afternoon we played in the snow for a bit.  The kids were having a hard time walking since it was so deep.  Ethan wanted to swing but the snow was piled too high, and Allison wanted to ride the snowmobile.  I’m a party-pooper Mom and told her “NO”, today we were going to have good ol’ fashioned snow play.  An hour and a half later, we came back into our cozy home and frankly I’m the one who is tired.  I think it must be from all the fresh air.

So, tomorrow is Kindergarten round-up {unless the snow cancels it}, and I’m wondering what it will be a like.  Will I find out/meet her teacher, do they do an assessment of the kids, etc.  As I mentioned before, Kindergarten is so much more in-depth now, and she will have a large class {like 200+} is what I’ve been hearing.   I’ll let you know what we do, but it’s weird to think that I will have a Kindergartener come this fall.  But realizing that you are beginning to have your child influenced by others is scary as well {see paragraph 1}.  Before I know it Ethan will be coming quickly behind and then what?  I guess time will tell.

Anyway, I wanted to share a couple of layouts with you, so enjoy.  They are fairly recent but I’m by no means caught up.  I just wanted to scrap something recent instead of from 2 years ago.  Here they are:

CREDITS: 
Papers: Dani Mogstad (Cabana Boy Kit), Doodle: Eve Recinella, Stitches: Lisa Whitney, Brad: Heather Ann Melzer (Joyful Kit), Stamp: Microsoft Office  

AND:

CREDITS: 
Striped Paper & Stamp: Michelle Coleman, Brads: Shabby Princess, Tab: Peppermint Creative, Background Paper:

Tomorrow I’ll also do a February wrap here too. 
Until then,

{As if I this Mom, hasn’t seen enough crackers in her life }

Layouts as Promised

Today was uneventful and we are all really tired for some reason.  The kids went to bed not too long ago and I am headed there very shortly.  Lots of errands to run tomorrow before the snow hits.  They are talking like we may get 12″ over the weekend.  That should yield some great snowmobile pictures of the kids. 

More later
-K

I’m going on a Trip…

When I woke up this morning, I knew it was time to take another trip.  The funny thing is I have no idea where I’m going.  I figure it will take me about 365 days to do and see everything that I want to on this trip and it will take me around the sun.  I know that some days are planned for sure, like day 78 I will be at a wedding, and day 152 I will be celebrating our
Independence.  A few of the other days are planned too, like days 2, 176, 181 and 328.  As for the other days, I’m not quite sure what I’ll do, but what I don’t want to do is waste them.  I hope to make it through the resolutions that I set forth and accomplish a few other goals along the way, but mostly enjoy my life and my family.  A year ago my thoughts were so different (see layout), but maybe this is what happens as you end one trip and begin another one.  Either way I hope you will join me on this trip, because I bet that you will soon be taking it too.  It’s called a birthday and “it’s just another 365 day trip around the sun”…and today begins the 31st time I’ve been on this trip, but everyone has been different!

 

In other news, it is very cold here today as it always is on Feb. 2.  We woke up to -10 with a -23 windchill and tomorrow is supposed to be even colder.  The Groundhog in PA did NOT see his shadow which means it will be an early spring.  I’ ve received some wonderful cards and gifts for my birthday, but I’ll have to share them with you later as I’m waiting for the carpet guy to come and measure our bedroom so we can order our carpet.

 

So today, there really will be more later!

-K