A Sunny Day!!!!!

We actually had a sunny day today and even though it started out really chilly (30 something), it turned out nice in the 50's..I only got out once but it was nice out. I had to clean up after having our 19 month old granddaughter here all weekend...my house looked like a tornado hit!! Her toys were everywhere!! But it was great having her, it was the first time she's stayed with us without Mommy, and she did just fine after she realized Mom wasn't here!! We had a blast with her and took her to my MIL's for Halloween (we had her dressed like Little Red Riding Hood)..MIL got a big kick out of it!

Now, I've got to get stuff packed for our long weekend in Tennessee. Going down Thursday, dropping DH off at his friend's in Knoxville, then I'm headed further south to Athens to visit with my girlfriend. We'll head back home on Monday morning, so we'll have a nice long weekend away and with friends. I haven't seen my friend since the end of February, so I'm looking forward to this visit...we have alot to talk about and do in three short days. So far, it looks like the weather will be nice and in the high 60's down there, so we should have a blast!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!

Yes, today at 6:25 p.m., I am officially another year older!!! I have decided that getting older isn't too bad....life is good,I have my health, and I have my best friends and family. The only thing I don't have that I wish I did is a job...yep, I miss working if you can believe that one. I've been thinking about trying to find something part time again just to have something to do besides housework!!! My DH is retired and really wants me to not work now so when he feels like doing stuff, we can just take off, but I told him I'm getting a little bored staying home afterall, I've worked since I was 13 and am not used to being idle....I also miss having my own spending money---my 20 yr career in Property Management did not offer retirement options, so no pension...anyway, regardless, I think sometime in the near future I will be searching for something.

It's cloudy here today, not sure if it's going to rain or clear up...preferrably, I hope it clears up but that's Indiana weather for you.....changes from one minute to the next. Guess, we'll be catching the Colts football game at 1 today since it's crappy out right now...oh and I need to return a couple things I got at Target yesterday--2 shirts that are the wrong size. Then it's out for dinner at 5!

A Little Sunshine today...........

Just a couple of new layouts that I did during an online crop last Thursday night!!

Gosh, here it is the middle of October already...we've had alot of dark, gray, chilly days this past week...but today, there's some sun and blue sky showing...Still chilly, but not like it has been; we're at least in the 50's instead of the 40's!! Just not ready for winter yet!

Well, I've lost another 2 lbs so only 15 more to go to reach my weight goals!!! I'll be so happy when it's done....It's taken me 3.5 months to get this far and I'm really hoping that by Christmas, I'll be where I want to be..then it's a matter of maintaining it (that's going to be the hardest part).

Nothing much going on here today...doing a couple loads of laundry and trying to pack for an overnight stay in Indianapolis tomorrow night...visiting old friends and co-workers for dinner and drinks then spending the night with one of them.

Hello FALL!!

Well, it's definitely fall with these chilly temperatures and gray skies....in fact, this morning at 34 degrees, I thought winter had arrived!!!

Update on the Lil Scrappin Mama Design Team callout...only 9 more days left before the deadline---midnight, October 20, 2009. They have been receiving alot of applications from some very talented scrappers...it's going to be hard to chose who will be on the team...

My friend, Kristie, and I did a virtual crop last night, it was a blast!!! We started doing it on a new blog she created, but ended up doing by email because it was quicker and much easier since it was just the two of us. I made it till 1:00 a.m., then pooped out...of course, she's in Phoenix, AZ so it was only 10:00 p.m. there; but we plan to do it again because it was so much fun and it's the most cropping I've gotten done ever!! Usually when I go to crops, I end up helping another friend do her stuff and my stuff sets untouched...so online is the way to go for me if I want to finish something.

This is a lazy day for me nothing much going on and nothing to do around here, so I'm just web surfing, listening to some good country tunes, and printing out some pictures to scrap...GREAT DAY!!!

A new Design Team call out

I was just on lilscrappinmama.com, a monthly scrapbook kit club, and saw where they were hosting a call out for designers. Sounds interesting and might be fun to apply for it...will have to search for my layout & card pictures to submit.

It's a dreary, rainy day here and I don't feel like doing anything...I've cleaned the downstairs, did a load of laundry,and worked out all this morning, but this afternoon I'm being lazy...just sitting here listening to some Il Divo cd's and reminiscing about the past!!! Love it.

New Scrapbook Kit Club..

The new lilscrappinmama Kit club:

ADD ON to Main kit


MAIN KIT




I just found out about this new scrapbook kit club. The month of September is their debut kit and they are giving away 25 pieces of Bazzill cardstock with every order, what a deal!!

The kit is really neat and has sort of a vintage feel to it. There is an add on for the main kit and a separate mini kit themed for Halloween. The Halloween mini kit is only $16.99 and has alot of product in it, I'd say it's worth at least $40-$45, another great deal. I don't have pictures of the Halloween mini kit but if you go to their website www.lilscrappinmama.com you can see it.

Cloudy Day in Lafayette..

It's Sunday and cloudy. It was sprinkling out earlier but right now it's just gray and cloudy out. We do need the rain since we haven't had any for about 2-3 weeks and everything is very dry...I just don't want it to rain tomorrow because it's my shopping day with my Mom and we'd rather not have to dodge the rain drops.

Went to an all day crop yesterday and helped my friend, Bonnie, put pictures in a 20 page heritage album she is doing as a gift for her brother. It took all day to do since we also took a couple of breaks to go shopping for stuff and I had a hard time keeping her attention focused on getting the book done. She's only been working on this project now since April and she's doing a total of four books, so we have one down and three more to do. God help us!! It's really a good thing that I prefer to help her at these crops instead of doing my own stuff because otherwise she'd never get done. I prefer to do my stuff in the comfort of my own little scrap room where I have all my stuff at my finger tips. I will do card kits at the crops though because I don't need much to do them which makes it easy to pack for...I did one Friday night because Bonnie didn't get there till later and it was a perfect project for me to do. Regardless, we did have a good time and am looking forward to next month's.

I'm also looking forward to my friend and neighbor, Carolyn, to get home from Vegas. She's been gone over a week now and I miss talking to her...she's my best friend and more like a twin sister to me. We've know each other since 1980 and have been neighbors since 1982, so we're really close in several ways. She should be home by Tuesday and can't wait to hear about her trip.

Will post more later and hopefully can post some new scrapping stuff if I get around to it today.

More Cards

Just a few simple birthday cards I made yesterday. I will use them for family and friends.

Sorry for the fuzzy pictures...just a couple of the cards I made today for my grandchildren.

Back Home Again....

Our trip is over and we've been home now for a week...sad that it had to end, but glad to be home and in my own bed again. Our stay in Minnesota was nice, weather was beautiful but the fishing was slow this time of year even so, we caught our limits, plus some..so the trip was a big success. The side trip home through the UP of Michigan was alot of fun and the drive was absolutely beautiful--all woodsy and alot of it was along both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, so the views were great. Our stay in Paradise, MI was nice because our hotel was right on Lake Superior and we had a balcony overlooking the lake---spent some relaxing time out there with a wine cooler and good book! Now I have to get my pictures printed out and get busy scrapbooking.

I was going to scrap this past weekend but my step-daughter came with her three little ones so we had a house full; and dumb me woke up Saturday with a sinus infection or head cold so I didn't get much done at all.

Today, I've been doing some laundry and just took some time out to make Halloween cards for my grandchildren. I've been in the card making mode lately so now seemed a good time to do them. I usually make Halloween cards for everyone (moms, etc), but this year I'm just making them for the grandkids--I'll do Thanksgiving cards for the adults when the time comes. I've added some photos of a couple cards I just did, but excuse the fuzzy looks..I took the pics quickly.

A hot and humid day in the midwest!!!

Ugh, I went outside to talk to my DH about tonight's supper and just about died when I stepped out the back door---very hot already and humid as heck!!! I hate this weather, it makes you want to stay indoors and do nothing. Not to mention with my thin/fine hair, it makes keeping a decent looking hairdo impossible---it just goes completely flat! Thank God we have air conditioning and it's running great!

Attended our monthly weekend crops Friday evening and all day yesterday and without a project to work on or pictures to scrap (well, I could have found some somewhere, I guess), it ended up helping my friend Bonnie shop for a photo printer and printing out copies of her family heritage pics so she can complete three albums that we did..yep, I did this both days, along with going shopping with her and a few of the other ladies just to take a break. I can't believe that's all I did--but we got it done for now and she's ready to start putting them in the albums (yeah, she's almost done). This project started four months ago so I'm happy to see it coming to a head, but knowing Bonnie, it'll take another 4 months to complete it with pictures all in place. The next crop we'll probably still be working on them--that's Sept. 18 & 19.

Today is going to be my day to do absolutely nothing---well, maybe I'll get a load of laundry or 2 done, but otherwise, I'm going to see about making some cards up and maybe trying some new stuff that I've seen done by others. Oh and I'll have to work in my exercise time too since I didn't do them yesterday...gotta keep it up so I can lose the weight and inches that I need to lose!! So I guess I better get busy so I can accomplish something today.

Where's this summer gone???

Gosh, I can't believe I haven't posted in almost a month...this summer has gone by way too fast. Here it is August already and schools are going to be starting in about 2 weeks...WOW!!! I don't have to worry about kids in school, since our children are all adults with their own families, but still it just doesn't seem possible that it's time for school again!

We just spent a week having our two grandsons (guess that's what reminded me of school). We took them to Cave City, Kentucky for a couple nights with the intention of touring Mammoth Cave, but instead ended up going to Dinosaur World again and swimming. We did make it to Mammoth Cave National park, even had the tickets purchased for the tour; however, our oldest grandson, who has Asperger's Syndrome, started freaking out about the 2 hr wait and the crowds and decided he didn't want to do the tour--thankfully, the park refunded our tickets so we used that cash to go to Dino World. Amazingly, his whole attitude changed when we told him we were cancelling the cave tour--he was so relieved and happy again. It's sad that he has such anxiety in crowds and the unknown, but we try to accomodate it as much as we can so he enjoys his time with us. We'll just wait till he's a little bit older and try the cave again but with better timing--he's only 10 so we figure in a couple years we can do this...if not, then we'll figure something else out. He is just scared of new things so we have to be patient with him. Anyway we had a fun week and short trip, now they are back home in Ohio and we have a really quiet house.

Our fishing trip to northern Minnesota is coming up the 28th of August and I can't wait for that get away...it's so peaceful and serene in the Northwoods of Ely, MN...and I love fishing up there. This will be our last trip up there for a couple of years, as Wilderness Bay has increased their fees so much that I'm not sure how much longer we'll be able to afford to go there..and it's the only place we want to stay since it's unavailable by car which makes it the perfect get away for us. We'll just have to wait and see how things go in the coming years...with money and our health.

Speaking of our health, I started an exercise regime 4 weeks ago and a diet (somewhat anyway)...so far I've lost 4 lbs. and a total of about 3 inches all around. I'm trying to do the exercises everyday but there are days when I'm gone and they don't get done---like when we were on our trip and when I go to my mom's for the day in Illinois--but so far I'm hitting at least 6 days a week for 30-45 mins a day and the diet is watching a little more of the quantity of food I eat and what I eat. It really helps having our garden finally producing tomatoes, cucumbers,and green peppers because I can make a salad only of them for lunches and sometimes for suppers if I've had a lunch out...and I'm eating breakfast everyday--either a natural cereal with 1% milk or yogart with fresh fruit...suppers are kept to a meat (mostly chicken & pork) and rice, cottage cheese, potatoes, beans or something on the side...it's enough to fill us and I don't take seconds (well, I'm trying not to anyway). My hubby tells me that he's noticing that I have more energy since I've started all this but he's not saying that he's noticing the weight or inch lose yet---doesn't want to get into trouble if he says the wrong thing, LOL!!

Anyway that's what I've been up to this past month...oh, and I've also done some scrapping and going to monthly crops, which isn't as bad as I once thought they were. And after this trip with the boys, I have some cute pictures to scrap along with some older pictures that I still have to work on. So that's it for me for now...I'll try to post more frequently from now on.

Where's the sun??

It's another gray, gloomy day here in central Indiana...they said it was supposed to clear up but so far it's still real cloudy out. No rain yet, but plenty of gray sky!

I didn't realize it had been so long since I had updated..guess I'm spending way too much time on line browsing Facebook and Two Peas in a Bucket; along with really reading alot. I have found a series of books by Charlaine Harris which the HBO True Blood show is based on and they are hard to put down. So far I have read the first seven books and now I have to wait for the next two as noone here has them in paperback yet. I don't want to pay $20 for a hardback copy, besides they are harder to store. The series is really good and reminds me in ways of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich...both main characters are always getting in a fix in one way or the other. I highly recommend both series. Now that I have caught up on them, I may have to start re-reading some of my other books, maybe the Twiglight books since I have all four.

Not much has really been going on here. My DH came home a week ago after a 2 week trip to Canada canoeing and turned 60 two days later. We had dinner at Grindstone Charlie's with his mother, sister, brother in law,and his daughter who came in for his birthday and brought her little 15 mo old., Ashley. We had a really nice time at dinner and enjoyed having Ashley for a couple days--she is alot of fun and takes alot of energy to keep up with, but we manage somehow. After they left, we were both worn out and had to rest up to get any work done around here...guess our age is showing.

I started an exercise program at home this week....man, I didn't realize how out of shape I am. It's really showing when I try to do this tape and the workout...my legs are killing me...but I have to keep going or I'll never lose weight or get in shape. I want to lose at least 15 to 20 lbs., if I can..I'll be happy with 15 in the next two months but my goal is alot more. I'm up to 172--the heaviest I've ever been in my life and I know that it is because since I lost my job 3 yrs ago, I've been more sedatary than ever...so I have to do something about that now. Once I get myself up to doing the entire program, I want to get into something at Newtone Fitness center--like Body Vive or whatever, but if I can't do this tape all the way through then I'll never make it in an hour class at Newtone. So I have high hopes that this will work and I can stay motivated to do something about my weight and fitness.

WEll, that's about all I know for now...my life isn't real exciting so there's not alot to write about at the moment. Later.

HOT AND MUGGY!!

It's going to be another hot and very humid day here....it's been this way every day this past week and we're melting!! Thankfully, I spent the last 4 days with my mom and we were in the A/C most of the time except when we went from the car to the store entrances...so we didn't get too hot. Neither of us can take the heat, so we stayed inside as much as humanly possible. Now I'm back home and my house will be my refuge until this humidity breaks, if it ever doesn..I do have to run a couple of errands because I need some grocery items and I have to get my DH's birthday gift...other than that I plan to stay in and keep cool.

Am supposed to scrapbook today with my friend, Bonnie, if she actually shows up to do some work. I love her to death but she's not always dependable when she says she's going to do stuff...and she is never on time! She goes in 5 different directions at one time, makes me tired just watching her! Anyway, that is the plan for today...if she doesn't come, I'll just play with stuff by myself.

DH is still on his canoe trip and should be home this Sunday or at the latest, Monday afternoon. He's been gone since June 15th, so it's time for him to get back here and do some yard work...I'm not an outdoors person and hate gardening--nothing lives when I'm left to take care of it..thank God for the rain we had up through Monday, it sure saved the garden. I'm hoping we get more today so it'll drench the plants good..I did water last night when I got home from Illinois, but they still need more with this heat..so if no rain, I'll be watering tonight again. And the grass needs mowed, but he told me not to touch the mower---when we first got married, I tried to mow when he was on one of his canoe trips and I broke the mower (hit a tree stump ), so I'm not allowed to touch it...he's also afraid, I'll mow down his plants besides breaking the mower. LOL!!

Well, just wanted to update the old blog, so I'm going to get busy and get ready to scrap. Later.

New Layouts.

Here are two recent layouts that I did of my granddaughters...the 4 mo. old is a Sear's photo taken of Ashley, who is now 15 mos. old..the Easter one is our 4 yr old, Maxie.

Last weekend was fun taking my stepdaughter's children (Alex, Zach, and Ashley) to the Newport Aquarium in Newport, KY. Since the kids live in Milford, Ohio, we thought going over for a visit and an overnight stay would be fun, especially since the boys were leaving to go to their dad's for the summer. We did the trip on Friday and came home Saturday afternoon--after watching Zach's ball game. It was a fun trip and on the way home, I got to stop at two scrapbook stores--Scraps, ETC. in Cincinnati and Archiver's in Southport (Indy)..so that just made my day great.

Now I've spent the day cleaning house and grocery shopping...tomorrow will be laundry. Such an exciting weekend!!! Actually, it's the last weekend for a couple of weeks that my DH will be home...he's leaving Monday with his friend, Alan, for 12 days. They are going on a canoe trip in the northern Minnesota Boundary Waters area and up into the BWCA in Canada. This means I'm a widow for two whole weeks, and I don't know what I'm going to do with all my free time...since with Bruce gone, my house will stay extremely clean (yes, he's a slob, but I love him anyway). I do plan to go to Illinois and spend a couple days with my Mom and doing some shopping with her and just having a nice three day visit. Then there is a weekend crop on the 19th and 20th that a friend is holding, so I plan to do at least one of those days and visit with some friends who will be there too. Other than that, I'll just be home messing around in my scrap room and enjoying my alone time with no interruptions...no cooking, etc.

Not much else to post today..so I'll close for now.

Productive Day...

Today, started out dreary and hot...cloudy and foggy!! I actually didn't think I'd get anything done because it was so crappy that I just wanted to curl up and sleep all day---Right!!! But I surprised myself, I not only did three loads of laundry, vacuumed, got a couple scrapbook pages completed, and actually started my exercise tapes, yes, I said exercise. I made a New Year's resolution to start exercising this year in an attempt to lose weight and have just now gotten around to starting--hee, hee!! Now it remains to be seen if I can actually keep it up and really lose about 20 lbs. before our trip to Minnesota in August--well, okay realistically, if I could lose 10 lbs and get into some of my fishing pants, I'd be happy; but I'm shooting for 20! And Bruce was happy to hear that I had exercised too---he's an avid walker so he's really been on me to hit it...I get preached to all the time, which really doesn't motivate me at all, so he should know better but he just keeps it up anyway.

Made motel reservations for Friday night in Milford, Ohio so we can see our youngest grandson's ball game...it's his last one then he has to go to his dad's for the summer (missing the next 4 games). We decided it would be wise to go over on Friday, do something with the kids before they leave for the next two months, then stay overnight for the game---then I get to stop at scrapbook stores on the way home!! We were going to just drive over Saturday morning but it's a 3 hr drive and the game is at 11 a.m., so we'd have to get up really early to get there by 10 or 10:30...so instead I suggested going on Friday morning and taking the kids to the Newport Aquarium, which we haven't seen in about 5 yrs and just spend the day with them having fun...Bruce jumped on that one real fast. So that's our weekend plans.

Nothing much besides stormy weather has been going on around here this week...our life is so exciting! I don't know how well I'm going to do staying home instead of working but time will tell and if nothing else, I can attempt to find something very part time to at least get me out of the house a day or two a week....that is after our Minnesota trip.

WEll, that's all for now, my dryer is buzzing away and Bruce is yelling about it. Catch you all later.

Good Afternoon...

Hope everyone had a great Memorial day weekend. We had our two grandsons for the three day weekend and they kept us very busy! We took them back home to Ohio yesterday as they still have one and a half weeks left of school. Of course, they didn't want to leave but knew they had to. We visited for a while with their 14 mos old sister and I got some really cute pictures of her playing (showing off for us). One of these days, she'll be spending the weekends with us too, but right now, she's a little young to be away from mommy and daddy; however, I know she'd go bye-bye with us in a heartbeat...it's just I think she'd start missing her parents quickly. We had her back in January for about three days and she did fine but now that she's a little bit older, I think she'd not do as well....we'll see one of these days...maybe while the boys are at their dad's for the summer, we could try having her here by herself and see how she does, will have to discuss that with her mom and dad and grandpa.
Not alot going on today which is okay as it's hot and humid out and after the busy weekend, we need the rest. I straightened up the house this morning so my chores are done for the day....now I'm thinking about getting some scrapwork done since I have new pictures of the kids to work on...but I might just take a break for me and go get a pedicure--it's been awhile and it would make me feel good to have it done.
If I don't go today, I'll definitely be going tomorrow...another day that I have nothing to do. Being retired is kind of boring if you know what I mean! Afterall, there's only so much house work you can do and who wants to be cleaning all the time?
I'm hoping I can get my friend, Bonnie, here this week so we can scrapbook together..she's alot of fun and it's always nice to have another opinion about what you're doing.
well, that's my posting for the day.

A Beautiful Day..

It's a beautiful day here in Lafayette, IN....cool, but sunny and we needed the sunshine after the last few days of rain and gray skies. It actually invigorated me to get busy purging my clothes...and I did it all. I cannot believe how much I actually got rid of and still have a full closet and dresser, just amazing. I also purged some of my shoes, which made my DH very happy. Of course, I'll have to do this again next year--you know get rid of things that I didn't wear this year!! LOL...

Now I'm ready to start scrapbooking some of our old trip pictures, starting with a trip in 1994 to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia and Gettysburg, PA. I have HF's pictures printed but need to do the ones for Gettysbury. I also have pictures printed out of a trip to The Hermitage in Tennessee that we stopped at in 2007..maybe one of these days I'll get them all in an album, but I'm finding it hard to get myself motivated with them. I really enjoy scrapping but these pictures don't have people in them..just sites, you know empty fields, cannons, monuments, etc....yes, there are a couple of my DH standing next to things, but otherwise they are rather boring to scrap. But I'll do it anyway, I've already purchased the papers and embellishments so they have to get done...just dragging my feet on it at moment. I need new pictures of my grandkids to scrap then maybe I'll get my motivation to do the travel ones in between doing some fun layouts. Maybe my friend Bonnie will come over and give me the motivation I need to get started..of course, she is always working on something too..like right now she's duplicating a nostaglic album that we did in a class at our old LSS before they closed. She needs help doing that because I have the Cricut machine and that was used to cut out page stuff on all the pages..so that's an incentive for her to come over, if she ever wants to get them done.

Well, I guess it's time to start thinking about what we're going to do for supper and then I have to make a few phone calls. I need to see how my son's first week back to work after his surgery went and then call my mother and see how she's doing today. Better run now.

HOME AGAIN..

Well, my traveling days are over for now...it's really nice to be home even though I love visiting my son and his family, it's always nice to be in your own home with your own stuff. Not to mention, since we had just gotten home from our road trip to Arizona in April for only a week, then I flew back out for a second week to help him after his surgery...alot of traveling and I'm beat!!

Of course, then there was the problem with my Jeep Grand Cherokee that started on our trip back from Arizona...that was another worry on my mind when I made the second trip because after a week the dealership still didn't know what was wrong with it..they had it almost two weeks before sending it to the Chrysler dealer, who finally got it fixed the day before I flew back home!! Thankfully, the repairs (other than a $100 deductible) were covered under the power train warranty...that could have been a major expense otherwise. The funny thing is that it is quieter than it was when I got it brand new...maybe it's been bad from the very start, LOL!!

Now, I'm ready to start in on my delayed spring cleaning of my house...well, I'm thinking about it anyway. Now that my DH has our new tile flooring installed in our full bath--which looks really good--I thought it was time to really dig in and get the rest of the house in order. I'll start by cleaning out some closets, then I'll move on to the kitchen cabinets...afterwards, there will be a yard sale to see if we can get rid of all the stuff I decide to pitch. I've already got a few boxes of scrapping stuff to sell ready to go, so now I just need to go through everything else and purge stuff.

Speaking of scrapbooking, after the house is done, I've told myself that I need to dig in and scrap all our Civil War Battlefield vacations. I've got one site finished, but there are several years to complete and that will be my goal for the summer. Even though this project will be worked on in conjunction with keeping up my books on my grandchildren too...but that's not hard to keep up with so the vacations will take preference so I can get them out of the way and move on to other projects I want to do this fall. I need to do mini albums for Christmas gifts for my DH sisters and his BFF, I've been meaning to do them for a year now and haven't gotten around to gathering all the materials I need...of course, my hubby also needs to get the pictures together for me, so that's his assignment come September after his gardening work is over.

WEll, the house is calling my name so I'll leave off here.

Surgery went well...

My son, Troy, had back surgery this morning in Tucson, AZ. My DIL called and told me that the doctor came out while Troy was in recovery and told her the surgery had gone very well and she could see Troy in about an hour and a half. I think they are home now according to her facebook entries, but I told her I'd give him time to sleep this afternoon and I'd call him later this evening and hope he'll be fully awake then. I would have been there but my DIL's father had already scheduled his visit this week before Troy's surgery was scheduled, so I'll have to wait to see him when I fly out this Saturday for a week to help in his recouping and taking care of my granddaughter since he'll be restricted to doing some things--like lifting her. Even though my husband and I had just been there, I still wanted to go back after the surgery, although it means I'll be flying this time, which I absolutely hate doing, and too boot, I'll be by myself---YIKES! Guess, I'll survive it.

It's a very dreary looking day here...all gray and about 25 degrees cooler than yesterday. I'm not real gung ho today so not much is being accomplished...however, tomorrow I'll be going to Illinois to see my Mom and on Friday, I'll be doing house cleaning and packing--oh what, an exciting life I lead, LOL!!

JEEP PROBLEMS...

Well, took my Grand Cherokee in to the dealer today to see why it was making such a terribly loud noise as you drive down the road (it started on our return trip from Tucson, AZ). I had the funny suspicion that it was something in the drive train and I was right---it needs new bearings...just makes me wonder if it had anything to do with the repair of a pinion seal that was done right before our trip!!?? Thankfully,it is covered under the power train warranty and will only cost me the deductible of $100.00---not really cheap but better than the hundreds it could have cost. It just needs to last us a couple more years then we can get rid of it and get something more economical to drive and hopefully, something that will last us for quite awhile without any problems.

I've been busy scrapping pictures from our trip the last couple of days and I just finished them. Now, I just have some professionally taken photos of our granddaugthers to do and I'm done for now. I still have previous vacation trips to scrap, but they aren't alot of fun to do--you can only scrap so many Civil War battlefields then they all start looking alike if you know what I mean.

I have an appointment to get my hair trimmed this afternoon, then I think I'm just going to veg out for the rest of the day....I need to get some rest before my next trip to Arizona this Saturday--I have a 6:45 a.m. flight, which means I need to be at the airport by 4:45 a.m...YUCK!! I just hope I can go to bed early Friday so I can be up by 2 and leave by 3:30...I don't know why I got myself into this one. I should have just gone with a late evening flight..it's what I get for wanting to be there for National Scrapbook Day and do the stores with my DIL.

Better run so I won't be late for my appointment. Will post later.

I'm Back...

Just got home from Tucson, Az last night and today have been doing all our laundry from the last 12 days!! Just what I wanted to spend my Saturday doing, but someone has to do it.

Yes, we just got home and I will be flying back out this next Saturday to help take care of my granddaughter for a week while my son recuperates from his back surgery. The surgery is this coming Tuesday, April 28th, but my DIL is off all week and her dad is there, so they don't need me until May 2nd...so I'll be flying out that morning--my first solo flight!! I don't like flying and this will really be different since I'll be by myself but my DH has stuff to do here and there isn't enough room at the house for both of us to stay, so it's all me!! Guess, I'll be okay, I'm a "big" girl, LOL!! Now I have to repack for the flight---it was so much easier packing for our road trip since I could take whatever I wanted and not worry about how many bags I had or what was in them--another reason I hate to fly!

I also have to take my Jeep in for service on Monday..again!! On our way home from Arizona it started making a terrible noise and I'm afraid it's the drive train going out. Gee, they just worked on a seal for the differential before we left, think they screwed it up?? Anyway, it goes in Monday morning early and I"m really hoping that it isn't anything major and can be taken care of quickly...I have to do my "MOM" day on Thursday--that's going to Danville, IL and taking my mother out shopping for groceries and whatever else she needs to do (she doesn't drive)...so I need my Jeep.

Well, this is my update for now. I need to get back to my laundry, YUCK!!

I'm Unemployed again...

Yep, here it is Wednesday, April 8th and as of last Saturday, April 4th, my job ended!! The scrapbook store that I worked at officially closed and is no more--boo hoo!! It's going to take some time to get used to, but if I can cut my spending habits and shopping, then I might just be a stay at home housewife...let's hope so anyway. If it gets too bad, then I'll try to find something somewhere on a part time basis since my DH is retired, I really don't want to work full time anymore so we can do things during the week when we want to and avoid weekend crowds at our favorite places. Regardless, of what happens, I'm going to make the most of it and enjoy our life whether I work or not. There is alot to do around here to keep me busy for awhile----Spring cleaning needs to get done, but will have to wait until we return from our 10 day road trip to Arizona to visit my son. We leave April 14th and will be back around the 25th...then I'll start cleaning things thoroughly and weed out stuff for a garage sale--AGAIN!! Doesn't that sound like fun??

My step daughter and our 1 yr old granddaughter are here this week so that's keeping me plenty busy as you can imagine. When mommy isn't around, Ashley follows me everywhere and sometimes even when mommy is around, it's really cute. She's just learning to walk and we're trying to get her to do it on her own, but she won't go very far before she realizes that no one is holding on to her finger..but she's is trying!! She's really keeping me and grandpa hopping and doing her little bidding at every moment.

WEll, I need to do some stuff while the baby is sleeping so I better hurry as she only takes about a 45 minute nap at most. Will post again later.

ANIMAL BANKS FOR SALE

If you are interested in one of these animal banks, please email me which one you are wanting to buy so we know what to ship.

It's been a long day...

Today has been a really long day at work...as was last week. With the LSS closing, we've been so busy during our 50% close out sales that no one has been able to breath. Our feet and legs hurt from all the standing and running around we've been doing and backs from all the bending and lifting. We were supposed to close tomorrow 3/31, but have decided we'll finish out the week on Friday, 4/3 since the movers aren't coming until Saturday....maybe we'll get rid of more stuff so we don't have alot to pack up Friday night. It sure would be nice if we could sell it all.
Even though alot of us are sad to see the end come, it has been a fun 3 yrs and we all need a rest after this is over. It's so funny, we've done more in sales this week than we have in the last year--we have customers who have never shopped with us and former customers that we haven't seen in a year coming in and it's been crazy. They all say we're so sad to see you close, but we want to say right back---if you had been shopping here with us the last 6 to 12 mos we wouldn't be closing, but of course we can't---or can we?? Trying to be nice but it's hard when you see old customers who haven't shopped with us in a year come in and make comments like that....and complete strangers too. Anyway, it's almost over.
The good thing about this all is my DH and I are planning a road trip after April 10th to visit our son and his family in Tucson, AZ. We haven't seen them in a year and we're ready for this trip..and visit. Also, my DIL and I get to go to CKC Mesa on the 17th...I've never been so I'm looking forward to doing so, even if it is just to go to the Vendor Expo (can't take classes because we'll have our 4 yr old granddaughter with us).
Well, I'm tired so I'm going to end this here..post later.

WEEKEND IS ALMOST OVER..

This has been a really busy weekend..we've had my stepdaughter and her family here since Friday night for our granddaughter's first birthday on Saturday...they have just left to make the drive back home to Ohio, now I need to get the downstairs put back in order--after my poor hubby finishes his nap!!
I'm actually not looking forward to this next week or two because the scrapbook store is closing and this is our final saleout!! Boohoo, I'm out of a job!! It is a sad thing because I loved my job and all the great ladies that I've met over the past three years and now there will be no more of it. Now when I need supplies, I'll have to either get them at Hobby Lobby or Michael's or travel over an hour to the nearest store which is Archiver's...I guess I can do some stuff online but I like to see what I'm buying for real. Anyway, it's a sad thing to happen...just wish we could have made it through these bad economic times, but it's just not to be now. On the bright side, we will be making a trip out to Arizona soon to see my son and his family and I don't have to worry about who's going to work for me...it'll most likely be a good 12 days on the road, as my husband wants to take a side trip on the way home to visit a civil war battlefield--Shiloh, Tennessee. We'll see though what happens when he goes to the eye doctor and his regular doctor in two weeks before we make definite dates for traveling. I would like to leave here on April 14th so we can be in Arizona for my granddaughter's 4th birthday party on the 18th since we've never been there on her birthday and I think it would be fun to see her and all her little buddies.
Well, better get busy on the house and deciding what we're going to do for supper.

Spring has arrived!!!

It is an absolutely gorgeous day out---sunny and 72 degrees--quite a change from the cold temps we had this time last week. I do hope it stays this way from now on because we're all ready for warmer weather as our winter has been extremely long and cold this year. My DH is actually working in the yard today and loving every minute of it--he has cleared up some dead plants, trimmed up some bushes, and got the old lawn mower running...he wants to thatch the yard so this is a perfect day to do it.
I just got home from taking our tax info to the accountant--keeping my fingers crossed that we don't have to pay too much this year. Afterall, the government gets enough of our money and with our only income being my DH pension, we don't have alot to spare right now. Two more years and he'll be on Social Security too, which will help alot, then another year after that and I'll get SS!! God, I never thought I'd be looking forward to collecting SS!! LOL!! Yes, I do work PT at our LSS but if things don't get better there, they might not be around much longer--I sure hope that things improve because I really don't want to start a job search in this economy. We'll just have to see what happens in the next month or two.
Enough of this depressing talk--let's just concentrate on this lovely weather and the sunny days to come. My granddaughter's first birthday is this Saturday so the kids are coming in from Ohio so we can celebrate with a small family party...can't wait to see them, it's been a month since we saw the grandkids. I just wish my son and his family from Arizona could be there--it's been almost a year since I've seen them and I want to go out in the next month sometime for a visit and to celebrate my granddaughter's 4th birthday with her...it's April 10th, but I know it'll be closer to the end of the month before we can make it out there, if then. I just miss them all so much, but my son is extremely happy in his job with the Tucson P.D., so there is no chance that they'll move back home!
Well, I need to get some stuff done around the house---and excercise, yuck!! Post more later.

Will winter never end??

Here it is another cold day in Indiana...I am so tired of winter! It seems like this winter has been an extra long one since the cold came in really early last fall...and it appears that it doesn't want to go away any time soon. It makes a person just want to curl up in a blanket with a good book and do nothing else...okay, so there's housework and laundry to do, but it's not going to get done today, unfortunately, I have some outside errands to run--need to return two toys that I purchased for my granddaughter in Arizona because my son got confused and told me stuff that she already has--that's okay, I can use the money to get a couple of the bigs things she doesn't have. Also my DH wants to go to Sportsman's Warehouse since they announced that our store was going to close by May--he is so upset about this one because it's his favorite store and there isn't any others in our area that carry stuff he wants (fishing and camping wise). I can't believe that a town our size can't support the only store in the area that is like this....it specializes in hunting, fishing, and camping (outdoorsman stuff) and all the others are more sports related, i.e. golf, baseball, etc. It's a sad day for Brucie!!
Not much else going on in our little world...I did just help my son and DIL purchase a new bedroom set for my DGD--it's a set that has two twin beds (kind of bunk beds), attached dresser, desk, and some additional storage. With her small bedroom, they needed something that would accommodate all her stuff and this was perfect...I think they might call it a loft bed set but it's really neat and perfect for little Maxie's room. The kids actually had half the money, I just furnished the rest so they could get it purchased and Max's feet would no longer be hanging off the edge of the bed!! She's going to be 4 next month and is getting so tall that she has outgrown her little toddler bed...so grandma came to the rescue...now if my son's father will get off his A_ _, and get the mattresses he promised to provide, she'll be all set. Excuse my language---OOPS!!!
We did get some half way good news this week, my son isn't going to have back surgery just yet..the doctors decided to try to take care of his herniated disc with injections instead..sure hope this works because I hate to think about him having surgery and being laid up for such a long time. Not to mention, that would mean I would be flying out by myself to help take care of him and Maxie...and I really hate flying and by myself isn't something I want to think about. Anyway, I'm praying that this will work.
Something else that happened today that is good, my husband's crossed eye actually moved. Since his mini stroke the eye hasn't moved at all, but today it did, so this possibly means it's starting to heal---hope, hope!! Usually when he looks at stuff and tries to move the eye it goes nowhere but today it did so this is a good sign. Just hope I wasn't imagining things and that it really did move!! I'm trying to be optimistic about it.
That's my news for the week...now I need to run those errands and get out in this dreadful cold!

Sorry..long time no post...

Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long ago that I updated my blog. Tells you how boring my life is, right?? Actually, we were gone from the 26th through March 2nd, so I didn't have the opportunity to update during that time. We went to visit friends in Tennessee--my DH was in Knoxville and I was near Chattanooga...might as well have stayed at home because the weather was rainy and cold there too!! Of course, this coming weekend, it's supposed to be sunny and in the 70's which figures -- can't take my DH anywhere that it doesn't rain or snow!! I swear we have crappy weather everywhere we go -- we were in a blizzard on May 1, 2008 in Wall, SD--who would have thought that would have happened? Well, that's what happens when my DH travels anywhere---crappy weather!! I keep telling him that we should rent him out to areas of the country having droughts since he seems to be the rainmaker. Anyway, we're back home and I"m back at work...that is until we hear what is going to happen with my son in Arizona. He has been having some severe back problems and will be going in for a MRI this Friday--they think that surgery will be what results from this...and if that happens I see at least a two week stay with him to help out taking care of him and my little granddaughter..just hope I can find a reasonable airline price. I've checked things out with Expedia and ticket prices are outrageous right now, probably because of spring break time is coming up, which I didn't think about. I even went to the individual airlines and prices weren't any better there either...just not good timing at all. And since we fly out of Indianapolis (closer for us), we get higher pricing and no direct flights to Tucson. Of course, I'd fly out of Midway if I could get up there--but there just isn't anyone who could drive me up there--it's a 2 1/2 hr trip for us to get there. We'll figure something out I'm sure if it comes to me having to go out.
Well, I'm getting tired so need to stop here...will try to do another update this week.

Another Cold Day in Indiana..

and here we thought the cold temps were gone--wrong!! It's freezing again and they are predicting snow for Saturday-2 to 4 inches, just what I don't want to see. I'm supposed to travel to Illinois on Saturday to take my Mom shopping (my every two week trip), but if we get snow I'll have to wait till Sunday to go and hope it's cleared up because I work next week Monday through Wednesday and Thursday my husband and I are leaving for Tennessee for 4 days to visit friends...so if I don't get to Mom's it'll be another two weeks before I'm able to go. I hate winter!!!
Today has been spent cleaning my downstairs, scrapping four 6x6 pages to update two gift albums that I'm doing of my step granddaughter's first year--one for her parents and one for the other set of grandparents (her daddy's parents), getting my hair cut, and preparing for a class I'm teaching tonight at our LSS. Now I'm just waiting till I have to leave for my hair appointment before my class. Oh, there is one thing that I forgot--my DH had to take my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee in to get the windshield replaced. We took our grandsons home this past Monday and a semi loaded with stone pulled in front of me and a rock hit my windshield and cracked it. The insurance company scheduled it to only be repaired but when he took it to the shop Wednesday morning, the guys said it had to be replaced because the crack was down into the seal and that couldn't just be repaired--so it was replaced this morning. Now I have to be careful how I shut the doors for awhile and I can't go through a carwash for awhile. I just hope these cold temps don't hurt the resealing...hate to be driving down the road and the window fall out, if you know what I mean?? Anyway, that's my day and schedule...boring right??
Well, that's all for this posting..I'll update this weekend again.

Happy Valentine's Day...

I attended a really neat album class today at our LSS..it was the beginning of a four part class and we completed 5 technique based pages today. When all four parts are done, we will have a completed 20 page Nostalgic album...it's really a cool class, but my hands are somewhat sore from all the detailed cutting we did this morning---arthritis setting in!! Anyway, it was a fun class. After the class I worked until 5 then went home and had a Valentine's dinner with my DH and two GS's. Now I'm vegging (blogging) till bedtime if the chocolate doesn't keep me awake!! (had to have those yummy Red Velvet Cake cookies)

One good thing at work, we have our computer running again, which makes our jobs so much easier--now if we can get Joann (my boss) healthy, all will be at 100%. Joann fell a week ago in her kitchen and broke her shoulder in three places, so she's a little out of commission right now. She still is attempting to work and carry on, but the slinged up arm has her restricted, as it should. She just likes to be stubborn about it though and makes everyone think she can still do it all---she isn't fooling anyone though, we all know she can't!!! We love her just the same though...the plus to this is I've gotten a few more working hours and can save some of the money I'm making for vacation spending, whenever that's going to be. Need to get my DH well again before we make any definite vacation plans...first trip will be to Arizona to see my son and his family, but again, need to get everyone well first.

Well, I'm tired so I'm going to leave off here and post more later. Goodnight and hope you all had a Happy Valentines Day.

Another week has past..

I can't believe it's been a whole week since I've posted anything, where did the time go??
I actually did some scrapping today--yep, I started my Civil War Battlefield album! That's right, I said Civil War Battlefields. My DH is a real Civil War buff - doesn't get into reenacting, but loves to go to the battlefields. In the past 18 yrs, we've been to just about every battlefield except Charleston, S.C. and the Savannah, GA. area--we've even been back to some twice--so you can imagine how many pictures I have to do. I've gotten smart about this though, because I have two of the Pebbles Inc. Share and Tell three ring albums with both 12x12 pages and the 4x6 sleeves for 12x12 books, so I'm doing a couple 12x12 pages, then the extras will be put in the 4x6 sleeves. I did this with our Arizona trips 2000-2008 and they worked great. I also have discovered that my Corel 6 Photo Album program has a collage template printing option so I did collage 8x10 size of the battlefield I scrapped today (we did this one on a digital camera, so I could pick pics to print). I have one more battlefield that was taken on a digital camera to do and that's Harper's Ferry in West Virginia---all others were taken with our old film camera and I can guarantee that we have 100's of pictures from each battlefield. Now you know why I chose to do the Pebble Inc. album...it will hold alot of pictures. Anyway, slowly but surely I am getting caught up with stuff that I want to scrap--I saved the Civil War stuff for last because I thought it would be rather boring to do and I was right...those fields all look the same and so do the cannons. I'm doing this for my DH though so I will trudge through it.

Work was going really good this week until Saturday when our computer crashed on us. Well, we think it crashed, it will not power up. Unfortunately, since I work at a LSS we really need this computer...it runs our cash register, item scan, and credit cards. Without it, we're manually adding up items on an ancient calculator (it has no tape runner either) and writing credit card/debit sales by hand then they will have to be called in to the card company individually, which thank God I don't have to do...that's the owner's job. It made for a bad day of working and I have to work tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday, so it's not going to be fun to go in at all. I don't know when the owner will be able to get someone to look at it or when they can hopefully fix it...so work isn't something I'm wanting to do at all. Thankfully, I only have these two days this week then don't go back until the 17th & 18th....by then things should be taken care of, hope, hope!!

That was the excitement of my life this week---some life right?? This upcoming week and weekend will be full of visiting grandsons though. They have a four day weekend-Friday through Monday-so we're driving to Ohio Thursday to get them when they get out of school. I think we'll probably try to take them to Chuckie Cheese on Friday just to have something to do here while our school's are in session---no crowds that way. Then Grandpa has some projects for them to do in the basement...it should be a nice visit that is if the weather doesn't get bad. We will be able to cook out this coming visit though, last time we had too much snow and it was freezing so we didn't get to grill and our oldest grandson loves to cook on the grill---he's 10 and loves to help Grandpa cook. I also picked up a couple of games that we can play so we can attempt to keep them from watching TV all weekend. That's my story for now...will post later.

It's Super Bowl Sunday...

Here we are the first of February and it's the big day---Super Bowl Sunday!! My DH isn't a sports fan unless it's Purdue University football or basketball, so we probably won't be watching the game tonight...in fact, right now, he's listening to the travel channel and I just finished putting together the last of my Arizona scrapbooks from all our trips beginning in November of 2000 when my son graduated from the Police Academy. I actually only did highlight scrap pages and the other pictures were put in 12x12 sleeves that have 4x6 photo slots (they hold 12 pictures total)..I've only been working on this for the past two weekends so I'm really happy it's done now. I have found that I really don't enjoy scrapping scenery pictures with no people...it just isn't as interesting; afterall you can only say so much about desert and cacti!! Anyway, it's done and our next trip will be more people pictures instead of scenery. Now I have to start with pictures of Civil War battlefields--OH JOY!!! Another long project with no people, but alot of cannons and fields!! LOL...

It's a really gray day here, in fact, there is a chance of some freezing drizzle later on. The last couple of days have been cold, but they were nice and sunny, which I prefer over these gray ones. I actually just showered this morning and then put on a new pair of fleecy, warm, lounging PJ's that my mom gave me for Christmas....so I've been comfy all day long. Figured I wasn't planning to go out today, so why put real clothes on---pj's are the best when you want to stay warm and comfy. I only do this in the winter when we have nothing to do but stay home..because in the summer we're usually out and about and enjoying the sunshine! So goes my boring days of winter!!

I'm smelling something really good cooking---DH is making his delicious beef and noodles for supper and I've been smelling it cook all afternoon. I can't decide which is better, his chicken & noodles or his beef & noodles because they are both to die for!! I am so glad he can cook and just about everything he makes is really good! I cook too, but it's always better when someone else does it for you. Guess, I better get downstairs and do the potatoes though because he doesn't like to do them.

SNOW, SNOW, AND MORE SNOW!!

We had our first really big snowfall yesterday into this morning...almost six inches and it's really bright outside and cold! Of course, cities in southern Indiana got alot more snow and some icing so ours isn't the most seen in Indiana, but it's still our first major one...the past snows have been less than 2 inches at most...so this is going to be something all the kids will really enjoy.
It's also a good day to stay inside and get some scrapping work done and all my laundry. I actually just completed putting together on of the 36 page layout kits that I got from QVC--it was 18 two page layouts and they actually are pretty neat looking, now I have to start the second kit of another 36 pages...but I have the next four days off so that's plenty of time to do them.
I'm also doing a little house cleaning and spreading it out over the next couple of days....I dusted a vacuumed today downstairs, tomorrow I'll clean the kitchen and half bath, and on Friday, I'll clean our bedroom and the full bath..then I'm done! Of course, housework is never completely done, because no sooner do you have it done than it's time to do it again, at least at my house that's the way it goes. My DH can be a real slob and it's even worse now that he has one eye patched and can't see all that great--I cleaned this morning and he's already made two big messes since then that I've had to clean up...like I said, never ending!!
Well, my dryer is buzzing so I better go get the clothes out and folded--don't want alot of wrinkles!!

PRESENT FOR ME...

Yeah, today I got my Cricut Expression!!! Now if I can only get alot of time to play on it and learn all the features, LOL!! This was a purchase that I've put off ever since they came out, but my MIL decided that she was going to give her children some of their inheritance while she was still living so she could see us all enjoy it--this was for Christmas--so my DH purchased something he's been wanting for a long time and he told me to get my E since the LSS I work at told me they would get it for me at their cost..so I went for it. Kind of an early Valentine and Anniversary thing for us both!! I told him I would see if I could sell my baby bug too since I really don't need it now, but it's not going to be easy since alot of people already have them or the E--oh well, there will be someone who wants it, I'm sure. That's my news for today.
Now off to get ready to watch "24".

It's been awhile...

Wow, I didn't realize that I haven't posted anything since last weekend! Of course, there really hasn't been anything exciting going on in my life. I did complete a school album for a friend's preschool aged son, it was 8x8 and all she had was 4x6 pictures that I couldn't crop down (would lose too much of the image), but she loved it and I did it for only $60.00 (20 pages). I also completed a baby boy album as a gift for my nephew, whose wife is expecting in April--another 8x8, they are so easy to do and fun too. I didn't get pictures of the school album so can't post and I haven't gotten the baby one yet, so guess I'll post them later.

Update on my hubby's eye--it's still out of commission and he's getting more and more depressed about it. Oh and is becoming extremely grouchy!! Of course, the winter weather--cold and dreary looking doesn't help him--winter always makes him depressed and this eye problem has just compounded it. This is the time of year he normally does alot of woodworking projects but not being able to see has put a big damper on that past time, so he's bored too. I've tried to get him out but he doesn't want to do anything...I told him I was going to call his doctor and see if they could give him some prozac! LOL!! (Actually, that's not a bad idea the more I think about it)

It's supposed to get freezing cold again tonight and they're calling for some major snow early next week, possibly up to 6 inches or more!! Thankfully, it's forecasted for Wednesday and I'll be home--good day to spend in my PJ's scrapping!! I hope anyway!

Well, that's all for today...I'l try to keep this updated more often in the future.

My Granddaugthers...

These are some new layouts that I completed today of both of my granddaughters..the Santa layout is my 3 1/2 yr old Maxie who lives in Arizona and the other one is my 10 mo old Ashley who lives in Ohio. It's so much fun doing girly layouts for a change...since I've been scrapping for 6 yrs and done nothing but boys (my grandsons). Hope you like them.

COLD--COLD--COLD!!!

It is soooooo cold out today that all I want to do is curl up with a blanket and sleep, but I won't. I am staying inside the rest of the day though...no running to the scrapbook store or anything that requires me to go out again. I did the grocery , the doctor's office and the drug store earlier and that's it for exposing myself to this cold crap!! I'm going to make a big pot of chili and do some work here in my scrapbook room and that's it. They say this is the coldest temps we've had in 30 some years and I believe it...it's colder here than in Alaska!

Took Bruce to his doctor this morning for a follow up from our trauma this weekend and they put him on medication for his blood pressure....now we wait and see if his vision will clear up in the next couple of months (sure hope so) or if he'll have to have surgery to correct it. The doctors are still not completely sure why this happened--could have been a mini stroke due to his blood pressure or could be something else going on with his brain. Right now, they want to wait before doing anything else, but down the road if things don't improve, he'll have to do an MRI of the brain to see if there is something more going on...but for now both doctors want to wait to see how it is in a month.

Well, off to cook my chili.

Sunday, January 11, 2008

Today started out really great, got up early, read the paper, then went to breakfast with my DH family--his aunt takes us all out for a yearly new year breakfast (us, my two SIL and their spouses, and my MIL) it's a tradition that started several years ago with my husband's grandmother and now his aunt does it in her memory. Anyhow, as we left the restaurant my husband said I'm seeing two of everything and when I asked him how long this had been going on he said it started Saturday morning. He's such a pain in the butt about telling me when something is not quite right, especially if it entails seeing a doctor!! When we got home, I immediately got online and looked up causes for double vision while calling my mom, who told me to take him asap to the ER...when I pulled up the causes online I knew what had happened---he had suffered a mini stroke. So called the clinic, his doctor was on call and told him to get to the urgent care immediately...so I drove him to the UC, where he was checked out and told it was most likely a mini stroke but because it happened yesterday any testing they would do wouldn't show anything--in other words, he waited too long. However, they did make an appointment with an optomologist for Monday a.m. so they could see if there has been any damage to his eyes, then patched over one eye to alleve the double vision for today. So this day, had turned out not to be a good one for me...now I have to worry about something happening in the future and my DH is only 59 yrs old. Guess, I better be praying alot more and making plans to live our life to the fullest from now on. I have only told three people (my mom, my DSIL,a nd my BFF) about this and will not tell our children since they all live in other states and no use to upset them right now until we know more of what's going on. I really am hoping that this is something that will pass quickly and with the right care can be controlled to prevent anything worse.

Sorry for rambling I'm just really upset about this and the fact that my DH didn't tell me when I came home from work last night...he thought it was that his glasses where going bad--Men, what can you do about them??

That's all for today!! I'll keep posting updates as we find out more.

Quiet Sunday..

It's finally Sunday, the house is at last quiet and company free! I've finished our grocery shopping, vacuumed the downstairs, and now the rest of the day is just going to be for me to rest up for this coming work week.
My DH goes back to the surgeon this Tuesday for a after surgery checkup and I sure hope that the doctor tells him he can start using his hand more because I'm really worn out playing maid and nurse, especially since we had the holidays and company to deal with for the past two weeks. Can't wait for him to be back 100%, but who knows when that will be!
This is also my week to go to Illinois and take my mom shopping for groceries and whatever else she might need..that is unless we get a big snow storm, which doesn't appear likely from what I've seen. So with work, mom day, and my husband, it's going to be another busy week in my otherwise boring life!! I'm so tired I don't even feel like doing any scrapping today..so I' guess I'll spend the afternoon surfing my favorite websites and if I really get in the mood, maybe clean up my desk--there are papers all over it and my work tables. It's got to get done soon I know because I have to get organized for a class I'm doing at our LSS on the 22nd and I'll need some of these papers --the sketches that I've downloaded anyway. Guess I could do it for the next hour, then at least I can say I did accomplish something today, LOL.

The above layouts were completed today, which means all my Christmas pics have been scrapped for 2008!!! The top pic is actually page 2 for the layout below it...still learning how to do this downloading thing. Enjoy.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wow, I can't believe that it's January 1, 2009 already...this past year went by way too fast for me. There has been so much going on with our family the past year with traveling to see our kids in Arizona and Ohio, not to mention my bi-weekly trips to my mom's in Illinois and our two vacations (road trips)...and working part time...and the birth of our newest grandchild last March. Just a very busy year, so we hope that this year will slow down just a bit--doubt it, but one can dream!!
We haven't done alot today...our grandsons are here and playing with all their Christmas stuff, my husband is just resting and enjoying being with the boys, and I've been doing some scrapbooking of our Christmas pictures of the little kids. So far, I've accomplished two layouts today, I did two last week, and I've got two more pages to do before I'm done. I might get them in tonight while the boys watch the new Mummy movie. No pictures yet of the ones I've completed but I'll try to post them later after I've finished up with all my pictures. Of course, my first two are hanging at the LSS, so they won't be posted, but I will post a few of these new ones.
Guess, it's time to think about starting supper, I'm getting rather hungry and I have laundry to dry.
I do hope everyone is having a great New Year's Day and will have a very prosperous and happy 2009!!