Soggy Monday...

Okay, wondering WHAT happened to that Super Sunny Fabulous Friday weather we had last week??? This whole entire week looks to be gloomy, rain filled with temperature ups and downs! All I have to say is ICK! This is stay at home in your PJ's weather!!!

Well, we managed half a birthday party and one soccer game in the rain! Yup...they take this soccer thing pretty serious... 40' and pouring! Needless to say Nathan and I were not the happy, cheering little sideline family! We were both sitting on his child size camping chair, shivering and trying to keep dry under one umbrella! Tyler (the little soccer trooper) looked like a wet towel dragged through the mud! Poor thing. They were smart and cancelled her Sunday game! Jared would have been going to that one solo otherwise!

Didn't accomplish much else at home this weekend... desperately needed to, but the cold and the rain lead to lots of movie watching and afternoon naps! We all need those weekends though! It's all good... I have my whole life to clean!

Looking forward to the Stampin' Up! party at Sheila's this week! Hoping I can manage to NOT drop a boat load of money!! The temptation is always there with anything crafty...but I'm not super big into stamping... so hopefully I can escape with a minimal purchase!! Besides... that KOTM is going up tomorrow.. and I just got another kit from A Million Memories. But hey... wine and snacks... even I buy nothing it will make for a great mid-week pick me up!

Tomorrow I am taking the day off work and Tyler and I are falling deep down into the pit of dirty laundry and other misc. 8 year old stuff that falls on the floor of a bedroom and cleaning as we climb out! I won't rest until there has been organization and lots of trash/donation piles made!

A Super Sunny Friday in NC

Is it just not way flippin beautiful outdoors today?! Loving it... the fact that I got to sneak out of work at 2pm was even better! (Okay... I know what you're thinking... I do that EVERYDAY!)
Well...
Ran some errands... picked up Nathan from preschool early and headed to the park! Was ready for some fun playtime with the kidlets and even took the camera... that lasted all of 4 seconds. Poor Tyler busted her shin on the playground... bleeding... instant bruise the whole nine yards... and of course, she wanted to leave. So, oh well, these things happen... But my hats off to Nathan, who got to slide 3 times and I scooped him off the playground to go home.... NO TEARS! NO FUSSING... Was quite pleasant if I do say! That was golden! You don't get those moments often.. although Tyler cried the whole way home.

Not looking forward to the 30 degree temperature drop for the weekend. What's up with that?? Only in NC! Gonna have to bundle up for those soccer games!

Going to have a family movie night and watch Tyler's new movie Enchanted and pop some popcorn!

Okay... so I am SO super excited about a couple of new scrapbooking goods! First off, I've decided to enter the SOY Contest through Creating Keepsakes Magazine. Okay... so I have to make 20 12x12 layouts before May 29th... so that's a challenge in itself... but $10,000 cash and about the same value in additional prizes, plus a 2 year contract with CK, I'd say that's motivation enough!!!! Plus..I've always thought of entering, or heck... even just submitting a page to be considered for publication... but I haven't, never even tried. So I thought, why not?? I'll keep ya posted on how it all goes. Won't be able to post any of my layouts I work on, due to the contest rules, but I'll share them after the contest is over.
Secondly... SO super excited about this kit that I just ordered for Heather and I to work on. I've really been into working with the D Reeves Acrylic Albums... but those are just the cover and backing to the album (you have to make your own pages) This album is all acrylic... pages and all. I love it. Ali Edwards made a similar album here... I've always wanted to make one like this. (Love the letters up the sides of the page!) Can't wait for it to come in the mail! I have to think of what pics I want to fill it with... looking forward to taking some B&W pics too!
And last but not least.... SO super excited about the new CK KOTM for April!! They haven't yet posted the full kit, but it's available for purchase on April 1st. Called "Details... Enclosed". I love it. Here are some examples. This one I think is going to be a must have for me!! Jared is so not going to like me at the end of the month... LOL But hey... it's like paying for therapy... it's my creative outlet so that I don't go insane from the daily drama of my life!

And I have been invited to scrapbook at Sheila's this weekend... as of now my hubby has to work on Sat. and if all else fails I just might take ya up on that offer! So keep your phone on!! Hee hee

And on a random side note... my hair has actually lightened up TONS... and (Sheila) there are no longer what appeared to be "gray highlights!" LOL I'm thinking I might actually like it now. If I didn't take such horrible pics... especially those "self portrait" kinds... I might actually post one! LOL

Okay... off to pull together some random tidbits from the fridge and call it dinner! Happy Friday to all and enjoy the what the weekend has to offer!

Bunny Recap....

A few pics from Easter weekend.... The kids had a blast searching for over 300 eggs... yes, that's right folks... I'm insane and feel that an Easter egg hunt is no fun at all unless it last more than 3.5 seconds... and what better way to do that than have hundreds of eggs to search for!! Taylor was the lucky girl who found the one and only egg that we plastered to the side of the house... hysterical! So nothing else terribly exciting going on. Just trying to get geared up for the busiest weekend of all times. Tyler has 2 soccer games, a birthday party, going to church with a friend and a play date at Duke Gardens... I'm out of breath just talking about it. Where does one find the time??

Still not jazzed about my hair... so no pics revealing the new color!! HA... too bad. Who knows... next week it might be blond again! LOL

Off to take Tyler to gymnastics...

Week's End... and plans for the weekend!

Friday's... gotta love'em!
So... yesterday I colored my hair... and today I colored my hair AGAIN! Not sure what my deal is, but I liked it yesterday, and this morning I hated it... and I think I still hate it. It's dark brown with some red highlights, some blond. When I actually get around to thinking I like it... maybe, just maybe I'll post a pic. LOL

It's just hair right? Next month I'm sure it will be completely different!

Tomorrow nothing planned as of yet. Jared's helping my Mom move into her new apartment. I have to get some things ready for Easter and I promised Nathan some blueberry muffins for breakfast! Thinking of baking up some carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting... yum! But.... I'm also trying to give up sweets (this is where you laugh hysterically.... I am!) and this time of year... all those GS cookies... the Easter eggs... the candy... the cupcakes.. how's a girl to do it! Well, the truth of the matter is I'm getting fat... and it's not cool. Gaining weight I'm fine with... but I'm getting a GUT! If it was evenly proportioned I'd be okay with it, but when you can look 2-3 months pregnant and you're not... see where I'm going with this! Not pretty!

Okay so anywho... Easter egg hunt scheduled for Sunday... Sheila and her crew are coming to hunt with us. Hoping it gets warmer than expected tomorrow. Enjoy the holiday weekend and I'll post pictures after the bunny comes and goes!

Just something to share...

Couldn't resist sharing this photo... you have to know that Nathan is a complete and total "Mama's Boy".... and that most of the time Daddy is not the person of choice if I am available. But last night he snuggled up to Dad (b/c Mom promised him that Daddy was SO much better at reading "There's a Monster at the End of this Book" than Mom!)

Simply adorable... (ignore the toothpick!)

Survived Monday...and weekend updates

Had a great weekend. Friday evening was laid back, we rented Michael Clayton... good movie. (well, what I saw of it.. and what I was told about it at least. LOL I fell asleep! Something about my couch...I tell ya, it's not good. I fall asleep like a baby every time!)

Saturday Tyler had her Fun Meet at Gymnastics... she did fabulous! She's getting really good at gymnastics and starting to learn really cool moves on the bars as well as back flips on the trampolines!! Now that it's getting more daring I think she's having more fun with it. She got a metal to go with her trophy from last years showcase! Go Tyler!!!

That evening... Aaron and Amy came over to cook up a fabulous meal (yet again!!) I tell ya, I'm getting completely spoiled by these events... they buy the food, they cook it up...and I get to eat it! YUM....All without leaving my own house! What a deal! The menu... Stuffed Flank Steak, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus! Desert... Caramel Nut Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream! And of course, as always... lots of good wine!

Is anyone else getting the feeling that they are annoyed with my picture taking??

We ended the night with the boys watching Invasion and Amy highlighted my Mom's hair! Good times!! 2:30 in the morning....

Sunday I awoke to Jared practically pushing me out of bed screaming "he's here" (with a tooth brush falling out of his mouth) at 9:30 am. We had a handy man stopping by to give a quote for repairing the hole in our bedroom ceiling where Jared stepped through (Funny long story behind that one... short version, we had a leak in the ac unit, causing water spots in our bedroom ceiling, upon investigating, we realized we had a bat infestation in our attic...and Jared's whole leg came through our bedroom ceiling! NICE) So... after my rude awakening... I had to get ready for my day of scrapping planned with Sheila! YAY!

Actually worked on some stuff... was impressed with myself, so wasn't feeling it at first, there was a lot of staring going on and was thinking we would have a repeat of when I got together with Heather to scrap... but a quick trip to Starbucks to get the caffeine kicking... and I was ready to get my scrap on! LOL Sheila made some really cute pages.. love that she added some cute filler pages in between the chipboard pages.... I'm so into the multi sized pages! Fabulous! We had fun.....must do it again soon!

The Rosie doll makes a second appearance!! You have to check out Donna's video to Rosie... too cute! Really hope she makes an appearance, that would be so awesome for her! Thinking I should make a wager with Donna (let me know what you think) If the doll that I sent her and the video casts actually gets Rosie to come to Donna's Inspired event... "to make her dreams come true"... Donna can in return make MY dreams come true and come down to scrapbook with me! Sounds fair right??? ( I know, I'm a geek.. but that would be way flippin cool!)

Monday was a Monday... nothing exciting to talk about there! Nathan got to pick out fruit snacks to take in to his preschool St. Patrick's Day party, where he was SO excited to eat a green cupcake!! It's the little things, really!

And so here we are at Tuesday! Have a hair appointment on Thursday... thinking of changing my hair color again. Well, I say AGAIN... because I used to change my hair color to match my outfit! LOL... But honestly I think this is the longest stretch I've gone being blond in a really... really long time, feeling a need for something different. Plus, I'm wanting to grow my hair out long again, so just need to play with color ideas. Any suggestions? I've had every color but blue I think!! LOL Seriously though... it's been every possible shade of blond, red, brown, even black. So I'm not afraid of a big change... just not sure where I want to go this time!

Slightly Renewed!

Took yesterday off work because...well.... because I wanted to! Haven't been feeling well, have been a little stressed, a little overwhelmed..and just simply needed a day to just be. And that's what I did. It helped.

Meeting my dear friend Sheila for lunch today (in fact, I need to get going soon..so I'm not the one running late...LOL) We haven't seen each other in WAY to long.. and as an added bonus, I get some yummy Girl Scout cookies! Yum!!

Tyler's last day of school is tomorrow (she's on a year-round schedule). So this means 3 whole weeks of working with Mom and Dad! Actually, it's not all that bad... there is a couple of things for her to do here at work and it also means I don't have to work as much. Nice break for me too! Plus one day will simply be dedicated to cleaning her nasty room from top to bottom. Lots of spring cleaning will be going on in my house! It's SO over due!! Plus, she still has gymnastics 2 days a week and starts up soccer with having a practice and a game every week. She'll be busy!

Okay... just looked at the clock... MUST GO! Later...

Wow... it's been a week...

a whole week...gone. I'm telling you time flies...I feel like it was just New Years and here we are approaching Easter! Okay, so...a couple of things:

I finally added some of my scrapbook samples, some mini albums, etc. You can find them here. I will be adding some 12 x 12 pages soon. Just haven't been doing alot of that size lately...so most of what I have is realatively "old". I am finishing up the ski trip album and as soon as I do, I will be sure to post that as well!

If any of you read my sisters blog you will know that I have been blasted about having my thyroid checked. (and I say blasted in a good way...I know it's meant with love) Well, just wanted to share this with everyone...since, as Heather pointed out, is a very serious issue. I myself was told when I was 17 years old that I had an enlarged thyroid gland. Being young and thinking to myself..."ya, so...." I did nothing about it at all. While I was pregnant with Nathan my doctor said that I needed to have to it checked, and it was important to monitor it during the pregnancy. I was good for a little while, but then stopped having it checked. For no other reason than simply being tired of going to check ups...tired of getting my blood drawn (passionately HATE needles) and the fact that I felt like they could never give me a clear answer as to whether or not is was in fact HyPER or HyPO! So... now being almost 4 years after having Nathan... I have promised my sister, and myself that I will in fact return to the doctor to monitor my thyroid. I'll keep you posted on that too. In the mean time, here's some great information on it. I don't think many people understand just how many areas of your body and your life this can affect. you can check it out here and here and here. Thanks to Ali Edwards for sharing this wonderful information!

Daylight Savings Time really kicked my ass this year! I usually can't wait until it gets here and love it being light for longer in the day... but the whole pitch dark bedroom in the morning when I'm suppoed to be getting up...NOT a good thing! LOL Seriously, as if I didn't already have a had enough time getting out of bed everyday... having a dark room only makes me want to unplug my alarm clock and sleep until noon! Thank god they can't hold tardiness against you in the 3rd grade... poor Tyler would have been expelled by now! (shame, shame)

So.... okay (I think I need to get a life... but this is simply the coolest thing ever!) I'm saving the best for last! I love Donna Downey! I read her blog usually daily.... my very good friend Sheila and I went to the CK Convention in Charlotte (Aug. 2006) and attended her backstage party. Donna Downey is simply the funniest person I don't know! LOL Well, if you do read her blog... you'll know that she adores Rosie O'Donnell. So.. one day while Tyler was at gym, I decided to run over the Everything But Grannies Panties (antique store) looking for some cool containers... misc. kitchen bowls...whatever. Well, I was in one room of the house and looked up in the closet and there sat 7-8 Rosie O' dolls. I thought to myself... that's odd. And then I thought of Donna... to make a long story short (yeah, working on that... it's a problem for me) I bought it (fabulous $5 find) and after a quick surgery (AA Batteries, to make her talk once again) I mailed it off to Donna. I was anxiously awaiting a post on her blog to see what she would say when she received her Rosie doll by mail. And nothing... waited and waited.. and nothing. Started to think... 1. she didn't get it. 2. She thinks I'm a freak for sending a random doll to someone I don't really know. or 3. she's simply so busy... why would she have time to ramble about her mail!

BUT THEN>>>> My very good friend Sheila called me (doing her silent scream over the phone, b/c she was at work) asking if I had checked out Donna's blog lately. I was like.. yeah, of course... why... what's the deal?? Well... did you check out the "that's black jack baby" video. No... I usually don't watch the videos cause I check out her blog at work and don't want to get "busted" for playing!! So in her silently screaming voice I hear.... "YOU'RE LIZ FROM DURHAM".... "she sooooo talks about you!".

So.... my dear friends... I feel like a mini celebrity!!! You so have to check it out... from my new BF Donna!

This is us: Me, Donna Downey and Sheila at the CK Convention in Charlotte.

Last Nights Dinner...

I've been meaning to share this recipe with Heather.. and since I cooked it last night I figured I would post it. Jared considers it "homemade" hamburger helper! LOL I actually like it, the chickens will eat it and it's a relatively easy Monday night meal.

Hamburger Pie (I agree it could use a better name!)

1 lb. Hamburger
1 can Tomato Soup
1 can Green Beans (or 2 cups frozen, make sure they are thawed)
1 med. Chopped Onion
4-5 med. Russet Potatoes
1 bag of shredded Cheddar Cheese

Ground the hamburger and saute the onion, adding salt and pepper to taste (I always add some Natures Seasoning too). Add the can of tomato soup and green beans, place in the bottom of casserole dish. Make mashed potatoes (season as you like them, don't forget the butter...yum) and top hamburger mixture. Add cheese to the top of the mashed potatoes. Bake at 350' for 30 mins. Wah-la! LOL

This will fill a round casserole dish nicely and feed a family of 4. I double the recipe to fill a 13 x 9 pan, because it actually makes great leftovers!! Hope you enjoy this glorified hamburger helper recipe...LOL!

Weekend Update....

Good morning all! Had a great weekend!! Friday night we met up with Aaron and Amy... had dinner at our normal hangout, Bogarts. Food wasn't as good as it is normally... but let's be honest, we really go for their fabulous martinis!!! YUM-O!! Not to mention finishing the night off the usual Krispy Kremes!!

Saturday Heather & Liss came down... had a blast, LOVE her new camera... the digital SLR is just simply a different world of cameras... I still have my 2 digital cameras, the newest is my Nikon Coolpix... which I love (that's my pocket cam, loving it for the size and portability) but one day... I MUST have a DSLR!

As this happens sometimes... on Saturday I completely lost my scrapbooking MoJo... didn't get much of anything done... stared, started to work on stuff... pulled out more stuff, stared some more. I just wasn't feeling it, so....finally put all my stuff up and grabbed some of Heather's pics to work on. We all have those days... but I was rather disappointed in myself. Nothing that can't be made up for, but we looked forward to this weekend for so long, and I just wasn't there! LOL Anyway... I do have at least this to share...Literally.... pulled this one off in the last 30-40 minutes we spent scrapping! Ha! But I like it... and I hope you do too sis!!

Sunday went on a cleaning rampage...figured I would try and De-germ the house a little! Speaking of which... my deepest apologies for the germ on spread to Aunt Amy!! Nathan has a 'Bunny Cupcake' waiting for you (not that you'll be wanting to come by and get it anytime soon...LOL) But we all hope you get to feeling better!