BACK TO SCHOOL....

No, not quite yet- but coming. Two weeks to be exact. I did go in today to sub for my counterpart for summer school. For those of you dying to know about my job, I work in an Elementary School two days a week as a teacher's aide. I job share this job with a friend, she works the other 3 days. The idea, when I started this, was to help me pursue my creative endeavors, and to travel more with my husband - the nomad. For some reason, I've had to fight tooth and nail to get the district to go along with the job sharing thing for the last few years.... get with it... it's the wave of the future, and it works for ME!

Today I was with 4th graders. Still for the most part a cute age. Doing reading and math. I don't like math much. What happened to regular multiplication???? I have nightmares of the dreaded flash cards to this day. MEMORIZE THOSE TABLES.

But now, I'm back home. I've been working diligently on the Paper Popsicle's FRIDAY FREEBEE and some other cool (just being cheeky again) new stuff. I'm kind of excited to see the reaction to some of it... I've been feeling a little 'out there'.

So, hang on, overcome with anticipation for the unveiling!!!!


fyi - house guests tomorrow......

I'M WORKING HERE.....

Paper Popsicle's is offering a GIVEAWAY**** YES**** FREE**** stuff on FRIDAY! EVERY FRIDAY IN AUGUST! Melissa, (the Paper Popsicle Queen) and I are teaming up to give all the scrappers a free digital design image every Friday all month long! Here's the item she posted on her blog- check it out, and post the link on YOUR blog and get the goods....


"Freebie Friday, Freebie Friday, Freebie Friday
I like saying Freebie Friday and you are going to like what it means. Yup, Cheeky Radish has graciously offered to give you FREE, ONLY on FRIDAY new digital stamp design. You love free, right????

The new digital stamp image will be posted on the blog and to get it for FREE you need to head to the Paper Popsicles store, go to the Digital Designs category and order it. Here is the really good news...she is going to give us a new stamp image for FREE EVERY Friday during August.

Now, just to make this EVEN better if you post our Freebie Friday information on your blog you will be entered to win a nice big surprise package of goodies!!! In order to be included on this drawing you need to post on your blog the information about our FREEBIE FRIDAY and link to our blog. Also you need to become a follower of our blog and put Paper Popsicles or our blinkie in your favorites or places I visit section on your blog."

With that said I need to get off my blog and get out my pen and get to work!!! You people are so demanding.....


fyi- 4 days until house guests......

VENETIAN NIGHT

Saturday was Venetian Night in Chicago. Since our boat hangs out there, we decided to load up supplies, and attend. My husband's brother and sister in law joined us, followed by two of our three kids and their dates, and some other random people which I'll get to.


I wanted to seize the day, so to speak, get in there and sail. It was sunny, warm and breezy here, but we had the electrician here, and if you read this regularly you know he was creating dirt here. We finally got there, and went out for a very windy SHORT sail. We had to be into the harbor by 6:00, the tenders (water taxis) stopped running at 6:30. The kids caught the train, of course, needed to stop and eat - they are kids.... so they finally arrived, and we collected them, then, the electrician, (who is a young guy, 27ish, who actually dated my daughter, 7 years ago when they were in high school) his buddy, and some random girl who was also in said daughter's class.... called my son and joined us too. Nice kids, but kinda odd situation here. The daughter who he dated, and lives in Chicago, had a previous commitment and couldn't make it- but I HAD to text her.... to which she replied in really large text WHAT????? WEIRD.


Ah yeah. My son's date was getting hit on by the 'buddy' so my daughter, casually asks him,I love her casual nerve, how his VERY pregnant girlfriend is doing? And, are they getting married? Remember we are on a boat in the middle of the lake here. Sputtering, he gets the clue and the night rolls on.


It really was a great night. We didn't get as clear a view of the decorated boats as we'd of liked, but could see them somewhat, and did have a WONDERFUL view of the fireworks - WOW- Chicago does FABULOUS fireworks. The unique combination of guests on my boat as well as my husband and I had a wonderful time, and ate and drank the boat dry. We dumped them all at the dock, amid thank yous galore, secured the boat, and caught the tender back to the dock ourselves.

Our kids and their dates, road home with us, which was fun for about half the trip, then we all conked out...well, not my husband he drove.

I can't wait to dissect the evening with my daughters....



fyi- 5 days until house guests.......

the saga continues....

Now I'd like to start by saying I HATE HOUSE GUESTS. With that said, stand by for my lament.....

My husband's father and his girlfriend are here visiting. Naturally, they are staying with all the kids, my turn is next week. Remember, I live in an OLD house, with one full bathroom and one 1/2 bath. It isn't a house for guests, but I'm relenting. I decided that I'd start in on the cleaning and get some of the rooms we don't use that much 'spruced up'; surely they'd stay that way for one week - right??? Not so much.

The electrician is moonlighting the job, working on weekends, HE'S BACCCCKKKKKK. My efforts of yesterday were for naught, there are plaster chunks, dust, word shards, etc. all over my clean floors, being tracked by him and my possibly soon to be ex husband everywhere. As well as ick.... in my BATHTUB. Can I catch a break here? No.

Back to the house guest thing. In addition to cleaning, which I don't really like that much either, so I may as well wait to do it until a couple hours before they arrive, I had to buy an aero bed for them. One daughter's room has become my studio, (no bed there), and the other daughter has the coolest antique bed, made for a tiny person (which she is) not for two geriatric lovebirds. Also, since I've given up cooking for the most part, I no longer have a traditional table in my kitchen... I have this funky desk with a funky chair not conductive to a dinner for 4, or 5.


So, I guess I'm going to put the aero bed in the dining room, and move the dining room table into the kitchen, and sit at it and pout.

Have I mentioned that I hate house guests, and right now my husband, just a little bit?????

LIFE

I have a permanent place to scrapbook locally. It's actually an old scrapbook store, that closed, and a bunch of us kept it, all renting it, like a co-op as a place to work. Now the theory behind this is that we can leave all our stuff there, walk out on the mess, or, as I prefer to look at it the 'work in progress'. A year ago, after 27 years of whining, I finally got a studio at home with several work areas. One for paper art/scrapping. However, I really like the camaraderie of the 'Scrappy' (as we all call it). Also, I am still living in Victorian Hell, and don't have electricity in my studio, so I'm dragging more there than I normally would. So, I'm working on the great European Adventure, and have been amassing cool stuff for it(isn't that what this hobby is about- collecting stuff you COULD use- or NEED?)

ANYWAY, I now leave some stuff there, and have some stuff at home and cart a few things back and forth.... so last night was a night to tote stuff. I printed a bunch of pictures, and had a couple of bags of new stuff and my usual two cases to drag down there. I needed to go through my stuff and figure out what was what. So I made 2, yes 2, trips to the car, drove the 5 blocks, made two trips into the store and began..........talking. Then we needed to go over to the Mexican restaurant for carryout of the best Guacamole in America, and do some more talking..... suddenly it was 10:45- and time to go home, so I loaded it all in my car, unsorted, and brought it home. I left it all in my car, that way it's ready... for it's next outing I guess, that's all the action it's seeing lately.

Summing it up....

Dragging stuff to your car = a pain
Not touching your scrapbook stuff in over a week = a crime
Hanging out with good friends = priceless!

RIO DE JANEIRO

Last fall, my husband had to travel to Rio for business and graciously invited me to join him. (smart man) It was such a beautiful, interesting place. Gorgeous beaches, lush tropical foliage, mosaic sidewalks, a melting pot of races, interesting food, welcoming business associates. Even a lovely outside lunch at the amazing home of one of the guys. The only down side being, extreme poverty; which is often right next to riches and located looking out over the beach (high priced real estate in most countries).

We stayed in a very nice beachfront hotel, strolling through Leblon, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches - and of course, had dinner at the bar the song 'The Girl from Ipanema' was written. As the crime is high out of the 'high end' area, we had a driver who took us anywhere we needed to go. He took my husband to and from work, and toted me about- taking me off one day, following the road along the beach to find a Hard Rock Cafe.... my oldest daughter has a shot glass collection from Hard Rock and this most excellent mother had to get one for her. Anyway, off we went along the coast, through the tourist area, through the slums, out into a rainforest (ish) area and back into a safe tourist area. We arrived at the shopping area, he dropped me at the door. Jumped out, opened the door for me, and showed me where to go, and told me he'd be waiting at a bench he pointed out. I found the Hard Rock, got the goods, and sauntered around finally arriving back at the bench. True to his word, he was there, jumped up, grabbed my bags, told me to wait and ran off to retrieve the car. He pulled up, again, jumped out, opened the door for me and drove me back (through nasty late afternoon traffic) to my hotel. Again, he opened the door, handed me my packages, and told me to enjoy the rest of my day. This is most certainly the life I was born for....I could so get used to this.

ANYWAY....

Not wanting to forget this, I did put together a little book of the trip - I've added photos of a few of the highlights.... I also must add that I got a Rio license plate on ebay for the cover. Now, on the front of the Zutter Bind it All book, they show a picture of a license plate being used as a cover. Silly, silly, me, since it was pictured on the cover as well as in the inside of the instruction book, I assumed the machine could be used for such. NOT. It broke the Binder and my husband had to take a trusty drill and make the holes. Fyi.... Zutter was pretty snotty to me when I contacted them. They said it wasn't designed to cut metal - well, then lets not false advertise - right???




Okay, okay, off the soapbox- here's a few highlights from the little book.

A FUN NIGHT AFTER ALL...

The Steve Miller Band was awesome. My girls and their beaus, my sister and her husband and my sister in law all joined us for the evening. We had an abundance of foods, the rain did not rear it's ugly self and everyone had a great time. I, personally, might have had a little too much fun and am feeling a bit blah today. I did however, manage to complete this challenge, the ones I've done are green, as that's how my skin has looked when I look in the mirror all day.... never mind the green, can't seem to change it... so the ones I've done are stared ... go ahead fill it out and tag me...I'm nosy!!

Things I have done...

* 1. Started your own blog
* 2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
* 5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
* 7. Been to Disneyland/world/Disneyland Paris
* 8. Climbed a mountain
* 9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
* 12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
* 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
* 16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
* 18. Grown your own vegetables
* 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
* 21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
* 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill Shhhhh, don't tell
* 24. Made a Snow Angel
* 25. Held a lamb
* 26. Gone skinny dipping (howz about chunky dunking????? lol)
27. Run a Marathon---does a 5 k count????
* 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
* 29. Seen a total eclipse
* 30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Stood in the rim of the Grand Canyon
* 32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
* 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an erupting volcano in person
36. Taught yourself a new language
* 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
* 40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
* 41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
* 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
* 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
* 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
* 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
* 52. Kissed in the rain
* 53. Played in the mud
* 54. Gone to a drive-in theatre
* 55. Gone to a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
* 57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Cookies for charity
62. Gone whale watching
* 63. Been given flowers for no reason
* 64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
* 69. Saved a favourite childhood toy
* 70. Visited Buckingham Palace
* 71. Eaten Caviar
* 72. Pieced a quilt or blanket
* 73. Stood in Times Square
* 74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job-
* 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
* 78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Been to the top of the Empire State Building
* 80. Published a book- does a book for my daughter count?
* 81. Visited the Vatican
* 82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
* 84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
* 86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
* 88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
* 91. Met someone famous
* 92. Joined a book club
* 93. Lost a loved one
* 94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
* 98. Owned a cell phone
* 99. Been stung by a bee

CONCERT....

I got this bright idea to plan an evening out to see "The Steve Miller Band" at an outdoor venue in the area, and invited a large group of family members to join the fun. Sheesh, trying to coordinate this with everyone is driving me crazy. Everyone has some 'issue' or maybe, it's just me that has the issues, hum, I'll ponder that -

And to boot, I have to get EVERYTHING together myself and grab my husband from the airport on the way to the event. I'm not sure who all will actually show up, for all I know it could just be a couple of us, but one little request....a little positive vibe action would be in order for a rain free night please. At any rate, I'm going to have a great time, even if it's just me and Steve, himself....

THE MOUSE.

Okay, you know this is an OLD house. With that said, here's crazy......

I went into my bathroom tonight to use the facilities.... As I walked in, I noticed what looked like small lint balls floating in my toilet; then I saw it...... THERE WAS A MOUSE FLOATING IN MY TOILET.
Well, not really floating- SWIMMING,and the lint balls, were not lint balls, he'd used the facilities before me.....I.AM.NOT.MAKING.THIS.UP.HONESTLY.

Anyway, I am husband/son-less tonight, so I was on my own. I managed to rescue the drowned little rat (I couldn't help use that expression) and released it outside. I think the bleach in the toilet bowl wasn't so good for him, however, if he does survive, he'll probably be back inside. Hopefully he learned his lesson, somehow, I'm doubting it.

HELP.

BLOG HOP!

***So, I'm giving it a try.... the Question is 3 things you don't know about me. I'm guessing that there are far more than 3, but here's 3 I don't mind you knowing....

1. I would love to spend one afternoon back in time, seeing what my house was like when it was built in 1902.

2. I am a really picky eater, and just the way something looks can be a factor in whether or not I try it. No I am not a 5 year old, but MAYBE I do eat like one.... maybe..

3. I have an entire attic full of stuff, like toys, cast off furniture, etc. There is so much stuff, that I'm thinking when I sell this house, I'll offer everything up there as a free gift with a purchase... you know, like Clinque or Estee Lauder.... one caveat though.... I will not let the lucky, lucky buyer look into the attic. Yes, it is a terrifying proposition, for even me.***

SAILING.......

q12

We had a couple nice sunny days here, and my husband was home, so we felt compelled to do what we do best.... head to the boat. Sunday, we invited some good friends, who joined us and we had quite the feast. We headed back in today to enjoy the perfect day. We pretty much sailed the day away, never tiring of the view. I'm thinking this is about as good as it gets; handsome captain, great boat, gorgeous view and a bottle of Prosecco.... what else is there? Life is pretty darned good.

COMMITING DOG-ICIDE.......

As I've mentioned before, we live in an OLD house. As it's only been 20 years since we moved in.... we thought maybe it's time to have a little rewiring done. So we have hired an electrician and he's here trying to figure out what's what, and I'm sure he really wondering how we've lived here this long without burning up. Obviously he is up and down all 4 stories and is making noise. I have 3 doglets, two of which are rescue puppy mill breeders, (another horrific story in itself) and our grand dog, Molli, a sassy chihuahua who is staying with us for the weekend. One of the rescue dogs, Clementine, is a psychotic yorkie, and has a lot of issues. The biggest being she HATES men- not just a little growl hate, a full fledged bark, snarl, show my teensy little teeth hate. And Molli (my grand dog) is always up for some attitude, so the two of them are driving me absolutely crazy. And lord knows how the poor electrician is feeling. The other two are pretty mellow and they are even looking at me like 'do something' already!!

I will say, that I believe this torture that I am enduring is going to be well worth having electricity in my studio again and having outlets in all rooms and conveniently located AND having new lighting here and there!!!!! However, I am still contemplating dog-icide....

not really, I love the little buggers to death... although today maybe that expression isn't fitting... a little cheeky of me- eh?

COUPLE SCRAP PAGES....

Here's a couple pages for your perusal......
Nothing too exotic, but I have at least done something with a few of the gazillion pictures from our trip!

Creating from the Heart: Are you ready for a G*I*V*E*A*W*A*Y??!!

Creating from the Heart: Are you ready for a G*I*V*E*A*W*A*Y??!!

IS THAT THE SUN???

It's Thursday, and even though it is late in the day, I believe, the sun is out. It's been so long, I've definitely developed a vitamin deficiency. I don't mean to complain, but a little earlier in the day might have been good, I'd have liked to have gone to the pool and work on my sun damage.

I've been working in my studio room all day unearthing a lot of stuff. Things I can't recall ever seeing before, things, I shall never see again, as I through them out. I did find a lot of interesting 'tools' that I desperately needed, so much so, that I haven't even opened them yet. Anyone else have this 'situation'??? What is it about the latest cool thing, that one must acquire?

I scrapped last night with a group of friends, didn't actually complete a page, but will take a picture to show when I do. I felt the need to talk a bit with the 'girls' - actually we had to diagnose my sore throat, which is getting better by the way, but my allergies, are far and away another story.

As for other creating, I am still knitting on the same two projects that I have been since spring - I did buy, yes I said buy, a canvas, as I feel the need to do a little painting. I've had something playing around in my head for some time and I must act on it. Hopefully said canvas won't become one of those unopened items that years from now I'll look at and toss in thee garbage...... I also just did some digital design stuff for Paper Popsicle's, so check it out. She just stopped by to retrieve them. I'm guessing they'll be on the site later tonight.

SORE THROAT

So I've had a sore throat...not just a little sore but an EXTREMELY sore throat. I called my Dr. whom I like very much, however, with just one small problem.... you can NEVER (or at least I can never) get in to see him when I am sick. So, once again, he wasn't available- this time he's gone- he just got married..... I thought he was married.... maybe it's trophy wife time for him.

Anyway, I went to Urgent care. The Dr. said, wow, your throat is really red, swollen and sore looking - hello---- look at why I am here. So, she thinks.... are you ready???? That I am allergic to my new allergy medicine!!! So now what - I'm having anaphylactic shock and I can't take my allergy medicine?

She wants me to follow up with my Dr. - Who I shall refer to as Dr. Loverboy henceforth. I feel like I have a meat cleaver stuck in my throat and am starving hungry for popcorn or chips or something painful like that. So I am feeling really peckish at the moment and as long as I'm complaining - what is up with the weather here? Could we have some sun please?

MY BABY TURNED 21

Now, bear in mind, I was just a baby myself, when my kids were born.... okay, I'm a compulsive liar....

ANYWAY.... my baby turned 21 today. This is no small feat for this kid... he has packed an awful lot into these 21 years, and most of it took an extreme toll on my mental stability. Don't get me wrong here- great kid, FABULOUS heart - considerate kid.... just has an uncanny ability to get caught; or maybe I'm a bit too much like Nancy Drew, solving all the mysteries. (showing my age there) There is a feeling of relief in having all your kids be adults, and there is a sense of reality in it too- and maybe it's just that the whole event has made me melancholy... not sure which.

I did actually scrapbook the other night, starting on the great European Adventure.... here's my baby... out and about in Paris... one of my favorite towns.

4th of JULY

Yesterday, which technically was the 3rd of July, was a fabulously fun day to celebrate the United State's big day! My family and I headed to our daughter's new apartment, to see where she's going to be living, dropped off a bunch of stuff, then headed to the boat. Our oldest daughter and her boyfriend rode with us, and we were joined later by our son (who's b-day is this weekend, yes, he's a firecracker) and our middle, 'city dwelling' daughter and her boyfriend and friends of theirs for a little holiday/early birthday fun. We partied on our boat, waited for the fireworks to start. The kids had given their dad a grill for the boat, so we grilled, and hung out and had a great time. The fireworks were wonderful as was the company.

Creativity? Oh yeah, well.... it'll come... give me time already!