Blank

I started school Saturday. I am taking Intro to Biology. I have come to the realization that I am NOT a science person. I mean, I couldn't despise anything more. Well, maybe a hot poker in the eye. I feel utterly stupid. I just don't graspe this stuff. I should be painting a picture in art somewhere or basket weaving. Does anyone else feel this way when it comes to science/math?

I don't have any pictures today, too lazy to get my camera. I will, however, on the next post, take some to show some of the stuff I've been doing lately. Painting bathrooms, decoupaging mirrors, painting old lamps, decorating. I spent half my day yesterday cleaning the kids rooms...yeah, HALF THE DAY people! Why are kids in the 7 and up range so gross? Hygiene is definately not priority either...I guess I was that way too, I just chose to forget.

My dog is evil. Truly. At night, while she's in the cage, she plots at night, and is always devising a plan to destroy all humans and their possessions. She chews up everything. Nothing is safe at her level, it's so annoying, I can't get anything done, it's like having a toddler again, but, well, it's not, it's a dog. If you came to my house right now, you could look on top of my fireplace and see a large collection of STUFF that she has tried to devour. Any suggestions???

The job search is going nowhere. What is going on? I have submitted at least 40 resumes in the last 2 weeks, and NOONE is calling. Boy, I'm low today. Sorry for the spiraling downward post today, but we're all human, right. Things may be better tomorrow. Until then, happy Tuesday!!

Hattie

It dawned on me today that I forgot to mention that while in California this last trip, I made some tribute boards in loving memory of my grandma. They tell a story of her life through photographs. And while it was extremely emotional and difficult, it was a wonderful project for me, as it really helped me in so many ways. The first board took at least an entire day to put together. It documented her childhood and growing up years.

She is so beautiful in that last picture, it just kills me. I wish I had a better close up of it. Here is the second board. This only took 3 hours to complete and I so enjoyed every minute of it. It's focus was her life as a wife, mother and grandmother...

She'll never be forgotten. EVER.

Still Here

Hi Everyone! I'm still alive and have managed to make it through this crazy, sometimes sad, sometimes happy summer...

Where to begin. Well, Grandma is looking down on us now, helping us to cope and get through life. It was a bittersweet parting, as we all knew she was suffering but we didn't want to see her go. I miss her everyday. She gave me alot of gifts during her time here (non material mostly) and I will treasure the memories. Grandpa was gracious enough to give me this

I had a hellish time capturing him yesterday. I am by no means a photographer unlike most of the bloggers out there. I have an outstanding camera, and completely lack the skills to use it properly, so I apologize for the blurry photo, but isn't he the cutest??? He sits on the ledge of my fireplace looking out at everyone. He is cast iron, and heavy heavy! He is a replica, but a photo of his prototype in the Home Companion Magazine, and I couldn't believe how close they were.

So much traveling was done these past couple of months. In addition to California, I also flew to Florida to visit with family and friends there for 10 days. It was great to see everyone, as I haven't been home since we moved here, about a year and a half. Ellie came away with a broken foot (triple fractured to be exact) and may require surgery. I still don't have a complete idea of how it happaned (I was still in Cali) but I know it involves the swimming pool and ledges that don't bend. Damn ledges. After we returned from FL, we all ventured on to NY...what a great time, although too short, we enjoyed it throughly!! We shopped, ate, shopped, shopped, ate, ate, hit a museum, central park....oh a we couldn't forget about this highlight....

Or these:

What a great time we had. On the second day, Patrick and I spent the day together (the kids were with the Grandparents who also came) and we had such a nice afternoon and evening. We shopped mostly in the east village, people watched, ate, walked around central park, it was great. OH!! and I got to go to the purl bee! It was really cool. Such a teeny shop with such beautiful fabric. Making choices there was painful and overwhelming. I actually got to meet Joelle, the shop co-owner who was so nice and helpful. I had a vision to replace the bottom of my dog shredded curtains with panels of coordinating fabric to salvage them. I settled on some blue and brown polka dots by Denyse Schmidt. I was really worried that I had finally had a chance you don't get often and I had failed and purchased the wrong fabric. Well...I you be the judge:

Again, TERRIBLE photo. Infact, I promise to replace this with a better photo that I can handle taking with my little point and shoot, but for now you get the idea. I'm pretty happy with the match. I have also moved out of my hubby's office and now occupy the spare bedroom closet. It's a small space but it accomodates a desk, sewing machine and all my scrapbooking supplies just fine. Pictures to come!Well....I guess that's it for now. Happy hump day!

xo Stephanie

Life is hard to swallow sometimes...

Sorry I haven't updated lately. So much to share and so much yet to do. Infact, I will keep this short as I have plenty to do! The kiddos left for FL early yesterday morning...I miss them already. Of course we are talking about me, so I waited til the last possible minute to pack them..of course the six loads of laundry I had to do beforehand had alot to do with that:) I was supposed to go to FL too on June 10th, but had to postpone it. My grandma in California is in renal failure (kidneys) and isn't expected to live much longer. My poor grandfather has opted to bring her home to pass away. She's had her health ups and downs but this was very unexpected. I am so sad as she was the grandma who was so nurturing when I was young, taught me how to sew, was always creating and just a pleasure to be around. Now she's going to be gone forever and I'm having a hard time with that.

I am flying out there Thursday and will be back June 23rd. Patrick is taking me out to dinner tonight since we won't really see eachother for quite a while. I will update more once I get to Cali, but for now this is what is happening.

On a different, lighter note, I found a lovely bird pattern for stitching in one of my craft magazines, I believe it was Creative Home. I plan to stitch it to some pillow cases. I am trying to find some crafty things to occupy my time and relieve some stress while I'm away.

Well, that's it for now...have a great rest of the week everyone!

School's Out!

Hi, sorry I haven't updated for a bit. I seem to of hit a busy spell lately, but with things that are fun and I don't mind doing. Today is the first day of summer vacation for the kids..what to do, what to do...I always have a hard time and feel guilty doing things around the house or stuff for myself when they are home, which is good for them, not so good for my housework! But in the end I suppose everyone wins. So let's see..what have we been up to...well I have been trying to get ready for the kids upcoming trip to FL. We went to a local camping store last weekend and bought them their own packs. They seem to be growing out of their little suitcases they've had since they were wee wee ones (now they've upgrated to just wee) I need to find some cool patches to tell their packs apart as they are the same color and style (they were the last two left in that size) I might eventually break down and purchase some from this little shop.

I made some chocolate chip pancakes which were quite delicious! Just follow your basic bisquick recipe for pancakes, but sprinkle a handful (Ellie will tell you 2 handfuls!) in the batter as the pancake is pour out and cooking on the first side, flip and VOILA! They are yum...no need for syrup...

As I type this Mr. Ethan is still sleeping, my little slug boy. Summer vacation is truly upon him! Ellie and I got up and made the little guy you see above. He's an owl...my sewing skills don't really reveal that very well but he his one. His name is Beanie...he's a barn owl, so I'm told.

Welp, I finally made it up to the community college to find out what I need to do to get started on a Dental Hygiene degree. Bad news...the waiting list in now into Spring of 2010! So, after some lengthy discussion Patrick and I agree that I will just start with Dental Assisting...this is a 2 semester degree and won't land me a SUPER lucrative career right away, but I will at least have my foot in the door and will be able to work in a Dental office and than go back to pursue hygiene once I'm chosen off the list. So maybe in 1-2 years I'll be working in a dental office! I secretly feel bad about choosing this major because I have the worst teeth..haha...I mean I look at sugar and get cavities!

I received my prints from The Black Apple yesterday...they are beyond lovely and make me happy every time I look at them.

And I close with a sweet picture and a cute story. Yesterday Ethan asked me if he could ride his bike to the corner store to buy a candy bar. Granted, you can see the store from our backyard, but this is a huge step for me. When he reminded me that there are kids younger than him riding their bikes up there and that he's almost nine...I gave in. What a tough thing, letting go. Anything could happen. But he's not a very trusting kid and we've really gone over and over the "Don't talk to Strangers" routine. I gave him my cell phone, showed him how to call me, made sure his helmet was tight, reminded him to look for cars and cross the street at the cross walk. "I know Mom." "I'll be fine, I promise." So, the minute he rode off, I bolted to the backyard to sneek a peek. About 3 minutes later, my phone rang..."I'm at Walgreens Mom." "I'm in line, and as soon as I pay, I will come back" he called me again when he left the store. When he came back, he was so proud. I think it really boosted his confidence that I trusted him. I can't believe he's going to be nine..sniff. sniff....

Now for the cute moment I was able capture last night....

Happy Happy Weekending Everyone!

Zona the beast and other rants...

Zona really needs some classes on proper doggy etiquette and manners. She really is quite bad. I caught her the act of destroying my tennis shoes and had to take a quick shot...sorry the pictures are so bad!

Here you can see the damage/evidence hanging above her head...bad dog! She's so lucky she's cute!

So, today I got word from the community college that the degree I was interested in pursuing (radiology) has a waiting list 4 years long! So, I think I've settled on dental hygiene...the wait time is a 2 years less...oh, how I wish I would of finished school, oh 11 years ago.

The kiddos are anxiously awaiting the end of their school year and the beginning of their summer vacation....only 2 more days! I know they are excited to visit family in Florida...but a month?? I know I will be ready for them to come back way before it's time!

Speaking of anxiously awaiting....I should be receiving some goodies from The Black Apple another Artist selling some stuff on Etsy. These are such adorable Etsy shops, Emily is so talented and so so creative. I also very addicted to her blog. Once I figure out how to post links to blogs I like, I will share. Lately I've been very interested in plush, and the gal at LookWhatICanDo has some fantastic plushies...they are so simple but so unique, and the fabric she uses is gorgeous. In addition to these goodies, Patrick got a message from an old friend he used to know in his church group...she's an artist and also has an Etsy shop...here is her link ...We really like her work so we purchased a couple prints. Can't wait to receive them!

Well, that's it for today...better go rescue Ethan's baseball from certain death......Zona!!!

Happy Tuesday!

Let the games begin...

Hi All,



Today I thought, "Why can't I have a blog?" I spend quite a bit of time that I shouldn't reading other blogs. I envy these bloggers as having a means to share with others their good times and bad, accomplishments, life events, opinions on politics, fashion, child rearing...Hey, life! Life is so fleeting so I might as well try and catch a few moments here and there, put em in my pocket and save em for a rainy, bloggy day! I am over a thousand miles away from any family, I don't make time to email updates or send letters. This is the answer...a way to communicate with each one of them and it makes me feel better about myself, as horrible as that may sound, or maybe it doesn't.



So, I start my new blog lovingly bestowed with the name that was created by two wonderful little people that live in my house. So Enjoy!