That I Would Be Good

Rosie Posie birthday gift

Happy Friday!! Today is Friday the 13th....Are you superstitious? Today is actually my sister's birthday. She was born on Friday the 13th as well. My *much* older sister...hahaha. She's five and a half years older than me, and I never let her forget it!

She's sliding very quickly into the big 4-0 (next year), which is strange because I am only 26! Ha!

I've done a lot of reflection in the past year or two, on myself and those in my life. I know my sister isn't someone that I may have chosen in life, as we don't have a lot of common interests, but I am so glad she was chosen for me. She was absolutely my best friend growing up, she took care of me in so many ways. If anything happened to me (trust me, I got myself into some crazy situations), she was the first to (sometimes literally) pull me out. We never really fought a lot, I think because we are far apart in age. We were always in different stages of life until adulthood.

Our regular routine is she calls me when she leaves work in the mornings, which means I am usually on my way into work. We chit chat and gossip, then she goes to bed and I start work. I find myself looking forward to her "Enjoy the rest of your day" before I start work in the morning.

I like this photo of her. Taking a sip of coffee, with a smile in her eyes. We're not really a mushy sappy family, but I love her and like her a lot. Through all the crap I've been going through in the past few years, she absolutely has been there to listen, not judge, and help however she can. I appreciate that more than she knows.

On one of our morning chats, she mentioned in passing that she wanted to read some of the "classics" that she never got to read in school. I thought this would be a great opportunity for a birthday gift! I went to Barnes and Noble and got her Catcher in the Rye, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and.... Great Expectations. I think. Now that the gift is wrapped and in the mail, I can't remember the fourth book I got. Whatevs. It was in the Classics section. I know it was well known. Anyhoo.

Even though she doesn't live that far from me, we don't see each other all that often. So I decided to mail this to her so she can hopefully open it on her actual birthday instead of waiting until the next time I see her. I wrapped the books in kraft paper, tied them with twine, and put some die cut Rosie Posie flowers on them with pop dots. I made a bookmark and card to match. The bookmark is laminated (with my Xyron) so it will hopefully stand the test of time!

The 'Danielle' stamp I've had for years. We got them maybe 20 years ago?? Of course I had to have one special ordered for my name! Not that I'm bitter or anything....

Happy 39th birthday to my sister Danielle!

May 1st

May is shaping up to be a super busy month. Good things, bad things, in between things. I don't even know how to prioritize them!

In no particular order...

Bailey's leg has been bothering her for the past few months. She had a barely there limp about three months ago. It wasn't after she ran, but only after she ran, then rested. After a few weeks, we took her to the vet. The vet said he didn't feel anything, she wasn't sensitive to the touch, really rest her for two weeks, start her on anti-inflammatories. See how things look after two weeks. X-rays are always an option.
Two weeks later, she seemed to be okay. We kept her out of daycare, tried to keep ball playing to a minimum. Then after two days back at school, the limp came back. So we decided to try x-rays. Before they did the x-rays, the vet's office wanted us to see the more experienced ortho vet. So we did. He didn't feel anything, no breaks, no tears, no crunching, not sensitive to the touch. Let's try a good two months of rest and anti-inflammatories. That was about two weeks ago.
Then yesterday morning I took her downstairs to go out in the morning. She started running around the yard like a crazy dog, which isn't unusual. Then she yelped and jumped up the steps holding her back paw off the ground, still yelping. I yelled for Ray to come downstairs. I think that was the last bit of her ligament really tearing. It was 6:55 am. I called the vet's office and asked when they opened, which was at 7. We got her in for a 9:45 appt. At the vet, they are almost positive she's got a ligament tear. Possibly MCL or ACL. We take her tomorrow for a full evaluation and see what is recommended. It will probably be surgery. I'm thinking postively, she is so young and full of energy. I know she will do great after surgery. But in the meantime she is just getting really depressed. She's not herself and I hate that. I am giving her many many kisses and snuggles, mostly because she can't run away from me! She is going up and down stairs okay (I stick by her to help if she needs it) and jumped up in bed with me a few times last night.
She is my baby girl. Here she is relaxing in the basement. This makes me giggle.

Next up...I'm hoping to get a new job with my bff. We worked together years ago (it's where we met) and became bffs. THis job is not only fit for my experience, it's what I like to do, it's literally three minutes from my house, AND my bff works there. It literally could not be more perfect. There have been a couple really good signs, but I've got several steps to get through first. So good thoughts for that are appreciated.

We're also doing a round of IUI this month! Ray had a doctor's appt the other day and had very promising test results. So as soon as Aunt Flo makes an appearance, we're starting on the drug regimen. And by we, I mean me. But Ray takes meds every day and is great about it. I am horrible about taking pills regularly, so I really appreciate his dedication. We'll do the injectibles again this time around, since we had three good eggs last time. So with Ray's improved results and my good response to the injections, we're hoping for the best.

Michael's Confirmation is the 13th and Nicky's Communion is the 14th. Ray has Youth Sunday the 15th. I have the GMA Arts Festival on the 21st. And we're going to a Phillies game on the 24th.

Oh boy. This is going to be crazy! But I like it. I hate being bored.

Kitchen Purge!

So over on I Heart Organizing, Jen has a challenge for April going on. Project Purge!!! I have recently realized that we've been in our house nearly FIVE years. Wow, time flies. And in those five years, there are some things that we have not touched since we moved in. I know, it's shameful. But I'm not alone out there.

Working at a CPA firm means the first two weeks of April are super busy. Even for admin staff. So I just started the purge process. I started in the kitchen. I didn't take any photos of the before unfortunately. But here are the items I'm purging!

Old George Foreman Grill
Tons of unused glasses/mugs/cups

 

Then I attacked the junk drawer. I remembered to take the photo when I had all the stuff from the drawer out on the counter/stove.

And here's the organized drawer. Not the best, but much better than before!

And here's all the trash out of that drawer

I definitely want to continue the purging process. Pots and pans are next. And our pantry/food cabinets. Nothing is safe!

Happy Valentine's Day

Ray and I are not much for Valentine's Day, we never really have been. But I saw a cute idea on Becky Oehler's blog where she explained the story of how she and her husband met and got married. So I thought I would share as well.

Ray and I met in October 1996. I was a freshman at Immaculata College, living in DeChantal room 268. My next door neighbor (room 269) were two girls named Susan and Maribeth.

(side note - there were three rooms in a row of freshman music majors - me and Meredith, Susan and Maribeth, and Deanna and Stef. What is up with that housing dept?? Meredith and I were the only ones that graduated.)

Susan also lived in my hometown, about 30 miles away. She went to public school and a different church than me, so our paths had never crossed. So in October, two guy friends of Susan's were coming to Immaculata to hang out. Trust me when I say, there is zero to do at Immac. So we did what any teenage girls would want to do - we went to the mall. Maribeth and I wanted to get our ears pierced.

Ray was one of the guy friends that came with us. He walked in the dorm with a seatbelt around his waist. Outside of the car (obviously). I thought he was an idiot. Not funny at all. (I still don't think that was funny)
And things got worse as the night went on. He thought I was bitchy (I was) and I thought his jokes were stupid (some of them were). So that was that. I do remember I was wearing this gray fleece skirt that I loved. And I did get my ear pierced, thankyouverymuch.

Over Christmas break, Susan called me (remember, we lived in the same town) to go shoot some pool with her and some friends. Ray included. I don't know what happened, but I guess we started talking and somehow started getting along.

Sometime in January, he came out to Immac to see me - he was living at home with his parents while going to school - and our first official date was to see Romeo and Juliet - the Leonardo and Clair version - at the horrible movie theater near school. THen we went to Dennys. I know, so romantic.

And from pretty much that point on, we were together. Talking every day, together every weekend, etc etc etc.

Here's one of our very first photos together. We were on the Atlantic City boardwalk. We were both 19, so we couldn't go in the casinos!

We got engaged in November 1999. I don't remember the exact date but it was before Thanksgiving. I was student teaching at the time. Ray surprised me in my dorm room. I opened the door and he was there on his knee.

We moved in together in April 2001 and got married on April 20, 2002. So that means 9 years this spring.
Here we are on our first anniversary. Which was kind of not good because Ray's grandparents both passed away days (PopPop) and hours (Grandma) before this photo. ANd it was Easter Day.

We bought our first house in September 2006 and got our little Lab Bailey in December 2006. We'd love to add to our family, but it hasn't exactly been in the cards for us yet. But we'll see. No matter what, we have each other. We have been through thick and thin in our 15 years together. Sometimes all in the span of a few months! But every day I get to wake up with him is one I am thankful for.

I wish I had some more pics on this computer...We've been to seven countries together, we've been through friendships, jobs, homes, cars, bills, fights, and so many hugs and kisses. There's no one else I'd rather go through this life with!

When in Rome

Get some wine ready because this movie is literally full of cheese.

Kristen Bell is typical career woman who loves her job more than a man. She's an art curator. She goes to Rome for her sister's wedding, takes four coins from a fountain, falls in love with Josh Duhamel, fights it until she realizes that she loves him more than her job, The End. It was total cheese. Even the acting was terrible.

Italy was pretty though. Love it there.
If you are somehow sick or paralyzed and stuck on your couch and this show comes on the tv and you can't reach the remote? Okay, watch it. Otherwise, go do something fun like clean the toilet or shovel the 6 inches of snow outside.

Birthday Boy!

Today is my husband's birthday! Happy birthday to my baby!

Here we are in the pool in Jamaica this past Thanksgiving. I don't have many photos on this computer...

Here we are in St. Mark's Square in Venice for Thanksgiving 2007. You can see the pigeons in the background, which you could buy feed to put on yourself so they would land on you. Uh, no thanks.

My husband is the best friend I've ever had. The only person on earth that I can be myself with. The only person who supports me no matter what. There is nothing I would rather do than spend time with him. He is the funniest and goofiest person I know. But I love him for that and what is behind all that. He's very smart, so caring, opinionated, and up for just about any scheme I come up with.

For his birthday this year I got him tickets to Avenue Q, which we have talked about going to for a long time. I hope he is surprised. I got him tickets to A Bronx Tale on Broadway a few years ago and we had a great time. The Avenue Q show is in Wilkes Barre in March.

I also plan to surprise him at Confirmation class with a sweet treat, then make a nice dinner for him at home this weekend. I hope my actions can be a small gesture as to how much he means to me.

Snow Dog

Here in the Philly suburbs, we got over a foot of snow last Saturday. Bailey LOVES the snow. She would be out there rolling around all day if I let her. Since Ray was away, I took some pictures and video of her to show him and make him miss us. I'm pretty sure it worked...

My absolute favorite part of this video is the still shot where she has the crazy eye!!! It makes me laugh EVERY time!

I know it's been quiet...

But I haven't had too much going on lately! I'm still cranking out the cards and enjoying it. I have tons of pictures to share of my latest creations, but my camera is upstairs!! One of my tasks for this weekend is to get the pics onto my computer and get some posts on here. I am REALLY looking forward to the long weekend.

I haven't been shopping much lately (trying to save up for the PTI releases) but I did get some cute stamps from The Greeting Farm at a local scrapbook store this past weekend. My coloring is definitely getting a workout!

I've also been trying to get to bed early this week, since I've been so tired in the mornings. I can feel myself falling asleep while driving to work in the morning, which is NOT good. Since traffic is so light in the summers, I will stop in the park near work and nap for 20 minutes when I'm early enough. But then I am tired all day. So I've been trying to get to sleep by 10. Another reason I am looking forward to the weekend!

I just finished two cards tonight, and I am heading up to bed soon. zzzzzz!!

PS - I am also adding the Pink Cat Studio blinkie to my blog, can't wait to see their fall release!

Long time, no post...

I'm getting back into the swing of things after a very long, very nice, very air-conditioned three day weekend. Our central A/C has been broken for over a year. And we somehow figured we'd wait to get it fixed. And wait. And wait. Until like the hottest week of the year yet. Thankfully the parts needed came in and it was fixed on Thursday. It makes for MUCH better sleeping, even though Ray had rigged up the fan treatment (18 inch fans on both sides of the bed on high speed). Bailey is much happier.

On the crafty side, I have been really digging the cards lately. I have been having such fun with it. Sometimes I borrow ideas from all the blogs and galleries I visit, but hey, that's the point right? No one I give the cards to knows where the ideas come from, so I happily take the compliments and move on!! lol

I lifted this card from the FAB Nichole Heady. I made this card as a thank you for Ray's boss. She had a bunch of people over from work for a cookout. They have this great house in the woods near Valley Forge Park, complete with their own pond. Their house is beautiful and they have an entire WALL of books. Literally floor to ceiling. Love that.
 
She loved the card. Sent me a thank you for my thank you.

That then led to making a set for my boss for her birthday. She is retiring in a few months and I will miss her a lot. :( My boss is a great lady who has been so nice to me and so understanding in a lot of situations. She is kind and compassionate and just an overall good person. Sorry for the horrible pics of this. I made it all at the last minute (typical) and I was taking these on the kitchen table five minutes before leaving for work.

These cards are all Papertrey Ink products. I used the new Vintage Picnic sets, released in June. I am loving this set (the stamps and the cards I made!). I did a lot of coloring with Copics with this, and I really learned a good bit by trial and error. I think the apples looked the best. I also learned that if I didn't like something, I put it to the side and came back later. It usually looked better when I came back to it after I had some perspective.

Thanks for looking!

Catching up

This weekend was very nice. Saturday night we went to a graduation party with the best food ever!! They had Chinese, Mexican, cheesesteaks, ziti, sausage and peppers, etc etc. Literally it was neverending. And the best part, the margarita machine! I had some from the daiquiri side.
Saturday night we went downtown to the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater and saw 11th Hour Theatre Company's production of Avenue X. It was great! We actually saw Avenue X about 10 years ago at the Wilma Theatre and really liked it. The production of 11th Hour did not disappoint. One of the co-founders is a friend of mine from grade school! We have been friends since fourth grade and recently reconnected on Facebook.

Sunday my parents came over for dinner, my dad seemed to really like his gifts. Especially the alcohol! I love him lots and can't wait for my kids to have him as a grandfather. He's a good one.

Tomorrow I have jury duty in my home county. I know it's a civic duty and a privilege and all, but BLARG. Just having to drive there and pay to park and all that jazz is a PITA. I'm *hoping* I will be able to just sit and read and hopefully will get dismissed early. I'm definitely bringing my Kindle.

And finally, a card to share. Unfortunately, a friend's son-in-law passed away this weekend after a fairly routine procedure. This is a friend that is active in the youth group with Ray. So I thought it would be nice to do a card with scripture.
The card base and the scallop circle are actually cream colored, though they look white. Have I mentioned how impatient I am to get the lighting all figured out down here in the basement? We are going to the lighting store on Thursday night and hopefully it won't be much longer!

Supplies:
Cardstock: PTI cream
Patterned Paper and button: Basic Grey
Stamps: Verve
Ink: Memento London Fog and Tuxedo Black
Ribbon: PTI Plum Pudding
Tools: Fiskars scallop punch and nestabilities