May I Help You?

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm doing custom scrapbooks now. It's something I've been thinking about doing for a while now. Take a look at my slide for examples of my work. I'd love to hear from you!

It's a Good Day!

Where do I start? Well, TGIF, right? I got to go to the CK Convention in Charlotte this morning...a little bit of kid-free time for me, AND Meghan decided she wanted to take a nap in the guest bed today, which means we might be out of the crib soon! She's such a big girl!

So I haven't blogged in a long time, huh? Guess I've been a little busy. Summertime is usually like that, though. I'm almost ready for school to start, even though Meghan's not in school, it means that everyone else gets back on a normal schedule, and so can we. Tim has almost a whole week off coming up in August. What are we going to do? HA! Yardwork, painting, cleaning up around the house, honey-do projects...he's going to wish he'd stayed at work!

Ready to bounce around from one random thought to another? Ok, so I went to the CK Convention today...WOW! This was my second time attending, and I'm totally brain dead now. I saw SO much stuff I feel like my eyes are buggy. I thought I was into scrapbooking big-time, but oh no...there are people out there who are WAY more into it than I am. They're the ones who go with groups of women who all dress the same, coordinate their watches so that they are first in line for the make-&-takes, they have schedules and lists of where they want to shop first, and if you get in their way...may the Lord help you! On the other hand, you can tell first timers by the "deer in the headlights" look. You'd do good to get out of their way, too.

So now I have to put away all the goodies I bought, which means reorganizing everything in my scraproom. Ugh. I need more space! ....hmmm, perhaps hubby could add another project to his list of honey-do's....

I Am One Lucky Lady

Wanna know why? My Husband. He's the best EVER. I don't tell him enough, really. Perhaps I should be writing this to him instead of to the oblivion that is the internet. But seriously, he's absolutely the best. Here's a very short list of why:

~ He works hard every day. Too hard, if you ask me. But I couldn't be a SAHM otherwise.
~ He never complains about my slack housework days.
~ He won't pitch a fit if I ask him to help out around the house, because of my slack housework days.
~ He likes mowing the grass. Whatever...
~ He gives me his extra cash instead of hiding it in his wallet. My dad used to call that "fishin' money".
~ He's the coolest dad in the neighborhood. Well, none of the other dads have skateboards...
~ He drives a beater every day while I get to drive the nice, new (well, sorta) SUV.
~ He is so great with our daughter. So great. I wish I could be like he is all the time.
~ He still brings me flowers.
~ He doesn't mind my scrapbooking addiction. I mean habit. I mean hobby.
~ He knows how to grill a steak exactly the way I like it. Because it is all about me, after all...
~ He hauled my childhood piano home on Valentine's Day. THAT'S love, people.
~ He's comfortable in an upscale restaurant, but he knows how to throw down, too.
~ He puts up with my decorating-redecorating-decorating-redecorating cycle.
~ He never complains about anything I buy, whether it's food, clothing, toys, or decorations (see above).
~ He tells me he loves me everyday.
~ He makes me laugh. Still.
~ He makes my heart smile : )

I could think of tons of other reasons, but those are the only ones I'm going to share! ; )
So to my dear husband, thank you for being SO supergreat. I love you!!!

Happy 4th of July!

Isn't it great that we live in a nation where people can have blogs? Isn't it great that we're allowed to speak our minds (brainfarts and all), exercise our rights (if not our thighs), and bask in the glow of freedom? My grandfather, father, father-in-law, brother and several brothers-in-law all served in the Navy (which, if you didn't know, stands for Never Again Volunteer Yourself) and sacrificed years of their lives and time away from their families to fight wars, run ships, and save soldier's lives. Why? So that the United States of America could be a nation for all citizents who seek freedom under its protection. All CITIZENS...

And here's where I'm going to get myself into a lot of trouble: I'm pretty sure that when those brave men were stuck in the belly of a submarine for six months, or saving wounded soldiers on the beaches of Vietnam, they weren't thinking about all those illegal immigrants who were enjoying the same freedoms as their families back home. Why is this country so blind to the fact that if they keep "doing what they're doing, they're going to keep getting what they're getting" as my Pastor would say? When is enough, enough? When our schools can't afford to stay open? When our healthcare system has gone to the dogs? When law-abiding citizens can't find jobs because it's cheaper to pay an illegal immigrant? Find me a President who'll shut down the borders and bring jobs back here, and you'll find me first in line at the poll.

This country was founded on freedoms other nations can only dream of having. However, they are freedoms intended for the citizens of this country. I love this country. I love living in my own house, going to my own church, and raising my daughter with my own values. So for that, I say, Thanks guys, for enduring months away from your families, horrible food, unimaginable stress, and crummy sleeping quarters. Perhaps Immigration and Naturalization Services should direct their clients away from the Welfare line and into the Armed Forces Recruiting center.

To all of my fellow American citizens, remember the women and men who have served and are currently serving in the Military. Now go eat your hot dogs, light off those fireworks, and have a good Fourth!

I'm Officially Old Now. Phooey.

Yesterday was my thirtieth birthday. Yikes. I used to look at thirty-year-olds and think, "Ugh. It must really stink to be THAT old." And now I'm THAT old. Goodbye, carefree days of being an irresponsible 20-something. See ya later, youth. So long, soft, supple skin. Hello eye creams, laugh lines, and checking the box that now says "30-49". Great. I don't feel any different today, though. And I don't look any different, either. I'm not dumb enough to think that I would wake up this morning and suddenly have grey hair and age spots. Just give it time, though...

So my wonderful husband bought me a birthday cake and had a lovely sentiment written on it, "Happy 30th Birthday Jennifer", except that the genius at the grocery store misspelled my name and forgot to cross the T and dot the I in Birthday. No biggie, I think my hubby was more upset about it than I was. We gladly shared the cake with our neighbors, because I certainly don't need to eat it all by myself. Add "weight gain" to the list of anticipated ailments listed above.

God still loves me, though; an older gentleman with a landscape company just rang the doorbell (twice, while Meghan's napping, of course) and asked if my parents were home. If he wasn't so sweaty and gross, I would have kissed him. Well, probably not, but it made me smile inside.

As I reflect back on my youth, I want to pass on a little bit of advice to anyone under 30 who might be reading this: Enjoy it! You'll never be 20-something again! Live life, but be responsible. Quit smoking and and getting sloshed every weekend...it's not cool or attractive. Value each friendship, too many are lost for lack of trying. THANK your parents. You'll need to hear it when you're a parent someday. And buy stock in anti-aging cream because you'll need that someday, too!

The Beach Bums Are Back!

Well, we're back from our beach trip, all tanned and tired! It really was a relaxing week. Meghan actually slept this year (naps, too!), so neither of us had to go sleep in the car like last year. The food was awesome, we even managed to get one date night, too!

As I was sitting on the beach one day, I was thinking about vacations, how they cleanse the body, soul and spirit. I dug my toes deeper into the sand, and scrubbed off the winter-ness like a snake sheds its skin. Cleansed. I watched Meghan and a hundred other kids dig holes and build sand castles, marring the perfect flatness of the sand. And remembered that in a few hours, the sea would reclaim it all, cleansing the beach for the next round of visitors. It's amazing how fast the day-to-day chaos is washed away. Ok, that's my philosophy for the day.

So now it's back to the daily grind. Which isn't all that bad, really. : )

Whew! Can I Hit the Pause Button Now?

Is life ever going to slow down, or is this what it is? I can't take this much excitement! The past couple of weeks have been super busy, but the best part was I had a friend in town for the week after Memorial Day and we had a most enjoyable time! The crop went well at www.memorybookinspirations.com, I got some recent photos scrapped, and I'm learning how to use my supercool new fandangled machine, a Craft Robo. Ever heard of it? Well, I've done two things so far. Yeah, I know.

So this week I have some time to breathe and get ready for vacation the week after that. I love vacation. It's not because I get time off "work", it's just that my work location has changed to somewhere way better. I still get to do laundry and cook and clean and take care of Meghan, but somehow being at the beach makes it OK. Besides, we're going with family, so it's totally cool. DH and I might actually get a date night in there somewhere!

This week we're having a patio poured in the back yard. This has been three weeks in the making. Our yard was graded on Tuesday (it's now Sunday), the framing should be done tomorrow, and the concrete won't be poured until Friday. Then we leave for vacation. Should be good and cured by the time we get back. Sigh...delayed gratification stinks.

May I digress? I just have to give props to my mom. She's always helping out people in need, whether it's giving them a ride to the grocery store, picking up a package of diapers, working at the food pantry at her church, or looking after my Aunt. My mom's not rich, but often helped out her neighbor with groceries or other errands. And when she came over on Memorial Day with her newborn, I could see the joy in my mom's eyes and you can't put a value on that. It's a little late for Mother's Day, but I just have to say, Mom, you have touched so many people's lives in ways that they'll never be able to express. It might get old, hearing my Aunt's ranting and raving, or driving people around town, or feeling like you're being too nice, but trust me, people appreciate the little things you do for them!

They always say "You become your Mother". Most of us roll our eyes and groan. Well, ok, maybe I've done that once or twice. But I don't think being a little bit like my mom is such a bad thing...