A place to be free

It's been forever!

2008-02-12T21:24:00.002-06:00

since I posted here, or used this.

Tonight I'm home alone with the kids, well I was-they went to bed two hours ago. James is off at poker. I had intended to try to get some scrapbooking done while he was gone (I always feel less guilty about taking the time for me, if he's already not here than if he's home and I go off to do it) but ended up fixing this up as I had a fall theme on it when I last posted, doing some Mothers of Multiples stuff and editing and printing some photos.

I finished off the pistachio cake I made Friday. James had a few bites of a slice one night, didn't like it. I didn't love it, but it was OK. So I've eaten the entire cake myself. Shame!

Tomorrow I need to work on a Valentine's Day gift for James from the kids. Hopefully it goes well. Last time I tried something simillar it didn't work out at all.

Well James came home, and so I think I'll stop and try to get a visit in with him before bed.

2007-01-15T11:58:00.001-06:00

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
The Northeast
The Midland
Philadelphia
The South
North Central
The West
Boston
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

2006-11-16T21:40:00.001-06:00

http://www.myheritage.com

2006-09-29T08:01:00.000-05:00

So it's Friday, and I have off work today. Mainly because I have to use my
vacation time or I lose it. So with the exception of October, I have off every 2
weeks. I would have so in October, but it's our anniversary and James' birthday
and my co-worker (we are the only two people who know how to do a particular job
for our facility) her daughter is expecting on the 6th, so she took off that day
and the following week, to go see the baby. SO that's a bit 'off' month.

So, my plan for today or this weekend perhaps is to check all the items off
the following list;

~~1pm furnace appointment~~

BOO HOO! We need a new furnace. Well we can replace the parts,
but it'd be smarter to just replace it said the guy who came out to check
it. We'll see how that pans out. We were prepared for the possibility,
because the furnace is as old as our house 19 years old. We are going to get
a second opinion which is in the works, otherwise I guess we'll buy a new
one.

~~clean all the bathroom surfaces and bowls~~ - lower
level, kamie's, james's

~~sweep all the floors in the house which are sweep-able~~

~~swifter all the swept floors~~

Vacuum all the carpeting in the house

pledge/dust all surfaces in all rooms ~~living room~~, ~~kitchen~~,
~~family room~~, ~~master bedroom~~, spare bedroom
and extra bedroom

windex all glass and mirror surfaces, including pictures living
room, ~~kitchen~~, ~~family room~~, master
bedroom, spare bedroom and extra bedroom

~~wash the dishes~~

~~prepare dinner~~ *** or not, going out with friends ***

~~address and sign 5 Christmas cards~~, the 'note' will be
done over t-day before mailing (I plan to try to do 5 a week so it's not
such a daunting task come t-day)

~~move scrapbooking stuff from car back to my room~~

organize said scrapbooking stuff and put away

create 10-15 cards for work scrapbook style

get together items for last cake class starting Tuesday

buy any items not already purchased for said cake class

start on haunted house, ghosts, vines and letters for the bulletin board
at work, ~~gathered ideas online~~, purchases items,
design/cut/decorate

start designing calendars for xmas gifts, ~~month headers~~,
layout, paper choices, binding method

organize and cleanup the extra bedroom that's currently just a dumping
ground

I expect to add some items to the list during the day but for now I better
get a move on.

Update: James is going to a poker game on Sunday- well at least he was going
to prior to our furnace discovery, so I think I can get quite a bit done while
he's gone or even I guess, if he's home.

2006-09-24T14:40:00.000-05:00

You scored as Art. You should be an Art major! How bohemian!

Art

83%

Sociology

75%

Mathematics

67%

English

67%

Psychology

67%

Philosophy

58%

Theater

58%

Journalism

58%

Engineering

58%

Anthropology

58%

Dance

50%

Linguistics

50%

Biology

50%

Chemistry

33%

What is your Perfect Major? (PLEASE RATE ME!!<3)
created with QuizFarm.com

2006-09-12T20:19:00.000-05:00

I am so addicted to Beanpod Soy Beads. I have the burner in the photo and three scents, McIntosh Apple -for the kitchen, Cinnamon Bun -for the family room and Lime Cooler-for the bedroom. I have some others by different brands that aren't soy but I really like these soy ones best.

James is out playing poker again tonight. he went to some new place last night, and he could only go tonight if he won last night- which he did. He was even nice and shared his winnings with me.

I started working out some specifics for my scrapbooking room redesign. I already have a space all my own for it, but I want it to look more put together.

Now: the messy version

Anyhow, I spent all that time searching for ideas and I really hope that I am able to come as close to it as I want. I don't know when I'll redo it, but it's fun thinking about it.

I made Potato Soup for dinner on Monday. I had put together the items into my slow cooker on Sunday night and it was so yummy when we did have it. I ended up having it as leftovers for lunch today.

I think I may put together something for tomorrow in it as well. If I can find a good receipe.

Uneventful Weekend

2006-09-10T21:03:00.000-05:00

We had a lowkey weekend here. I really can't remember Friday night... so it really was uneventful.

Saturday I talked James into trying a place out for lunch, we'd been there for breakfast with friends before (they introduced it to us) but I'd been wanting to try out lunch. I ended up getting breakfast afterall as I had ordered a Steamer. James got some chicken salad sandwhich though and enjoyed it.

We went to the zoo in our town then- they have about 15 animals maybe. It's not very big, but cute nonetheless. We had a talk about our future and plans and such. We stopped at Pier 1, as they are closing in our town. We didn't find anything to get though.

I had a headache all day so I layed down when we got home. After resting some I was able to start to feel better, I rang my cousin and started to get my scrapbooking stuff together. It took me an hour :(

We ran to get subs and then I headed to her house. I had a great time catching up with my cousin and seeing her daughter too. It's been quite a while since I last did. I left around 11:45pm and got home around 12:30am.

My favorite Layout:

Sunday was another lazy day. It's been raining on and off all weekend, with the most rain today. Friday night I remember, we watched Playmania, and a storm blew thru. We both fell asleep on the sectional.

Back to Sunday. I made us breakfast and we did a few things around the house, and that's about it. Later I made cookies:

That's about all here.
We go into work early tomorrow, I was going to goto a scrapbooking weekend the 15-17 but I'm not sure anymore. None the less I changed my hours so I could if I wanted to.

I've spent most of tonight making cookies, listening to James play with a co=worker on Xbox live and browsing the scrapbook rooms at twopeasinabucket.com - dreaming of how I'll redo mine.

2006-09-06T21:17:00.000-05:00

Kaitlyn's Promise

A fellow poster on a scrapbook site I frequent recently lost her neice, she was dusting in the bathtub and passed out and drowned. The ribbon is in memory of her and for awareness of a growing problem.

2006-08-22T21:16:00.000-05:00

Virtual Shopping night

- Lolita Pumps

- AE Shortcut Cardigan

- Woods Cove Hoodie

- Logo L/S Henley

- Straight Cord Skirt

- Courdory Trench Coat

- Kate Spade Merrywood Baylor Purse

And now I must go pay the bills.

It's been awhile...

2006-08-08T20:43:00.000-05:00

It's been a bit since my last post. I dont' really remember what's been happening too much... I started the following a week or so ago.. hopefully I don't repeat myself too much.

We were to James' company picnic at a baseball game this weekend, it's at a minor league baseball game every year. Before hand we went shopping. I had gone out the night before and got a few new clothes.

I'm home alone tonight, James is out playing poker. His new video game comes out tomorrow, so I'm preparing for some more alone time then.

Tonight I made myself some Mojitos and homemade mac & cheese, not sure it was the best combo. Nor was it probably wise to jump rope for 15 minutes a few hours later... but oh well. I am pretty sure I must have burnt like 230 calories, so that's a positive thing, right?

Sunday we hung out at home, nothing much going on at our house.

Monday night I Went to a friends baby shower, I wasn't going to be able to make it originally because of something work was doing... thankfully they cancelled it. I was very glad to have gone, Michelle and Matt are great and I'm so happy for them.

I've been trying REALLY hard this week to get in my fruit and veggie servings each day. It's hard... and really sweet as far as the fruits go. Hopefully it'll pay off. Today I had a banana, about 10 strawberries, a plum and then a salad full of veggies. yesterday I had some cherries and I think that was it, but I did have a large salad. I think it's wrecking havoc on my tummy though... I am not sure why but it feels like a constant tummy ache, like when I had my ulcer. I didn't think strawberries, bananas and plums had much acid in them. Hmm.

That's about all for now, it's 10:15 and James just rang a few minutes ago, I missed it since I don't get the best signal with the cell phone in our family room. Anyhow, he's playing another game, so I'm off to bed.

~~~~ started last week ~~~~

We haven't been up to too much I suppose. I've been having some bad days at work, I just don't want to be there anymore. Not because anything is wrong with where I work- I just feel stressed there. It's not fun to go in anymore, and is feeling more and more like work everyday. There is so much tension in the air.

I've been busy with my cake decorating classes, I'm really enjoying it. I do wish they'd have said how much it would cost before signing up, but it's not like it's not an investment.

Except it means every Monday night, sometimes Sunday I'm making a cake and frosting. I'll be glad when we have a break before the second course. Tomorrow is my last day in the first course, then the 2nd course starts the 12th. Yippee.

So that's what I did Monday night, that and tried to get this posted and somethings online taken care of. I didn't succeed in all I set out to do, but ah well.

Here's my linkage for the week:

I was thinking about learning a new language. I took 1 year of Spanish in high school, but never got to take more since I didn't go back. I read about this site Berlitz Publishing which has downloadable lessons to my MP3 player. I could learn while at work or running. Hmm. They are pretty resonalbe as well, with some costing only $9.

Pixelgirlshop, a very cute on-line store. I'm a fan of the Killer Penguin tote or the Mod Circles Francie Bag. But what caught my eye first was the Mod Auto/Home Air Fresheners. I see the green one hanging from my rear view mirror.

There was an article in my For Me Magazine entitled "I'm Keeping My Name". According to theknot.com ony 81% of respondants changed their name when they got married. Wow. I have yet to meet an individual who did not change their name.

Personally I prefer my husbands name to my own last name, not because it's better... because my madien name gives me the initials of KLM, like the letters of the alphabet go, whereas now I am KLB. More though, because I think it's a sign of respect and honour for him and our relationship. Just me 2 cents of course.

A store I'd love to spend some cash in Uncommon Goods. My favorites are; Inspirational Vases, Peace Cannot Be Achieved Through Violence.." Canvas, for work a Staple-less stapler, and for the expectant friend.

The 25 Most Important Questions in the History of the Universe is quite interesting.

2006-07-23T17:56:00.000-05:00

So we had a good weekend. We babysat for our friends kiddos on Friday night, it was Jodi's birthday. Drew & Fiona were angels, other than Drew being sneaky and asking to use toys that she wasn't supposed to be allowed to, but her parents forgot to tell us. They got home from the movie and asked if they played with them, and noted they forgot to tell us. :) Hehe, she ended up confessing in the morning.

Saturday we went and saw Clerks . Having just watched the original Clerks the previous weekend for the first time. This one is good, there are a few scences that are really good but you really have to like that kind of thing to find the humor in it versus the sickness.

I'm making a b-day gift for James' mom today-her birthday is the 31st, so I really need to get it in the mail tomorrow.

James has to go to Madison-the state capital for work tomorrow, he'll be gone thru early Tuesday morning. He gets to install the new software he wrote for a clinic. IT's pretty neat, I think this was done just by him, the software I mean, so that's exciting.

That means though that I am going to end up taking the bus home. I could have asked for a ride from a co-worker but I think I'm going to paint James' bathroom while he's gone and plus I get to make a cake for my third cake class.

Stole from Jennie & Juls sites. I need pro, so I can have more sets. Hehe

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life For Me...

2006-07-09T16:05:00.000-05:00

James and I went to see Dead Man's Chest with a co-worker/friend of mine and her boyfriend on Friday night. Good thing we'd gotten advance tickets, or I'm not sure we'd have been able to see it at all.

It was AWESOME! As you can see I must have liked it, and Johnny Depp is my new layout. Hehe. I've been quite the slacker in terms of my webdesign lately. I just haven't the time or the desire so much, the effort seems too great.

The rest of our weekend has been uneventful. James hasn't been feeling the best so we tried to stay close to home. I left once yesterday to get us some ice cream from Culver's. Mmm, Carmel Cashew. Delicious.

I did get a LO done yesterday night.

Be Yourself. The world will appreciate the originality.

James is currently busy watching the final of the World Cup. He's cheering for France. I came on-line in hopes of getting some ideas for the contest I want to try to enter.

In other news, we worked on getting together the documents to file for Naturalization for James. He could have applied officially back in March but there really was no hurry, but with the impending border crossing law for 07' in Canada we thought it might be time to start it. If something happened to his mother I don't know how he'd feel about the possiblity of not being able to go back and see her. Plus it'd just be nice to be able to go and not carry that green card around anymore.

So we got everything filed out, documents together, check written. He just needs to review the papers and make copies and then get his photos done and it'll be off.

We had lunch and stoped at Target where we got a footrest.

New Footrest, originally uploaded by ~Kamie~.

We got a steal on a ottoman for our family room. It was tagged at $30 but rang up at only $15.

I'm thinking about taking a class at the local craft store, we'll see.

I want or plugs;

- Yak Pak Purse
- The 265 day Brown Dress Project comes to an end.
- Going to try to get thru 1001 books to read before you die list. Try I said.
- While Walmart is sorta crummy, no one can resist free samples. I've gotten 4 free mini size shampoos already, yey for traveling. Plus other things.
- Spoofee another free/coupon site.

Happy Fourth of July!

2006-07-04T16:34:00.000-05:00

Whew, it's been a long weekend here.

Friday night I went out with some co-workers for dinner and drinks. We've just finished up a huge job at work. I work for a national bank, in the Commercial Loan Servicing Center. Basically it's where all their Commercial Loans within our side of the footprint (there is another site in Portland that does the same thing for other banks), are processed. Specfically I work within the area of UCCs: Uniform Commercial Code. Or ~ A Set of laws regulating commercial transactions, especially ones involving the sale of goods and secured transactions.

Anyhow, 5 years ago a bunch of lawyers came up with this thing called Revised Article 9. It was to try to uniformly across all state and counties, because prior to that everyone was just doing their own thing and you could talk to them in the morning and they'd say one thing, and call back in the afternoon and it'd be a different answer.

So, the anniversary of Revised Article 9 was July 1st 2006. That meant that all the UCCs were to be updated to reflect the new law, that happened July 1st, 2001. UCCs were good for 5 years in most counties and states prior to this law, so that was the set time to get everything where they belonged.

So, the previous years it was that filings can be continued within 6 months prior to expiration. So a filing due to expire on December 31st, 2006 can be continued from July 1st, 2006 thru December 31st, 2006. Except this year. This year EVERYTHING due to expire in 2006 had to be done prior to the anniversary, July 1st 2006. BUT nothing can be continued before 6 months. So we were working under stressful conditions.

So that was Friday. My friend brought me home and stayed a little... but we had to goto bed kinda early to get up for the Zoo the next day.

We had a great time at the Milwaukee Zoo with our friends and their kiddos. Our friends sister also met us there, with her son - they live in Milwaukee.

We were sad we didn't get to see the giraffes or the hippos or any of the shows but the kids were getting antsy, rightfully so though.

We got home and ended up hanging out here a while, their girls love our house and our kitty - probably just because it's different from their own. We ordered pizza and hung out some more before they took off (they live 25 minutes from us, so it was the kids bedtime).

I did a few things to get ready for our company the next day and made a few of the foods we were to eat. I ended up going to clean off our patio furniture, and was just cleaning along and then it started lightening and I figured I better go inside :)

THe cookout was nice, it was good to see the family and it'd been a while since Id' seen my brother. My uncle is doing well overall after the fire. He's trying to get things in order to have somone come and demolish his home. Then he already has someone lined up to buy the land and has settled with the insruance company for his replacement values on the home and belongings. After the house is gone and land sold he's going to start to look for a new place. Hopefully things move quickly as he'll be starting chemo in a month.

Here's me with my Uncle & Aunts doggie, Moxey.

My dad and his gf came as well. I like her, she's a different kind of lady but I do think she's good for my dad, at least what I've seen thus far. I think we aren't yet in a 100% communication level yet though.

We cleaned up after they left and I don't quite remember what we did the rest of the day. Hmm.

Monday we went shopping a bit. I got a new outfit - recently a Gap outlet opened and I've been wanting to update my t-shirt and jeans look to being more business casual. Here are my buys.

black overshirt and skirt from Gap, necklace from Kohl's and the white undershirt I had already from Target.

Target skirt & shirt

See more on my flicker account. which reminds me I don't have a link on this new one I don't think. Hmm.

James got a new video game and some shorts and shirt as well.

Today we picked up a shoe rack to replace our old system and so we could hang picture frame with two hooks for our coats by the garage door, which enters into the kitchen. Otherwise we walk thru the kitchen and onto the carpet in the living room.

I think I am going to go try to find some clothes.

aftermath

2006-06-12T20:35:00.000-05:00

We went to my Uncle's house on Saturday. He needed to inventory EVERYTHING in his house. It was not pretty.

When I posted previously he only knew what he saw from looking in from the outside. The house is pretty much all gone. The firemen broke 5 windows and all the smoke and flames went for the windows then.. so basically it's been decided by the city inspector as condemmed.

His house is gone.

We went thru have the house with him, with respirators and all to keep teh smoke out of our lungs. Then my brother and his girlfriend went thru the rest.

I'm putting it all into a spreadsheet with some prices for him.

It's so unreal.

He is set up in an extended stay hotel for now.... he came around for supper last night and we chatted. It's got to be so hard, walking away from where you've lived for almost 35 years. THE only place you've ever known.

It'll be strange not to go to that house, it wasn't wonderful or anything- in fact probably needed updating... but it was Uncle Randy's place.

He seems to be doing okay and just wants things to move quickly. Especially since he's starting chemo again in August.

Tonight James has a friend over watching the DVR'd World Cup games. I'm working on the spreadsheet so I can mail it to my uncle tomorrow.

Tomorrow a co-worker and I are going out to eat and then she's coming around our place. James is going to poker.

Wednesday, I want to recoup.

Thursday another friend and I are going out to dinner.

Friday ??

Saturday we were going to have my dad over, it's his b-day friday and with fathers day Sunday... but with the fire I don't know what they'll be working on at the house. It'll be my uncles responsiblity to demolish his house. :(

I plan to inventory our house more throughly when I have the time.. SOON. I know I couldn't name things I needed to if we were to have a fire. We have a TON of photos to go off from stored on-line but I don't know how accurate that might really be... as far as Model #'s and specifics.

2006-06-04T15:35:00.000-05:00

Sometimes life hands you obstacles.

Sometimes life throws you obstacles.

Sometimes life sends a grenade of obstacles to you.

This has been one of those 'times'.

James and I have had a few things going on recently-well a year and a half I guess now. Though those things seem a little trivial to what happend to my Uncle this week.

He has Luekemia. He was treated via chemo and went into remission.

HE went to the doctor on Thursday and his numbers are only 23,000 from having to do chemo again. He more than doubled his numbers from his last visit. So the Cancer is growing quickly. So he gets to go for a special test next month and then start Chemo again-as long as that test shows that it would be effective.

BUT, that's not the end of it.

Friday afternoon, his house burnt.

He isn't able to get back in yet and do anything because the insurance and city inspectors have to come and review it.

His appliances are all gone, washer, dryer, furnace and water heater, freezer and stove, fridge, microwave, ect.

His whole kitchen and bathroom will need to be redone completely and his mudroom where the w/d and freezer, water heater and furance were is gone.

Chicago

2006-05-31T21:29:00.000-05:00

James and I went to Chicago over the weekend... here are some shots and highlights, more to be posted on my flicker account when I have the time.

We started out the morning early- up at 6am and off by 7am. We went to the IKEA first in Schaumburg- dh hadn't been ever.

Then to our hotel; second building on the left- this is taken from the Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile) bridge.

Inside the room, as we were leaving, so the bed isn't made.

Out our room at the hotel;

Directly across from our hotel they are building a Trump .. hotel I guess.

OUr view down Michigan-

Then we walked;
Off to the Museum of Contemporary Art;
I dont' recommend it- we did see some Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe Andy Warhols but that was the only exciting part. Photography wasn't allowed inside, so this is the figure that was outside.

Next stop, John Hancock Building. We went to the Signature Room Lounge instead of paying $13 each for admission to the observatory- we paid $5 each for a soda and got to sit.

Navy Pier from the Hancock building

We walked down to Navy Pier then, but decided to go back to the hotel to check in offically.. We had just checked our bags at this point.

After checking in, dh changing and eating at Chipolte (we hadn't eaten since 10am and it was then 4:30) we went back to Navy Pier and walked around, we went on their 3d ride. Dh had never been on one, and it was fun but we were beat.

We went back to our hotel, we were giong to go on the boat tour but it was 7:44 and it left at 7:45 -after a phone call we learnt we were too late. I wanted to see the Fireworks at Navy Pier, but it wasn't worth it.

Our dinner at Bella Bacnio's -sp? Delcious!

We pretty much crashed after that. But we were up early again, by 5:30 - probably just because of hotel sounds.

We ate breakfast at the Corner Bakery and then we taxi'd to the Field Museum. You'd think the taxi guy would know which building was the Feild... but he took us to the Planetarium instead, then when we said no, he took us to Shedd, then finally the Field... it was only $10 so we didn't complain but didn't taxi again.

There was a big sign at this museum as well, no photography- but I kept seeing people taking some.... I got brave at the end and just snapped these two of the hall displays.. nothing from within the rooms/areas. We spent 6 hours here and didn't get to see half of what was there, not even factoring in King Tut which was a special thing.

Then we walked to the SHedd Aquariam- we had already seen the aquariam part, but not the dolphin show... but they wouldn't sell us just the show tickets... so we hung out outside and got a gentlemen to take our photo.

Then we headed to the Sears Tower. Dh had screwed up his knee earlier and was walking at a snails pace.

Millinneum Park from Sears

We got stuck in some nasty rain on the way home, and a storm-icky!! but it stopped in time for us to finally get a snapshot of this sign. We pass it anytime we leave WI on this highway.. the car is just some stranger in the way. It's the University of Lawsonomy.

2006-05-27T15:15:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd do a quick mini-update.

Not too much going on around here lately. I've been having a crummy week at work, or week and a half.. hopefully this next week will allow for some catch up. I think I may just have to learn the word "No, I can't handle another project at this time." But we are short a supervisor next week, as one is going on vacation - which is more than earned and deserving. It'll just put pressure on the rest of us too.

Thursday James and I got our haircut together- well he got a real cut and I just got some taken off to clean up the ends - it ended up costing almost $40 for us. Ugh! Insane- no wonder I don't go often. I do feel a difference in my hair though and it's nice and flowy now... though with the humidty lately it's a frizz ball.

Last night we went out with our friends Matt & Michelle as I posted we were going to previously. They are too cute. We went to Boston's for dinner, Matt & Michelle had never been, and then ended up seeing X-Men: The Last Stand. VERY good btw.

I'm busy being jealous about the scrapbooking rooms over at Two Peas. Earlier today I ran to the store, did the laundry and trimmed our bushes while James mowed the lawn. We also had a mini BBQ so I made James a yummy burger and us potato salad. I'm trying to clean out the fridge.

I am so looking forward to this long weekend. James and I both have off Tuesday as well so that'll be extra nice.

Not really what I wanted, but it's better than what I had.

2006-05-23T21:58:00.000-05:00

This font -is my handwriting, my friend made it for me. How cool is that??

Ok-- onward.

I couldn't stand the crazy pop up that was happening when I tried to see my blog from other computers... ugh. I'm sorry to everyone for that. I have a blocker and to tell you the truth I never notice when it blocks anymore. This is part of a template I did when I had Blog Salsa... my blogging template site. I haven't updated that in forever - and this one never made it up either.

I have some fine tuning to do, or maybe I'll just replace the template again soon. I just needed a fix on that. It was making me quite upset.

We've were busy this past weekend, we went a few towns over on Friday - we both got out of work early. We ended up picking up a CD/WMA/MP3 Player for our car, yey! I don't have a snapshot of that, which I'm pretty upset about too, I should have taken photos throughout the install - James did it himself. But instead I ended up mowing the lawn and then helping him but forgetting all about the camera and scrapping opportunities.

We ate out at Chili's - yummy and hit up the Mall. I ended up getting a few new clothes and James got a new shirt oh and we had Cold Stone Creamery for dessert.

I got two halter tops:

and some new pants - $10 can't go wrong, and a t-shirt

and then James' shirt

I also got some new serving/cooking silverware- I had a peice break, so we got some new ones at Cooks Corner.

Saturday we had McDona'ds for breakfast, I haven't had them in YEARs, like 5... and then we tried Rummage Sales - but I don't think we are good at it. I think it's since we don't have any kiddos or something. So we ended up heading to the Casino instead. James ended up winning $70 at the Blackjack table and I broke even at the slots. We then stopped and had Pancheros and went to a few stores.

I made James stop at Kohl's -as we don't have one, and I got these;

The turtle from Over the Hedge- which we are going to see with our friends on Friday.

and this cute little frame for in the kitchen

Back at home I don't remember what we did, but later James got us Jimmy Johns for dinner. We watched Hoodwinked I think and didn't do much of anything.

Sunday we weeded our yard, and had a BBQ, watched Derailed. Umm, that's about it.

James is out at poker still tonight, and I cleaned the house - great use of the time, right?

This is how Sampson contributed -

he must be keeping my spot warm, till I kick him out - just as soon as I straighten my closet... look at the mess. That top shelf = all my pants/skirts, shorts. Ugh!

I can't wait till this week is over. Work has been a bit, well not a bit, a lot stressful lately. We are seeing our friends on Friday night - see a movie, dinner. They are expecting their first, just found out on Friday it's a boy so I'm excited to chat about it to them.

and hopefully I dont' look too stupid in the photo but I snapped a shot the other day... ugh!

SnowPatrol - Hands Open

2006-05-16T21:13:00.000-05:00

My new favorite song -Hands Open by SnowPatrol

You can see the video and hear it here .

It's hard to argue when
you won't stop making sense
But my tongue still misbehaves and it
keeps digging my own grave with my

Hands open, and my eyes open
I just keep hoping
That your heart opens

Why would I sabotage
the best thing that I have
Well, it makes it easier to know
exactly what I want with my...

Hands open and my eyes open
I just keep hoping
that your heart opens

It's not as easy as willing it all to be right
Gotta be more than hoping it's right
I wanna hear you laugh like you really mean it
Collapse into me, tired with joy

[x2]

Put Sufjan Stevens on
and we'll play your favorite song
"Chicago" bursts to life and your
sweet smile remembers you, my

Hands open, and my eyes open
I just keep hoping
That your heart opens

It's not as easy as willing it all to be right
Gotta be more than hoping it's right
I wanna hear you laugh like you really mean it
Collapse into me, tired with joy

[x3]

Me want

2006-05-12T21:27:00.000-05:00

http://www.redenvelope.com/re/gifts/product_display/product_information.jsp?nc=1&oid=10834826&pcd=YAHOOR6&hpc=1&cm_mmc=Yahoo*Datafeed*n%2fa*n%2fa

2006-05-05T11:47:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting at home bored...

I made up some time earlier this week to be able to be home for an appointment with the Curbing people today over my lunch hour. They called 1/2 hour before the appointment and cancelled, some emergency with the crew. Which is okay I guess.... emergency is an emergency it does sorta suck though.

We wanted to get an estimate on putting up this custom curbing at our house.

Something like the following picture:

I'm getting ready to go shopping tomorrow and James might have some guys over to play poker. Well I'm going to grab some food and try to clean up the house a bit.

Yey you can see my posts now!!

2006-04-27T20:55:00.000-05:00

I realize that when you click on loves, me and tag it's all the tagboard, but I don't care at this point. I am just glad that you can read the blog again.

I had stuff to post, but I am so frustrated with why my template stopped allowing new posts.. I don't feel like it now :)

The next post is new- well it's not 'new' but it's new since it wouldn't post before. Read to see our great deal $13 for something that was supposed to be $50.

What a deal!

2006-04-20T19:39:00.000-05:00

We had a decent Easter weekend.

I had to take off Friday as I was thinking I'd have to see my doctor- but things for that got delayed, and then didnt' actually happen due to an emergency he had. Anyhow I got a lot accomplished here at home instead, since I wasn't sure if I'd need to go quickly to see the doctor or not. I ended up mowing the lawn for James, and got a nasty blister.

Later when James came home I talked him into going to another town to look for rollerblades. I'd been wanting to get into that again and all we have is a pair of James's that are 10 years old and don't really fit me right or him anymore either. We went to a new resturant as well, HuHot. Yummy, and they were super nice to completly clear off a spot on the grill for my stuff to be cooked, twice. Like the grill was shinning when they were done.

I tried the yellow belly curry and really liked it but it wasn't quite hot enough for me at only 2 flames, so I tried the Five Village Fire Szechuan at 4 flames, and it was actually less hot then the curry and I didn't like it as much with the tofu. It was really good and I'm sure we'll be back. It was a bit pricy at $12 a person plus soda. We were so pleased with the grill treatment I got though that we tipped (There is a tip jar up there for the 'chef's') $5 for their troubles. So all in all we spent almost $40 on our meal.

Then it was off to try to find the rollerblades, we tried Dick's, we tried Scheels, but they were pricy. Dicks no longer sells them, we tried Rogans, they didn't sell them. We first tried Toys R Us though, which had in their flyer 25% off, which was why I wanted to go in the first place.

Eventually we ended up back at Scheels and tried on some there, at the last minute I realized I might not be able to use them soon, so we'd better not spend $200 on these things - now at least.

So we headed home.

I honestly don't have a clue what happened on Saturday. Oh wait!! I remember, we thought I might get to see the doctor so we stayed around the house. I ended up reading my new magazine in the sun and fell asleep for an hour out there.

OUCH! I got burnt pretty darn bad, it still hurts today. :(

We went and got some supper later that night. Otherwise we stayed around the house.

Sunday we got ready to see the doctor, and the emergency happened so we ended up not being able to see him. WE went out to breakfast instead, yummy cheese tots at Burger King!

We ended up going shopping a bit then, we didn't really intend to find anything but got a smashing deal at Shopko.

A stool we've been wanting forever- well we'd been eyeing it at Target, but it was $50 and we weren't thinking we liked it that much. Well at Shopko they had the same stool for $12.99!

Turns out someone put up the wrong sign, and even though it wasn't on sale for $13, we got it for that anyway. It was supposed to be the $50. We felt bad after leaving though. :(

Later in the day we went to see my dad, his girlfriend, my uncles and aunt and my brother and his new girlfriend. I swear that boy will never grow up, my brother that is. He got a tattoo a while back that looks like he was bitten by a vampire on his neck, so it basically was two 'holes' with blood dripping down his neck. He went and got the 'holes' peirced and now it has a stud with balls on the end going thru it! EWWW! Plus he got about 100 more tattoos, okay so it's not 100 but still.. and he plans to get more. Gosh that boy! I mean I'd like one or two, but insane to have as many as he does already.

I'm all outa stuff to say... at least for now.

I'm hoping to meet up with Jennie sometime soon. I haven't met her not so little anymore, baby Rose yet. So hopefully we can work that out soon. I've been such a slacker.

I'm headed off to the Woodfield Mall the first weekend in May with my cousin. She goes thru work, they take a big old bus down for the day. I'm really excited about hitting up the FCUK store. :) And they also have a Crate and Barrel. There are several other stores I'm excited about as well.

On the 2nd we get to watch our friends daughters, while they go out for their anniversary so that should be alot of fun. I cant' wait to see James try to talk to them. :)

Then the weekend of the 13th we have plans again. Yipee.

I'm trying to talk James into a vacation, we'll see. We were supposed to goto this national Convention in July but we aren't anymore. So I'd like to go somewhere this year. We'll see.

So - Now I Really am off to try to find hotel deals and pitch them to James.

2006-03-23T20:17:00.000-06:00

2006-03-21T21:21:00.000-06:00

I forgot to post some stuff yesterday so I was going to do so tonight, and now I can't remember half of what I was going to post.

I know that I was going to talk about our sump pump scare we had last week. Thank goodness James checked it before going to work.

We'd gotten a LOT of rain and for some strange reason James checked it when he fed kitty that morning. It wasn't running, and the 'hole' was almost full. He had to dump water and then called me, and I dumped while he made phone calls to friends and to his work.

It never did overflow, and probably would have taken alot more to actually have overflowed... but we were baffled since the pump was put in after August of 2004 (since that was when it was manufactured). Anyhow, the scare passed when James just bought a new one (bye-bye to $100) but it's working wonderfully now.

It made us realize that we must just have a dry basement or something, because we've only heard it run once in the almost 2 years we've lived here. WOW! Almost 2 years, that's amazing how time flies. Yikers!

James said he saw my photos on my blog while he was at work today. Specifically he talked about my desk photo. HOLY photos he said. I laughed, I have 5 more of those 'sleeves' of photos on the other wall, 8 framed photos and 5 in one of those photo stand up , something like but not the same. Plus several random photos just taped up on my monitor. I have a very warm and family/people oriented cube... no one at work wants to bring stuff in cuz they dont' know when they'll be kicked out or so they say. I say whatever. SO in light of that I printed of the Sampson storyboard I posted on flicker to go ontop my computer mointor and the #1 photo from the park belwo, a cute one of sampson flipped on his back and a brand new 'sleeve' of photos :)

We had a scare this morning. See I set the alarm for 6:15 every morning, but then reset it to 6:45 because we dont' actually get up till then. So yesterday I did that, but the alarm never went off again. Thankgoodness James woke up in time then.

However, it happened again this morning. I didn't wake up at all (I didn't actually set the alarm for 6:15 this time because I thought that was how it got screwed up teh day before but instead just for 6:45) but James woke up at 7:16. Yikers. THankfully our bedroom clock is set much further ahead then the real time and we had plenty of time afterall.

I went to reedem a coupon at my local Bath & Body Works tonight and I was so dissapointed to find that they are now offically an outlet store and no longer carry 'regular' stock. It's good that they are all lower priced stuff, but I had an awesome coupon I wanted to reedem. I'll have to go 30 minutes away to get it now - which is okay as we are there usually a few times a month anyhow, but it means going into the mall. Ugh!

Anyhow, I can't remember what I was going to ramble about..