same old stuff

school, work, soccer, drive, eat, read, study. Not much new to report. I did change the blog a little, thanks to my friend Virginia. Gotta go finish my paper and turn it in tonight. Hope you are all having a fabulous fall! can't wait for the weather to dry up a little and cool down a lot.

Back to school time....

The kids headed back to school this morning. They were both ready and excited! Can't believe Hannah is in 7th and my baby is in 2nd grade. Where has the time gone?
We have been super busy this summer-- We headed to Fl for a high school reunion, which was great! I got some sort of bug the first night, and so was feeling kinda puny the second night. But it was great seeing everyone and reconnecting. We also visited with family while we were there, which I always love. Then we were home for a week, then went to NC for 2 weeks. Then back home for a week to mow and check on things. We found out our power had been out for 10 days, so we had a disgusting mess in the fridge/freezer waiting for us. Then we headed back to NC for a couple of weeks. I got to spend a lot of time with Mom and Dad, aunts, uncles and cousins. Hannah and Holden refer to them as the "other cousins" because my sisters' kids are THE cousins! So they differentiate that way! I also got to see my uncle who lives in Venezuela. He came back to the states for a visit, and we had a mini reunion in NC.
Then we came home and back to reality! We spent the last couple of weeks catching up with friends and hanging out.
I didn't get a job teaching, so my future plans are unclear at the moment. I know God is good, and He knows what I will be doing, and He has perfect timing, but it is still hard, because I had the year all planned out! SO I may sub again, may work on my Master's. I just have to wait on the Lord, and see what doors he opens, and which ones he closes! And that is much easier said then done.
It is almost 1, so I better get busy getting stuff done! I am going out of town this weekend-- scrapping with a group of friends! I am very excited!
I know it has been way to long since I updated the blog, but if we know each other well enough, you know what I have been up too!!
And I am pretty sure I used the word then way too much in this post!!!

New SpringWidget

Get this widget!

Some pics from the past couple of months!

The Easter Bunny cake! I always made this as a kid-- now I make it with my kids. They love to decorate it! They went for brown this year.... This picture is from the late 80's early 90's. Should I be bothered that my hair is just about the same now, except for the perm??
Jenny came to see me while I was in Orlando. Didn't get a dry picture!

Excited about this!! Have to go back next year!
I made a new friend at Universal....
Leah came to see too!!
My Mother's day cupcakes!


I got new flipflops for my birthday!

Ok- I think that is enough for now!! Hope you are having a great week. Everyday seems like the weekend for me now that the kids are out of school!

LOOKY LOOKY!

I am ready for New Moon!

My {almost} Adventure!

I know, I know... It has been a while. But I am sure all 3 of you understand-- life gets busy, I get lazy--
So any way-- We have been busy with soccer, choir concerts (and trips to Orlando!), Scrap Etc. events, Mother's Day, birthdays (well, my birthday).... It has been a good couple of months. I have been subbing a lot, but still no job yet. But I need to remember that I am not in control of that-- I need to trust in God more. He knows what I will be doing Aug. 6th (first day back for teachers...)And that is all that should matter. Remind me of that if needed!!
So, I am sure you are wondering "What adventure, Carol?" So let me tell you!! I was at the Scrap Etc. Event, and one morning as I was getting ready, my roommate, Lisa and I heard a lot of noise out in the lobby of the hotel. Our room over looked the lobby, so we peeked outside only to see a ton of Paparazzi! Who could they be following?? So I lean out the window a little to look, and I see Robert Pattinson-- you know- Cedric Diggory and Edward Cullen!! How awesome! We didn't even know he was going to be there!! So Lisa and I hurry and get dressed and head out to see what we can see and eat breakfast. When we get to the lobby, we didn't see him, so figured he was gone. We order an overpriced hotel breakfast and sit down to eat. After a few minutes, guess who walks by??? Yep- Edward!!( That is how I like to think of him....)He is with a girl, and they go sit down at a table not too far from us!! We are so excited, but soon realize we BOTH left our cameras in the room!! Oh No!! But then I remember I have my phone, and a crappy cell phone pic is better than none, so we get up the nerve and head over to his table. I am just a few feet away, my mind going over what I will say to him, then, I roll over and see the clock. It is 6:51 AM. Crap it! It was a dream! But so real! SO Dang it-- I am not at a Scrap Etc. Event-have to wait for October for that. I am not eating breakfast with Lisa, but I will have lunch with her and Virginia next week, and no meeting Edward or Cedric for me. ever....:( {Lucy-- If you could arrange that meeting for October and make my dream come true, I will be your best friend!}

Ok-- more real stuff later. But I had to share my dream. Good night!

Rain, Rain, Go away....

come again another day.......

Go to Scrapetc.com right now!

You can be one of the lucky ones to win a spot to fabulous Scrap Etc. EvEnT in Atlanta in a few short weeks!! So go comment.... now! Come hang out with me and make cool stuff!!!

Not much going on.....

Not much to blog about... I have been subbing {no more poop or vomit!} It has been raining like crazy, and I am homesick, as usual. Maybe I should have gone home over spring break. I am kinda sad. But life [school- work- soccer practice- scrapbooking- LOST :-)- laundry {oh the laundry...}and dinner ] goes on.

MOVIES!

I love movies! I saw 3 today.... I really {heart} the dollar theater!!
I saw The Uninvited... very good!, then went back with Hannah and saw Bride Wars... worth a buck! And then, for the 4th time.... Twilight!! I love it, even though some Edward's facial expressions really crack me up when it wasn't supposed to be funny!And the bad acting sticks out more and more each time I see it. But that's OK!

I am going back tomorrow to see Bolt and Bedtime stories with the kids.

Have a great night and a good week.... I will because it is SPRING BREAK!!!
This is the first time that we haven't gone to FL or to NC. And I am not sure how I feel about it. It will be nice to just hang out and get stuff done around the house, but I am really homesick (it doesn't go away) and would LOVE to hang out with my parents,sisters, nieces and nephews. But I will be home in June.... My 20th high school reunion is this summer. I am that old. WOW.


I have lost 7 of those 9 pounds I mentioned a while ago. It should be more, but besides the movies, I also love chocolate and Dr. Pepper. I gave them up for about a week, now I have decided to cut back.But it is hard especially since Dove truffle eggs are in stores!! And we have left over cookie cake from Hannah's birthday party calling my name.
Ok -this has been all over the place.... I am going to bed!

The start of my day....

I am subbing in a first grade class. My day starts with a boy saying "I think I need to go home. I just pooped my pants." UUMMM yeah... go to the office. Then after I take roll, a boy throws up. At least he made it to the garbage can. My day can only get better! I hope....


I am going to Scrap Etc. after school, so I am looking forward to that!! And it is Hannah's night for her birthday dinner ( her birthday is Friday, but we have soccer practice - did you know I am now officially a soccer mom?!- Thursday, then Hannah's party on Friday) So I have BoneFish Grill to look forward too, and LOST is on tonight..... my day IS looking much better!!!

Tagged by Lisa!

I have been tagged.... to show the 6th picture in the 6th file on my computer. I have 2... One from the 6th from the top and one from 6th on the bottom. iphoto has the newest pics loaded on the bottom, so I did both.
I have been scanning some old pics, and this gem is of me and my mom. It is from the late 70's. I do not remember when it was taken, but there is a swampbuggy in the background, and I remember that from trips to the Everglades, but there is also a wheelbarrow of bricks behind us..... not sure where we were or what the circumstances were!!



This one is of my sweet boy.... sigh... he just turned 7. If you have a little one, go cuddle RIGHT NOW. Seriously... it will be over in a flash. Man, how old do I sound!? But, it is true- time flies. This picture was taken in the trailer we lived in while our house was being built. Look closely and you can see the duct tape on the window.... good times....
OK.. Now I tag Deena- who doesn't blog nearly enough, Jen, Joy and Magen. It will be an SEBC tag!!!

Random....

I have been going through old pictures and have LOVED it. Here are some I wanted to share.
I did this layout with the wonderful Scripts Kit from Scrap Etc. My mom and dad met at highschool and this is their prom picture!
My love for chocolate started at an early age.
I was in a parade in highschool. That is me towards the front. If I still had THAT body I would wear that outfit everyday! Even with the fruit on my head.
I mentioned a few posts back that I was looking for a picture? Well, I found it! Alisa...
we both had the permed mullet look...... But we thought we looked GOOD! Wow. Don't laugh-- everyone of you has a scary hair picture!!
OK, my break is over! Back to cleaning the carpets. Have a wonderful day!

Coupon Books....

Hannah is selling coupon books to help raise money for a trip to FL for choir. They are for the bham area. One is for a free oil change. They are $15. We don't have any family here, so I told her I would ask some of my friends. If you want one, let me know by Wed at gimmegodiva@bham.rr.com. I will hook you up! Thanks!

Wanna win a spot to the Scrap etc. event?

Who wouldn't?!!? Go to the fabulous Gretchen's blog, and post a comment! She will pick a winner next week!! It will be amazing.... 6 teachers, 6 classes, a weekend away (that is worth the $399 price right there!! :-) )

So... now is your chance to win a free spot!!! Go right now and leave a comment!

New Moon!!

Just read that it is scheduled to come out Nov. 20th! But the weird part-- Dakota Fanning may play Jane. uummmm- what??!! That is definitely not the Jane I have pictured in my head!

LOST is now even better.....

Sun just opened a box of Godiva chocolates!!! Granted there was a gun under the first layer, but the top layer was perfect!!
I wonder what they did with the bottom layer? Hope someone got to eat them! Can't waste yummy chocolate! OK. commercial break is over!

hula hoop champ....

That is my title in my house. I am the wii champ! I am loving wii fit! I have lost about 5 lbs. since we got it- last Friday! I just hope I can keep it up... I really like my carbs...chocolate, bread, Dr. Pepper. And this is the first real diet I have ever done. I watch what I eat.. choose my fat grams. But I have never turned down dessert. Until now. And we took the kids to the Cheesecake factory for their report cards (Honor Roll for Both! Very Proud!) and I didn't get any cheesecake. I did have 1 bite of each of theirs ( I had to taste...) but that is all.
I have been having fun on the wii- I named my trainer Tony (he looks a little like Tony Little.. the guy with the infomercial for the "Gazelle"... remember him?) Anyway, is wrong for me to swear at him? If I am doing an exercise and having trouble balancing he will tell me " This seems tough for you" or "You seem a little shaky. Try tightening up you abs for better balance." That's when I tell him to shut up. I have never had any coordination and my balance isn't that much better!! But I am improving. Just don't ask me to do the yoga "tree" pose. It isn't pretty.

It's OK.

I have realized it is OK that I can't find those pictures. With the 9000 plus pictures I have on my computer, I don't think my kids will be traumatized by the 50+ that aren't on my computer, backed up, and copied onto CDs. I would love to find them, and if I do I will do a happy dance- Remember Balki's "Dance of Joy" from "Perfect Strangers"? That will be me, but by myself! I tried to link it, but had issues, as usual. Check it out here! www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfPg5LjGYz8

This is random, but has anyone else seen the oatmeal commercial where the parents have a bunch of little kids, and the give them breakfast IN THE CAR? Who would do that? Really- Quaker Oats has lost their minds if they think they are relating to parents with that one. Or maybe I am the odd ball. Any of you ever given your kids oatmeal in paper bowls in the minivan?

And one more- what is up with the bathtubs in ads for prescription meds? Have you seen them? Couples are in tubs side by side on the beach, on a hilltop, watching the sun set.... no place with plumbing... no place where water is easily accessible. Or maybe once again I am just missing out. I have never vacationed anywhere where outside tubs were an option. And who would do that?

One last thing... LOST is back! I meant to watch last season to catch up, but didn't. I am sure they will catch us up. I can hear it now...."previously on LOST....."
And check this out. My friend Deena sent it too me. She called it a little light reading. Good stuff!

And thanks to Joy, I now have a free tube of Lancome cell defense. Go to the Macy's in the mall.... go to the make up section and pick up your goody! There are several things to choose from, and they have to give it away as part of a lawsuit. Check it out here. She got a mascara, but my Macy's didn't offer that. You know I love a freebie!!

It started looking for 1 picture....

One specific picture of me and J from high school- that is all I was looking for. It is from a Valentine's Day in the 80's... just needed it for a layout. Couldn't find it... anywhere. But I did find boxes of pics that I didn't even remember. Looked through all of those... sat and reminisced a little, then sorted them. They are back in the box, but at least they are sorted. Then I find a big envelope with thumbnail prints in it. 3 sheets of them. Some of these pictures I remember, some I don't. But the very frustrating thing is that they are not in iphoto. Some pics are in iphoto from the SAME event, like Holden's 3rd birthday and Hannah's 8th, but not the same ones. How can 2 or 3 pictures taken at the same time and with the same camera be on my computer and some not?? What did i do? Why can't I remember? And there are some of Holden in the back yard sans his clothes, and pics from our trip to Sea World. And some from FL. I just looked on several CD's thinking they might be on one, but they are not. Where are these pics? Why do I only have thumbnails of them? Why would I have printed some out but not put them on the computer???? WHY WHY WHY!? I am driving myself crazy. 2 of them are of the kids with Grandma Snyder from 2004. She passed away 2 (or is it 3 now?) years ago, so now I am bothered that I don't have those on my computer either. I tried to scan them, but of course my scanner won't even turn on. What a day.... oh- I never found the picture I started out looking for....

OK-- ranting and rambling done. Off to search some more...... wish me luck!
Oh--SEHS friends- you may remember those Valentine's pictures... I think I had one made with you, Alisa! I can't find it either.....

Party Planning....

It is almost time to plan the birthday parties for my kids... one in Feb., one in March. Holden wants to have some friends stay over and eat cookie cake and pizza (with olives and pepperoni). That part is easy. But when we discussed the guest list, it included both boys and girls.... which would be fine except he wants to have a sleep over. I tried to tell him that only boys stay the night with boys. He didn't understand. He said that the girls are his friends too! So, with in the next month I will have to tell him that only the boys can stay over and the girls will have to leave around 8.....

Hannah has only mentioned a DANCE party. Last year she wanted a TEA party. BIG difference....

I have been subbing the past 2 weeks. Too bad the increase in pay for long term subs doesn't start until 3 weeks.

Hope you all have a great night and stay warm!

Deena... I need my scary movie buddy! There are 2 movies I need to see with you. I need your arm to hold. :(

purging...

I have read about several people who are cleaning out, purging and going through things in their house. I want to do this. I need to do this. But I have attachments to my stuff. "My mom gave me this. I remember when Hannah wore that." Holden made this" I remember when I was with (insert name) and I bought that...." I have sentimental attachments to so many things. And I hate getting rid of stuff that was given to us from family. So we have 2 dining room tables now. The one we bought 10 or so years ago that has memories attached to it from times we did art projects (paint marks and all) on it. It was also one of the first main pieces of "grown up" furniture we bought together. I now use it for scrapbooking. The other table is one my parents gave us. It was the one I grew up with, so I have lots of memories of dinners there!
I could go on and on... tables, chairs, couches, clothes, knick knack stuff, papers..... and of course the kids stuff. I get so frustrated at myself, but it seems everything reminds me of someone or something. We don't need it all. We have a large garage, which helps. But I need to take pictures of what we don't use so I won't forget it, then send it to Hannah Home or Goodwill. I say that, but saying it and doing it are SO different! Maybe if I lived closer to my family I wouldn't feel the need to hang on to stuff... to be surrounded by it instead of them. Does that even make sense? Or am I rationalizing?

Well- I am subbing now.... time to get the darlings from PE!
Please excuse any typos or misspellings.... no spell check here!