another video

oh quit! I'll get bored of this movie maker soon. Until then...a little countdown to the new year, and a little look back.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

m

Christmas pics after Christmas

Here are some random pictures I've taken over the last couple weeks. I've not been able to post them because, well let's face it, I'm completely lazy. Then I got a raging cold and couldn't do anything. I'm on the mend now, wide awake, and hopped on B12, so I figured I'd blog a little blog.


I did prove something this year, in regards to being sicky. I get a cold every stinking year and I've always thought it's because i go and go and go and the cold is my body's way of saying STOP IT MORON. but this year I did nothing. NOTHING. and I still got that dumb cold. and let me tell ya, decorating the tree (including the lights), wrapping every single present, and SHOPPING for the hubby on CHRISTMAS EVE with a cold, sucks ass. If I'm going to get a cold I might as well do something before hand so at least I'm not trying to finish everything while I'm trying to plan my own funeral.

But I digress. Back to pictures. I saw this cute wreathe at Starbucks at the mall last week. Yes, I did stop in the middle of everything and snap a picture. I didn't even care who took notice. The wreathe is that cute. no?



Oh! wait! If you can't tell, those are balls of yard up in there y'all! CLEVER right?! Maybe I'm going back to my childhood with my mom who was an avid knitter. I can't tell you how many skeins of yard I've balled up in my life. So this gives me warm fuzzies, the same way chocolate milk or smores might. I think my mom actually had a contraption to aide in this task. I could be wrong there.

Kate's daycare has a Christmas program every year. It's always consisted of a half an hour of super cuteness for most kids (mine included of course) but there is always those few who are completely over it. The idea of singing in front of 50 adults and/or wearing any sort of costume is simple out of the question. This results in the typical crying and screaming also known as a TANTRUM.

I've always loved this preschool concert, mostly because of the half hour part (yes I said it) but this year they changed it up and did a dinner with Santa thing. We all brought pizza and a small unisex toy and the school provided drinks and desserts (of which I had too many!) Then Santa came for a photo op and to hand out (the provided) gifts. MY KIDS LOVED THIS!!!



Noah even VOLUNTARILY wore the suit I got him for his presentation a few weeks earlier. I don't have a single picture from that event that's decent enough to post. I still don't have a clue how to take a good picture in low light, we've gone over that, right? Trust me, he was crazy handsome!

I do have a photo of the cute cookies one of the teachers made. You've seen them on Lorie's blog I'm sure, and Martha's but here's a pic of one in real life :) They are delicious!!




Then again, I never met a sugar cookie that I didn't like.



I'm in the middle of organizing 10 years of pictures. Be prepared for some looking back. :)



m

i love everything

today rocked. for many, many reasons. some obvious, some not so much. Here are 3 reasons it totally kicked butt! Well 4 if you count the tree ;)

I hope your day rocked!

m

(edited to hopefully fix the red x problemo. sorry Kdawg)

T10 and counting

10 minutes till midnight and I'm about as ready as I'm going to be. I'm forgetting something (not the necklaces! Thanks for the reminder(s) Beth) but whatever it is it'll have to be okay. I need to be done.

I was going to post a crazy Barenaked Ladies song about Elves, but decided to go a bit more traditional. Or at least as traditional as BNL can be. Sorry Lisa, I had to.

MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL!!!! i love you people!





m

move over speilberg

There's a new sheriff in town :)

this is my first video ever. Sarah's first day of school.

I love it!

m

the apple and the tree

My dad, God rest his soul, was the biggest pain in the ass at Christmas. As if he wasn't the single hardest person to buy for, the minute anyone would think of something he might like he'd duck out and buy it for himself. DUDE! come on! Give a girl a break. I can only handle so many trips to Ace hardware before I lose my mind - for the love of all that's holy, STOP BUYING CRAP DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS MAN!!!

Oh how I wish it were that simple. You see, I am my father. Ever since I could remember, my dad and I would marvel at our similarities. How we cross our arms left over right, how our thumbs don't bend back like mom's or my brother's, how our noses are both crooked even though his was broken and mine wasn't, how we both lean back and rest our head in our finger laced hands. It shouldn't be a surprise to find myself at the business end of a sales counter days before Christmas.

Yesterday was "Santa better get his sweet ass in gear and buy some presents" day. Peter and I hooked up at lunch with plans to hit the mall. Something I don't recommend unless absolutely necessary! Good lord we waited way too long, and the mall was INSANE, but it had to be done. We had nothing for these children. NOTHING! On the way we stopped at Circuit City to check out the going out of business sale cuz we're good parents like that and why not check out some electronics for ourselves on the afternoon we've slated to buy for the kids? RIGHT? There could be a gigantic plasma that needs a home in our bedroom so mommy and daddy can watch "movies" during our "nap" time. These are things that make mommies and daddies happy. Everyone knows that if mommy ain't happy, ain't nobody happy, right? yeah, thanks for that validation Dr. Phil.

Strolling through the store I found, fell in love, and subsequently mated with, a wide screen laptop. After much deliberation, we (read peter) decided we (again, read peter!) should wait till we did the taxes and then get me one that wasn't a floor model. This would be fine for normal people, but I'm not normal like AT ALL and wanted it now!! Have we not covered this??? But he's brilliant and I trust him. He's just the right amount of practical and I left believing I would get my computer before technology advanced so far that chips were implanted in your forehead rendering laptops as antiquated as fax machines.

I thought that way for exactly seventeen and a half hours. Right until the store opened again the next day. I drug my nappy headed, bra less self with two girls in tow to the store at 9:59 am, credit card in hand. I walked in, found the laptop, licked the top of it and requested the nice girl to unlock it so I could consummate our relationship. 12 minutes later I was the proud owner, and wife, to this amazing machine.

I know what you're thinking. I should have waited so Peter could to buy it for me for Christmas. I promise you, there was no way in hell he was going to do that. I never know what he's going to buy me, but I always know what he's not going to buy me. and this, my friends, was one thing he was never going to buy me for Christmas. OH NO NO NO! Promise. Call him if you don't believe me. Wasn't going to happen.

Besides, we'd already gotten each other our present. We were at Costco a couple weeks ago and ran into a road show. After a couple longing glances at this presentation we went for it and spurgled on the most romantic gift of all time!

wait


for


it......






the Little Giant ladder system. As I said before, I shit you not. and no, neither of us have filed papers. We're both delighted with this purchase. I'm sitting in my big chair, laptop in place, blogging about it to prove it. And I can't even imagine how proud of me my daddy must be right now.

m

talk of angels

Can y'all endure one more story of angels and dead people? No? well move along then. I'm telling this one! :)

My mom collected bears. Like me, she loved lots and lots of things. I definitely came by my love of collecting things honestly. Unlike me, she was able to restrict her collection to teddy bears. And not just any ole bear, she had rules. They had to be, FIRST AND FOREMOST, soft. Squishy soft and with soft fur. That was the first test. Then they had to have a tail. she never bought a bear that she didn't flip over and check its buttocks, taking off clothes in necessary. Finally, it had to have a cute little face. It was like they spoke to her, asking to be taken in to her loving home. She obliged hundreds upon hundreds of bears. Us kids did our fair share of 'saving' bears from cold and lonely store shelves. I don't remember a birthday, mother's day, or Christmas where I didn't give her at least one bear. Poor woman was never surprised.

Many times since her passing I've felt urged to purchase the random bear. Usually while Christmas or birthday shopping for the kids. It's a strange feeling, being nudged to pick up, inspect and purchase a stuffed animal for my kids that's always held such a special spot in my heart. I've never ignored this urge, however. I figure, if my mom wants to talk to me through bears, so be it. I'll listen.

A few years ago, while shopping at my church's Christmas boutique I was, once again, urged to buy something. This time an angel. I'd learned not to ignore being pushed toward something so I just went with it and bought the thing. I mean what could it hurt, she was cute after all. She's the one on the left.



The following year I was, again, urged to buy angels. This time it was Christmas ornaments. I bought like a dozen or so adorable angels and gave them to family and friends. A couple of you probably remember those.

This new tradition continued into the next year when I picked up, at the insistence of my mother, these three lovies.

Usually I scatter all my little painted angels throughout the house. This year I changed it up and put them all together in the family room. I pointed them out to Peter, who most certainly would not have noticed them sitting together in all their cuteness. He took a quick glance and responded with, "cool, my mom collected angels"

WHAT???!?!? How did I not know that? She loved hummingbirds and butterflies. angels? really?

It's Peter's mom. How freaking cool is that!?!?!

So Jeanne, I'm listening. Thanks for the angels - I love them! And yes, I'll go back and get this year's selection. The tree topper from Kirkland Home that I passed on the other day. I didn't realize I needed a new tree topper. :)

m

when cups get cold

Just one picture today and a quick blurb. Been super busy. Not sure with what, though. It's not like I've been shopping. Crap, I haven't even starting thinking about shopping. Yeah, I'm gonna pay for that one.

This is a real cup in our office, all hooked up with its own polka dotted cozy. seriously? it's not like it even has liquid in it. Just standard ole candy canes. But it's ready for the blistering cold of an Arizona winter. All 50 degrees of it.





It is stinking cute though, and it does make me smile. kinda a lot actually :)

m

Etsy stroll

Took a little Etsy stroll tonight. Something I like to do to find more stuff I don't need but convince myself I can't live without. Like 3D metal M's. Sometimes I just can't help myself.

Today's search was simple. Turtles. My all time favorite animal. I love many animals. Elephants, hippos, penguins, bunnys, pandas, manatees, polar bears pigskittensbabybirdsgiraffesrhinossnowleopardslkajsdlfjasldkfjljasld YOU NAME IT. I've probably wanted to start a collection. But from a very young age, as far back as I can remember (HEY! shut up now..don't go there!) I've loved turtles.

This search was fun for me. Some made me laugh. One even made me blush. So I thought I'd blog about it.

Meet Dilbert the daydreaming turtle
I love him. L.O.V.E. I might have to buy him just so I know he's got a good, loving home to keep his lampwork beaded self warm.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Next is an entire cast of sea creatures. Hard to say which is my favorite here. History would say it's the turtle for sure. But look at that crab. and the octopus. Are you kidding me??? CUTENESS. But that whale. ah that whale...in all his uber big round head and short, skinny tail. I think I love him best. If my kids wouldn't destroy these creatures in minutes flat they would be living here!

------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm going to take it easy with This guy And by guy, I mean GUY! Holy crap is this show PG???

------------------------------------------------------------------

Now bear with me on this one. I don't mean to poke fun at any artist. We all have our place in this glorious world, but this guy kinda makes me panic. He's cute n'all, what turtle isn't? but it's kinda like he's got a killer whale chasing his ass and he's swimming for his life. wow! and that's all I can say about that, I can already feel myself hyperventilating.

------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm so glad I put myself on mini album probation before I found this adorable little thing. Had I not I'd have a dozen of these guys lying around...not being done.

------------------------------------------------------------------

And finally, the cross collectible of all time. A turtle on a box. This is the best of both worlds for me. BRILLIANT! This combination marries my two deepest loves - boxes and turtles. Just looking at this makes my mouth water and my hands shake. seriously, I wish I was kidding. Put a slice of pizza, a chocolate bar and a beer in that box and I am in heaven people. HEAVEN! And wust wook at wis wace...so woveable and swuggly. *SLAP* oh sorry about that, momentary loss of self control.

This guy I might really have to buy.

m

well that didn't take long

Today started out great! I love it when everyone, including me, wakes up with a smile on their face. Who am i kidding, If I'm the only one in a good mood it's a good day.

After everyone else was gone, and I knew Sarah was awake enough for company, I snuck in her room and whispered, "good morning." She smiled back, "good morning" she replied with that cute little Sarah smile. Good, I think to myself, she's in a good mood. Not always a given, especially in the morning! So I go back to my routine when I hear her calling, err bellowing, from her room. Great, I think to myself, she's not in a good mood. I peek my head through the closed door - expecting the worst - to find her sitting there, still with that huge smile, anxious for my arrival. "Good morning Master" she says.

That's from Kung Foo Panda. Now, ask yourself, Is that too much TV? or just the right amount???!!!

Speaking of Sarah, that cuteness balances out her naughtiness. Remember
this post by Beth about her sneaky, candy stealing boy? I called it in my comment to her. I said (in part), "Mine aren't that clever, yet, though." How well do I know my girls?

Last Saturday, only one day after Beth's post, my adorable girls and their little friend Ethan got into the Advent calenders. when I say got into them, I mean they opened every window on every calender, not leaving a trace of chocolate. I gotta give it to them. They might have done it in plain sight, but they were stealthy as all get out while doing it because no one heard a thing. They actually made the exact right amount of noise the entire time. None of those something-must-be-going-on-it's-too-quiet-in-here moments for the entire day. Just perfect children, or so we thought.



We hadn't even done the 4th day yet, so between the 3 of them they ate 66 candies!!! little shits.

I wish I'd gotten a picture of the calenders on the walls, with every single door open, barren of chocolate, but I was so ticked off I pulled them down all in a huff. What really got me is one of them wasn't even theirs! Noah was with his dad and they ate his too. little shits - have I said that yet? Noah's often complained that they raid everything of his while he's gone, maybe the boy has a point.

So we are getting noah a replacement. The girls aren't getting another one. We are still going to all get together and watch noah open his window, see what's behind the treat, and enjoy his sweet goodness. All while the girls stand there watching. I'm a meanie.


m

what not to eat

I read somewhere that one should never blog about her lunch. Or any meal for that matter. No one cares about what anyone else had to eat, no matter fascinating or funny they are. I'm neither of those things so blogging about food would be like a triple whammy no-no for me.

so, nah. This post isn't going to be what I did eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but of what I didn't eat. You see, this not eating everything in sight is semi-big for me because I'm not as much semi-big as I am gigantic-big, And. Well. Something. Must. Be. Done! Pronto!

I'm on day 7 of my new found don't-have-dessert-after-every-meal way of life. yes, I said, "way of life" because I'm like freaking old now and am thinking I've got so much to lose that it'll take the rest of my life so might as well just go with the flow. Calling this a diet just wouldn't be doing it justice, ya know?

anyway, day 7. It's been pretty good. I've twittered about some of the harder moments. I could have burned that place down today with complaints though. Christmas is officially here. I can tell because only at Christmas do the treats overflow from the break room to their own full sized TABLE. A TABLE PEOPLE!! not a measly counter. A full size fold up table - full of crap. Right now there's an abundance of choices, here on this forth day of December:
A dozen donuts,
a Costco sized fruit pie, apple I think,
a rather large tin of assorted cookies from home cookies.com,
half a plate of double chocolate brownies
a cup of starbursts (okay that's random!)
and a coffee cup full of candy canes.

THIS IS ONLY DAY 4 PEOPLE!!!!
OH! And what's already kicked the bucket?
a Costco lemon bundt cake - the stuff heaven is made of.
half a dozen specialty muffins
the first half of the plate of double chocolate brownies.

But what have I had, you ask? 1/2 a brownie!!!! that's it!

Oh shit, I did eat some circus animal cookies they other day. But they are like irresistible and I had to get them out of the house. I was cleaning. What? I couldn't just throw them away, they are starving people in Africa.

aw damn, I started this off by saying that no one should talk about what they ate for lunch and here I did exactly that. Shame on me. Let's change gears to what I might have eaten this week had I lived with my old too-much-is-never-enough-you-know-you-won't-puke-so-go-ahead manta.

A quarter of everything in the lists above, minus the pie. oh and the brownies and lemon cake. I would have finished off at least a half of those bad boys! for reals!

m

just cuz

I've done this one but thought I would do it again and then maybe compare.

Where is your mobile phone? desk
Where is your significant other? work
Your hair colour? dyed
Your mother? shelf
Your father? shelf
Your favourite thing? laughing
Your dream last night? wacked
Your dream goal? fit
The room you're in? cubicle
Your hobby? scrapbooking
Your fear? heights
Where do you want to be in 6 years? living
Where were you last night? driving
What you're not? thin
One of your wish-list items? laptop
Where you grew up? Northern California
The last thing you did? ate
What are you wearing? clothes
Your TV? big
Your pets? gone
Your computer? slow
Your mood? clear
Missing someone? yup!
Your car? parked
Something you're not wearing? socks
Favourite shop? target
Your summer? standard
Love someone? many!
Your favourite colour? pink
When is the last time you laughed? lunch
When is the last time you cried? yesterday





And this, just for fun, cuz noah hasn't had much time here cracking us up. but that doesn't mean he's not funny as hell.



Noah with his fauxhawk and rockstar hands (his hair has been cut since this pic) and Sarah being a cheese ball. Heaven forbid I snap a picture that doesn't have her in it :)

m

Anniversaries and Angels

I've been sitting here staring at a flashing cursor and mocking keyboard for nearly an hour. I don't know what to say about today, December 1st. I have these thoughts bouncing around my brain - wanting to come out, but, at best, colliding with each other and multiplying. Is that fusion? fission? either way, it's compli-freaking-cated up in there.

anyway. a year ago today my brother and I became orphans after our father passed away. It's been a year of firsts, that essentially ended last week with Thanksgiving dinner. Even though he died many days after last Thanksgiving, that day was pretty much the last day I remember thinking he was going to be okay. The next day everything changed and I knew he was going to die. It marked the beginning of the end.

It's been a crazy year. Mostly good. Some bad. A little bit very bad. But really, mostly good. And we've stuck it out. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? I've found, though, that in my dad's passing, I've missed my mom more. He was my conduit to her. He was the only person who I talked to every day who really knew her. I took for grated that I could always ask him when I wondered what Mom might think.

I leaned on her a lot, more and more as I got older. She was an amazingly diverse person and I learned as a young adult to never assume what she was going to say or believe on any subject. She was full of surprises and always made me really think about things. We agreed on many things, which was always cool, but there were so many times she surprised me with a different point of view. Once she was gone I realized quickly how much I missed discovering her thoughts on any myriad of subjects. She was always educated, passionate, well spoken and sincere about everything, big or small.

You see now why I've been sitting here so long? These thoughts flood my mind. I start with my dad, and everything quickly swings to my mom. That's not because I wasn't close to him. Shit, I am him. We were super close. Everything I love, and hate, about myself I got from him. As soon as I was allowed to stay up late, you could find us in the living room well into the night, talking about life, and God, and nothing and everything. I knew him because I am him. So when I miss him a mirror isn't too far away, and there he is.

One of the cooler things that's happened this year is my mom started visiting me again. I thank my daddy for that. I'd told him the story of her (and my mother in law) visiting me right after Sarah was born. Neither of them were able to meet her, but I could feel them there, watching over her. Racing past my bedroom door. At first it scared me and I finally asked them to stop. And they did. He knew how much I regretted asking that. I believe he convinced them it was okay, that I wouldn't be afraid this time, and that they should come back to see the kids, because once again I can feel them here. And this time, I say HI.

He doesn't hang around much. Not the manly thing to do I suppose, be the lurking angel! HA! I like to think he still up there asking all these questions, getting all the answers, that we'd talked about all those late nights. And besides, he doesn't have to stop by. My house is covered in mirrors, so it's not hard to see him any time I want.

m

how YOU doin?

this isn't nearly as good ad the "who's bill" conversation, but I still want to get it written down while I remember it. This convo happened in the car this weekend.


Me: Sarah, what cha'doin?
Sarah: good.
Me: No, WHAT are you doing?
Sarah: GOOD.
Me: Sarah, that's the answer to how are you doing. I am asking you what you are doing. Like, are you playing basketball? Or sleeping? Or driving in the car? get it?
Sarah: Yes.
Me: So sarah, what are you doing?
Sarah: Sitting.
Me: cool. and HOW are you doing?
Sarah: Sitting.

The girl totally cracks me up!

m

PHEW!

***edited to add pictures***

wow. That was a fun 4 day holiday. Seems like I did a lot. Here's a quick run down, in no particular order.

- Christmas threw up in my house, and it had snowmen and white lights for lunch. I'll have pictures soon. Like when I remember to take pictures during the day cuz I REALLY SUCK at night pictures.

The snowman wall. Only snowmen, nothing else. I have issues.

This doesn't look like many lights but that's because I suck. Peter did a kick ass job, as usual, on the house. I love it.

A new addition to the M household. I love them!

I can't forget about the Santa's They are more spread out.

- I rearranged our family room a little bit. Took out the fish tank, hung the curtains I've had for 2 years, arranged this huge clock and framed pictures I've had for a year, and basically gave the room a little face lift without spending any (more) money.

Here are the clocks. You can't tell how big or high this is. But if you remember this post you might have a better frame of reference. that top clock is like hugh! The bottom of it is higher than the top of my entertainment unit. That's up there and I totally love it!!!!

- I am extending the lifted sale through Cyber Monday. woo hoo for sales!

- I've finalized the project I've been working on for the free class. Still lots to do, like take a million pictures on the construction process and write up everything. But the creative part is done and that's a fantastic feeling.

- okay...I'm hesitant to even write this here, but what the hell, I think I'm FINALLY over being a fat ass and am ready to do something about it. This is going to be a MASSIVE undertaking, cuz I pretty much could be cut in half and still be bigger than most of my friends (skinny bitches! haha) but something must be done. I've started really reeeeeeeeally slow. Like giving up desserts after every meal. And yes, confession time, I've taken to having something sweet like all the time, even after breakfast. and YES - THAT'S freaking CRAZY - but true! So be prepared to hear about that from time to time.

and finally - We had a fantastic Thanksgiving. My bro came over as did our baseball friends who have 2 kids, and then one of peter's collegues and his wife. It was a blast having so many people around. I hope y'all had a great holiday!!!

m

getting in the spirit

Since it's officially the holidays and all,

and it's actually raining and FINALLY not feeling all summertimeish outside,

and I'm feeling like I wanna sell a book, or maybe two even,

and I messed with a new ad just for y'all,

I'm having a big ole sale on my one little product.

Thru the weekend there's 25% off the book AND free shipping.

Happy Thanksgiving,

and happy Black Friday,

and happy food hangover,

and happy finally not hot outside,

and happy 4-day weekend,

and happy cute kids saying cute things,

and happy clean house with new curtains,

and happy friends coming over (and cooking most of the dinner)

and happy my mom starting "visiting" me again,

and happy free lifted class coming up,

and happy not being sicky today,

and happy not enough days until Christmas,

and happy just to be happy,

YO!

m

talking talking talking

this is a post I wrote a couple months ago. I kinda felt bad so didn't post it. Then. I forgot all about it. I remembered it when we had a similar weekend with Sarah and figured WHAT THE HECK someone might know what I'm talking about.

Noah:good morning mom. how are you or you are sick that's too bad are we going to your work today - oh not for a while - you are meeting with the new cleaning person today - that's cool is she going to babysit too oh wait I don't need a babysitter anymore

Me: yes you do

Noah: no I just need someone to watch me so - when is she going to be - here are we staying or going to your work - can I have some cereal and this candy - maybe I could have this candy just this one time cuz you're sick and you can't eat it - are you feeling better now mom can I do anything

Me: kill me

Noah: what? what did you say I didn't hear you - are you okay - why are you putting those covers over your head don't you have to get up to meet the cleaning lady - are we going to work if you feel that bad you don't have to go to work - you need to have a glass of water

Me: noah let me get the door

Noah: okay I'll just go into my room and clean up what you told me to clean up like a million times but I ignored you because you were ready to die and I knew you wouldn't do anything but curl up on the coach and ask for your maker to take you whatever that means what does that mean mom - when are we going to your work

Me: I am taking a shower

Noah: okay I'll talk to Darbie.

Darbie: hello how are yo---

Noah: this is my room are you cleaning my room this goes here and that goes there and I have a game tonight and it rained a lot last night so it might get cancelled and I think it will because it's going to rain today and right now and it might rain in my room but you are here cleaning so you can just clean that rain right up those are my practice pants and shirt oh good you found my orange one

Me: noah get it the car, we are going to work

Noah: can we stop at mcdonalds can I have pancakes I know I usually get a biscuit like you but I just want pancakes today how long are we going to be at work are we staying long where are we going to eat lunch

Me: noah. hon. we won't be there long. I'm sick, remember. I will go as fast as I can. okay?

Noah: okay mom I understand we'll go fast how long is fast should we think about lunch

Me: let me do this work now. go outside and play

Noah: okay hello cars hello trees hello bird hello BINGO yellow car blah blah blah blah blah blah................

an hour later

Me: Noah let's go.

Noah: wow that was fast you were only there for like an hour I didn't know we were going to be there that long that was fast are we going home now I just love this blue bat I used to use the yellow one the slugger but now I use this one or maybe I should use the blue one I hit a lot with it see mom you can see all the hits I've gotten off it the letters are coming off

Me: I am going to bed noah.

Noah. okay I'll stay out here.....blah blah blah blah hello darbie still cleaing this is my blue bat blah blah blah blah blah I love this cartoon yogi is so cool he's the smartest bear of them all and then there's boo boo blah blah blah blah blah blah blah I hit so much with this blue bat.

Me: I need food. let's go.

Noah: wow mom you don't look so good do you feel okay where are we goi---mom? am I talking a lot today?

praise the sweet Lord Jesus he is listening to himself

Me: yes noah, actually you are.

Noah: well I'm just excited about this blue bat this bat is my favorite bat and I am going to use it tonig---

KILL ME

Noah: blah blah blah blue bat blah blah blah why are you sick blah blah blah am I going to california this year blah blah blah blah I love allstars blah blah blah blah blah blaaaaaaaaaaaah blllllaaaaaaaaaaaaa bllllaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh

hooooooooooooours later.

Noah: mom you still don't look so good are you sick or something that was neat running to beth at target this present for eric is cool I hope he likes it at his party tomorrow when do I get to go again after my game or maybe during it maybe they will stop the game so I can go to the party and skate and then come back. are you sure you're okay mom you are hot you need some water here's some water water cools you down so does air. air cools you down too you should get some water and go outside in the air and cool down because you are hot.

Me: time for bed. i love you. goodnight.

Noah: oh it's time for bed already I didn't do a thing today I know I need to go to bed so I can be ready for my big game tomorrow can you believe it got cancelled today cuz it rained a lot but not in my room so darbie didn't have to clean that up do I really need to go to bed already I'm really not slee-------CONK! zzzzzzzzzz

Dear God, thank you for making night. Amen

laughed so hard I almost died

Me: Sarah, here's your lunch money.
S: FIVE dollars?!!!!

Me: Yep. go you.

S: I only have one dollar.

Me: No, you have 5.

S: No, see (waving bill) One. Dollar.

Me: Yes, but what is the number on it?

S: five

S: oh.

S: I have one five dollars

Me: Yep. You have One Five Dollar Bill.

S: who's Bill?

God, I love her!

m

double take

WARNING - DESPITE WHAT MY NEW HEADER SAYS, THIS POST CONTAINS SWEAR WORDS AND A QUESTIONABLE PICTURES.

NO LITTLE EYES PEEKING OVER YOUR SHOULDER.

You've been warned...

Imagine an old school strip mall. Little, dumpy, and in desperate need of a face lift.
Now imagine one of your favorite lunchtime pizza joints is in this mall. You're hungry and decide that peperoni and mushroom with light sauce is today's choice for filling the mound that is your stomach. (okay MY stomach is a mound. Yours is probably nice and flat, bitch)

You place your phone order and carefully figure out the drive time so you can arrive just as they pull that yummy pizza out of the oven. As you drive up you can smell the deliciousness soon to be yours. The mound (or flatness, bitch!) growls and your mouth waters, ah! the excitement.

The parking lot is full, which makes sense as this is a fantastic little eatery, so you have to park down the way a bit. There's a spot in front of Adam & Eve, a little lingerie (I think!) shop. Cool, not a long walk. Besides, it's late fall and the weather is perfect. Exactly why you live in Phoenix, so you can wear flip flops and capris when picking up your lunch and not catch a chill or start to sweat. My kind of day!

Then you notice it. The mannequin. You've always seen her but never really paid much mind because you've always loved their cool logo, with the half apple. "clever" you always think to yourself. Today, though, you notice the figure on the left. The one is a fancy red lace number. Pretty right? But WAIT?!?! back up that bus.... WTF IS THAT?

A MAN??? IN THE WINDOW DISPLAY??? IN A DRESS?

Sure as shit. That's a man,

in a nightie.

really?

WHY?

and as if that's not enough. Check out the woman. double wtf on her mouth?

SCREW LUNCH. now I just feel dirty.

m

wow, pure talent!

I could listen to this kid all day long. Who am I kidding, I damn near have :)
Check out the rest of this stuff. He's amazing.





m

free RIGHT NOW!

I've made some changes to the look of my site. It's not all it's going to ever be, but for now, while still with godaddy, it'll have to do.

Check it out and let me know what you think

while fooling around I decided to dump the shipping costs. Well, they still will get paid, I mean good ole USPS needs their mula, but I'LL PAY FOR YOUR SHIPPING! I'm pretty sure this deal will run through Christmas. If it doesn't I'll post a head's up. I won't go just getting rid of an offer this good.

And a good offer it is. :)

HAPPY SHOPPING PEOPLE!

m

how about something free?

Okay, it's not free YET. But I'm working on it. It's coming! For reals !

Here's the dealio. I've put into words what my book does with pictures. I've designed some cool tools to help grasp the concept of the book and to help with Lifting in general.

And it will be downloadable for free!




The design of my little project/class thing, called a "Lift Kit" is done. But I've got much to work out with the website and logistics of doing an online class.

If you wanna get in on the action before it's all official, just fill out the CONTACT PAGE at Paper Therapy. I'll add you to a special mailing list where I'll send out updates and final details. I'm hoping to officially launching the class Dec 1 with the class starting mid dec or beginning of January. It will be a free form class, so the timing will not be critical. Something that, for me, is a must over the holiday season. So it will be stress free - this much I know!

More to come soon!

m

my brain may explode

No joke, I think my brain is going to explode. Lots of things rambling around up in there. Beyond being actually busy at work (this is a good thing for sure!!!) I've got some personal/creative things going on.

first, my scrapbook room. I've been working on it like crazy. Rearranging the million M's I have. Making new ones. decorating old olds. Buying more, like this one:

This is not smart! I have no more room. The part of my brain that says, "STOP!" is broken. clearly. I've got the middle of the alphabet covering the walls of my room to prove it.

The room is finally clean and nearly ready for a picture to post. Had I not started that free Jessica Sprague Stories in Hand class it might be perfect right now. But since there's a project to do, there are scraps of paper all over the place making it not picture worthy, yet. I hope to get some good pictures this weekend to post. I'll also have to post the before picture. Proof that my creative mind does not require cleanliness. You can't even tell it's an actual room. I have issues. for reals.

second, this class. I'm super excited about Jessica's system to gathering stories. That's something I've struggled with in my scrapbooking. I know I've got stories in me, but getting them out in a more exciting way than "we went to Globe, ate ice cream and had a blast with the kids" is something I want to be better at. The timing isn't great for me, I'll admit. My brain is overflowing with crap and adding to it is causing the craziest dreams. My brain takes my creative endeavours and blends it into the real things I did or saw that day. so when I've got many creative things going on it turns into a crazy mess up there. If only I could remember them for more than an hour, I would share one with you. Peter gets to hear most, and he looks at me completely boggled, mumbling, "that's completely f'ed up" Next time I'll write one down so y'all can see what I mean.

third, a new idea. I've been working on some ideas with how to better explain and market my book. It's been super slow going as everything ties together. When I change one thing in one of my concepts it trickles down to the blog, and website, and adverts. Everything! I need to finish it all before I can move on. In the long run it's better, it just seems to take so long to make progress.

But in the spirit of a good blog entry, which means pictures. And to put a little teaser out there. Here's a graphic I've been working on. Hate it? well keep that to yourself. :) My dreams couldn't handle it!

m

photo/twitter post

let's get some pictures up in here!
This one's gonna be short and sweet, I'm all chattered out. OH SHUT UP! It could happen!

Jack-o-lanterns. HELLO CAPTAIN OBVIOUS!!! this was right before bed, after showers. I allowed them to sit up on the island to take the picture. I would not recommend doing this, as now they think they can do it all the time. Especially that little one in the middle who can pretty much get away with anything cuz those damn eyes.

----------------------------------------------------------

Halloween DUH! Mine are the grumpy army guy in the middle. The bright pink Bat Girl at right. and sweet little butterfly at left. This picture is proof I have NO STINKING CLUE how to take a good picture. ugh! Oh but check out that adorable pumpkin stand thing in front of the window. I have another that's a skeleton, found them at Michael's. Love them!

----------------------------------------------------------

The travelocity gnome. By far the cutest costume I've seen, like ever.

oh EWW!! Déjà vu. Do I say that every year? I mean do I say that EVERY year??? NO really? Do I say it every YEAR?

OKAY I think I need to be done with this before my brain twists itself into a crazy little pretzel.

m

EDITED TO ADD:

this was the question in the ponder thing after I updated and it totally cracked me up. I just couldn't leave it alone!

"Do toilet seats really protect us from anything?"

uh... hello? Ever heard of falling in?

a teeny reminder

Hey y'all! I just wanted to post real fast about the "i wear yellow" banners for the Emily Benefit. If you copy the little banner, and I see many of you have,

YOU ROCK!! THANK YOU

anyway, when you put it on your blog make sure you add a link back to

http://www.papertherapy.com/

so people can see what I'm up to over there :) and pick up the book.

I'm sure you know how to do that, but JUST IN CASE, in the "configure Image" pop-up just type in http://www.papertherapy.com/ in the "link" box

(or copy and paste if your uber lazy like me) and BOOM, you're done.

Parenting Tip of the Month (or not)

Don't let this title fool you, I'm not going to be adding a monthly parenting tip to my blog? Why, you ask? Because I'm like the crappiest mother ever. Oh yes, it's true.

Want proof? Our pet hamster Rascal died. Found him dead Friday morning. This, in itself, doesn't earn me "crap mother of the year" award, as pets are allowed to die. The problem? I'm not exactly sure when it happened. I know he was alive Wednesday, because I saw him climbing in his cage, but beyond that I'm clueless. I'm a monster!

Last night I told the kids. Noah first, since it was his birthday present pet. He burst into tears. I felt terrible. He asked how, and why, and was it his fault? I told him no and no and heavens no! all the while thinking it's your mother's fault. I probably put him in a diabetic coma feeding him too many carrots and grapes. Can hamsters get diabetes? Should they even eat carrots and grapes? See? These are things I should know! Monster I tell you!

OOH!!! And to top off this pleasure cruise of self loathing, I wrapped up little rascal and put him in the trash. WHAT???!! what are you supposed to do? I didn't know, and it was trash day. Turns out I might have thought to save him so Noah could see him, and say goodbye maybe. Hell if I know. All I know is I had to completely avoid Noah's question of what I did with him. He'll ask again, I'm sure. Still have NO idea what I'll tell him, "Mommy threw your beloved little pet in the garbage honey, and years from now you won't see her in heaven, Satan has a special spot for hamster tossing monster moms!"

I started this blog entry thinking about this super clever and incredibly brilliant idea slash parenting tip I came up with while dining with the kids the other night. But now I'm wondering if this is just another example of what a monster I am!

Here's what happened. We are with another family and that mom, her name is Renee, is like super prepared and actually brings things to entertain her children during dinner. Something I've long since given up remembering I should do. There we are, adults chatting away having a great time while the kids put together the puzzle Renee brought along. They started to get restless after putting it together twice. Oh bloody hell! I just realize they put it together a second time because I tore it apart right as they finished, laughed and said "uh oh, looks like you have to do it again!" What is wrong with me???

As I was saying, after they put it together, for the second time, no thanks to me, they were bored. I suggested they do it upside down and wouldn't ya know it - they did! I made Eric, the one who did the bulk of the work, hold off with the last piece so I could snap a picture.



So my parenting tip of the month, find someone else who is like NICE and THOUGHTFUL to get tips from. I'm for sure not qualified! :)

m

I need some cheering up

If you read my tweets, you'll know how I really feel about yesterday. You'll know what I can't say here {anymore} because I'm trying to be a good - less offensive - blogger. I'm still feeling funky today and thought a little uplifting post might do me so good. So here it is: my kids. Pretty damn cute huh? yes, I know, they're perfect. It's all in the genes!

BWHAHAHAHhahaaa

I love this little photo.

I love how they are all red from playing. There was no way I was going to photoshop/correct that. It's so them. Hard playing kids.

I love that it was their idea that all three of them get on the tire swing without a single thought of leaving someone off, or going it alone. The fact that really do like playing together is about the coolest thing on the planet.

I love how they have finally figured out that I'm going as fast as I can with the camera, and that I won't stop until I get a decent shot. So just be semi-still, smile, and I'll let you play after I get a shot. (thank you, Beth, for filling me on that little parenting nugget)

I love it so much it's my desktop right now, replacing the Microsoft furnished "window in a Mexican casita" photo. I works perfectly as a desktop image, too, because most of my folders are on the right side (yes, totally backwards, I know) and they don't get lost in the picture.

The only problem is its sheer size or their heads. I have a massively huge 24" monitor here at work. It's GIGANTIC and completely wonderful! As a result of this billboard sized monitor, the munchkin's faces are like bigger than life size. It took me a couple days to get used to having them all up in my face every day. Correction: it took some time having them all up in my face and silent.

Honest to God, it took a couple days to realize they weren't going to jump out of the screen with questions, or complaints, or requests, or demands, or tattlings, or anything that would interrupt the quiet, happy, perfection of them looking up at me.

Yep, that did the trick.

m

Y'all have no idea...

...how hard it is for me not to totally swear right now. Stupid less sweary blog ;)

Sorry, John, you got my vote. and at least 55 million other people believe you're the man for the job.

m

i wear yellow

I spent the day today at the ballpark with my family. It's been an amazing day, full of hot dogs and strong young men is uniforms. The weather was perfect, seats were in the shade, and each kid got a baseball. All in all it was perfect.

or mostly. there's been something on my mind all day.

I've been checking Emily's blog non-stop since finding out how grave her husband's situation was. I've been glued to the computer last night and all this morning. On my way to the game, around 12:30, I read her post that they were going to have to remove him from the breathing machine. I read later he passed around 2:30 this afternoon. My heart simply breaks for her. She's handling it so incredibly well, being a pillar of strength for her children. Her faith in God is strong and I know He will carry her through this. But still, it's so incredibly sad.

A couple weeks ago the Internet came together to help Kimberly after the sudden and tragic loss of her husband. Being a part of that felt wonderful. Paypaling a little chunk of change to a complete stranger during her time of need made me feel, I dunno, good. Like I was giving back. Even though I didn't know her, I felt I could be her, and that moved me.

But this. Man, this. It's different. closer. I know Emily. I've known her for years and years. Damn, I just posted about her a while back. Her children are the same age as my two oldest and we've always shared stories about whats going on in their lives.

I dunno, it's all just crazy to me. I can't imagine it. I want to do something. I want to help. But how do you help someone who's going through so much? Hell if I know. All I can do it pray. Which I will continue to do. And I'll hug my man a little tighter tonight, cuz I know she'd tell me to do that.

But I can do more than pray. With your help, we can do great things. I'm doing another benefit. But this time it's not a week. It's for the entire month of November. The profits from Lifted are going to Emily. So here's a way that you can give, but still get something in return. I mean something beyond the warm fuzzies you get from helpin' out a sister.

Really, it's the least I could do. I hope you'll join me.



m

p.s. feel free to copy the pic above and post on your blog. Or email me at michelle@papertherapy.com and I'll send you the file.

SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL

I decided THIS MORNING to have a little (or kinda big) Halloween special.

So TODAY ONLY you'll get 31% off my book!!!!

go to papertherapy.com to buy it today for big savings!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

m

one way I kill time

You may have noticed with the new blog added a couple silly things. When I set it up I found myself rummaging through some of the add-on features blogger has available to those of us in need of content :) I loved many of them but managed to limit myself to two.

If you scroll aaaaall the way down to the bottom of the blog you'll find a brain exerciser game. It's fast and easy, yet surprisingly hard and not so fast when you do it like a dozen times. Go ahead, give it a try. It's good to give that lump up in your head a work out now and again. I'll fess up, the first time (and second and third) I finished in 59, 56 and 52 seconds. I've stuck with it (more or less) and can now consistently finish in 30. It's like a internal challenge for me now. and besides, sometimes I find myself in need of a break :)

The second little silly adder thing that that "things you ponder" dealio. I love this kind of thing. So Steven Wright. It repeats kind of a lot and I've been considering changing it for something new. This morning I was glad I hadn't yet because this one totally caught my eye.

Why is it that when you are driving and looking for an address you turn the radio down?

Seriously, does everyone else do this too? who knew?!?! I thought I was the only one!

m

so let's talk

Most of you know how my brain flows freely between being sharp, on point, and focused to slow, muddled and just plain gone. As I get older I've notice that this swing happens more often, and which more severity. I have days where I'll not only be able to think of all I have to do, but I'll be able write it all down and systematically check off each item as it's completed. Then there other days, when I can't even spell the word "list" much less get off the couch to start one.

Last week I had two of these brain-dead days, and man they sucked. Because (and I guess this is symptom of the underlying issue) now, not only do I have these off days, but they make me feel like total dog crap. You wanna know how I feel when I'm off? Like I'm pregnant. AND NO - I AM NOT PREGNANT - but that's how I feel. And everyone knows how much I hated being pregnant! Love the first day, and the last day, but those 40 weeks in between suck in the most hard core sucky way!

so why the hell am I telling y'all all of this you ask? Well, because I thought of it at lunch when I got this fortune...

...and figured I would write about how it made me feel. You see, on any given day I might be any of those three people. I realized that it might not make sense, why sometimes I have big things going on, but can't seem to talk about them. Take the signing I had at About Memories and More last weekend. I knew about it, I wanted to talk about it, but I just couldn't. My brain couldn't come up with something worthy of how that event went. And it deserved more than, "had a signing, it went great"

If you've done the math you may have figured out that the off days were before the signing, so why couldn't I blog about it on Monday? Well, here's one of the great consequences of those off days. I don't do anything. I mean A.N.Y.T.H.I.N.G. so I end up playing catch-up. Which overwhelms me, leaving me teetering on having another set of bad days. make sense?? If you're crazy, it does. It's a vicious cycle I tell ya.

Yah, I won't be off my meds like, ever.

THAT brings me to the signing. MAN WHAT FUN! Super cool group of chickies up in Flag. although I can't I'm surprised, scrapbookers totally rock anyway! Kirsten, the owner, is super fun, and dang cute and WAY creative. She even has a little 8 year old admirer - and we all know 8 year old boys don't lie! So when one loves you, you must really ROCK! :) Thanks for having my Kirsten, you were a fantastic host!

It's always so cool to talk to people about the concept of the book and watch them get it. To watch their eyes light up as they figure out what I mean when I say "scraplifting: it's not a crime." To see them look down at the book and see it for what it is - a way to tap into your own personal creativity. A way to learn exactly how to lift someones page and really, TRULY end up with a page that's uniquely theirs. A huge perk to having taken this huge chance on the book are those experiences. They make it all worth it. Thank you girls! Y'all make it possible for me to keep going out there, pluggin' this little book of mine.

m

early birds, or bats and butterflies rather

Kate's little daycare is run by a really smart chic who held the school's Halloween party last Friday night. I love it that they have it early, leaving Halloween open for trick or treating. It always helps doing a dry run of the costumes. Take Kate's butterfly costume, courtesy of Beth, thanks dawg!, and the floppy antenna. Now I've got time to find something new, or make something, or whatever. yes, I realize that a normal person would test these things out before and make the necessary adjustments, but let's face it, I'm just not a normal person.

So here you go, my little butterfly and batgirl. How cute are these two?!?!

m

faces

So I wanna blog but don't have much to say. How lame is that? I just can't get more than a few senteneces in my head worthy of a real entry. So what does that mean? IT'S TWITTER BLOG TIME AGAIN!

Here are the cutest little ghosts on the planet! I made for Kate's halloween party, which is last Friday. Thank you Lorie for always posting such cute things. I know rarely comment, but I check your blog all the time. It's like one-stop shopping :) And on this day you made me look like a hero!

So there are super easy, and just messy enough that you can get a little finger licking goodness going on. Not that I would lick my fingers while cooking anything ;) OH! and there are like super delicious. super duper delicious. Be warned.

While we're looking at cute, edible faces, this was dinner last week. Yes, I stopped Sarah from eating her food while I took a picture of her Alien Pancakes. Yes, I did this in a restaurant. )But it was Denny's, so it hardly counts.) And yes, I felt like a moron, but I had to! Just look at him, he's freaking ADORABLE!!!

m

signing

Just a quickie little post about a book signing from 2-4 tomorrow (10/25) at About Memories and More up in Flagstaff. Come in and say HI!!!

3rd photo tag

Kaelene tagged me. I'm supposed to post the 3rd photo of the 3rd picture folder. I've just started saving pictures to this computer so this picture is real recent.

Taken 9/30, Kate and Sarah were chillin in Kate's bed - which is a crib (yes she can get in and out of it at will) I thought I could get a good picture of them. I didn't get the picture I wanted, but I have to say, I kinda like this one. who knew that the 3rd of the 3rd is a good way to select pictures?

m

this is what started it all

Years ago I was working with my friend Emily down at Scrapbooks, Etc. when I noticed this key chain she had. When I say noticed, I mean that I drooled and screamed and ran around the store cursing that I didn't have an "E" name. I HAD TO HAVE ONE. but, being the lazy (oh I want to say ass here) person that I am, pretty much knew I wouldn't go to the little store where she bought hers. Emily, being the super cool chic that she is, offered to pick one up next time she was down there. score!

Months and months go by and I'd long since forgotten about my cute little "m". But Emily hadn't. when I finally hooked up with here again, she had the m, but the story of finding it wasn't a pretty one. She told me that she went right down to the store like the next day and there were no m's. then she tried a couple other places, no luck. She tried and tried and tried to find me an m. I kinda felt bad (kinda???) cuz really, my little slobber session over her key chain much have really made an impact on her. While she would never say it, I'm sure she was afraid for her life if she didn't find this m for me. silly girl. But she persevered and found one for me - and I LOVE IT!!

love love love my m key chain.

It lives on my rear view mirror. Peter absolutely hates it there, saying it's so very white trash. Yeah well you married this white trash hooker pal. so there! The M is saying bucko!

and that started my collection of m's.

they are nothing special, just little random, cheapo m's that I pick up anytime I see one. Lately, though, I've gotten a tad out of control. Or maybe not. You tell me.

It's common knowledge that Mervyns isn't doing well (are they actually bankrupt now?) and when the one by my work said it was closing no one was surprised. One morning I was driving out to a meeting, like I often have to, and saw these sign guys taking down the building mounted mervyns sign. I swerve across 3 lanes to make the left into the parking lot. Imagine the Saturday morning garage sale shoppers turning wildly as they see the teeny neon orange sign at the base of the corner telephone pole. That was me.

so I pull in and flag the dude down. This is how that conversation went.

Me: hey! what are you guys going to do with that sign?

Dude: throw it away.

Me: really? well if you are, can I have the m?

Dude: What?

Me: if. you. are. throwing. it. away. can. I. have. the. m.?

Dude: I dunno, I'll have to call my boss. How much you wanna pay?

Me: umm....well....nothing.

Dude: nothing?

Me: yeah! you're throwing them away anyway, right?

Dude: yeah, I guess.

Me: yeah, so can I have it then?

He had to call, but there was no answer so I left my name and number and asked if he would call me back. I left sure that I would never hear from him and felt like a dork for having asked. I could only imagine what he said to his buddies about the crazy, fat, white chick driving a mini-van who wanted this gigantic, bright blue letter m from an old Mervyn's store.

But luck was on my side (dumb luck as peter would put it) and the dude called me at the end of the day. His boss was cool with it and I could come pick it up. We made arrangements for that to happen and now I am the proud owner of a 4 foot wide by 2 foot high plastic, lower case m. and I love it almost as much as my little metal key chain m. It doesn't have a permanent home yet, it's just leaning against the wall on top of the bookcase in my scrapbook room. If only I could have it hanging from the rear view mirror. Now that would be white trash!

m