Life etc.

47

2011-07-04T08:58:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was my 47th birthday! It was a really good one too. Dave and I began by going to church to see Torrell get baptized. Very nice! Then we heard the Word. The message was "Hold it Up" and it was taken from Exodous 17. I'm always looking for tie in to scripture in the way the message is presented and it was right there. I also look for applicability of the message into every day life. Again, it was right there. Hold up my faith with prayer and praise. Hold up almost anything with prayer and praise for that matter! Hold it up!

The rest of the day was pretty laid back but Dave gave me a brand new Annie Lee figurine and a poster signed by Annie Lee herself. That's getting framed an going straight up in the kitchen, just like the signed poster by John Holyfield! Very cool.

Yo, with her slick self, gave me a gift card which took a hefty chunk out of my bill at Kohls on Saturday. TBPB is coming.

The kids gave me a set of new reed diffusers.

I got a new Build a Bear too. Born on my birthday.

Dad and Christine sent money. That's always appreciated.

Then we had dinner at Red Lobster. Yum!

Dessert was the birthday cake Yolanda gave me. Yum too!

I got a ton of well wishes from Facebookers!

This morning I got on the scale fully expecting to be up, but I was down 1.2 pounds from last Monday's weigh in. I am down 19.2 pounds since April 25. Thank You God!

And now, I have the rest of the week off.

With one little "bump" that momentarily robbed me of my joy yesterday that I will not even acknowledge any more than that, 47 is starting out in an AWESOMELY BLESSED way!

Happy 4th of July!

ttfn

Ha! Here we go again.

2011-06-30T20:19:00.004-04:00

Okay, here is a new attempt at blogging. It's been what? Two years since my last post? Yeah, something like that. Anyhoo, I figure what the heck, I'll give it a try. Again. One reason being that about a month and a half ago something went crazy wrong with my computer and I lost EVERYTHING that I had not put on the back up external hard drive that Davie Pooh bought me. In other words, I lost A LOT! That includes a ton of the layout pics I've taken - you know, just in case something happens to the actual layouts. In the last three or four months I've been a scrapping fool and I decided that I would photograph all (or most) of the layouts I've scrapped and put them on the back up hard drive, but also here on my blog. You know, just in case something happens to the actual layouts AND the back up drive.

Yeah I'll use my blog to talk about life too, not that anyone is reading my blog. But maybe one day, some day I will have a reason to direct a family member or friend to my own little spot here on the WWW. Maybe ...

So let's get started with a couple of bubble layouts I took of Jordyn and Justin late last summer/early last fall. Lucky for me both kids were in a decent mood and happy to oblige and indulge my photographer requests. This has become a rare occurrence with all three kids. Typically they either dodge and avoid me and my camera or make the silliest goofy or bored and ticked off expression they can. The bubble blowing was actually fun for them so it was cool to catch them being themselves and having fun.

As you can see, I did some photo editing, making only the bubbles present in color. I love the effect and I'm pretty please with the layouts too.

So here's my first post in a long time. I promise to post again soon

ttfn

Ho hum ...

2009-07-27T21:43:00.002-04:00

I hate blogging. Can you tell by how often I do it?

I hate blogging because I apparently don't know how to blog in the way that most people do, or at least in the way that most people I know blog. See, when I am blogging I keep wanting to tell the world how I feel. How I really feel. But I can't. I keep having to censor myself for a variety of reasons so then I get to feeling like, "What the damn point?" Not that anyone is actually reading my blog any more ...

Another reason that I hate blogging also has to do with my comparing my entries to those of the blogs that I read. Is everyone else in the world really as happy, or at least as "unaffected" as they seem by their lack expression of any sort of drama? Even with all the censoring I would do, I know that I would sound incredibly depressed compared to the people whose blogs I read. I'm not. Really I'm not, but I've got some issues and I've got some complaints. Maybe I'm just reading the wrong blogs ...

Exactly ten years ago today, I found out that I was expecting my third child. How do I know or remember this? Not really sure, but I've always been pretty good at remembering dates, especially special ones. And yep, this is a special date and so is Justin, the baby I delivered in early April 2000, exactly nine months after my 35th birthday. My birthday present ;-) - told ya he was special!

Hmmm ...

2009-07-14T21:55:00.002-04:00

On Sunday I attended a mini HHS reunion. Not a whole lot of people showed up but I had great time. It was good to catch up with with old friends. It was very good to catch up with old friends. To remember and reminisce (sp?) To laugh and for just a few hours escape the day-to-day and "go back in time," so to speak ...

Since the reunion, I have been on Facebook more than I have. Mainly to post some of the pics I took and because I've received comments on them and invites to be new friends with old friends. But I've been playing around and looking and searching at many of the walls and profiles and pictures of my Facebook friends. In doing so I discovered my that my former boss Nancy, is now residing in China. I had been able to ascertain that she was or had been there, but I thought she was perhaps vacationing or visiting. Anyway I also discovered her blog and I'm going to bookmark it. She's so worldly. She's so intelligent. Must remember to wish her a happy birthday in three days.

Yawn ... another short post. It's getting late.

2009-06-16T21:40:00.004-04:00

Can't believe that I'm logging in and making an entry in my blog for the first time in what? 20 months?

Believe it or not, in all the time that has passed not a whole heckuva lot has been going on. Not really. I'm still employed, thankfully! I have a new supervisor. I so miss my former one but God is good and this too shall pass.

Guess what my hubby did? He bought a brand new Solstice about five weeks ago or so. I'm calling it his mid-life crisis car. Gotta admit though - its fun to ride in. I don't particularly like driving it because its so small but I got a serious kick out of riding in it with Dave behind the wheel. So fun! He's talking about taking it to the Woodward Dream Cruise. That should be very cool.

The countdown to shutdown aka my first summer vacation is on. It begins at 3 PM next Friday. So I guess that means that the countdown to my 45th birthday is on too. Hmph. How and when did this happen?

Second summer vacation is coming in August. Two weeks off! Ahhh!

'K, that's it for now. Maybe I'll check in again soon. In the meantime, I'm posting regularly at Shuttercal. For now.

On Vacation - a real one!

2007-09-05T13:34:00.000-04:00

I'm on vacation again. This time it's a real one becaues my kids are back in school, hubby is at work and I've got the house all to myself! COOL! Or at least it would be if I didn't have to go to class tonight - yeah the photography class I referenced last time. Hmph! Ain't no shame in my game. I am inept. I still ain't getting it. This whole aperture/shutter speed/ISO/distance/ depth of field etc. I just ain't getting it. Having said that, I did take a couple of cool pictures and managed to nail last week's assignment, but how I managed to do that, I have no mailto:*#@$ idea. None whatsoever.

I don't know. It has dawned on me that the last time I was in school Jared was in kindergarten, Jordyn was one and Justin was in the oven baking. Yep he walked across the stage with me, or should I say in me, when I got my master's degree (no wonder he's so smart - but I digress). My point is that even though all three of them required my attention, none of them were in school that had homework or in any other activity that required my time and attention like now. I've got their homework and mine to do and it's only the first week of school for them, second for me. What was I thinking when I decided to take this class?

Oh well. I am in my scraproom totally reorganizing. It's a mess but it's a good mess because it's in the process of getting organized. I finally got around to getting it carpeted and I also added another cabinet and I bought this awsome 8-section storage bin from Ikea. Even though it is so chaotic in here, I can see tons of progress! I'm already lovin' it! Can't wait to get done.

What else. I am sure I will regret putting this in writing, but I have been doing really really well in terms of watching what I've been eating over the last week or so. I think I'm down roughly three pounds. Not much, but its at start right? So now that I have put this on the www for the www (whole wide world) to see, I'm sure I'll be up six pounds by the time I blog again.

Dave and my dad will probably install the hard wood flooring throughout the remainder of the first floor that doesn't have it already or isn't carpeted, some time this weekend. Woo hoo, I am sooooooooo loving my "new" house!!!! Dave continues to make huge progress on that lengthy honey-do list!

Okay, I'm off to find that dang stash of Tinkering Ink papers I seem to have misplaced.

ttfn
td

This is for you ... you know who you are ...

2007-08-23T16:50:00.001-04:00

First of, let me tell you how many times I had to try to log on to make this entry. It's been so long that I'd forgotten my password. That's what happens when you are a severely delinquent blogger.

Two weeks ago today I was at the Mall of America. Drove there from Wisconsin Dells (our family vacation this year instead of DW). The Dells was cool. Until we went, I kept thinking to myself, "I don't get it." I mean what do you do there. Now that I'm back, I tell everyone that it reminds me a lot of Niagara Falls, only without Niagara Falls. It's a neat little tourist trap that boasts itself as the waterpark capital of the world, or is it the US? Well, one of those ... I with my lard a--- am sooooooooo not a waterpark person, but I grinned and beared it, or should I say bared it. I left my new Canon at the hotel that particarly day.

Speaking of my new camera, I start a photography class next Monday. It's a two hour class with a four-hour lab on Wednesdays. It amazes me how most people I know who have this camera just get to snapping gorgeous looking pictures without any previous serious picture-taking experience. Not me. Don't get me wrong, I've taken some decent shots but in all honesty, I'm not seeing what the big whoop is all about - I'm referring to my pictures now. So I'm plopping down an additional $365 to make me feel that the nearly $900 investment on the camera and bonus lens wasn't a waste of my hard earned cash. Make sense? I'm not so sure it does but ...

Back to vacation - as usual I was off for 2 weeks. The first week was spent traveling, the second was spent making sure Dave completed the extensive honey-do list I made for him. #1 on the list was painting our foyer with it's super high ceiling. Guess what?! He did it and it looks sooo wonderful.

I have to take a moment to brag on my man, cause he has mad skillz!!! Under the hood or the body of a car and throughout the house with his many many many handy-man tools, he has got it going all the way on!!!! Gotta give him his props 'cause I know way way too many women whose hubbies who don't know jack when comes to such. I can only imagine how much money Dave has saved us over the years because he's able to do so much himself.

What else? Hmmm. Not much. Thus the main reason I haven't blogged. Honestly, most of the stuff going on in my life just isn't that interesting, well it is to me but I suspect that it's much of the same stuff going on in most people's lives. KWIM?

'K so I have been scrapping. Lately I've been trying to use some older papers and stuff to make room for all the Summer CHA stuff I've bought/plan to buy. Here are a few LOs:

So this is basically the kinds of stuff I've been up to. I'll try to blog more often. I can't promise it'll be interesting, but it'll be me ...

Neurosurgery? I don't think so ...

2007-01-28T13:08:00.000-05:00

and neither does the neurologist, but nevertheless she thinks I should meet with a neurosurgeon. I don't have MS or any other chronic disease. Whew! That was my biggest fear. What I do have is a protruding disc that is compressing my spinal cord. Because my cord is involved the neurologist wants me to consult a surgeon, but she doesn't think I will need surgery. She believes that he may prescribe physical therapy. I was hoping that she would do that but I think she would like me to have an opinion of a specialist. I thought she was one, but oh well. The saga and the numbness continues but at least I know that I will live! I have my good days and bad days so I guess I'll just try to revel in the good and tolerate the bad as best I can.

ttfn

14 Years and Counting

2007-01-18T12:01:00.000-05:00

Fourteen years ago today, Dave and I were married. Who'da thunk we'd have lasted this long? Me for one. He for two. Other than that, what does it matter? I'm still in love and he makes me feel like he is too. Well most of the time anyway :-) Our marriage ain't perfect but I defy anyone to show me a marriage that is.

Well, I met with the neurologist on Friday. I cried almost non-stop in the hours leading up to my appointment. Truly, I cannot stress to anyone reading my blog who truly wicked and wild my imagination is when it comes to this whole health issue that I am dealing with. Anyway, still don't know what's wrong with me. After she took me through the same series of "tests" that I've been through three other times to ascertain that I haven't had a stroke, she told me that I have "brisk reflexes." Okay.

I gotta get that MRI, which I was unsure whether I would get on that day or not. My appt. for that is soon.

The doc could tell that I'm pretty distraught and asked me why. I told her that I was afraid that maybe I am dying. Just like the second ER doc that I saw, she tried to assure me that she didn't *think* I'm dying. Just like the second ER doc, she said that the worst thing she could guess about would be MS. Ah well ... I just try to see how many days I can go without crying now. I was at two until this morning. Gotta start over now.

Geez, this has got to be the most depressing site on the entire www. Sorry ...

Dave and I did finally get a new mattress. It's probably a good eight inches taller than our previous one. I love it. I think. Hard to tell how well it sleeps. I have to lay on my back with my head elevated so high that I am almost sitting upright to minimize the numbness. I hate sleeping on my back. I'm a side sleeper. I like "spooning."

What else? Not a lot.

Okay, like with my last entry, I can't let this one be so much of a downer so I'll try to end on a positive note. Despite everything that is going on, this quote by Robert Browning, is an indication of my love for Dave on our 14th wedding anniversary and of my hope for health and longevity ...

"Grow old with me, the best is yet to be."

ttfn
td

What if ...

2006-12-30T13:42:00.000-05:00

I am really really sick ...

The numbness has moved down to my right and left legs. The left leg is not so bad but the right one is. I have been to emergency twice in as many weeks. I have an appointment with a neurologist on January 12. I am very very scared.

My CT scan and blood work have all come back normal but I am still numb. Disturbingly so. I still have full strength and range of motion but I am numb.

The emergency room doc I saw the other day didn't want to speculate but when I pressed him for the worst he thought it could be, he said "MS."

I feel scared. I feel guilty because my faith ... well it's trying to hold up but I have a wicked imagination. I do mean wicked. And is is getting the best of me. I have never had trouble sleeping but I do now and the nights are long and lonely even with Dave laying next to me.

One of the few things that keeps me somewhat grounded is I keep thanking God that this is happening to me and not one of my kids. As anguished as I am now, I'd be out of my mind if it were one of them.

Just when I think I am all cried out, my eyes prove me wrong. Like now ...

Okay okay, pulling myself back together for the umpteenth billion time.

Have done a little bit of scrapping. Mostly holiday pics of the kids. Oh yeah, and Dave has made awesome progress on my scrap room. Wanna see? I love the color. It's called Asparagus. The black square above my work area that you see on one of the walls is a magnetic blackboard that I made by using magnetic paint and the blackboard paint on top of that. Can you tell I've been watching DIY and HGTV?

For the first time I have my computer in my scrap space. What a concept!!! I love it and the fact that I have tons and tons of music loaded on my computer I am set. Plus I can watch DVDs on it too so. So awesome. At least it would be if I weren't numb and wondering and worrying.

My brother's boys, Quincy and Trevor are over now and it would be such a great photo op to get some pics of them with my kids, but I tell ya, I'm so uninspired these days. I could probably come up with some decent layouts of the five kids together but ... mayby/hopefully I'll bring myself to at least snap a few pics. I can always scrap them later.

Aw shucks, I take almost two months to write and it's almost a total downer post. If I'm lucky, nobody is still reading my blog.

Geez I gotta come up with something positive to say. Something. Anything.

Okay, how's this ... while I can muster (sp?) the optimism ...

Whatever this is, it isn't serious and I'm going to be well. Healthy, whole and happy in the '007!

Happy New Year to all who still check in on the td (tracydacy).

November 3? Already?

2006-11-03T05:32:00.000-05:00

How in the world can it be November 3rd? Already? Seems like it was just yesterday it was January 1. Ah well, time certainly does fly ...

That could be one reason that I haven't blogged in so long - just didn't realize how long it had been because time flies so quickly. But nah, that ain't it. I just haven't felt like it. Not all that much is going on. Still numb tho- to a lesser degree. I did have an EMG the other day. The diplomatic way to describe the experience would be to merely say that it was rather unpleasant. If I wanted to keep it real I would say that if you are down with electric shock treatment and have no aversions to needles (albeit very thin needles - but needles nonetheless) being pushed deep into your muscle tissue and then being asked to push your extremity firmly in the direction of the needle, then hey, you'd have no problem. Now if I wanted to break it down to some of my ghettofabulous acquaintances (if I had any - well okay, I have two) I would say, "That %$#@* hurt like a *^$*@#(#*%$@." Feel free to insert the expletives of your choice.

Bottom line, I'm still alive and relatively well. I think. My results should be in by the end of the week which, I suppose, is today. Unless my doctor calls me, I'll probably just wait until Monday to call her.

My dad and brother's birthday, aka Halloween, has come and gone. Jared was a couch potato, meaning he informed me last week that he didn't he wanted to go trick or treating and stayed home watching tv on the couch. Jordyn was a cheerleader. Justin was The Thing from Fantastic Four. Again. One thing about that kid, he's committed. Three and two years ago, he was the Hulk. Hey, he likes it. I love it. Saves me a small piece of change. Good thing too. I've already spent a small fortune on their Christmas.

What else? Still scrappin but it's kinda hard. Dave is totally re-doing my room, so right now I don't have a room. The new one will be much larger and nicer. Just wish Dave would move a little faster about getting it done. It's coming along but I owe Monica two projects ... I will have them done by Sunday. I promise.

Hmmm, what else. Had a long talk with my old buddy Art the other day. I love talking to him. We always have great debates/conversations, but they are always bittersweet for me because I always lament the way things ended with Gina and Ellen and how synical he has become, but whenever I get done talking to him it makes me wanna hug and squeeze Dave and tell him how lucky, HOW TRULY BLESSED I feel to be his wife.

At the same time, I can understand Art and where he's coming from. He's a product of his experience. I've become somewhat of a cynic myself and yes, I question whether I take some things too personally. I admit that maybe, MAYBE, I do, but where there is smoke, there is smoke - not necessarily a fire, but smoke is still cause for me to leave the room ...

Ooooh, how clandestine ...

Anything else? As Dave would say, "It's cold as a witch's tit in a brass bra," outside. For the first time I can remember in a while, we had no Indian summer. Fortunately, Halloween wasn't too bad but I did wear gloves. I loathe cold temps, but I do love this time of year. Planning Thanksgiving dinner. Anticipating 3Js' faces on Christmas morning. Dave's too. These things and most things in-between make it all worthwhile!

And there you have it, some medical drama, tricks and treats, home improvement, great debates, cynicism, a weather report and a bit of hokey reflection. The stuff of life ... my life anyway.

ttfn!
td

Officially Funky

2006-10-19T10:47:00.000-04:00

Yep, it's official. I am in one huge funk. You know when life hurls a bunch of sh** your way - well yeah, that's what's happening with me right now ...

My doctor thinks I have a pinched nerve. My neck and arm are still numb. My doc told me to call her on Tuesday if things had not improved and she would send me for a test called an EMG. Well things are more or less the same but I didn't call her. My friends Meg and Dale told me about the EMG. My life is shockingly distressing enough as it is and I just really ain't in the mood to have tiny needles stuck up and down my arm, neck and spine and then have electric currents go through them into me. Nope, I'm not in the mood for that. (Shannon, if you're reading this can you tell more about this test?)

I'm giving myself until next Monday before I call my doctor back. I have regained some feeling in the affected areas so maybe I just need a little more time ...

I got on the scale this morning and came about *this* close to jumping out of the window. I look and feel like a big ole tub of lard. To make matters worse, for the last two weeks, I thought I was being good in terms of eating less and trying to be a bit more active. All that for a lousy one pound loss! That's why I'm on my way to Fuddrucker's for lunch with Meg.

ttfen - that ta ta for effin' now!

peace out
td

A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Lose ...

2006-10-12T11:17:00.000-04:00

I think I've either lost my mind or am in the process of losing it. I'll know for sure in about two hours. By then I should be back from my 12 noon doctor appointment.

It all started last Saturday. Six days ago ... Six long days ago at which time I never thought I would still be feeling this ...

I was coming back from taking Jared to pick up his glasses. Yes, like his mom, he needs glasses for the first time at the age of 12. Anyway, I was wearing that wireless Blue Tooth earpiece that goes with my cell phone. Was only wearing it because Dave had started complaining that it was a total waste of money because I never used it. Well, I noticed that it was pinching my ear in a way that was causing slight pain so I took it off. When I removed it, I noticed that my right ear/neck felt numb and immediately dismissed the numbness as something caused by the earpiece and would dissipate within a few minutes ... Six days later it hasn't dissipated and has spread to my upper chest and back area and down my arm to my hand. It's not severe or anything, in fact I have to touch the affected areas to see if they are still numb/tingly. They are.

My friends all laugh and lay out the proverbial welcome mat to officially usher me into middle-age hood. I have no problem with entering middle-age-dom, but could have done without the "gift." I had no idea how much this was bothering me until about 90 minutes ago when I realized that I am on my way to getting an official diagnosis. I've been on webmd.com. I've come up with "acceptable" diagnosis and those which I will not accept, including heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Am I tripping? Maybe, but I'm serious. Not that I would even get one of those dianosis today, but I'm just saying. I'm going over in my head how much life insurance I have. What would my kids do without me.

Dave called me and I broke down in tears in the midst of him talking about something - I have to idea what. Before he knew anything I was sobbing in the phone, trying not to be too loud since I am at work. He "guarantees" that I am fine. AFter we hung up, I had to work of some of this nervous energy so I took a walk. Got just far enough from my desk to be seen before I broke down again ...

I'm losing my mind ...

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming

2006-08-28T08:01:00.000-04:00

The infamous words of Dory (Dorie?) from Finding Nemo are all that I can think about right now. "Just keep swimming..." Of course I am not a fish so maybe I should say, "Just keep moving," or "just keep breathing" or something like that but, "Just keep swimming," works. If you've seen the movie you get my drift ...

How can it be that I am in dire need of another vacation when I just got back to work one week ago??? Luckily I scheduled next week off! I feel so tired. So drained. So zapped - just like our home which was hit by lightening Thursday night. Zapped the phones, computers, electrical outlets, DirectTV, my energy but I'm going to resist this temptation to fall into one of my melancholy moods. Just keep swimming ...

Jordyn's 8th birthday was Saturday. Unfortunately we spent a great part of the day waiting for the telephone repair guy to show. He never did. But my girl persevered. She was content to go shoppping and then come home and celebrate with our little party of five. How can it be that my baby girl is eight already? Already! Watching her grow, I am increasingly aware of how fast time flies whether you're having fun or not. I'm trying to make it fun for her and for her brothers. I'm trying to make easy for them to just keep playing and just keep growing - that's why I "just keep swimming ..."

My mom's best friend is having a birthday party this week. Her daughter asked me to for all intents and purposes, help the guests with make-and-take birthday cards. Thirty of them. Of course I said yes but I am finding out how much work is involved in getting all the materials together and ready for quick and easy assembly. I'm doing four different styles with four different techniques: stamping, dry embossing, doodling and making tags. With any luck I'll have everything together by Wednesday. Thursday at the latest but I've got a major project at working that is due on Thursday and I'm starting to stress about that so I should probably try not to pressure myself into getting the cards done that soon. (Swimming, swimming ...) As long as they are done by Saturday morning ya know? Nothing like last-minuting it. Oh yeah, I've got to get my KNK project done and sumbitted by Wednesday too.(Swim, swim, swim)

With all this swimming I'm doing, you'd think I'd lose some weight. HA!

ttfn
td

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of ...

2006-08-22T16:42:00.000-04:00

I am amazed at how much Justin LOVES Star Wars. Though he is partial to the first three movies (which are actually the last three made) he is totally into all six of the Star Wars movies. He is constantly drawing pictures of the characters and talking about Darth Vadar and Luke and Padmei (sp???) and Darth Sideous and Bobo Fat (???) and General Grievous etc. I will never forget the time he walked up to me and said "Mommy, who is this? 'Cohhhh cohhhhh...'" I was like what the heck?!?!? Justin stood there looking at me like I was the biggest idiot. How could I not know who he was impersonating????? He sounded just like him. Anyway it turned out to be the breathy sound Darth Vadar makes through that voice sound box thingie. Go figure. Never in a million years would I have guessed that he would be sooooo all-in.

He and Dave had a Star Wars marathon a few weeks back. All Star Wars. All day. Oh brother.

So it came as no surprise that when Justin wanted to get his face painted at Disney MGM he chose Darth Mull (sp???) You can only imagine how incredibly geeked he was when during the parade Luke Skywalker and Princess Leah actually pointed to him and Luke aimed his light saber (sp???) at him. I tell ya, it's the stuff dreams are made of!

ttfn
td

Back to the Grind ...

2006-08-21T05:04:00.000-04:00

It's 5 AM and in one hour my vacation will be officially over as that is when I am expected to walk back into the building where I work. Umph umph umph. Just like that, the past two weeks have flown by. Oh well, I get another week off in two weeks and that will be much more of an R&R vacation as the kids will be back in school and Dave will be working...

Just like the past two years, we had a grand old time in Florida. Took tons of pictures again. And you know, despite the 2400 mile drive to and from the Sunshine State and the cost of gas ranging between $2.74 and $2.95 per gallon, I guess we got the Explorer in good traveling condition and planned adequately for that expense because it didn't cost quite as much as I expected. And speaking of Sunshine State, for the first time, it didn't rain every single day we were there( even if for only a brief period). I was fretting a bit about tropical storm Chris before we left but I suppose it just fizzled and it only rained the first three days of our trip and as luck would have it, each time it rained we happened to be doing an inside activity and missed it!

And again, speaking of the Sunshine State, I got burned. Yep just like year before last when we went to Lauderdale, I fried like a strip of bacon on Coco Beach. Got the gross flakey peeling back to prove it too. After applying sun screen to Dave and the kids, how could I forget to get some for myself? Got distracted I guess, but at least it didn't/doesn't burn to touch ...

Ironically or maybe not so ironically, the second week of my vacation was almost as good as the first - I mean I did get some chill time in, but more importantly, I got a brand new deck. Yep, Dave finally built it!!! It's about 85% done but I can walk out of the sliding back doors onto it! YAY! BIG YAY!

Well I guess I'd better get off the 'puter now. Got a long day ahead of me and after work I get to go do a survey about my former social smoking habits and earn $125. Should supposedly take 2 hours to complete, but at $62.5 per hour I guess I can't complain. That will cover all the 7 Gypsies stuff I pre-ordered from ER the other day!

toodles
td

Something New

2006-07-31T21:15:00.000-04:00

Oh yeah I'm on a roll - two posts in two days. I'm sitting here listening to my iPod. Fully jammin'. I downloaded India Arie's "I Am Not My Hair" video. Started thinking that if I could have a cool video on my blog like some people do, that would be it right now, so I came her to check out the options on my blog. Didn't see a video option. Saw where I can a picture of myself which I will do either later this week or when I get back from our trip. Also saw the option to change my blog template so I figure, what the hey. Didn't see a "banner" option either but maybe I'll explore more thoroughly some other time

Man I am so ready music-wise for our 20 hour trip to Florida. That iPod music store, I can tell, could be a VERY dangerous thing. I LOVES ME MY MUSIC - and that is the understatement of the year ...

Ah well, off to get ready for the fourth workday before our trip ...

ttfn
td

hb td

2006-07-03T23:23:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday, Tracy Dacy!!!

Yep, today was my 42nd birthday. It started out kinda slow. You know me, feeling kinda melancholy. Introspective. I try not to make a big deal about my birthday because I know that once you're not a kid anymore I guess it's considered immature to expect very much. And it's not that I do, but I just want to be treated a little extra special because ... well because it's my day. I mean when I think back to the births of my children and the moment they took their first breath, the world became a different place. Incrementally different - unnoticeably different to most of the world. Phenominally different to me. And to each of my children.

Same with me. 42 years ago my parents lives were changed. And so was mine as I began to live it on the outside. Today was the anniversary of that date and a celebration of it. Today was significant and there are literally fireworks outside to prove it! (That's my story and I'm sticking to it ;-)

I got a new ipod for my birthday. Guess what I'll be doing over the next few days ... uploading cds. I also see another LO about me getting my groove all the way on in my future.

Less than three weeks to CHA! Oh yeah, I'm counting!

ttfn
td

99%

2006-06-23T19:49:00.000-04:00

That's how sure I am that I am going to CHA next month!!! I can hardly believe it but I stopped in ER this afternoon and got to chit chatting with Monica and Terry. I casually asked if they were going to CHA and they both kind of looked at each other with some uncertainly and said yeah. When I asked about their hesitance they explained that they needed to work out some of the logistics that involved one of them not being able to go and the other not wanting to go alone. So I jokingly said, "Well if one of you can't make it, I could go in her place." They asked if I was serious and I said, "Yeah, I guess I am ..." The rest is history.

So why am I not 100% sure? Well I have a small logistic of my own that I need to work out, but I think I can...

Speaking of ER (Ever Remembered), here is the link I promised a post or so ago. The website is still under construction but move you can move your mouse over various items in the charicture to go different places, but if you click on the "Ever Remembered" on the tablecloth, and then click on "designers" at the top of the next page, another page with me and eventually five other ladies will come up. Click on my picture to see the first thing that I thought of when Monica said a scrap-related word. There is also a picture of my very first scrapbook page. Try not to laugh at that ...

The KNK online crop is this weekend, which is turning out to be busier than I thought it would. I let my nephew Quincy spend the night and adding another 12-year-old to the mix of my three kids makes for even more craziness. Then I have to meet his dad in Detroit 'cause I ain't driving nearly 70 miles to take him home - that will take a good chunk out of my day. Monica wants me to stop by the store to check out some CHA material ... when will I ever find time to crop. I'm sure I will tho. I got some really good pictures of Justin at his kindergarten graduation a couple of weeks ago. See ...

I know I need to crop the sides some ... That's Justin and his teacher whom he adored. He was constantly telling us what she said, what she did. I think he idolized her, but she was a great teacher. Justin is reading very very very well - much better than Jared or Jordyn did at this age.

My back is pretty much back to normal. Thank goodness!

Five more work days until my first of four vacations this summer. I get five workdays off - that nine consecutive days!!! Other than turning 42 during that time, I don't have any big plans. Just some major chillin' out! My next two vacations (including the trip to the Windy City for CHA) will be the kind where you don't get to relax. They will be the kind that make me need another vacation. Ah well, at least I won't be at work. Anything is better than that right? :-)

Okay, I'm done.

ttfn

My Back Went Out ... and took me with it

2006-06-20T19:26:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday I was finishing up my Father's Day cards. I was using my Quickutz for some of the lettering. I have the old blue one. While I love being able to get the letters I want and need, I hate that I have to squeeze the damn thing so hard. I was thinking about upgrading to the pink or black one but after trying it at ER, I can't tell much of a difference. Anyway, I had about 75% of the letters I needed when all of a sudden I felt an odd sensation in my back. I paused for a moment and then proceded to punch the remaining 25%. About an hour later, I began to feel some stiffness and some pain.By Saturday night I could barely move my neck and if I did, it hurt like #$%$&**$!!! (Insert your most obscene expletive).

It felt the same on Sunday. I went to my doctor yesterday who has taken me off work until Thursday and prescribed three different drugs for pain, inflammation and muscle relaxation. I'm still quite stiff and have a fair amount of pain and I'm not sure which of the drugs makes me sleepy but I have taken two 2.5 hour naps today.

So let this be a lesson to you, be careful with your Quickutz. I'm starting to give the Cricut some serious consideration.

As for my first crop a few weeks back, it was da bomb! I had an A+ time -stayed until 5 AM. To carry my things, I went out and bought a small cropping "briefcase" but it couldn't handle everything I took so I also grabbed Justin's Hulk backpack and the tote I carry to work with me every day. A few days after the crop I had a 40% off coupon for JoAnn's so I bought one of the Navigators. When I go to the next all-nighter in July, I'm gonna be fully prepared.

Well that's it for now. Will try to blog again soon.

ttfn
td

First Crop

2006-05-25T22:21:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow evening I'm going to my first-ever crop. It's at Ever Remembered and I have to admit that I go back and forth between anxiety and anticipation. I don't know what I want to work on and I don't know what to bring....

At any rate, the crop will be an all-nighter. I figure I'll try to hang until 1:30 or so before I call it a night.

Oh yeah, I turned in the tag book I was making for the store and Terry and Monica loved it AND they officially asked me to be on the ER's design team! Yay! I'm excited. Just like KNK, ER has presented me scrap challenges that make me look at different things differently. I'd have never done a tag book but now I have and I am pretty happy with how it turned out.

Anyway, when Monica updates the ER site with the DT profiles I'll post a link.

Hmmm, what else? I am looking forward to the upcoming three-day weekend and cannont wait until this time next week when the big Anne Stevens meeting will be behind me. That's about all for now so

ttfn
td

Shout Outs

2006-05-17T15:14:00.000-04:00

I gotta show some love to Shannon, Heather and Carrie. Apparently you ladies still check to see what's up in my boring "A" blog. Gotta tell you all, it made me feel kinda good that you left me some comments after my two-month hiatus. I mean it when I say, "You're the best!"

'K, so here's a little bit of what I have been up too. Lunch pails! Yeah I know I'm all late and stuff but I was experiencing much anxiety. You know the kind, "What if I totally screw this up and it looks like crap." Obviously I got over it and here are the results …

Need to go and check out KI's Uptown per Shannon's suggestion for the one I'm planning for Dave. Hey I'd better get right on that - I could get it done just in time for Father's Day!

Now that I'm over the anxiety of ruining the lunchpails/wasting my money, I'm beginning to stress over hosting another huge meeting at work with another top exec. Does it ever end?

ttfn
td

I'm on a Roll

2006-05-15T20:59:00.000-04:00

Two posts in one day after none for two months. Oh well I just had to share that Dave wants me to make him a BasicGrey lunch pail. We were looking at my 3J pail and he said, "That's ... that's ... that's phenomenal!" Just like the guy in the Sprint commercial. Yeah, corny I know but he really likes it and he asked to make him one basically about his love of cars. Shan, if your reading this, do you have any PP ideas?

On a much more serious and sadder note, I went to Robert's mother's funeral today. I cried even though I didn't really know his mother. Me crying at anybody's funeral is truly par for the course. I got to see a few people that Dena and I went to college with. Good grief did some of them look, ahem, aged. I had to ask Dena if we look that, ahem, much like them. We, with our rinse-tinted hair, impeccably applied make-up, and control top panty hose had no idea how they let themselves go and agreed that we could both still pass for thirty-somethings!

ttfn
td

My Mother's Day ...

2006-05-15T06:06:00.000-04:00

My Mother's Day was the best. In a way I guess I actually began celebrating it on Friday. I had a long weekend, as I took Friday off to attend the MegaMeet with Dale. Had a ton of fun. Spent a mint but that's okay.

Saturday I drove to Hamtramck and spent the day with my mother. I'd orginally planned to spend the actual holiday with her but decided that I wanted to spend that day vegetating.

Anyway I gave my mom the Maya Road coffee tin and altered chipboard flower book that I made her. She cried. It kind of caught me off guard. She looked through it and smiled and told me how much she liked it. Then she passed it to my father. He looked through it too and said it was nice, then gave it back to her. It was during her second look-thru that I noticed she was crying. I just kind of pretended not to notice. I'm glad I trid my hand at the lunch tins. They are becoming my favorite new thing to do. I've made five so far.

On Mother's Day I had breakfast in bed. Dave cooked bacon and sausage and eggs. Grits too. He bought coffee cake too. To drink I had coffee and orange juice. He offered to take me shopping or give me money but I said I was "good." After all, I did have the new Quickutz Sunshine set. That early gift was enough. The kids all gave me their school project gifts but I have to say that the one Justin's teacher came up with brought tears to my eyes. It was a poem about fingerprints and how children grow older and grow up. At the bottom was Justin's signature, his handprint and his spring school picture. Ms. LeBeouf must have found the picture frames at a dollar store or something - the frame was actually quite nice. I am still trying to decide if I want to take it to work and sit on my desk or put it on the mantle here at home.

Anyway, the only other thing I did on Mother's Day was scrap. I brought everything I needed into the bedroom and scrapped while Dave watched television and got some organizing done. I started working on the 7 Gypsies tag book that Ever Remembered asked me to work on. I took the Fancy Pants LO into the store on Saturday and Monica asked if I would mind completing another project for them to display. I was again honored and said "of course." Being on the KNK DT and completing projects for ER is what I like to refer to as "creativity on demand." Sometimes it takes me so far out of my comfort zone but I love it. I really enjoy being asked to work with paper and material that I might not have otherwise considered. I LOVE how the Fancy Pants LO turned out!!! I love some of the LOs I've done for KNK too and seeing how the other DT members use the kits. It's all so inspiring.

Anyway, I must have worked on the tag book for a couple of hours before my muse started napping so I moved on the the BG lunchpail that I wanted to make for Jared. I pretty much knew what I wanted to do with it so it didn't matter that my muse was slumbering. I got the pail and all of the inserts covered. I love it.

I loved my Mother's Day. I wasn't bothered at all by the gloomy, rainy weather. It was actually a great backdrop to my day. If it had been bright, sunny and warm I'd have felt obligated to go out and would not have been so productive.

Now back to the daily grind. I've been up since Dave's alarm went off at 4:00. Couldn't go back to sleep - started thinking about some things I need to get done at work. Also, checked my cell phone voice mail. There was a message from Dena that Robert's mother passed away and the funeral is today. I'm going to try and take a long lunch to attend ... How yesterday must have sucked for Robert, Greg and Vivian.

I'm not really looking forward to the workday ahead of me but by the time I get home I should have two boxes waiting for me - one from Rocky Mountain Hobbies and one from 4Ever Scappin'.

Can't believe its been more than two months since I last blogged. Haven't had much to report.
Oh well. It's 6:33 AM. Maybe I'll lie down for a few minutes before I have to get up.

ttfn
td

RIP Oreo

2006-03-11T16:07:00.000-05:00

Jared's pet hamster, Oreo, died today. Oddly enough, I feel just a tad bit sad for the little rodent. Not sure why though. I mean, I had to remind Jared every week to clean his cage. For that matter, I had to constantly question Jared about the last time Oreo had food or water. I was the one who thought enough of Oreo to cut up some apples for him as an occasional special treat - Jared never did that for him. Every other month or so, we had to buy Oreo a new water bottle because he'd chewed a hole in the old one. The fact is, I don't know how many times I thought to myself, "I'll be glad when that damned thing dies because Jared is just not responsible enough."

Jared and Jordyn came in our room this morning saying that Oreo looked really bad, like he was dead. I told Dave to go and check and could hear him say, "I don't think he's dead, but yeah, he's probably dying." He gave Jared a box that one of his paint spray guns came in to put fresh bedding in to make the hamster comfy ... and for burying. Poor Oreo died with Jared watching over him somberly. Kinda sad, ya know.

Anyway, I made a layout for Jared's scrapbook so that he'll never forget his first pet. Even though Jared wasn't the best pet owner and had to always be reminded to provide the most basic care for Oreo, I know that he really did like the critter. I must have too because I used my good Heidi Swapp ghost letters and a floral, a big Bazzill brad, and a ton of Primas on this layout about his death. Go figure.

R.I.P. Oreo Hamster.

New Specs

2006-03-01T22:22:00.000-05:00

FINALLY!!! After approximately seven or eight years of settling for glasses that I wasn't all that thrilled about I found two and bought two new pair. Yippee. Now that we have Heritage optical insurance I can go t DOC for glasses. Optim-eyes just wasn't cutting the mustard in terms of having glasses that appeal to me. Of course I'm walking around minus an arm and a leg because even with insurance that's what my new sexy specs cost me but I love them both!!!!

Yesterday was Dave's birthday. We didn't celebrate in a big way yesterday but over the weekend we managed to get rid of all three kids and we went out on a date. We had dinner and a movie on Saturday night and then brunch on Sunday.

We went to see Running Scared, starring Paul Walker(I never realized how cute he was in a raw and rugged sort of way - maybe it was the role along with the cinematography). What an incredibly action-packed and intense and suspenseful movie. In fact it was too intense for me. I got up to use the bathroom just so that I could breathe. I don't like movies that make my heart pound and my fists clench. I won't give away the plot but in short it was all about a guy being a day late and a dollar short throughout the whole movie. From the very first scene there was a ton of action. Needless to say, Dave loved it. I would have too but I go to the movie for entertainment and just found it hard to be entertained with my blood pressure elevated to that level. Other kinds of movies that do that to me are ones about racism, rape, and kidnapping. I don't find that subject matter entertaining at all ...

At any rate, it felt WONDERFUL to have a much needed break from my childrent and to spend time alone with Dave. We must find a way to make that happen much more often.

ttfn
td

Waiting to Exhale

2006-02-17T11:19:00.000-05:00

I feel as though I've been holding my breath for the last 2-3 weeks as I planned for yesterday's big meeting. I don't know how many times I went over the details in my head. Last Thursday night I dreamt that I showed up an hour late for the meeting, the AV equipment was broken and the meeting ended before Jim Padilla got there. By the time he showed up everyone was filing out of the Grand Hall and he was asking my director, what the hell was going on. All the while I was shrinking and wondering to myself how much my unemployment checks were going to be.

Anyway, there were a few timing logistics that we had to work through but overall, everything went off very very well. I'd say that there were a good 800 people in attendance and Mr. Padilla's presence and his presentation - well they were great. He's such a dynamic and enthusiastic speaker and he always connects with our employees by mentioning his past connections with our organization and our building.

The F-150 Chief, Matt O'Leary, gave a great presentation too. He seemed very personable, and was easy on the eye. My Director, Bob, also did very well. Yep, everything came together the way I hoped it would. The way I planned it. I had a good day.

Now I've got to focus on the KNK weekend online crop. I need to get cracking on some examples for the challenges, but I don't want to just throw somthing together. With the crop coming so soon after yesterday's meeting, my brainpower is zapped. I've got a few ideas but for whatever reason they aren't translating all that well when I go to put them on cardstock. I can't let my dt girls or Angela down.

Did I mention that next week Dave has to go to OK for his job? Jared and Jordyn will be on mid-winter break and I will have to drive to my parent's every morning before coming to work? That means passing my job by 15 miles to drop the kids off, and then going that same 15 miles out of my way at the end of the day to pick them up. Instead of communting 60 miles a day it will be more like 120 miles a day. By the time I get home next Friday evening, I'm gonna be one mean momma. I guess in a way, I'm still waiting to exhale.

ttfn
td

Sometimes I Wish ...

2006-02-08T10:10:00.000-05:00

I could stop the world and get off. Just for an hour. Maybe two. What would I do? I don't really know but I think it might involve a bit of screaming at the tip top of my lungs. I think it might also involve crying some serious tears too. Sounds to me like I'd take the opportunity to throw myself a pretty pity party.

The thing is I feel so much guilt about having these thoughts. What have I got to feel so bad about. I have three healthy and beautiful children. A husband, who despite getting on my last nerve as of late, he loves me and I love him. I have a fine home. I didn't lose my job two weeks ago unlike a few close friends of mine ... From all outside appearances, even from the view that only I am privy to, it would seem that I have no need whatsoever to throw a pity party. But the fact remains that I want to stop the world, get off, scream, cry, maybe even puke.

Aaaargh, there I go again. Oh the melodrama! This is why there are such lapses in my blog - I guess I just don't want others to know how crazy I feel sometimes ...

I know a large part of this has to do with the fact that I am planning a HUGE meeting at work where the president of the company will come and address our employees. So much planning. So much checking and re-checking. I so much prefer my writing role at work to my PR role. On top of the stress at work, Jordyn has some kind of stomach bug. It started at 2:30 AM night before last and it's still going on. She's getting a bit better but I hate it when my kids are sick AND my sleep has suffered which only compounds my anxiety and irritability. If I can just make it til next Friday, the meeting will be behind me... If!

ttfn
td

The Calm Before the Storm

2006-01-21T19:31:00.000-05:00

This time next week I should know if I still have a job or not. On Thursday, the possible reality of the situation really set in and I packed up a box of my personal belongings and brought it home. I did the same thing yesterday. Ironically, as this potential reality set in I became incredibly and increasingly calm. I listened to remnants of conversations as they passed by my cube or as I passed them in the aisles. So many people are so worried. Me? I would describe myself as "wondered." I wonder if I will lose my job. I wonder what I will do if I do. I wonder what I will do if I don't. I wonder just how calm I will be one week from now ...

Fortunately, because of my time with the company, I am eligible for a severance that will help sustain us for more than a year, but after a week or two of chilling, I'd be throwing myself full force into a job search, which the company will provide assistance with for six months. Call me Sniff or Scurry but I'd be on the lookout for new some "cheddar." Yeah, I pulled out Who Moved My Cheese the other day.

I took my mom back home today. She spent the week with us and cared for the kids after school. I planned to just drop her off, say hi to my dad and then head back home. I wound up staying for several hours.

I don't know how, but me and my dad got to talking. He told me that by the time he entered the tenth grade most people thought he was only entering sixth grade. He said that he was very small for his age back then and it really bothered him. He said that his mother was approximately 5' 4" and that Granddaddy was only 5' 6". Luckily Daddy went through a growth spurt and eventually reached 5'10" or is he 5' 9"?

He told me that he and nine his siblings used to attend the church down the street from their home but his parents went to two different churches and that he often would walk to meet his mother and walk her home. He said he was the only one who would do this. I could see the pleasure and the pain in his face as he recollected those days. She died January 16, 1960, four and a half years before I was born. Daddy was 24 then.

Eventually my brother stopped by and our conversations became very lively. Lots of laughter. Lots of fun. It felt good. It felt great. Like it used to be before the big falling out of 1991. It feels good to have released so much of the bitterness. Occassionally it tries to creep back into my heart. Occassionally I remember the pain. Thank goodness those occassions are increasingly seldom.

I suppose not all memories can be happy ones but they can be cherished for making me appreciate the happy ones all the more and for helping me keep things in perspective.

Oh well, I'm home now with Dave on the couch in the family room. Jared on the other computer. Jordyn and Justin finger painting. Me blogging. Life etc. happening.

td

Lucky 13!

2006-01-18T08:16:00.000-05:00

it was raining cats and dogs as we were waiting for the limo to pick us up. a random vegas tourist who noticed us asked if we were going to be married and when we told her that we were, she said, "it's supposed to be very good luck if it rains on your wedding day." again, it was raining cats and dogs (the size of tigers and great danes) so i considered her comment to be a very good omen.

january 18, 1993, thirteen years ago today, dave and i flew to las vegas and got married. just the two of us. it was one of the very best decisions of my life. sometimes people ask me if i regret not having a big wedding and my answer is still "no." i have never liked being the center of attention of large crowds. even at my bridal and baby showers, i felt uncomfortable so a big wedding just would not have been me. big weddings are beautiful and i like to attend them, but i'm much too simple a gal for one. having said that, i would like to renew our vows on our 25th anniversary in a church, in the presence of a small circle of family and friends with a small dinner party to follow. now that will be worth celebrating. in a day where so many marriages end in divorce, i think there should be more fanfare at a milestone anniversary. any two people can get married but not many can make it work for very long, but that's just my humble opinion...

anyway, three kids, two houses, several cars, and many gray hairs later here we are. still married and happily so. 13 years. i feel so lucky! so very blessed!

I've Been Tagged Too - Thanks Shannon

2006-01-18T07:29:00.000-05:00

My pal Shannon "tagged" me so I get to tell you the following interesting facts about yours truly ...

4 jobs i've had
Communication Specialist (Ford Motor Co.)
Internal Communications and PR Specialist (fomoco)
Vehicle Programs Specialist (fomoco)
Central Contorl Operator (fomoco)

4 movies i could watch over and over
50 first dates (sappy i know, but love the concept of making someone fall in love with you every day)
the incredibles
shawshank redemption
kill bill 1&2 (violence to the nth degree but that Beatrix Kiddo is one bad mamma jamma and i love her and yeah, i know that makes 5, not 4 movies)

4 places i have lived
detroit, mi
hamtramck, mi
ypsilanti, mi
tbd

tv shows i like to watch
house
desperate housewives
csi (heather knows which ones)
good morning america

places i've been on vacation
florida
vegas
NOLA
Northern VA

websites i visit daily
knk
sbc yahoo
cnn.com
tv guide entertainment news

4 favorite foods
cheesecake
reuben with swiss, slaw, and russian dressing
deep dish pizza
chili

4 places i'd rather be
on the beach
in Dave's arms
someplace warm
scrappin a masterpiece

4 bloggers i'm tagging
meg
i don't know any other bloggers who haven't already been tagged

Blah-humbug!!!

2006-01-08T12:39:00.000-05:00

It's eight days into the new year and I feel about ready to throw in the towel. I'm officially in a rut. I just can't seem to get my sh** together. Yet, if you were to ask me what is wrong, I'd have a hard time putting my finger on it. I just have this huge cloud of discontent hanging over me. I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. Churning. (How's that for a corporate buzz word - or maybe it's just a Ford thang.)

Could I be going through a mid-life crisis??? Could it be cabin fever (if it is, it's early this year - doesn't usually set in until late February/early March). Maybe it's just me coming down from the holiday high. At any rate I don't like how I am feeling. It might help to try and scrap it out. Yeah, I suppose that would be somewhat therapeutic, but again, I'm having such a hard time identifying the cause of this blah-ness.

I am giving some thought to going back to school. No, not for another master's degree or Ph.D, but just to take some "fun" classes at the local community college.

Been also thinking about bugging Dave to bring home the treadmill his dad said I could have. Am considering buying a new recumbent exercise bike too. Excerise would probably help with the blahs while also helping get rid of the 20 pounds I really need to lose.

Yadda yadda yadda. All this thinking and considering ... I need to quit thinking, and talking about about it and just BE about it.

To the few fairly regular readers of my boring blog, this entry has got to be about as exciting as watching paint dry. Sorry. Let's just hope I'm PMS-ing and will have something more interesting (or at least something less blah) to report next time.

ttfn
td

2006 Ready or Not, Here it Comes!

2005-12-31T14:19:00.000-05:00

Another year has come. And gone. I am another year older. Wiser? Well I suppose that is debateable, but I can't think of any major mistakes or regrets associated with 2005 so I'm good. Actually, I'm so much better than good. I am truly blessed. Just like New Year's Eves of the recent past, I am overwhelmed and overcome with how GOOD God has been to me and mine. Being the me that I am, it would be way way way too easy for me to get philosophical and sappy about my husband and children and parents and brother, but I won't do that. Suffice it to say that given everything that is going on in the world today, I try not to take anything for granted - there but for the amazing grace of God, go I.

Resolutions? Well I gave up making them several years ago because I seldom, if ever kept them. I have thought and thought and thought some more about making some for 2006. I still hesitate to be specific but I will say that I resolve to take care of myself in the new year. Less self-guilt. More self-love. Less self-doubt. More self-praise. Less, "I wonder what they will think." More, "I have to do what is right for me." I have this awful habit of making life harder than it has to be and putting myself through entirely too much undue stress. Wish I knew why, but that really isn't the issue. In 2006 I just plan to do less of this.

It's been a very long time since I posted any pics to my blog. So long in fact, that I may have forgotten how. Let's give it a try ...

Okay so it appears that my pics are at the top of this entry whereas I wanted them directly above this paragraph. Anyway, they are pics of my "new" scraproom which is a work in progress. It used to be cement white (both the walls and the floor). As you can see it is now a shade of blue that is the result of me combining the lovely shades of blue and green that I recently painted Jared's and Justin's respective bedrooms. I also now have a 8' x 12' piece of carpet on the floor - so you know how big (or small actually) my room is.

Where I used to have a farily large table at which to sit and scrap, I now have a new Craftsman workbench at which to stand and scrap. Where I used to have my paper and cardstock horizontally laying in the "Target cubes" I now have the Cropper Hopper vertival storage trolley. I also have that other Cropper Hopper drawer storage thingy too where I used to have a couple of Serlite drawer storage thingies.

My ever-present and all-important stereo is sitting atop the white cabinet that will eventually go back up on the wall to hold some of my scrapbooks as it isn't large enough to hold all of them. In my stereo, you know I have some jammin' cds - currently my main man Will Downing (so smooth), Sting (so cool and mellow-jazzy), Mariah Carey (so "hip-pop"), Babyface (also smooth, but in a different way from Will) and Jill Scott (so raw without being profane).

I still have a TON of stuff to bring back into my room but I'm taking my time so that I can find a permanent place for everything and so that I can remember all the new permanent places KWIM? Unfortunately, I need Dave to do a few things before I can move so much back in there. This is unfortunate because he is the KING of procrastination and of unfinished projects. Who do you think painted the room and put the workbench together? Yours truly. It is no fluke that one of my favorite sayings is, "God bless the child that's got his own." In this case I'm referreing to my own tools and ambition to get the job done!

Plans for tonight? Nada special. More simplicity over complexity. More of less being more. More chillin' with my man and my rugrats. More life etc.

Happy New Year!

td (tracydacy)

Merry Christmas

2005-12-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

Well almost ... in two minutes it will be Christmas Day and here I sit up in bed on the laptop wide awake while not any other creature is stirring in the house. I know that it will be a while before I am able to drift off. Why? When were out earlier my allergies started acting up and I took a Benedryl. We got home around 6 or so, I cooked at ate dinner, showered and decided to climb into bed and browse some scrapping mags for inspiration with the January KNK kit, which was waiting on my doorstep this evening. Before I knew anything I was out like a light. I totally forgot about the Benedryl, only knew that for some reason I could not stay awake. Even if I had thought about it, I'd have thought that some two hours after I had taken it, the sleepy effects would have worn off. Guess I'd have been wrong on that count eh?

Anyway, I'm just trying to decide when to go downstairs and do the Santa thang. Shortly I supposed. As usual, the kids are getting a bunch of stuff but I can't wait to see their faces. Especially Justin's. Can't wait until he opens that "Chicken Wimbo" which of course is Chicken Limbo. I noticed today that my baby is now pronouncing his "L's" correctly. When did that happen? I'd say within the last two weeks or so ...

Oh well, at the risk of sounding really hokey and even a bit cliche, I plan to spend Christmas enjoying the most wonderful gifts, my husband and my children. We'll have a few folks over but Christmas has been a veg out holiday for us for the last four or five years and I am so looking forward to it - enjoying the simple things but oh so important things and that's it. No fancy stuff. Sweats, not sequins. Wing dings and cheese sticks, not ham or turkey and all the traditional holiday fixings. Simplicity, not complexity. It's like that, and that's the way it is. And how I prefer it.

Merry Christmas to all (and to all a good night!)

ttfn
td

Christmas Is Coming

2005-12-05T14:55:00.000-05:00

I don't think I am necessarily trying to avoid or resisting getting in the Christmas spirit, it's just that it's not happening as readily as it normally does. I mean, I'm just not feeling very festive but my hubby is changing that. Yesterday he got out in the snow and hung some of the Christmas lights. I felt so bad that he was out there in the snowy cold that I went and stood out there while he worked for support. He was pretty chipper and cheerful the whole time, even having to work with the ever-stiffening rope lights. Even when I went in for a warm up break he didn't make a wise crack.

Then, between 8:30 and 9 PM last night he decided to put up the new fiber-optic Christmas tree. As I sat there watching him put it up, he got somewhat philosophical and started telling me how some of his co-workers complain so much but that he is really happy. Yeah, he knows that nothing is perfect but he is genuinely happy with his life and with me. I told him that I think that our marriage is the epitome of what a good marriage should be. From time to time we get on each other's nerves and piss each other off and just don't feel like being bothered with each other but the vast majority of the time we enjoy each other's company. We enjoy talking to each other. We make each other laugh. We look at the kids, and each other and we smile from the inside out and recognize how truly blessed we are.

I took a bunch of pictures of him putting up the tree. I'll do a LO of him once I get my scraproom back in order.

As I dozed off last night I thought to myself that spending the day with Dave in our junky home, with our loud unruly kids and slowly giving in to the Christmas spirit more than made up for the crappy mood/day I had on Saturday ...

ttfn

Ho hum ...

2005-12-03T13:31:00.000-05:00

The saying goes, "No news is good news." I suppose this is true but no news can also be boring and that pretty much explains why I have not blogged in such a long time. In fact, I don't have any new news today either ...

Well there is some good news. Since I last wrote, Angela of KNK invited me and six or seven other KNK members to be the new KNK Design Team. I still remember my reaction to her initial email inquiry. I thought to myself, "Wow, she much kinda like my LOs eh?" It was such an honor to be asked and to serve on the Team with such talented other ladies. December is the first month that our creations will be feature in the newsletter and I adored that Fancy Pants kit!

The other news is not so good. Ford is supposed to "involuntarily separating" quite a number of salaried employees during the first quarter of next year. Can I just say how sick and tired I am of wondering and worrying about the status of my job?!?!? I can say that 90% of the time, I just go with the flow and think, "whatever" because I know that it is out of my hands and that there really isn't much I can do about it one way or the other. It's just the other 10% of the time when I worry and let my imagination run away with me. After I feel about ready to scream about it, my common sense and spirituality kicks in and reminds me that the Lord will provide - whatever the case or scenario.

I am feeling bummed today. Can't really put my finger on why, but I am. Part of it is that I really want to work on my scrap room but can't. I'm in the middle of totally redoing it, but I need Dave's help. Hopefully he'll do the tiny bit I need him to do tonight and then I can stucko it tomorrow or soon thereafter. I think I'm going to LOVE it when I get done. I got a new Craftsman workbench to go in there and I'm going to paint the room the same wonderful shade of green that I recently painted Justin's room. I ordered some Cropper Hopper vertical storage holders this morning and I going to look into getting the trolley too. I'm excited about it all, but as I also said, today I am feeling kind of blue. Kind of sad. I wish that Dave were here to hold me right now and tell me that everything is going to be just fine.

What else?? Christmas is three weeks from tomorrow. I am looking forward to being off and to seeing the kid's faces on Christmas morning, assuming that Santa actaully visits them. They have not been on their best behavior so it's quite possible that they will get nothing more than a lump of coal for the holiday. I can remember trying to be so good during the days leading up to Christmas when I was a little girl, but my kids just keep being bratty. Go figure.

See, told you I didn't have much to say here.

ttfn
tracydacy

Pride & Joy

2005-09-27T07:52:00.000-04:00

On the KNK message board, someone asked if you ever feel guilty for scrapping one child more than the other(s). I had to admit that I do (scrap one kid more AND feel guilty about it). Lately I have not scrapped Jared very much, due in large part to the fact that he so into himself and things that he wants to do that he's not really around for me to snap him picture very often. This weekend I deliberately made it a point to get a few picture of him - he's so handsome. Anyway, I turned one of them black and white and scrapped it. I call the LO, "Pride & Joy." It's really a very simple LO, but I love how it turned out! Here it is ...

Gotta go - ttfn!

Justin's First Kiss

2005-09-26T12:37:00.000-04:00

When my mother picked Justin up on Friday afternoon he informed her that he has a girlfriend. When I called her to check in after she picks him up, she passed the news along to me. I asked her a few questions but she didn't know the answers, so I waited until that evening to probe Justin myself ...

I asked him how he wound up with a girlfriend. He said that at naptime he and "Haley" were laying next to each other and she told him that they were boyfriend and girlfriend now. I asked him some more questions like if he really liked her and if he thought she were pretty (his response to both of those questions was "yes"). Anyway I forget how it came up, but he told me that he kissed her. I couldn't believe it. My five-year-old baby has had his first kiss with a girl?!?! How could that be?!?! I asked him where he kissed her. "On the forehead?" I asked. Pointing to his lips, he said, "Here." That sealed it. It really was his first official kiss with a girl. Not that I'm afraid they'll elope, but I had my mother tell their teacher to separate them when she dropped Justin off this morning. He is definitely David's son ...

After Justin's revelation, I just kinda sat there lamenting how fast kids grow up today. I don't know if I looked sad or perplexed or what, but my expression caused Jordyn to ask what was wrong. I told her that I couldn't believe that her younger brother had kissed girl. And do you know what she told me???? She told me that she had kissed a boy too. I needed to find out if hers had been official too, so I asked, "Where did you kiss him?" I added hopefully, "On the cheek?" Her response let me know that her first kiss had been official too. So I asked her the boy's name - the name she told me escapes me right now, but she only gave his first name so I asked her his last name. And do you know what she told me??? She said she forgot because it happened two years ago when she was in kindergarten! What the??? Is Kissing 101 part of the kindergarten curriculum these days???

No, I'm not mad because my two youngest children had their first kiss at age 5. It's all innocent enough, and I'm particularly pleased that Justin's was special enough to come and tell Mommy about it. However, like I've already said, it does make me wonder why they have to grow up so fast.

Oh well, according to Jared, he's made it to the sixth grade without his lips touching anyone else's that wasn't a relative. At least that's what he says. I believe him too. He's showing little to no interest in girls - he still thinks their pretty gross, except for one girl in his class that he made me promise not to tell his dad about. When I asked him if he'd like to kiss her he blushed, and didn't deny that he would. But he's shy about those things so I think it'll high school before his lips ever make it far - at least I'm holding out hope for that.

Speaking of Jared, I made one of my most favorite scrapbook LOs of him over the weekend. I'll post it later.

ttfn

Why Am I Still Up?

2005-09-15T23:56:00.000-04:00

Five minutes until midnight and I have to get up and go to work in the morning. Why am I still up? I feel restless but don't think I'll have any trouble to sleep once I get in the bed...

I've had so much on my mind lately. Actually "lately" isn't really the right word because I always have a lot on my mind. I can say that lately much of it has to do with whether or not I will have a job this time next month. I am assuming that the re-org will have been announced by that time. Am I worried? Honestly? No, not really and it's not because I feel so secure, because I don't. Not at all, but it's one of those things that I realize that I cannot change one way or the other. So weird because my inability to change certain situations has never stopped me from worrying about them in the past. To some degree I equate the possibilty of being unemployed with the possiblity that a publisher might actually like the book I wrote and rather than second guess myself, I should submit it.

I never thought that my first book would be a children's book but it is. I always wanted to write a book that I thought was good, not one that I wrote for the sake of writing and being published though even then the book would have to be good right? At least good enough to catch a publisher's eye - well no, not necessarily as I have read a few bad books in my day. Anyway, I am very pleased with how it turned out and the fact that it is based on an actual conversation I had with Justin, that's just the icing on the cake.

What else is on my mind? My mother. Her memory and the loss thereof. As I was telling Dena, it makes me angry. It makes me sad. I am starting to struggle with aging. Not because of vanity and the inevitable decline/deterioration of "beauty" but because of the physical and mental decline/deterioration of the body and mind that is also inevitable, or so it would seem. Not to mention the whole death and dying thing. Being a Christian, I find some comfort in knowing that I will see some of the people I knew and loved and miss again in heaven, but that doesn't stop the longing in my soul to see them again. It doesn't stop the dread in my soul, knowing that if I live long enough that I will lose people who are closer to me than anyone that I have ever lost in the past. I have so many questions that I want to ask God ...

My scrapping mojo appears to be missing in action yet again. It is coming and going so frequently here lately. It comes, stays a few days and then it's gone again. I could really use that mojo to keep my mind occupied with creative processes rather than the depressing, mundane, discontent that seems to have set up shop there.

I brought home a Lincoln Navigator tonight. Maxine arranged for me to get it as a way to show her appreciation for the work I did with the Production Creation picnic.

I really need to get off of the 'puter now and try to get some rest so ...

ttfn

The Unofficial End of Summer

2005-09-06T08:49:00.000-04:00

Summer is over. Well technically we have sixteen days until the autumnal equinox according to the calendar, but unofficially it was over last Tuesday when my two older kids, Jared and Jordyn, went back to school.

How is it that I have a kid in middle school now??? I swear, I remember cradling Jared in my arms for the first time like it were right now. That kid is getting so big. I predict that within 18 months he'll be taller than me - probably sooner.

Jordyn is a second-grader now. She's getting big too and is sassy as ever.

And then there is Justin, my kindergartener.

All three of them seem to really enjoy going to school. I was a very good student, but I can't say that I really liked school. It was okay, but I wasn't happy to get up and go every day. My kids on the other hand appear to anticipate each school day with enthusiasm. Admittedly, I think the boys, well at least Jared, is more into the social aspect of school than the academics (he is a pretty good student though). Jordyn, despite being so sassy and in-control here at home, is actually kind of shy and reserved so she seems a little more into school for the learning, though she has her freinds too. Justin, enjoys the social and academic aspects of school.

Other indications that summer is ending are:
- ads for the new fall television season
- it's dark at 8:30 now
- I'll be starting my school year work schedule again
- not running the A/C as often
- the kids could have used a light jacket this morning, even though they refused one

I'm off this week and it feels great to have the house to myself. There so many things I need to get done - I even need to do a few things for the job. Right now I have no motivation though. I don't see that changing either. I know that how much I get done will depend on how well I "just do it." I could spend a bunch of time planning and allocating time for this and that but in the end, I have to get up off my behind and just do it. Speaking of my behind (which I would rather not) it's growing. I have no motivation to eat right and exercise to get rid of these extra 20 pounds. At this point I am finding it harder and harder to maintain my weight, let alone to lose any...

Well that's all for now. I'll try to blog more often, even though my entries aren't particularly interesting ...

ttfn

There's No Place Like Home

2005-08-14T18:41:00.000-04:00

We are back from Florida! We had a fabulous time and I cannot believe how quickly the vacation week went by. Yes, I'm sorry that our 2005 family vacation has come to an end. Having said all of this, I am so very happy to be back home and to have a home to come back to.

After the very longest drive home (19.5 hours) we pulled into our driveway at approximately 2:30 this morning. I swear the kids must have had to use the bathroom 7 or 8 times and then Jordyn got sick so we had to stop off at a Walmart in Kentucky to get her something to make her feel better. We had to fill up the gas tank four times (averaging $40 each time). I can't believe I spent nearly $30 at Arby's for our dinner. As much as I hated driving, I took over the wheel close to midnight to give Dave a break. I actually drove three different times on the trip home and discovered that I don't like driving over very high bridges in the mountains. When we go to Disney again, I'll drive in Michigan, Ohio and Florida - that's it. The Explorer is trashed. The kids argued much of the time. Etc. etc. etc. Typical 1200-mile road trip! I'm so glad it's over. I'm so happy to be home.

I took at ton of pictures - just like last year. The only difference is that this time I don't have 17 rolls of film to develop. I only have two rolls and five cds with probably more than 700 pictures and two rolls of cam-corder tape. Yep, we've basically gone totally digital. I can't wait to get scrapping. i just need to buy some albums. Still debating if I want to scrap in 8 1/2 x 11 or 11 x 8 1/2. I'm thinking, "maybe not." I still want to try that size but I don't think I want to do the vacation pics in the smaller format.

Well, I just wanted to "check in." I'll write more soon.

ttfn

Countdown to Disney

2005-08-05T12:19:00.000-04:00

Well the countdown is officially on. We're leaving for Disney in approximately 15 hours. The plan is to leave at 4 AM. Let's see if things work out that way. Honestly, I think we'll be lucky if we leave by 5 but that sure beats leaving after 8:00 like we did last year.

I can't believe it but I did get the entire house cleaned. The only room that could stand some improvement is the family room but that's because that's where the suitcases and everything else that we're taking is. Despite having cleaned the whole house and packed for me and the kids, I still have ton of work to do. I still have to cut the boys hair and do Jordyn's. I have to bathe the two younger kids. I have make the sandwiches and pack all the roadtrip snacks and drinks. I have to do all of this and be in bed by 8:00 with hopes of being sleep by 9:30. I deliberately stayed up until after 1:00 last night and was back up at 4:00 so that I will be really tired early. Let's see if that strategy works.

The kids are so excited and I guess I am too. The 1200-mile roadtrip will be less than thrilling I'm sure but it will give the kids something to talk about 20 years from now. Plus this year we are NOT driving down to Ft. Lauderdale. We're doing Daytona instead so once we finally leave for home it won't take forever and a day to get out of Florida.

I know one thing, Justin had better not be on the same "I'm sweaty" kick he was on last year. What a pain in the butt he was. And another thing - I don't plan on renting a double stroller for he and Jordyn this year either. If anything they should rent one to push me around in ...

I bought four scrapbooking magazines to read on the road. I am also taking Harry Potter #5 to try and finish reading and I'm bringing the Lemony Snicket book to read to the kids. Terry McMillan had a book signing last week and I started to go and buy her book and the new Harry Potter to take, but I haven't officially kicked back into "reading mode" so I didn't want to potentially waste my money although I will definitely be getting the new HP soon.

Earlier this week I finished school shopping all of the kids. The boys, who really didn't need any new clothes each got four new outfits. Jordyn got eleven. Why does she outgrow her things so much faster than the boys??

Oh well. I probably won't have another blog entry until after we get back. We recovered the laptop's hard drive so that Dave could once again try to install the software that will allow us to get free wireless internet at the hotel. He'll try to load it tonight, so if it works then maybe I'll do an entry from Florida.

Oh yeah, I DID NOT lose the ten pounds I started trying to lose back in June by the time vacation was here. Nope. Sure didn't.

ttfn

Watching Oreo

2005-07-30T19:32:00.000-04:00

I'm sitting here watching Oreo scratch and sniff around the cardboard box he stays in while he gets his cage cleaned. It's been a month of Sundays since that last happened. When Jared asked if he could get a hamster he swore he would take good care of it - he would keep it well fed and keep its cage clean and tidy. HA! What a joke. I can't believe he has had the nerve and gall to ask for a puppy. That's an eleven-year-old boy for ya.

Now the little rodent is sitting in his food bowl. How smart is that? I'll take his picture and then take a crack at loading it into this entry. If it doesn't work- sorry. I am so new to this blogging stuff.

Okay, that wasn't so hard. It worked.

I haven't blogged in a few days and the fact that I am sitting here discussing the antics of a hamster in box should tell you that not much is, or has been going on. No news is good news, or so the old saying goes ...

ttfn

So I'm a Blogger Now ...

2005-07-26T17:36:00.000-04:00

I suppose it took me long enough to start blogging - officially that is. I already have an electronic journal but that one is for my eyes only. So why did I start this one? Not sure but I suppose it will be a way to share some of my thoughts and insights with my friends, family, and the rest of the world - "some" being the operative word.

Whoever decides to check this out, I suppose will have to go to "totallydacy.blogspot.com" I guess. They may wonder why I chose that name for my url. Well, it's a little known fact that when I was a little girl my father used to call me TracyDacy. Nobody else in the whole wide world has ever called me that and to be honest, it's been ages since my father has. But I like it. It's kind of quirkly and fun, but mostly it's special because my dad called me that. And that is the story behind the name of my url.

The story behind the name of my blog, Life etc., is just that I plan to use the blog to commentate on life and other stuff - you know, the etc.

And there you have it. The beginning of my blog.

ttfn