Evolutions

The Missing Pictures

And the Evidence of yesterday's trangressions can be found here: Korbi's Blog. Now you know what I mean about the costumes. I still crack up every time I think about them.

No, Really... *I* Have the Best Friends.

Seriously.
Because they do things like this.

And really...that was only the beginning. When I stopped at Seth's school there were flowers, cookies, a balloon and card. I was, officially, feeling quite spoiled. I stopped at the grocery store and when I came out there were more signs and more balloons and a gift card to my favorite place on earth. I, unfortunately, didn't have my camera at that point. I did, however, start looking over my shoulder. LOL   Seth and I had been planning to pick up lunch and  take it up to the hospital to eat with Eric, we got there and  suddenly there masked, YES, I said masked (and costumed) people delivering me packages and balloons. The hospital cafeteria got quite the laugh at that. I'm laughing all over again as I type this. I really do have the best friends. Even if they won't cop to their antics. Love you guys.

I haven't even mentioned all the other phone calls, emails and message board threads. My friends really ARE the best. I've had a great day...and am already exhausted--must be my advanced age, eh?

I think this all deserves a question: What's the best birthday experience you've ever had?

Whew!! The Comments!!

I'm Calling It...

Posting for the giveaway will be closed at Midnight PST...that means, if you still want a chance, you've got about 1 1/2 hours!! I'll figure out a winner tomorrow afternoon...after I get home from field trip day 2. :)

The reveal was spectacular and I know Stephanie had such a great day with all the warm and welcome wishes!

Something So Cool....

You won't believe your eyes!!!

I get to post on behalf of Studio Calico about something super fun and happy (and potentially beneficial to you!) Today is the day that we welcome Stephanie Howell to the Studio Calico Design Team! Stephanie has been an active member of the Studio Calico community since it's debut and if you've spent any time on the message board, you know she's always there for a laugh or a pick me up! I hope you go by and welcome her! If you need added incentive (as if) the sneak peek of June's kit and add-ons will post tonight at Midnight EST. Sneak nights are NEVER dull! On the SC Blog, you can see a few examples of Stephanie's work (drool over it, most likely) and leave a comment for her!

Now, other than being really excited that Stephanie's joining us, what does this really have to do with me and my blog?

Today, each Studio Calico design team member is giving away a NEWSSTAND kit on our blogs. For your chance to win, simply leave a comment on each blog, with a welcome message for Stephanie. We will each draw from the posts on our blogs, so be sure to visit them all to increase your chances of winning. (If they haven't updated yet, please check back later!)
They are all linkied in my sidebar, with the exception of Stephanie...just click on her name in this post!

Just in case you haven't seen Newsstand yet...here's a little preview. Welcome, Steph and Good Luck to everyone else!!!

Earth Day, Our Anniversary and Dirt Rascals

Happy Earth Day! I hope that you've done something environmentally friendly today (if not every day). I was doing a little reading on the subject online today and found this article which I thought was quite interesting! I know that it's so "in" to be green and organic right now...I hope it's not one of those passing things, like when you look back at polyester as a sign of the seventies...or even if being organic is that symbol of the 00's that at least it's a little more positive, right?

My darling friend, Korbi, dropped by for a minute today and she and her kiddos were dressed in the cutest Earth Day shirts, maybe she's got or will post some pics on her blog. :)

Earth Day is also quite special to Eric and myself because it's our anniversary! Back in 1995 when we got married, Earth Day (in it's present form) was just gaining steam. It is fun to have April 22nd as an anniversary, though. Just for your viewing pleasure, I found this old thing.

DIG. THE. HAIR. The poofy dress comes in a close second, I know. Fortunately, I can laugh now. Right? Anyhow...we were young. I was 19. Yup. 19. 13 years later, we'll still married. Despite the ups and downs, the struggles most marriages face my husband said the nicest thing to me this morning (while I looked like a straggly alley cat with morning breath, mind you), he said "I love you more now than I did 13 years ago"...then I caught him making me a pot of coffee. Definitely my one true love.

So...the other night we were watching this movie from 2005 called "Hustle & Flow"...about this p*mp that wanted to be a rapper and how he went about it. I want to say the guy was a great actor because he played a creepy p*mp to perfection. I didn't know whether to be totally disgusted or fascinated by the movie, but there was this one scene where his friend calls him a "dirt rascal p*mp"...I laughed until tears flowed. Why that struck me as so funny, I don't really know...but it's become the code words around our house. Yup, look at that clean cut boy in the above picture and picture me calling him (just casually around the house and out of earshot of the kids) a dirt rascal p*mp. Maybe you'll laugh, too.

So, today's silly and stupefying question is this: what movie/movie line are you constantly quoting to your spouse, life partner or friends?

Sneaking In...

Sometimes, I just feel silly writing about my life. Honestly, it's not all that exciting, and that's ok by me, but makes for pretty boring narrative. I literally sit here staring at this screen wondering what I could actually say that would be charming, intellectual and funny all at the same time. As per my usual, I'm drawing a blank so you'll have to forgive me.

Perhaps the thing to do is just move on and share a few sneak peeks from May's Studio Calico...I got this yesterday and couldn't help myself, ripped right into it. Every month it's a new challenge, a new way to look at something and make it unique. I think I'm still struggling with finding my own style...but at the same time, I'm using supplies I would never think of and stretching myself in a way that feels quite satisfying. Anyhow, I'm blabbering...love makes you do that, you know.

I'm going to keep it brief, because I need to get some things done, but I do have a Burning Question: Sailor Suits: Appropriate for anyone NOT in the Navy? 

A Statement On Today...

Why is it that whenever someone tells you to not take something personally it usually is? I've had a lot of those lately and am wondering if I just need to retreat to the cave...

Moving on, it's been an exciting week around these parts...my friend (and Seth's preschool teacher) Korbi had the sweetest, little baby girl last week, Paisley Marion. Check out her blog for some cute pictures and admire all that hair!

Ella went to her first gymnastics "meet" on Saturday. She's on the verge of moving up into a competition level and this was a fun meet for the kids that don't get to compete all the time to get used to the feeling. She did such a great job, we were so proud of her...this would be the part where I would insert pictures of her with her ribbon/scorecard/whatnot...but she hasn't been home in the daylight for me to get one! She's worked so hard this last year and gained so much ground, we (and she) couldn't be more excited that it's paying off. I guess I can post pictures of her cute new hair cut (just for you, Abbie). She had a ton cut off about Mid-March, unfortunately, not enough to donate to Locks of Love. Maybe next time!
 

We ended up having to leave the gym meet to head to Lauren's birthday party--I actually do have a couple of pictures of the birthday girl. This kid is now Queen of Webkinz land and was completely surprised by some of the other presents she received, most notably High School Musical tickets from her grandparents and a bike from her parents--lucky kid! This was also the first time that Seth really got into the 'being friendly at someone else's house' aspect--he and Tyler went all out crazy playing boy games like swords, hockey, trucks and cars. It was hilarious to watch them all rough and tumble in the midst of the shrieks and girls.

Now...the next little story might have some offensive language/innuendo...if you're easily offended, look away. :)  On the way to Spokane, Evynn and Seth got to talking in the car (you can always count on a good argument out of the two of them) and oddly enough they started talking about Peacocks. Why? No idea. Seth was wondering something about them and Evynn's direct quote was "Peacocks don't fly...they just walk and cock". I think Eric just about drove off the road he was laughing so hard and I just had tears streaming down my face. Meanwhile, Evynn's feeling perfectly pleased that she could educate her younger brother on Peacocks. Just the thought makes me smile all over again.

So there you have it...the recent happenings in all their glory. This week is Spring Break, and while Eric will be hard at work, we will be hard at play. Crossing my fingers for some nice weather for the kiddos and some crafty time for me. :)

Last but not least...my question for today; What was your most memorable Spring Break and why?

April Fool's Dog Pile and Other Assorted Odds and Ends...

Ok, Joanne...you asked for it! Here's Miss Greta's most recent picture
and then a little shot of the Standard Operating Procedure in our home.

Every time I see this, it makes me laugh. Dogs on the furniture? Yeah...I kind of don't care. There's more in life to worry about than that, right...and it's leather, so it wipes down.

I just have to give a shout out to Moose Boob and the Towel Squirrel. You know who you are. I love ya, I had a great time...can't wait to do it again. In a similar vein, it's Lauren's (aka LuLu) 9th birthday today. Happy Birthday, Snugglebuns!!! Yup, a little April Fool. Probably the cutest one I know. I definitely thought her mom was playing a prank on me the day she called to say she was in labor...guess I was the fool, huh? Nine years ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday. I don't have any recent pictures, or I'd share one. I think we're going to fix that soon, though. ;)

What else is going on? I'm just blogging in procrastination. I've got projects piling up around and me and I keep finding other things to keep me busy. Go figure, right? I'd feel better if I just did them. Sheesh.

Today's mysterious and deep thought provoking question (I enjoyed your last answers, btw): Would you rather be high above the ground or deep below the ground and what reason would take you to either?

Been A Long Time...

Been A Long, Lonely Lonely, Lonely Time... Are you singing yet? Well, considering I still get views on this blog, I guess you could be wondering where I've been. Oddly enough, I've been busy. I'm hardly ever busy (photography-wise) Jan-March--which really isn't a bad thing since in the past fall/Christmas time swamps me. I guess the power of word of mouth advertising is finally taking hold. Yay!

What else have I been up to...well, we added this sweet little girl to our house and despite her good looks, considerable charm and delightful spunk, she's a handful. I've been spending lots AND lots of time cleaning up after her and making sure she doesn't get herself into trouble. Another dog??? Yeah, we're sort of crazy...but Eric's always wanted a Boxer and the way I stumbled across was just kind of kismet. She was his two-week belated Valentine's Day present (a surprise) and he is quite smitten--even when she's naughty. She's grown quite a bit from this photo, and is now roughly the size of Seth. LOL

I was able to finish up my scrap pages for Studio Calico right before Easter weekend and if you've been on the fence about subscribing, THIS is the month to do it!!!! These are my little sneak peeks and tomorrow night is reveal night 12am EST..there's always a big party in the forums leading up to reveal night (we all bring our favorite celebrity dates) and then it's time to get your subs and/or add ons INTO your carts!! A little birdie told me that this reveal night is going to surpass any others....April and Scarlet are giving out RAKS!!! On another Studio Calico note, the design team has taken over the blog...no, not mutiny--just great challenges and more RAKS!

The last little thing I wanted to talk about is my little Bamboo Fun Tablet...I bought it right before Christmas, hoping I'd use it all the time for my photo editing. Unfortunately, I haven't. It sounded great in theory, but realistically--my desk is just roomy enough for everything that's on it, and more often or not, it's pushed to the side in favor of all my 'piles'. I paid $200 for it, it's black and the medium size (with a pen and a mouse). If you're interested in it, I'd make you a super deal. Just send me an email if you think you might want it!!

A long time ago...when I first started blogging, I'd end every post with a question and I think it's time to get back to that. I always really looked forward to reading your responses. How about this for today: If you were an animal, what would you be and why?