photographs and memories...

another 'tag'...

Liz tagged me. The rules of this "Tag" are to list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 current obsessions and 3 random surprising facts about yourself...then pass it on to 5 of your blogging buddies.

3 JOYS:

1-going back to church and teaching my children gospel principals.
2-at least 4 out of 5 of my happy children, who really love me…unconditionally.
3-my sweet husband, who loves me unconditionally

3 FEARS:

1-that my oldest daughter will never get herself better.
2-that my youngest son will not progress, eat, potty train..etc…
3-that I will die before I finish teaching my children what they need.

3 GOALS:

1-learn to sew: Porter’s cooling vests, some pretty aprons, etc…
2-get even better in photography.
3-aquire 100% food storage.

3 CURRENT OBSESSIONS:

1- Peroccinos-I can’t wait to make them (see previous post)
2-Shabby Chic redecorating-working on it now.
3-My Pugs….Yuka and Yoda….sweet pug dogs.

3 RANDOM SURPRISING FACTS

1- I am calmer on anxiety meds…go figure!
2- I finally want to learn to sew.
3- I am making a wedding cake (for 200 plus people) in August!

 

Guess I can tag these people and hope they don't stop talking to me for it...hehehe:

1. Dar

2. Shaunte

3. Christi

4. Heather

5. Wendy

 

 

I've been Tagged...

….by Liz

Rules:
1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People that are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your post tag 8 people and include their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment on their blog to tell them they've been tagged, and to comment back and read your blog for the whole story.


8 Random Facts about me:

1. I, apparently and unknowingly, copy people’s accents and converse with them using said accents. But, they, apparently, are none the wiser…duh!

2. I‘m a FaceBook Addict…I admit it. I’m not ashamed to tell you. Haikoo Zoo sucked me in.
I think I need a 12 Step Program for it though. ….”and God, grant me the serenity to know the difference between reality and fiction.”

3.  I’m an ‘Organization Freak’. Yes, you heard me correctly. I said FREAK! I simple love organizational tools and organizational supplies and I love to re-organize…it keeps me calm. I can not go to bed until the house is picked up and things are back where they should be. I have been known to straighten other people’s things whilst talking to them….without knowing it. ….until they point it out.

4. I love to watch Jon & Kate Plus Eight…I really do! I critique her house in my head and figure out better ways to organize them. Hey the Duggar’s can do it with 17 kids, she can with 8, am I right?…ok, it’s a sickness. I’m getting help. Hehehe!

5.  My Motto is: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! Therefore, I’m a list maker…another addiction. (You’ll get used to it).

6.   I want to be the person my Pugs think that I am. Hehehehe!!! (Yuka and Yoda, I’m trying).

7.  I tend to use certain words more often than other words. Such as: plethora, fabulous, whilst, seriously, actually, therefore, swanky, funky, and duh.

8.  My husband and I both love sushi (luckily), so last year I promised him Sushi Making Lessons for our anniversary…only, we still have yet to take them. We just go to Domo and let the Sushi Chefs make it for us. (I think we’ll do it over the summer now). Seriously!

 

Okay I tag 8 of my friends: Nan, Martha, Glenni, Dar, Wendy, Nevis, Tracey, and Christi.

'Bag Tag'...

Linda tagged me....

The Rules:

1. Take a picture of your bag (Purse, diaper bag, brief case) or whatever you use to haul your stuff around in.

2. Take a photo of everything in your bag, NO cleaning out first!

3. Bag tag five people.

Sorry for the dark photos...I took these at night after a long day. My new purse is not this funky a color...see the Metro bag below for a truer color.

OK, I got pretty lucky...I just got this new VB purse last week, so my purse was in pretty good condition inside. But, I usually keep a clean, organized purse anyways. I love Vera Bradley bags! This is my 3rd one....it's on sale since they are retiring this color 'Petal Pink'....

Other contents: hand sanitizer, hand lotion, Vicks inhaler, lipgloss, tissues, Burst mints- all go in the VB small bow cosmetic bag. Next I have: purse calender, checkbook, assorted pens, highlighter (for scripture marking), VB Wallet, notepad, keys on keyfob, pink cell phone, ear set for cell, VB Eyeglass case, sunglases, VB Coin Zip( Java Blue) for cards...oh, and a few receipts not in place...one from a Filipino store, another from Fiore (I also bought the Metro bag from Vera Bradley there....for my Sunday schtuff...scriptures, etc...since I didn't get the small lunch tote). Love it!

I bag tag:

1. Glenni

2. Dar

3. Shaunte

4. Christi

5. Heather D. White 

tagged...

Found this on Lorrie's blog ....

==========================================

1.      Ten years ago:
I was 35 years old, married to my second husband and had 3 children, living in an apartment.

2.      Things on my to-do list today:
Re-Organize daughter’s bedroom toys, buy all the supplies to re-organize, and finish leftover weekend tasks.

3.      What I would do if I were suddenly made a billionaire:
Donate to charity, give all my children a good college education, take a family vacation, buy our dream home, get a brand new wardrobe, and buy everything I ever wanted from Pottery Barn...seriously.

4.      Three of my bad habits:
Not exercising, talking in accents, worrying.

5.      Places I have lived:

Delaware,
Scotland
New York
Florida (three different times)
New Jersey
California
Utah
Rhode Island (two different times)
Maryland
Virginia (three different times).

6.      Four jobs that I have had: (most favorite ones, because I’ve had several jobs):

1. Receptionist at the Officer’s Club in Newport RI
2. Rubber Stamp Store Teacher\/Employee in Newport RI
3. Stampin’ UP! Demonstrator (5 years)
4. Direct Care Aide for a Group Home for Adults with Developmental Disabilities.

7.      Five things people don't know about me:

1. I’m 4th child out of Mom’s 5 children and both my sister and I each have 5 children.
2. I learned to surf when I was in High School and lived in San Diego and surfed weekly with my brothers and friends.
3. I’m working on selling a few handmade things for my own Etsy store.
4. I can write with my left hand exactly opposite (backwards) what I write with my right hand- but it must be done at the same time (something I picked up from conducting music as a Drum Major in High School and not a talent many people possess).
5. I was crowned the ‘Queen of Forest Hills’ in a beauty contest at 8 years old, when I lived in New Jersey (and reigned for 4 years).

===================================================

Now, I'm tagging Glenni and Dar

Random Acts of Kindness: Peg's Blog Challenge....

Listening to Josh Groban sing; THANKFUL, it got me thinking;

“What am I doing to be the change?”

Then, I was reading Melodee Langworthy’s blog about RAKs…and got to thinking;

“What RAKs have I done lately?”

….and actually, I have done many RAKs not really thinking about them, but little ones like;

·         Opening doors for others whilst shopping (unexpected smiles and ‘thank you’s’ are returned).

·         Saying ‘Thank You soooo very much!’ to everyone with a warm smile….(I think many folks are used to just hearing a regular ‘thank you’ and not a real heartfelt one).

·         Telling people that I really appreciate them…and meaning it. (ie: our insurance advocate…writing a letter to the insurance agency she works for and to my husband’s work to let them know how wonderful she has been for us and to continue the advocacy program, as they were thinking it wasn’t helping….it is! We need to speak up….it’s not too much to type a quick email to let them know).

·         Giving goodies to my children’s classroom….I brought in cupcakes for Cameron’s birthday the other day, yet I was the one getting the biggest treat of all- these children were so grateful, I was caught off guard by it. I got big hugs and ‘Thank You’s’ and big smiles from all of them…warmed my heart so much, I cried.

And yet, I bet if I think about them and plan to do more, for more…I can bring more smiles to more faces. I can be the ‘change’. That’s my way of being more thankful. Doing Random Acts of Kindness...sharing love to people I don't even know....little things can turn into big things. Doing annonymous acts...not expecting anything in return and for no glory...just to spread love.

So, my blog challenge….start now, this season and keep it going all year long. Go out of your way, out of your comfort zone, your world, your life…. to give more smiles, more hugs, more ‘Thank You’s’, more of your time and talents, more of your money and gifts, and even more of yourself. Be selfless. Do things annonymously. Do things you've never done before. Volunteer. Smile daily. Write real letters of graititude and letters that can help someone. Share yourself! Celebrate Life!

Help be the 'change'. Do it randomly and do it pre-planned....just do it.

Part of the lyrics to THANKFUL:

Some days, we forget to look around us,
Some days, we can't see the joy that surrounds us,
so caught up inside ourselves,
we take when we should give,
so for tonight we pray for,
what we know can be,
and on this day we hope for,
what we still can't see,
It's up to us, to be the change,
and even though we all can still do more,
there's so much to be thankful for.

Our Christmas Traditions...

Since Ali E asked, thought I'd share....

OLD: since 1994

·          Driving to Virginia Beach Boardwalk to look at the holiday lights

·          Taking a family photo and having Sam’s Club turn them into Christmas cards to send

·          Hosting a bunch of family here at our house for Christmas Brunch

·          Making time to just sit in our living room, listening to Christmas music

·          Cookie baking and Decorating with the kids (Sugar cookies being the most traditional).

·          Having the kids take turns playing Santa Christmas morning (They wear the Santa hat and pass a gift to each person to open).

·          Letting each one of us pick out a new ornament for the tree.

·          Reading: The Night before Christmas and Cajun Night before Christmas on Christmas Eve

·          Picking out funny stocking stuffers….this year (2007): Super Fly Monkey slingshots.

NEW: starting 2007

·         Unwrapping new PJ's on Christmas Eve.

·         Adding activities on slips of paper to our Advent

·         Picking a child's name from a tree + shopping for them.

·         Going to watch the ice skaters at City Center (Outdoor Ice Skating Rink) and getting hot cocoa.

·         Making a Glittery Snow Village… (Kit by Martha Stewart). It’s fabulous! Added the trees and fluffy snow and set it on a shelf.

I got tagged!

Here are the rules which must be posted on your blog if you are tagged:
1.       Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2.      Share 7 facts about yourself (some random, some weird).
3.      Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4.      Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

Link to Tagger:

Scott Cotner-Young: http://www.cotneryoung.blogspot.com/

Here are 7 "quirky" facts about me:

1. I take on people’s accents when talking with them

2. I make lists (and lists for my lists)

3. I secretly like Hello Kitty

4. I still practice my handwriting and doodling

5. I melt anytime I hear Nat King Cole sing…love his voice the most!

6. I recite movie lines…daily

7. I watch Holiday movies all year long, mainly because they have SNOW scenes in them (and I really love snow).

Here are my 7 friends (if I have 7) that I will pass this along to:

1. Dar: http://polly_esther.typepad.com/my_weblog/

2. Wendy: http://wendyinman.blogspot.com/

3. Glenni: http://glennilight.typepad.com/

4. Shaunte: http://shauntewadley.blogspot.com/

5. Kasey: http://kaseymomof3.blogsome.com/

6. Tracey: http://traceyodachowski.blogsome.com/

7. Sophia: http://sophiacorbridge.typepad.com/sentimentsbysophia/

Summer meme...

Memorial Day: went to a friend's pool party, ate fabulous guacamole and relaxed.

Labor Day:   Is TODAY! We are going to the Mall to buy lunch bags, grill burgers, swim an do sparklers tonight before an early bed!

Best moment of the summer: The deck being built, Porter's birthday party.

Worst moment of summer: Porter in CHKD for a fever he got from overheating.

Places I went: I went to Williamsburg Winery, The Botanical Gardens, I went to Richmond twice w/ friends to scrap and have lunch. As a family, we stayed home most of the time, but got to attend a Pow Wow. I took the kids to the Zoo with friends one day and they swam most days. We went to several friend's birthday parties too. We ate out, went to Barnes & Noble...but basically, we stayed home most of the summer due to the heat (Porter can not deal with the heat....being heat intolerant).

People I saw: Family, Friends, my brother and his wife came for a visit to my folks.

On the hottest day: we stayed in and ran the AC!

Tanned or Burned: nose got a little red one day.

Amusement park or camping: none. Wah!

Vegetable garden or Flowers or both: Flowers, bought from Lowes 

My Best Creation: heck, just doing layouts is enough for me!

Family reunion: Next Year!  

Biggest news: My niece was born!

Biggest surprise: Porter's health doing better! 

My Best movie of summer: Wild Hogs

My Best Read of summer: NFED news

My Best buy of summer: Our dining room table and chairs  

My Best discovery: The new YMCA

Most of the summer, I wore: tees and shorts

My summer shoes: Flip Flops

Anxious or depressed to see summer end: Anxious! I prefer FALL!

what makes your life unique, right now?

a meme challenge by:   Amy Sorensen

here's My answers:

three things in your fridge that define life right now:

Lactaid milk-because Porter and I are lactose intolerant
Leftover Healthy Lasagna-I love pasta and trying to be more healthy
Cool Whip- because everyone needs something yummy every day!

three recent acquisitions:

Spooky Sweet stamp set from Papertrey Ink- fabulously fun ideas to use for Getaway!
American Indian Dream catcher- something to remember the Pow Wow by.
Southern Living Magazine- just came in the mail today….going to sit back and read it tonight at bedtime.

three classics you reach for every day:

Pearberry body splash from Bath & Body Works- it’s just fresh!
Crest Toothpaste- why change a good thing?
Puff’s Extra Strength tissues- because I have allergies and these are strongest!

your kids right now, in three words or less:

Lauren- with her dad , Brigham- my big helper, Cameron- loves to giggle, Carson- waiting for school, Porter- active and happy!

your spouse/significant other right now, in three words or less:

James- my favorite person

what's on your to-do list:

Shop for Girlz Night dinner -(making homemade meatballs and spaghetti).
Send my Sister 2 boxes of scrap supplies- ones she wanted and add a thank you note for her sending Carson those hand me down dresses (she adores them)!
Hair appointment- Change appointment from Sunday to a weekday.

something you do often that relates directly to the season right now:

Eat fresh fruits- watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries

what you're listening to right now:

Oprah Winfrey show- on Happiness

what you're worried about right now:

My folks- not too worried, but concerned about my parents getting back from their trip safely.
Porter- his IvIg therapy starts soon.
Getaway- Making sure I get things done, for a fabulous time in October.

the news stories you're paying attention to:

The Utah Miners- so sad

what you're reading right now:

Book of Mormon- Starting to read my scriptures again.

what you're looking forward to right now:

Girlz Night- tomorrow night, over here.

a thought or idea you keep returning to right now:

“Don’t worry, Be Happy”- song and lyrics by Bobby McFerrin
I love how hearing this or singing it in my head keeps me smiling and relaxing my heart, mind and soul….so I can be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, self.

one small thing that makes you happy right now:

Porter- playing in a laundry basket, giggling.

yo!

got the link to do this from sara winnick's blog.....funny thing, I was born in Wilmington, lived in Jersey for 4 years, my folks were born and raised in PA, close to Philly, I'm Italian and all my relatives have way stronger Philly accents than I do...but they have 'em and apparently I still do too.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: Philadelphia Your accent is as Philadelphian as a cheesesteak! If you're not from Philadelphia, then you're from someplace near there like south Jersey, Baltimore, or Wilmington. if you've ever journeyed to some far off place where people don't know that Philly has an accent, someone may have thought you talked a little weird even though they didn't have a clue what accent it was they heard.
The Midland
The Northeast
Boston
The South
The Inland North
The West
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz