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Blogoversary
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Twitter Stuff
Weekend stuff
We’ve got the tree and all the decorations put away. We took most things down here and there over the last few days and everything today off of the tree. Then we boxed it all up and put it in the attic.
The living room is so bare with nothing in it! I cannot wait to get some furniture in there. We hope to have a couch and some end tables and a coffee table by late April. We’re thinking about a sleeper sofa, which would come in handy when company visits. Cindy and her crew may be here over Memorial Day weekend!
I’ve finally made the archive files for the family photos from Thanksgiving. I threw in Christmas on Jess’s archive. Now I’m uploading my SIL files to the website so she can grab them at her convenience. I’m currently making a DVD of our Christmas photos. I’m SUCH a dork! I was wondering where they were! I had them on the CF card in the camera! *ROFL* Never had a chance to take them out as Jess was sick and then I had that bad cold and then reformatting my desktop. So, now they are getting backed up on DVD and then I have to put some of those in Jess’s archive.
I got a little surprise this week from my ex-SIL. Greg’s brother was married to her for about 10 years. I never really liked her or got along with her to be honest. She’s on her 6th or 7th marriage and actually had her tubes UN-TIED to have another baby. Crazy to me…as she’s my age or just around there. Anyhow, she messaged me on My Space to add her as a friend! *LOL* How bizarre.
I ran 5K on the treadmill this morning, been a while since I’ve done the 5K. I can feel the pain in my thighs! But, I did it and I plan on running that weekly. It was a little busier today at the gym, I’m sure it has to do with NY resolutions, eh? All 8 treadmills were being used when I was running, which is really busy in my opinion. The ellipticals were being used too, as well as the bikes. There’s 6 or 8 ellipticals and about the same number of bikes. I wonder how many people will be there this time next month? I cannot believe it’s been nearly a year since I started going to the gym at least 4 times a week. It’s been 5 months since I starting running and you can see my last 5 runs here: My Runs I upload them to the Nike server through my Nike+ thing on my iPod. Pretty cool eh? Anyhow, that’s not up to date as I haven’t added the one from yesterday on there yet, but it’s pretty close. I’ve run 30 miles since my birthday in October! Wow!
This next week will be pretty busy for me. I have to get a necklace I’m making completed so I can start on the layouts I want to do at the crop on Saturday! There’s a crop from 3-11 p.m. I missed the one in December. I also want to sew the backdrop material I bought back in November. I have it all cut, but I have to pin it and get it sewn. It’s really pretty tan fleecey stuff. Thought it would be nice to offer something other than black or white when inside. I also have to figure out when I can drive up to DC and get my Nikon cleaned. And I have to drop by the tattoo shop with my portfolio and cards.
Melissa was nice enough to post about our Mary Kay transactions! I have been selling it since Halloween here and there in town, but she’s my first mail order person! If you want to look at the site, here’s the link to my personal page on the Mary Kay site. I was really happy to be able to help Melissa out without her being local. I sent her some little samples and some tubes of foundation along with my color matcher tool. I thought she would be the 204 color and I was right. It looks great on her and she loves it so much she’s ordering concealer too! Thank you again for your orders! 
I usually place an order weekly if I don’t have something in stock, so if you are running low on something, give me a shout through the website, okay?
I will try to post again this week, hopefully tomorrow with more weight loss stuff! 
Almost Christmas!
It’s almost Christmas, did you know this? I have just mailed out all the cards today. We were down and out for a couple of days with some sort of stomach bug, so I’m running a little late with them. Look for your card! I put a photo card and a letter in there, hopefully everything makes it okay to everyone. I have NONE of the gifts wrapped! ACK! I have a goal to wrap them up by Sunday night. Jess will be arriving sometime late on Monday from Richmond. All the gifts are in the guest room, so I do have a time factor here. Greg usually pitches in and helps. I just have to start with his and then he can help with the other ones. Jess is driving up from Atlanta tomorrow, spending a few days with Brian, then heading here for a week! I can’t wait! Christmas is my favorite time of the year. 
The only good thing to come out of the sickness is that I dropped 3 pounds. I would much rather have lost it a different way, but, since I did lose it and that’s all over and done with, I’m happy. I’m now at 125, which puts me within 10 pounds of my goal weight! Holy cow! Hopefully I will get to go to the gym next week, at least a few of the mornings. I haven’t really been posting about my weight loss and JC as of late. I was stuck at a plateau for weeks. I maintained over Thanksgiving and have lost about a pound a week since then. I’ve been trying to work on my abs as there’s a lot of flab right there, but, not as much as when I’m not PMSing, it’s actually not too bad. Hopefully I will start off the New Year in a pants size smaller than I’m in right now. I’m currently wearing a 6 in Levi’s and I did try on a bunch of dress pants a few days ago, all 6’s. Some were tighter than others, which is totally hormonal and how they are cut. One day, hopefully, I can just buy something without trying it on. That would save so much time and since I hate shopping, maybe I will finally like it again. I used to, a long time ago when I was in a smaller size. I’ve given away 6 bags of clothes over the past few months. Everything I owned was too big! In fact the shorts I tried on in Sept. are now so big! I just did a house cleaning, all shorts, tanks and t-shirts are gone if they were too big. I have no need for things that I cannot wear. I need to get some new things, I have some long sleeved and short sleeved shirts, but, they are smalls and some are a little bigger since they aren’t all petite. Weird to think that I wear that size. Nothing has really clicked with me in that sense yet. I think it’s because it’s such a gradual change and even though others see me a certain way, I still see myself at 144 lbs. So weird! It’s definitely a mind set.
I delivered some photo prints to Tammy and her family on Wednesday and I have to say that I really think they turned out well. I’m going to order some clear bags to put the photos in for future deliveries. They aren’t really that expensive and I think that they will be nice to have. Even though I don’t get a lot of print orders, this was my first in fact, hopefully more are in the future! She’s also going to book a photo session for her uprising senior! So exciting!
I’m missing my Pay Pal debit card. I cannot find it anywhere. I’m not super concerned as there’s nothing in the account, it’s just annoying. I will have to order a new one, what a PITA! I’ve looked everywhere for it and it’s hiding, laughing at me. AND I know I will find it the exact second I order a replacement.
I have a few things to do in the craft room over the holidays and next month. I have to clean off the table for one thing, it’s a MESS! I have not even unpacked my crop bag from November. I hope to finish the few pages that I need to title and then start filling the new Creative Memories books that I ordered. Since Jess will be here it will be easy to get into the crafty mode. I have a Father Christmas to paint as well as the scrapbook stuff.
I’ve been reading blogs and trying to comment when I can. Usually I read and only comment if I have something to contribute. Don’t think I’m not reading, because I am.
Have a great weekend everyone!
The week
Today I’m off to scrapbook with some friends from 3-11. I’m meeting a gal before the crop to discuss her family photo session tomorrow and to get the paperwork signed. Yay for more business! I’ve been averaging two shoots a month, which isn’t bad since I just started in May. Hopefully time and word of mouth will bring in more business! I finally went and opened up a business checking and savings, been meaning to do that for a while. I have no service fees for 12 months, got free business checks and a “for deposit only” stamp as well. Cool beans.
I’ve shelved the idea of Mary Kay right now. I went to a new sales consultant meeting on Monday night, wow, talk about heavy sales pitch. I thought it would sell itself, but, I’ve decided it’s not for me right now. You can still order products from the Mary Kay website I’ve made, I have it for a year, so please do order. I offer FREE shipping right to your front door if you aren’t local.
I’ve gotten 90% of all the gifts purchased for Christmas! Greg, Jac and Vi are all bought for. Storm and Brian and Jess are almost done. I’m gave Greg my list, he’ll use cash to shop for me after we get back from Atlanta.
We’re hosting a cookie exchange next month! I can’t wait to do this. We’ve done one or two in the past, it was great fun, tons of cookies for days and days.
Hope to get started and maybe send the order to the printers for our Christmas cards before we leave on Wednesday. I have everyone’s name and address, just have to get the photo on there and send in the order. I did them last year and the year before, so, we’ll see how it works this year trying a printer. I may end up doing it on my own again. Not a pain, but, it’s overwhelming at the busy time of the year. I can always work on it on the trip, I just want to get started already!
My bff Lisa may be visiting us early next year! We haven’t seen each other since 2007, when we went to NYC for a long weekend.
I didn’t go to the gym all week, I think I am bloated or I gain a tiny bit. I’ve lost 16″ total and gained 2 pounds according to the WI on Monday. We’ll see how that pans out this Monday.
We’re spending Thanksgiving Day with my brother and his family. I’ve forgotten how much he’s like my father was. I swear, I will have to just suck it up I guess as I really want to spend time with everyone. We talked on the phone for a while last weekend, bought the aquarium tix and decided we’d bring a ham and other things. My neice popped onto Facebook and messaged me that they are making everything and we don’t have to bring anything. I guess flowers will have to do! I never show up empty handed to a dinner, not even with family.
I plan on blogging while we’re on the road, so look for something each night while we’re gone. It’s a long trip, but, I think that it will be worth it and it’s going to be fun! We haven’t seen our neices and nephew in a while. I have, but Greg hasn’t and Jac hasn’t. My SIL has two daughters, Jac hasn’t seen her or the daughters in 5 years. She hasn’t seen my bro’s kids in about 10 years. TOO LONG!
If I don’t log in and post before Thanksgiving, I hope everyone has a great day with their family and friends. Safe travels if you are going anywhere.
Monday, Monday
Keeping busy around here!
This past weekend was nice, Greg was off on Friday as well. We did get a lot accomplished:
- Halloween/Fall things put away in attic.
- Oil changed in Impala.
- Saw new James Bond movie.
- Organized our DVD movies.
- Finished Christmas shopping for Jac and almost finished for Storm.
- Got a table and 2 chairs for Violet.
- Caught up on DVRed shows.
I went to a Creative Memories open house thing on Saturday and I had a good time chatting with Sami. I scrapped with her and some others last month. They are having a crop on Sat. from 3-11 and I’m going! There’s only 6 people that can go as it’s in her home this time. I did buy another coverset, this one is for Greg’s scrapbook.
Yesterday Jac and I went to a Slipada jewelry party. It was at Tammy’s house. She’s best friend with Sami. Jennifer is the jewelry and Pampered Chef gal. While I was getting directions from Tammy she told me that they would probably be using me in the very near future for a photo session! YAY! Breaking into this group would be great, just takes a few and then business will start rolling. Tammy and Sami’s kids are the same age, 15 and 17. Both girls are older, they will be uprising seniors next year. So, I will be busy this summer! Hopefully the referral incentives I have set up will bring in some of their friends as well. Anyhow, we had a good time at the party and I ordered two things, neither for me! I have a wish list though. Jen and I talking I’m going to have a Valentine’s open house for Mary Kay and have a Slipada party at the same time. My SIL did this and got a lot of jewelry free as well as some MK bookings!
I have booked 3 Mary Kay skin care classes for the first weekend in December. If you are local and wouldn’t mind me borrowing your face, let me know. I just need to get 15 faces done in 2 weeks and I get something called “Perfect Start”. No one in the unit I’m in has gotten it and there’s a lot of them, like 25 or so. I have 9 faces booked, including Jac! One of the gals at the gym used to use MK, but, her gal moved, so that’s very cool for me. Just going to do the class and then take reorders. I’m going to do a follow-up with her the next week for color. Storm’s mom is going to get some church gals together and I invited my friend Jen to a class with Jac. I need to borrow your face, Alisa, Ginger, Joanna.
I got weighed and measured at JC this morning. Didn’t gain, didn’t lose, but, I’ve lost a total of 16″. Wow, eh? It’s coming off, slowly but surely. I’m kicking it up a notch this week at the gym, varying my routine, not just running. I think I’m PMSing, so that’s probably why I didn’t gain or lose. 
Violet has been sick since Thursday night. Not eating much, but still drinking and slept almost the entire day and night on Saturday. She’s a little better today, eating crackers and drinking milk and water along with juice. I think that Jac said she was going to call the doc today about her. Poor baby, she’s exhausted and so is her mommy. I’m a little worried, but not overly as she’s still got wet and dirty diapers, she’s not running a fever, no puking. Maybe it’s going around.
The movie on Saturday night was really good. Really, really good. I liked this one a lot more than the one before it with Daniel. He’s not the best looking guy, but, he’s alright body wise. 
The trailers at the begining were good, even though it was a 20 minute time frame. We saw a few that we want to see when they come out, especially since Vin and Paul are back for “Fast and Furious” as well as my girl Michelle. The movie with Jim Carrey looks hilarious! It’s been a long time since Greg and I went to the movies, the last one we saw was The Dark Knight back in July! How did that happen?
Halloween
I originally was going to put up a Halloween layout this week, but, time just got away from me, oh well. I did however keep the house clean and actually detailed my Jeep this afternoon.
For Halloween, we have candy via The Dollar Tree, love that store. I spent $10 vs. $40 and I don’t like anything we’re giving to the trick or treaters, so that’s a good thing! Greg’s been gone since early Monday morning, we’re staying around the house tomorrow night handing out candy. Once it’s gone, it’s gone though. We do have pumpkins out front, some autumn things too, but no decorating as he wasn’t here and frankly we’re not in the mood for some reason to decorate. I guess because we have no little ones of our own.
I was in The Dollar Tree looking for alphabet magnets, but they didn’t have any. Anyone have an idea where to get some cheap? I looked at Target, they don’t carry them. As much as I despise shopping at Wal-Mart, I may have to go there for Violet. She’s got the entire alphabet, except for a “g”. do you know how many words need the letter “g”? A lot more than you think actually. Besides, with another set she will have double letters to spell more words.
Things have been busy here all week. I met with a client yesterday and have some auction items to photograph and burn to a CD. I deliver everything back to him on the 7th. I got paid though, all in advance! Woot! Nothing planned for the money, yet. Saturday I have a client meeting in the morning. I’m going to take photos of the family, next weekend. Hopefully the weather holds out and we can do it outside, otherwise I will have to get creative. I love challenges! The family has two little boys, a 4 year old and a 3 month old.
Saturday afternoon holds a Pampered Chef party invite, I can’t wait! I just placed a big order with Jess for her party, it’s this weekend or next. I need to get a few things, so I plan on seeing what I need. Almost my entire kitchen is run with Pampered Chef. I use something each day it seems like. Been using it for about 12 or 13 years. Anyhow, the crop that I went to earlier this month is where I met the gal that’s having me over. Hopefully I will get to meet more people! I’m way too excited about this, eh? One downside to working for yourself, you don’t really have day-to-day interaction with people that you work with.
I was going to meet with a client on Sunday, but, after chatting with her on the phone and in emails, I actually turned the job down. She wanted more than just a photographer and even though I could probably have designed the cards for her, I didn’t like the vibe I got from her at all. Very demanding, very precise. I totally get it, really, but, since I really can pick and choose my clients, I did.
Sunday is nothing, just shooting the auction photos and watching DVRed shows. I may make some Monkey Bread. I just bought a fluted pan from Bed, Bath and Beyond yesterday. I also found some king sized sheets with a 300 count for under $20 a set! They were missing from the rest of the set which probably included a comforter, shams and dust ruffle.
Happy Halloween everyone! Make sure you keep your kids safe and examine the candy before they eat it!
Catching Up
I’m finally catching up a little!
Thank you everyone for the wonderful birthday emails, messages, comments, posts, it means a lot to me!
Greg is the BEST husband ever! He bought me this and I love it! I ran with it on the treadmill for my 5K run on Friday, I think it needs calibration! We’re off to do that this morning. I just have to run once around the 1/4 mile track so it gets a feel for my pace and length of my stride. There’s no way in HELL that I’m running a 9 minute mile. That was a great gift and he bought me a cute fuchsia colored pouch to hold my Nano and headphones. That was something I talked to him about after getting my purse from Jess. There’s not enough pockets for everything and then the headphones get everywhere. I do wrap them up, but, this is better still! He brought me 2 bunches of flowers and I did take photos. I’m waiting patiently for the UPS man to deliver our new video cards. My current monitor is a widescreen and as my computer is 6 years old, the video card makes every photo and graphic look WIDE. Not good when you want to crop photos! I’ve been dropping them on my laptop and editing them there. PITA! So, tomorrow is my final gift.
Jacqueline, Violet and I went to Arby’s for lunch on Thursday. I cut the regular RB sandwich in half and ate that and had one fry. I’m lucky that I can just do a taste of something. I used to just steal one chip from Greg’s plate! *LOL* I really didn’t like the Arby’s though. It’s changed a lot since we were there in June. It’s not as clean and even though it was lunchtime they weren’t really staffed for it. There wasn’t anyone at the register, just running back and forth from the drive-through and the register. We had to wait a while for our order to be taken. I totally understand lunchtime, but, if you have a busy drive-thru, have another person inside as well. There was a line of about 5 people at any given time inside, just waiting. Maybe they are under new management or something. Then, this guy hit on Jac! He said that he would give her his number if she wanted it! Oh wow…that was terribly funny. Obviously she’s in a relationship, although he didn’t know that as we’ve only been there with Vi, never with Storm as well! *LOL*
Jacqueline, Storm and Violet gave me a wonderful card that Jac made down in the craft room. She used chalk and put a faery on the front. I will scan it in and post it. And I also got some yummy goodies from Bath and Body Works via his mom, Emma. Warm Vanilla Sugar is SO yummy! Shower gel, lotion, sprays…I’m so spoiled!
Friday was a good day, Greg was home and we spent some time together both before and after my tattoo session. I actually have photos of them and of Keith as I took Jacqueline with me. They turned out great. I discussed with Keith exactly what I did and didn’t want and he drew everything on my back. During the discussion he was saying that he wanted to “finish” the rose that he did back in June. I wasn’t really sure what that meant, until he told me exactly what he was going to do. You can click here and see the photos from my latest tattoos.
Dinner on Friday night was most excellent! We went to Joe’s Crab Shack! Alisa I know through the military forum board we used to go to and everyone else I know through Greg’s work.
Photos and more of the weekend under the “more”! Read more
Protected: Time flies
Catching Up
We went to Jess’s graduation this past weekend, it was overwhelming and awesome at the same time. I cannot believe that I have a college graduate! Her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is in Fashion Merchandising in case anyone wants to know. I posted a few photos on Flickr.
Greg’s parents arrived Thursday afternoon, luckily the cleaners were here in the morning. Everything was spic ‘n span and I didn’t worry about what they thought. I don’t know if that’s because I don’t really care, or because we have a cleaning service. Anyhow, we had dinner with them, I fixed my Southern Baked Fried Chicken and they really liked it. You can download it if you like. It’s here in .pdf, here in .doc and here in .txt. It has a little bite to it, so be prepared. This is the first time that my MIL has ever asked for a recipe and we’ve been married nearly 24 years!
Friday afternoon we set off for Richmond. Violet slept for a while, it’s different now that she’s in the car seat facing the front. She can see everything and is interested in seeing everything! We arrived, checked in, unpacked, then Jess came over for a visit. Her house is right around the corner from the hotel. We went to dinner and then back for the night. Jacqueline wanted to put Violet to bed, so, Greg and I went to Books-A-Million. I don’t know the last time I was in a BAM. Seriously. There was no one working there, just one poor girl running the coffee shop and checking out purchases.
Saturday morning we ate some of the free food they offered at the hotel, yummy! Then we headed out to the Richmond Coliseum. The ceremony wasn’t until 10 a.m., but, Jess had to be there by 9 a.m. We sat and waited and then finally her department arrived! I’m lucky enough to have a great zoom lens and I put it on so I could see her face in the crowd. I snapped tons of photos from our seats and then a few outside after the ceremony with my new portrait lens. Then we got back in the cars and drove to Five Guys burgers for lunch. After that we loaded back in the cars and headed to VCU for the departmental ceremony. Somewhere along the line Jess lost her tassel! I feel really bad about that. She had it on for the first ceremony and photos, but then we went for lunch and we think she lost it in the parking lot when she was getting out of Brian’s truck. It was really hot in the little lecture hall where they did the ceremony. I think there was 400+ people in there and the room is made for 150! I did get some good photos of her crossing the stage and getting her degree. 
We went outside after her degree though, it was too hot for me. Jacqueline had taken Violet out already and I soon followed. Greg’s mom sat with us, but, Greg’s dad, Greg and Brian had to stand even though we could have had 5 seats, we only took up 3 of them. Unlike some families that put children in seats, Violet sat with her mom. That’s another post though! We took some photos outside, I’m not really happy with how those turned out at all, but it was really hectic and hot and full of people everywhere. I did get a few shots of her near the cornerstone on the way out though, I’m happy with those. Jess had a great party on Saturday night and we met her co-workers at S & K. They are going to miss her very much! We knew all her friends, so it was nice to catch up with them all again. It’s weird to think that her life will be in Atlanta now vs. Richmond. I guess we’ll have to drive an hour to the airport to visit vs. 2 hours to see her now.
We came back on Sunday afternoon. We had brunch with Jess before heading out, earlier though, Greg’s parents left from Richmond to drive back to Ohio. Storm came over with food which was great and stayed for the rest of the day and left later that evening.
I’ve been busy getting the paperwork done for photos. I launched the business website last week! I finally received my trade name information, so I will open a business account once I have some money flowing. I have 3 people at the gym interested, on top of the others and I received a phone call yesterday from one of the gals that I crop with. One of her co-workers at her car dealership job wants some photos done of her daughter. Very promising! I’m excited!! I received my Lexar card reader, some memory cards, my new Western Digital 250 GB portable hard drive the other day. I chose that hard drive as it uses a USB port for power vs. a power cord. It’s so little and very RED! I need to stop by Ritz Camera and get lights, I have the stands and umbrellas already from Greg’s brother, but I don’t have any soft box lights.
The rest of this week holds gym workouts, cropping this weekend and then a crop lunch on Sunday where we bring something to share and our scrapbooks for everyone to see. Greg and I are going to use the movie tickets I won back in March to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Storm and Jacqueline are seeing it tomorrow night.
Violet’s first birthday is in 10 days. I can’t believe how much our lives have changed in a year. We’re having a little party for her, just the family, Storm and maybe Jacqueline’s friend from high school, David. Jess will be here, I don’t know if Brian will be here though. It will be the last time that Jess will visit for a while, weird. We just put a bunch of her baby things up in the attic. Her swing, cradle, baby clothes. She’s growing up quickly! She has 7 teeth with another one coming through any day now, is pulling up, walking around the furniture, crawling, getting into everything. Yesterday she took her first real big girl bath, no baby tub! She took it with her mommy, Jacqueline was wearing her bathing suit, so I popped in for a little visit. She’s so smart, has amazed us all at how smart she is. She lights up when anyone she knows comes into the room! And Jacqueline is relieved that she is good in the daycare at the gym. She leaves now and there’s no crying, and none when she comes back either. She is also playing with the toys on her own vs. being held part of the time. I think she’s figured out that her mommy is coming back.
Oh, Jacqueline cut her hair! She donated to Locks of Love. She did it the other day. She’s one of the few people in the world that can wear her hair any length and look great. If you have me on Facebook, I uploaded a mobile photo, or I sent it to your cell if I have you in my contacts. I have to take a photo and put it on Flickr today.
Hope to update again soon! Thank you for reading!
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Feed Burner
Netflix Movies at Home- Next in the Netflix Queue
- 001- The Backyardigans: Into the Deep
- 002- Balls of Fury
- 003- The Backyardigans: Mission to Mars
- 004- The Backyardigans: Polka Palace Party
- 005- Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 2: Earth: Vol. 2
- 006- Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 2: Earth: Vol. 3
- 007- Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 2: Earth: Vol. 4
- 008- The Backyardigans: Movers & Shakers
- 009- The Backyardigans: The Snow Fort
- 010- The Backyardigans: The Legend of the Volcano Sisters