Just Like Me?

No, this isn't a threat like you may think it is. It's a note that my dearest Megan wrote for a clever little boy named Cameron that has caught her attention. Yes, she admits that she chases him around the playground during recess. And that she is going to get her other friends to chase him, too, because they think he's cute also. *Sigh* I'm doomed. You see, this loving and emotionally expressive child of mine has a gene that starts off innocent enough. We saw the signs in pre-school when she would only talk about Vito and AJ. There may have been two other names but they escape me. And our best friends' middle son Benjamin. She couldn't decide which one she wanted to marry. Cute, right?

So, kindergarten starts and her stories about Thomas were endless. HE was the cutest boy ever or so she thought. I asked her, "Why do you like him, Megan?" to which she replied, "Oh, he's funny like Daddy." Adorable, I know, right? (We ran into Thomas who was with his Grandmother at a craft show. He was darling.) Here's where we get to this being a big deal. This year, she decides she's all into Jayden. He's apparently cute and hilarious, too. One evening last month I joined the PTA group for their annual meeting at the local watering hole. It was fun and I wanted to branch out and see if any of these ladies were fun to hang out with. They are. I introduce myself and begin to share that I have a daughter, who is six, yada yada. Three of them exclaim, "OH, YOU'RE MEGAN'S MOM!"



Huh?



I find out that Megan has caught the attention of a Patrick, a Logan, and an already famous Thomas. In fact, she's all they spoke about over summer vacation. *Sigh* You should see the look on Kevin's face and the shake of his head whenever this stuff is mentioned. It's disdain for anything male and the inevitable trouble this fantastic little lady is going to be for us and those that decide to come near her.


Today, this Monday in January, it's Cameron. He's likely to have the cutest dimples anyone has ever seen. I do know that all this will eventually will warp into BOY - CRAZY. Mix that with teen-age and there's an instant recipe for wrinkles, the rest of my hair turning grey and a speed dial number to the manufacturer of chastity belts when she doesn't meet her curfew. Do they still make those or do I have to break into a museum? This of course lends me a memory or (ahem) two that I may have of having crushes on boys (Joshua Jackson - first grade - had the most endearing freckles). Maybe she's a bit like me after all.


My daughter may not have blonde hair or grey eyes like me, and may be charming & funny like her Dad, but has all the makings of announcing herself as an official carrier of the boychasing gene.

*Sigh*

Hey, there stranger!

The rest of vacation.

Kevin & I

Mike & Catherine

Mike & Jill

The gathering. Drinks are flowing and midnight is approaching.

Tim & Harmony

Me & My BFF Cath.

Penny drank too much Tequila and got upset when she didn't win poker.

Victor, my FIL came in for the holidays with his wife Marilyn. It was so nice to visit and see them.

The annual cousins photo. Carter, Michaela, Lorren, & Megan.

The Christmas aftermath.

Opening presents. Fun!

Look MOM! :)

Thanks for coming to see me while I've been out. It's gotta be like going to the store to find it closed. again. Sorry. But I do welcome returns. ;)

Happy Belated everything! ;) I have been out of the normal email, blog posting, blog stalking, & anything-that-resembles-my-routine routine!
I have been doing a lot of cleaning, organizing, scrapping, & any other entertainment kind of stuff. I am probably going to wake up in a fog tomorrow morning and say to myself, "Wha-at happened?" I think I remember how to get the kids up, lunches made, clothes ironed, hair did, make-up on, and drive to school & work before 9. ;)

No, really, I enjoyed having so much time off of work and so much to do and celebrate. I really cherished time with my husband, kids, family, and friends. Unfortunately, if you are far away & not within the mix of my activities, you were probably missed altogether. I'm thinking ahead this year to avoid the panic that ensues every year come Dec. 20 when I realize I forgot to actually send all the stuff I have for my family that lives at least 5-7 ship days away. I wil get better at that & you'll see why when you read below. I did get some good cards from those with small kids - I love the photos!

And I also get to say publicly, WAHOO! I'm gonna be an AUNT! Well, technically I already am but this feels new all over again because it's my sister Amy's first baby (and her hubby Mark's too - I should probably mention the Dad. lol). Yep, the baby's due in June. Oh, boy the fun I'll be having soon! And by Oh Boy, I mean I really want it to be a boy. A healthy boy that I can send dinosaur stuff to. Cuz those things are cute. My girls are into glitter, pink, purple, yada yada girly stuff. I heart dinosaur stuff. And last time I checked, orange is pretty sweet for boys. ;) I'd be happy no matter what but you know that I'd be buddah rubbing for if she was here. Not that she'd let me. Ok, I'm done. For now. hehe

New bloggy stuff for 2009:
I'm starting a few content parts that you'll see repeated. I'll continue to share bits & pieces of my randomness but along with that, I'll be sharing a story per week. I would like to eventually gather these stories and create a book for the memories at the end of the year to keep with my scrap albums. Also, at least one entry each month to extend the action & depth of my inspiration word. I have decided to play along with Ali Edwards (you know, the lady I go on & on about because she comes up with the best stuff ever!) and chose a word for 2009. It will be echoed here all year through and with my everyday. It is REACH. It encompasses all that I want to add to my life this year. I will reach the goals that I have set for myself and will find comfort in the plan as I work toward them. I will reach out to those that I love more than ever before. I will reach out to those I don't know that are struggling and help (by volunteering and donating as I can). I will reach inside of myself, find the parts of me that I have pushed down into the depths and embrace what is there. I'll be inspired by all that can be gained by extending my REACH.
What would be your word for 2009?

Thanks Grandma! Megan loves her clothes!

Check out this lady trying out all her stuff. Grandma rocks!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Snow day!

Megan checks out how deep it is!

Hilarious girl buries herself and then eats handfuls of snow. LOL

The supplies for baking! Gotta have the old version of Betty Crocker's Cookbook

My favorites - Pecan sandies. Love 'em!

The final tree :) There's even some gifts under there already!

Megan visits Santa & of course I've already finished a layout with it. ;)

The stockings are hung by the fireplace.

The girls are finding fun ways to spend the cold weather days. Making a tent to play in!

Shhhh if you listen closely, you can hear them playing board games in there...

A gift for Megan's teacher. The finished gift included green & red M&M's!

It was fun to work on an altered item. I was so surprised at how easy this was!

We've been busy getting ready for the holidays (sorry I haven't posted recently!). I thought I'd share some photos I've taken over the last week.

On Friday we got a foot of snow dumped on us! The girls ventured out into it to frolic a bit. Megan loves the snow. I can't wait to order some prints and get scrapping!

Last minute stuff to do - get stuff mailed, buy holiday dinner items, wrap the rest of the gifts, and then it can be Christmas. :)

What's on your last minute to do list? Or, if you're done, when did you finish?

Tagged!

I was chosen by Angela (aka Aloughridge) on her blog so here are 7 random things about me:

1. I collect snowman stuff. I love the holidays when I can bring out cute fluffy guys to spread all through the house. :)

2. I often call radio stations to win stuff. It's been forever since I actually won, but I try like mad anyway. Who doesn't love to win stuff? Math is on my side, right?

3. Orange is my favorite color. I love all shades and variations of orange! It's vibrant, warm, and original. I heart everything about orange, lol.

4. Crazy bad habit of chewing on my cheeks when I am bored, nervous, or deep in thought.

5. I have a random crush on a barista at Starbucks. Totally harmless but big secret fun to stop in for my favorite mocha and have it prepared lovingly by a cute guy.

6. My hubby & I bowl on a couples league every other Friday with our BFF's and my average is 101. hehe

7. I no longer have an appendix or a gall bladder. Yuck, right, but it's hard to come up with random stuff!

Sunday night delight

I was playing with the settings on my camera and got this one - isn't it cool? Our tree. I need to take more pics. I was playing around with photos.

The girls & I putting the ornaments on. I so look like my Mom in this one. :O)
Kevin did the tree and the lights.

Michaela adds one of many...

Megan reaches for hers to go in a good spot. I think she only decorated in one concentrated area. I helped to spread out afterward.

This picture was funny because I told Kevin to take pictures and he said, "Smile so Mommy can have the perfect photo!" and these were the faces in response. LOL

Hello! I am so excited to finally have my Christmas tree up. It feels so much more like the holidays are coming. :) I have some gifts done and need to wrap them so I am not overwhelmed at the last minute. A list would be fab - I should do that this week. Michaela and I helped out at the Santa Shoppe at Megan's school yesterday and it was fun. The kids are so cute shopping for their families! Megan and Michaela both got gifts to put under the tree. Megan wanted to give me hers already and I must have told her a hundred times that we are waiting for Christmas! I thought I'd share some photos and say a brief hello. How are your Holiday plans coming along?

Totally Random Tuesday

Welcome December! Wow, when the heck did you get here? I barely remember November! That's ok, though. I like you much better!!

I've been doing some Holiday Spirit RAK lately around town. Like, buying a few extra cans of soup and some ketchup & mustard when I ran into the grocery the other day (for just 2 things!). I gave it to the women collecting for their organization at the door onthe way out. I always donate small stuff this time of year. I also can never pass up a red bucket and a jingly bell. And at lunch today, I drove to the ghetto Wendy's to pick up some quick food (WAY too busy at work these days & noted that I'm packing tomorrow. No, not packing, jeez. Ghetto, yes. Guns, no.) - - anyway, there was a stray cat amongst all the falling down, burned out, and boarded up houses on the street near the drive thru and I bought an extra 5 pc. chicken nugget for him. He was happily eating them at the edge of the street when I tossed them out the window. I think I'll call him Danger.

"Danger, danger" must have come out of my mouth at least 12 times today. You know, like that robot with the dryer vent arms from that old TV show...I don't have any idea where that came from. I used it for when the very loud Guardian alarm test system went off in the middle of the work day today, as I was leaving for lunch. That's also why I named the cat Danger. And no, I didn't set the alarm off either.

I am finished with New Moon and am dying to get Eclipse. Yep, now I'm officially in with the Twilight series. The second book was way better than the first.

My December forecast was pretty uneventful from Astrology Zone. There's some angry full moon to occur on the 12th and everyone is at risk for some upheaval. I'm pretty used to making people mad lately so I'm just going to figure it's just another day...It's full of career and work activity - surprise! I am so slammed at work that I can't think straight while I'm there. I hope it gets a bit less challenging. It hasn't been easy to let things roll off lately even though I know I should.

Oh, being Diva of the Month for December at The Scrap-Room is pretty cool! I am enjoying being part of this small online community and it's fun to have so many cyber friends in such a short period of time. Check it out! http://www.scrap-room.com/ I am hosting a challenge for the month where someone will win a fun prize from the team. I will be adding lots of other fun posts this month too.

I completed two layouts so far this month and am hoping to continue with Layout of the Day (aka LOAD). I need to get some pages done! (Pictured above) I also have a layout I completed last day of Nov. to squeak in for Edie's Diva Challenge.

This upcoming Saturday both Michaela and I are helping out at the holiday shoppe at Megan's school. It should be fun. Megan will come in with Kevin to shop for gifts that she will be able to wrap and give to her family. It's the cutest thing ever. I helped a few times when Michaela was younger. The kids are so into it and they are very sweet with their choices.

~ Ok, now I'm tired and am ready to snuggle up to my snoozy beagle and hubby. Thanks ya'll for stopping by. Add a comment if you had something random happen in your life today!