good morning.. off to a decent start here. I will be getting te tree down and as much of the holiday decor put away as I can. Some will have to wait until Jim gets home, but that is my fault. We were out and about most of the day yesterday and nothing got done. I was hoping to find a small table for the entry area and while I had something in mind, I sure wasn't finding it. We went to Home Goods and Hobby Lobby. I did find some other items at Home Goods. Since Michael's is in the same center, we stopped in there. I didn't get much. A pack of 8.5x11 red cs to make Valentine CFS. We went to Red Lobster for an early dinner and came home.

Laurie, I am not sure I can do a crafty challenge every day, but I can try. I have lots I would like to get caught up on. I will start today with working on the CFS. I need a quick and easy card idea I can mass produce.
In addition to a craft project I want to get the tree down and all the odds and ends decor gathered up to pack away. I usually walk around the house with a big basket to do that. I also noticed a light is out in one of the village buildings, so I want to replace it.

Thanks all for the complements on the furniture. We did get the taupe. Now, I have to figure out what cabinet color is going to work for the kitchen as well as a counter top. And then the paint for the walls. Lots to be working on and thinking about.

Lizzy, I saw on FB that you really enjoyed Les Mis. We were going to go Christmas Day, but didn't. I think we might try to go this weekend. I understand it is a tear jerker. We saw it live at The Kennedy Center, when the girls were in HS, so that was many years ago.

Time to get back to work here. I think I heard the washer beep.
Have a productive day everyone.

Good afternoon!

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's day!

Thanks for the congrats on the weight loss!

Lizzy I have yet to see that movie. I would like to though. Not sure DH would though. Sorry you didn't sleep last night. I don't think I could function if I didn't get any. As far as keeping the weight off.I hope so. I have yo-yoed a lot these last couple of years but since I am a WW lifetime member I don't have to pay as long as I don't go over my goal weight more than 2 pounds. I only have to weigh in 1 time a month. I really want to keep it off this time so maybe that will help too. Lizzy we watch White Collar and enjoy it. The new season starts this month.

Pat I really like the furniture choice you made! Very nice! You sound as busy as me! I don't think I could add any craft challenges either. I suppose it would depend what it is and if an idea just came to me quickly, but right now it is daily even if it is organizing or purging.

Paula I wish we had the amount of snow that you have! That is funny that Tay liked the juicer and uses it. Not what I would think a 19 YO would like!

Rhonda that is good that you can choose your hours with your old job. It sounds like you will be done before or at least by tax time there. I wish my house was back in order. I hope to take care of the New Year's tree tonight. I am behind on laundry too.

Laurie I don't think I will be able to keep up with your challenge but I guess I did do one thing yesterday. I made thank you cards for my Christmas gifts. Of course it was very simple with Christmas paper and a thank you stamp on the front.

Carrie I have the Cameo. I like the Cricut better. I haven't done a whole lot with it though. You can use SCAL with it and there is a free program very similar to that by Silhouette. I like that you can print on your own printer and then cut with the silhouette. THe blade can sometimes be a problem too. Here is a link to someone who uses hers a lot and has tutorials on her blog. That might come in handy for you while trying to learn about the Cameo. There are others out there too. I found one that mentioned that the blade selections the Cameo has you use are usually too high and can break the blade, but I have not had that happen yet.
http://underacherrytree.blogspot.com/

Here is a link to where Riley spent the night last night and yes he stayed in one of the huts with no electricity. I would love to be there!
http://cambodiatraveladvice.blo...-koh-tonsay-kepskip.html

Riley has told me that the country is amazing and so are the kids he has been helping out.

Well I actually started entering receipts into my tax program yesterday. Not a fun way to spend the say but I have a start on it. I also did a little more prep for tax time other than that too. Starting school in 2 weeks I wanted to start early so I don't get too overwhelmed. I am going to try to do a little every night over the nest couple of weeks. I should be able to get a really good head start compared to where I usually am.

I have a long to do list so I will try to take every spare moment to do that. Not fun but I will be glad once I start school. So with that said I am going to get he baby down and see what I can accomplish while the little ones nap.

Good evening all...

Lizzy, sorry you are having sleep issues. And so very glad you found your keys. That must be such a great relief. I am hoping to go see Les Mis this weekend. I also want to see Lincoln as well and both are here this weekend. May have to make it a double header

Laurie, I saw on FB that you are not up to par. Hope the heating pad does the trick. I, like the others, don't think I could craft everyday, but want to try to do it at least every week. If research counts, it would be more often.

Pat, WTG on getting the decorations down. Did you get to work on the valentines CFS?

Nancy, you are going to be very busy once school starts, but I know you will make it all work. Glad to hear Riley is really enjoying the work/trip. It makes it all worth while.

Paula, glad you didn't get too much snow. I am surprised that Tay enjoys using the juicer so much. Great for you! I am not much of a lemonade fan, but fresh orange juice would be good.

Carrie, have you been able to work much with the cameo?

I stopped by old work again tonight for a few hours. About ready to print the W-2's etc. Then it is all down hill from there.

Good morning!

Nancy the photos from Riley look amazing. Good that he is having fun and likes it. Again congrats on the weight loss and starting back to school.

Lizzy Don't you just hate it when you set something down and don't focus on it. You have no idea what you did because there is no conscious thought. It is such a waste of time having to look for what you lost. I also have sleep issues all the time. Since my surgery, I figured out that it is my bed creating the problem. I've been sleeping so much better on the couch. I don't want to go back.

Pat good that you are getting a "new", old member. Maybe they can take some of the work load off you.

Lori I do craft everyday but sometimes it's just in the kitchen. Does that count?

Rhonda I played a little with the Cameo yesterday. I love my Cricut machine better but the Silhouette software beats the snot out of anything PC has put out. I love the fact that I can use my own fonts and artwork. Sorry the job is winding down. Hope the new one is sailing along smoothly.

Paula you have the service language? I really have issues with that. Jim says I spent hours cleaning off the driveway and didn't even get a thank you from you. I am like, oh, you did that for me? Definitely not my language but neither is the diamond necklace. LOL Glad to hear the dad is doing well. He is on a very safe medication so that's good too.

Well I have been busy busy. Yesterday I enlisted Jonathan to help me (since he owes me for his CC debt) and we vacuumed and mopped the floor, took Old English Oil to all the wood furniture, cleaned out the hutch and polished the crystal and the stone topped tables. Played a little with the Cameo and the software. And kept the fire going all day. Today I have office work to do getting ready for year end. I am still working in December. Take a trip to the Container Store since Elfa is on sale and I want another thing for the craft room, and drawer organizers.

Good morning!

LIzzy I am glad you found your keys. Riley has been known to leave his keys locked in his car. He started to carry a key in his wallet he has done it so many times. Did you get a better nights sleep last night?

Rhonda I haven't seen the trailer for Lincoln. Of course we record all our shows so we skip all the commercials. I am not sure I could sit through 2 movies unless it were at home. I need to move more than that would allow. Avatar in the theatre was almost too long for me. We saw that in 3D though and I don't like the glasses. They start to give me headaches because they are too heavy. I have to be careful the type of sunglasses I buy. They have to be very light.

Laurie so sorry about your injury and your cold. WIll you go see a chiropractor?

Pat WTG on your productive day. I have to say mine was too. I think your card idea is a good one. I think silhouettes are always a good way to make an easy card. Sounds like your resolution will be to get back on your bike!

Carrie I agree about the silhouette program. It reminds me a lot of SCAL. I haven't splurged for the upgraded program. I only have the free one.

Paula It sounds like you are having some fun relaxing days baking, puzzles, spending time with babies, and cards! Enjoy your day!

I agree about Cambodia. It is beautiful. I can't wait to see Riley's pictures. I may ask for my SIL's pics too.

I managed to knock a few things off my list yesterday and also continued with tax prep. I hope to continue with that today. Tax prep I will do tonight. I will do the smaller things at rest time if the baby sleeps for a while. Although I did a lot of the small things already so there are just bigger things left. I suppose I can just do a little bit. It is just so satisfying to cross something off your list.

I better get moving. I started this before the kids got here.

Good morning all...

Pat, WTG on meeting your crafting challenge. And all those stairs were a great substitute for the bike. I took a peak at your little newsletter, and I really like it. Great job!

Nancy, I don't think I will attend both movies in one setting! I don't think I could sit that long either. May be one each day. But I really want to see both of these movies and weekends are the easiest time for be.

Paula, sounds like you made the best of not having to clean the house. Baking and puzzles is a perfect way to spend the day. Chocolate covered peanuts - yumm! But I couldn't have them in my house as I would want to constantly snack on them.

Carrie, WTG - garnering DS to help with all that cleaning. Can you send him my way?? Hope the paperwork for December finishes us quickly and easily.

Lizzy, were you able to get a good nights sleep? When do you return to the classroom?

Last night I worked on some of my paperwork, getting ready for taxes. Tonight I will probably stop by "old work". Hoping to be able to get W-s's and 1099's printed and ready for mailing. Then to rest of the closing should go pretty quickly. Lots of paperwork to be done this time of the year.

Have a great productive Friday!

Good Friday noontime, friends! I am supposed to be working on the last of my lesson plans, but I also have a movie in and I'm trying to catch up on my internet stuff!

Our family has BIG NEWS: last evening, Sarah got engaged! YUP! It's true. We knew it was coming...and then last night, we got a text message with a photo of her engagement ring. It's a very pretty solitaire. It's a round cut, six-prongs. Interestingly....very similar to mine, although I don't know the size of it. She has relatively small hands, so it's hard to judge. I'm very happy for her; I like her fiance, he is originally from India, but is a citizen of Portugal. They don't want a big, fancy (expensive) wedding....rather a small, civil ceremony. They haven't set a date...but I think it might be sometime this spring.

Pat, I am envious of your having completed your un-decorating! I've not reached that point successfully yet. However, I have done a TON of work in the bonus room and am past the halfway point. I'm not moving furniture out, shifting books to the new shelves, moving tables around, reorganizing scrapping supplies, etc. This is the fun part and it's way more productive than the first part which was overwhelming. I still have a few boxes to move out, a bookshelf to move out, etc., but I can still do the scrapping reorganization and move my desk and filing cabinet. Already the room looks SO MUCH BETTER!

The lesson planning I am doing is the new language arts/science unit we are all piloting this year. I know what I am doing, I just have to plan it to the day-to-day specifics. I need to download the videos I'm going to show, etc. I'm only going to fuss with the first week right now in case I run into a snafu or need to tweak the plans.

Carrie, you are a working machine! Don't overdo things and exhaust yourself! Your Jonathan is a good helper to you! I love sleeping on my couch, too! It's the best.

Nancy, congrats to you for getting started on entering your receipts for 2012. Our taxes for this year should be pretty easy...I'd like to get them done earlier this year than last. I'd feel good if I could do that.

Pat, good deal getting going again on the purging! I'm not doing anything with the Christmas stuff. I've kinda already done that...I have some tubs of stuff I don't even open because it's stuff I will eventually pass it along to the girls. And, last year, I went through my snowmen collection and purged it in a major way. So, I'm pretty good with that stuff. It's just everything else that needs a good purging! LOL

Well, I'd better get moving or I'll be in front of this computer all day and won't get to anything else. I hope everyone has a good day...I'll likely be back later today.

good evening. It has a been a good day. Brrrr cold with wind, but lots of sunshine. I did not get on the Wii. I am disappointed in myself, but it just wasn't happening. I need to get myself into a routine and that is all there is to it. Tomorrow is another day. I also didn't make it to the grocery store. Hopefully tomorrow. We need fresh produce and healthy snacks.

Lizzy, congratulations to Sarah and her new fiance. Quite a year for her with a new job and now getting married.
I think you have actually done quite well this break considering you were sick and there was the holidays. I can relate to rooms feeling bigger and just generally less clutter. You have done well. Long ago, I gave my girls all their ornaments and even other holiday decor they wanted. When I go through everything one more time, I will give them another opportunity to take more things.

Nancy, good start on the tax stuff. I am hoping we can get ours taken care of earlier this year. Even if we leave them to file, I would rather they be ready way before April. I remember when I had my business, I started right after the first of the year gathering papers and figures.
Sounds like Riley is enjoying his trip. Sleeping in a hammock outside this time of year is a nice treat.

I found the HK cuts for cards and in the envelope were a stack of card fronts that someone had sent me. So I have enough parts for another 3 doz or so cards. Just need to cut some bases for the fronts.

What is everyone up to this weekend? I just heard we have a bit of winter weather in the forecast. Nothing big, but I will have to keep an eye on it.

Lizzy, Congrats to Sarah and her finance! Exciting things happening in the new year! You are making great progress in the bonus room. Soon you will be crafting away. Sorry about the painful ribs. Do take it easy. I got a chuckle out of the "lead poisoning" comment!

Pat, you have been busy as well. I need to sort out all the holiday items. I haven't even opened the boxes in many years. That is a project on my to do list - sort out the storage room. Glad you found the HK cuts so you can get all the donations cards completed. I am with you on needing to get back in the routine of exercising. I know we can do it - we did it before!

Nancy, I am envious of Riley - sleeping in a hammock and eating fresh bananas! My mouth is watering thinking about them. Sounds like you will be ready for the taxes in plenty of time.

I did get a thank you card made tonight. My garage door opener would not work - or should I say the garage door wouldn't go closed. So a friend stopped by to look at it and had it fixed in just a few minutes. He did it while I was at work and said I didn't owe him anything. But I made a card and have a gift card I am going to send to him. If I had to call a repair company, I would have spent a lot more. So very thankful he could help me out!

I think I will go into to old job tomorrow, then in the afternoon, it is Hornet basketball. I also need to get to the grocery some time this weekend. And I am still trying to get to the movies for at least one of the movies. Need to find out which one will be here the longest so hopefully I can work both of them in.

good Saturday morning. Off to a slow start here. I was up late with a new find on my research and so I slept in a bit. This was on my Dad's side and the question of where his paternal grandparents died has not only been answered, but I now have their death records from Canada. A very good late night find.
Laurie, I do leave my Dicken's village up year around. There are 36+ buildings plus all the people, trees and other accessories. I only turn the lights on during the holidays though. Too much work/time taking them down every year. I did buy a new bldg this year after Christmas. They were half price at the Navy Exchange (very unusual). I need to fit it on a shelf now. hmmmmmm
I do hope you are feeling better soon.
Rhonda, glad you were able to get the garage door fixed. I am sure you are correct on what the cost could have been. I am going to ask the kid across the street if he will go up on the garage roof and take down the satellite dish and get all the wires that are on the edge. Jim isn't comfortable climbing up there. I will be glad to pay him.

Today I need to find a box or two to put all the tea pots in. These are from my tea room and I am just not sure how I am going to get rid of them. There are about 20. It is mostly getting past the memories. Jim's cousin does want a couple of them. For now I will just pack them up and find a spot to store them safely. Then we can take the shelves down, that they are on in the dining room.

I am also going to work on the valentine cfs. I am not real inspired, so they are going to be a challenge. I might end up having to do a few more cuts to add to what I have. None of the parts seem to want to work for me.

And so will go my day/weekend. Hope everyone else has a good one.

Good morning! I just finished ordering funeral flowers for an aunt of Terry's who passed away. She was one of his mother's favorite sisters, so it's a bit sad, although, as the siblings age, to be expected.

I think it would be fabulous to build a house with a corner in the family room that turned inside a closet so that one could put up their Christmas tree and leave it up all year. When the season ends, you could just rotate the corner inside; then, when the holiday season returns, one could turn the Christmas tree around. Of course, you would have to deal with dust...but...perhaps some sort of hermetical seal would help! On the same note, I'd like to figure out a way to display my snowmen all year round without it being a problem, something like you do, Pat, with your Dicken's Village. I don't have a system right now.

I decided to shut down the schoolwork last night. I did a minimal amount of work, my heart wasn't in it, and I threw in the towel. I will probably live to regret it, but at the same time, I will regret punishing myself today and tomorrow if I sit here with my schoolwork staring me in the face, too. Either way, I will be miserable. I'd rather just wait until Monday and talk to my colleagues about this new unit and then figure it all out. I have a basic idea...it's just a few specifics.

Kat flies in today and we are picking her up in Los Angeles. She gets in around 5:00 p.m. and we'll get dinner and then she'll head home and we'll head home. It's back to work for both she and I on Monday. (Boo!)

I think I'll spend most of today working in the bonus room and getting it finished up today. I had hoped it would have gotten done sooner, but all-in-all, I can't complain.


I like your style, Rhonda, of giving a thank you card and gift card to your friend for fixing your garage door. For sure you saved money! And, while he said you didn't owe him anything, he will certainly appreciate the gift card.

Pat, I'm sorry saying goodbye to the tea pots will be difficult. I think packing them in a box is a good middle step before you finally bid them farewell. I'm sure you kept at least one favorite one for yourself, right? Especially since you are a tea-drinker!

Laurie, I'm sorry you are so under-the-weather. I'm hoping you get some sleep and can knock that sinus infection out...plus can get rid of your sore back and neck.

Well, I'm going to get moving for the day. I've finished my coffee, so it's time....everyone take care, have a great day!

Hello ladies!!
What a day we have had!! :)
This morning I made a pot of turkey noodle soup and brought a bag to Cindi (twin's mom).
Then we dug in and started on the bedrooms. The goal being trading dressers and chest of drawers with DS. I can't believe how much junk and dust a couple of rooms can accumulate! His were smaller but have more drawer space. And they are lighter wood, which I like. We did get the furniture moved and a lot of things purged but there still are some piles to deal with and DS has to switch out the nightstand junk. I did post some things to sell on the yardsale site and sold two thing tonight. (one being a big basketball hoop thing, almost 9 foot long, 7 feet high!!) All in all, a productive day.

Carrie, so sorry to hear about Jenn's friend. I can't even imagine what that family is going through.
I have never been in a Container store. Maybe that's a good thing.

Lizzy, I can't believe you go back Monday. Boy that went fast!! Well you did well getting things done around the house in spite of the holidays and being so sick. Enjoy tomorrow!
I think you should get a patent on your tree corner idea!! =D

What a great find Pat!!! I would think that is a jackpot in a search!
Hope the cards are coming together for you.

Laurie, big bummer about your back. I am glad you are seeing a bit of an improvement. I sure hope it continues. It sounds like it was a good move staying home and letting it heal.

Nancy, I too am enjoying the Reily updates, keep them coming!

Rhonda, did you make it to a movie? I am thinking you went to the b-ball game, how was that?
How nice that you had a friend that could fix the door. And thoughtful of you to give him a gift card.

I am running out of steam and need to wash up a few dishes yet.

good evening... Laurie thanks for doing some cards. It will make up for the fact I got nothing done today on my craft table. I spent most of the day on Ancestry & Family search. I can so easily get lost in records and the search. Never know when there will be a find.

Paula, moving furniture always seems to unearth dust and other things. Glad you got a good start on the bedrooms. Next week, I want to get the holiday stuff completed and then I need to work on the dining area. There is a little sentimental value in the teapots as that was 12 yrs of my life, but I have gotten over it. I would just like them to go to a good home or homes.

Tomorrow we are going to see Les Mis. Plan is to go out to breakfast and then go to the 11:15 show. I think the chance of snow overnight is further north (into PA). The next week won't be too bad and even near 50 a few days. I can live with that.

I am going to call it a night now. Have a good Sunday. I will be back tomorrow afternoon and hopefully get some serious crafting done.

Good morning all...

Had a very busy day yesterday. Went to the basketball doubleheader (Ladies won, Men lost in overtime) The out for a salad with friends, then we went to see Les Mis. It was a very good movie. We all really enjoyed it, but there were a few tears. And to top it off - we are going to see Lincoln this afternoon. So another busy day. I don't go to see many movies, but to have two movies I really wanted to see here to same weekend was a bit frustrating, but looks like it will work out.

Laurie, WTG on getting the valentines cards made for CFS. Loved your little flower layout. Sorry about your Bengals. But at least they got to play this weekend, unlike my Chiefs. Hope you get back to feeling good soon.

Pat, you have a nice day planned. And so happy for your recent finds. And I do understand how you can get lost in the search. These little tidbits are what keeps us going.

Lizzy, the new restaurant sounds like it was a good find. Glad you enjoyed it. I have never been to a Container Store nor and IKEA. Not even sure if there are any very close to me. I would love to visit them if just for ideas. I need to find an organized way to have my office/research area blends well with my craft area as it is all in one room. Neither are organized very well.

Paula, glad you got a great start on the furniture move. And everything got a good cleaning at the same time. So double bonus. WTG on already getting some items sold.

Carrie, such a tragedy involving Jenn's friend. My thoughts and prayers to her family and friends. I have not heard of the Elfa system. Might go check it out.

OK, now I have had my coffee. I need to get a few things done here before heading out again. Will check in later.

Good morning...it's still morning here on the west coast.

I've finished paying bills (huge undertaking today) and now I'm sitting here trying to decide what to do next. I need to look for some paperwork Kat may have left here...at any rate, she cannot find it and she needs to locate it. I told her I'd look for it today. (She tends to be somewhat careless here, leaving her stuff lying all around...so who knows where it is. I know it isn't in the family room and if it's in the kitchen, it's mixed up with Terry's stuff which is also a mess.) I told her I'd look in the guest room and her bedroom today.

My big plan for the rest of the day is laundry and the bonus room. I'm not sure what dinner plans are...maybe some salmon and broccoli.

Terry is going to be busy working all day, getting ready for the next three weeks of travel. The first week, he will be in NC, which is the Fatherland. Then, he will be going to Turkey, and I'm not sure where he is going the last week. When he has this type of travel schedule, I try not to put too much on his plate because he has so little time to reorganize himself at home. All I'd like him to do for me today is help me move a table about 6 inches! LOL

At the moment, I'm watching my favorite, Andrew Luck, play QB for the Colts, but at the moment Baltimore is beating them, so I might take a break and tune back into the end of the game.

Sorry about your men's team losing in OT, Rhonda. But, glad the women won! I'd like to hear what you think of Lincoln, Rhonda. I haven't felt real strongly about seeing it. I loved Les Mis. For sure I cried...several different times, too. I'm not sure if Kelly cried or not...she tends not to cry during movies when I will be a mess!!

Paula, I'll hope to hear from you and find out how much more you did today in your house. There's always tons of dust...yuck! I can't imagine where it all comes from?

Everyone take care....I'll check in later!