Re-cap from 365 post

Yeah! I got my new card reader - that was fast, huh? So, here's a recap of this week. We had AWESOME storms this week - another trip to the basement bathroom - this time eating dinner by the toilet. Lovely.

See the wonderful power lines that are right beside our house? So pretty.

My fav. flower has started blooming in my garden.

After the storms, came a rainbow, but somehow, it came out darker than I thought. I really need to read the instruction manual on my camera and spend a few hours playing. Yeah, I have that kind of time.

And...last but not least, I actually got down to biz and got some craft on. Can you guess what I'm going to do with this old, ugly basket that I scored for a BUCK at a garage sale?

Ideas abound

So I have seen quite frenquently the whole 365 photo idea. I brought it up with Mr. I, and he laughed. I know that I need to start taking more pictures. Starting today. And I was GOING to download the pictures I took today, but my Dazzle card disk reader isn't working!!!! So, you'll have to wait for pics.

Father's Day weekend was loads of fun. We're in high-gear for BBQ. Plants are planted..and we spent the better part of the day in the heat sweating setting up a big gazebo. Also realizing that it requires 4 people to help instead of 2.

The children fought. We saw Karate Kid (very good). We cooked dinner. And here it is, not even 7 and I'm wiped out.

Does anyone even read this? I'm thinking that this whole blog thing isn't really for me. I don't know if I'm even wasting my time.

Summer...Ahhh...

Been very busy here with baseball, crafty-ness, getting ready for our bi-annual BBQ...etc.

Here's what's been going on...1st up, baseball. Jake's team is well...they try.

And the BBQ...well, let's just say that there was a reason that we skipped a year. Between flowers, gazebo's, hanging lights, cool cups, burger cupcakes...wha? Yes, I said Burger cupcakes.

And these cool cups that I'm SO very excited about...

At the end of the school year, I always give the teachers a gift. Last year I made pails with goodies in them. This year, I found this somewhere in this wonderful blog-o-sphere...

Oh, and I found a new blog I ADORE. Ree has been around forever, and I know I'm slow to discover her and her wonderful-ness. Check her out over here.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

I've been tinkering with the idea of switching either to Typepad, or some other bloggy place. I've been trying to plant a bug in Mr. I's ear about him creating my very own space. After all, that is what he does for a living...if that doesn't pan out, I suppose I'll do the switch. Any suggestions?

Happy Passover and Spring!!

Spring has FINALLY sprung here in Illinois. We were able to enjoy the Flower and Garden Show downtown. The kids and I had a blast, and they enjoyed seeing downtown Chicago. I am SO grateful for the wonderful weather, spring break, and flowers attempting to pop up. Since I work at a school, I have spring break off too, so we've been busy with playdates, errands, going downtown (tomorrow) and Passover!!

This year, I revived my Peeps for Passover (see these Pics..... http://www.flickr.com/photos/stylecouncil/441046093/in/set-72157600038845249/) and also, we are inviting new friends to our Seder. A Seder is a ritual meal shared with family and friends saying blessings, and eating and drinking a lot. We hide the Afikomen, (which is a piece of matzoh) and the children run to find it and get a prize). Instead of toys this year as prizes, I've bought each child - including my nephew who is a Freshman, magazines to the tune of their tastes. Who knew "Bop" was till out there?

I made this a few years ago, and it hangs in our foyer.

Bad Blogger.

Thanks Michele for the kick in the ass (by linking me) that I so needed to update this joyful, yet neglected spot. Since January, this has occured.

• I finished the Ipod Valentine's. The kids' friends loved them. One even thought it was real! Yes, I bought 48 Ipod's. Ha!


• I realized that my paying job isn't all that it's cracked up to be. People are not what they seem (waving of hands in mysterious manner)


• My nanny up and quit on me. Poof. Gone. All during my supposed relaxing weekend scrapbooking in WI.


• I found a cheaper alternative to childcare.


• I shoveled more than I've ever shoveled in my life. Damn Chicago winters.


• But, on the flip side, Spring is here, and I'm seeing tulips sprouting up.

So - re: Scrapbook weekend. (we'll skip the nasty nanny story. It involves a lot of tears, drama, throwing up, and general bitchy-ness. You wanna skip that mess, trust me.)




Mmmm. A candy cart.

The weekend warmed up a bit, notice the lack of snow on the driveway. What a great house.

Michele stitching again. That girl can sew her papers like no one's biz.






















And I actually got 10 layouts done. Even with the drama.

We are going back in October. Even though it is 8 months away, I can't wait. Good friends, awesome host (Thanks Karen!!) and too much food.

I'm back on the blogging trail - watch out!!!

Catch up and V-Day!

This is going to be a Momma of a post, lots of things to catch you up on! First, we had a mammoth snowfall here in Western IL - about 9 inches. It was purty.

Then I made some pretty 4 D snowflakes for the Holidaze that I just couldn't bring myself to bring down after the holidaze. SO easy to make!!

V-Day is around the corner and that means I am very busy making 45 treat bags for my children to give out at school. This year, I am making IPod treats. It is a bit more labor intensive than I thought, so this will probably be the last time I do them.

Supplies:

2 - 6 inch long string

a box of sweethearts (you know, the hearts that have sayings on them?)

Cardstock that is 4x7

2 candy Rolo's

glue

2x2 pieces of aluminum foil

Tape each end of a piece of string to a rolo. Tape the loose end to the candy box.

Wrap each rolo in a piece of aluminum foil.
Wrap the cardstock strip around the candy box and secure it with a glue stick.

Cut paper shapes and write text for the scroll wheel and playlist (or download Family Fun's) and use a glue stick to attach them to the box. Write a valentine message on the back of the box.

This is the mess.

Yeah, never again. But it's cool-looking!

I have some other ideaers for Valentine's Day decorations around the house. Mr. I is going to cut some wood, and it'll involve pretty paper and glitter. How can you go wrong with glitter? I'm hoping to knock it out tomorrow, since we don't have work or school because of MLK Day.

A few people have mentioned to me that they are keeping up with my blog, and it warms my little heart to hear that. :)

Have a crafty day!

I know I've been gone...

So much has happened! I can't believe I haven't updated this blog since May. Bad Blogger. Well, here's a re-cap. Summer flew, with lots of fun and warm weather. I gardened, planted potatoes, crafted, and got a job! I am now a school nurse at the local elementary school and love it. I have found that I have very little time for anything else besides coming home, cleaning, taking care of kids, making dinner and collapsing into bed.

Good thing though, is that I get the same holidays off as the kids, which means Thanksgiving break and winter break. This past winter break (I go back to work in 4 days), I spent a lot of time thinking about re-doing my space. Although I love the space I have now, I know I could utilize it better. I have 3 walls just screaming for cabinets. I have seen a lot of spaces online where kitchen cabinets are featured. I would love to re-do it all. I feel like I'm only using my big old dining room table and everything is crammed on there.

Any suggestions? Oh, and Happy New Year! I hope to post more stuff this year - that is my goal.