I Just Love a Guy With Flowers..

We started out vacation on Friday with date night. I love date night and after a long, busy, stressful week I was really looking forward to it. I did manage to get all my work done and actually got to leave the office by 3:45 on Friday! Loved that. Putting in some time from home on Thursday helped me accomplish that goal. I'm sitting here Thurs. laundry going, dinner cooking, working away on my laptop when the pressure cooker makes this hissing noise. I go to check it out and as it came up to pressure it spit chicken broth out the top all over the stove, counter, fridge, and floor... I would like to know why these things only happen on days when you are sure you can't handle one more thing? Just to prove that you can? Well got that cleaned up, got work done, got laundry done (with a little help from my husband) and vacation has begun!

We headed to Crazy buffet for stir frys and had a nice dinner together. Next we headed to the mall. We take vacation every year at this time and it seems that our week together always starts with a night at the mall in the big city! Ha!! Guess what? I ordered the pink shoes.... I had never worn Danskos so we stopped at the Walking Co. store in the mall and tried them on. Well... I tried black ones on. The pink are special order. I guess because pink is just that special! Right? Is it just me? Did you know that even though they have a back on them, they are still considered clogs and your heel does not touch the back? The back is so they can be worn as a professional shoe like by nurses, etc. They did not feel fabulous....I'd say interesting. I am told they are like birkenstocks and will mold to your foot and feel fabulous in like 2 weeks. Lets hope so.

We also stopped at Lane Bryant where I got to buy the smallest size they carry. Yay!! Still SO excited about that. It is so amazing after 20 years to be able to look at things in the regular women's department. I may never get over being excited about that!! I had a $15 off $15 coupon, and then everything in the store was 40% off so I got a shirt for $9. I also found a shirt at Old Navy on clearance and than had a 30% coupon there so it was like $4! Love those deals. We stopped at Bath & Body Works to look for my beloved pumpkin soap only to find out they may not carry it this year. They just have the foam soap dispenser. I do not like their foam soaps.. Guess what though... I discovered under my bathroom sink that I have saved a pumpkin soap dispenser from a previous year! So.. all I needed to do was get me some sweet cinnamon pumpkin soap to fill it with. Darrel said he thought I'd want the moisturizing one.. which normally would be true, but I had to explain to him that then the pumpkin would be the wrong color.... does only my head work this way? Don't answer that. I checked out the clearance shoe racks at Macy's and Dillards while we were there. They had some awesome pumps but most were either too big or too small. There was one pair of pointy toe Calvin Klein pumps that I would have bought, but they didn't have a 9. We are doing some shopping tomorrow so you can count on me checking their other stores for those! There were something like this but patent leather and less than 1/2 price! At the end of the evening we headed to Schnucks to replenish our supply of Mrs Richardson's Hot Fudge. This also happens to be Darrel's favorite place to buy me flowers. Big smile... The picture up top was him picking out the 2 roses he wanted and getting them in a bag and water things on the tips. On our way out of the flower department we spotted this pink bouquet....















And he decided these were coming home with us instead. They are gorgeous! There are some star gazer lilies in it that haven't even opened yet. Earlier in the evening while I was using the ladies room he bought me a small box of Godvia! So I am thinking a vacation that starts out with flowers and chocolate is pretty good in my book!

Saturday started out at 7:30 AM with my husband talking to me and expecting me to answer questions as soon as I woke up. While he was doing this I was asking God.... "WHY is he talking to me and wanting to have a conversation and expecting me to answer questions? Did he just meet me? " See... us NON morning people... we don't so much like to talk in the morning. I have done the research. I have confirmation from other non morning people. Our vocal chords just do not connect to our mouth first thing in the morning. We need time.... Give me till 10 AM or so and then I'll be happy to have a conversation with you. I can get up... I can get going and get ready... just don't make me talk to you. Fair enough? By the way... later.. when I was ready to talk.. I told him I was asking God about it and um he is still laughing about it.. apparently I am quite hilarious...















The reason we were getting up early was to head to Holiday World. We were heading mainly to the water park side, but had some fun at skee ball on our way thru the amusement park side. Darrel won of course... he is like that.















The remainder of the day was mostly spent in the wave pool and the lazy river. I am not a rides kind of girl. They are generally up high... and um heights and me... not a good thing. The first picture above was at the beginning of the day before we got all messy. This picture here is what you look like after being in the wave pool all day. The weather was great, the water was great, the company was great. Good day. It's still an awesome experience and a new one for me to go to the water park. 2 years ago I would have died before I'd let all those people see me in a swim suit. Am I totally in love with how I look in a swim suit now? A big NO on that one. But... I feel much better about myself and I've looked around and realized that most of us don't look so perfect and that maybe it's OK to just be happy with me right where I am, even though I want more weight to go away. My favorite part of the day? In the wave pool with Darrel holding me. He is a foot taller than me so obviously he can go in deeper water. Well then add the waves that swell to make it even deeper and it was more fun for him close to where the waves start up front, were I could only do about 1/2 way up in the pool. So part way thru, we got the idea that if I hung on to him and he held on to me, we could both go to the front and ride the waves. Often when vacation starts, I have a little trouble de-stressing and relaxing. It makes me a bit crabby and yes.. I admit it, was having that problem yesterday. My sweet husband was being very patient with me which helped. But, once I was hugging him and he was holding me and we are just riding the motion of the waves.. I laid my head down on his shoulder and just got completely relaxed and peaceful from that point on. I guess he has that affect on me. That and just feeling cared for and protected. I just love him.

Well between work and vacation, I have not yet completed my 52 layouts challenge for this week, nor have I picked the new challenge for tomorrow. If you can bear with me, it will be Tuesday at least before I get to that, but we will get caught up. I definitely intend to see this through the year. I do have a picture ready and an idea for my 1 hour challenge for this week... still feels daunting to me but I'm going to give it my best shot! If our plans change, I may be back here tomorrow. If not I'll try to at least get the new challenge posted on Tuesday if nothing else.

Hope you have an awesome week! Blessings!

Thankful Thursday Saturday Style

So it's Saturday... or I guess technically at this point in Indiana its Sunday! But since I haven't been to bed yet... we will call it Saturday. When I was thinking about what I was going to focus on being thankful for this week, it seemed ironic that my job is what came to mind. Why? Because it was a LONG stressful week and I am so happy to be enjoying some vacation time. However, I AM totally thankful for my job, and perhaps vacation is good time to rest and take a break and reflect on the reasons I am loving my job and quite thankful for it! I took like a 1 minute break on Friday to snap this picture of myself in my office... just special for you. Don't you feel honored? I mean.. can't write a job post without some pics at the job right? Here is a view of my desk midway thru the day Friday.

Perhaps you can tell I had just a little bit going on? It felt so good to get it all done though. Very worth it to now have 10 days to relax! So why am I thankful for my job? Where do I start. One of the biggest reasons is that I am certain my job was an answer to prayer. Also, working there is a very specific thing in my life where I can say I know I am where God wants me to be, doing what He wants me to do. I love the people I get to work with; both the congregation and the other staff members. I love that I get to do things with music, designing, and computers. 3 of my favorite things. I love that my hours can be flexible when they need to be for the most part. I love that when I have extra work to do, I can work on things from home. I love the friends I have made and the people who love and support me. I love that I can work what is considered part time... even though it seldom feels that way. I love that because I attend the church I work at, the other staff or my "work friends" know and love my husband as much as they do me and that we can all have that connection. I love that even though my job is "administrator" also known as secretary, that it is actually also in a sense ministry and I am humbled and blessed by the ways I've seen God use that. I love that I get to help other people and be there to pray with them, laugh with them, cry with them, hug them. It's pretty amazing. So blessed to get to do what I do every day.

Other things I've been thankful for this week are:

- Leading worship at church this past Sunday and getting to do it with my husband at my side.
- lunch with Darrel at the favorite La Caretta
- a great Sunday afternoon at home relaxing with my husband and doing some scrapping!
- Scrapping! Been fun to get back into it with the weekly challenges.
- Some new blog followers
- Blog comments.... love those! It's one of the first things I check on my email every day
- Several good four mile walks this week -I improved my average pace!
- 2 new shirts from date night
- Jack
- getting all my work done!
- being able to make yummy chicken and noodles for dinner while working at the same time
- my Kindle
- shoes!
- pink nail polish
- a new Noel Mignon kit
- friends
- sweet comments on my layout
- family
- my Vera purse

Well now its really Sunday and I am heading to bed. I hope to be back tomorrow. Lots to share about date night on Friday and our trip to Holiday World today including wanting to smack a few people.... I decided I need some rest before venturing out in public again...because people are getting on my nerves. How do more people not get smacked regularly? Hope you have an awesome weekend. Blessings.

Thankful Thursday has been delayed....

On account of work.  That and the fact that I am seriously losing it at this point.  I just yelled out loud at my computer "stop that!" and so currently Darrel is laughing his hiney off at me.  After this I had a whole long covnersation with him regarding the chocolate ice cream I wanted on a cone... and he laughed thru 1/2 of that so it is quite possible I am no longer making any sense whatsoever!  This is what happens when you sit here all evening working on the Annual Report.  Designing, editing for grammar.... putting together the puzzle of how it all fits together into a nice neat little booklet... it is giving me a headache at this point. But guess what?  This time tomorrow... it will all be done... I will be on date night and vacation will have begun!  I cannot wait!  My day today also included going to work for a short time, walking 4 miles, doing laundry, making chicken and noodles and oh yeah... more work.  But I made good progress which will help tomorrow to go more smoothly!  Another yay on that one!  It will probably be Sat. before I can get my posting caught up here so tune in then!  Hope you have an awesome Friday.  I am soooooo looking forward to date night.  Blessings!

Ten on Wednesday

1) This would be Jack.  He is the goofiest cat!  He constantly acts like he wants attention by walking in front of you at a snails pace and arching his back, weaving around your legs, meowing at you loudly... Yet when you bend down to pet him, he will pull away.  Why?  Because apparently I am not doing it right.  According to my husband, Jack likes it when you hold him, cradling him where you can scratch his tummy, or one must scratch his head.  Darrel has done the research here evidently.  I on the other hand tend to have huge problems with my eyes whenever I pick up Jack, so yes, I avoid this.  This picture was Jack a few nights ago.  He followed me out to the garage, complaining at me loudly the whole time while also flopping himself down on the ground in front of me quite backwards and upside down as you can see.... he cracks me up. 

2) So why did I miss Ten on Tuesday?  I am trying to remember... Oh yes.  Work.  Stress... long day.  At the end of the long day however I met my husband for dinner at China Wok so I could turn around and head right back to Monroe for a jewelry party at a friends house.  It was a Lia Sophia party and it was the first time I had attended one.  One of my favorite pink necklaces is Lia Sophia and it was a Christmas gift from my friend Lori.  My friend Julia went with me last night and we had a good time oohing and aahing over the pretty jewelry.  Unfortunately most things I liked were quite pricey.  I narrowed it down to this necklace or this pair of earrings.  I could have picked lots more... but I decided on the cross necklace!  I've been wanting a necklace with black in it to go with a couple of my black dresses. 

3) Um...had I bought more jewelry and money was no object... I would have totally picked this bracelet. You of course will notice the pink.  However I was thinking Darrel would not be too thrilled about the $98 price tag...

4)  Did you see that Vera has some more new styles out?  Check them out here! How cute are those new totes with the patent trim? This satchel in espresso is pretty cool too!

5) Did you see this Raspberry Cream Pie recipe on Pioneer Woman? Um I am not such a raspberry person, but that Oreo crust alone makes me want to try this.  Perhaps I could use strawberries instead?  Who knows.. maybe I'd like the raspberry.  Can't remember the last time I even tried it.

6) My Avon lady gave me a sample of this new product called Lotus Shield with my last order.  I had to text her today to say order me a bottle of that stuff!  I really like it.  I didn't think I'd have a use for it because my hair really isn't curly and/or frizzy.  However, I tried just a tiny bit and it really made a noticeable difference in shine and smoothness especially when I use the flat iron.  Love this stuff!  I need more immediately before my little sample pouch becomes empty!

7) Just downloaded a New Living Translation of the Bible to my Kindle!  I don't know why I didn't do this sooner.  I always have my Kindle in my purse, so now I will have easy access to my Bible as well.  Hopefully this will help me to fit in some more Bible reading time which would definitely be a good thing!

8) Monday and Today (yesterday was too busy) I did both 40 minutes of Zumba (before work) and then walked 4 miles after work.  The scale and I are not on speaking terms this week.  I'd like to strangle it quite frankly but have restrained myself.  Instead I am choosing to try and do as much as possible to get it to MOVE forward so I can get to 100 lbs!  I know it will happen eventually... and God is probably trying to teach me some lesson during this time of waiting... but I swear sometimes I think I am just going to go around the bend and lose my mind at the slowness..... I have times where it will suddenly start moving and a few lbs will go away and I will think yay.. we are moving now!!  Only to then slow back down to this mind numbing pace.  I am however quite determined not to give up and to keep working cause I will NOT go back the other way.  I am also trying to learn to enjoy where I am and remember where I have come from rather than dwelling too much on how long its taking me to get where I am going. 

9) 2 more work days till vacation.  Technically tomorrow is normally my day at home.  Not so much this week.  I still have quite a bit to accomplish before end of the day Friday.  I finished our newsletter this evening at home.  The current plan is to go to the office 1st thing tomorrow to print said newsletter.  Then I will return home and get my walk in.  The afternoon shall consist of completing the annual report at home while doing laundry and cooking dinner!  (Chicken and noodles.. yum)  This is probably the busiest week I have all year.  I have made good progress and it will all be worth it when those 10 days of vacation kick in!

10) Now that beach time is close to ending.. the lack of beach time is seriously cutting into my reading time.  I have a whole "stack" of books on my Kindle!  Currently I am reading this.  It was a freebie and has been pretty good so far.  It's not Christian Fiction so there has been a tiny bit of content I didn't care for.  Hoping to fit in lots of reading time during our time off.  We do have some beach and fishing days planned and I also like to read on trips in the car so I should be able to make up for lost time right?

With that I bid you goodnight.  Lots more to accomplish tomorrow.  Hope to fit in time to post for Thankful Thursday so tune in tomorrow, same time same station.  :)  Blessings.

Ten On Tuesday

Late.... Very Tired....Busy long day... with more to come.   Darrel is making me sign off and go to bed.  Tune in tomorrow for Ten on Wednesday.... ha ha ha...

52 Layouts, Week 5

So are you ready for week 5?  I can't believe I am choosing this challenge.  As I've browsed thru the book numerous times, I was pretty sure I'd be leaving a couple of them till last because I knew they would be hard for me.. The ones that say things like finish a layout in 30, 45 or 60 minutes!  What?  Do people actually do this?  I was not aware it was possible to create a layout in that amount of time..... I am a  s l o w scrapper people.  It takes me an hour to pick out what I want to use and move my photos around the paper 110 times to see where I want to glue them down.  So why, why, why am I going to torture myself and pick this challenge? 

Well first... let's introduce the challenge.. Getting a bit ahead of myself here.  The challenge for this week is page 40 in the book (52 More Scrapbooking Challenges by Liz Kartchner).  It is challenge #12 in the book and it reads: "OK, just one more.  With a full hour; you should be able to whip out something really special.  Work steadily and be aware of the clock, but you do have a bit of a cushion, so let your imagination take flight."  Um.. what cushion?  And if I let my imagination take flight... well that could take hours in just painting, drawing or sewing something... But... I accept the challenge!  This week, we shall create a layout in 1 hour! 

Why am I doing this to myself?  Well its an incredibly busy week and I am going to be doing really well to find any time to scrap.  I figure what better week to assign myself the task of getting it done in an hour... However should I fail.. and it ends up taking me multiple attempts to achieve said challenge well then I guess the joke is on me! Ha!!  I did like this additional quote from the book, "Would it shock you to know that I rarely actually finish a page in less than an hour?  I tend to move things around on the paper and scrutinize everything about my layout - its exhausting!  Having the time limit really forced me to work efficiently.  By repeating a scalloped punch shape in various colors and patterns, I achieved a quick design that allowed me time to add sparkle to some of my embellishments." 

That part gave me hope that perhaps I can accomplish this.  Probably not a good thing that my head is already wondering if it will be cheating if I finish and post, but than can't restrain myself from doing a little tweaking before adding it to my album... I won't do that of course.  You trust me right? 















This is my husband with his new toy.  A friend from church gave him a  used pool table.  It has sat in the garage for quite awhile, but now he has reassembled it in our spare room, slate top and all.  The old felt was quite yucky so he ordered new felt and has now carefully been installing it.  Trust me, if there ever was a guy to get the felt on straight, unwrinkled and um perfect... well Darrel is that guy.  It looks really good.  He is getting quite excited to have it finished. 

I barely know how to play even though my Dad is quite good at pool and used to take me with him to the pool hall when I was a little girl. I used to sit and read a book or check out the vending machines! The place where he went also had bowling and archery so there was quite a lot of activity to sit and watch. I once manged to get myself trapped in a phone booth at the pool hall! Ha!! Remember phone booths? Well this one had colored sides 1/2 way up so he couldn't see me but could hear me yelling! I had gotten in there, but didn't know how to make the door fold in like they did to get back out! Perhaps in my memoirs one day I will write lessons I learned in the pool hall or 101 ways NOT to get trapped in a phone booth. They also used to have things in the vending machines like lunch meat sandwiches and hard boiled eggs. I found this quite amazing... And one time after watching my Dad purchase and eat a vending machine egg I am told I asked him "do you think that was really an egg?"  I mean I guess I knew eggs came from chickens or perhaps the fridge... but not vending machines! Ha!! 

But.. I digress.. we have no current plans for phone booths or vending machines in our spare room. We were quite happy just to find out the table itself fit with room left over to shoot! Ha!! He said he will teach me how to play since I just remember a little of the times my Dad has taught me.  We have decided we will have a date night sometime soon that will be pizza and pool and perhaps a DVD to watch while doing that since we do have plans to move our bedroom TV to that room and get a new one for our room. 

Well the busy week will continue early in the morning... I was asking on facebook today was it necessary for weeks leading up to vacation to be completely stressful just so we would enjoy vacation even more?  I think I could enjoy it just as much without the pre-stress but I guess that is what I get for picking a week the follows ballot, newsletter, and annual report time as well as End of Month and regular work... Hope to see you tomorrow for 10 on Tuesday as long as um work... and time permit.  Blessings!

I *Heart* Girly Stuff

So if you read my last blog post, then your probably aren't too surprised at the subject of my layout for the 52 layouts challenge week 4!  The challenge as you might remember was to do a page about a collection of some sort.  My first thought for this challenge was to just focus on my shoes since that is one of my favorite things lately.  I was just going to do a couple pics of a few favorite pairs.  Then I started thinking about other "collections" I have.  I mean I collect things like antique dishes, willow tree figures, and used to do cherished teddies, precious moments and boyd bears.  But these days I enjoy things that I don't intentionally collect, but because of my enjoyment of the item, kind of accidentally end up with a collection.  Things like favorite shoes, my Vera Bradley purses and bags, and yes... OPI or China glaze nail polish.  Maybe more accurately pink nail polish?  So thinking along those lines my focus shifted a bit and this layout is the result. 

Once again I found myself drawn to white cardstock for my background.  What is with that?  I used to never want white.  It seemed too stark.  I was pretty much a kraft kind of girl.  Lately the white is appealing because now it feels like it makes things stand out.  I must go thru phases huh?  Plus its fun to play with paint and stitching on white.  Since I like the kraft so much and at first couldn't make up my mind, I decided to combine the two.  Then I thought of the punched hearts since I was talking about something I "love" and knew I wanted the heart in my title.  I also wanted to use some of my SL (sassafrass lass) stuff to hopefully add a more whimsical feel.  Been noticing paint drops or splatters on lots of layouts lately so decided to try that.  I think I should have watered down my paint a bit... been awhile since I tried the splattering so I forgot!  Had a blob or two land on my page that I did not like so I designed over it with some labels and border strips.  Fun how you can have a "happy accident" and like what you ended up with when trying to cover up a mistake. 

Is it just me or does it feel more like date night when you have on a skirt and your favorite heels?  I got a little dressed up for date night this week and so Friday night we headed for town... which is a smaller version of the big city if you happen to live here in the country.  We went to a restaurant called Montanna Mikes.  We used to go on Sunday but now we are pretty much at La Carreta on Sun. so we hadn't been there for a bit.  We were pleased there was no wait for a table, but after the lady asks smoking, or non, etc.  Then she tells us, well its a little warm in the dining room because the a/c is not working back there.  OK, good to know... but not sure I want to sit in a hot room and eat hot food... We sat down and um yep, it was quite warm.  We were trying to decide if we wanted to stay or go elsewhere, when Darrel sees a booth open up by the door, where the a/c worked and he managed to quickly get us moved there.  That made for a much nicer date night. Steaks were good and we did lots of talking... yes he talks... which I love. 

After dinner we headed to Kohl's.  Remember the teal and purple shirt? They had one left in my size and I got to get it!  Plus, I found a second shirt (kind of a muted lime green with a scrolly butterfly design on the front) on the clearance rack for cheap and I had one of Kohl's 15% off everything shopping pass deals.  So I got both shirts for less than the original price of the first shirt.  Love that.  Let me tell you about the best part though.  Both shirts were in the regular women's department.  They were not in the plus size women's department.  It felt like I had entered some strange new uncharted land or something.  I kept feeling like someone was going to come tell me I didn't belong in this section or that I didn't know the secret password or something and escort me out.  It was SO cool to be there. A huge step in this weight loss journey I am on.   I felt like wow.... look at all the cool stuff they have over here kind of like my first time stepping into an actual scrapbook store! Ha!  I was excited and wanted to do cartwheels and breakdown and cry all at the same time.  It was so awesome and still doesn't even seem real.  It's been more than 20 years since I was able to shop in a regular department like that.  20 years.  As I've mentioned, when I started losing weight, there were plenty of things in the plus size department that were too small.  I was outgrowing the plus size department.  Plenty of reason for cartwheels and tears don't you think?  I'll probably have to paste these first two shirts in my scrapbook or something when they get worn out.  I'll put them right next to my outfit that I've kept from my beginning photo.  :)

After the store we went to Zanders for some gourmet ice cream.  The store was hot and loud because they had a band that night so we enjoyed our ice cream in the a/c in the car.  Took a drive around town after that and headed home. 

I have a hugely busy week ahead so with that I will bid you goodnight.  Tune in tomorrow night for the posting of the week 5 challenge... I better go figure out what that will be maybe?  :)  Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

So its late in the day... Thankful Thursday... and I realize I had no clue what I wanted to blog about today.  I had just returned from my friend Lori's house.  She had a 31 party.  Ever been to one?  I had never heard of them until this week.  Apparently the name of the company is based on Proverbs 31 in the Bible which is about a strong and virtuous woman.  Cool.  I like that.  I got a jewelry roll in black with my initials on it in hot pink.. You knew I'd get some pink in there somewhere right?  :)  We had a nice time.  Lori is an awesome hostess.  She had little chocolate mousse and cheesecake cups.  Very yummy.  There are no calories when its little right?  So anyway to go to the party I decided to wear my new little summer dress.. the one I told you about that I did not get on Friday night at Kohl's however by Sunday I had went back and bought it.  I figure I have limited time left to enjoy my summer stuff so I was taking advantage of the opportunity to be girly! Ha!!  I also wore my gold flower flip flop shoes Darrel bought me.. more fun summer stuff. 

I realized that is what I wanted to focus my thankful post on today.  Summer stuff!  I have really, really enjoyed my summer shorts, little skirts, dresses and shoes this year.  So much so, I've been a little reluctant to realize fall is coming soon and I will have to retire them for the year.  Um that is so not me... usually I am ready to charge straight into fall full force.  This year has been different because of the weight loss stuff.  It's probably been 20 years since I enjoyed summer like this.  Last year was good, but this year, even better.  I didn't care it was HOT this year.  I liked it.  I liked going to the beach.  I liked getting out to walk.  I liked getting to wear tank tops and sandals and shorts.  In 20 years of putting on weight.. I had not realized what I had given up.  What I had lost.  I used to so enjoy shoes.  But over probably the last 10 years, not so much.  By the time I had started working on weight loss in Feb 08, I pretty much stuck with crocs and birkenstocks.  I told myself it was because they were comfy and I was no longer interested in fashion.  The truth?  Not much else fit.  I couldn't wear boots because my calf was too large.  I couldn't wear cute heels because my foot was too wide.  Nothing ever fit right so I gave up and told myself I liked what I was stuck with. How does stuff like that happen and you don't even notice?  My uniform so to speak.. 97 lbs ago... was pretty much denim stretch pants, big t-shirt or Henley type shirt as long and loose as possible so I could hide in it, and the crocs or birks.  I forgot what it felt like to feel girly!  I forgot it could be fun to have a cute dress with shoes and jewelry to match.  I forgot what it felt like to wear a tank top or sleevelss shirt.  Do I love my arms now?  Not so much.. but I decided, these are my arms, I am going to embrace them and enjoy my summer clothes.  :)   I may still not be anywhere close to a size 6 or anything.  I still intend to shed quite a few more pounds.  BUT on this journey I am on, I have also learned I can enjoy where I am at and where I came from while I am still working on getting to where I am going.  So bring on some more hot weather before the fall temps hit.. cause I still have a few outfits and shoes I'd like to enjoy for just a bit longer. :) 

Other things I have been thankful for this week are:

• iced oatmeal cookies.. yep... still having a thing for those
• my 2 new dresses from Kohl's
• new denim skirt... maybe I've done too much shopping this week?? Ha.
• a fun night at my friend Lori's
• flashbulb fuchsia nail polish.  Yep.. just put some of that on!
• the 52 layouts scrapping challenge
• date night with my husband
• some very nice compliments and looks coming from my husband's direction
• fabulous day at the lake/beach with Darrel on Sunday
• my job
• a little less humidity which made walking much better!
• a fresh pedicure!  Went with my friend Ashly this week.
• fresh watermelon and grapes!
• fiber one bars.  Love those.. .Oat and Chocolate are the best!
• my pink and white sewing machine.  Love, love sewing on layouts.  Can't seem to do a layout without some sewing!
• a clean house. Finally got some cleaning done today.  Let's just say I've been a little lax during the enjoying the summer moments.  My friend says cleaning is for winter... I like that philosophy. 
• my white fossil watch
• my husband.. he just walked thru the room grinning at me.  Have I mentioned how cute he is?
• praying with my husband

For date night tomorrow I believe we are headed for town... not to be confused with the big city.  Ha Ha Ha.  We plan to have dinner,, stop at Kohl's, maybe hit the ice cream place that has wifi... who knows.. maybe see a movie?  Have an awesome Friday!  Blessings!

So no one wants you to see their Drivers License photo right?

Well usually... I'd completely agree.. but today.. not so much. I have been thinking about getting a new drivers license and waiting to get one for several months now. I couldn't decide when, if ever was the right time to do it since I've still got quite a bit of weight I am hoping GOING to lose.   Plus, there was the whole matter of actually making it over to the BMV... not to be confused with the DMV... WHY does Indiana have to call it the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when like everyone else on the planet calls it the Dept. of Motor Vehicles? Do we just enjoy being annoying different here? Ha Ha Ha... Anyway... I had decided that at 100 lbs lost, I'd get a new one.  I was HOPING I no longer looked like the picture, plus, when info. on your license has changed, you are supposed to get a new one right?  I got a lecture about this once upon a time from a police officer who was unhappy that I hadn't gotten my name changed yet to my married name.  So now you are wondering why a police officer was lecturing me?  OK.. you caught me.. yes, I got pulled over for speeding once or twice.  Shocking.. I know.  :)

But back to the license... Well, not quite at 100 lbs yet... but, while we were at the State Fair, the BMV had a booth there where you could renew your license.  I figured this was my chance without having to make a special trip to get it done.  Now I had been looking forward to this.  I thought it would be fun.  I thought that it was obvious that I did not look like the girl in the picture on the license I've been carrying around.  Well to my disappointment, the 2 ladies that took care of me at the booth completely acted like I didn't need a new license which therefore made me think OK.. must not look that much different.  I found this completely depressing and disappointing.  I am like now afraid to ask people because maybe I am the only one that thinks its different.  Well OK, me and Darrel! Ha!  However, it's my $10, I was willing to pay for a new license, I wanted a new license, I was in the right place at the right time to get one... so I decided I was getting one anyway.

Well the new one came in the mail today.  The photo on the left is the old license, issued July 2006.  I think I was actually smaller there then my highest weight when I began losing in Feb 2008.  Yes.. depressing as it is, I actually got bigger than that photo... In happier news though.. the photo on the right is my new license, taken about 2 weeks ago.  :)  Although they now have this new rule where one is not allowed to show their teeth (something about facial recognition software) when "smiling" for their license photo, I am still pleasantly surprised by the new photo.  Is it just me, or would you have wanted a new photo too? For me it's like another step towards shedding the old person and embracing the new one.  Sounds sappy I guess, but that is how I feel.  I told a few friends recently I feel like when I look at my beginning photo that God somehow unzipped that person, and this new person keeps emerging....  I'm very happy I went for it and got the new license and I am happy I got to keep the old one.  They told me I am not "allowed" to carry both... well duh.. .why would I want to.  I was just happy to have it for my weight loss book.  Will I like get arrested if I paste it in my scrapbook?

I am off to bed.  Lots to do tomorrow... lots to do before vacation.  Feeling behind everywhere.. work.. home... I hate when that happens.  Blessings! 

Ten on Tuesday

1) Sunday we went to the beach at West Boggs Lake. We talked about going there last summer and never did and now this summer is about to get away from us, so we figured we'd better get ourselves over there. The beach was great. Lots of boats and jet skis going by which creates lots of waves or I believe the term is "wake." You can see the water splashing up to the beach and onto me and my chair which was awesome! Keeps you nice and cool. We enjoyed it and I'd love to sneak in one more beach day there before the season is over. We even stopped for a little DQ on the way home. I had a Oreo brownie earthquake blizzard. It was quite yummy!

2) Friday night, when we were at the mall and I was in Maurice's trying on the little denim mini skirt.. I had an annoying thing happen. When I first went in, the dressing room was crowded... people everywhere. I went back out and asked if they had a room open. The nice girl took me to a room, wrote my name on the door and showed me in. I go in and lock the door and proceed to try my skirt on. I wanted to go out and show Darrel, but did not feel like wading back thru the crowd to do so. While I am in there changing I hear a lady outside that sounds like she is talking to her child saying "go open that door... that one that says Dee on it.. open that door." Next thing I see the knob turning and I say "um someone is in here!" I hear her say "Oh"... rather ho hum like.... When I go out there is this lady with a mall stroller thing with a child in it and 3 or 4 other kids wandering around. I am guessing she was the one who is telling her child to go open doors.... but since I didn't know for sure I let it go. I wanted to say "are you the moron who is telling your child to go around opening doors where people are changing just so you don't have to wait for a room?!" I mean duh... who does that? I should have sent Darrel in there and said "see that door with that lady's name on it? open it!" bwa ha ha ha ha

3) The weather was awesome for walking today. With all these previous days of 100 degree heat and humidity, I have not been able to do my full 4 miles. I get too overheated and sick... and this does not make my husband happy. Today though was perfect! I did 4 miles, and my time was really good for me too! The feel of the air today reminded me that fall is next! Normally I would be quite happy about this because as you know I love love and adore the fall. However this year, I have been so enjoying summer shoes, dresses and shorts and I am just not ready to give them up yet. So I am voting for a few more weeks of summer at least and then a nice long awesome fall season to follow.

4) Do you use the calendar or the weather to determine your wardrobe choices? I was wondering this today.. Like in September will everyone switch to fall even if the weather is warm enough for summer stuff still? I have decided I will decide my wardrobe based on weather, NOT the calendar and enjoy my summer stuff for as long as possible. I mean I need to like squeak in at least one more pedicure too right? I've been enjoying them so much... just might go right on thru the winter. At least my toes will be cute even if Darrel and I are the only ones seeing them....

5) Remember the 2nd dress I mentioned not getting at Kohl's the other night? Um I went back on Sunday and bought it at the Kohl's near us. I figured out how I could afford it and so... yep.. needed to go get it. It's white, blue and green and is very cute and comfy and kinda casual. I wore it to work today and was happy about that! Did I mention I am loving summer dresses this year?

6) Hi, I'm Deanna and I'll be your worship leader this morning.... Was wondering if I should start out the service Sunday with that sentence? No? Perhaps reading a scripture would be a better idea huh? Yes, this Sunday I am having a turn at worship leader. This means picking the music for this Sunday and helping to layout the service. It also means leading praise team and praise band rehearsal and being the lead singer. I have not done worship leading in quite some time so yes, I am finding it the littlest bit intimidating. However I have been praying about it for a couple weeks, and today when I went over the songs I had in mind with the Pastor I could already see God's hand in how it's all coming together. When I did this years ago I was nervous and I remember realizing that all I needed to do was be willing to get up there, and God would do the rest. So this week I am reminding myself of that and at this point am actually looking forward to it! I mean I get to sing right and what's not to love about getting to sing?

7) 10 days until vacation. Have I mentioned that before? I mean how did we get this close to vacation without me bringing that up? We are going to Holiday World in less than 2 weeks. We had so much fun last year and I am praying for good weather this year so we can enjoy things like the wave pool and the lazy river again... although... how does one gracefully get on one of those stinkin innertubes? We also plan to shop in Indy, maybe go to the outlets, go to the beach at Patoka, maybe have a fishing day, hit Red Lobster for endless shrimp (assuming it starts again in Sept.) and do lets of vegging out and relaxing.....

8) I have had the world's worst sinus headache for 2 days now. Yesterday was worse because it included a sore throat and earache. I am thinking these are all signs that allergies are my problem. Today I have taken a max dose of ibuprofen twice and I have taken sinus pain congestion medicine too... none of it has touched it and I think my face may explode soon.... lets hope some tylenol PM will ease it up so I can sleep. Way too much to do before vacation to miss another day of work (which I did yesterday).

9) When we went back to Kohls to get the dress on Sunday... I saw this top as we were leaving. The colors and fabric are gorgeous and no... its not pink! It like shouted my name as I walked by. Might need to go back and check it out a little better this week on date night.. I mean we are heading that way anyway..... Besides, I haven't even tried it on, so its very possible it either won't fit or I won't like it... so I might be excited about a top I hate for all I know at this point! Ha!!

10) Shawn did a layout for the 52 layout week 3 challenge! Check it out here. How awesome is that. I love that she used her list to give instructions for getting a big squeeze!! How cute is that? Thanks so much for scrapping with me Shawn! You do amazing work!

Well according to the Internet... I need to go put some heat on my painful and swollen sinuses.. .so I am headed for bed with my microwave heat pack thingy for my face. Let's hope it helps huh? Hope you are having an awesome week! Blessings!

52 Layouts - Week 3 & 4

OK, so I am just under the wire as they say on this one... It's 10:28 PM on Monday night and I finished! This is an accomplishment since I am not feeling so fabulous today. I think allergy issues are attacking me again... but you didn't tune in to hear about that right? Nope.. you want to hear about our journey through 52 More Scrapbooking Challenges. Today I completed the challenge for week 3 which was to use an itemized list on your layout. I had been wanting to scrap this picture that we took of ourselves on date night, so I took this opportunity to list all of our favorite date night activities! Had lots of fun on this one with tearing, inking and sewing. I saw the idea for the hearts sewn down the middle in the Oct 2010 issue of Scrapbooks Etc. Page 122 has a layout by Jennifer Johner with the sewn hearts. I loved the look and thought it fit well with my topic! Cool that it was Jennifer's layout too because I took a sewing class that she taught over at 2peas! For my layout I also decided to use a heart template that I have and make some stenciled hearts as kind of a shadow behind the sewn hearts. I did this using some ink and a makeup sponge. Loved the products used here too! There is BG Basics... love, love that line. Also some So Sophie, and Pink Paislee along with Graphic 45 new staples collection. Love that kraft/vintage look. Love the notebook paper kind of look... what's not to love? The papers here mainly came from the Noel Mignon Office Party kit. Fabulous kit!!















Moving on to week 4 I have chosen challenge #52 from the book (page 156). To quote from the book, the challenge reads: "Take photos of a collection. You've got the collection or your husband does, or maybe it's your child's. Honor the time spent amassing the collection by photographing and creating a page about it. It's a piece of your life that needs to be remembered!" Love this idea and my mind swims at the possibilities of collections I could document.... I have antique dishes, precious moments, cookbooks, books, old beanie babies, jewelry, Vera Bradley purses and um... dare we say scrapbooking supplies?! Ha! However, I already know what direction I am going... and it won't be any that I mentioned here. You will have to tune in next week to find out!

For week 3, Deb also scrapped with me and completed a layout posted here. She did an awesome job and listed things about her daughters dancing. Love the color combo she used. Did you complete a layout? Leave me a comment! I'd love to see and don't worry about deadlines, join in whenever you are able!

I will sign off for now... need to go make a grocery list. Tomorrow for 10 on Tuesday I will tell you about our day at the beach Sunday! I also got to pick up that dress I mentioned.. and tried on some other fun stuff in the "regular" women's dept... I was going to have myself a little party right there in the middle of Kohl's! Until then.. blessings!

The First "I Love You"

Happened 26 years ago tomorrow, August 15th, 1984. On that day, Darrel gave me his class ring, and when he did he told me "I love you." That was the first time we ever said that to each other. I had wanted to say it for a long time, but had serious self esteem issues and um there was no way I was going to say it first. Is that like a girl thing? I think I was probably worried I'd scare him off too! Darrel likes to take his time and think about things and from what he tells me between June 15th and August 15th, the first summer we were together, he gave lots of thought to us "going steady." Do they still call it that or am I showing my age? I was so over the moon that he liked me at all I would have went steady with him from that first moment, on that day I shared with you in June, when I climbed the ladder to hand him something on the church roof. As I've shared our story with you before though, that first month or so we were pretty confused. We had been friends, good friends, and that June day, things started feeling different. We both wondered if we were the only one who felt different. We both wondered if we were still just friends... So glad it was more than that.













Well on August 15th, Darrel had returned home from a fishing trip he had went on to Southern IN (where we live now) with my Dad and my brother. I missed him terribly! I was so tickled the day he got back, I took this photo in our kitchen. We were happy to see each other and that evening before he left he wanted to talk to me. I thought he was going to tell me bye. I mean bye for good. See he was headed back to school soon (Chicago Circle) and he had told me that because of school, and being away, he did not want to get "serious" with anyone. So, like I said, I figured this was it... the end. We went out front of our house and I was sitting on his lap on our porch. He was hugging me and I felt his arm like make a jerking motion and wondered what he was doing. Turned out, he was taking off his ring!! Next thing I know he offers it to me and asked if I wanted it... um ya think?..... He said he had been thinking about it for a long time, and said that he loved me. He told me it was so hard for him to ever have to say good bye to me... AWWWWWW... Could you tell an 18 year old girl anything better when she is all ready head over heels in love herself?




















I later made this page in one of my first scrapbooks.... my style and technique in scrapping has changed a bit since then I think. When I went looking for that picture of Darrel tonight I was surprised to find the letter that is taped to the bottom of the page there. I had forgotten about it. I wrote it the day after he gave me his ring so I'd remember everything that happened.... so see... guess I've always been a journaler too!















Darrel just came back from the store a few minutes ago and walks in and hands me a fork. Then he hands me this cupcake. He said the pink frosting practically screamed my name at him as he walked by. I think that was my anniversary of going steady gift... isn't he sweet?

Date night was awesome! I did not buy these shoes... they are however currently on my radar. I mean pink patent leather shoes? How am I supposed to live without those? 2 problems. They are way expensive being Dansko's and they are supposedly "limited edition." So I do not know if I have a time limit before saving enough to pounce on them! Ha!! The other thing currently on my radar... and unfortunately also way expensive would be a 2nd pair of Ugg boots. I am a true Ugg convert after getting my first pair last year. I would love a pair of clogs too since my feet tend to freeze! I'm not asking for much right? Ha... trust me.. I know I'm dreaming.















However... back to date night. Look what came home with me!! Darrel got them for me. Now, isn't the little orthopedic sock look a good look with these shoes? I just love those "started out life as a knee high but didn't quite make it" socks they give you in the shoe department. I first tried on a 9 wide because I figured from the look of them, um no way a 9 would fit me. I am used to things like this being tight. Guess what? They were too big! I had to get a regular width 9. They are awesome! Pretty comfortable and once again, I am loving the platform. Can't wait to wear them. Thinking they will be so cute with dress pants or jeans. Is a shoe like this only good with pants? Would they be cute with a little skirt and tights or leggings or do I sound like I am 18 and should wake up and realize I am 44? Please don't burst my happy place bubble...

We spent the night at the mall, Kohl's and Target after having a very nice dinner at Logan's. We had the usual 3 course special which includes the brownie dessert which was quite yummy. First thing we did at the mall pretty much was head for the shoes... my husband knows me so well. I also picked up a very cute little denim mini skirt at Maurice's and a 4.99 shirt at Old Navy. At Kohl's I was looking thru the clearance rack and found this shirt that I really liked for $7.50. Then was bummed when I realized it was in the wrong department. It was an XL petite. See girls, it's been more than 20 years since I didn't need the women's plus department and sometimes those sizes weren't big enough at my highest weight. Well I kept looking at the shirt thinking its not going to fit, its not going to fit.... but convinced myself what would it hurt to try it? Guess what? IT FIT! It came home with me. It's a little shorter than I'd normally like because I tend to like my tummy covered, but I think maybe it looks OK. Darrel thought it looks OK... I got to buy a shirt from the regular women's department. yay!!!!!! I spotted these pants too and tried them on. Really like them in the black retro wash. May go back and get those for fall. I also found 2 dresses on clearance. Budgetwise I could only get one... and have spent today wishing I'd picked up the other one. The one I got is like an olive green and black leaf print. Very cute! Saving it for church next week when I have to lead worship. Have not figured out what to wear tomorrow yet which is unusual. Love Kohl's clearance racks! Always can find something good for so cheap!

So now that I have eaten my cupcake I need to go in search of a baked ruffle or two because I need something salty... Still need to scrap my challenge layout. Plan to work on that tomorrow after church, lunch and the beach! Beach season is dwindling quickly here so have to pack in all the time we can! Hope your weekend has been awesome. Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

The heat index this afternoon was 109.... Actual temp in the high 90's. It's been an extremely hot summer this year. I've not minded that so much. I've been enjoying going to the beach and have even not minded doing my walking in the heat. However with all of that, one thing I have continually been thankful for is a working air conditioner. I *heart* air conditioning. Darrel says I'm not happy unless its set on "snow." He is probably right. I've been especially reminded to be thankful for the a/c this past month or so for a couple of reasons. First was just night before last. It had been another 100 degree day and late in the evening we realized the a/c had been running and running... and um it wasn't so much getting cooler. Darrel looked at it and we thought it was OK and just having a hard time keeping up with the heat. When we woke up the next morning though, it still hadn't reached the temp. it was set on. Time to call the repair man and try not to panic about being without a/c when its this hot. I mean you can't even just sit still without sweating when its like this can you? We have a great a/c guy and he was here within an hour or two. Seems our main issues were just needing a little maintenance like washing down the outside unit, changing a very dirty filter and topping off the freon which was a pound or so low. We thought all was fine, but it was struggling again yesterday. We were still concerned all was not well... so last night when we prayed together before bed, we prayed for the a/c. Darrel went off to bed, and I planned to stay up a bit since I was off today. After we prayed about it, it started shutting off and on like its supposed to and been fine all day today. Thank you Lord!

My husband's trip to Haiti and the experiences he has shared with me from there also make me so thankful for things like shelter and a/c. It was mainly 100 degree days with 100% humidity while he was over there. He said he had to get used to laying down to sleep at night and just needing to lay there and sweat for awhile before he could get comfortable enough to fall asleep. He had the heat exhaustion while he was there and I wondered if it would have helped to be able to get in the a/c somewhere and get cooled down when that was happening. Conditions were difficult there and it was a hard week. It has made both of us very thankful for all the blessings we have. So right now with several more 100 degree days in front of us, my focus for today is definitely being thankful for our home and working air conditioning.

Other things I have been thankful for this week are:

• Safety in the storm today. There were some storms this afternoon and 2 funnel clouds were spotted in the next county from us. Darrel had to drive home thru part of that storm and I am thankful he got home safely.
• Yummy spaghetti I made us for dinner.
• I am sure I am a complete sap... but I still keep having these moments where I look at my husband and think "he's home! he's home!" I am just so stinkin' glad to have him home. I think that time apart has changed both of us and made us even closer... which I did not think was possible.
• Our State Fair Date. I had SO much fun!! I totally wish we were going again tomorrow.
• A nice weekend with Darrel last weekend.
• Grilled turkey burgers. A new favorite.
• My new fossil watch. Love the white band and all the bling!
• A day at the beach with Darrel last Sunday.
• My last weekday beach day today. Now that school is starting they will only be open on the weekend thru labor day. Can we believe summer is ending? I'm not done yet! Ha!
• Scrapbooking. So enjoyed the last challenge!
• A nice dinner with Darrel at China Wok last night. We did lots of talking. LOVE that.
• Fresh Watermelon!
• Kindle Books!
• the K-love radio app on my phone!
• summer shoes... Do I have to give those up when fall comes?
• did someone say fall? I love and adore the fall! So thankful fall is coming!

OK... speaking of fall... you know that when fall comes... it isn't official until I can get my bath and body works pumpkin soap... well LOOK! They already are showing some of their fall and halloween stuff online! I so intend to check that out tomorrow night. I think I must have a candy corn hand sanitizer... do I need the glow in the dark one you think? They also have a preview of their fall candles! Ooohhh... Ahhhh... need me some of those too. Before you know it we will be getting out the pumpkin candles and the fall garlands and filling my glass pumpkin with peanuts and candy corn!!!! OK... someone stop me.. I tend to get rather excited about fall... Plus... when I have to give up the summer shoes.. what comes next? Boots! Had forgotten my new boot love from last year. :) I love the fall..... love it! Pumpkins and mums and colored leaves.. oh my!

Look what came in the mail today? My warehouse box from the Pink Paislee sale! Oh my goodness! I love it! It was filled with great stuff and the alphas alone were probably worth the price! Got 2 artisan albums, 3 6x6 paper pads in Queen Bee, Bayberry and 365 lines. Border stickers, alpha stickers, chipboard alphas, 3 flip note pads, patches, cork, and lots of cool paper. Love it! Plus.. as hard as this would be to accomplish, I don't have hardly any of it. Just a few sheets of paper, and its paper I love so no biggie there! Hoping to play with it all this weekend while working on Challenge #3!

Time for bed! Hope your week has gone well. We are heading to the big city for date night. Been looking forward to it and planning my outfit all week... I know.. I have a sickness... Darrel says its a girl thing. Blessings!

Ten on Tuesday

1) OK, watching the show DC Cupcakes can be dangerous. I mean every time I watch it I totally want cupcakes. Like I'm ready to set off on a trip to Georgetown just so I can try their cupcakes. Same thing happens when I watch Cake Boss. I think we should plan a vacation just to visit Carlo's Bakery to try that Cream Puff cake he makes... Nothing wrong with this thinking right? Doesn't everyone plan their vacations around food?

2) Been having some trouble off and on with the muscle I pulled in my calf. It was really hurting the day after we walked for like um 11 hours at the fair. Darrel decided I needed some Bengay. I so do not like the smell of Bengay. I told him that Bath & Body needs to come out with some Bengay so it could at least smell good, like Moonlight Path. Good idea right? Why should they do this? Because he rubs this stuff on my leg... OK.. I admit... that part was good... But then.. my leg smells and I want to get away from the smell but I can't because it just follows me... ha ha ha ha.














3) OK back to the fair. This is the winning "world's biggest hog." We were standing right along the aisle when they brought this guy out to be weighed for the contest. He had his own entourage of people walking him out and trust me... at this size, he was totally in charge and so did not need to do a thing he didn't want to do. His name? Tickle Me Elmo! Ha! And.. he weighed in at 1277 pounds. WOW.















4) In the Ag. building they once again had the can sculpting contest. This one is my favorite. It was Wilbur and Charlotte from Charlotte's web! (Charlotte is on Wilbur's nose). There is even a web stretched across the top of the pen with the words "Some Pig" in the web just like the book. I love that book. My Dad took me to Printer's Ink when I was a little girl and let me pick out two books to get and Charlotte's Web was one of them. Lassie Come Home was the other. I still have both of them.





















5) Near the end of the day we sat down near the 4H buildings and took a few more pictures. We had planned to walk thru the exhibits but we got to the door at 9 PM and they informed us the buildings were closing. I guess I am not too wilted looking for walking around in the sun and the heat all day and be VERY impressed there is no food stains down the front of my shirt! Ha!















6) Then he took a few more of the both of us. I like this one, but I think this next one is my favorite. I just love him in that fuchsia shirt... I might have mentioned that. My red shirt is one of the one's I bought at Maurice's a few weeks ago.















7) In the middle of those 2 shots, he had us all set to take a picture and asked me if I was ready and then out of the blue... he does this...















So OK that might win the award for the 2010 cutest Koontz photo... Just because my husband looks pretty cute all puckered up there... How do I know he was looking pretty cute? Well read on to #8 and I'll share with you why....















8) About oh 11 PM I think we decided to call it a day. Darrel got this great shot of the grandstand lights just before we left the fairgrounds. We get out to the parking lot (we always park at the deaf school grounds across the street) and Darrel as always, opens my door for me and helps me in. So now as I sit in the car and he walks around to get in his side, this car that is driving by slows down and this woman starts saying something to my husband. I heard "How you doing?" he didn't say a word to her and got in and she drove away. I asked him what all did she say and he said she said "Hey Sexy, how you doing?" Ok... was this woman just disrespectful enough to hit on my husband right in front of his wife? Who does this? I was not the least bit upset. I know who Darrel loves and who he is with and have no insecurities about that OK? I just think that kind of stuff is rude and disrespectful and it makes me sad that people care so little about relationships and marriage that they think they have a right to go for it even if that person is with someone. Wrong.... Darrel said he wished he had said "I'm doing great, I get to go home with my wife..." or something along those lines, but he was flustered and annoyed because he so does not have patience for that kind of thing. I told him he should have tacked on to what he was going to say "and I guess you aren't going home to anyone..." but perhaps that wouldn't have been nice.. Maybe I shouldn't have said that out loud huh? :) I also mentioned that if some woman is going to hit on my husband right in front of me, then I am at least allowed to like throw something at her right? You know.. something small.....like say a rock... or a hand grenade... Bwa ha ha ha ha

9) Have you seen the Graphic 45 Staples collection? I love it. It's soooo up my alley. I just might have bought oh the tags, chipboard buttons and flowers, trims, alpha and stickers today... they said they were selling out quickly so I had to act fast didn't I?

10) Darrel had an Elders meeting at church this evening. After an hour and a half I decided I was lonely and he needed to come home... I texted him (knowing his phone would likely be turned down or off anyway...) and told him his wife was lonely, she had already done her time without him a few weeks ago and he needed to tell Pastor Mark he was needed at home immediately. When he didn't answer that my 2nd text told him that if he was going to ignore me I would have to start texting Pastor Mark too in a minute. Fortunately for him he showed up at home a few minutes later... ha ha ha ha.. Now, before you think too badly of me, I knew the meeting was likely to be over or about over by that time and I also knew he had his phone on vibrate and I wouldn't really be distrubing anyone. Just was having some fun messing with him and actually entertaining my husband at the same time... He laughed... honest. :)

Now.. I have a problem to solve. Darrel just informed me we are out of printer ink! oh no!! I need to print a picture for my challenge.... Must put out this fire immediately.

Also, wanted to point out that I have added 2 new pages to my blog. One for a place to post all my 52 layouts challenges and I also added a weight loss pics page. You will find a link to these in the sidebar. I also added labels to the sidebar to help you find challenge posts among other things.

Hope your week is going well! Blessings!