onelmichele

2012 here we come!

2011-12-29T08:05:00.000-08:00

Christmas this year was so nice...it was nice to have a little money to buy the kids presents but what made it best was that we stayed home and Greg came to spend a week. It would have been perfect if Chris could have come but he works and only got 2 days off. I loved hearing the kids goof around with each other...gosh I love my kids so much!
My sister in law Ashli's mom always said she wanted to live on a compound with all her children and their families and to be honest I thought she was crazy (she has 12 kids) but I get it now...I think that would be heavenly to have all 4 kids within cooking distance.
I got a Ninja blender for Christmas and proceeded to cut my finger on the blades...they are super sharp people...those ninja are tricky! I also got a GPS for my car...I should name her like Rochelle and Tyson did...any suggestions? I love not feeling afraid of getting lost...I lived with that fear everyday. I have nightmares that I accidentally end up in Juarez and can't get back into the US because I don't have my passport. Am I showing my crazy bits? So be it...I am what I am.
Jonece got a tablet and we barely see her anymore...she loves it so much. Dene got a Kindle Fire and we are hoping it awakens a love of reading but I am afraid it will just open up a love of fruit ninja.
My new calling in RS is so time consuming but rewarding beyond measure...I sure do love the ladies in our ward. As I get older I appreciate my elders and really enjoy spending time with them. They have such a history and they are so appreciative of our time.
I have a curse...almost every friend I feel a kindred spirit with...well her husband is either in the Bishopric or ends up being called as Bishop or in the Bishopric. It is crazy how often that happens. My friend Camille...her husband is an oral surgeon...was just called as Bishop in their ward...well at least it is not my ward...do you know how hard it is calling someone Bishop after you know them as their first name?
For years I just wanted to get out of Primary...you do feel a little disconnected at times...and now all I want is back in...the kids are where it is at for sure! The stress levels are way less and those kids are so full of love and goodness you miss their energy when you have been in RS for a long time. I know I am where I am supposed to be and doing what I am called to do so I am not complaining just reminiscing.
I was hoping for a new camera for Christmas but no luck...I will have to be better this next year. There is always my birthday in Aug. too. Dene got a camera from Santa this year...maybe she will let me borrow it.
I hope everyone knows how much I love them...how much I miss them...how often I think of them...how often I pray for them...and how I hope to see them all soon.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a superb New Year!
Smooshes
One L

We Are Alive

2011-09-12T20:32:00.000-07:00

No pictures but I thought I should post something...so everyone knows we are alive and well and living in Las Cruces.
Cory has settled in to the 4 day work week like a champ, he enjoys the dentistry but not so much the office politics. I told him when you work with a bunch of women the drama drama drama is just a part of life. He has decided that when he buys his own practice when his contract is over he will hire mostly men.
Jonece is in middle school, she has a cell phone, a cute new haircut, a fun bunch of friends and she is really liking school. She hates the constant swearing and can't figure out why the "cool" kids are the ones with the trash mouths.
Dene is again surrounded by sweet babies and loving every minute of it, she loves her new teacher who incidentally doesn't yell and I love her too. Dene has made some new friends too and she has overcome her allergy to chores.
The girls are growing up and so many people say enjoy this age because they grow up so fast...blah blah blah. It is true that they grow up fast but I love it, I love watching them move from one stage to another. Jonece is starting the teenager years and I can see the mood swings but along with the mood swings come the growth and I love watching her grow into a woman I would be proud to know.
I still love me some babies and there is no shortage in that department in this new ward...I especially love handing them back to their parents when I am done. I love the freedom Cory and I now enjoy...no babysitters and we can take off for a date here and there whenever we want.
I am busy with my new calling...counselor in RS...I have a new respect for those who have served in this capacity...I am loving it but I spend hours each day doing it.
I have given up the idea of working outside the home for now...I get home from dropping Jonece off at school and Dene is home in about 5 hours. Cory and I don't want them home alone for hours and eventhough I was willing to work nights Cory didn't like that idea much. So I will do crafts from home and try not to lose my marbles. I really love working...people telling me how talented I am and all that crap...its such an ego boost. I am toying with the idea of taking some courses here at the college...at times that won't interfere with me being home for the girls.
I don't hate the apt. but I don't love either...I just wish we were more settled...in a city we could call home. A place where we would be happy to live forever. A place where Cory could have his own practice. We thought Cruces had so many opportunities but since we have moved here 5 other dentists have moved into our ward...crazy!!! so there might not be as huge a need for a dentist here but on a positive note...I really love all the guys and their wives. We have had a few dinners together and it has been a blast. I wish we had a place that was more company friendly but right now inviting more than just a few people over at a time is too many.
I will try and include some pics of the girls next post...won't be tomorrow but I won't leave it too long...promise.
Love yins
One L

Broken camera

2011-05-31T20:01:00.000-07:00

Well Cory dropped the camera on moving day...and it is kaput! I wanted a new one anyway but there are so many things I needed that since I had a perfectly good camera it seemed frivolous to ask for a new one. Summers are great because they have Mother's Day, our anniversary, and my birthday. So its added to the list. I don't know how to put photos from my phone on my blog so "onelmichele" will be photoless until I get a new one.
Quick update...not loving Las Cruces so far...love the mountains, love the wind, love the rent...but I am scared that the ward doesn't hold as many super cool possible friend like people like Tucson had. I hope I am not having another burgh thing happening...it took me forever to make a friend but mostly because I left the most amazing friends in Gilbert...so I think I was mostly to blame...I couldn't let myself get attached because I knew it was only temporary. I have to stop thinking of LC as temporary (even though I think it is) or I will never make a friend here.
We just spent the last 4 days in the valley and it was so much fun. A couple of days with my sister Caroline and her family, spent time with Cory's family, ofcourse the boys and then 2 days with my friend Sherida. My girls are so attached to her family...they love them to pieces...so do I. So I guess being only 4 hours away is totally doable. We will see eachother often.
I want to take the girls to Pittsburgh this summer and see all our friends there...we will see how the money situation goes.
Love to all
One interstate L

Jonece's Solo and Birthday

2011-05-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

Jonece turned 12 and is now in Young Womens and growing up way too fast for Cory. I love that she is almost a teenager and getting ready for junior high and then high school. I know some people had a hard time in high school but for me it was so much fun. I hope my girls have as positive experience as I did.

Jonece got a part in her school play where she was Snow White...who wins the award for best female vocalist. Its kind of hard to hear her...but she did great!
We are moving in two weeks and I am on tract to be packed up and ready to go.

Enjoy!
Love One L

Loser

2011-04-05T23:07:00.000-07:00

Let me clarify not a loser of weight...a loser at blogging.
A lot has been going on and I can't believe I didn't even blog once in over a month...that is just wrong. I know I get frustrated with my friends when they don't blog for weeks...sorry if anyone cares.
Well Cory has lived in El Paso these past 3 weeks and he and I have decided that he really doesn't want to live there...so we are moving to Las Cruces NM sometime this month or next.
Seeing him on weekends has been hard, we really do miss him during the week. I try to keep busy so I don;t miss him too much. Weekends are too short. I am surprised that I am OK with doing this living apart thing for another month or so...I really thought I would be a mess.
The girls are growing up so fast...Jonece will be 12 on the 17th...I will have a YW in the house...a babysitter...a working girl who can make some serious cash!
Dene is as always our emotional one...I love that she wears her heart on her sleeve but I need her to be OK about her daddy being gone during the week...It has been 3 weeks and she still cries her eyes out when he goes and cries at night wanting him to come home.
We have health insurance now...yeah! I hate that scary feeling that if anything huge happened we would be devastated, not only emotionally but financially too! But thank goodness for this great job opportunity that comes with great benefits.
AS for my weight my plans are on hold...I have heard about this new surgery call "The Sleeve" it is like half a GB without the bypass. I have met a few people who have had it done and I think it might be a help for me...just thinking about it.
I miss my friends...I will miss my friends here in Tucson. It is ironic that we have lived here for only 10 months and I have made some wonderful friends here that have been amazing. (It took forever in PA)
There are so many fun people I have barely gotten to know and feel kind of jipped that don't have more time.
I sure hope Las Cruces has half as many potential besties.
Well I promise to be a better blogger and post some pics of my Young Woman...LOL
Love yins
One L

No Comment

2011-02-11T21:37:00.000-08:00

That is my answer to the weight situation...it is a struggle and I hate every minute of it. I don't want to talk about it, I don't want to blog about it, I don't want to think about it. It makes me feel like a loser. I have some big things going on in the next few months so I am taking a break from stressing about it.
Cory took the job in New Mexico and it looks like we will be moving to El Paso Texas in the spring. The girls are so very sad about the move, they really love it here in Tucson. They will love El Paso too I am sure. So another move in less than a year...yuck.
I seem to be crazy busy doing nothing much. I have taught a few classes here and there but really just a stay at home mom.
I am hoping to bring the girls with me to the Burgh for a visit this spring too...so many wonderful people we left there...and miss more than I thought was possible.
That is all for now. Don't judge me re: the weight thing.
Love
Michele

The Flu Affect

2010-12-09T22:51:00.000-08:00

Lost another 9 lbs...oh wait that was a result of the flu from Hades...so that means as soon as I drink some water all the weight will come back. Well it was nice to see 240...even if it was a lie.
Dene lost like 6 lbs...she was so excited...it kind of scared me. I don't want my girls to have weight issues. My older sister had bulimia issues and my little sister stopped eating as a young teenager.
I know my struggle is affecting my family...they see me exercise and eat healthy...they see the frustration at my mediocre results.
I have been slacking lately...all the stress...no job...no money...Christmas around the corner...I know I should take all the stress and ride my bike all the way to Phoenix but instead all I want to do is crawl under a rock and stay there until everything is better. Unfortunately I can't do that so I crawl into myself and hide. I don't go out...I don't even want to make crafts...its like I go into a walking coma. I go about my daily tasks...take the girls to school, shower, etc but I don't want to do it...I just do it because I don't have a choice. I want to want to do things...I even force myself to do things. Like I am doing a Christmas craft in Dene's class in the morning and I am dreading it...but I know I have to get out and do things or I will just mope around the house all day.
Sounds like depression doesn't it? But this is something I have created...my way of not dealing with my scary life right now. Its really not like me...well I hope its not like me...I like to think of myself as a go getter...a problem solver...the creative thinker...the doer...if something is broken I fix it (or at least get someone to fix it) If someone is sick I bring them dinner, if someone is down I try to lighten the load...where did SHE go?
It can't be Seasonal Affect Disorder the sun shines every day.
I am in a funk and I have to get out of it...and soon.
I don't want to gain the weight back that it took me 8 weeks to lose...I have to stay strong and focused...I have to find it inside myself.
I think I will take this to the Lord as well.
Sorry for the downer post...it is part of my weight loss struggle since I eat more when I am stressed.
Wish me luck
One blue L

Son of a Nutcracker!

2010-12-02T15:19:00.000-08:00

That pretty much sums up my last few weeks.
Finished the 8 week challenge in first place...yeah for me!
Cory was "let go" from his job at Pacific Dental Services a week before Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving was supposed to be at my house but so few of Cory's family could make it to Tucson it was moved to Gilbert. Its hard to cook in a kitchen that is not yours.

Things I have learned...I am a stress/boredom eater.
Has life been stressful these last few weeks?..Bells YES!
The Challenge was good for me...I lost weight and gained a better understanding of my relationship with food. I never realized how much we ate out until I was not allowed to have fast food for 6 days of the week.
Have I figured it all out and the pounds are just dropping off...NO... I wish!
Losing weight is so hard. Eating right and exercising is easy.
I am feeling defeated today...but I am not giving up.

I am glad Cory is finished with PDS, the management here in Tucson is just awful, so disorganized and shady...I hate shady. Cory is so honest and they wanted him to exaggerate and mislead patients and that just isn't right. We knew it wasn't going to be a great partnership but Cory was committed to giving them his best til Christmas...then he would have quit if things were not better. I guess they just made the decision for us a little early.
This Christmas will be lean...but at least Cory won't have to check his integrity at the door.
Cory has some interviews next week and we are pretty much sure a move is in the near future...again. But what can you do? I am secretly excited...I love the area here and love being close to family but in the end if Cory is happy and making money then life is good...and its only for 3 years and then our plan is to open his own practice...so that means alot of saving and no real spending. I can live with that. The girls are old enough that I can get a job and pay off those student loans a little faster.
My weight...I just don't want to talk about it today....or tomorrow. I feel like I am getting smaller...but the scales are mean. I know muscle weighs more than fat but you can only tell yourself that for 8 weeks before you know there is more to it than that.
I am not giving up, I have just lost some wind. I will gt it back and kick my own butt.
later friends
One L

I Give Up

2010-11-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

Wait...I am not quitting the weight loss agenda or the 8 week challenge...I give up trying to do this on my own. I have been doing everything right...eating, exercising and still no real results. So I have decided that like in AA you must first admit you have a problem (done) and then take it to the Lord.
I will continue to do all I can do and then just put the rest on the Lord. I have been going to this little Santuary Cove on my bike rides and taking advantage of the ambiance and praying. I have been asking for help, pleading for understanding, begging for an unbroken metabolism.
I know that all the diets and all the times I have lost the weight and put it back on have destroyed my metabolism and I don't want to do the drug route so I have asked the Lord to repair it. I have been blessed with miracles of healing before so why not now?
Since yesterday I can really feel a difference...I know that sounds stupid...one day? But I can! I feel like this is the first day of the rest of my life. I don't feel alone anymore.
Don't get me wrong Cory and the girls have been so over the top supportive and that has really helped but I have been alone inside...but not anymore.
I know my Heavenly Father has always loved me...I am glad I remembered that he can do hard things with me.
One Lighter L

VOTE!

2010-11-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

Being a Canadian has it disadvantages at times...voting is one of those times. I believe in voting and when people complain about the government I always ask, "did you vote?" and if they said no...I would reply...you forfeited your right to complain! So I try not to complain...but heated discussions are always fun.
My father was always active in politics in Canada and he instilled in me a sense of responsibility when it comes to voting. I feel like such a loser when elections come around and I cannot vote. I tell myself to get off the pot and get my US citizenship already!
People ask me all the time what I think of socialized medicine because Canada had it. Well it is nice to be able to go to the doctor without the fear of the cost...but nothing is ever free. What you gain in peace of mind you lose in higher taxes and patient care.
A lot of people are fired up and can't wait until November to vote...the more the merrier. It is always better when the majority of people vote...then you know it is the will of the people.
I love the United States of American...and I love my fair share of Americans...I hope everyone will vote tomorrow and keep their right to complain!
One Canadian L

Update on My Madness

2010-10-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

Have I figured everything out? Ofcourse not! Have I lost some weight? Who knows? Have I been dong the program 100% Bells yes! Do I like exercising...no! Do I like writing in my journal everyday and reading scriptures...yes!
The food thing is kinda funny...I don't miss the sugar at all...white flour avoidance is a nuisance...eating fruit...easy...eating veggies...not so bad. Drinking all my water makes me pee all the time...another nuisance. So I try to have it all in me by suppertime.
The 7 hours of sleep has been easier than I thought it would be...I have only had to have a short nap once in over 3 weeks. No eating after 8 is so easy since I hate eating after 6...makes my tummy hurt.
Doing an act of kindness has been super easy since I love doing things for my friends and family.
So tell me why I am hating this? Is it because deep down inside I hate being told what I can and cannot do? Is it something deeper? I want to do the whole 8 weeks but I am not enjoying this...my butt hurts...and I have to pee all the time.
The motto for this challenge is "I can do hard things"...maybe I can do hard things when I don't have a choice but would anyone really choose to do hard things? I like soft things...like my bed...clouds and fluffy towels. Hard things are yucky like sugar free candies that get stuck in your throat, cranky old people and my bicycle seat.
Do I sound like a spoiled kid who doesn't want to clean up a mess they made? Wait don't answer that! I want/like to exercise...but I am having trouble finding something that doesn't hurt my butt or aggravate my plantar fasciitis...my pool is out of the question now..way chilly! We are strapped right now with Cory working only part time...so joining a gym has to wait.
Someone call a waaambulance... I am such a whiner right now.
Lets switch to the positive...I feel good overall. I know I have lost inches...my clothes are fitting a bit differently. Jonece and Dene have cut way back on their sugar intake...Jonece is even doing most of my challenges with me. I have started journalling again...I am sleeping better...I have more energy...my psoriasis looks great...I am finding some kick butt no sugar recipes...I am enjoying Meredith's rolls with whole wheat flour. I am sure there are a lot more positives but right now I can't think of any. I just got back from a hour long bike ride and I need a shower.
I have made no progress mentally...I still have no idea why I...on some level...fear losing weight. I will continue to try and figure it...promise me you will all continue to pray for me...I have to keep going and I can't do it alone.
Love to all
One sore butt L

8 Weeks to Madness

2010-10-02T22:32:00.000-07:00

If you don't absolutely love me stop reading right now!

So I am doing this 8 weeks to wellness right now and it is hard but it seems to be worth it. I have lost about 4 lbs in the first week but that is probably just water weight. I have committed myself to trying for at least the first 4 weeks. Since the first week is done I have 3 weeks to go...and I can stand on my head for that length of time! So I can do this right? right???
I have made a bigger commitment to myself and that is losing weight...I bought a scale at the beginning of this adventure and it shocked me...265lbs...that is really hard for me to write down for all the world to see. But since you are still reading you absolutely love me and won't judge me or mock me in any way.
I have struggled with my weight for long time...I realize it is more than just a very slow metabolism, I have issues that started at about 18. I was very cute and had a rockin bod...I got alot of attention that I was very uncomfortable with...after I got married...my husband was possessive, jealous and mean. Somewhere deep down inside I thought it was all my fault and if I just made myself unattractive enough things would be better. Well that was a load of crock I sold myself. After my divorce the weight fell off and I was feeling great...but good things never last. I was assaulted and again deep down inside I blamed myself...so I put some weight back on to protect myself from these kinds of things. Again I sold myself a pile of poo...but you have to understand hind sight is 20/20 and at the time it was mostly subconscious.
Met Twain and fell in love...went back to a nice normal more healthy weight. Then he died and I cocooned myself again from the world with an extra 50 lbs. Thinking no one would love me at that weight so I was safe from ever getting hurt again...another pile of you know what.
Fell in love with Cory and all bets were off. I feel safe...I feel loved...I think if I received unwanted attention I could handle it...so why do I have all these extra lbs on still? Good question and when I figure that out I am sure the weight will be easier to lose.
But I can't wait any longer...my weight is a health concern.
I looked into surgery and went through all the steps...but when we prayed about it I felt strongly that I shouldn't do it at this time.
I guess I have to figure this out and conquer it myself.
I can't believe I am sharing this on my blog...and its not even private.
I am going to use my blog as a kind of journal for my honest to goodness...no holes barred...do it or die...attempt at becoming healthier...and we all know that means losing weight.
Pray for me please...I cannot do this alone...I am not strong enough.
Love
One not so skinny L

Insomna

2010-09-14T03:01:00.000-07:00

Yes it is 3am and I can't sleep. I have a cold with a sore throat and a stuffy nose. I am not complaining just stating the facts. I am surrounded by so much illness right now I would feel like an idiot if I was whining about a little cold.
My Grandma...the lady I grew up loving so much, is dying. She had a few little stokes but she is slipping away and I can't go see her. I don't have my Canadian passport yet.
Cory's mom just got diagnosed with colon cancer and is having her surgery Thursday morning. This just after his dad had his major heart attack and surgery. Both my parents are in poor health and I feel so far away.
Don't get me wrong I know that this life is just a pinprick in time and that when we die we are reunited with our loved ones. I am not sad for my Grandma, she has led an inspiring long life. I am sad that my girls didn't really get the chance to know her and spend time with her. I hope she knows how much I love her. She is the best! When I was a kid I would go up to Parry Sound (northern Ontario) and spend a few weeks every summer. I have the best memories of her. Except she loved to bake with walnuts...I hate walnuts.
Death is such a funny thing. Not ha ha funny the peculiar kind of funny. I am not afraid to die, and I have been to my fair share of funerals and lost a few loved ones. To me death is a tragedy when a young person dies especially children and parents of young children...it is so sad to think a child would grow up without a mom or a dad. But as we grow older it is not a tragedy so much...just hard to say goodbye for a while.
When Twain died I asked God to take me home before anyone else so I would never have to bury someone I loved again but I have relented and no longer feel that way. It is hard to watch parents and grandparents struggle with health issues but it is part of growing older. Hearts don't last forever...yet.
Wow I am a downer at 3 am...sorry for the sad post.
Call your grandparents and parents...tell them how you feel.
love
One L

Vegas Baby!

2010-08-19T15:05:00.001-07:00

First Day at the new school...thank goodness the girls really like their teachers.
Can you believe Jonece is a 6th grader? Dene is in 4th...crazy! My baby girls are so grown up.
We went to Vegas for Elder Tidwell's homecoming and stopped in at the M&M store...I just kept thinking we could buy a super huge bag of M&M's for the price of a few soooo that's what we did. We stopped at Target and I bought 4 bags of candy!

The sights were amazing...we watched people free fall from a tower and ride a rollercoaster partially indoors. We also saw some interesting advertising that reminded us why they call it Sin City. We would love to go back when we have some money so we can stay in a themed hotel that caters to families.
I was also my birthday weekend but I couldn't find anything I wanted...no Coach store in sight!
Look at all these handsome return Missionaries...can you believe they are almost all from the Pittsburgh mission?
Here's a picture with a few of our favs...Chandler Tidwell, Griffin May and Kyle Black...all single girls!

With the exception of the drive home I am glad we went...it was so good to see the guys again. It was super fun getting to meet Chandlers family...they are so fun I could totally hang with them any day of the week.
Oh I went to a site that makes books from your blogs and bought one for my birthday...all 5 years in a book. It was the best 87 bucks I have ever spent. Now I don't have to fear somehow losing all my posts and I can rest easy thinking in a way I have produced a journal for my posterity.
I included comments but next time I think I will leave them out, not because your comments are not important it is because sometimes I have pages and pages of just comments.
I loves ya all!
One older L

New House

2010-07-30T18:44:00.001-07:00

As promised...here some pictures of the new house. I am loving the 2 bathrooms and the wide open spaces. The best part of the "new house" is the pool. The girls have lived in it this last month. It is a salt water pool so I have also enjoyed it as it doesn't bother my psoriasis as much as a chlorine pool does.
The living room with our new couch...love it!
Entrance way with my new mirror...totally scored this one, I only paid 60 bucks for it! I am all that and a bag of chips...yes the queen of bargain shopping...am I being prideful?
Sliding glass doors out to the pool and that thing on the floor is Cookie...I am surprised how much she likes sleeping on the tile.
This is the dining area, my old table looks great with the colors.
This is the office/den alcove off the kitchen.
Kitchen...with a gas stove...yeah! I am having to adjust a few of my recipes for the new stove but so far so good. Can you see all the counter space?
I must say it is harder to keep this kitchen clean...the gas stove is not as spill friendly as the glass top and the counters become the dumping spot for everything from the mail to makeup.

Yes this is a section of my craft room...what a mess! A hot mess!
Well we are loving Tucson and I have been blessed with an amazing ward that has welcomed me with open arms and I have met some wonderful people. I know some of us will be great friends. It is such a stark contrast to my experience in the Burgh...it took me forever to find a friend and here I feel like I already have a handful!
Cory is adjusting to working better than I am...I got used to having him around 24/7 and now during the week he is gone for the better part of the day. We are lucky to have him home by 6:30pm...yuck! He still finds it difficult to be referred to as Dr. Thompson...too funny!
The girls start school on the 9th of August...they are not as happy as I am about that. They need more structure and time away from each other or someone is going to get hurt.
That is all for now, I do miss so many of the super cool people back in the burgh...love you guys!
smooshes
One L

Done and Done

2010-07-03T14:37:00.001-07:00

We got the house we wanted...the one with the salt water pool...in northern Tucson. We emptied the PODS just Cory and I. Slowly but surely I am unpacking and putting things away. I have some pictures but to be honest I want to wait until the house is cute before I post pics.

Our new address is
8021 North Higgins Feather Dr.
Tucson AZ 85743
Phones remain the same!

I have had fun spending time with family and friends.
My good friends Amy and two L's (Michelle) took me to see Eclipse...it was too fun.
I still haven't seen so many of my good friends...I hope you all forgive me.
It's only about an hour and a half from our house to the valley but it would have to be a daytime thing because I still fade so quickly in the evenings.

Pittsburgh friends...I miss you!!!!
I was thinking about taking the girls camping and immediately thought to call Radene and Mandy...then I remembered you guys are back in the Burgh...bummer.
I went out to dinner with friends...an Italian restaurant....NOT! they can't even touch the Burgh when it comes to Italian food...but the Mexican food here is so YUMMY...its a trade off I know.
Love you all
One Tucson L

Blessings

2010-06-17T06:57:00.000-07:00

These last few weeks have really brought to the fore front the many blessings my family has enjoyed or maybe a better phrase might be...unbeknownst to them enjoyed.
Cory graduated
Cory got a job in AZ
The house sold quickly
I have some super cool friends who really love me
I had some scary test results eventually come back that all is well.
We fit everything I wanted in the POD!
No one cried...we all know we will see eachother again soon. (OK Jonece and her friends bawled like babies but they ARE preteens)
Closing went without a hitch.
Our money was in our account the next day.
We got everything in the car and car top carrier.
We headed off to Kirtland with joy in our hearts...not only because we were heading home but because these last four years though hard at times has been such a growing experience for all of us and it was good.
We were blessed to arrive safe in AZ even though we had our roof rack break and some car trouble.
We are blessed to have family that loves us enough to let us all move in for a few weeks...I don't know if I could be that magnanimous!
We found a house to rent in Tuscon that both Cory and I loved and when we submitted our application it was accepted.

I know I could write an entire post about the unpleasant crap that has happened these last few weeks but in the end everything turned out so I think I will focus on the outcome.
I am grateful my Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers and watches over us and blesses us with what we need when we do all we can do and then ask in faith.
Later dudes
One grateful L

Hardest Part

2010-06-05T18:48:00.000-07:00

One of the hardest things about packing up and leaving PA is saying goodbye to the friends we have made here...especially the babies. It makes me sad to think that they will never remember me or my girls. I know we will see them again...maybe not right away but we will see them again...but they will have grown and we won't be there to see it. And we will be strangers.
Kristy will have another baby up in Detroit and we won't get to meet the little sweetie.
I know a few of us have planned to get together next year here in PA. I am excited to come back and visit. Elise and Megan will be getting ready to move and so many others will still be here too!

I would be lying if I said it has been a great 4 years...that first year was a tough one! I am glad Cory chose Pitt...I have really enjoyed these last 3 years. I have made some friends that will last forever. I wish I could take you in my pocket and take you all to AZ with me!

These last few weeks have been fun, helping some move and having so many little fun dinners and girl's nights. I am glad we are the last to leave. It gave us the time to spend time with our friends. I was afraid to pack up the kitchen because we don't have the money to eat out everyday but thanks to some great friends I packed up the kitchen a few days ago and we have been well fed. I love you guys!
We missed saying goodbye to a few people but no biggie...we will see them again.

The next chapter begins...spending time with my best friends in AZ especially my sister and Jackie. I have really missed them. I am so glad they came to Cory's graduation even though my sister got hit on the head and got a concussion.
Looking to the future...but never forgetting the past.
One Lucky L

Graduation

2010-05-19T03:59:00.001-07:00

Cory did it! the day has come and he is now Dr. Cory Thompson...but he hates when we call him that.
We were so lucky to have so many of our family and friends make it to Pittsburgh to celebrate this day with us.
This is a shot of everyone except Jackie...the photographer and my sister Angie.

Doesn't he look handsome, even if he is making fun of everything. He couldn't wait to go home and change and just have a BBQ with our friends and family. No pomp or circumstance in this man.
It was totally fun having everyone here...even when it was hectic it was fun.
Now comes the sad part...saying good bye to the friends we have made here in Pittsburgh...I will miss them.
One L

2010-05-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

We had the chance to go to the Science Center with our good friends and we spent most of our time at the sports building.

Rock climbing was fun.

But the went on the roller coaster simulator...and that was their favorite activity.
My favorite was the submarine...it never ceases to amaze me the things the men and women of the military suffer to keep us all safe...thank you!
One L

Bucket List

2010-05-08T04:47:00.000-07:00

We are moving in less than a month and I have to resign myself to the fact I am not going to see the beach or take the girls to Disney World or go inside the Washington Temple or visit NY or see the Liberty Bell in Philli or go to Hershy or go to a Pens game or spend a Sat morning at the Strip or see Amish country or ride the incline...I have wasted so much time being cheap.
I tell myself that once we are settled and have a good portion of student loans under control we can come back and do all that stuff without guilt for spending money we don't have! Seriously...I am sorry I didn't make Cory do all these things even if we had to borrow extra money and be in debt FOREVER. I don't know if we will ever do any of the things I wanted to do...can you really ever go back?
I know I will visit Pittsburgh again...I have some friends here I am not willing to forget. Also there is Giovanni's...is he my Italian love interest? No but I do feel a warm and fuzzy feeling every time I walk into his place. The best Italian food made by a Greek person in the whole world. I will dream about his pizza and sandwiches for the rest of my life.
On a happier note graduation is next Saturday and my sister Caroline and Cory's mom and my friend Jackie are flying here from AZ and we are so excited to have them. My parents are driving down from Canada on Saturday for the festivities as well. I love having company...I really do! I am especially excited to have my sister come...it has been so hard being so far away from someone you love...and we have always been close in heart but now we can actually look forward to dinners together and swappin kids and girl's nights out and weekends scrapping and family up the kazoo. That thought makes me happy. I need my family (that includes Cory's family) around...I think it is medicine for the soul.
I am sad to leave PA on some levels but to be honest I am deeply overjoyed to be going home. I don't get attached to places so much because we moved so many times when I was growing up but I do get attached to people...but that is what facebook and blogging and cell phones and plane rides are for...seeing people you love.
I love my AZ friends and I love my PA friends and now it is time to switch places.
Later dudes
One AZ bound L

Phew!

2010-04-16T04:03:00.000-07:00

I guess it is all pretty much done except for the doing.
The house is sold and the inspection is done and we are good to go.
Cory passed all his boards...I am so proud.
Cory has only a few more restorations and he will be done at Pitt. He says he could be signed out of everything in the next 2 weeks.
Cory found a job in Tuscon and it looks like we will be moving there this summer.
We have been looking at houses to rent in northern Tuscon and found quite a few that we really like.
Now we just sit back and let life unfold. It has been so hectic and nerve racking around here I am not sure we remember how to just sit back and relax. We better figure it out though...Cory will be out of school by the end of April and have little to nothing to do until he starts work July 21st. We have to be out of our house by June 8th and we have not yet decided what we are doing.
Jonece is graduating 5th grade...I know it sounds crazy to be celebrating a fifth grade graduation...like who drops out in the 4th? But here in Dormont it is a big deal and they have so many fun activities planned. Since we had a week stuck in the house because of the storm they have added a week to the end of the year to make up the lost time. Well that would mean school it extended until June 15th. We have a week where we will be homeless. Cory says it is poetic...we started here homeless in a hotel for over a week and we could end our adventure in PA in a hotel.
Even if we stay for an extra week in a hotel...we still have over a month until Cory starts work in Tuscon. I have decided to see this time as an opportunity to do a bunch of fun family things...like maybe a nice vacation on the beach. Visit some family and super cool friends that feel like family. I just have to figure out what to do with all our stuff.
After all is said and done and we are settled in our new home and ward and state I think only then can I truly relax.
It is exciting to start this new adventure...we all look forward to no longer being poor...though Cory reminds me that we have a mountain of student loans to conquer...I think it will be better than this for sure.
Love to all
Can't wait to see all of you on a regular basis back in AZ.
Smooshes to all
One relieved L

Now The Real Fun Begins

2010-03-27T15:31:00.001-07:00

The house is under contract after one short day on the market...we have a closing date of June 8th...now Cory has to find a job.
These last few months it has been my job to get the house ready to sell and stage it and clean it and show it. Now my job is done and I can sit back and let go...everything is out of my hands now. Cory has job interviews that I know he will ace. He has a few things left to finish by the end of April in order to graduate on time. All the pressure lies squarely on his shoulders now and to be honest I am OK with that.
I want to move back to AZ but really...the world will not end if we have to spend a few years in Nevada or Texas. Its all up to Cory now.
Once Cory gets a job then I have to spring back into action and find a place to live. If he gets one of the jobs in AZ I know I will have lots of help in finding a rental...and eventually a house to buy. Then I will have the daunting task of buying some furniture and shopping for stuff...and you all know how much I hate shopping...NOT.
Life is good today
I hope you are all well and now that I am no longer under the gun I will have time for more fun things...like keeping in touch with my friends.
love you all
One content L

Time flies

2010-03-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

Now that I am under the gun to get the house ready to show and finish all those last minute projects time is just flying by!
There are so many things I haven't done that I wanted to do here in PA and time is running out. I have scratched so many things off my bucket list because of money...like taking the girls to Disney World. But I would still love to take them to the beach...there are so many nice ones in North and South Carolina...that is doable.
New York is still a possibility but again it depends on money...I hate that!
I have been so focused on getting out of the burgh...I forgot one thing...I can't take my friends here with me. I will miss so many people here...and no amount of sunshine will make that go away.
I have focused on the things I will not miss, like the roads, the Mexican food, the weather, the drivers, the parking and did I mention I will not miss driving here in any form?
I forgot all the things I love...I love my friends...I love my house...I love my neighbors...I love the food, I love my calling, I love Cory's calling and having the Missionaries over all the time. Its all so sad.
Why can't I have everything?
Why did I grow to love so many people here...haven't I learned how much it hurts to leave knowing you will never live there again? I tried to keep everyone at arms length...but dang it they slowly crept into my heart with their cute babies and big hearts. Some have left me already but now I am doing the leaving. Its so hard to keep in touch with everyone!
I hate you for making me love you! Now I will have to come back and visit...and endure more long distance friendships.
I am not crying...I am not crying.
I have to go blow my nose.
Love to all
One sad L

Boards

2010-02-18T08:39:00.001-08:00

I am taking this opportunity to do a little venting...so please forgive me or just stop reading.
Dental School sucks! Or at least this one does. They make it so hard to graduate and on some levels hope for failure. "
In order to graduate you must complete a certain number of each procedure and that makes total sense. But the school gets in the way of the students when they are trying to finish all their requirements. They have all these hoops you must jump through and a simple procedure can take days. Their prices are not discounted very much so who in their right mind would want to have dental work done for the same price by a student that requires 2 visits of at least 3 hours when they can go to a dentist and get everything done in one hour?
Boards just pisses me off so much I am almost shaking...it is just so poorly organized. Each student pays thousands of dollars to take practical boards which requires 3 parts (so sometimes 3 different patients). It is the student's responsibility to find the patients and make sure they show up. So what happens if your patient doesn't show up...you are SOL! Not only do you FAIL that portion but you have to pay to retake them. Who has an extra 2 grand hanging around?
Cory's patients all showed up and he will find out on Monday how he did but others were not so lucky...it just makes me sick! How can you force someone to come? They all get their work done for free and everybody pays their patients 50 to 200 buck to ensure attendance...so they have done everything they can to encourage their people to show up...but sometimes they don't. The student has zero time to find a back-up and they fail. Does that sound fair on any level?
After today Cory has the written part of boards to do and that is over 3 or 4 days in March. Cory is almost done with his requirements so he is on target to be done by graduation in May...so I am not freaking out for him I am just mad that you pay soooo much to go to dental school and you would think for all that money the school would have your back. You would think they would bend over backwards to help their students succeed. Nope! What do you do? Who can you complain to? Will any of these students ever give the university endowments?...will we? Over my dead body!
Thanks for letting me vent...I feel better already.
Say a prayer for Cory that he passes his boards...both written and practical.
Thanks
One venting L

The Joys of Pittsburgh

2010-02-11T07:07:00.000-08:00

Firstly, I sincerely apologize for praying for a final snowy winter so the girls could have fun memories of sledding and building snowman. I should know better...be careful what you ask for...you just might get it!
The girls are having so much fun in the snow. They are trying to dig out an igloo in one of the snow banks made by shoveling the snow off the sidewalk and driveway!
It is fun to watch them in the snow, brings back memories of when I was young...all those years ago! But they have been off school all week and I am ready for them to go back! They have been getting along soooo well I really can't complain...it is just me, I have to get back into my schedule or no laundry will get done.

Cory has had the pleasure of shoveling all this lovely white stuff but the street took forever! Dormont was just not prepared to have 2 feet of snow in such a short period of time and where do you put it? It was crazy!
More snow and more time together as a family and less housework done...that is the story of our week! No complaints...we never lost power for any length of time and we had groceries.
I hope everyone is staying warm.
Love and snowflakes
One L

Happy Goundhogs Day

2010-02-03T06:51:00.000-08:00

What have I been doing this past month you ask...blogging? no....cleaning my house? a little...keeping my dog company on the couch? yes...making jewelry? not so much...making anything? not so much. Since my workroom has been moved to the basement I am subject to the weather...when its cold outside its freezing in my basement.

I did close my booth at the craft store and have an abundance of things to sell. I was thinking of having a little half price/clearance sale at my house...not to make any money but just get my investment out.
Jonece had a band concert at school and I am having trouble uploading the video but to be honest you are not missing much...the trumpets were right in front of us and that is all you can hear.
Just the girls...I don't know what I did right to have these little ladies in my life...they are pretty amazing.
We painted the master bedroom and the computer room with a little help from the missionaries ( OK alot of help,,,OK so they totally did all of it! don't judge me)...I would show pictures except the amoire didn't survive and I have clothes that still need reassignment. I love the color. Sage green.
That stupid groundhog says we have 6 more weeks of winter and I am SOOOO done already! I hope he was snacking on some mushrooms and made a mistake. I need spring to come soon.
I apologize for being a lame blogger.
love you all
One Lame L

A New Year

2010-01-14T09:44:00.001-08:00

I know I prayed for a snowy winter so the girls could sled and make snow angels...we were up to 12 days in a row with snow. I constantly remind myself to be careful what I pray for...because I usually get it! The snow is light and we really don't have that much accumulation in other words it is not packing snow. Cory has taken the girls sledding a couple of times and they have loved it. I have been sick with a cold that settled in my chest and I missed all the fun. But to be honest I wasn't that heart broken. I love watching the girls have fun but it has been so cold that it would have been chilly standing there watching.
Look at those rosy cheeks!

If you are following our count down to graduation...I have a sad reminder from "he who is responsible for us being here in the first place". Just because he graduates in May doesn't mean he can start working then or we can move then. I am not sure how it all works...Cory has tried to explain to me certification and which states accept what...but all I hear is blah blah blah we can't go home yet. He has applied for a few jobs in AZ, Nevada and Texas...say prayers that he gets an excellent offer around the valley! Right now he has an interview in Tuscon...kinda far from Gilbert but better than Texas!
Dreaming of AZ sunshine and all my friends and family there!
Love
One Chilly L

blah blah blah

2009-12-27T22:18:00.000-08:00

Does that sound a little like Scrooge? I meant it more like the same old same old. I get up I cook, I clean, I drive somewhere for someone...you know what I mean.
I usually wait until something interesting happens or I have something of value to say before I post to my blog but lately I think facebook is the venue most of my friends prefer to communicate on.
But then again I use my blog like a journal that I hope will be around long after I am gone and my children can read it and remember our journeys. So I write...for them.
Our Christmas was sweet...quietly meaningful if that makes any sense. The girls had quite a few presents under the tree...mostly clothes and little things but they were excited to open each and every one of them. We tried hard to focus on the Savior and His life but it is not as easy as it sounds. So many things distract me and I do love to shop.
We have had the Missionaries over a bunch this holiday and it is really adding a cool spirit...a warm and fuzzy feeling having those amazing young men in my home...and they think I am all that and a bag of chips when I make homemade rolls for them!
The year 2010 is right around the corner and I have no resolutions to speak of. Except maybe to resolve to not have any resolutions.
I like having Cory home but the girls tend to pick at each other when they are around each other 24 hours a day...day in and day out...it doesn't help that most of their friends are out of town. So they are sentenced to play with each other. This would normally be fine except Dene hates video games and gaming is Jonece's favorite passtime. So Dene does her best to disrupt Jonece when she is playing and this only causes unhappiness all around.
I really missed seeing Greg and Chris this holiday but I keep telling myself that next year we will be in a position to either drive to see them or fly if needs be. My sister has been going through a really tough time these last few weeks and I feel like a bull at a dairy...useless. I can't help her and it sucks.
Well we have an entire week before every one goes back to school and I have a few fun things planned to make some memories. I hope it snows (I know who thought I would ever say that!) so we can get in some sledding.
I hope everyone is having a great holiday and my friends hurry up and get home...I miss you guys!
One Blah L

Last Christmas in the Burgh

2009-12-06T05:26:00.000-08:00

I am trying to really enjoy this winter...I said trying. Part of that is looking at things in a different way...realizing that this will be the last of so many things. Some are sad...some are not but all are held in a positive light. It was sad to realize that it was the last time I will witness the leaves changing color here...and not so sad to realize we watched our last first snowfall! Our last first slide on an icy brick road...our last first scraping of the car...all these things make me see the bright side of things. This new attitude (and the meds) are making this winter season my best so far.
I am sad that Christmas will be without family and our friends that feel like family but this is our last holiday with just the four us and that makes it super special. I am determined to make it memorable for all of us. Cory is off school for a bit and even though he will be studying for Boards we will fill the break with fun family times. Since this might be our last snowy winter we are making sure we go sledding often. The building of snowmen and snow angels are on the itinerary as well as hot apple cider and the occasional snow ball fight.
I am grateful for all my friends and family who have loved me over the distance and the new friends I have made here in PA.
Have a great holiday everyone...and know I am thinking of you!
Love and smooshes
One winter lovin L

Beware the Sleep-over

2009-11-22T06:09:00.001-08:00

They look innocent enough...don't they??? Well guess what...they are not!!!! And they are not afraid of me...the crazy eyes and the quietly menacing voice? No effect! Have I lost my touch? Have I lost my credibility? These little girls ran amuck until 2:00am and Cory and I were powerless. So what have we learned? Never have sleepovers! Never more Never more!
Well the early part of the evening was great we stamped canvas bags (thanks Keri for the idea), decorated a matte in a picture frame for Dene, colored a wooden girl, and made jewelry.
We also made ice cream cone cupcakes and the girls decorated them...but the highlight was the trick candles. I told them that you count how many blows it takes to blow out your candle and any more than one means you have that many boyfriends. Thank goodness these girls still think boys are yucky so they were mortified that their candles kept reigniting!
Dene had two favorite parts of her birthday celebration...the first was getting an ipod from Daddy and the second was the Oreo Blast cake from Dairy Queen.
Why is it my children prefer store bought cakes and cookies from my home made ones? Are the rest of you guys lying to me? Are store bought ones better than mine? My world has been shaken these last few days...no one is afraid of me and maybe I am not the baker I thought I was.
Well I must go and rethink my reality.
Love you all]
One lost L

Deep Thoughts

2009-11-15T13:40:00.001-08:00

The first thing I thought about when I wrote this title was those funny cards I used to read at the car wash in AZ. You know the ones...with something like...If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.
I miss going to the car wash...we have washed our car probably 6 times the three and a half years we have lived in PA. Has cleanliness dropped on our list of priorities? No, it is mostly the rain...sun inspires one to wash the car...so do hot days. Those are not in abundance in Pittsburgh. I am not bashing Pittsburgh...I really have come to love so many things here, it is just a fact. I really can't complain about the weather lately we are having a wonderful fall with crisp evenings and mornings sandwiching warm and sunny afternoons. A perfect combination if you ask me!
As for my deep thoughts I have decided to delete most of that part of my post...but let me just say the future is right around the corner and I am freaking out on some levels. I am excited to start a new chapter in our lives that does not include food stamps...but I don't want our family to change...I don't want my girls to grow up and be materialistic and shallow. I don't want my family to get so busy doing things that we no longer just do fun cheap things at home. I know there is a balance...I just hope the girls grow up to be down to earth and well rounded.
Enough of the deep thoughts...
Super Saturday is done...and I have vowed to let others teach for a few years. My sister is so funny...she said when I moved back to AZ I should tell everyone I am not crafty and we can be closet crafters...sneaking around buying supplies and working in a hidden room... selling our wares over the internet under different names...she is so funny!
On a completely different note...our little family is sick...the flu...I hope not the swine flu...but we will see. Cory is the sickest...chills, aches etc. Lets hope we all have excellent immune systems and have mild symptoms and recover quickly. I must make chicken soup...and along with the Zycam and other homemade remedies we will prevail!
Later friends
One L

Cluttered Mind?

2009-11-05T10:09:00.001-08:00

I have been busy making jewelry...mostly filling orders that I had put off and put off until it was do or die. But I must admit that I do my best work when I am under the gun! I will post individual pictures of my stuff on my other blog.
This is a look into my creative mind...Scary isn't it!! I like to be able to see all my beads so I have to splay them out over the table leaving me absolutely no room to actually work. It looks completely unorganized but in my mind it all makes sense.

The girls had a fun Halloween, Dene was a beautiful vampire while Jonece relented on the Greek Statue and settled for a Confessor of sorts (If you don't watch The Legend of the Seeker you won't know what that is). They raked in a ton of candy and Cory has been in his glory raiding it whenever he wants. I am so glad that chocolate holds no lure for me...now if they had collected freshly baked rolls...I would have eaten them all!
Later friends
Love
One L

Long Time No Blog

2009-10-31T06:06:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since I updated my blog and I really get after my friends and family when they slack off so I am making an effort to keep up this blog.
We have been busy this past month and I will give you it in a nutshell.
The girls had their parent luncheons at school and I brought them their favorite lunches and later we got to play outside and they both beat me at tetherball (I don't know how to spell it).
My missionary who knocked on my door and brought the gospel into my life when I was 28 years old, came for a visit with his son. I had a hard time calling him Greg...he will always be Elder Harris to me! He hasn't changed...the years have been kind...he didn't say the same thing about me.
My son Chris came for a visit and it was delicious! I just love having him around! It makes me happy to see his face. His choice of sweatshirt on the other hand made me nervous (they were all rival hockey teams)
The girls got sealants and Chris and I took them to the Dental School. It was a little long but having Chris there made it fun.
I had some jewelry in my purse and sold some to the nice ladies that work in the pediatric department. Pa-ching!
I forgot to take pictures of the fall leaves and they are pretty much gone now...it was pretty but you will have to take my word for it.
This is our year of lasts...our last fall here in the Burgh...our last time firing up the boiler...our last year of school for everyone...last Super Saturday here etc.
Today is Halloween so I will take pictures and post again soon.
Love you all
One Slacker L

Capital Trip

2009-09-21T09:31:00.001-07:00

We went to Washington DC last weekend and it was quite the experience. The no parking thing made me a little crazy for a bit but eventually I got over it and enjoyed walking 6 miles around DC with my sweet family especially the little girl who complained the entire time about her sore feet!!

Eating was expensive but fun...we had to walk everywhere so by the end of the day we settled for something close to the hotel, and for once in my life I wasn't in the mood for Chinese!
Some things we had to do a driveby because of some marathon going on and the roads were closed and after one day of marathon walking I wasn't up to it again the next morning.
The Lincoln Memorial was the one thing I was super excited to see...it was just as magnificent in person. I especially enjoyed the quotes on either side of the statue.

But Cory and my favorite site was the World War memorial...we cried...so many lives given to keep the world free...the quotes were so moving.
The girl's favorite part was spending time with daddy...especially when he whacked them with the hotel pillows!
Here are the girls at the beginning of our tour of the city looking pretty happy and excited to see all the sites. Unfortunately we picked the weekend when there was a march re: Taxes...so it was a bit tense at times with people with bull horns yelling stuff at the White House...but I was impressed everyone used appropriate language and they were all polite and well behaved. Now that is my kind of protester! I get all uncomfortable when protesters get in your face and you think if they knew you didn't agree with them they might hurt you.
The museums were great...Cory loved the air and space one the most. The girls love the natural history one mostly because of the gems...they just love all the shiny jewels! Its all about the bling!
This a picture of the girls just before we left for home...they were sooooo done!

Of course any trip to Washington would be incomplete without seeing the Temple...magnificent!
Well that is our trip in a big nutshell!
Love
One L

Too Busy

2009-09-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

That's a lie...I really haven't been too busy to update my blog...to be honest I got a new camera and couldn't figure out how to take the SD card out. That makes me sound kind of stupid. Truth hurts sometimes!
Cory finally showed me how to even locate the card...in my defense it was in with the batteries...what the heck is with that?
So now I have the daunting task of updating about a dozen fun things that have happened!

We went to a baseball game Pirates and the Cardinals...Pittsburgh lost but Cory said that was no surprise. We had yummy food and really enjoyed the fireworks after!

We went back to school shoe shopping...who doesn't love shoe shopping??

Back to school...ahhh the joy... the bliss... the no more day care of it all!!!! Need I say more?
We had fondue night...let me just say...AWESOME!!!!! Good friends good food that is what life is all about!

We went to Kennywood and fun was had by all...I am pleased to announce that both my daughters have inherited my love of rides that scare the crap out of you and make you throw up!
Dene was sad because she was too short to ride a bunch of the freaky rides but she went on the Pitt Fall with her dad because mom was a little too scared for this one. Its the ride that takes you straight up and then drops you like a rock all in about 2 seconds!
We really did have a super day!Last but not least we spent Labor Day with friends...Kelly was crazy enough to invite everyone to her house...btw her house is so amazing...they moved the staircase and it looks so beautiful!
Thats all for now
One happy L

Life's Most Embarrassing Moment

2009-08-19T07:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Cory had just come home and I had been slaving in the kitchen and was soaked with sweat...I lifted my shirt to show my husband my sweat drenched underclothing and as I was standing there with my shirt up I saw a young man with a black and white name tag with his hand raised ready to knock on our glass screen door...the look on his face totally meant he saw...I don't I will ever be able to live this down. Cory will never let me forget!
Still no pictures because my sweet husband left the camera in Washington...our friends said they will mail it but that could a while so bear with me and the pictureless posts!
One flashing L

Look at my other blog!

2009-08-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

Alteredartbyonel.blogspot.com is the address and there is a link up in the left hand corner of my blog...I am going to show off some of the crafts I made and do some "step by step how to's"
I am having a FHE board giveaway. Check it out!
One generous L

Half way

2009-08-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

One week down and one week to go! I have survived many things this past week...no dishwasher...dish network malfunction...computer malfunction...food poisoning (I did it to myself)...thus horrible puking for hours on end...dead rat in the back yard...dropped my cell phone in the pool...sunburn...not to mention just a few!
On the bright side I have I have had many prayers answered...and no one is injured. Also I have had some fun times...playing at the pool with the girls and some friends.
Dinner with Radene and her fun crew (baby Lynea is precious) also watched the "So You Think You Can Dance" finale with Rachelle. I am so glad the girl won that I wanted to win (sorry I suck at remembering names).
The girls and I have had so many fun times together...especially when I am without daycare kids...we eat when we are hungry and just do whatever we want. We have the car and could go anywhere but we stay home most of the time.
I really like my girls...they are pretty cool for their age. Jonece is actually pretty witty and Dene is just a hoot. I guess if I had to spend 2 weeks without Cory again (which I think I might move heaven and earth to make sure we all go) I think we could survive.
That being said we still have another week to go. I pray everynight that we will all be safe and nothing else breaks til Cory gets home!
I have been creating up a storm but Cory took the camera so no pictures...sorry.
If you have nothin to do...call and come hang with us!!
Smooshes
One L

Abandoned

2009-08-02T18:24:00.000-07:00

My husband has left for 2 weeks to play dentist in Washington State...he left this morning and I am already missing him.
Normally I might try to see the positive...like lots of girl time but I have my daycare kids 4 days this week and 5 next!
When I am sad I go shopping and buy shoes...but alas money is scarce til the end of the month!
Then there is the cooking thing...I cook to make Cory happy...the girls would prefer chicken nuggets and raman noodles. So, no shopping...no cooking...no fun girl days...sleeping alone in a creaky old house...these are a few of my not so favorite things. (can you hear the music?)
On the bright side I set up shop at Handmade in America on Saturday and if anything sells I could actually get a paycheck in early Sept.
Cory took the camera with him so I can't take any pictures of the fun things I made...maybe when he gets back.
Well I guess I will just sit here in my puddle of self pity and splash around for a few minutes and then I have to pull it together because I have 5 kids tomorrow!
Pray for me!
One singular L

I Love Raccoon Creek

2009-07-23T19:23:00.001-07:00

I really love going camping here in PA...so does Cookie! We have gone a few times and taken the dog and she has done so well I think we will take her from now on. She didn't bark at night at all the raccoons in the camp site and there was no whining...except a little from me...I constantly felt icky...like no matter how many times I brushed my teeth I felt I had grime all over me.
We stayed 2 nights and maybe that is too long to go without a shower especially if you go swimming in the lake!

We had great weather and a great site...we just missed friends. OK I know I am not a big fan of huge groups going camping together...but I really love it when we go with just one or two other families!

For the girls it is all about the food...I wonder where they get that from? Here is one of their favorite camping treats...The S'more! Special thanks goes out to Bryant Low for his uber cool method of melting the chocolate...it is yummy!
Cory is by far the best marshmallow roaster in the entire world...I am not exaggerating...it is a science and he has mastered it. One taste of his lightly toasted melted wonder and you would all agree!
Love and fireflies
One L

"How To" Blog

2009-07-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

I have started another blog alteredartbyoneL.blogspot.com to showcase my crafts and have the occasional...or maybe...often... step by step...with pictures...how to make some of the crafts I show!
Look forward to my first craft in the next few days.
I really do miss teaching at the scrapbook store...I miss the fun people and all the lovely paper!
I will have a give away for the month of Aug...a FHE board...with tags!
Stay tuned
One L

Selling Out

2009-07-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

I have decided to take my wares to "Handmade In America" and rent a little space and sell my stuff...well I have spoken to the lady who owns the store and we are ironing out the kinks so hopefully I will be selling my stuff at that store!
She already has jewelry so she may not let me sell my bracelets and earrings there but she totally wants my boxes and stars.
Here are pictures of some of the stuff I have been working on lately.

the cost of renting space and then the 14% commission they get I will have to pump up my prices! Have no fear I will still do things for friends at a discount!
Wish me luck!
One Entrepreneurial L

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-05T05:40:00.000-07:00

In the past I have tried to take pictures of fireworks and of course they never turn out...somehow it always turns out looking like a space shot of the milky way. So when I forgot the camera I thought "no big deal" well I was wrong!
We went to the Bushman's house for a BBQ and after the sun went down they have a perfect view of the Mount Lebanon fireworks display from the comfort of their enormous backyard! We had so much fun...yes, even Cory had fun at a ward activity...I wish I had turned around and grabbed the camera.
Since there is no evidence that Cory did indeed go...and he had fun...you will all have to go on trust. Cory socialized, played frizbee and resisted the urge to "discipline" some little boys who will remain nameless (to protect the guilty).
Never in a million years would I invite the ward to my lovely home and let all those children run amuck, I must say there is a special place in Heaven for people like that!
The girls ran around and Dene loved on the babies...they could go to ward functions every day and life would be just blissful for them! I think they miss school, well the running around with other kids part of school...not so much the day to day homework part to school.
The fireworks were pretty good...the last part was impressive. We came home and the girls showered and we all hit the sack and crashed...now that's a sign of a good time!
Let me just finish my saying that I am glad I am raising my children in the USA. The freedoms they enjoy and the opportunities they have are unique to the States and I am grateful to the men and women who have fought to provide this future for them. I pray the United States of America will remain the land of the free and the home of the brave...forever!
Love and sparklers,
One L

2009-06-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

I took the girls to see the dentist (daddy) (as Cory would say "that's Dr. Daddy") and they both passed with flying colors even though the xrays were painful!

It looks like Cory is thinning out on top and let me assure all of you that is not true...I know I cut his hair and let me say it is as full as ever!
The girls were brave and well behaved and everyone at the school was super nice...I met a bunch of super cool ladies and a fellow scrapbooker...what are the odds?
Neither of them need any cavities filled but Cory is checking into getting...I can't remember what is is called...but its like a coating on the teeth to prevent cavities. It might not be covered so it is just a maybe at this point.
That is all for now
love and stuff
One L

Cory's Day

2009-06-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

What can you get for a hard working, loving father when you have no money? Make him a homemade card with his favorite chocolate bars and candy...he loved it!

We invited Radene, Justin and their boys over for a Saturday father's day celebration filled with lots of food and special treats.

Of course they had to sing...made me cry but Cory held up just fine. How can anyone have that song sung to them and not break down into tears I don't know.

All in all we had a great day on Saturday and spoiled Cory...Sunday we tried to make it a little quieter and more relaxing so we celebrated alone and Cory had turkey...it was a great weekend.

We called our fathers and pondered on how blessed we are to have our fathers.

I hope all the fathers out there felt the love!

One blessed L

More Projects

2009-06-20T07:04:00.000-07:00

I have been busy making bracelets and earrings and I have sold a bunch...I wish I had taken pictures because I really loved some of them and can't remember exactly how they looked.

I am obsessed with brown rignt now and as I go I seem to be using bigger and bigger beads!

It is hard to see the detail but this blue one really sparkles...every once and a while I stray from the brown and make one with some other color in it!

I finished these letters for a friend and though I swore I wouldn't do these anymore I couldn't resist a girly "chatterbox" (paper manufacturer) name!

I am really happy how these turned out...especially the K.

This bead is acutally a nut shell...very chic...I actually made it with someone in mind but she hasn't come over to pick a bracelet yet...Libby...I made a few that I thought you might like but sold 3 of them last week...hurry girl!

Last but not least this is my favorite bracelet I have ever made...the beads are way more expensive that the ones I usually buy but I really liked the color and shape so I bought them anyway! I usually sell my bracelets for 5 to 7 bucks but I won't part with this for less than 15!!! I put my favorites at a higher price so no one will buy them but all my other favs have sold so I am puttling this one way high!!!!

have a great day everyone!

One chic L

Camping Keystone

2009-06-20T06:52:00.000-07:00

We went camping with some friends from Dental school and the Armstrongs (new to the ward) and fishing in the lake was by far the favorite activity for all the kiddos. I can't believe the girls would rather fish than play with the fire!

Many a fish were caught and returned to the lake for future fun and recreation...hopefully they all survived hook removal.

Dene's favorite thing to do is play with the babies and they were in abundance in the campground! I wonder where they get their love of babies from?

I think when we have some money we have to invest in some fishing rods for the girls!

some of the fish were actually pretty big but usually just the perfect size for little kids to reel in!

Thats all for now,

smooshes

One smokey L

Piano Recital

2009-06-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

Both girls (mostly Jonece) were excited to show how much they have learned during this last year in Piano...Elasha is a wonderful teacher! I am not sure where Jonece gets her talent or drive I just know it is not from me. She will practice without being asked unlike Dene who reacts like I am asking her to stick a needle in her eye.

Dene's is a faster version of the piece...Dene is not that much into performing...she just wanted to get it over with! Yikes I just ended a sentence in a preposition! My father would be so dissappointed.

I love my girls!

One lucky L

And Who is the Lucky Winner(s)?

2009-06-07T07:39:00.000-07:00

Libby Jones and Nancy Martinez
Congratulations to both of you...I decided to have 2 winners.
Nancy I will mail a cute bracelet and earring set and I know your wrist size!
Libby you will have to come over and choose your own...I have several different sizes and styles to choose from.
Thanks everyone who came for Cafe Rio lunch...someone left their Hummer.
Let me know if you have misplaced your toy.
Love
One spicy L

Mishmash and Giveaway

2009-05-31T17:56:00.000-07:00

First my son Chris whose hair was the longest of all my children cut off all his gorgeous locks!

I will miss his long hair but I do wish he would trim up that beard!!! He says he is just too lazy and hates to shave...but come on what would the men in our lives say if we used that excuse...I know Cory would never look at me the same just knowing I could braid my underarm hair...yikes that even sounds nasty.

We went to a little BBQ and look at how big Oakley is getting!! All bundled up in the snuggly blanket her mommy made for her!

Here is a shot of Rachelle and cute little Landon...ok maybe "little" might be pushing it...he looks like he can carry his mom soon...he is such a tall boy!

Dene is being tossed around and loving every minute of it! Dave will be throwing his own daughter around soon...in a fun loving way ofcourse!

MY NEWEST OBSESSION

I have been making jewery like a crazy person and loving every minute of it! I give them to my friend Mandi and she sells them...its a win win relationship.

I have noticed I am enjoying the bulky beads and the double and triple strand bracelets moreso than the single strands.

Seriously...it is so fun to make these things I just wish the beads and findings were cheaper.

So the giveaway is...leave a post and the winner will recieve a prize...to be announced.

You must be fast...drawing will be Friday June 5th at 9:00 am.

If you live far away I will mail it to you.

Smooshes and good luck!

One crafty L

Trip to AZ

2009-05-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

First and most importantly we attended Greg's wedding...and let me just say it was lovely. I am so glad Sarah's family was on the ball and organized everything because it went off like clockwork. I know when it comes my turn to plan and organize a wedding I will be freaking out but Sarah's mom was so together.
In N out is always a treat...my favorite hamburger in all of the United States of America...I like 5 Guys fries more but I just love In N Out burgers!
My son Chris was there and doesn't he look dapper? Jonece and Dene were lovely little flower girls...except they started to bicker about the rose petals half way up the aisle.
This is my son Greg and his wife Sarah and my sister Caroline (not Caroling...sorry sis) at the rehearsal dinner...it was catered by Texas Road House!
Lastly, for this post anyway are the two cutest flower girls in the history of weddings...OK I might be a bit bias...they did a great job and loved being a part of it all!
stay tuned for the next post which includes Chris chopping off his long hair and giving his luscious pony tail to Locks of Love...and of course some friends and family we hung out with after the wedding.
We are still suffering from jet lag and all we want to do is go to sleep!
later dudes
One L

A Week to Remember

2009-05-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

This week if filled with stuff!!

My friend Elise had her sweet baby girl on the 9th...a c-section after a long hard labor...those are so cruel!
My last Enrichment as enrichment leader is this Tues night...I am a Sunday School teacher for the 17/18 year olds!!!
We are flying out to AZ Thursday night...we don't land until 11:00pm...and Gecko Grill will not be open...bummer!
So many of my sweet friends are moving this week! I will miss them... but mostly their babies (that are not babies anymore)
My son gets married on Saturday...I wish I was more excited...but the thought of spending Friday and Saturday with my ex husband is less than thrilling. I am trying very hard to focus on the positives.
I will get to see my sister Caroling and all her sweet kiddos, and ofcourse all of Cory's family.
My sister Angie is flying in for the wedding so I will get to spend some time with her too!
We stay till Tuesday so I hope to see a few of my friends as well...so many friends so little time!
Jonece and Dene are in the wedding as flower girls...they look angelic in their dresses.
My baby boy...my 22 year old boy...is getting married and he is so happy and excited...what more could a mother ask for?
I will get to eat some decent Mexican food!
These are some of the positives I will focus on...and when we get back I have absolutely nothing in the calendar for weeks and weeks and weeks!
So I will have to plan some fun/free summer activities so I can stress about something because what the heck would I do without a full plate of responsibilities and events?
I have the cutest pictures to post but will wait until next time.
One stressed out L

No pictures

2009-05-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

I feel so lame posting without a picture...I am not naive enough to think that anyone wants to hear my spews of verbage. I know its all about the pictures! I was even thinking about faking some pictures re: my week thus far because I didn't take any...why you ask? I really hate my camera! Its old and the pictures almost never turn out. It might be that I suck as a photographer...but I am trying to convince myself that a better camera would solve all my problems. This summer I have Mother's Day, my 11year anniversary, and my birthday so maybe I can coax Cory into getting me a new camera for all three combined. I won't hold my breath...summer is such a poor (financially) time. The people who say money can't buy happiness are ususally rich! I think money can't make you happy if you are generally a miserable person...or money can't make you feel loved and important...or money can't bring peace and joy into your life...but who do they think they are kidding...money can buy stuff and stuff can bring happiness!!
This week has been a fun one...it ended on a happy note...Radene's shower. Everything went easy and turned out cute...if I do say so myself! I loved my little party favors...candy in a bag in a little pretty paper fold over purse thingy tied with ribbon. I am thinking ahead to future birthday parties and stuff. I will have to take a picture of her invites and the favors for all my friends who didn't get to see them in person...still pictures are generally easier for me than the others...involving people and light and all that crap!
Greg's wedding is just 2 weeks away and we are leaving for AZ on the 14th and I am excited to see my family and friends!
I finally found a dress for the wedding! my neighbor brought over 2 formal dresses she wore to her children's weddings and said I could have them! Thank you Heavenly Father...I just couldn't find one I liked at a price I could pay and I love the dress from my neighbor and it was free! I will remind Cory that I got the dress for free when I bring up the new camera again...he he he...always thinking.
I feel very blessed this week I have a wonderful family that I love to pieces and so many good friends that bless my life everyday...and it's Stake Conference tomorrow (usually that means attendance is optional for us) but we are excited to go!
We will be done by noon and I am making a turkey for dinner...Cory's favorite...I have to start early buttering him up for the camera and nothing works better than turkey!
love and all that jazz my friends and sorry for the lack of photos.
One sweet L

Sleepover

2009-04-19T05:07:00.001-07:00

Jonece had her birthday party/spa night/sleepover on Friday night and all I can say is whew! Seven little girls for 16 hours... it was an experience! Cory reached his maximum girl level before 8 and went and hid in our bedroom for the night. In some ways I am so glad because if he had of been there for some of the conversations I think he might have blown a gasket. some of these girls are 9 going on 20, maybe it is because they have older sisters but I don't remember any of my friends being boy crazy at 9 or 10 years old.
We had pizza and cake and ice cream and then we did our toes.

I don't think I could ever do pedicures for a living but it sure is funny how people start telling you their whole life story the minute you start rubbing their feet. I have decided that Jonece is not allowed to play at certain girls houses anymore...I know that makes me judgemental but hey isn't that my job? If a little girl (10years old) told you she had been at boy/girl parties and played 7 minutes of heaven wouldn't you think maybe she is a little too "hoochy" for your liking?
All in all the night was a success, Jonece finally had a slumber party and even thiough there was drama drama drama throughout the night she had a blast. Saturday night we all went to bed early and fell asleep before our heads hit the pillow.
That is all for now
love and smooshes
One L

Class pet?

2009-04-08T17:54:00.001-07:00

What has the world come to when the class pet is a huge stuffed Mickey? I remember when I was young our class room has a small pet...fish...turtle...mouse...all real and all alive and each student would have the opportunity to care for the animal over holidays and long weekends. Well Dene had the opportunity to "take care of" her class pet which is a stuffed Mickey Mouse. Is it just me or is that kind of lame?
We are such a weird bunch...Dene took him outside for some fun on the swings and he sat at his own seat during dinner. Cory kept yelling at Mickey to stop staring at him...and Dene would try and turn his head but it would always end up staring at Cory. Dene put on his jammies and snuggled up for the night. One might say my family has a great imaginations...or maybe we are just a bunch of weirdos. I am opting for the great imaginations!
We have a semi busy weekend ahead...the girls are off Thurs and Fri but Cory doesn't get a minute off. I have girl's night at my house and we are making bracelets and I am excited. Saturday we are having our Easter dinner...Sundays are too hectic with Church at 1:00 so we thought Saturday might be a better choice.
Jonece's birthday is the 17th and she wants to have a sleepover birthday party and I have relented and said YES! I know I will regret this but I love that little girl and she wants it sooooo bad how could I say no? I have her invitations to do and another baby shower to plan for the beginning of May. Life is fun.
Later my friends
One L

100 cupcakes

2009-03-28T18:16:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I didn't take a picture...I have been such a loser lately. I had my camera with me today and didn't take any pictures...none of the cupcakes, baby shower or the birthday party. My friend Mandi has 2 boys who share a birthday so she combines their party and has a huge one. She rented the Dormont Borough building and invited 75 kids. Jonece and Dene were included because they are good friends with the boys sister...instead of buying a gift I offered to make the cupcakes! How hard could it be? Well next time I am buying a gift!!! It took me forever to bake 100 cupcakes...and ofcourse I couldn't make them all the same. Why do I have to make everything harder than it has to be? I had to make special cupcakes for the grown ups and some white with white frosting and some white with chocolate frosting...some chocolate with white frosting and some chocolate with chocolate frosting...some funfetti...not to mention some with sprinkles some with none. The grownup ones had a mascapone and chocolate chip filling with strawberrys on top.
Well I had a fun time at the shower...even though I had to leave early to make it to the birthday party!
The birthday party was a zoo! All those little boys running around getting all sweaty. It smelled pretty ripe after only an hour. They had a dodge ball tournament with the kids against the grown ups and I sat it out (they may have been little 10 and 8 year old boys but they scared me) Cory was in his glory!!! What is it in men that they have to win? You should have seen these grown men pegging off those little kids with balls flying at record speeds. The kids way out numbered the grown ups but I only saw little kids crying with huge red patches on their faces and bodies! It was like they were out for blood!
I am glad I am a woman...and glad I can let the kids win and my whole world doesn't crash around me!
Sorry for the lapse in posting...I will take some pictures soon!
One L

Spring Forward?

2009-03-09T04:30:00.000-07:00

I have yet another reason to love AZ and wish I was there...daylight savings time! When they say spring forward it sounds almost fun...until you have to get up at 545 instead of 645. I don't mind going to bed earlier or eating an hour earlier but it takes me forever to adjust my internal clock to wake up so early. The only good thing about daylight savings time is the fall back part...I love getting that extra hour in the morning...I still wake up at the same time I just have an extra hour to get the girls to school and start the day. I wonder why AZ doesn't do daylight savings?
On a separate note my life is winding down somewhat...the baby shower was great...and the presents I made for the bridal shower turned out great...I always forget to take pictures of my finished products. Now I just have Enrichment on Tuesday and it is easy going for weeks.
The sun has actually come out to play on a few days and I feel my spirits lifting every time. It is raining today but there are four days of sun in the ten day forecast so I am not complaining.
Greg and Sarah's wedding is coming up in May and we got the girl's their flower girls dresses at Burlington Coat Factory. We have our flights booked but I still haven't found a dress I love yet.
The girls are excited about the whole wedding thing and looking forward to visiting AZ again so soon. I must admit I am looking forward to seeing everyone again...especially those I missed seeing at Christmas (Nancy)!
Well I better run...its Monday and I have a ton of things to do!
Love to everyone!
One L

Bad Timing

2009-03-02T17:31:00.000-08:00

The forecast said we were going to have 10 consecutive days of sunshine and I thought it was time to stop my Seasonal Affect Disorder medicine but alas I was wrong!
Cory was still finishing up midterms and I had a stressful week ahead...what was I thinking?
Coming up in the next next week or so I have Elise's baby shower, Kelli's bridal shower, Enrichment, Girl's lunch, presents to make, parties to plan and no anti depressants and NO SUNSHINE!!! Did I mention it is colder than a well diggers butt?
I seriously feel sorry for my family...they have had the "not so stable" Michele and the "over reactive" Michele. Poor Jonece spilled water on the floor and didn't clean it up or let anyone know and I blew a gasket...I almost made her cry...I have apologized.
Cory keeps asking why I seem mad...because I hate the cold dreary winter!!! Did I mention I have had a sinus headache for 3 months?
So if I seem a little out of sorts or less than enthusiastic I promise I will be better soon...how long can winter last anyway? I guess one shouldn't say things like that...it might make winter go right through to May!
If it wasn't such a pain taking a pill everyday I would just stay on the meds year round...I could never be a decent drug addict...I would always forget to take them, or forget to buy them.
Here's hoping we get some warm sunny days soon or Cory might start spiking my OJ!
Smooshes
One postal L

Random Photos

2009-02-18T18:29:00.000-08:00

These are some of the cards exchanged in our little card club...it is so fun to sit around and talk about making cards! One can never have enough birthday cards!
Breakfast on Valentines Day! Can you feel the love?
Pittsburgh Steeler fans...a breed unto themselves. Yes that is a charm hanging from a hole drilled into her nail!
This is a picture I took of the tree in our backyard...and no it is not a black and white...that is just the color of my world for 5 or 6 months of the year!
Jonece had a concert and I am so impressed at how good she is getting at the flute! She is so talented! I am in awe of those with musical talent...partly because I missed that bus!
That concludes my random photo show...I hope you enjoyed it.
Smooshes and sunshine
One sepia L

Valentines Day

2009-02-14T05:31:00.001-08:00

What can I say? I love this man!
Seriously, he is all that and a bag of chips.
I feel loved and appreciated...what more could a girl ask for?
We have been married for over 10 years and they have been the best!
We are really blessed that we get along so well...even his quirks are lovable.
We almost never disagree and Cory has never said a mean thing to me or me to him...ever!
He never complains about my shopping or the bags of craft supplies that I clearly don't need!
This Valentines day I celebrate love!
I am lucky I love so many people...my husband...my children...my family...my friends!
Thank you everyone for coming into my world and bringing even more love into my life!
I hope everyone feels loved this day!
One L

Boring Winter

2009-02-08T06:27:00.000-08:00

Though I find winter to be long and boring I seem to be running around a ton...except when the roads are treacherous. But sometimes you head out and all of a sudden the weather takes a turn. You enter the store and the sun is shinning...well maybe not shinning but you can see bits of blue in the sky now and then...but when you leave the store there is a raging blizzard going on outside. The weather here can be a little bipolar! One day it is -23 (wind chill) and the next 40 degrees! What is with that?
Also I would like to know how much schooling you need to become a meteorologist? I am thinking it is a weekend course and "not what you know but who you know" kind of job, because where else would you get paid for being wrong most of the time. Well maybe not in AZ...they seem to be right 95% of the time, hot and sunny baby!!! They are wrong here all the time...like a dusting of snow could mean a full blown storm or nothing at all. Every day there seems to be a chance of rain...talk about covering your butt!
All this complaining you would think the last few days have been horrible here in PA but it is the opposite...we are having great sunny warm weather! The constant change wreaks havoc on my sinuses and I seem to have another infection brewing! I hate going to bed with a sinus headache and waking up in the middle of the night and it is still there and still there in the morning. Sudafed/Tylenol Sinus and I are best friends and if they need any statistics I could offer them the fact that I have taken over a hundred this winter and I appear to have no side affects! The only stuff that works has that chemical that you can make meth from and I have to show my drivers license every time I buy it and I feel like a criminal...I know they are thinking who needs this much medicine...she must be making meth in her kitchen! Yikes! So I send Cory most of the time! Seriously I try to make it last longer so I don't have to get more too soon. I am just afraid that they will show up at my house looking for a meth lab! I know that is silly.
I appear to be in the mood to rant...and this time it has nothing to do with PA drivers!
I guess I should go and get everyone ready for the day.
Love and sunshine everyone!
One L

One

Happy Birthday Caroline!!!

2009-01-24T19:36:00.000-08:00

This is my sister Care (with Greg)...whom I love to death! She is turning 34 on the 28th of January and I just think the world of her! She is crafty, artistically talented, an awesome cook, a patient loving mother, a hardworking wife, a wonderful sister, a great friend, and an example for all who are blessed to have her in their lives.
Since having babies we have struggled with our weight...she is doing this thing...from the couch to 5K. I am so proud of her...I hate running but she is on her treadmill and running outside and she is going to be able to run a 5K!!! I am so proud of her. Way to go Care!
I was older when Caroline was born and I decided that my parents were less than adequate so I decided I would raise her...I was 11 going on 30. So I rocked her to sleep every night and took her for walks to the mall. We shared a room and I would pull her crib over to my bed so she could hold my finger and fall asleep. I walked her to school (Kindergarten) everyday and made her blueberry pancakes on the weekends. I hugged her and kissed her and told her I loved her almost everyday...I thought I was doing her a favor but it was me who got the prize. She was so sweet and I enjoyed spending time with her. When I went away to college she would come and spend weekends with me at the dorm. When my boys were born she was the only one who came over to help...she was so great with Greg. so I got the prize of a sister who is also a best friend.
I know I am lucky to have her in my life and I hope she has a great week...Happy birthday sista!
Love ya
One sappy L

Oh Happy Day

2009-01-14T17:25:00.001-08:00

After our latest trip to AZ Cory has finally conceded that AZ is the place to call home. This is a picture of Cory with his sister and younger brother (he has 5 older ones). It is kinda funny how things have changed here...I have found some pretty awesome friends here in PA and though I still miss my bestest friends in AZ I am finally carving out a social life that resembles the one I had back home in Gilbert. Don't fret my friends I have no intention of staying here! But Cory is really missing his brothers and sisters...now that we have been away for almost 3 years he now knows there is no place like home...and home is family!
I used to think I would have a hard time keeping in touch with the new friends I have made here but now I realize that is just not who I am...I don't love (deep friendship love) easily so when I make the leap it is forever! I truly love my friends and though I suck at mailing letters and packages I am pretty good at the ocassional call and semi frequent texts.
I miss my sister...seeing her at Christmas was bitter sweet...the more we see eachother the harder it is to say goodbye! Spending time with old friends makes me happy and sad too. But life is so fun in that we have opportunities to grow and make new friends.
The weather is horrid but I am in good spirits...must be the anti-depressants!! (Or maybe the recent head injury) Or maybe it was all that glorious sunshine I soaked up in AZ...my seasonal affect disorder is barely noticeable.
Well Cory is happy to return to AZ in 16 months (if he can find a job there) and I am possitively giddy! I know I told Cory I was moving back to AZ with or without him...but I really would have missed him. So we are all on the same page and life is good!
I hope everyone is all snuggly warm!
Love to you my friends!
One L

Another Reason to Dislike Winter

2009-01-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I got a call from the school at around 11:00 informing me that Jonece had puked in class and needed to be picked up. Normally this would not be a problem but Cory and the rest of us had slept in (we are still partially on AZ time) and I told Cory to take the girls to school and take the car. So I called a few friends to ask if they could help me out but to no avail. I went to my neighbor's house to ask them if I could get a ride but everyone was afraid to drive in the ice. I slipped and slid all over the place hoping Cory would answer my calls but he was with a patient. While crossing the road I slipped and cracked my head on the brick road. Well at least that is what I assume happened since I couldn't really remember anything except crawling on the sidewalk and then I was lying on my living room floor crying. Not just sniffling but sobbing uncontrollably. I couldn't remember how to use my phone and I was dizzy and heaving, I was a mess. I called Rachelle and asked her to call Tyson but it took me forever to remember his name. Then by some Divine intervention my friend who is a nurse called and before you know it I was on my way to the ER and had a CT scan and contrary to popular opinion my brain is normal. I have a concussion and I feel so silly. I know I acted weird but they say it was probably the head injury (at least that is the story I am sticking to) I could barely speak between my sobs and I know I kinda freaked out Rachelle and Mandi not to mention Cory when he finally called me back. I very much hate the snow and ice. I hate crying infront of other people.
Jonece was picked up by my friend Terry, the one who owns the coffee shop...and she watched the girls till we got home from the hospital.
I feel stupid for getting hurt and everything but I know my Heavenly Father is aware of me and is blessing me with good friends and knows when I need him and sends help. I know I am getting better faster because of the prayers of my friends and family and I feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and its not because of the drugs.
I am off to bed...stay safe and watch out for those patches of ice that jump out from nowhere.
One cracked L

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

I got the best gift ever this year...I got to spend Christmas with all 4 of my children! This top picture is my eldest boy, Greg! Isn't he a good looking young man? I hadn't seen him since Christmas 2006! two years is a long time to wait in mother years!
Sometimes I think Greg looks a bit like Cory...I know they are not biologically related but he has been his dad since Greg was 11. My first baby is now 22 and getting married in May.

We spent Christmas day at Caroline's but opened presents at Grandma's house early in the morning. Santa found them in AZ just like I said he would and they were very happy with their digital cameras.
Greg joined us at Caroline's for the day and a fabulous dinner that I didn't have to cook!

Christmas Eve we spent with Cory's family and we did a nativity and Dene was Mary and Cory was Joseph. Jonece was the narrartor and Cory's nephew Mason was all three of the wise men. The rest of us were the audience and let me just say...it was marvelous!
We spent a few hours almost every day visiting Chris at his apartment...it had nothing to do with the fact that he has a Wii and Wii fit. The girls love spending time with their brothers...and their toys.
Cousins cousins and more cousins are a recipe for fun! How can anyone go through life without an extended family...it would be so sad. We are so grateful that we have so many cousins and they all get along...well not counting fights between siblings.
We spent time with friends and the girls never wanted to leave...either did I. I went with my good friends Amy and Michelle, along with Nicole, Sandy and my sista Caroline to see the movie Twilight! I LOVED it! I am glad I waited because their were no screaming teenagers and I got lost in the movie. They did such a good job casting, except for Jasper and Rosalee...even the actor who played Edward grew on me.
Last but not by any means least our little baby Dene got Baptized! She was so excited and all it took was one dunk. The confirmation prayer gave me goosebumps and I am so proud of her. She loves her scriptures and is very excited to participate in Achievement days.
What a whirlwind holiday! I loved soaking up the sun and I loved the big blue sky. I loved seeing the mountains and I didn't even mind when it rained. AZ is home and I miss everything and everyone that makes it what it is to us.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and if you made it to the end of this long post you are truly a friend!
Love and all that jazz
One L

Real Mexican Food At Last!

2008-12-27T17:26:00.000-08:00

We have had such a great time here in AZ and really don't want to go back to PA. I love spending time with my boys and cherish every moment they can spare. It is hard for me to remember that they have jobs and responsiblities and can't just take the day and hang with me. I have way too much to say and way too many photos to share but I can't seem to upload photos from my camera here at my in laws. We had Christmas Eve with Cory's family and Christmas day with my sister, Dene's baptism, and a ton of mexican restaurants that have made Cory so very happy! I will post more when we get home on Wednesday. I still have a ton of people to see here in AZ so I will be busy for the next few days!
Later dudes
One sunny L

Land of the Sun Here We Come!!!

2008-12-18T11:34:00.001-08:00

We are leaving in the morning to head home to AZ and let me just say yeehaw!! I can't say how excited I am to go to AZ and see my sons and family...and eat some good Mexican food and spend some time with my best friends!!! The sun is calling me home..and I am coming! They say it has been raining in AZ, I hope it stops before we get there! I have seen enough rain to last a lifetime. The dog is taken care of and we have friends who are willing to give us a ride to the airport...thank goodness someone leaves later than us (Dave & Elise you guys rock)! We have school age children and can never take off as early as the rest of the students so we usually become the airport shuttle service...we don't mind...better yet I usually offer Cory so...Cory doesn't mind!
I have nothing done in preparation and I am starting to feel the panic settling in...I am such a last minute girl!!!
Well I hope everyone has a Happy Christmas...I hope everyone is as lucky as we are and get to spend the holidays with family and friends.
Stay warm my PA friends and see you next year!
One soon to be sunny L

I was tagged

2008-12-08T08:37:00.000-08:00

It appears I was tagged on Amy O blog and I just recently found out because I check her blog on a weekly basis because she is a ....random blogger, especially now that she has become a facebook participant.
Here goes!

favorite show- House, The Hills, (Lets face it I am a sucker for any reality show), Heros, Army wives, Starter Wife and Lost when it is actually on!
favorite ice cream- Hagan Das sticky toffee pudding and HD chocolate peanutbutter.
favorite candy- Canadian licorice (black or red)
favorite cleaner- Magic freaking Eraser...its like...magic!!!
weird fact #1- I never keep anything crafty that I make...I constantly want to take it apart and redo it.
weird fact #2- My armpits never sweat...one thing of Secret could last a year or more.
weird fact #3- I love peanut M & M's but I only eat the candy coating and spit out the peanut.
fast food or homemade- homemade...especially when it is in someone else's home.
favorite holiday-Christmas...come on it is the season of giving!!!!
mac or pc-PC, I agree with Amy O. mac users are weird! (sorry Michelle)

Ok now I tag Kaylene, Radene and Brook

Happy Posting
One L

Happy Party Day

2008-12-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

Dene had her party today and let me just say I didn't have fun, but Dene said she did. It was a comedy of errors from the beginning and I am just glad it is over. It sounded like such a fun idea except none of these girls had the slightest idea what to do...well except for Dene and Jonece.
Maybe I expect too much...maybe I am not the ideal teacher for 8 year olds. Well lets just start with the topper of the day...my friend Mandi was going to be my helper since Cory and scrapbooking Never occur in the same sentence in anyone's reality. Mandi's husband is a fireman and just as she was getting ready to come to my place her husband got a call and he had to go...and so did my sanity. The thought of fourteen little girls with glue and scissors and only me was daunting, but I had to press on there was no alternative.
I was clear...double sided tape for paper and glue for the heavier stuff like chipboard. Did anyone pay attention...NO! Paper that looked like waves from the enormous amount of glue and chipboard pieces held down with tape. How does a huge puddle of glue come from being told to use tiny dots on the edges? How does put this aside until the end mean glue it to the front of the scrapbook now? Who would have thought that I would have to explain that double sided tape goes on the back of the photo not on the front? I quit...seriously I will never, I repeat never undertake anything like this ever ever again.
I felt like I was on a treadmill and it was going way to fast!
I was a recipe for disaster and I was more than a little frazzled with Cory out studying for finals. I should have been prepared for the chance that I had to do it alone. But regardless this was my last scrapbook birthday party I will ever do!
It feels good to vent and it even feels better knowing that none of the moms will ever read my blog! I don't want them to know what a huge failure I was. Dene's classmate's mothers think I am so crafty and I don't want to shatter the illusion.
On a positive note it is done and I won't have to plan another Birthday Party until April!
Now I just have to get through Enrichment on Tuesday and it is clear sailing all the way to AZ on the 19th! I am so excited...I can't wait to hug my boys and I haven't seen so many of my bestest friends in almost 2 years!!!!
I am off to bed to hopefully not have nightmares about the day and awake in the morning a nicer more loving person.
One L

Over Doing It?

2008-12-02T08:13:00.000-08:00

I know I am crafty but sometimes I think I go too far...Dene's birthday party invitations just might be one of those times.
She is having a Scrapalicious party where we will be making an 8 x 8 scrapbook so I made the invitation a little mini scrapbook!
I usually go all out and make homemade invites but I usually don't spend 10 to 15 hours on 12!
Well they are all done and sent off to school for distribution...no turning back now! I have these great ideas but then when it comes to actually doing it I ask myself "what was I thinking?" If all 12 kids say yes that means I will have 14 little girls making scrapbooks at my house! Yikes! Lets hope some kids are busy this Saturday!
Have a great day!
One overachieving L

Whew!!!!

2008-11-25T07:38:00.000-08:00

The weekend is over and all I can say is whew!. The craft show went well...my advent calendar was the first thing to go! They didn't even barter about the price! It kinda makes me sad to let it go...there was so much of me in it. I make a lot of crafts and give them away and never think twice about them but I will think of my cookie sheet advent calendar for a while. Or I might just have to make another one!
Super Saturday went well...I think. It is hard to judge when you are racing around trying hard to remember everything...and that is so not who I am! I should have been born blond (no offense intended). But I am such a scatter brain...always have been always will be! When I was little my father used to say I was "flaky". I don't think he was referring to my light and airy crust.
I have to say I was very impressed by the talented women who attended and have to admit I liked one of the ladies' stars even more so than mine. Great use of color and all that jazz. So many of the gals who signed up did an amazing job and I would put their creations up in my house in a heartbeat!
I know I was crazy to think I could take a couple of the other classes offered but I did try and managed to make a hairclip that was pretty darn cute. (thanks to the step by step hands on teaching of Melanie).
A special thanks to all those who helped...I couldn't do anything without you! I would be amiss if I didn't put a shout out there to my family...especially Cory. He has been so supportive and cut and sanded all 47 blocks! .He never complained about the neglected house or the craft purchases. Jonece and Dene were understanding about my need to get back into the scraproom and finish some project or organize something even when they wanted to go somewhere or have a friend over. I am truly blessed by the friends I have and the family that loves me inspite of my many flaws. I guess that is a nice way to prepare for this week...Thanksgiving is Thursday and it is a great time to remember how thankful I am.
Dene's birthday is Wednesday but we are postponing her party until next week to ensure all her friends can attend her "scrapilicious party" (they are making scrapbooks).
Now I just have to design her invitations and I already have a super cute idea forming in my head.
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone...eat Turkey and be thankful .
Love and smooshes
One Grateful L

And The Winner Is...

2008-11-21T12:53:00.000-08:00

AMY ATHERLY

Yeah!!!

I feel bad for those who didn't win...I might have something in my bag of tricks for everyone who posted! (Just let me get through this weekend first)

Amy I have so many to choose from...but I am leaving them at the Dormont Borough Rec Center for the craft fair in the morning. Call me and let me know which ones you want before 7:45 am.

Congratulations Amy (and you said you never win...liar liar pants on fire)

One Exhausted L

The cutest thing I have ever made!!!

2008-11-19T12:51:00.000-08:00

My sister sent me a link to a version of this advent calendar. I have changed a few things but I totally scraplifted the idea!

I made this Advent calendar for my craft show but it is so cute (and it took a long time) I am thinking I want 40 bucks for it or I'll just keep it!
The 25 little magnets took forever! But I really love the final look of it. I just have to get Cory to drill some holes so I can hang it with a super cute ribbon!
Only a little more than 24 hours until the drawing for the magnets! Good Luck everyone!
One L

Give Away!

2008-11-16T18:50:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the cute magnets I have made for the craft fair...I am not sure how much to charge for them. Some of them are more involved than others but they are all from stuff I have had for ages!
So now for the give away...for everyone who posts I will put their name in a hat and have one of the girls choose a name and that person will win any 2 magnets they want...so the deadline will be Thursday night by 10:00pm so the girls who went to NYC can have a chance.
For my friends in AZ I will bring your choice at Christmas...unless you need it right away and I could mail it off to you.
Good luck everyone!
One magnetic L

What have I Been Doing Lately?

2008-11-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

I have been trying to get a bunch of crafts done to sell at the 2 fairs I have coming up in the next few weeks! I have made 4 of these covered 8 x 8 scrapbooks all different themes and colors.
I made this accordian banner and I only have 2 of these done.
I have a bunch of blocks done but have to wait to see how many are paid for on Sunday and then I can use up the rest of them. So far I have JOY and CHRISTMAS.

I have a bunch of these stars and they are so cool...they are expensive but I think they will sell! At least I hope they do...or everyone is getting an altered star for Christmas!! I have been working on a ton of magnets...there are too many to photograph...I think I will post a few later in the weekend and have a little giveaway to start off the season of giving!
Have a great weekend,
One Crafty L

Guilty Pleasures

2008-11-08T17:58:00.000-08:00

I know we are poor...I try hard to be frugal. In most areas of my spending I give myself snaps for finding the best deals and getting a discount when I can.
But there are those things that I break down and buy and feel guilty because are a "want" not a "need".
I have been reviewing my guilty pleasures and have decided that I "need" them.

Pedicures
Colossal Olives stuffed with garlic.
Top of the line balsamic vinegar
Good olive oil.
Pistachios
fresh pineapple
unlimited text messaging on my cell phone.
Diamond glaze
good (expensive) shoes
good purses
KZion internet radio
On line shopping
Blogging

These are a few of my favorite things (raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens)
Right now I should be putting the girls to bed and working on some crafts for my upcoming show. But I sit here listing my guilty pleasures.
I am a little overwhelmed with my schedule this month...and I have been procrastinating!
Now I have gone and made myself feel bad because I am not doing what I should and the girls are being loud and Cory is trying to sleep!
Gotta go
Goodnight moon
One guilty L

Boo!

2008-11-03T08:35:00.001-08:00

The girls wanted to be Gypsies for Halloween so I bought obnoxious skirts from Good will and made the corsets. Add in a white shirt, some scarfs, jingle bells, and some gold jewelery and you have a pretty cute Gypsy!

They must have done something right...this is just part of the stash they raked in! Crazy isn't it? All that candy and I don't even like chocolate bars! A few months ago I threw away last years left over Halloween candy. This year I hope to have it gone by Christmas...how pray tell am I planning to do this without rotting out my children's teeth? Well it is simple...give it away! Cory brought some for his Sunday School class and he will do that a few more times and Dene's Birthday is right around the corner...can you say gift bags! And of course there is always girl's night...I know a few ladies out there who have a weakness for chocolate...you know who you are!
I am always surprised when other kids are finished with their candy so early...Dene and Jonece take forever!
I have been busy making costumes for Halloween and Jonece's Elise Island Day...she has to come in Colonial clothes...I made an apron and a bonnet! I will take pictures of her in it and post my sad attempt! But hey I am using my sewing machine...I give myself snaps for that!
Super Saturday, Dene's Birthday are sneaking up on me and I also have a craft show the same day as SS! My friend Mandi and I are selling our wares in hopes of paying for Christmas...wish me luck and pray people here want to buy my stuff...or else that is what everyone is getting for Christmas...including Cory and last time I checked he didn't want an altered star! When I get most of it done I will post some pictures of my wares!
Love you all
One crafty L

Sister's Visit/Wedding/Canada

2008-10-24T19:32:00.000-07:00

It has been a bit crazy around here but when I think about it...it is almost always crazy around here! My sister came from AZ with her 3 year old and her 1 year old and let me just say I am in awe of her! She is so patient and loving, and when you are dealing with 2 babies that are totally off their schedule it is a test for sure! I wish I was more like her on so many levels...she is strong and soft at the same time! We really didn't have much time just the two of us, the kiddos seem to demand our attention and no one really slept well...so late might talks were always interrupted. We tried to jam so many things into an 8 day visit.
We headed up to Canada for our cousin's wedding, and it was so much fun! I got to see so many of my cousins that I haven't seen for 10 years or more. It was a formal wedding at a golf and curling club and it was just beautiful. We didn't go to the church we just went to the reception. It would have been a long and unbearable day for the children so we had to choose only one of them. The bride and groom were breathtaking and the club was so nice. We sat down at our assigned table and the lights were dimmed and we saw these little treats on our table along with olives and other snacky things.
Well, they kinda looked like white chocolate shells so Cory popped one in his mouth and by the look on his face we knew it wasn't chocolate. As you may have guessed it was butter...little hard balls of butter...and Cory ate one whole! Yummy! Well we laughed all night long, not only at the butter boy but at the interesting people we are related to and the dates they choose to bring.
We seriously laughed so hard we had tears rolling down our faces.
It was fun to spend a night out with my husband...we even danced! My feet were killing me because I choose to go with the super cool/high shoes instead of the comfy lower heels...so I didn't dance as much as I would have liked.
It was nice to spend time with my sisters...we have to do it more often. I will post more pictures later...I am beat tonight.
Later my friends
One tired L

Pet Peeves

2008-10-13T17:11:00.000-07:00

I have noticed that I am not the kind, patient person I once was, if I ever was! Things get on my nerves and I find I get peeved at the strangest things!
Here are some of my pet peeves today:
1. I get so angry at 4 way stops...it seems that no one understands the concept of he who was there first gets to go first! For crying out loud don't wave me through when you were first!!! It messes up the system. Seriously I want to follow them and give them a lesson on how 4 way stops work.
2. Pittsburgh lefts are illegal and dangerous and don't get mad at me when I go when the light is green!
3. Toenails that curve over the toe and make a clicking sound when they tap the ground need to be trimmed! (Or at least hide them in closed toe shoes!)
4. NO STARK WHITE SHOES AFTER LABOR DAY!!!!!!(off white and cream are OK) I have so many pet peeves when it comes to shoes...men who wear sneakers with a suit, wheelies, flip flops at church, open toed shoes and the toes overflow and rest on the ground.
5. If I am kind enough to hold the door for you...a simple thank you is required!
6. While dining out with my family or friends I am totally not interested in strangers conversations so when they talk loud enough for everyone to hear I want to slip them a note asking them to use their inside voices...but I resist!
7. If I give you a taste of my food at a restaurant it is written you must at least offer to give me a taste of yours. This was the test for all guys I dated and Cory passed with flying colors!
8. It makes me crazy when people park on the "no parking" side of the road...so if you have to go down the street you have to squeeze through, praying you don't scrape either car!
9. Gratuitous public displays of affections! Get a room!
10. Those people who think they are better than others...it is just not true!

It took me about 3 minutes to come up with 10 pet peeves! I guess that means I am either in a bad mood or I have many more than 10. I am betting that I am just not the kindest person on the block today!
I have to learn to be more accepting or stop driving and eating out!
Shopping for shoes always puts me in a better mood! My sister is coming for a visit tomorrow and that is just about the coolest thing that could ever happen! I miss her so much...friends are great but sisters are way special. She will be here for about a week and we are heading up to Toronto for a wedding...yeah!!!
As soon as I see her face I will instantly be in the best mood ever...until tomorrow then.
One peeved L

I am a loser

2008-09-29T15:42:00.001-07:00

It is always fun to hang out with friends and those that are enduring to the end...the end of dental school that is! What a unique lifestyle we all live, trying hard to keep it all together when the guys are so busy and stressed to the max for the first two years, trying to be supportive when all we want is a wife of our own to help us out. So any excuse to hang out and be there for each other is a life saver! Rachelle had a few fellow students over for a chili cook off and I have to say...I was by far the loser!
I knew my chili was mediocre at best but I didn't even get in the top five! I guess we can't all be good at everything. In my defense chili is not my thing. If we had a dessert category I would have won the blue ribbon for sure! (At least that is what I tell myself)

It is fun to watch my friends have babies and prepare for babies on the way...and it makes me so incredibly happy that I have older kids for sure! Those little people are so much work...it is amazing that anyone has more than one! I love smooshing those sweet babies and handing them back to mommy or daddy when they are less than happy. The best of both worlds...all the hugs and smiles...none of the work!
I am truly grateful that the girls love the little ones as much as I do and play with the babies so well. They will be rich by the time they are 16 and no longer want to spend Friday night babysitting.

I have dealt with the fact that I am a chili cook off loser but vow to have a cook off that is more up my alley...hey how about a Texas Sheet Cake cook off?
That is all for now my friends and family...till later I remain...
One loser L

Another Funeral

2008-09-14T06:23:00.000-07:00

Two days after my Uncle Brian's funeral my dad called to tell me my Uncle Aidan passed away early that morning. He was kicking cancer's butt but his heart couldn't take all the chemotherapy medicine and gave out Saturday morning. I will miss him.
Let me just share a few things about my Uncle Aidan. He was an extraordinary man in so many ways. Most of my father's brothers were a little on the hairy side but my Uncle Aidan had a hair sweater and I grew up thinking that this was normal. It wasn't until I was a teenager that I realized that having a hair sweater was not so cool. I still prefer a hairy chest to a bare chest but hairy shoulders... not so much. But my Uncle was always cool to me, and he was by far the funniest uncle in my entire family. He had the patience of Job and in all the years I have known him I never once saw him mad. He had the best laugh. Even when I talked to him from his hospital bed last year right after he had brain surgery he was cracking jokes and made me laugh. The world is a sadder place without him. But I am better for knowing him and loving him. With tears running down my face I ask myself why am I so sad? I know that this life isn't all there is and he is free of pain. I know he lived a life that was full of love and kindness therefore his reward in Heaven will be great. I cry because he won't be able to love and play with his grandchildren the way he was there for me when I was little and later for my boys. I cry because my girls never got to know him. My father has lost 2 of his baby brothers in a 2 week span...he is the eldest and not prepared for all of this. All in all he has lost 4 of his siblings, three brothers and a sister. I can't imagine losing one of my sisters.
This week has been very busy even in my world it would be considered crazy busy and I became a little like Scarlet O'Hara with pushing off those things I didn't want to deal with by saying I will deal with that tomorrow...tomorrow is another day. You know those days when you want to crawl back in bed and just curl up but your life won't let you do it, kids need to be fed and there are things that have to get done so you can't fall apart today, maybe tomorrow. Tomorrow has arrived and I will miss my uncles. My heart breaks for the families left behind trying to deal with the grief without the gospel. I have peace knowing Heavenly Father's plan and know that I will see them again and we will laugh again. Still I think I will crawl back in bed and cry for awhile.
One L

Feeling Medieval

2008-09-06T20:26:00.000-07:00

We went to the Renaisance Festival today and the girls had so much fun ...the rides were man powered but just as fun as a rollercoaster! The weather looked like it would rain but it stayed dry and cool!
This barrel was way fun! the guy would swing them way up and then start spinning them. At only 3 bucks a ride it was a steal...NOT! I was sitting there adding up how much money that ride raked in on the average day...at 12 to 15 dollars every 3-5 mins...it made me want to make this contraption in my back yard and charge a buck and I could make 50 bucks an hour!

This ride was less spectacular but the girls loved it...they spin the crow's nest up then let it go and they wind and unwind down the pole.
The girls enjoyed trying archery, and Cory was a patient teacher! Then we watched a few shows...some were inappropriate for the girls but most of that humor went right over their heads! We watched a hypnotist show that was too funny! The fire eater was cool and the jousting was just OK.
We went with the Murdocks but they are in none of my pictures! I think Cory and
Tyson's favorite thing was the turkey leg!
We came home and I put the last few finishing touches to Keri's baby shower invitations...then I got a sad call from my sister...my Uncle had passed away alone in his apartment and it took over a week before anyone found him. It is a sad story, a sad life, and a sad death.
I loved my Uncle Brian very much...when my dad told me I couldn't marry him when I grew up I consoled myself by saying that I would have to marry my Uncle Brian then...they didn't have the heart to tell me I couldn't marry him either! His life has been tragic for the last 5 or 6 years...and his death was not a surprise...just very sad.
If you have a moment say a prayer for my cousin Charlene and my dad...they are left with all the work and heartache. My sister and I are hopeful that my Uncle will find the gospel in the spirit world and plan to do his work in a year.
Hug for families...call those far away and let them know how much you love them.
Sorry to end on a sad note.
One L

Life Happens

2008-09-01T05:23:00.000-07:00

Cory's brother Scott came for a visit and he is an expert at concrete so they redid the driveway and sidewalk and all I can say is...it is beautiful!
We have been so busy these last few weeks trying to do all the things we wanted to do before school started for the girls...no such luck but we have been busy! We still have ticket to Kennywood but haven't gone yet...we haven't taken the girls on the Clipper and we didn't make it up to Canada this summer. Not to worry though, we can do all those things before September is over.
We spent a lot less time at the pool than I thought we would but still worth the 125.00 we paid for the summer pass. I think we had an unseasonably cool August because that pool was downright freezing half the time and I don't know how the girls even got in let alone stayed in until there lips were blue. They are little water bugs and they get that from me...I remember being so sad every time my parents made me get out of the water to eat or sleep.
The girls started back to school this week (Aug. 25th) and let me say we were all happy for school to resume. Jonece and Dene get along so well but by the end of the summer they were so not! They love their new teachers and classrooms and this year promises to be different but fun in its own right. Last year Dene had the sweetest teacher in the school and they really clicked. They shared a love of animals and this years teacher loves Micky Mouse. Jonece had a male teacher last year and this year her teacher is the wife of the superintendent of the Keystone Oaks school district and I am told she is tough but fair. She loves 4th grade already!

I have been busy with Enrichment and getting to know some of the new people that have moved into the ward this last month. We have 6 new dental students in our ward and Cory says there is a ton more in the other wards. One of Cory's brother's friends is here in our ward, he is going to medical school here at Pitt.
I have had a few over for lunch and they all seem so fun and I am sort of sad that I will have only 20 months and 3 weeks to get to know them better...OK my joy at heading home way overshadows my sadness but they all seem like super cool ladies and it would have been nice had they moved here 2 years ago!
That is all for now my friends!
Stay cool!
One L

Tagged re: Quirks

2008-08-19T17:34:00.000-07:00

My sister tagged me on her blog...and if you know Care I better do it or else!

The RULES
1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Post these rules.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them

Yikes this is harder than I thought.
I am not sure how to link people either.

1. I have a texture problem with food I don't like to mix them or better yet I don't like chunks...for example I don't like chunky peanut butter...I am never really sure if it is a peanut chunk or a bug. I can find and spit out even the tinniest chunk of anything.
2. I love peanut M&M's but I only like the shell and I throw away the peanut inside...it drives Cory and Amy O. crazy but alas it is the way I eat them!
3. I hate driving...I find it difficult to focus on driving and do anything else like talking, breathing or listening to the radio...if I have a friend with me I always make them drive...even if it is my car!
4. I always look at other people's shoes...and make assumptions about them...I know that it is wrong but no matter how hard I try I still have a trouble with people wearing white shoes after Labor Day!
5. I don't like to be talked to in the morning...if you ask me a simple question like what time is it I get horribly frustrated and have difficulty processing the question and the answer...so just leave me alone for a while!
6. I am superstitious when it comes to games/cards...like... I have to be red, I don't touch my cards until the dealer is finished and never I get cocky...or my luck will change and I will lose!

I will tag Amy O'Neil, Nancy M (I know you don't have a blog so just do it in my comment section), Melanie P., Radene, Emily L., and last but not least Elise.

Well I did it... all 6! So tonight I will think of better ones and I will want to edit this post.
That is all for tonight.
Love you all
One quirky L

Fun Birthday!

2008-08-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

OK Friday was my birthday and lets just say I am 39 and holding! I woke up late and remember Cory kissing me goodbye when it was still darker outside and whispering Happy Birthday in my ear. I was surprised by breakfast in bed by my two lovely daughters followed up with two hand made cards by the same sweet girls. I then found propped up on my computer screen a birthday card from Cory that made me cry.After Cory came home early he took me all the way to Butler to a huge scrapbook store that actually had stuff from this year! He even said I could go hog wild and get whatever I wanted...a dangerous thing to say to me! I was restrained only by my thoughts of going to AZ at Christmas time and wanted to spend my money at my favorite store...Devine memories of course! It was good to be around all that new stuff and pretty new papers...it's an addiction.
After the scrapbook store we headed to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and I had the T-bone and all I can say is yum! We tried to save room for dessert but we were all stuffed with food left on our plates...maybe we should have had only one basket of yummy rolls!
We left TRH and ran to the airport to get Cory's brother Scott...he is coming to do the concrete driveway that I have been dreaming about for the last 2 years. It is so great having talented family that takes time from their own family to come and help out a poor relation that has a sad and broken driveway.
After we got Scott we headed home and ended the day with a trip to Bruster's...and ice cream place that is extraordinary. I had 2 scoops! It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day.
That is all for now I will post pictures of the new and simply gorgeous driveway later,
One L

Ah Memories...

2008-07-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

I copied this from Libby's blog...what a fun idea!

1. As a comment on this post, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Post away
One L

Ten Years Ago Today

2008-07-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ten years ago today I married the love of my life and have spent the last ten years with my best friend. No one can make me laugh so hard I almost pee my pants like Cory can. No one can make me smile when all I want to do is cry except for Cory. When I think about what life would have been like had I not had the courage to date/marry a younger man I could just cry. I wouldn't have had these last 10 years of joy nor would I have the family I have. I am so grateful for the man I fell in love with, he has been the best husband in the world.
Can you believe that he has never yelled at me in anger? Not once...ever. Don't get me wrong I have ticked him off a ton of times but he never gets mean. I don't know what wonderful thing I did that he fell in love with me but how lucky am I?
In ten years my only complaint has been he forgets to empty the dishwasher... sometimes for days and he is less social than I would like but in the scheme of things I am the luckiest girl in the world! He never gets on my nerves...and I can't say that about anybody else. We could spend months together 24/7 and I still want to sit next to him and talk. I love my girls but I am so ready for them to get back to school!
He is honest to a fault and a true friend. He would spoil me rotten if I wasn't so cheap. He has never said no that I couldn't get something I wanted for me...but he has said no a 100 times when I have wanted to get something for the kids. It kind of makes it hard to get the rebel rush I used to get when I would secretly buy something...he wouldn't mind if I did so it takes the fun out of it sometimes.
He mocks my craft addictions but he never complains, even when I buy more paper. I just love this man!
I look forward to another 10 years knowing that we will continue to grow as a couple and as a family (grow metaphorically not in numbers). I especially look forward to his retirement when we can travel together and visit friends and children and spoil grandchildren together...ahhh that sounds like heaven on earth.Sorry for the poor photo quality my scanner wouldn't cooperate so I had to take pictures of my pictures.
Happy Ten year Anniversary to Cory...and me! (Cory almost never reads the blog)
One L

Palmyra Trip

2008-07-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

Jonece with the twins who had parts in the pageant...the girls were very impressed with the costumes.
A beautiful dragon fly in the Sacred Grove.
The three wise men who visited Jesus as a small boy.
This was at the opening of the show with the entire cast on stage...it is a little over whelming in person.

We went to the Palmyra pageant this summer and it was amazing. We got there mid day and did the whole Joseph Smith farm tour and walked through the Sacred Grove and we were all moved by the spirit of the place! We went into the recreation of the log home the Smith's lived in and the actual frame home is still there! It is humbling to walk were others who were so amazing walked.
Log home with a cool cellar that was dark and scary for the girls.
The Palmyra Temple is just beautiful...and so peaceful.
Cory and the girls waiting outside the visitor's center at the pageant.
Actual copy of a first edition Book of Mormon...before they separated it into chapters and verses...cool!
We had a great time staying in a hotel...they had a pool and the girls love to swim. I think if you asked them what was their favorite part of the vacation they would probably say swimming in the hotel pool. For me it was watching Cory's face as he experienced it all for the first time, the girls too but mostly Cory.
We decided to put off our camping trip this week off until next weekend because it was so hot here...I know those of you in AZ will call me a whiner but 92 with a 100% humidity is yucky! This weekend the temperatures will be in the low 80's so we might go then...we love to sit by the fire and roast marshmallows and just chill. Well that is all for today...we love you all!
One L
p.s. the ticker up in the left hand corner is how long we have before we head back to AZ!

Pookie's Visit

2008-07-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the girls and their Aunt Annette who they call nette pookers (its a family nickname she has had all her life) we were lunching at Pirmanti Bros. It is always fun to eat at a place they have featured on the food network. I love their sandwiches with the fries on them...but their pizza was a disappointment.
Here is a shot of the crew up on Mount Washington. It is the place we take every visitor...could it be because it is free and a nice place to take some photos. Below is a picture of the church right up on Mount Washington, I agree with Annette that the older buildings here are a beautiful sight.
Ofcourse we headed down to Station Square to see the fountains and low and behold a storm blew in...something we have gotten used to dealing with after 2 years here in the Burgh.
Wednesday we headed off to the Children's museum and the girls had a blast.

It was bitter sweet having family come for visit...it is so good to see a familiar loving face but so sad when it is time for them to leave...why can't they all just move here for the next 2 years. Cory's summer break is coming to a close too quickly for me...he goes back on the 21st! We still have a camping trip and a trip to Palmyra and maybe a quick visit to Canada. I will post pictures.
later dudes
One L

Ohiopyle

2008-07-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

We went to Ohiopyle last week and we had such a fun time picking a campsite and checking out the area. The video is the girls trying out the natural water slide. The water levels were very high and there was no way I was letting anyone I loved try the whole slide...it looked like a death slide. the bottom was fairly tame...or so I thought. Jonece went down and flew past Cory and he had to swim down and rescue her...it was scary. I promised Jonece I wouldn't post the movie of her being rescued, she was kind of embarrassed that she got into trouble. Cory was such a trooper, he never complained about anything. It was one of those days that I am reminded of why I love him so much.

Back a the campsite we got a hold of some good wood and had a nice big fire. We made smores again and the girls loved burning sticks in the fire. I was such a fire bug when I was little...who am I kidding I still am a fire bug...so it is not surprising that the girls are in love with fire. We sat by the fire for hours and we loved it!
This is the picture of the rapids that you can go rafting on...not us... until the girls are older.
Cookie was being spoiled rotten at the Derricks and even though we missed her she didn't miss us one little bit. Maybe one day she won't bark all night and we can take her with us.
That was our trip in a nutshell and now Pookie (Cory's sister Annette) is here for a visit. I will post some pictures of our visit later.
Love to all!
One L

Raccoon Creek

2008-06-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday... we decided at the spur of the moment to head out to Raccoon Creek to celebrate Cory's break from school. Thunderstorms are in the forecast for about a week so we took the last sunny day and hit the campground. We only stayed the two days and one night but I must say it was so much fun! The place was almost empty and when we drove in we saw deer in the campsites! I forgot so many things...I guess that is the price you pay for spur of the moment decisions. The raccoons visited us along with the deer and we made jiffy pop popcorn on the open fire. Of course we made s'mores and hot dogs on a stick...could camping be complete without these mainstays? We plan on going back asap...weather permitting. We are camping at Ohio pile(sp) next...friends are always welcome!
Here is a movie of us making popcorn...or better yet Cory burning his hands trying to make popcorn...well it worked and it was delicious!
later all
One L

Dene's Concert

2008-06-25T12:30:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post this for Luke...it is another movie of Dene's class singing.

An Event Filled Lunch

2008-06-19T12:38:00.000-07:00

We had such a good time going out to lunch with everyone...good food and good company (no kids)...what more could anyone ask for. Maybe a little drama? Well that is exactly what happened! We were still finishing up our lunches and the babysitter called...that in itself got my heart racing. The babysitter proceeds to tell me that a fawn...tiny little deer was stuck in/on my fence in the back yard. I didn't think too much of it until he said it was screaming...making a horrible crying sound that was upsetting the children. Well, those of you who know Dene know that she is a huge animal and baby lover and I could just see her having a break down. So we all ran out of the Cafe and hurried home to either rescue the deer or at least get the children away until someone could help. Reita called her husband to meet us there and that made me feel so much better. I called Cory and he felt useless...it would take him over an hour to get home.
My friend Mandi is a go to gal! She is a nurse (LPN) and had gloves in her truck. She put on the gloves and proceeded to the back yard to see what could be done. We didn't know if the fawn was impaled on the decorative fence or what so we were relieved to find out he was just stuck between rungs and his hips were too big to get through. Mandi saved the day and lifted the screaming deer up and released it back into the free world aka my neighborhood. I ran upstairs to get my camera but didn't make it out there in time. The kids were so happy that the deer was fine and everybody heaved a sigh of relief...what an exciting end to our nice peaceful lunch!
I really had a great time laughing with everyone...I think I laughed so hard I almost peed. We have to do that more often!
Sorry I have no pictures to go with the deer post...but at least I did think to take a picture...I was just too slow.
Later dudes
One L

School's Out for Summer!

2008-06-07T05:41:00.000-07:00

Phew! it is done...all the last minute projects and gifts for teachers...school functions and concerts! At least for a few months my life will be a little more sane. If you are looking for us this summer, look no further than the Dormont Pool! A bunch of my friends from school and I got a season pass and let me just say...fun! I bring a small cooler bag with drinks and a snack and the girls are off to play with one of the several friends at the pool and I never see them (well I keep them in sight re: drowning) but they are off playing the entire time we are at the pool and I sit with my friends and totally relax and laugh and try not to burn! They are all sun worshipers and I am a shade worshiper. Thank goodness for 80 sunscreen and hats, but if I keep this up I might even get a tan this summer...so look for the slightly yellow person in August and that would be me (I don't tan a nice bronze).
I am excited to go camping soon...our cheap version of a summer vacation! As soon as Cory is done with this summer thing (two weeks) then we will try and plan some fun activity once a week! Everyone is invited! We have a BBQ now (thanks to Tyson) so I am looking forward to having a few get-togethers in the old slanted back yard!
Enrichment is DONE! so I have some time off from my calling and that is a load off but in all honesty it was a snap this time with a huge enrichment committee...what a difference a few motivated women can make! I feel like I made some pork and showed up at a party and had a blast...I kinda feel guilty like I didn't do my share. I am used to doing so much more but my new committee just ran with it and did a superb job... I can take no credit for a successful night!
I will post some pictures of my befreckled little tanned girls later.
Love you all
One L

Ward Picnic

2008-05-26T20:16:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at the ward picnic! I took a bunch of pictures and thought that putting them into a movie would be the best way to show case all the fun and all the cool people! Jonece and Dene had a blast! They could have stayed forever. Those of you who know Cory know that getting him to go to ward parties is like asking him to give you a kidney...but he went, he socialized, he had fun and I was the one ready to go before anyone else. It was threatening to rain earlier but we were lucky and the weather was great! It was a well thought out and well orchestrated event and my hat goes off to Jana and her team!
Later all!
One L

So Many Things So Little Time

2008-05-20T18:17:00.000-07:00

Cory planted my garden! Lots of tomatoes and peppers and herbs. I can't wait for the first fresh tomatoes of the summer they are the best.

Dene had a concert this past week and I tried to record a song or two but she is way in the back and this amazon boy in a green shirt kept putting his arm in front of her cute face. Don't these people understand that she is the most important participant in our eyes and she should be front and center so we can take lots of cute pictures to share with everyone!
Let me just preface this movie with letting you know I didn't really know how to use the "video" aspect of our camera and couldn't figure out how to turn it off! Dene was wonderful...she spoke her part clearly and with attitude. She is by far my future star!

Feeling Cranky

2008-05-09T06:51:00.000-07:00

I don't know what is wrong with me this week but I have not been my usual jovial self. Cory keeps asking me what I want for Mother's Day and I never have an answer for him. Don't get me wrong there are soooo many things I would love to have, like a van, see my boys, see my sister, new desk, new cell phone that is text friendly, a trip to some place warm and sunny, scrapbook supplies, new shoes, a day at the spa with a really good massage, and of course world peace. Lets face it we have no money and it would be selfish of me to ask for anything right now so I say "just a card", when in my heart I know that's not completely true. Summer is a tough time for us.
Cory will be off in 7 short weeks and we want to go camping and see the sights this summer because lets face it we are only here of 1 more year 11 more months and some odd days before we head back to AZ. I think him having this past week off was cruel in a way because he was off for such a short time and finals were such a monster this semester. By the time he was back to his normal self the week was over.
So I am cranky, even though I have no right to be cranky when I have so many wonderful people and blessings in my life. I will try to focus on the good things in my life, like my family, my sweet friends, my house, my faith, my life in general.
The picture is an example of the craft I am doing with Jonece's 3rd grade class today. I am actually looking forward to it! The kids in her class are so fun and they are so appreciative.
That is all for today!
I remain;
One cranky L

School mug shots

2008-05-05T17:59:00.001-07:00

You wouldn't know it from the pictures but the girls suffered through curlers in their hair to have some curly locks! When they left for school their hair looked so curly but I guess they fell out by the time they took the pictures. Dene's picture is a true likeness but Jonece's eyes are about to blink...yikes! How can you tell your little girl her picture isn't worth $12.00? That's 12.00 a sheet my friends! I try to buy at least one copy of a school mug shot and a class picture but sometimes they are just not the best...and they never advertise when it is retake day...and how do you tell your angel that her picture isn't good enough so we have to retake it? They know this and manipulate us...making us buy pictures we can't afford and picture that are not that good. I vent...sorry. All in all I love my little girls and their cute little faces.
This has been a busy week/month/year, I can't believe I haven't had a major breakdown yet! I love Enrichment and I love activities but sometimes I get overwhelmed with my everyday life and when I add in a super Saturday and a trip and 2 birthdays and the newsletter and Brownies and ...well you get the idea. Something usually gets left by the wayside...my house and my hobbies! I have a ton of projects I have to finish for Mother's Day and for Teacher Appreciation Day yadda yadda yadda.
Enough of my whining, I had a blast on Saturday...the activity was so much fun and then the Cinco De Mayo party was too fun. Warning to the masses...never leave your camera behind at a Pitcher function or you may have a few surprise photos on your camera you know you never took!
Later
One pooped L

Forgot my Camera!

2008-04-29T05:07:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? We went to Canada, spent time with my mom, dad and my sister, Cory's birthday was celebrated up in Canada and I didn't bring my camera and have no pictures of all the fun things we did and saw. I should be stripped of my blogging privileges!
We had a nice relaxing vacation this time, we didn't stay as long as we planned but we did have a really nice time. I don't get to see my older sister very often and usually it is with a larger group, this time we spent time one on one and it was great. My sister Angie and I are closer in age but haven't been close most of our lives. I have always loved her and looked up to her and wanted to be close but we have always been so very different and it never happened. Our lives took such different paths that we went our separate ways and never looked back. I have always regretted that but accepted the reality that it might never change. We are still different but now I think that maybe one day we will be closer, maybe we can be more like sisters.
Cory's birthday was quiet...just like he prefers them. He hates it when I make a bid deal and the only time I have ever thought Cory was going to say something mean or back hand me was when I got them to sing Happy Birthday to him at a restaurant. I just don't get it! Who doesn't like being the center of attention for 5 minutes? For years I thought he was just being modest and didn't want to make a big fuss about his birthday but he hates it! One day I will throw him a huge surprise Birthday party and he will be mad but when I say it was more for me and the kids he will forgive me.
Later dudes!
One Canadian L