tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4842787007313115002024-03-13T10:22:11.232-05:00gray dazeLucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-22161847280118997282011-04-26T21:35:00.001-05:002011-04-28T20:34:27.599-05:00Junk Drawer no more!<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When I finally hit my breaking point and decided to <s>beat my family into submission</s> start the Great Organization of 2011 I wanted to take the house by storm and change everything before the end of April. When I woke up I knew that wasn't the best planning. This is going to be a big change for the kids and an even bigger change for my husband. If I try to do it all at once, or worse if I tried to do it all alone, I don't think it would stick.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I've spent the last year focused on losing weight. I've lost 60 pounds so far and see my goal within my reach. The hardest thing I've learned is slow and steady progress is the only way to lose the weight and keep it off. It's something I still struggle with daily. I'm all about The Biggest Loser numbers rather than 1 -2 pounds a week. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Along those lines, I took a few days to come up with a plan. Since we both work full time and commute almost an hour each way to work and our kids are both active in sports or scouts I knew I had to keep it reasonable. I decided I needed to start with storage spaces. The single biggest pet peeve in my kitchen is the "junk drawer". It's something I've not had in any other home, but we have so many drawers in this kitchen it seemed like a good idea. Six years ago anyway!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The funniest part about this project was the amount of "help" I had. Generally when I start to clean, all 3 of them run for the hills. When they heard me start going through the drawer my husband was instantly in there, followed closely by my daughter. I'm sure my husband was afraid I'd throw away a treasure if he wasn't there to claim it.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EvJRZ8kkRqHxOp0GN6Vp0CEy9YT3_TjcT8fbJE8wye4tWLPzT1OfeM_xDMq4nhiUiDKE0hnqyHHJa4W5HO3vpGrefAq_y2YHudft5yFmCpphzjSNoLcQ5NkqaUnVr-eEPCUuyuUsx6w/s1600/Easter+2011+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EvJRZ8kkRqHxOp0GN6Vp0CEy9YT3_TjcT8fbJE8wye4tWLPzT1OfeM_xDMq4nhiUiDKE0hnqyHHJa4W5HO3vpGrefAq_y2YHudft5yFmCpphzjSNoLcQ5NkqaUnVr-eEPCUuyuUsx6w/s400/Easter+2011+006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I'm not even sure that I was able to pull the drawer completely out. I had NO clue what all was hidden in here because I hated to even open the drawer!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Thanks to the help from my husband I made quick work of this. Much of it was junk and went straight into the garbage. At least 1/4 of it was screw drivers and tools that needed to go into the cave {aka the garage}. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_OvAmSkf-OtSVkcSKAhiJirFFk9q4HLwwcQaxcSOvLDqJczOdK3Kwj3J-WPg8kFI4qFlchqeKVqBAgivI32p-7dmGqdQm-En6J8H-S_M2ZXhVH3jEjrhyphenhyphen9TcPirQYsKZ2GBsoRfPscw/s1600/pencils+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_OvAmSkf-OtSVkcSKAhiJirFFk9q4HLwwcQaxcSOvLDqJczOdK3Kwj3J-WPg8kFI4qFlchqeKVqBAgivI32p-7dmGqdQm-En6J8H-S_M2ZXhVH3jEjrhyphenhyphen9TcPirQYsKZ2GBsoRfPscw/s400/pencils+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another 1/4 was pencils, pens and markers. Good grief! There were also 2 pencil sharpeners that none of us knew we had. Its always a struggle to get homework done because they can't find a sharpened pencil. A side project from this will be a Homework Box. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AHtoPbpwL-rFxzsszY-vypnIaoFoNfSItmR4sUm_Si-wx4v0Tv0IKPp7nGmIcUyYJJs21xLqW-_eHfUS-y5v7vd3lxYHH9M-8t8JCuJMTBlA6BDFcs6WLYCkT_0kSJA5YWWpzMssu1w/s1600/weird+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AHtoPbpwL-rFxzsszY-vypnIaoFoNfSItmR4sUm_Si-wx4v0Tv0IKPp7nGmIcUyYJJs21xLqW-_eHfUS-y5v7vd3lxYHH9M-8t8JCuJMTBlA6BDFcs6WLYCkT_0kSJA5YWWpzMssu1w/s400/weird+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I found at least 100 candles. How many birthday cakes will we need to have use all of those? (not all pictured haha). Anyone care for a glitter covered gum ball? </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttG2VlYjILjwpkYbgaSSz7yQxHRs5ZIERPEPwV7FrUGBYnoVQgTqtzwtO4lA7eqjIxXyUD1bZF6Ej5bAkg1NT37uzsN6XWXPS0lyiDRepLpGN4sGkQd4kdOqCJ2cYKrweISyvH4eCK0Q/s1600/odd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttG2VlYjILjwpkYbgaSSz7yQxHRs5ZIERPEPwV7FrUGBYnoVQgTqtzwtO4lA7eqjIxXyUD1bZF6Ej5bAkg1NT37uzsN6XWXPS0lyiDRepLpGN4sGkQd4kdOqCJ2cYKrweISyvH4eCK0Q/s400/odd.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There are no words.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">This is all that went back into the drawer. Actually it went in, they were crammed in a cabinet before. Everything else in the drawer went to its rightful home. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVzGqhEyu0slTVL09gVwywEHhJGkV1jIhA2FVbmZTtBdCLxbyXj9o2BhR1qxplsoj-2WqotoKcTFLyBTaOCTITncgYye8vVLd5YHlrCStDoZM-OMXSFhUmf8uB7LCRi8eiTdIyMmNHhw/s1600/after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVzGqhEyu0slTVL09gVwywEHhJGkV1jIhA2FVbmZTtBdCLxbyXj9o2BhR1qxplsoj-2WqotoKcTFLyBTaOCTITncgYye8vVLd5YHlrCStDoZM-OMXSFhUmf8uB7LCRi8eiTdIyMmNHhw/s400/after.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Do you have a junk drawer? Is it out of control? Or do you have organized chaos? </div>Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-29933331347306744112011-04-25T20:34:00.000-05:002011-04-25T20:34:58.735-05:00A mess 6 years in the makingI've always considered myself pretty organized. My mom used to say you could go in my room and not be able to find enough room on the floor to walk, but open up any drawer and it was nice and tidy. Even as a young adult if I needed something in my home I knew right where to look, and it was always there.<br />
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I married a man that could not be more opposite and proceeded to have two of his offspring that inherited that gene from him. We were both in our 30s when we married and combined two complete households. Each of us wanted to keep most of what we had, for one sentimental or logical reason or another. In the interest of peace keeping I tried to stop being so particular. With 2 young children and a teenager plus two full time jobs and no organization in place, no plan and no schedule we were living by the seat of our pants. This began a downward spiral that has left me with a home that I feel is out of control. <br />
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I pulled the family together and had a heart to heart. I can't do this alone and I know it won't happen over night but going to have to try and teach my children and husband how much more smoothly life is when you live more simply, how to plan ahead and live intentionally!<br />
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I've decided to blog about my progress. To keep myself accountable, share my inspiration and tips and gain ideas from other bloggers! I have so many ideas, my list is a mile long, but I hope the outcome is worth all the growing pains!<br />
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Have you had to completely retrain your family? Any advice you want to share??Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-50098954113279048792011-01-09T21:41:00.000-06:002011-01-09T21:41:27.314-06:00One Little Word 2011It's a new year and I can't be more glad. 2010 wasn't a great year around here. It wasn't bad really, nothing horrible happened but it wasn't great. I want us to look back at our lives and remember things being great, not remember how we just got by.<br />
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I struggle with wanting to be perfect. I want it done right and I want it done now. If I can't get it just so, then I just don't do it at all. This bury your head in the sand mentality has lead my whole family to a bit of a stagnant existence. <br />
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We are busy, we are always moving, but we are always reacting, not living with intention. I finally had a realization at some point in December that we can't change everything at once, but until we start making changes nothing will be as we want it. As such, my <a href="http://aliedwards.com/2011/01/one-little-word-2011-a-reading-of-the-words.html">One Little Word for 2011</a> is <b>Intentional</b>. <br />
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<h2 class="def-header" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.merriam-webster.com/styles/default/images/reference/hardrule-background.jpg); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; color: #7b7b7b; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding-right: 15px;">Definition of <em style="font-style: normal;">INTENTIONAL</em></span></h2><div class="sblk" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><div class="snum" style="color: black; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">1</div><div class="scnt" style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 20px; text-align: center;"><span class="ssens"><strong>:</strong> done by intention or design <strong>:</strong> <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intended" style="color: #2965c7; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant: small-caps; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">intended</a> <span class="vi"><<em>intentional</em> damage></span></span></div><div class="scnt" style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 20px; text-align: center;"><span class="ssens"><span class="vi"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="scnt" style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 20px; text-align: left;">My first step in setting our family up for success is getting organized. As a working mom with 2 young children I've spent years doing everything myself because it was easier. It also hasn't taught my kids how to clean up after themselves or how to help us out. This won't be an easy change, but I think we will all be better for it. Won't you join us?</div><div class="scnt" style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 20px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiCfi7hM_os76NBxPWa5GWC8tTcNaFv3JwdOP9ZfpI-gYBFPTCg4efYKyqTiVXr7zA3a6X7fJn8lw1AcgRADcyy20YtpEeqkbK7RSBNMK_aAqCGKkoRaijMCCtRk2nawIR9oe2zhYnVY/s1600/intentional+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiCfi7hM_os76NBxPWa5GWC8tTcNaFv3JwdOP9ZfpI-gYBFPTCg4efYKyqTiVXr7zA3a6X7fJn8lw1AcgRADcyy20YtpEeqkbK7RSBNMK_aAqCGKkoRaijMCCtRk2nawIR9oe2zhYnVY/s320/intentional+page.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="scnt" style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 20px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div>Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-76042833594370343912009-12-07T22:07:00.004-06:002009-12-07T22:18:31.539-06:00Candle light re-done<div style="text-align: left;">I've seen this idea several times lately, so when I pulled out the same tired pillar candles yesterday I knew right away what they needed. I told my husband 'I'm going to get my craft on!' and I'd like you to imagine his delight with me. It was similar to the delight I feel when he exclaims his excitement that yet another college football is on!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully I had everything on hand. You never know when an emergency may arise and you need a little Modge Podge and salt!</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOLOqNooJdImI6qC6w3kcDAjVKD5BBAXIav3HXYyx2aTu5uk9H5j9oe1QNsPEBYlQa7NWP17AtYW9pRAOHbnkkZHJG2Y7DugHfXJxyUvVh51EI_DppmTbC_Jt5g695AnW4Q4VDyGWjDA/s400/IMG_3670.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412713558235444978" /><div>I added the glue to the entire candle then rolled the candle in the salt. After it dried I hit the top to knock off the lose pieces. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YodSwtaEhVCawOqHgCMzGxKe_E4R7bzmlYznyPoery8cqmxSmCoXirF7-oQYPDrfuA-YhekBygnIdqKJJXJl6cL1wA__SQs6S5pJ3beeew0j9ARXBbPpwxPLe8_Nv2veT5ZSsUm4OJc/s1600-h/IMG_3671.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YodSwtaEhVCawOqHgCMzGxKe_E4R7bzmlYznyPoery8cqmxSmCoXirF7-oQYPDrfuA-YhekBygnIdqKJJXJl6cL1wA__SQs6S5pJ3beeew0j9ARXBbPpwxPLe8_Nv2veT5ZSsUm4OJc/s400/IMG_3671.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412714656995290962" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:monospace;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I think the red came out much prettier. I tried to color some salt red but food coloring turned the salt brown. I need to find a way to do that though, I have a fun idea for a 3 wick candle if I can figure out something other than plain white.</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj7idFd100_ZrYCKSwktEDxBtbmGB6lBH6UfWooemKkBNWKHGnAJ8P_xz2LW6dspa2pUcpWCOEK4eTYfOHPhNxMjfs43uenlaOfqGr9LQJlj0IzxzjIYBX8g3WQoWBIH8GUcOOQ52nL8/s1600-h/IMG_9324.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj7idFd100_ZrYCKSwktEDxBtbmGB6lBH6UfWooemKkBNWKHGnAJ8P_xz2LW6dspa2pUcpWCOEK4eTYfOHPhNxMjfs43uenlaOfqGr9LQJlj0IzxzjIYBX8g3WQoWBIH8GUcOOQ52nL8/s400/IMG_9324.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412713569405387266" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfu6Wf1Qn5vSwadNX5EvXI4czVuF1MQDiIi7W1BSIUeKjsohCohM7omA8s25ydnrq7YdFDJJPvZGuuU4-jRQJK3_cY7pu4KmcuKI2lc5lEp6NCeCCGFUDmcybJpzvDgK9xDON0a4AAw4/s1600-h/IMG_9327.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfu6Wf1Qn5vSwadNX5EvXI4czVuF1MQDiIi7W1BSIUeKjsohCohM7omA8s25ydnrq7YdFDJJPvZGuuU4-jRQJK3_cY7pu4KmcuKI2lc5lEp6NCeCCGFUDmcybJpzvDgK9xDON0a4AAw4/s400/IMG_9327.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412713578067639794" /></a>Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-42376304552665634642009-12-01T16:45:00.000-06:002009-12-01T16:49:34.741-06:00Advent Calendar<div>This is a repost, but since we get to start using this today I thought it was worth saying again!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also linking to <a href="http://asoftplace.net/2009/11/diy-day-with-the-north-pole-secretary/">Kimba's DIY day</a>! </div><div><br /></div>I saw many variations on this last Christmas so I finally took the plung and decided to try one this year. I'm so happy with how it turned out, especially since it only took me an evening to put together.<div><br /></div><div>I started with just a plain cheap cookie sheet, bunch of stickers and buttons and some magnet tape that I've had on my fridge for ohhh... too many years to admit</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5900.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 669px; height: 800px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5900.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />I used spray paint on the back of the cookie sheet then used <a href="http://sweetshoppedesigns.com/sweetshoppe/product.php?productid=17435&cat=0&page=1">Arose Such a Clatter kit </a> to create the back ground and the count down numbers<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5920.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 533px; height: 800px;" border="0" alt="" /><br /><br /><br />I had some heavy weight card stock that I used a 1 1/4 inch punch to make each days square and used glue dots to put the squares together. I hand drew the grid, don't look too close, I remember why I went digital now! I especially love the baking squares, thats one of our favorite Christmas traditions - making cookies together!<br /><br />As you remove the days you just pop them on the back for safe keeping.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5927.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5927.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5928.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5928.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5926.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5926.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5925.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 533px; height: 800px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5925.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-66229452335506169012009-06-19T22:51:00.004-05:002009-06-19T22:56:54.375-05:00Make a StatementSaraAmarie has a new kit is coming out Saturday at <a href="http://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/sweetshoppe/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=21">Sweet Shoppe Designs</a> <br /><br />A preview of the entire kit: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.191design.com/photos/saraamarie-makestate-pre.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.191design.com/photos/saraamarie-makestate-pre.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />and here is the layout I did using it. I already have an idea for another one! I love kits that you want to use more than once!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFO7ZXXX8u1jGQIqQjDh6hn_YqKnm9y1fmWXqlsvqcD2Unm5Q1sRvxmjDLwamUlz2hn_wtC8NY9jY3y66B4C2GQHpvseRi5Iz1qM2YAJFw08QgU3_3ST2oCHHXT5QUgy5W2TfGqdoD_8/s1600-h/attitude.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFO7ZXXX8u1jGQIqQjDh6hn_YqKnm9y1fmWXqlsvqcD2Unm5Q1sRvxmjDLwamUlz2hn_wtC8NY9jY3y66B4C2GQHpvseRi5Iz1qM2YAJFw08QgU3_3ST2oCHHXT5QUgy5W2TfGqdoD_8/s400/attitude.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349253474702652530" /></a>Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-1834056147625838902009-06-16T21:37:00.004-05:002009-06-16T22:34:59.972-05:00NDISB June Blog TrainI'm SO sorry for posting this late! Just call me the caboose ...<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(97, 46, 0); font-size:13px;">The Natural Designs in Scrapbooking designers has created a wonderful collaborative kit, a collection of wordart and the creative team is has used it for goodies just for you!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;color:#612E00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(97, 46, 0); font-size:13px;">Check out the<a href="http://www.ndisb.com/blog/"> NISB Blog</a> for a full run down of the kit and to all the blogs you need to visit to get a new part.<br /><br />Here is a preview of the wonderful kit by the NDISB designers.</span></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/dir/4445328/8f364e9d/sharing.html"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VlidMKp5lsQ/SjXm7ROBVLI/AAAAAAAAAiw/zMkF5ZPpe_4/s400/NDISB_06-09BT_Preview03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VlidMKp5lsQ/SjXm7ROBVLI/AAAAAAAAAiw/zMkF5ZPpe_4/s400/NDISB_06-09BT_Preview03.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VlidMKp5lsQ/SjXm7JE2v8I/AAAAAAAAAis/IJBWWgPzC-A/s400/NDISB_06-09BT_Preview02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_VlidMKp5lsQ/SjXm7JE2v8I/AAAAAAAAAis/IJBWWgPzC-A/s400/NDISB_06-09BT_Preview02.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VlidMKp5lsQ/SjXm7DLFuEI/AAAAAAAAAio/WlFfs7bXowk/s400/NDISB_06-09BT_Preview01.jpg"></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VlidMKp5lsQ/SjXm7DLFuEI/AAAAAAAAAio/WlFfs7bXowk/s400/NDISB_06-09BT_Preview01.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 400px; " src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_VlidMKp5lsQ/SjXm7DLFuEI/AAAAAAAAAio/WlFfs7bXowk/s400/NDISB_06-09BT_Preview01.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />I've made a quick page for you, I hope you enjoy it! Click <a href="http://www.4shared.com/dir/4445328/8f364e9d/sharing.html">here</a> to download.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8LMx6r7WSyNl7YfOsdgJuVByL-b0q38XuOLQEaZ55ZLOKXmHLB9vjKUex2GPBAGMoOOL18c9t5uPsjIoyytpM07_z5vq1PNzzohLmLKRmmM2Rv7H7LBYGCcYz2HI06iZT7MEre_0yaw/s1600-h/quick+page+preview.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8LMx6r7WSyNl7YfOsdgJuVByL-b0q38XuOLQEaZ55ZLOKXmHLB9vjKUex2GPBAGMoOOL18c9t5uPsjIoyytpM07_z5vq1PNzzohLmLKRmmM2Rv7H7LBYGCcYz2HI06iZT7MEre_0yaw/s400/quick+page+preview.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348126215620234546" /></a><br /><br />Your next stop is Samceline <a href="http://www.samceline.de">http://www.samceline.de</a>Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-58675587109636468692009-01-28T09:18:00.002-06:002009-01-28T12:40:59.886-06:00We are a multi-cultural familyDon't be jealous, that's just how we roll!<br /><br />Our evening commute involves 2 stops at 2 different child care locations to pick up our littlest loves. We pick up the baby first and she is then forced to endure the painful 10 minute ride home. You would think she would live for the few minutes of alone time with me, while my husband runs in to get our son. When else does she have my undivided attention where she can pepper me with questions at the speed of light?<br /><br />This totally unstimulating experience has caused her to find her own form of <strike>torture</strike> entertainment. She has taken to making up songs of total gibberish. She is 4! She knows, and regularly uses, thousands of words <strike>a minute</strike>. I think she is singing to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle (or ABCs, however you want to look at it), but frankly I try to tune it out and just be happy she isn't whining about being hungry and thirsty and demanding we stop at Old MacDonalds just this once.<br /><br />Yesterday, however, I was exhaused and just couldn't take the loud gibberish so I told her to cut it out. It went something like this:<br /><br />Me: Sweet little princess, would you please stopping singing gibberish?<br /><span style="color:#333333;">SLP: It's not gibberish!! Its SPANISH</span>!! <span style="color:#ff9966;"><em>How silly of me!</em> </span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;"><span style="color:#000000;">Huz: Is that like Oui? </span></span><span style="color:#ff9966;"><em>she said Spanish, not french, get with it!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ff9966;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#333333;">SLP</span>: *<span style="color:#33ccff;">exasperated sigh</span>* </span></span><span style="color:#333333;">NO! That is NOT spanish</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">Huz: Oh? What is it</span>?<br />SLP: *<span style="color:#33ccff;">eyeroll</span>* Its a GAME!<br /><br />Get it? Oui = we we = Wii? If you have kids, I'm sure you can imagine how well she took my sudden burst of laughter!<br /><br />I'm so happy we are raising such diverse children!<br /><br />Have your kids misunderstood something that had you rolling lately?<span style="color:#ff9966;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#ff9966;"><em></em></span><em></em>Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-52368473675956679612009-01-21T21:03:00.005-06:002009-01-21T21:50:24.712-06:00Organizing my digital lifeMy employer offered a 'time management' course right before the holidays. It wasn't your typical spiel on using a particular system, not carrying around a binder with all your life history in it. It was just good advice about tweaking whatever system you like to use to help you find some peace - and hopefully a little more time to do the things that are important to you. I've always considered myself a pretty neat and organized person. Sometime between a family of 2 and a family of 5, though, things have become out of control! <div>When my husband and I married, we combined two complete households. We still have two of a lot of things. Like irons. I can't tell you the last time I used an iron, much less two of them! We have two crock pots, 2 vacuums (OK, that's handy in a 2 story house) and 2 lifetimes worth of accumulated junk. Oh yeah, we have 3 kids somewhere in this mess too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Aside from <a href="http://downwiththefat.blogspot.com/">getting healthy</a> one of my biggest goals for this year is to get this place organized! With the extra hours at work, and the addition of exercise into our nightly routine I've not had a lot of time to get started on this goal. So instead of feeling a sense of peace I've been stressing over something additional. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Good plan there ace</span>. I've finally taken the first step. Its a small one, but I feel better already. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've organized my blog reader! You didn't see that coming did you? I use Bloglines, and this is what it looked like last night</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6k586yHl8-0lh9j9h9EdiA7Q3574mtm91VRLM8jA7C9Zucjz7RAb-CKXxYP1Qtwq2_fCqTV7Tjx3hdr7flwv6-vTng03CYugP7ILKR3Au_jJ7z0dp4oAEw_cXzap7jpSKgPQ7E_GnIc/s400/Untitled-1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 313px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293953125749073138" /><div><br /></div><div>After about 30 minutes worth of work, I wittled my blogs down from 203 to 140. The majority do not update daily - I'd be doing nothing but reading blogs if they did! </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5MfjCyaD8Vgl1DjtUfkL4PWp1S8PwMLx8FwdXHCj9-W8iIgVogklDsB1OU9vsV2wLtIO6Z5HDnracioxDr8xqRRJnt5qo17kKFhuMntBke1F_RoKC_0Ghy-gDDOqLJ4xxmsgArO8Kzo/s400/Jan+21.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293959655789071874" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have six general catagories</div><div><ul><li>Food - recipe and baking blogs</li><li>Photos - photographer blogs and photo editing help </li><li>Money - to assist with my efforts to be more frugal and become debt free</li><li>Scrapping - anything scrapbooking related</li><li>Weight Loss - yeah, blogs about weight loss</li><li>Mom Blogs - pretty much anything that doesn't fit in one of the above and is written by a woman!</li></ul><div>I am SO happy I took the time to do this! I often only have a few minutes to read and I'm looking for specific inspiration but I have to hunt through 200 blogs trying to pick out the weight loss or money or whatever. I like that I can expand each list and click on individual blogs or I can just click on the subtitle and it will show new posts all in one window. </div><div><br /></div><div>My next computer organization project is to get the 103GB on my laptop and 149 GB on my EHD tagged in ACDsee and purged of digital scrapping supplies I'll never use. </div></div><div><br /></div>Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-635500784962861592009-01-20T21:45:00.003-06:002009-01-23T10:03:53.868-06:00The one where the Daycare calls about THATAs a mom, I think our greatest fear is our children being hurt or sick. We spend countless hours and energy in the pursuit of making our home a safe haven for them. We prepare healthy meals and wash their dirty little hands hundreds of times. <br /><br />Of course it is inevitable that they will catch a cold or some nasty virus, especially if they go to school or have siblings that do. We give them medicine and take them to the doctor and stay up all night worrying about them.<br /><br />Then they grow, and they start forming a strong sense of independence I like to call PITA syndrome.<br /><br />They don't want your help with anything, even if that means walking around with shoes on the wrong feet all day.<br /><br />This was the stage my middle son was in when he was around 4. I don't remember where I was this particular Saturday but I <strike>had managed to escape</strike> was away from home for a few hours. I came home to find blisters on my little mans fingers. Seems that when my husband was warming up his lunch, and made the dreadful mistake of leaving the kitchen for a minute, little man took it upon himself to grab the hot plate. Blisters appeared almost immediately on the pads of each finger. I'm sure ice was applied and then a little neosporin and a cute spiderman bandaid for each finger.<br /><br />These were minor burns and were all but gone by Monday morning when he returned to day care. He had not complained for one minute all of Sunday. Come Monday at nap time though, those fingers must have been horribly uncomfortable. I mean, who can be expected to rest with that kind of pain, even if there is no visible damage - there is a bandaid for goodness sake!<br /><br />This is when the daycare calls. Might as well have been Child Protective Services. Apparently my cute little man had changed the facts of the story ever so slightly. In his mind, HE was doing ALL the cooking. And of course, the administrators believed him. It seems totally plausible that a 4 year old managed to get a glass plate out of the cabinet, grabbed the big bag of dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets, placed them on the plate and turned on the microwave. When I told them what happened but mentioned that I wasn't actually there the director told me "I'll have to call and confirm this with your husband, this is highly unusual." And she did. And he felt like a heal!<br /><br />Talk about guilt! Is it not bad enough our little man had been hurt? In a deep recess of my mind, I'm thankful they look out for the kids well being. I know they have a duty to protect. That did not make me feel like less of a good parent at that time though! I was sure that CPS would be knocking on our door at any minute. And not just for the burns, but for the fact that we were feeding him dinosaur chicken too! <br /><br />We had a long talk that night with our son about telling stories. I don't think it worked, this boys imagination is a force to be reckoned with!Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-77334116551305787672009-01-19T08:20:00.000-06:002009-01-19T08:24:34.678-06:00How much homework is too much?I've been dealing with homework for what seems my entire life. I had barely stopped having my own homework before it reared its ugly head in the form of my oldest sons. Even in Kindergarten they bring home packets worth of homework. My eldest has never enjoyed homework so it became a struggle early on. We both dread the start of a new school year, not because of school itself but because of the battles against homework. His high test grades made it apparent he was learning the material, however his over all grade would suffer because of missing or incomplete homework.<br /><br />We live in a state that has standardized testing. Because of this, the teachers teach for the test and especially in elementary school work becomes very redundant and boring. My son would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">consistently</span> score above average on these, once again showing the material was being absorbed without the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">addition</span> of homework.<br /><br />My 1st grader has 10 spelling words, 8 pages of homework, 5 sight words each week and is supposed to read aloud to us 30 minutes a night. During Soccer and Baseball season, 2 evenings a week he has practice. That leaves only 2 nights to get the homework complete. We are left with the dilemma of having him stay up past his bed time to complete it or just turning it in late on many occasions. At 7 years old he is already starting to feel, and resent, the pressure of good grades and homework.<br /><br />None of this takes into account the time commitment of myself and my husband. While some of this pressure might be relieved if one of us did not work full time, I can't help but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">believe</span> he would be no more likely to want to leave school and come home to immediately start working on school work again. I know it makes me cranky when I have to take work home on a regular basis. When I leave work I want to leave it there. I want to go home and enjoy my time with my family doing things that benefit my family.<br /><br />I ran across <a href="http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/28624181/?GT1=43001">this </a>article on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">MSN</span> and it brought up some very good points.<br /><br />I do think kids in high school need some homework to prepare them for the self study discipline that will be necessary in college. They are also able to do this with little to no parental supervision and are able to go to bed later and still function well. Teenager bed times, that sounds like a post of its own!<br /><br />Do your kids have homework? Do you feel it adds benefit to their learning or just additional stress?Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-84213834297978142032009-01-13T19:08:00.003-06:002009-01-14T21:38:58.476-06:00Who made up that rule?The one that says you should pick on someone your own size?<div><br /></div><div>My 7 year old has been coming home from school sad the last few days. He is normally such a happy child, glass half full kind of kid. </div><div><br /></div><div>Apparently some harlet at school has started telling everyone that he failed Kindergarden and that is why he is 7 when most kids in first grade are still 6. It's all but impossible to reason with a crying 7 year old using words like "cut off" and "school district". </div><div><br /></div><div>For the first time ever he even asked to stay home from school, begging to at least not have to go back to the same after school care. It seems her prime pick on time is while they are waiting for the daycare bus to pick them up. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think it's probably wrong of me to want to go shake some sense into her. I mean, I teach my boys that violence is never the answer. She is picking on my baby though. AND SHE MADE HIM CRY! I should feel bad for not liking this child I've never met. But I don't.</div><div><br /></div><div>I should pick on someone my own size. Or maybe turn the other cheek like I tell him to do. Who came up with the rule that its ok to pick on someone if they are the same size as you anyway??</div>Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-30686829819983253452009-01-11T10:45:00.003-06:002009-01-12T11:18:36.658-06:00We must be famousThe strangest thing happened on our way to work on Friday. <br /><br />We were cruising along, minding our own business. <br /><br />And of course by cruising along, during rush hour, I mean we were going about -3. On the highway.<br /><br />I was enjoying the sunrise and getting in a little quiet <a href="http://www.deankoontz.com/books/genre/spiritual-suspense.php">reading</a>. Well quiet might be a slight exaggeration as I'm still expected to carry on a conversation with husband. There is something about me pulling out a book, or picking up my Blackberry that triggers his tongue. We can be sitting quietly for 10 minutes, but if my hand touches either of those things he begins talking immediately. It's uncanny really.<br /><br />But I digress. <br /><br />As I'm reading I notice a bright light. I was pretty sure it was the Rapture. <br /><br />We look over to find two teenage girls with both of the passenger side windows rolled down taking pictures of us. <br /><br />We must be famous!<br /><br />As they passed us they rolled up their windows and went on about their day. I am left wondering what the man driving their vehicle was thinking. Oddly, he didn't try to make eye contact with us. I guess he was not as impressed with our star power as the girls were! I wonder when we will see our picture on the Enquirer?Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-15079595718878147432009-01-10T13:16:00.004-06:002009-01-10T13:31:57.944-06:00Trying to be more frugalWith everyone talking about the economy and just a general attitude in our house of trying to get out of debt and pay more attention to where and how we are spending our money we are making more frugal choices. Lori over at <a href="http://acowboyswife.com/2009/01/09/fridays-frugal-ideas/">A Cowboys Wife</a> is asking for some frugal ideas, so I thought I'd share a couple of mine.<br /><br />One of my favorites are these <a href="http://www.cleaningshop.com.au/index1.html">sabco oneWIPE</a> gloves I picked up at Dollar Tree. I only got 2, a dusting mitt and a bathroom cleaning mitt to try them out. I wish I'd bought more now that I've tried them out. I love that my hand is completely covered while I clean the bathroom. I able to just toss the dusting mitt in the washer and use it over and over, instead of tossing my swiffer sheets into the trash. <br /><br />We've been buying the Kirkland brand bathroom tissue for awhile now. I'm sure at some point I did some price comparison to make that choice but today I had a coupon for $2.50 off Charmin so I thought that might be the better deal. I was honestly shocked at the price difference. For 30 rolls of Charmin with 220 sheets per roll (their jumbo roll) the price was 18.49. For 36 individually wrapped rolls [this is a big plus when you are storing TP in bulk!] with 425 sheets per roll was 18.99. We even compared the overall feet per roll because I couldn't believe we were really getting TWICE as much paper with Kirkland. But we were! Charmin may be a little bit thicker, but it can't possible TWICE as much better!! This 18.99 worth of paper generally lasts us close to 8 months. <br /><br />Check out our <a href="http://downwiththefat.blogspot.com/">Down with Fat</a> blog for a breakdown of what we got and other ways we saved.Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-49576151545170562462009-01-09T15:12:00.000-06:002009-01-09T19:29:27.400-06:00What did you just call me?My 7 year old suddenly started calling Mom.<br /><br />Not Mommy. Or even Momma. Just Mom. <br /><br />It rolls off his tounge like its the only way he has ever addressed me, so why does it sound so foreign and wrong to my ears? He does not seem to see the big flashing neon warning sign that is signaling the passing of his youth at warp speed. <br /><br />Why do we teach our children to call us by a name we know they are going to change? <br /><br />I can still remember the first time my now 16 yr old son first called me mom. He was 5, and I was in the long line of cars to drop him off for Kindergarten. I remember the car I was driving even. I'm surprised I can't remember what we were wearing and what song was playing! I insisted he call me mommy and I think it worked for a few more years.<br /><br />I also think that was the last battle I won with him!<br /><br />I'm glad this isn't my last child. I can't imagine never being called mommy again! And since my baby is a girl, she'll call me mommy forever, right?Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-2441381319887518092009-01-08T14:08:00.003-06:002009-01-08T14:32:08.803-06:00A Snow Test<a href="http://sweetshoppedesigns.com/blog/">Sweet Shoppe Designs </a> blog is back and better than ever. This weeks FOBTY is asking us to take a Snow Test. This South Texas girl giggled at that. The last time I saw snow I had to fly a thousand miles or so to find it. <br /><br /><table width=350 align=center border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2><tr><td bgcolor="#EEEEEE" align=center><br /><font face="Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif" style='color:black; font-size: 14pt;'><br /><strong>Your Snow Test Says You're Independent</strong><br /></font></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/thesnowtest/snow.png" height="100" width="100"></center><br /><font color="#000000"><br />You feel like something good will happen to you in the next few days.<br /><br /><br /><br />You love to work, especially when work is creative. You have the makings of a successful artist.<br /><br /><br /><br />You are an independent, individualistic person. You thrive when you're doing your own thing.<br /><br /><br /><br />Your biggest worry in your life is your financial security. You think about money a lot.<br /><br /><br /><br />When it comes time to relax, you have no problem letting go. You are already pretty relaxed as is!<br /></font></td></tr></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://blogthings.com/thesnowtest/">The Snow Test</a></div><br /><br />I always think the kinds of things are funny. Who out there came up with this and decided that since I would be most likely to leave behind my jacket (since I don't own a hat or scarf or mittens!) That I stress over money. I do. Always. But that isn't the point now is it? And how can I go from stressing over money to being a generally relaxed person? To me stress and relax don't usually go in the same sentence like that. More along the lines of " I could really use a large frozen margarita to help me forget about the stress" no??Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-56508954876562555252009-01-06T08:31:00.003-06:002009-01-06T22:19:18.935-06:00Mommy GuiltI'm a working mom. Most of the time I'm ok with it. I generally enjoy working, and I won't lie, I like the extra money. Or I would if I didn't hand it directly over to the mortgage company. <br /><br />I get up every morning, get the kids up and dressed for school & daycare and head off to work without thinking twice about it. My husband and I carpool since we work so close together and we solve life's problems during our hour long commutes. Now that I've canceled my <a href="http://downwiththefat.blogspot.com/2008/07/new-day.html">Blackberry </a>service in an attempt at being frugal that is. <br /><br />Sunday evening my middlest love climbed up in my lap and I knew. Moms just know. Especially when they are burning you through their clothes. I'm good like that.<br /><br />But then the conflict in my head has to start. Well crap. I've been on vacation for the last 4 days, its year end and month end and..... Then the guilt starts. Instead of being solely focused on his being sick, I'm using 1/2 my energy worrying about telling my boss and praying the motrin kicks in and everything is better in the morning.<br /><br />I wonder if this ever goes away? Will there be a day when I know for sure I did the right thing and I won't second guess my every decision?Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-15257824056874694612009-01-04T14:01:00.003-06:002009-01-04T21:15:36.106-06:00HELLO - do you know me at all?This morning my husband was making breakfast. Thats not really the point though because he does 99% of the cooking, he is awesome that way.<br /><br />He asked me if I'd like a cup of coffee. Never mind the 44oz diet coke by my chair. Or the fact that in the 10 years he has known me he has not seen me take even one sip of coffee. It went something like this.<br /><br />Huz: I made some coffee, want a cup?<br />Me: *blank expression*<br />Huz: I think you'd like it with cream and sugar<br />Me: Yeah, remember that thing we fondly refer to as a diet?<br />Huz: But it makes coffee taste better<br />Me: I like the flavor of coffee, I don't like HOT drinks, have you ever seen me drink a hot drink?<br />Huz: I don't get it, I know you like hot things - you like me. Why won't you drink coffee?Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-5181735889683128992009-01-03T20:04:00.002-06:002009-01-03T20:28:50.138-06:00Don't sweat the small stuffThat's not something I'm good at. I sweat everything. Especially when it comes to my kids. <br /><br />I've recently had some issues with my teenager. Nothing major, really. To most people, maybe. They are feeling huge to me though. It is driving me crazy that he won't just listen to my advice. Why must he learn everything the hard way when I've already been through this. I know how the song ends! I also wonder why people don't talk about these struggles? You hear about how hard the sleep deprivation is when you have a new born. Women across the globe discuss diaper rash, potty training, weaning and sleeping woes. I regularly read over 50 'mommy blogs' and I count the number of posts on teenagers on one hand. <br /><br />Why don't we want to talk about how hard it is to make a teen do their homework if they just don't give a rats ass about Biology? Or the heartbreak you feel when you realize they have lied to you? again! Then there is the protectiveness that comes out when some girl breaks his heart? <br /><br />Or maybe we do hear them, and we don't listen any more than that teen. Surely I can do a better job and my teen won't rebel. I'll keep the lines of communication open, that is the key. <br /><br />I've been feeling so helpless and angry and disappointed the last few days. Really everything it is hard to admit to as a mom. I've been wondering where I went wrong. Is he going to go to college and turn out ok? How much more heartache does he have in front of him? Will <span style="font-weight:bold;">I</span> make it the remaining 18 months to graduation? <br /><br />Then I read about the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/02/jett-travolta-dies-son-of_n_154877.html">Travolta's </a>losing their son. Jett Travolta was less than 2 months older than my own son. I bet his parents would give anything to be stressing over the normal teen issues today. <br /><br />It really puts everything into perspective. I'm going to try harder to not sweat the small stuff. I need to put my problems in the Lord's hands and remember I don't have to have to understand or control everything.Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-5034846893900161202009-01-02T16:20:00.003-06:002009-01-02T16:33:07.767-06:00It's a new Day It's a New YearIt is that time of year again. Time to turn over a new leaf, set lofty goals that we keep for a few days. I think it has more to do with making it through the holidays as much as beginning a new year. Once Christmas is over I'm always ready for a change. I want to get the decorations down and move on to something else. It is a good time for us to refocus. We have no sports happening in the month of January. The weather is generally mild. I've done a lot of thinking the last few weeks about what I wanted to do different in 2009. I've decided I need to spend some time on ME. I've spent the last decade and 1/2 focusing on others. My kids, my family, my job and friends. I'm not even sure who I am or what I want anymore. <br /><br />I can't be 100% for my family if I'm not 100% can I? What am I teaching them? More and more I realize my children are getting a warped sense of reality. While they may very well be the center of my universe, they are the center of THE universe. They need to realize their wants don't come first for everyone. Sometimes the answer has to be no and they don't always have to get a reason. <br /><br />I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to do this but a few ideas are : <br /><br />Start and actually follow through with <a href="http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21224&page=2">Project 365</a><br /><br />Start eating right and exercising even if that means less sleep or some time away from home<br /><br />Find a way to love my job - either by moving to a partial work from home week or finding a job that is more in line with my goals<br /><br />Get organized and teach my family how much better life is in that less crazy environment<br /><br />Blog more - I've found I really enjoy writing, I want to spend some time every day documenting our journey<br /><br />I'd love to hear what your hopes are for the year!Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-52363444452933219982008-10-23T16:18:00.002-05:002008-10-23T16:21:29.964-05:00Don't DoubtI have a beautiful and wonderful friend who very eloquently shared a few words with me today. They touched a cord and I asked her permission to pass this on to those who stumble here...<br /><br />:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br />As the election, and possibly a new era, approaches, I would like to take the time to reflect on the past, on what got us to where we are today.<br /><br />Our generation has never experienced major trials. We have seen war, but the general population hasn't been asked to sacrifice anything for it. There have been no drafts, no food rations, and no shortages of panty hose. We have no frame of reference to judge how good we have it even when times are tough. The way things are is the way things have always been.<br /><br />But things haven't always been this good in this country. Ask someone from the Greatest Generation (hurry before they're all gone) what life was like during the Great Depression or during WWII. Ask them what they had to sacrifice to preserve freedom for you and me. Ask them about what trials they had to endure, how many family members they lost, how much of themselves was lost on the beaches of Normandy.<br /><br />What we enjoy today has come at no little cost. What would life be like today if our forefathers had not stood up to the tyranny of British rule? Where would we be if we didn't stop Hitler from his ambitions of world domination? Thank God for the brave men and women who kept us from facing those things.<br /><br />Have we forgotten our history? Have we forgotten what people have given their all for? This is the greatest nation on earth not because of a powerful military but because of the people who populate this land. We have overcome great obstacle by uniting together and doing whatever it takes to get the job done. I believe we still have the same strength out forefathers did. I believe we still have the same will of the Greatest Generation. Don't ever doubt the ability and perserverance of the American people.<br /><br />I am worried that there is doubt. I am worried that we have come to believe that the government knows better than we do. The government was intended to be a representation of the people and a way to come together to protect us from threats, anything that wants to tear us apart. It is supposed to keep us safe and united, and nothing more. As Thomas Paine wrote in Common Sense, "Here then is the origin and rise of government; namely, a mode rendered necessary by the inability of moral virtue to govern the world; here too is the design and end of government, viz. freedom and security. And however our eyes be dazzled with show, or our ears deceived by sound; however prejudice may warp our wills, or interest darken our understanding, the simple voice of nature and of reason will say, it is right."<br /><br />We have all seen what happens when the government gets too big. We have all seen how politicians change when they reach Capitol Hill and their eyes grow big with greed seeing all the money flowing through. We have all seen how the government can often do more harm than good. I wish to quote Paine again, "I draw my idea of the form of government from a principle in nature, which no art can overturn, viz. that the more simple a thing is, the less liable it is to be disordered, and the easier to be repaired when disordered." Our government has grown much larger than ever intended, and it has recently taken huge strides in growing much larger. Politicians will make you believe that this is to help us. They want you to believe that they can answer all our problems and save us from ourselves.<br /><br />But the American people don't need saving. We are a strong, capable, intelligent people who know what's best for ourselves. We know how to handle life's problems. We are willing and capable of helping our neighbors and communities without the government telling us how. Give us a problem, and we'll find a solution on our own. Yes, that might often be the hard way, but it is the most rewarding in so many ways.<br /><br />Please read about our history. Please understand where we've come from and what has been sacrificed to get us where were are today…and thank a soldier for it. But most of all, when you step into the voting booth, please don't doubt the American people, AND DON'T DOUBT YOURSELF! by Wendy LawleyLucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-76515576867829290892008-10-19T16:09:00.002-05:002008-10-19T16:16:57.943-05:00October is Breast Cancer awareness monthChristina Renee Designs has a <a href="http://www.christinareneedesigns.com/shoppe/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25&products_id=288">charity kit</a> with proceeds going to the Susan G Komen Foundation. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.christinareneedesigns.com/shoppe/bmz_cache/7/7bd2f822d23005ea9d2cd35b6ffde8d7.image.525x525.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.christinareneedesigns.com/shoppe/bmz_cache/7/7bd2f822d23005ea9d2cd35b6ffde8d7.image.525x525.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I was supposed to be taking a hiatus from scrapping to get a few other projects finished but I couldn't help but scrap with this right away<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgJ3fmemy3NwAeL4PtaBEnVe6dHCf9FSrftddZkkXPwLK4ZNud5kXOBScETfoEWD8nR4qfue6WyGJdMtSgE7bMr8gVVmHBNuQCoqy6qVHLABp33BLULrS0tDiCdWcue8afun7DAqrYgI/s1600-h/waterfall+kids.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgJ3fmemy3NwAeL4PtaBEnVe6dHCf9FSrftddZkkXPwLK4ZNud5kXOBScETfoEWD8nR4qfue6WyGJdMtSgE7bMr8gVVmHBNuQCoqy6qVHLABp33BLULrS0tDiCdWcue8afun7DAqrYgI/s400/waterfall+kids.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258976872867979602" /></a>Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-92141625423629248162008-10-19T11:46:00.002-05:002008-10-19T13:20:14.315-05:00Why Texas rocksWell, one of the many reasons. But the ability to go to the lake in the middle of October and still play in the water all day, really, who can complain. And we never ever have to shovel snow. Not here in central Texas anyway.<br /><br />Last weekend my family rented a cabin on a lake. It was a much needed break from sports and commitments and even the computer. I can't remember the last time I went that many days without the internet. And I lived to tell about it. Ok, well I did have my BlackBerry, but lets not talk about that ok?<br /><br />There was a little pool in the back of the cabin, though it was a tad cold the kids still loved playing. There was a dry creek bed right behind the house where we took several hikes and found the most amazing flock? herd? school? of butterflies. And of course the lake. We rented a SeaDoo and spent Sunday at the lake. I think Colton spent the most time on it, he'd sneak on the front as often as he could get away with it.<br /><br />We took 450 pictures. That is four HUNDRED people!! I won't force you look at them all, but here are a few of my favorites.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5281-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5281-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5344-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5344-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5602-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5602-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5595-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5595-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5200-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5200-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5206-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5206-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5260-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5260-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5253-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5253-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5261-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/crecia27/IMG_5261-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-87390332656462634982008-10-19T11:41:00.002-05:002008-10-19T11:46:38.602-05:00Do you have money that you don't know about?My public service announcement for the month - go check out this site - NOW! <br /><br />http://www.unclaimed.org/<br /><br />Between the 2 of us my husband and I have 3 items! They are legit, one is a pay check from many moons ago that my husband knew he hadn't received but never followed up on. One is a return of a utility deposit (or more likely the interest on the deposit since the amount is so small) where they had my name spelled wrong. The other is a refund from an apartment we lived in, we aren't sure why they owe us the money - but seriously, for over $100 I really don't care - just hand it over! <br /><br />Go. Search. Then come back and tell me if you found any unknown riches!Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484278700731311500.post-66876786247085588352008-10-16T16:39:00.004-05:002008-10-16T20:00:42.651-05:00Bad Blogger with great inspiration!So much too say, way too little time. Aside from the 500 kazillion things already on my plate, I got a wild hair and decided to start selling a lot of extra and not used stuff on Ebay. Holy Canoli its time consuming! And my office looks like a bomb went off! But the effort seems to be paying off. Which means I have a little extra cash to buy MORE craft stuff with. Shhh don't tell my husband. He'll never see a few digital purchases!<br /><br />Always top on my list is Meredith Fenwick. I have literally almost everything she has ever designed. If you check out <a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=31dfa44e7d8ab277&sid=0Act3DVu5Zs2L4Y">my printed Shutterfly books</a> - you will see they are primarily done with her designs. Her collections are just so broad and work so well together! Meredith has an adorable new kit out, you can purchase it at <a href="http://shop.scrapbookgraphics.com/product.php?productid=22352&cat=0&page=1">Scrapbook Graphics</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b33/prettysimple/pitterpat_LRG.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b33/prettysimple/pitterpat_LRG.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />Go. Buy. Scrap. Enjoy!! <br /><br />I'd promise to be back tonight with boring stuff like pictures from our weekend. But seriously, Grey's is on tonight. That trumps blogging any day of the week!Lucreciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02851838381119575087noreply@blogger.com0