Doodles of Donna

Boy Oh Boy

2010-04-30T07:02:00.000-07:00

What a busy month...we have been moving into our new home for a little over a week now and we still have a ton of things yet to get out of the other house. Glad we are taking our time as I have been burnt out the last couple days and haven't done much unpacking. But I think I am good now as I have done several boxes this morning already. Blakes got soccer practice tonight and a game at 11 tomorrow. Need to remember it's my turn to bring snack...LOL Nothing much going on, just wish the move was over. Picking up new washer tomorrow too...YAY ME! lol

I sure do hope that I can get back to scrapping when we have everything moved over here (not nessessarily unpacked) LOL! I have missed it and even though I don't have the huge scraproom anymore I am making due with our walk in closet (big but not a room) I have to get very clever with it so all my things can fit. :D Packing and unpacking my supplies has really made me miss it and want to dip my toes...but I must wait.

Sheesh.....

2010-03-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I have posted on here. Followers? What followers? LOL It's been just about this long since I have scrapped too. Maybe longer. A couple of things going on. We are moving....yep..AGAIN! Land lord lost this house to foreclosure...we have until June to move out. Not having much luck finding something with 3 bedrooms and if we do it's already rented. We are on a waiting list for a townhouse but there are 4 others infront of us and the chances of us getting in there by the time we have to move it doubtful in my mind. Going to look at a house when the kids get home from school and Mike gets home from work. Still in the same school district but the more we think about what they are asking the more costly it becomes and we aren't sure if we are willing to pay all that. 1. first and last months rent....2. renters insurance..no ifs ands or buts (not too costly) no pets (we have a dog, will give up if we have no choice but sad about it) they might consider to let us keep him for more money and they want us to pay for a creit check on both Mike and I...so to move in we would have to pay $2000.00 not sure about that. This will be what we dwell over this weekend after we see the house. Time is just going so quickly and we dont' want to get stuck having to live in a hotel until we find something. That would SUCK! So to any of you that will read this..PLEASE say a prayer for us. Thank you.

WOW

2009-10-01T10:14:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I have posted on my Blog...first let me start with posting some pictures of Ramon and Blake on the first day of school. Ramon is now officially a high schooler...can you believe it? I can't. My baby is growing up! And Blake...she's in all day kindergarten. She's so brave and strong. The days are so long with her not here. I miss her everyday.

School Days

2009-08-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

I can't believe school starts in a month. Both my babies are heading to new schools. Ramon is going into high school this year and Blake is starting kindergarten. {{cry}}

We went shopping last night and got Ramon and Blakes back packs. Ramon got the one he wanted but not the color and the one I wanted to get Blake was unavailable at 2 stores. (argh) So she ended up with a Tinkerbelle one. She loves it but I really wasn't wanting to get a theme one. Picked up a couple other school supplies that were on sale. Also picked up some solar lights for the yard. They only had 5 left..might have to check out some other stores to see if I can get anymore.

Want a Chance to Win....

2009-08-07T10:13:00.001-07:00

a new set of stamps? Head on over to www.mystampbox.com for a chance. This is my favorite.

What I've Done

2009-07-30T05:19:00.000-07:00

Here are the layouts I have done in the past week, it felt so good to get some scrapping time in. I feel like I haven't scrapped in ages ( well it has been a few weeks) With Lizzy and George here I have just been preoccupied with everyone else. But now that they are gone for a few weeks I am hoping to have more time to scrap. This first one is of Steve and his girlfriend on the sailboat waiting to head out on the lake to see the fireworks on the 4th of July. Then there's Ramon and Blake from January sledding across the street...gotta love having hill right across from your house. Then there's Lizzy, George, Ramon and Blake in the barn at the family reunion Saturday. Then Blake with a sparkler that Ramon found in his room. Then one of Ramon opening some of his girfts this past christmas. And the last 2 (yes it's a 2 pager...shocking I know..LOL) is from the 4th of July out on Hess Lake watching the fireworks. Thanks for looking!

A couple things

2009-07-28T05:54:00.000-07:00

First I have to share that I was chosen as a winner for one of Bella Blvds new lines that haven't even come out yet! WOO HOO! They are gorgeous. Can't wait to get my hands on them.

Second..the crop at WeScraps was so fun...I wasn't able to get everything done but I did get a few challenges accomplished..it's been so long since I scrapped. Will post them here later!

It's Crop Time Again

2009-07-24T05:49:00.000-07:00

Hop on over to www.wescrap.com for a fun filled weekend. They are a bunch of great people over there and put on a fabulous crop!

Take a peek at this

2009-07-21T18:06:00.001-07:00

Bella Blvds new lines coming out...just click on the link below and feast your eyes on some wonderful eye candy......(drool) There is Super Stud, Flirty, Camped Out and Plastino. I really love them all but I think Super Stud and Flirty are my faves. Love having a boy and a girl to scrap! :D

http://bellablvd.typepad.com/bella_blvd/

Forth of July

2009-07-05T07:39:00.000-07:00

We had such a lovely day yesterday...it started out looking overcast and we did have a few rain showers but it cleared up and turned out to be a nice day. We grilled steaks, shrimp and corn on the cob. My sstep son Steve and his girlfriend Lela came over for the fireworks that our lake throws every year...it starts off with all the homes on the lake lighting red flares to make the Ring of Fire..this looks so amazing but hard to get a focused photo on a rocking boat...LOL. I was able to get some also not so focused photos of the fireworks. But they were awesome. We all had such a great time.

Scrapping

2009-06-30T07:17:00.000-07:00

I finally got into my scraproom last week and was able to get a few layouts done. I was so happy to finally get in there...hoping to get in there again soon. Here are the layouts I finished. Thanks for looking.

It's been a while

2009-06-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

but I sat down and made a card today. I used this sketch from CPS - 121 love how it turned out. Just need to get Ramon to write it out and send it to grandma or one of his aunts. Thanks for looking.

but I sat down and made a card today. I need to make a couple more for Ramon to send out to grandma and aunts while he was over there visiting

June 1st

2009-06-01T07:46:00.001-07:00

So it's June 1st already. I can't believe it. As you know lst month I celebrated my 6th anniversary....well I guess it was about time that I scrapped some of that special day. Here are a few layouts I did last month just for that. And believe me...there are still a ton more to do! LOL Thanks for looking.

Crazy Week

2009-05-29T07:52:00.001-07:00

First off Tuesday we got a call from Mikes brother asking if we could watch his dogs while he goes out of town...they are the sweetest dogs but they are huge. Their names are Taylor and Callaway...couldn't tell his brothers into golf can you...LOL...but Rudy isn't the type of dog that likes to share our attention. He tried to be tough at first but they put him in his place and they get along famously now. Yesterday Ramon took them in the back yard lose and they went right for the canal. They loved it...they stink now (well they did before but it's worse now)but they loved it. Rudy wouldn't get in. He's a whimp. Came close a couple times by accedent as he would race around the yard and come onto the dock and come to a skreeching hault. LOL

After BIL dropped off the dogs we had to run to Blakes appointment with the bone specialist. He didn't feel that with her age and the break that he needed to reset it but did put on a more permanent cast. It's not a whole one but a half and it's this gauze that they get wet and form it around the broken area and it hardens in minutes..then they wrapped it in an ace bandage. Blake is amazing. Nothing will slow this girl down. You wouldn't even know she had a broken finger. Here are some shots of her getting it put on.

What a Day

2009-05-23T05:12:00.000-07:00

Blakes first day of summer break. We et in the van to run up to the grocery store. We get there and get out of the car. She's standing there talking, hands flying all over the place. My hand on the handle of the door waiting for her to stop moving her hands so I can. she stops. I close the door and just as I do she starts moving her hands again right into the way of the door...the instant it closed I openeed it again...her 2 middle fingers are white. I grab her and just held her...she wasn't really crying. I pull away to look and the ring finger is dark purple and she starts to whimper...I put her in the car and drive home as fast as I can. We get ice on it and she lays down. She tells me I can go to the store now...so I go as I leave I notice our neighbor is home and I call dh to have him call her...she's a nurse. I get home and she seems ok. We have dinner, but the swelling isn't going down. So we decide to take her to the ER....yep it's broken. They really can't do anything for it but their bone specialist wasn't in so we have to take her back on Tuesday for him to look at it, to make sure it's not something more serious.

It's Official

2009-05-22T07:24:00.000-07:00

Blake is a kindergartener....WOO HOO.....she's off for the summer....she asked if she had school today and I told her no that she's done...she said I don't mean preschool, I mean kindergarten...LOL Too cute.
So of course now that there is no school, it's chilly and gloomy out.

Schools out

2009-05-20T07:35:00.000-07:00

for Blake tomorrow.....yep 2 more days and she's done. Boy did these past few months fly by. She has loved every minute of going to school. Wish she could have gone for the full year...but she embraced this adventure with open arms...I think she will do great next year in kindergarten. Today they are having an ice cream party. She is so excited. She decided on cherries to take in for her topping and then I thought what's ice cream without whipped topping. So we got that too and she's thrilled.

Been having some issues with her eating in the mornings. She isn't eating breakfast and lunch before school...just one or the other. And it's taking her forever to eat them. I have to keep at her to eat. She has a snack at school and then dinner. This too has been a struggle..not everyday but most lately. She then has a snack at bedtime and an hour later she's complaining that she's starving. This is putting her bed time about 2 hours past when we originally put her to bed. I hope she grows out of all this over the summer as she will be getting up alot earlier and going to school all day!

6 years ago

2009-05-16T16:30:00.000-07:00

I married a great guy 6 years ago today. Our wedding though small was memerable...it was supposed to be a 15 minute service and I laughed for the first 9....LOL I was so nervous and I tend to laugh when I am nervous. But he stood there and waited for me to get a grip. To this day he tells anyone who will listen about that day. I am so glad he's got a great sense of humor. He took me out to dinner tonight(with Ramon and Blake) to the chinese resturaunt in town...one of my favorite places to eat. It wasn't planned..just a sort of a last minute thing. He's my best friend and I know I can tell him anything...from he's driving me nuts or that one of the ladies on the scrap board said something funny.......I love you Mike! See you in 6 years! ((HUGS & KISSES))

It's Our Birthday

2009-05-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Come join us for a fun filled weekend to help us celebrat our 1st Birthday. You must be a registered member so please make sure you register in time. We have challenges, games, make and takes and prizes. You will have a fabulous time. We have wonderful friendly members.

Computer

2009-05-08T04:01:00.000-07:00

As some of you may have known...I have been having some pretty PITA computer problems. It was freezing up every 15 mintes (sometimes less) I would have to shut it down and reboot each time. Mike said he would by me a new one but we had to wait a bit...well, that bit came sooner the expected. He went and bought me one yesterday after work. This thing is awesome. It's got more space then I will ever need, slim 22 in screen, a tiny quiet keyboard (and I can read the letters....LOL) it's so nice to be able to sit here and not have it freeze up. Here is what I got. :D

Earth Day/Earth Month

2009-04-24T05:22:00.000-07:00

Earth Day was a couple days ago...Did you do anything special? Do you do anything special in your household all the time that is good for the enviroment?

About a month ago I purchase "The Green Bag" from local grocery store.....about 5......and I am happy to say that I am doing pretty good at remembering to take them with me when I go shopping but admit that I forget when I am just running up for a couple things. I did put one in the car so that when I do make these unexpected trips that I have one already with me. The store also takes off 5 cents for each bag that you bring with you to use...so that is really nice. The morning of Earth Day I stopped at the store and picked up some Green Works cleaners with the intention of using them to clean that day after Blake went to school. Unfortunately Mike went to work before I remembered to get them out of the car. But I did use them yesterday and aside from what Mike said (waste of money, they dont' work) they worked just as well as any other cleaners I have used. I will be buying these from now on. :)

It's been a while

2009-04-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

Haven't posted in a while...it's been a couple of busy weeks. My sister Rosanne and my nephew George where here last week...they just left Sunday. Nice visit..seeled to go by super fast this time. Didn't get much scrapping done while she was here either. When to the elementary school last week for dinner and some activities. Dinner was showing the kindergarteners how and where they will be having lunch. YES....DD will be going to kindergarten all day...I can barely handle the 4 hours she is gone now. :( Then we went to a few different classes to get some idea of what she will be doing next year. They had some fun things set up for the kids to do. And they recieved a free school T-shirt :) It has her graduating year one it.....2022....OMG

This morning they had a Kindergarten Round Up. Had to bring, birth cert, shot records and proof of resident. Fill out forms. Blake was taken to another room while Mike and I watched a video, talked to the school nurse and councelor. We thought it was going to be a 15 (if that) thing and we were there an hour...almost missed the bus to take her to pre-school.

Got some scrapping done this week. Hope to get some more done tomorrow.

Couple things....

2009-04-07T20:47:00.000-07:00

Blake had her first sleep over last night.....she spent the night away from home....OMG....what a long day/night it was. We took her over there about noonish and she never called me or anything. I couldn't believe it. She has never had a friend friend before. Sure she has our friends kids, but they live a ways away and we only see them every couple months or so...this was a gil from her class at school. She got home today about 1. She had such a great time. She forgot her movie that she took andher pj's over at her friends, so we need to pick them up tomorrow. We have invited her friend for an over night on Friday and will be taking them to an egg hunt Satyrday. Blake is very excited. ;)

More good news....Mike got called back to work finally. Woo Hoo.....though it's been nice having him home all this time (for the most part) I am glad he got called back. He's happy too. I think he was starting to get a little stir crazy. It kind of stinks that the kids are on spring break this week and he got called back to work. But really can't complain as he's working. :D

Spring It On

2009-04-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

Come and check out the crop going on this weekend. We Scraps puts on a great crop. Lot's of challenge, games and fun.

Scrappy Husband

2009-03-24T05:55:00.000-07:00

So my husband, Mike, has crossed over to the scrap side. He's always been very supportive of my obsession with scrapping and he's always given me his opinion on my work. Well, he finally did his first layout...........and his second. Believe it or not other then making a couple suggestions (color choices and inking edges) I didn't do much else for the second one. The first one I had him look at some sketches and suggested that he use black and white photos as there were too many different colors in the photos he ued. So here are the layouts that he did. Pretty impressive if you ask me. :D

Second Layout
First Layout

Finally

2009-03-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

After a couple weeks of working on reorganizing my scraproom, I finally got it done (well, not completely but pretty darn close) I purchased a couple things to help me get better organized. I got a 3 tier drawer for my stamps, inks and spooled ribbons. I purchased a 25 cube shoe rack (got it on clearance from Taget) that I have chipboard alphas, packages of blank cards, stickers, grunge board..pretty much anything that didn't have a home. I also purchase a used cd holder and some empty cd cases to store my acrylic stamps. After all that and having not scrapped in those 2 weeks I got busy and got some scrapping done. Here's what I have been working on.

A little more excitement

2009-03-10T11:52:00.000-07:00

Today Blake took the bus to school...her first time on a bus. OMG...could she have been any more excited. She didn't even give me a hug and kiss good-bye...she just ran up the bus steps and sat in a seat. I barely saw her hand waving as they pulled away. I didn't even get a picture of her getting on. I did get a picture of the bus...whoopee...LOL Well, there is always tomorrow right!

Exciting Day

2009-03-09T16:54:00.000-07:00

This morning the whole family had to go tot the HD to get their shots and I had to wait in the hall as I was crying when it was Blakes turn, though I was a little tearied eyed when Ramon was getting his too! Blake had to get the most 5, one being a new one that they are going to be making manditory soon. She did great though and after we took the boys to school we tool her to McDonalds to get her a happy meal. We came home and had lunch then it was time to take her to school. We go there and she was making sure I got a picture of her with her Cinderella back pack. I must say she wasn't too excited over the weekend. But by the time we we got there she was thrilled. We went to the office and was then led to her room and she was a few feet in front of Mike and me and only looked back once to see if we were coming. LOL There was no time for pictures when we got to her room as the class was full and the kids seemed ready to go. She went and sat down as Mike and I stayed by the door. She shouted across the room bye and waved..then thought again and ran over and gave us some hugs and kisses. When we went to pick her up, she had forgotten her boots so we went back to her room to get them and I got a couple pics of her.

Exciting News

2009-03-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

:yippe I am soooo excited. :yippe

DD starts pre-school on Monday :yippe

Well, this is all depending on if she's feeling any better. :(

But I am hoping for the best. :yippe

She will be picked up by bus at 12:00 and come home with her brother a 4:00..she technically gets out at 2:45 but they have to go pick up the other kids after her. She goes from Monday - Thursday. So we will have all Friday together. :yippe

2009-03-02T07:40:00.000-08:00

What a day.....and it's only 10:30 a.m. I finally found a pre-school that Blake can go to...I just need to fill out a ton of paper work. I am feeling so overwhelmed at the moment that I am fighting back tears. Why is it when you call doctor offices that they need to make you feel like an idiot? Our doctors office is about 45 minutes away and I don't want to take the hour and a half drive if they aren't going to help me with what I need. Not to mention the time I will be there waiting for the forms to be filled out.

Some of the questions on these forms (not to mention that alot are repeats) in my opinion are tough to answer...in my opinion my daughter is where she needs to be in her developement but I am not sure about her educational developement...I know she's not stupid, but I am not sure what they want her to know, and they combine things and then they are yes and no questions...yes she can do this but has trouble with that.....and there is NO room to write anything. I am just so frustrated right now....and Mike is NO help in this matter. Especially with him working nights and sleeping all day. I feel like screaming right now.

So that is what I am dealing with right now..I don't remember having to do all this when Ramon was her age...LOL

Vacations

2009-02-19T07:28:00.000-08:00

It's been years since I have been on a vacation. When I was growing up we went somewhere every year. My favorite ones would have to be camping...yeah we had a mobile home, so technically we didn't camp, but it wasn't home. lol And it was at a camp ground. Before we had the camper we usually rented a cottage. I remember one year, my dad had gone out fishing real early in the morning and my brother Ernie and I rowed out to him when we got up...dad had told us this outragous fish story about a huge pike....yeah yeah whatever...well, I got out of the row boat and climbed into my dads boat to fish with him and my brother rowed back to the cottage. Not long after my dad got a hit on his line and it was deja vu' of what he had just told us....he fought this fish and got it right up to the boat and when we went to scoop this HUGE pike out of the lake it just let go of the line...like it was laughing at us. When we got back to the cottage my brother had told everyone about dads story and I was telling them taht it happened again and I witnessed it...they did't believe me. Thought my dad conned me into going along with his story. I don't know if they ever did end up believing us or not but....IT WAS ALL TRUE! LOL

Smash Mouth

2009-02-18T16:59:00.001-08:00

Sorry I am posting this a little late...couldn't get my camera program to upload my photos. Yes that is Ramon...February 7th he went 4 wheeling with a friend and the 4 wheller stalled out..the 4 wheller has a pull cord to start it and Ramon leaned over to watch his friend start it and got an elbow in the mouth. He couldn't eat solid food for 4 days and even after that it still hurt to chew but was getting better. This actually looks good compared to what it really looked like. The cut in his lower lip was only a couple of layers of skin until it went completely thru...eeewwww. We were worried about him losing his bottom teeth but they seem to be doing good and tightening up. We didn't think they were lose but Ramon thought they were. His lip is completely healed. Thank God it wasn't more serious.

Happy Birthday Blake

2009-02-06T07:02:00.000-08:00

Yes it's now my little mermaids 5th birthday. OMG Time has gone by sooo fast. She's such the opposite of Ramon. Yet they adore each other so much. But they are at that age where she thinks she knows everything and she annoys her big brother. She's quiet the drama queen, the diva, the model. She loves having her picture taken...Picture me mom...those are her words.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLAKE...I love you!

Happy Birthday Ramon

2009-02-04T20:01:00.000-08:00

I am such a bad bad mom.....I can't believe I didn't post this yesterday. I thought about it all day and just nver got around to it. But I do want to wish my baby a very happy 14TH Birthday...Can you believe he's 14 already..I know I can't. He's such a great kid...I really lucked out with him. And anyone that knows him knows how great he is. He so fun and caring. I just love him to death. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE.

Here is a layout I did of him. He's such a dork. Don't know where he gets it from! ;)

Thanks so much

2009-02-01T19:32:00.000-08:00

I just want to say thanks to Tara who guided me, thru e-mails, the process of getting my very own playlist here on my blog. So.....THANK YOU, TARA. ;)

Hope you all enjoy what I have chosen and yes I am stuck in the past a bit! LOL

Scrappin Bug

2009-01-30T15:59:00.000-08:00

I have been getting so much scrappin done these past couple weeks. I wish I could transfer this mojo over to cleaning my scraproom. LOL Here are a few more that I have gotten done. So glad the weekend is here...maybe I will work on my scraproom so it's all nice and clean for the new month! :)

Well

2009-01-26T09:37:00.000-08:00

I couldn't let Blake be the only one is the spot light, so I went ahead and did a layout of Ramon, too. This photo was also taken yesterday, right after Ramon came down the hill and got a face full of snow. Both Ramon and Blake had a great time. I am so glad they finally got to go sledding. Ramon is such a great brother to Blake.

I really love how this layout came out too. :)

My Birthday

2009-01-26T04:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my 42nd birthday. I can't believe how old I am. But I don't feel old, and I dont' think I look my age. Well, maybe on a bad day! LOL And looking thru my old photos has just brought back so many memories. How crazy my friends and I used to be. Wild I tell ya. It seems so strange to think back and see where you were and where you are now. One thing that blows my mind..even after so many years is that we are all wives/parents. Somedays I can't believe I am a mom. I was a mom long before I was a wife and that is another thing...I can't believe I am married. I remember thinking that my single life and my friends were the best thing. And at the time it was. Slowly we all started getting married...then having kids. And with that came responsibilities. Birthdays used to be celebrated by having parties either at someones home (usually mine as I was the only one that still didn't live at home) or at the bar. Yesterday I celebrated with my family. It was a nice relaxing day and the kids went sledding and I got to get some pictures. It was freezing out and I didn't stay out too long...30 minutes. But I came home and was able to get some scrapping done and I created this layout of Blake playing in the snow yesterday. I think this is one of my favorite layouts that I have done.

Old Friends

2009-01-23T10:48:00.000-08:00

So I have been thinkning about my firends alot lately. It's been so long since I have seen them. Since I married and moved across the state it's been really tough. I do keep in touch thru calls, e-mails, cards and such. I was going thru my photos looking for the group picture of all of us from my wedding and I came across these photos from our 5 year reunion. OMG.....has it been 17 years since these pictures...WOW. How time flies. It's so funny that we were such party animals and now we are all married and parents. Never would have thought that would be so when these pictures where taken. I need to find the photo from my wedding. We all looked so good. I miss my friends. {{HUGS}}

Colds

2009-01-22T04:58:00.000-08:00

Well, everyone in my home is sick....we all have colds. Mike is on his third day of being home sicK. Why are men such babies? For 2 days he's been in bed and just can't do anything...I was sick 1 day before him and am still running the house. The other day Blake broke a mirror...a huge one that connects to her dresser. How did she break it you ask...well it's been leaning against the wall in the hall for almost a year. Yes I have asked dh to put it away several times. It's a very large mirror and very heavy. Well she was messing around by it and it tipped, hit the other wall and shattered. Do you think he got out of bed to help clean it up...NO...I am sick here...was his comment. Not that I was too and still having to do it. He finally came out when all that was left to do is move the frame and vacuum. arrrgggg I couldn't believe how thick the glass was...it was easily a 1/2 inch thick. Okay rant over.

Ramon started gym this week and is complaining about sore abs.....LOL....I said see how out of shape you actually are. Sitting in front of video games isn't exercise. LOL. Blake bought herself 2 Barbie movies with her christmas money. Swan Lake and The Princess and the Pauper. She loves them both and learned to use the remote to play the interactive section. She's learning some ballet steps and learing the songs. Talked to my mom yesterday. Was nice to hear from her. Haven't talked to her since New Years. It's been crazy around here with my sister her longer then expected.

I got to scrap some this week. I am hoping to get some more done today. I can't believe the month is almost over...where does the time go. Oh well...what can you do right. LOL Here are some of the layouts I did.

With My Sister Gone

2009-01-15T04:59:00.000-08:00

I have been scrapping again....it seems like forever. I finished 3 Tuesday and got these 2 done yesterday. Hope I get some done today too...have alot of catching up to do.

My sister was only supposed to be here for a week...well the night before she had to leave something went wrong with her van....it started vibrating badly. Sund Mike spent 8 hours working on her van...my sister left to head home and not more then a few miles away the vibration hadn't gone away....it was so bad that she turned around and came backknowing she wouldn't be able to travel 200 miles with this vibration. 2 days later her daughter Sarah came and got her son to take home and so he wouldn't miss anymore school. Mike took it to a local mechanic (one he trusts and knows) and they could not find the problem...they thought it was the trans but when they tested it it seemed to check out fine...we did get another trans and they put it in....it helped....the vibration wasn't gone but it was 98% better. She finally got on the road Monday evening and got home at 12:45 a.m. safely.

Nice Surprise

2009-01-06T06:38:00.000-08:00

When I got up this morning and checked my e-mails I had one in there that was a wonderful surprise. I recieved an e-mail from Emily. As alot of you may know I used to be a nanny before I had my own children...I worked for the R-R's for over 8 years. They have 3 wonderful children Jenny, Emily and David...all in which are in their 20's now...OMG...am I old or what? I started when Emily and David (twins) where born. I had met them when I was a teachers assistant and Jenny was a 2 year old in my class and their mom was pregnant with the twins. They had asked me if I would be interested in coming to work for them when they had the babies and I agreed. I couldn't have worked for a more wonderful family. It has been over a year since I have been in contact with any of them. I have kept in touch all these years..I was able to go to all of their graduation parties from high school. They have met Mike, Ramon and Blake. They are a part of my family. I think of them often. It was so nice to read what Emily has been up to. I need to contact their mom and say hello and wish them well.
I just wanted to share the nice suprise that I got with you. :)

Happy New Years Eve

2008-12-31T06:43:00.000-08:00

Another year GONE....can you believe that in less then 24 hours it's 2009....I can't. Where did the year go? I am heading to my moms this evening......Mike, Ramon, Blake, Rosanne and George. I can't wait to see my mom and my sister Elise. I am almost done with the 2 albums I am doing of Ramon and Blake for my mom, just need to embellish...I was hoping to get one done for Elise...but it doesn't look good. Maybe I will just give her the pictures that I printed out for her album...if she wants me to put them in an album I will bring them back home..finish it and then mail it to her. Need to make a couple appetizers for this eveing...artichoke dip and chipped beef dip....yummy. Haven't had either in a long time. Also have to get everyone packed and bathed...going to be one heck of a busy day.

I am wishing all of my wonderful friends and family a safe and Happy New Year. Hope you all have a wonderful evening and I will think of you all at midnight. {{hugs}}

It's Almost that Time Again

2008-12-25T19:17:00.000-08:00

In one month it will be my birthday.....42 HOLY CANOLI.....most of my friends celebrated their 40th this year and most of them had surprise birthday parties...I wasn't able to make it to them and I miss that...but I remember many years ago a surprise birthday party that my firends gave me in my own apartment. It was my first surprise party and it was such a great one....we sure did know how to have fun back then. I know I have pictures from it somewhere....I need to dig them out and look at them...wish I could upload them here....that would be a hoot! lol

Merry Christmas to my family and friends

2008-12-25T18:53:00.000-08:00

Well, it's almost over. Hope everyone had a great day. Our day was soo laid back, it was kind of nice. We didn't have to travel anywhere. We had Mikes boys over night and then Mike took them to their moms at noon and the rest of the day was just relaxing...didnt even make dinner...LOL...decided on saving it for tomorrow for when my sister gets here. We just muched on this and that. DD is already asleep so to bed I am heading real soon. Worked on my moms mini album a little bit today...printed up more pics and also worked on my December album....I have alot of journaling to do in it. ACK...You all know how much I just love to journal.....NOT!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Merry Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T07:14:00.000-08:00

I can not believe that tomorrow is Christmas and that I won't be seeing my family. :( But I will be able to see some of them on New Years at my moms. :) Wasn't able to get Mike anything and he didn't get me anything...just cn't afford it. Last year we were supposed to be smart and take a bit of money out of each check so that come christmas we would have no worries.....but this was such a bad year financially taht it just never happened. We have again said that we will do it for next year...I am going to make sure of that. We weren't even able to get my other ss anything...he's 18 so it wouldnt' have been too much anyways....I was hoping we would be able to run out tonight with Mikes bonus check and get him something...but in with Mikes check wasn't a bonus check but a letter saying with the way the economy is...blah blah blah.... I am really sick of this companies BS.....I am hoping that come the new year Mike will start working for his brother and making alot more money...this is my christmas wish.

More Snow

2008-12-23T13:59:00.000-08:00

I just can't get over all the snow....I am not complaining...I love the snow...it's so beautiful. But it has been snowing everyday since before December started...I am not kidding. I do worry about Mike driving so far in this weather. They have cut back on the road workers and how often they will plow the roads and put ice down. Mike missed work yesterday because they announced on the news that teh roads would NOT be plowed or salted until the afternoon, because it would be pointless. So stay off the roads. What a bunch of BS. So that is my complaint today.

Working on the mini album of Ramon that I am making for my mom....started it early this year but missed placed it...need to make one of Blake too...I also need to make one for Elise but I will combine hers. I am running out of time but I do have until New Years. Made a couple CD orniments for them too.

I can't believe christmas is in 2 days. I did get some wrapping done..not much. Of course as soon as I started Blake woke up...lol Might try to get more done tonight...if she goes to sleep early again.

Life is soo crazy

2008-12-22T06:30:00.000-08:00

at this time of year...where did it go? I cannot believe christmas in in a few days. I did get all my shopping done...just need to get it wrapped. DH is home today because of the weather, so hopefully I will get it done today. Still haven't gotten my camera program figured out. Not that I have done much scrapping to show but I did get one done that I absolutely love. Maybe dh can work on that problem while I am wrapping. :)

A good friend of mine, Eryn...has made a gorgeous digi kit...another friend Janet has called it blingalicious and it is just that, you can purchase it here. http://www.erynsscraps.blogspot.com/

Crazy Week

2008-12-11T22:48:00.000-08:00

Last Friday someone from child services went to my step sons school to talk to him....didn't find this out until dh got back home from taking him to his mothers. His comment was...Oh someone came today and I smoothed things over for Donna. Smoothed things over for ME? Oh that just frosted my cookies...he's the one that got us into this mess to begin with. So I got a call earlier in the week from a very nice man from child services. We talked for about an hour and a half. I didn't bring up the suicide thing as I didn't want to stir up any other problems..especially after he told me that he feels there is no need for this to go any further. So I thought I would just let sleeping dogs lie.

Went and got our tree today. A really nice one...a white pine. Ramon wasn't thrilled about getting a real one after the last one we had....it was a meany. It was a blue spruce...boy are those painful. But he likes the one we got. It has soft long needles. We also went out to dinner. Had these huge burritos. Delicious. Was nice not to cook even though I made SuzieQ's Corn Chowder. But I started it late and it wasn't going to be ready for a couple more hours and Mike was starving. Fine with me...dinner is ready for tomorrow. :)

Blakes very sick. Every night she procrastinates when it's bed time and usually lasts a good hour. Also usually ending with her tummy is talking...she's soo hungry...she's starving.....oh I forgot to have my snack. Anything. So tonight when she was telling me that her tummy hurt I just thought it was her coming up with a new way to say she was hungry. I should have thought something was up when she fell asleep pretty fast after that. I heard her cough a couple times and then got up and went to the bathroom. I asked if she was okay and she said yes in a sad little voice and went I went into the bathroom she started crying that she threw up all over herself and her bed. Got her cleaned up and put her in my bed and started laundry..sat down and she threw up all over my bed. More laundry. I am sooo tired right now but I want to get this last load in the washer before I head to bed. She's been quiet for the last hour, so hopefully she will sleep the rest of the night. My poor little baby. I hope she gets well quick...we are supposed to go see Santa saturday. :(

PART 2

2008-12-05T08:43:00.001-08:00

Mike and Drew went to their appointment with the P/O. By 10:00 I was hyterical. Jim had to turn in his report from the night before and the knife incident was on it. The P/O has to report that to child services. I am so scared....I don't know what will happen....because of Drews selfish acts, out bursts and lies, now I am going to be looked upon as a bad mother..that they may think my children are in harms way being around me. I have never hurt my children. I am so scared. This is something that I will NEVER forgive my step son for. No matter what the outcome. My one question though is...How come Drews suicide threats haven't been reported...and why is that not as serious as a false knife threat? I have so much anger in me right now...that I wish I could just close my eyes and when I open them this will have been nothing but a nightmare! :(

Please....say a prayer for me. I am so scared and feel so all alone right now.:(

2008-12-05T08:11:00.000-08:00

It started out as a good week and has just gotten worse as it went on. Tuesday I got in a fight with my step son Drew. He came home earlier then usual...he got a ride home from his girlfriends mom. This is against his probation. I didn't nkow it at the time. What started th fight was that he allowed his girlfriend into my home...harsh you think...well since the end of August she has owed me an apolige. Neither her or Drew wants her to give it to me. They both know that she isn't allowed her until I get one. She has had over 4 months to do this. She chooses not to. So I was in the kitchen cutting up veggies when she came into my house, "to see Blake" ..doesn't matter what she was there for..she isn't allowed. Don't use my daughter as an excuse to try and get away with something. So about 10 minutes after she left I said something to Drew, I said Drew I am not trying to be a biatch but this..your girlfriend coming in to see Blake or whatever isn't allowed...she is not allowed her for any reason. You both know it. He was in the diningroom by the livingroom and I was in teh kitchen by the stove...a good 20 feet if not more away. Well, he got all defensive right off the bat. Started saying things, I responded. Names were called and I told him to go to his room. He refused. More words were spoken and I told him to get out of my house....pointing to the door. He said I don't pay for anything so this isn't my house it's his dads. I said this is my house and you can just leave..again pointing to the door. He started heading towards the phone which is on a long counter in between the kitchen and diningrom... he looked down at my hand and said as he stepped towards me and puffed out his chest..Oh are you going to stab me know...OMG...I didnt' even realize I still had the knife in my hand. He grabbed the phone saying he was clling his mom and I said no you're not get out and I grabbed the plug and disconnected it. He threw the phone across the kithen and it shattered against the wall. I left the room and when I came back he was looking for the pieces, I took what he had from his hands and he then left the room. I was so scared and shaking so bad. He came back through and then left the house. I went searching for our other phone that Blake plays with to call his dad, couldn't find it, couldn't find my cell either. I fianlly found the other phone and couldn't get through to Mike, then the phone rang and it was Mike asking me what the heck was going on....I just busted out crying. I asked how he knew and he said he got a call from his ex...how did she know...Drew called her...how? He used your cell. WTH he stole my cell phone? Mike told me to call the police and Jim (his house arrest guardian person) I said I wasn't calling the police but would call Jim. Jim showed up and picked up Drew who was sitting outside and they left. Mike got home and we waited. They finally came back and we all sat down and talked. Drew had told Jim that I was jabbing the knife towards his chest. OMG...I couldn't believe what was coming out of his mouth. He also stated that he hated it at our house, that he wakes up every morning hoping to get hit by something on his way to school. He had aslo told Jim that I had direspected him when I said that his girlfriend wasn't allowed her, making Jim think I did this in front of her...Jim agreed that I was being disrespectful and I spoke up....I said...this is totally wrong... How am I vbeing disrespectful... He knows she isn't allowed to be here yet he did. I told him that I didn't even say anything right away, that I waited at least 5 minutes after she left. Jim looked at Drew and asked....so your girlfriend wasn't even here? Drew took along time before answering that one. Drew said he wanted to go back and live with his mom and that he wanted to go to the Grant schools..this is were his girlfriend goes....THIS EXPLAINS HIS OUTRAGE...The talking went on and Drew again spoke of thinking about killing himself. Jim told him that he will discuss this with Drews P/O and maybe see if they can get him into a foster home...or he may think he needs to go to juvie.....this was pretty much the end and Jim left. Mike took Drew to the store and they talked. Drew said taht he was lying about it all, that I wasn't pointing the knife at him in a harmful way at all and that he knew letting his girlfriend in was going to cause a problem. When he got home Mike made him call Jim and tell him what he had said to him in the car. Later I found a letter from him to me on my desk. So much crap comes out of his mouth that you can't believe anything he says..but I took this letter to heart and wrote him one in return. The next morning they had a scheduled appointment with the P/O.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T19:45:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to say that I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We had a great day. Watched a bit of the parade. Ate alot of the appetizers, watched a movie, took a nap, ate dinner, played LIFE, Blakes choice, Ramon won. Had pie. Mike did all the dishes and for this I am very thankful. My hands got tore up with all the dishes and cooking I did yesterday. Now everyone is in bed, Ramon and Blake are in her room watching Toy Story, Mike is in our room watching the history channel and am getting ready to go to sleep. I wanted to scrap but my step son left his ceiling fan on (not sure why he had it one in the first place) and the ceiling is 10 feet high and it was just too cold in there. Will have to get the ladder from the shed tomorrow and turn it off. Need to get my Deccember album done before the 1st. : 0

Winter Fun

2008-11-26T08:12:00.000-08:00

Got a few shots of Ramon building his fort. He and Drew made there own to prepare for their snowball fight. As you can see there isn't much snow left after rolling it all up to the make their forts. It looked like we got alot more snow before they started. Wish I had gotten a picture of the snow first thing in the morning when it was all new and fresh. Next time...I am sure there will plenty of more ops. ;)

My Dad

2008-11-19T17:38:00.000-08:00

It's been over 14 years since I lost my dad to cancer...he died before I could tell him that I was expecting my son Ramon. I named Ramon after my dad...Ramon is spanish for Raymond which was my dads name. I wish I had a photo of my dad to share. He was a good guy. He taught me how to fillet fish, he was known as the "fisherman". He loved fishing, boating, playing poker.

I remember one summer, we rented a cottage...my dad would be up and on the lake before anyone else got up and my brother Ernie and I took the row boat out to meet him...when we got there he told us this fish story about catching something...it put up such a fight, he knew it was a huge fish and just as he got it to the top of the water it let go of the hook...it was a pike, the biggest pike he's ever seen...my brother and I just rolled our eyes and was like..yeah okay dad whatever. I decided to climb into the boat with my dad and fish and my brother rowed back to the cottage. About 30 minutes later my dad got another big hit on his line and he fought this fish for a long time...he was getting it closer and closer to the boat and he yelled for me to get the net, I grabbed the net and stood ready and just as my dad got the fish to the top of the water, I leaned over to get it and there it was this HUGE pike...I couldn't believe it....just as I put the net in the water the fish let go of the hook..again. When we got back to the cottage my brother had told my dads story and when I tried to tell them that it was true and that it happened again, no one believed us...they kept asking how much money my dad had offered me to say that I saw it ...LOL

I miss him.

Blog Tag

2008-11-13T07:36:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been tagged by Tara. I have to post 7 facts about myself and in return list 7 people to do the samething on their blog and Tag 7 people of their own! Any facts at all.

here are my facts:
1. I love to buy a new purses. It's an obsession. Ramon would hate when we would be shopping and would go by the purses, he would say: Not Another Purse..you don't need another one. LOL

2. I HATE FEET: I hate to touch them...anybodies.GROSS!!!!!

3. OMG....do not touch my knees....they are so ticklish...just the thought freaks me out.

4. I used to be a type of Body Guard for my friends...I was the one who would fight their battles if they had a problem with someone wanting to hurt them. I would step in and take care of it. Most of the time it ended with that person backing down, which was nice!

5. I can suck in my neck..it's really gross to everyone but I like freaking them out. If I were to do it now my neck is sore the next day! I am getting old.LOL

6. I collect elephants. I don't know who or when it started. Dumbo is my favorite Disney movie and I know my sister got my a stuffed Dumbo for my 25th birthday and I think that is when it stared. Because I dont' remember gettting or having any before that.

7. I love to go to yard/garage sales and resale shops. I love finding treasures that probably I could live without but when you can get it at a great price it makes it so much better. ;)

Boy that was tough...but I got 7...and now the 7 people that I am tagging are:

Desi
Peggy
Ida
Shannon
Eryn
Deb
Melissa

Can't wait to see your facts!

More Snow

2008-11-09T18:13:00.000-08:00

Yes, it snowed all day...just light flurries for most of the day. Until about 4:00 p.m. then these huge flakes stared coming down real fast. The kids quickly (ok not so quickly for blake as she was only in her underware) and headed outside to catch snowflakes on their tongues. The car was covered by the time Mike went to pick up Drew.

Didn't get much scrapping done today....a couple pages in my December Daily Album. I am finding it hard to get my pages ready without knowing what will happen on those days, so I am keeping them quite simple. Trying to get Mike to get me a new cartridge of ink for my photo lab so that I will be all set to print pictures each day. Well, see how that goes. lol

Snow already

2008-11-08T12:41:00.000-08:00

Yes, I woke up today with snow all over the ground. I couldn't believe it...I don't mind the snow but I don't think I and ready for it yet. Mike got off the night shift about 5:30 and said it started coming down real hard...he went from 50 mph to 20 mpr...in a matter of seconds, because the visability was real bad. Not long after I got up it started raining and cleared the snow. It's still raining and it got real cold!

Getting a little scrapping done today. Working on my December Album and I finished a layout for a challenge!

Halloween

2008-11-03T17:00:00.000-08:00

Boy times have changed from when I was a kid....when I was a kid we went trick or treating from dusk until there were no more porch lights on. Now a days they have made it that you can only trick or treat until 8...well, where we are anyways. I don't have a specific halloween that stands out...however...my mom did teach us how to play poker with our halloween candy...lol

This year Ramon went out as a Cereal killer (notice the cross spoons on his hoody) and Blake was a Gothic Vampire. Here are a couple pictures.

Good Morning

2008-11-03T05:25:00.000-08:00

It rained all day but it seems that it is going to be a relatively nice day..the sun is shining at least. Well, it's Monday, start of a new week. Going to get some more scrapping done. I got a couple completed over the weekend. It was a very lazy weekend....love weekends like that. Have some dishes to do and a bit of straightening up in the livingroom. Maybe throw in a load of laundry while I am at it.

Still having back pains, meds aren't lasting to long and they are getting more frequent and stronger....:(

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

Well, dd is out of the bath and hre hair is dry...I am taking pictures as we go in getting ready for halloween...the eye liner didn't go so well, took alot for her to trust me. Her under clothes are in the dryer (yeah I know, nothing like waiting till the last minute right) We just need to make her hair crazy and lipstick. She is going to look fantastic and I can't wait to do a layout. Mike is stopping to get bobby pins for her hair. Dinner is almost ready...Italian Wedding soup....smells fabulous. DS's costume is easy. All he wanted was a mask and he's going to wear black pants and a black hoody that says CEREAL Killer on it and it has a skull and cross SPOONS, too. Need to get a picture of them together. We are going to go to town to trick or treat as most folks around here have left for the winter, then we might head over to DS's school as they are going to have some games and other activities! Well, I think that is it for now. Have a great day! ;)

My Biggest Fear

2008-10-29T07:22:00.000-07:00

I have been challenged to post about my fears. My # 1 fear is spiders.....I don't care how small they are I do not like them....I freak out. I even freak out when they are in movies or t.v. shows. What is your biggest fear?

Still Waiting

2008-10-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

Well, didn't actually find much out yesterday during the " preliminary hearing" ss just pleaded guilty and now we have to await the hearing for his sentencing....(another day dh has to miss work) He's still on house arrest though.

On a happier note...I got another layout done this morning...I was hoping to start on another one but I got a headache and I am out of pain pills...so I am just surfing.

I want to thank Desi for helping me get my layouts to scroll on my page. And alot fater then the way I was trying to do it! ;)

I also want to thank Peggy, Prettypeaches and Desi for the hugs...Thanks ladies!

Sad News

2008-10-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I got a call from my mom this morning...our friend Marie passed away yesterday! Though we knew she would be, it doesn't make it any easier. I had a lot of good times in my life that she was a part of! I will miss her deeply. Marie, God Bless You! I love you!

Happy Hump Day

2008-10-22T05:13:00.000-07:00

Well, it's SS court appearance today, at 1:00. Don't know what I want to happen. I know what he needs, but we can't afford it. It will cost us half of $170.00 a day if he is sent away to juvie. That is totally outrageous. All of this is because he has a mother that has no sense and wants to be more of a friend then a parent. At least we aren't having to pay the court fines, the damage fines or anything else that came up before the hearing!

What am I doing wrong

2008-10-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

Why can't I get the images to go under my words? I have tried and it just keeps staying at the top. Oh and why can't I edit my posts? There isn't a pencil at the bottom....Oh well, one day I will know what the heck I am doing! lol Too tired right now.....need to go back to bed..was up way to late these last few days! ;)

Cards Kick

2008-10-16T04:51:00.000-07:00

So since NCMD I have been on a card kick. I am loving what I am making and am hoping to get all my christmas cards done in time this year and sent out. Last year I made I think 10, give or take, and only got them out to my family....this year my personal goal is to get them all done AND sent out. Which leads me to getting a picture of DD and DS for their christmas pic to send out in the cards! ;) Here are some I made!

Got A Call

2008-10-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

I got a call the other night from one of my oldest and dearest friends...I was so surprised to see her name on my caller I.D. I probably haven't talked to her in a year. Well, it was bad news...her grandmother has taken ill and will probably not make it...it's very sad. I have known Marie all my life. 41 years is a long time. Her and her late husband Papa Chuck have been great friends to my parents and family for so long, they are part of the family. I was lucky to have had her in my life.

Finally........

2008-09-12T17:07:00.000-07:00

I got some help from Desi today and she helped me find a new background for my blog. Want to thank her for her patience with me! ;) As you can see it's been awhile since I have been here myself. Have been very busy. My sister came for 2 weeks in the middle of August and then school started. Haven't been scrapping all that much...but I am hoping that with everyone getting settled back to the school routine I can get my mojo back. Here is a layout I finished this week.

No Luck

2008-08-10T09:47:00.001-07:00

I have no idea what I am doing.....I was able to change the color of the date...lol...Will have to wait till someone wants to sit with me and tell me how to do what...lol

So for now I will just blab....;)

Had a campfire last night....made smores...yummmmm...seems it's been awhile since we had them....my nieghbor had her INTIRE family over yesterday and DD hung out over three playing with the kids...I wish there was someone around here her age for her to play with. :( There are a couple kids across the canal from us, that she just started to hang out with...but they only come on the weekends, usually and the father always seems put out when dd wants to go over and play. Their kids seem real nice and dd enjoys them.

My sister is coming tomorrow...for a 2 week visit.....I always look forward to it but look forward to the regular schedule when the 2 weeks are up! lol

Well, I guess that is enough jabbering for the day...chores to do and lunch to make. :)

The Plunge

2008-08-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it...I took the plunge. I am now an official blogger....Woo Hoo....I have joined the rest of you nuts in the bowl! The only questions is.....how often am I going to be on here! lol Well, I just wanted to say hello....off to play with my blog! ;)