Are you freakin' kidding me?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/12/chris.brown.rihanna.duet/index.html

Ugh!

Spring is coming...

I don't care what the temperature is outside, spring is definitely coming. I mean, the robins have been here since January (maybe even prior to Christmas) and they are outside right now singing their little hearts out. Maybe their songs are telling me to be patient...but it's just so hard!

I'm having an internal conflict right now about what I should do next. I have a blank spot in my kitchen that needs to be filled, another that has been the same for so long I could barf. The picture window in the living room needs to be replaced (as do all of our windows) and so i'm waiting for that to get blinds (it's only been 7 years) and new draperies. Our bedroom needs a redo and two closets (okay, four) need something done with them. Should I start small or go big? What will make the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time and give me some much needed momentum? I think I could do something in the kitchen fairly quickly. I have this kit from two peas and could see that either on the west wall in the kitchen (coincidentally it's green too) or maybe in our bedroom above the bed. I should play around with it and see what I can come up with.

I've been inspired lately by Becky Novacek, photographer extraordinaire, when I took her photography workshop this past weekend. Her work hanging in her studio is on big canvases and is really stunning. My problem would probably be finding photos that I would want to look at every single day on a large scale and hang them around the house. I might need to wait until it warms up and see if I could catch my boys outside. Or, we want to have our photos taken and may see if Becky can do them. Guaranteed to have a shot or two to enlarge from her i'm sure. Anyway, here are some of the shots I managed to get:



Nevermind that she is gorgeous and has the patience of a saint considering all of us sticking our lenses in her face. Thanks Michaela! I had such a fantastic time on Saturday that I didn't want it to end. I do hope that I get to see these ladies again and to learn how they are progressing. Hopefully I will be able to do the same!

And for the last couple of photos, it's Owen. First of all how he's been feeling lately (poor baby!) and what he decided to do today while we are at home. I heard a chair scooting along the kitchen floor and went out to find him "cooking" on the kitchen counter. Sheesh!




I am realizing now that I should have napped while the boys did. I'm crazy tired and Owen will be getting up any time now...maybe just a few winks! ;)

Long time no post...

i'm afraid that today may be a non-photo day. i would have to run upstairs to get my camera and that seems like a long way to go just to add a photo. i am feeling the sunday hangover today. i didn't want to get out of bed, i don't want to work, worse yet, i don't want to use any capital letters!! i was on the scale today for the first time in a while and have gained about 3 pounds. so that's it. as of today i'm trying to lose 5 pounds this month. okay, 6 would probably make me feel better but hey, baby steps. so i'll try to walk today and am already drinking water. breakfast is in order too i guess, probably yogurt or something else good for me. but again, have to go upstairs...lazy!!

enjoy the day, the week...the month? for as often as i post that is! this week is supposed to be gorgeous here so i'm already looking forward to friday as it's supposed to be the nicest day of all. oh, and the bunco i'm playing friday night with some ladies here in town. i know 3 of them so the other 8 will be new to me! yay! new friends!? :)

Wow, what a break!

My Christmas break from the U started on the 23rd of December...yes, that's almost two weeks ago. Wow! And what a much needed break it was. I suppose I need to start with the fact that I finally finished my class on the 16th and see that i've received an A for a grade. Ryan and I were discussing the fact that this was by far the most stressful course i've taken towards my MPA. The work involved was overwhelming and I was more than a little stressed at times. But it's over and I have two courses left. Hopefully this time next year I will have my degree. :) I guess that can be my new year's resolution (of which I resolved to have none).

I was able to have a holiday lunch with my friend Kerri and she turned me on to this little store we have here in town called Heartland Gifts. I managed to find something for my Aunt Dawn and a little something for me too!! I've been trying and trying to find a tree topper to no avail. I finally found something I really love...

Next came Christmas! A trip up to Ryan's parents for Christmas Eve (3 hours away). Fun with his family and the mounds of gifts that the kids got (see the picture above of the boys and our nieces)! That same evening we drove back to my parents (2 hours away) and woke up to share Christmas Day with my family. My niece and nephew were able to be with us so we were thrilled!! The following day we got home (only 1 hour this time) and had our own Christmas!

I received the most beautiful camera bag from Wicked Stitch Designs. I chose the fabrics ahead of time and told Ryan what I wanted. He ordered it and it is just gorgeous!

See what I mean? GORGEOUS! I love it and am thrilled to be carrying it around!

Okay, last thing. Mom and I painted what was the spare bedroom in our basement last monday. I wanted to turn it into a play room for the boys. Beyond that, it means that Ryan and I can relax in the basement right next to them, a place we haven't been able to hang out in for some time due to the clutter and general lack of comfort down there. I remedied all of that in one week's time. Here is the final result...

So much fun and the boys just love it! Max especially loves the art center. When I finally get chairs I guarantee he will spend hours in there! What a productive and fun-filled break! Happy New Year everyone! I hope it is a fantastic 2009!!

This is my quilt

Okay, Karen managed to get me to post to my blog which I have simply ignored for the past two months! So from her I am inspired to show my quilt and how it's coming along...

Packaging up each row so it stays somewhat organized!

Some of the fabrics...love Amy Butler!

How it will look when it's all finished!

Sadly this is as far as i've gotten. I'm hoping to find more time soon.

Oh sheesh...Pre-K already?!

On August 20 my "baby" went to school for the first time! He was so excited to go. All ready with his new backpack and tennies. I don't know where on earth the time has gone. It all seems to be going really well except on some days when he misses me. But I figure it's less than three hours, how much can he really miss me? :)

I'm gearing up for fall here, just planted a whole front stoop's worth of mums and grasses yesterday (photo to come) and the pool is coming down tonight. I may even stick my "Autumn Welcome" scarecrow in the ground this weekend. But before I know it, winter will be here and i'll remember back to the hot days spent in the pool and will be sad I ever wished it away.

Husker football started on Saturday and we spent the evening with our friends Casey and Shannie and their four kids. We had a ball catching up...it had only been two years! Time flies when you're having fun (and kids).

Wowsa, time flies...

It's been such a long time since I've posted but i've got all kinds of excuses...vacation, work, illness! But today i'm posting to try to win something, a new camera strap! Check out: http://www.cottoncandybynatalie.etsy.com/

She does some really gorgeous straps! I admire those who can take the seemingly insignificant and make something beautiful out of it.

Fabulous stuff!! Here's a picture. As a whole I am in LOVE with etsy...so many people with gorgeous wares waiting to be purchased by the rest of us who don't have quite as much talent but really wish we did! :)

My latest foray into creativity was for some wide leg lounge pants from Amy Butler's book. I haven't taken a picture of the finished product but here's one of the "ingredients."