Mo Unleashed

Gift Cards or Bust. Mission: Toys vs little people with $

2011-12-29T00:51:00.005-06:00

Out on the town today. And by that i mean, I braved the streets to return a few items at the local target and Toys R Us. I promised we would go because the babies had dental appts and thats not fun. Interestingly, the stores was calm. Target's shelves in the toy dept were barren, disheveled and unorganized. Children of all shapes and sizes meandered through the asiles looking for the perfect toy to buy with their Christmas dollars. My children left the store with... NOTHING. It was hard to fathom that either child would leave ANY store empty handed. I dont even escape the grocery without a "need" for the 20 dollar matchbox car. The pockets of my children remained jingling... Not even a random cheap clearance item was proposed. Perhaps the babies are learning! Learning to make their dollars stretch or get "more bang for their buck" or maybe, they are saving for a grander, more luxurious item.. I left Target with credits.. yay! But, all bets were off as we landed the Navigator at TRU. One child wanted everything. This child had no concept of money... It was as if he had the Gold card. The other was holding out for a special doll that was not in stock. So nothing for her. Good girl. After a good hour wandering the aisles, the small one decided on a Imagitex castle playset and yet another set of Scooby people.. that's 4 sets total in this house. (i'm actually kind of tired of finding Velma in obscure places, like under the sheets, in a plant or in a cupboard) But he chose something inexpensive and I was ready to roll out. Not bad. with returns i paid 20 bucks. The Big one went online to TRU.com and bought the Journey doll with glasses, contributing to my Ebates rewards. (love it) Both children contributed to the Toys R Us Rewards too, so some time in February some chunky little checks will begin arriving in my box. McDonalds for dinner, 15 bucks. and a heartburn. Priceless.

Crock Pot Lasagna AKA Mile High Lasagna!

2011-12-28T01:20:00.003-06:00

Crock Pot Lasagna AKA Mile High Lasagna!

This is my entry for the Zanussi cookers make every meal a masterpiece competition

As most of my friends know, I love to take pictures. any pictures. But when i try new dishes, I enjoy to take them of food! Even though I have a very nice Canon camera, I find that my IPhone and the photoshop app are just perfect for a quick shot!

I made this lasagna via the Slow Cooker. I combined several recipes into one! I started with a sauce base and then loaded up per my family's likes. what we got was a TALL lasagna, and it was so tender, yet just the right crispness on top! I added some mixed veggies, the kids enjoyed the carrot balls! I do not think I will be making traditional lasagna again. When i tell them whats for dinner, they make sure that they will be getting the Mile High lasagna! Score a point for Mo!

LOVING!

2011-10-29T18:46:00.000-05:00

SPOOKTACULAR BLOG HOP!

wow, what a diverse group of coolness!

AUGUST..

2009-08-05T00:32:00.003-05:00

wow, already August. The summer has flown by. Between all the jobs.. and kids, and jeffs new job.. its been stressfull. I'm tired. And my back is so sore... But thankfully things are looking up and i must be thankful.. because there things could have gotten worse. I see light, ya'll! School starts next monday.. sad, but..um... maybe a little relieved to not hear the incessant fighting, screaming, screetching, blah... oh and perhaps afternoon naps with my not-so-baby-cadyn..cuz he will be 3 next month. we are potty training. and it's not really working. he thinks poop is funny. and shaking his "bootie"meven "funn-er". So as they say.. when he's ready, right... damn expensive diapers... so tired of buying them. I wont be sending him to preschool...although he wll be of age.. gonna do the holding back thing, perhaps we may try in january, bu this lil dude is just not ready...or maybe I'm not ready...hmm.

Bella has grown a smart mouth.. not so fun. I feel horrible always scolding, but what else to do? She is growing so fast and has recently gotten into accesorizing herself.. bling and all..very girly and very pink. she says she cant wait to wear my clothes...heehee.. i'm sure i was dying to get into my moms bell bottoms when i was her age, lol. Shes so gorgeous...

Here are some recent stuffs i have done... for the store and Story Matters!

Enjoy and happy august!

Story Matters... blog challenge.. go there, there are awesome designers and awesome raks almost every month!!! (link to the right----------->)

My Grunge bird! A'la Wendy vecchi and Holtz, this was a blast to make!

Gotta love grunge paper...period. thats all.

Prima, Prima, I love you............

2009-04-21T14:40:00.001-05:00

A layout I recently did for th store's blog and for The Story Matters. One of my faves, by far. Its so junky and dimensional.... I had a lot of fun with this one.

2009-04-12T14:34:00.003-05:00

It has been a looong time. Life is busy here. Between working at the store and the clinic, my schedule is full. And wedding season has officially begun! yay! Most of my saturdays in may and june are booked for weddings, so I am so excited!
The kids are great. Bella has lost a total of 4 teeth now, and has takn on a lisp. Its actually kinda cute. Cady continues to roar on. Now that the weather is getting nice, the kids live in the backyard. You will constantly hear the lil motors of the Power Wheels, racing around the pool enclosure... However menacing, its comforting as well, knowing they aren't parked in front of the televsion!
Buds are popping up all over my yard. I am sick with anticipation for planting my annuals and caring for the perennials. Tulips ought to be out shortly. They always seem to make their debut when all is still cold and stoney-looking. Oh, I saw a fox the the other day and gaggle of deer! I know, wrong word, but i like "gaggle".
I backed down from my postion as designer for Ready-Set-Create. I virtually had no time to play and create with all the wonderful products- in addtion to designing for the store and working and blah..blah.... I was so sad to go. It felt as tho i had been there forever.
On a pleasant note, My girlfriend Penny asked I join her blog challenge team, called The Story Matters. (linkage to follow) It centers around creating with an an idea, theme, or story. With my passion for journalling, I joined right on. One layout a month... I can do it, right?
So, thats whats up. today. that i can remember.

2008-12-12T01:14:00.002-06:00

I have finally found my Prince Charming!!!

Heheee, No really, but I did give birth to someone's Prince Charming a couple years ago.. We finally got my brother's wedding under our belts! It was really nice. Everyone looked fabulous and the kids even behaved.. well kinda. Cadyn yelled "Go Obama" whilst the bride and groom were exchagning rings. I had to share this pic of me and my Bubby because its not often he will sit for ANY picture.. I am lucky to have this one!

I will post some my wedding shots later!

SHARING TIME

2008-11-02T01:27:00.006-05:00

Happy Halloween, Merry Samhain, Good All Souls Day.

It was fabulous and busy for us. Between trick-or-treating on 3 days and 2 parades... and a swim party.. the week was both festive and tiring! My babies ended up catching a stomach bug and practically missed the festivities on the 31st.. but I allowed for one hour of treating (with potty breaks and all). The weather was a remarkable 70 degrees. In all my life of tricking and treating I cannot remember a pleasant and un-cold Halloween.

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday!

TWO TWO TWO!

2008-09-17T11:30:00.002-05:00

So, he is going to turn two! Amazing. I cannot belive I have only loved him that long. Seems like a forever that he's been with me. Cadyn turns 2 on Friday. We plan to take him to Happy Joes to let him bounce off the walls in there. On Sunday we will have a huge bash/cookout at the house with everyone. A pinata will be in full force, to permit this lil muchkin to smash, hit and abuse it. Like a dream come true for him, i am sure. I promised to let him have his own Coke to slurp, spill and caffinate himself until he bursts from so much energy... I am attempting (once again, cooking?) to make "DIRT" for his cake. I have another "real" cake ordered, just in case I fail miserably. Jeff bought him a Power Wheels convert. Mustang we plan to unveil on Sunday. It is supposed to be divine here... as it has been, a perfect day to celebrate his day! Pictures sure to follow.......

2008-08-11T10:40:00.002-05:00

My baby went back to school. Bitter sweet. She was all decked out in her Camp Rock gear. I walked in and dropped her off at her desk of course, because, I am not ready to let go all the way. As much as this little one, with her sassy mouth drove me batty all summer, I still wasn't that mom that was excited to see summer vacation end. First flippin grade. wow. I am so excited to pick her up and hear all about her day.

Over the summer, my Boo played and and swam and had the summer of her life. She watched camp Rock about a zillion times, so much so, that I myself have not been able to get those damn Jonas Brother songs out of my head. how sad is that?? I need a Joe Jonas shirt.....She has 3 new best friends (all sisters) that pratically live in my house. It has been so nice having them live across the street, because my Boo has never been more happy!

Everything here is going....well, its just going. Starting a new business has definitly had its moments. Seems as if this hole will never close up.. and it keeps getting deeper. On a good note, Jeff and I got to go to Vegas for a convention. We were as frugal as u can possibly be in Vegas. We enjoyed ourselves, a kind of mini honeymoon, as we celebrated..or mourned rather, our 7th wedding anniversary July 27th. I supposse having been together for 15 years, anniversaries are kinda mundane anymore. But we did have fun! We baked in the sun everyday and had some cocktials at night! We danced and laughed and ate, oh my did we eat. The company supplied almost every meal, buffets of heaven. My friend Barbie met me in Vegas and we went to see a Prince impersonater.. for 5 bucks! Most know how huge a Prince fan I am, so this was extra crazy- special for me! (omg, can u believe Prince will be turing 50??????? holy shit!)

I got a job last week! I am returning yet again to the nursing scene, as much as i do not want to work... we can not afford me NOT working, so here i go.. I begin orientation next week. Wish me luck!

Cadyn is as wild as ever. It's his daddy's genes. This child is w.i.l.d. Over the summer he has learned to ride Bella's power wheels and take corners like Dale Earnhardt, no shit. People freak out watching him. And he isnt even 2 yet. He has also learned how to use a scooter and, yup, its also freaky to see this short dude cruising, leg up and all. I mean, he is not even 2!!!!!!! Everyone keeps saying i need to send video in to some kind of home video show, cuz it is THAT funny! Oh yeah, by the way he will be 2, in like... weeks. My little man, is gonna be freaking 2. That will be another post. My boy deserves a a whole flippin website dedicated to his accomplishments and antics! *Sigh* no one told me that raising a boy, let alone a Powell boy, was gonna be so hard!

The summer has been full of cookouts, sleepovers, bonfires, fireworks, fests, carnivals, swimming, ice cream outings, biking...... Just a fabulous summer with family and friends. This past weekend we went to the annual Tug Fest in LeClaire. Its a super, tiny, small town. And, since we live on the Iowa/Illinois border (a bridge between all 5 cities), they have a tug-o-war between the states. Iowa vs Illinois. How rockin-cool is that. We watched the best fireworks I have ever seen..in my life. We cooked out, enjoyed some beers and took the kids to the carnival. (i even got ont hat ride that suspends you mid air for like 30 seconds) There was live music and almost every single house in this small town had at least 20 people cooking out and partying! It was so cliche for summer. The streets were riddled with people enjoying a good time! It was a fabulous summer closing weekend.

OMG, BTW, I cannot grasp the fact that I have had my windows open IN AUGUST! The nights have been so cool, fresh breezes and comfy sleeping. I am in awe that it has been that nice here. It has been a beautiful summer.

So I smiled today....

2008-07-10T22:40:00.004-05:00

Yeehaw. Today, I went to pick up pics at walgreens. The girl told me in a very bitchy tone that they would NOT be printed because they were taken by a professional. I about fell down. Now, I have been shadowing with my wedding photogs for months now, but I never in a million years have considered myself a pro. There is so much to learn and I am WAY too critical of the shots I take. So, I told the girl, "I know u are trying to be rude, but I will take that as a compliment, I guess I am the professional, those are my shots." She looked shocked. what a brat. Oh well. And to boot.. the pics came out HORRIBLE. I vowed the last time I would not use Walgreens again but here I went again. This is the pic in question, I really softened up the focus.. (on purpose)... I wanted to remember my Boo that day.. releasing the lil bug.. all soft and earthy..

April came and went.. May is here and almost out too..

2008-05-29T00:58:00.004-05:00

Shit, been a long time. I have been kinda busy. I have had weddings almost every weekend and feel so ready to go out on my own. I am loving this gig and would love to do this exclusivly. I am getting better and my "eye" is becoming better trained at capturing the right shots. I have started my trademarkk shot lists, i have to giggle to myself each time i pose my couples.. it feels, umm, so professional. I work at the LSS a few hours a week. I Hope to teach a class there soon. it seems so complicated... I don't think I fit the standards there. The girls are awesome and talent4ed and my style seems so cluttered and random. CHA is coming up and since i am low on the totem pole, i probably wont get invited to go. I realy really wanna go. So bad! Maybe i can be a peeping-tom and go up there anyway. hey, I need to hit Ikea, great excuse to go to CHi-town.

My Bella Boo Bear is graduated from Kinder, And I am so sad. Sad because now she goes to real classes, like a big girl. No more nap time, or snack. No more show and tell. I hear a rumor that no more parent volunteers! Oh, she is growing up.. NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!! I need some antidepressants for this moment in life. I keep staring at her at. times.. and not just looking... but studying her. Her nose, her eyes, her cheeks when they smile..her little toes that arent so little. her voice..OMG, this kills me. I can hear her as my litle 3 year old when she calls me on the phone....i want to save that voice in my heart. Especially when she tells me she loves me. *sigh* She is wanting to chase boys at recess. Bella dont grow up!!!!!! She is becoming.. well.. girly. See, i know it, i did it too. But i just wana cuddle her forever. I think I crawled into bed with her 3-4 times this week just to hold her and smell the baby shampoo in hair. I like to look at her sleeping and then place kisses on her eyes. She is so beautiful when she sleeps.
However, hhe attitude is changing.. and i know soon i will no longer be her rockstar mom. I am scared of this moment. But...
I am hanging on... hanging.

The weather is AWESOME!!!! The perfect mix of sunny and rainy days, for me. (Jeff is compaining every day.. he would give a left leg to be back in Az) All my plants are blooming and the trees are rocking out their blossoms. I am so happy here, especially when i am outside. AMAZING.. I think I will do a page about my porch. Cuz it is my home, but outdoors. I always have at least 4 kids running through here playing in the wooded areas,climbing a tree, in the sand pits, in my gardens or in the fire pit area!

Today life is ok. I can breathe. I dont feel so incredibly scared or anxious at this very moment. I have not put all the crappy stuff behind me yet and I still think about it a lot. I haven't slept very well in so long. But, I continue to believe that there is purpose in all shitty lessons.

NAMASTE

CADYN APRIL 17th

2008-04-17T19:48:00.001-05:00

OMG, I posted.

2008-04-14T22:19:00.008-05:00

The Layout isnt shown here finished. Ashleigh helped me "top it off".

I am not good at keeping up with this blog crap. I was thinking to myself the other day how gay my posts seem. Ya'll know if i posted every moment of my exciting life, ya wouldnt be able to tear away from your screen. OK, quickie post. (hee, I said quickie)!!
I really do hate my camera. I cannot figure the damn thing out for the life of me. no matter what settings I use the pitures look ok on the lil screen, they look okay on my computer, then BAM.. lookin like shit when i get them back from the photo lab. Its very discouraging. With the lil Fugi I had before, I felt way more confident and the pictures all seemed ok. Perhaps the dilemma lies in the fact that I use a super nice, high tech camera for the weddings courtesy of the photographers. Then I come home and shoot like shit. I never thought I would have this much trouble with my camera. I almost dont even want to open my case. Blah.

Bella has had some eventful trips to the pediatric dentist. Poor thing had to have one tooth yanked and another with a crown. yup, at 6 years old. Please dont give that look, I already feel guilty enough as it is. She has always brushed twice a day poor thing. She probably inherited my rack of teeth. BTW, Hey where is my mother of the year trophy?

Jeff is doing really well with snap-on and he loves it. He has always been a great salesman. UPS and FedEx are constantly dropping off boxes and boxes of sold tools pssst, let me tell ya, we have this fed ex delivery guy, young lil thing and he is really cute. What am I, 8? Anyways.

I dont have any jeans that fit me. why do they fall off my ass? i have scoured the internet looking for the perfect par of jeans.. and NOTHING.

OMG listen to me bitch... Oh and good news... umm , finally Mo, I started at the LSS and it was so much fun. Just being in that environment is good for me. The chicks are funny and cool and wow, WAY talanted. i feel so small, simple and unaccomplished next to them. Check on my links so you can see how magnificent they are. Two of the girls designed a line themselves. One i think is on the st for BasicGrey. jealous? yea! I am hoping to learn form this divas. i did one LO for the store and cringed as I looked back at it. Yes. Penny, I have serious issues! I do! anyways, its fabulous being there. Oh and Penny introduced me to SIS, ScrapInStyle. how come I had no idea about this site? And its a lot calmer and nicer than Peas on a good day.

I am shooting a family setting on my own saturday. So nervous. So So nervous. Throw some energy my way. Tomorrow I assist at a seniors shoot. My kind of photgraphy, but what sucks is it's in the middle of the day.. outside.

My friend asked me to be a Daisy co-leader and I think, in not-so-many-words, wanted me to help her oust the current co-leader. If I had been sitting, i would have laughed my ass right out of the chair. I love it. I am so content to have me a catty, cute, and snarky friend amidst the sea of stepford, soccer moms. She is a breath of fresh air. I was beginning to worry that I would not find someone I wouldnt offend in the first 5 minutes of conversation.
Namaste!
MO

2008-04-02T01:07:00.003-05:00

Sometimes, I wish i didnt ALWAYS say out loud things in my mind.. Jeesh. What a pathetic post. Yes, I am upset, sad, mad, desperate, and embarrassed by what is happening to the house in Arizona. I always thought we lived in that house beyond our means.. but this is too sad. Its common anymore, so I need to relax and be thankful that we still have a roof over our heads. there are other things that are sucking right now, so this just adds to the fire..

PS: Cheryl, I will call You asap. I wanted to wish Siena a happy birthday then time got away from me. XXOO

I resigned from my postion at the agency. They screwed up my last check... in addtion to the 2 before that. I have had 3 total.. each one I got screwed. Quitting Reasons are numerous. To top it off the energy flowing from that situation was way negative and consuming. I have enough drama of my own and I cannot worry each day I work, what drama will await me when i walk in the door. Nope. cannot do it. I will be doing weddings and then i start my fun job at the LSS.. just a few hours a month.

Bella's birthday party was fabulous. Each lil girl came dressed in a princess dress and jewels. They were all so cute. She a good time with her friends. And,, She is a reading fool.. reads everything. I am so proud of her. And i love her passion for it. If i could pass on anything to her, it would be my hunger for literature. And it helps even more that she is a Pisces. They have an avid and coloful imagination..and I have always tried to cultivare it, but now, its even more fun because we can do play "imagine" with books! Now we just have to work on math.. blech.....

Easter was easter. Just made a lot of food. we aren't huge easter celebraters. We do however pool all our change and single dollar bills and hide them in eggs around the house. I got some great pictures of tears and an almost knock-down, drag-out fight b/w the cousins. All in all, they came away with some cash....cash that I will prolly steal for a fountain Coke and some Ding Dongs.

Introduced Cadyn to the potty chair. Oh he likes it, thinks its really cool. even pooped for me on it.. but then proceeded to get up and drag the poop all over my carpet. it was one of those sticky ones... that would not drop. So, it was like a tail...on my floor. He thought it was hillarious. And now he is anxious to always yank off the diaper and expose himself under the guise that he is going to pee ON THE POTTY.. and not all over my wood floors! He is still bad as ever. I found him atop my stove the other nite. Thank god I dont really ever cook, cuz he would have been sorry he did that! He is fast.. fast as hell. When he has something he shouldnt have, he takes full sprint then chucks it mid stride, as far as he can throw it. (track star, shot put? maybe?)

I have been working and reading and catching up on the tv series Prison Break. I have never seen a more intriguing, handsome character such as Micheal Scofeild. I wish he was real and I wish he would dig a tunnel under my house......
So, I believe I have become the dreaded literay snob. I really tried to read Water for Elephants.. really I did. I just couldnt get past the animal abuse references and it was very slow moving. Then, I picked up Outlander. Okay, this was better but I just wasnt hooked. I worry I wont find anything i like for my summer reads.. I could go back and re-read LOTR.. those are heavy challanging reads. So now I am on Robin Maxwell's Wild Irish. Not bad. Of course some of favorite characters here, so we are safe.

So thats been my month, kinda. I will post some shots of the kids, with the backdrop of yuck-ass winter slush, mud....gloomy darkness that wont go away! I need color! Green Grass, Please, flowers, trees.. bugs even.

NAMASTE,
Mo

sometimes shit sucks

2008-03-21T00:44:00.004-05:00

I have a terrible itch to utilize the moon, and her postion, alas, time kinda beats my ass before i can even think it out loud. so all rituals have turned ghetto.

I could indeed use so much collective energy, The house is going into forclosure, nothing we can do. it makes me sad. i am super embarrassed to talk about it. i need to get over myself, stat.

The job is turned terrible. The only 2 checks I hae gotten were screwed up. One check bounced and shorted me one hour, the other check was short over 16 hours. and the want me to wait util next payday, SHIT! oh and get this.............
A nurse in the same company was caught in a compromising postion at our job. I cannot give deets, but lets say she was sleeping...she was not doing her job for the child we care for.. she put her in danger. this nurse was not reprimanded or fired. The company said, if the family wants their hours filled the nurse will have to come to work. Where i am from, this lady would have been yanked, fired, and had her license pulled. i guess with this company, anything goes??? I am going to give my resignation by mid april.

Thankfully, I am booked every week thru june for wedding photoshoots.

sorry for complaining, but I suppose its not always candy and roses...

BLAH.

2008-02-27T16:47:00.002-06:00

This week has flown by. Feels like I have been busy, with the new job and all. The wedding shoot was fabulous. Although handling the camera just about broke my wrists in half. Their camera was so heavy! The pictures were great, their camera couldnt take a bad pic if it wanted. I have a lot to learn, and i am excited to learn it!
Looks as if I picked a job at the LSS. The owners are fabulous girls and so nice. I felt so at home. They need some help in store and some teaching and doing LO's for the store. Umm, can anyone say dream job? I didnt even care how much it paid, just being in that element rocks in itself. I am so excited to start.
I have also been bsuy planning Bella's birthday party. We are having it at the museum this year with a princess tea party theme. I am in the process of making the invites and planning the cake.. for I am planning on MAKING IT MYSELF. YIKES!!!! And I plan to make the cake from scratch! double yikes!! Scary stuff, no? Of course I shall post pics when its all said and done with.

2008-02-19T15:21:00.004-06:00

So.. I started my job! It feels so weird actually having to stay up all night and OMG.. using medical terms again. My lil girl is sweet and cute and wonderful. I can't say too much, but please know this job is just great! The only bad thing is having to drive across town, but most of you all know my hate/hate relationship with driving anywhere. In addtion, i get to shoot my first wedding this weekend. Actually, i will be shooting alongside the lead photgrapher. Man I hope this new passion of mine proves to be worthwhile.

I think i have started with pink eye. My eye is itchy and watery. I was a true believer that I, strong and immune mommy, would never catch a thing, because my children's little universe depends upon my health... I guess i can balance their little universe with a yucky eye, no?

Bella'a party was fabulous. The kids made some cute ilttle bag tags and enjoyed so many yummy snacks! Thank goodness these moms knew to pack extras, cuz, i just had to taste 2 or 3 or lots.

Have you all seen the footage of the cattle mistreatment in the latest recall of beef? I shudder and feel sick to my stomach. I cried. I did. I know I am no saint, but DAMN. damn damn damn. How can people think that treatment of any innocent creature, especially one sacrificing itself for the nourishment of your fellow men.. how can u treat them that way. Itis these mindless people that deserve their lot in life. At the risk of redirecting negative energy, i must say that those that practice evil deserve the redirection of their own negative energy unto themselves. Let me say again, negative begets negative and what you set forth into the universe WILL COME back at you. I say a silent blessing for those poor,innocent, and unaware cattle and animals suffering at the violent hand of stupid humans.
Namaste,
Mo

Have you Seen it?

2008-02-13T20:20:00.001-06:00

This is one of the most moving videos i have seen. The music is nice, but its the words and the power behind those words. He is not promising change, he is encouraging everyone to facilitate this change. We are the people. And, YES WE CAN.

2008-02-13T13:12:00.001-06:00

Valentines day is thursday! Bella and I have had a blast decorating her box and valentines.
Although, I must say, it was very hard to sit back and allow her to "embellish" her Valentine box. I wanted to play
but after all, its not my day. How come adults cant have a day to eat cupcakes with fluffy pink frosting and sprinkles.
How come I havent gotten a box of chocolates? Alas, I must live thru the eyes of my children.
I bought a bunch of red christmas ornaments, garland, ribbon and tins, after christmas for about .25. I wrapped paper around the tin for Bella and she went to town with the jewels and sprinkly things. Punched holes with my handy, dandy Crop-a-Dile to string thickribbon thru for her handle. I used Heidi Swapp Ghost Letters, painted them black with a magic marker. we hot-glued the feathery nonsense to the top and bottom rims and VOILA...easy Valentine Tin. Bella's valentines are just heart shaped cardstock with garland and stamped words. I used Glossy Accents for a dimensional and shiny look to the letters. We glued some V-day pencils and suckers to the back to make them appear like a flower. I want to mention that i used Beakon Adhesives to attatch the garland. WOW. Great products.
So, for the class craft i chose to have them make bag tags. I will update with a photo. I am having a few issues with the paint
and wonder if the kids will be patient and willing to cooperate. We'll see.

2008-02-09T14:55:00.000-06:00

Okay winter was fun, now stop. On top of the Super Bowl six... (six inches of snow) we woke up Wednesday morning to 1. school cancellations, 2. ice covered steets, and 3. a never ending blanket of snow, falling and falling and falling. We totaled 8.8 inches on Wednesday. They say..."thankfully it wasn't 10 inches.." ??? ((rolling eyes)) what differnce does 2 freaking inches make. NONE. Dude, there is helluva snow on the damn ground. 2 0r 10, it's all the same anymore. It was cute for the first few months, now its just kinda blah. Oh and tonite we expect windchills in -20's to -30's. aint that special?
So, both the kids had pink eye this week. Bella was afraid to go to sleep every night for fear that her eyes would awaken crusted shut. Our faithful, trusty doc prescribed some eye drops. Wow, imagine me attempting to drop meds into Cadyns eyes. Lucky if i even get near his face. I swear this kid is strong as Bella or worse, me. With Cady, writhing and squirming, i let the drops fall where they may.
I got a job. Yeah. I wasnt too excited to return to nursing, but I had to do something. I am going to be a private duty nurse for an agency. I will be caring for a little girl with some major disability. It wont be easy, but it will be rewarding. I train next week and then go on my own. My shift will be 11p-7a, so time to get my body ready to stay up all night.
Jeff's business is picking up. Thank god. he hasnt been able to pay himself, and we are in rough place in reference to what we had in arizona. A lot of adjustments on all our parts.
I was also chosen room mother for Bella's class, so i have the task of organzing and making crafts. I am excited to be a part of class. Valentines day should be a good one! Her Daisy troop's father-daughter dance is coming up next week, so that will be exciting.
ok, i now need to sleep...
namaste.

2008-02-04T11:15:00.000-06:00

I don't remember ever seeing this much snow. We got another round of 6+ inches last night, this time with thunder-snow. THUNDER and SNOW, is it even fathomable? Apperantly so, for Bella who was trying to catch snowflakes on her toungue came running in with tears streaming down her face and a look of panic in her eyes. Poor Boo-Bear. She was scared. I am not sure if the gloomy, overcast skies are the cause of my own sullen mood, but I know that we havent seen a sunny day in quite some time. It is quite a change from the every day sun of arizona. Not only is the warm sun missed, but I miss having a clean truck; as the snow, slush and salt mixture are wreaking havoc on my poor girl. Once my black chariot, is now a grey and crusty mess. We ran her through the car wash yesterday afternoon and she shone like a black diamond. Then it started to snow again! And so I tucked her into the garage and hid her from the elements until, alas, we must venture out on the roads again.

I have been reading a lot since September. Averaging a book about every week and a half and that is pretty admirable, considering i have my own weather element inside my home, AKA Tornado Cadyn. I am addicted to historical fiction, specifically English Tudor Lit. My list of recently read books for my own personal reference is as follows:
Philipa Gregory
The Other Boleyn Girl (2001)
The Queen's Fool (2003)
The Virgin's Lover (2004)
The Constant Princess (2005)
The Boleyn Inheritance (2006)
Earthly Joys
Alison Weir
The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1991)
Innocent Traitor (2007)
Robin Maxwell
Mademoiselle Boleyn
The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn
The Queen's Bastard

Others I have read: Harry Potter Deathly Hallows, Angels and Demons. French Women Don't get Fat. Jodi Piccoult's, Harvesting the Heart; I was dissapointed with this last book and author. My expectations were high for her. I suppose I expected too much. It was a quick, easy read.

I have started the teen lit series by Stephanie Meyer, Twilight. Need to get my hands on New Moon.

Future reads: Outlander series, The SkyStone, Water for Elephants, Elizabeth I

NAMASTE,
Mo

2008-02-01T00:39:00.001-06:00

SNOW. SNOW. AND MORE FREAKING SNOW. WTH?
I MUST CONFESS, I AM LOVING IT. AFTER 9 YEARS OF NOTHING BUT SUN, THIS IS SO VERY COMFORTING. 2-4 INCHES TONIGHT. GREAT SLEEPING WEATHER.

2008-02-01T00:12:00.000-06:00