One More Week & the Olympics!

As of today the girls only have 1 more week until SUMMER VACATION!!!! I for one can't wait! For awhile now it's been harder & harder for me to get up in the morning. I need a break! I could have sworn last night was Friday, but it wasn't. I actually went to bed early last night (11pm) but I had a bad night's sleep & woke up with some major back pain. **SIGH**

Marissa had her "Mini-Olympics" today at gymnastics. It was cute they came out in 3 groups each group represented a country (USA, Canada, & France). My pics came out crappy, please don't critizize!

At the end, they each got a gold medal. She was so excited about it! I was so proud of her too.

At home when I ask her what they do she tells me but I don't get a full story. So I was really impressed when I saw her on the un-even bars (they only did the bottom bar--but still) She did flips that I've never seen her do at home but I guess it's easier when you have the soft mats to land on.

I can't seem to finish this one Disney LO that's been sitting on my desk for awhile now. I don't know why. Sometimes I'll sit & move things around on it or I'll add something to it but I'm not feeling it. Go figure.

Last night for our Anniversary, we went out to eat with the girls. We went to the Cheesecake Factory, YUMMMMM. I had the Luau Salad & it was gooooooood! I need to take a pic of it the next time just to show how pretty & appetizing it looks! I wasn't going to have dessert but I figured it was something I could share with the girls & ordered the Strawberry Shortcake. They ate more than I did & they totally swiped all the whipped cream for themselves!! They're just lucky they're CUTE!

Tomorrow night my sister Chet is coming to babysit the girls so Joe & I can celebrate by ourselves & catch a movie. It's also our "1st Date" Anniversary (I know, I know, we're corny), we'll be celebrating our being together for 13 years. Can you believe it? THIRTEEN YEARS!! He was my age when we started dating! Oh wait did I never mention that he's 13 years older than me? Yep he is. When I realized that this will be our 13th year it dawned on me that he was 34 when he first started dating me! Yeah he was totally robbing the cradle!

9 Wonderful Years

Where did the time go? Can it possibly be 9 years that Joe & I have been married? Time flew by when I wasn't looking!! It seems like we've been together forever, yet not exactly, but in a good way!!

This was one of the happiest days of my life!! I married the most wonderful man--I just LOVE him so much!! I remember that at the end of the night my face hurt from smiling so much -- a great feeling!

To 9 WONDERFUL Years!!

A Layout & A Card

I got these done a couple of days ago but finally took pics of them tonight. This is the pic from the farewell dinner at my Uncle's house. It's for the 6x6 album of just the 2 of us. I can proudly say that I am all caught up! Until our Anniversary tomorrow...hopefully Marissa can take a good pic of us to add here.

I used some OLD Paper Pizazz paper that I'm embarrassed to say I have, but hey it works! Totally used Laura's button string & metal tag technique on here.


Yesterday I was playing with the Cuttlebug with the embossing folders & this die & I realized that I had the makings of Wendy Sue Anderson's card, only hers is better (sorry it won't let me link directly to the post May 30th I think).





I intend on sending this to an old friend that I haven't talked to in awhile. I usually don't make cards but like Laura says it's a great way to use up scraps, and I even used stamps that normally just sit in my drawer!

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Today was a good day. I woke up feeling very tired & blah. I had tentative plans with my friend Patrizia & her baby Sabrina but wasn't sure what we'd be doing. After dropping off the girls at school, I started straightening up the house just in case she came over. Meanwhile she calls & we make plans to have lunch at a diner which sounded good even though I had a lot to do today.

I'm glad I got out of the house because I feel like I got more done before she called than I would have if we hadn't had plans. Just to clear my conscience I even put away 4 big baskets of clothes that I've been neglecting before I left the house. I'm telling ya, if I had no plans I wouldn't have gotten anything done except a nap! Instead I had a nice lunch talking to my friend & holding an adorable little baby! She was a trip cooing & flirting trying to grab everything & put them in her mouth. Miss that, but not enough to have another. Yeah no baby urges today. I had fun playing with her & giving her back!!

Countdown to Summer

So the girls have less than 2 weeks left of school. I'm having mixed emotions. Yesterday Marissa came out of school saying how they have no more spelling tests & no more homework. On one hand I'm freakin' estatic that I don't have to fight with her to get her homework done. Yet on the other hand I'm thinking--they stopped giving out homework this early?? Is it me or do I just not remember how it was when I was in elementary school? I think the whole "not having to fight over homework" beats it all. Can I just say.....WOO-HOO!!!

I'm looking forward to the days of staying up late & not having to be "on-time" in the mornings...sorta like when I was in school myself!! It'll be nice to have the girls home...or will it? LOL!! Yesterday was a treat without that homework looming over our heads. The girls were behaved & dare I say?---quiet! Today was sort of the same & it was NICE!

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On another note.....Tonight Joe took us out to eat at Fuddrucker's. The girls have been dying to go & Joe, of course, caved. I was driving & we were talking about the day when all of a sudden I see something in the road & he tells me to watch out. It was a bunny. And I was too late. I ran the poor thing over. I seriously think this is the first time that I've ever done that & I was sickened. He, of course, critizes me, and mocks me & terrorizes me the whole ride there. On the way home he starts up again. Just like a little 5 year old boy would.

I had basically forgotton about it for the time being when he sees me blogging. This is our conversation.....

Joe -What are you doing?

Me - Blogging.

J- About what?

Me - Marissa & school...not having homework....

J - Do you blog about when you get mad?

M- Yep I have it labeled under "venting".

J - So you blog about everything on there?

M- Yeah, why not? It's like a journal.

J - Everything???? (said with a devilish smile on his face)

the lightbulb goes on & I realize what he means

M - You're horrible!! Thanks for reminding me...I'll add that in too...you know to confess my sins.

And to think at this time 9 years ago I was getting ready to marry the man......

June = Happiness!!

Wanna know why June is such a wonderful month?

• June 1, it's my 200th post on this blog! Guess I babble a lot, huh?!
• June 5, is our wedding anniversary. We'll be married 9 wonderful years!
• June 7, is the anniversary of our 1st date. We celebrate it cause we're corny like that! And because without that 1st date we wouldn't be here today.
• June 12, is Gianna's last day of school!
• June 13, is Marissa's last day of school!
• June 15, is Father's Day.
• June 23, is Gianna's 4th birthday! When did my baby get so big??

I got these pretties Sat. from Joe for "no reason". I say this is a dead giveaway that he was at the florist ordering roses for our Anniversary!!

Can't Wait!!

Today they released the cover for Breaking Dawn the 4th book in the Twilight series {which comes out in Aug.}! WOO-HOO!!! CAN. NOT. WAIT!!!

Seriously I can't wait to read it! And in case you're wondering I DID pre-order my copy, of course.

THANKYOUVERYMUCH!

Um, yeah I can't wait for the Twilight movie either but that's not until Dec, {see the ticker on my sidebar}

I knew the cover was being released today but never remembered when the computer was on. Then while I was checking Amy's blog I noticed she blogged about it. THANKS AMY!!

I'm currently reading her book "The Host", but can't seen to get into it. Maybe it's sort of slow but I'm on Chapter 18 (I think)!! Shouldn't it pick up by now?? After I get through this I'm going to re-read the Twilight books in time for Breaking Dawn in Aug.

Yeah, it's THAT good!!

More Scrappiness

I really need to get back to work on the girls' Disney album but since I started these 6x6 LO's I just can't stop!! I want to finish them so I'm caught up on this album.

I realized tonight that I need to add another edition to this collection, that'll bring me up to 3 6x6 albums of LO's of me & Joe {1st one & the 2nd one}. That just made me HaPpY. I always thought that since I'm usually the one taking pics that there weren't that many pics of us but apparently there are. That means I was wrong. **GASP** Lately the more recent pics were taken by Marissa when she was just 6 years old & they aren't bad at all.

She must take after her mother!

This LO was made using the MM Love Story collection (sorry I can't find a link). That just might be my favorite collection, but then again I say that with each new collection that they create!!

As I was cleaning up my desk I noticed I had some good size scraps of pp so I decided to make a card for our Anniversary next week. Here's a sneak peek.....sshhhh, don't tell Joe!!

Again I used all MM product. I tried making it manly but with the pink it was kinda hard to do. Oh well, since it's from me & I love this line he'll have to love it just on principle!!

I've been Enabled!!

Just call me weak.

I had to go to Michael's today for some adhesive & while I was there I checked out the Cuttlebug. After seeing it on Laura's & Heather's blogs **ENABLERS**, I loved what it could do. And let's face it, this isn't the 1st time that Laura has enabled me!! Then Laura & Susan both tell me that it accepts my QK dies, {which I didn't know because I happen to live under a rock} I realllllly, realllllly wanted it. **ENABLERS**

I rationalized it like this, I had a 50% off coupon from AC Moore, if M's accepted it then I would buy it today, if not then it would have to wait until another day. Sound good? I got to the register & asked about the coupon--she said they do take it!! So in my cart it went!! Oh & because I came across it, I also picked up the Amy Butler bag {in pink} to store it like Heather. ENABLER!!!

So now I am the proud new owner of this beauty...

My bundle of fun, all pretty in pink & green.

I'm Weakening!!

Ever since I saw this LO of Laura's I'm been thinking about getting a Cuttlebug. Then today while checking out Heather's blog I saw this post about the Cuttlebug & her adorable carrying case for it. I had to fight the urge to run to Michael's immediately & buy it!!

I shopped the price around online & think it's cheapest at Wal-Mart. I considered buying it online then I realized I could run to M's & have it in my hot little hands immediately instead of waiting for it to be shipped (since it's only available online at W). BUT I held my ground & put my keys down. I seriously don't have anywhere to keep it & just can't justify the purchase since I already have a QK & a Cricut. The temptation is mighty strong but I will fight it

....until Christmas or my birthday when I'm asked what I want!!! LOL!!

So I Scrapped....

Yep I did it! The block is over---thankfully! I can't stand when I can't create! I actually was feeling a little stagnant with the Disney album so I took a break & caught up with the continous album for me & Joe. It's 6x6 size, which I like playing with. It's 1 pic per LO & since I'm typically a multi-pic LO kind of girl, this was fun. You can see the whole album here.

This isn't the best pic--too washed out but I like how cute Joe looks in it. Disclaimer : Do not judge me with no make-up on & my hair all crazy!!


This next one is where I struggled. I was trying too hard to use some papers but they just weren't working for me. **SIGH** Finally I gave up on those papers & came across these old KI Memories papers. The colors fit better for me & I was able to move on.

This one was a little easier for me especially since I based it loosely on one of Laura's LOs. She makes my life easier!!
I really liked these papers a lot (Sandylion-Kelly Panacci) so I just went with it. It helped that the pics are from the same day -- both from Disney last June. This one came together so fast...until I came to the embellies. I finally settled on buttons (which I should use on every LO since I have so many!!) & tied them like Laura & Robin.

So I am happy to report that I only have 2 more pics to scrap to call this album up to date. It'll never be done since I always add more pics of us two & that's a good thing.

Memorial Day

We went to watch the Memorial Day parade in town today. Marissa was marching in the parade with her Brownie troop. She had a good time & looked so cute! That's her holding the white plastic bag. They were tossing candy at the spectators--think that's what she liked about it.

It was a good day for the parade--it actually hit 80 degrees!

Gianna scored big with the candy. She had to have a piece of bubble gum right away. She wanted to wear a dress SO bad, this one in particular. I had a more patriotic outfit for her but it was shorts & she wanted a DRESS. Most of the parade was spent like this since she was sitting on the curb...."sit like a lady, people can see your undies", "close your legs", "don't sit like that". She tried but she's a little kid. **SIGH**

She kept getting annoyed with me between me telling her how to sit & trying to take her pic. Needless to say I didn't score too many good shots. After Marissa was done walking she came to sit with us & watch the rest of the parade.

I go this shot when she wasn't paying attention to the camera. She wanted a flag so bad & finally pulled one from the side of the street (they were there for that reason--I think). LOL!

When we got home we worked outside a bit. Joe cleaned up the patio & I planted some flowers in planters around the patio & front doors. We got some color from being in the sun all day. Hopefully the weather will stay warm & sunny for awhile, I hate being pasty white!

Oh & I got some scrapping done!! Nothing spectacular but there will be LO's posted tomorrow!

Farewell Dinner

Yesterday we went up to my Uncle Gino's house for a farewell dinner for my Uncle John. He's going back to Italy today. Last night's gathering was on the small side. My mom, my family, my sister Marie & her family & my sister Chet along with my Aunt & Uncle. Believe it or not at 13 people it's considered a small gathering. You couldn't tell by the amount of food though!!

We got there early & I got Chet to take this of me & Joe. The lighting was perfect! If my B-I-L Danny wasn't in the back this would be GREAT! Still one of my favorites though & can't wait to scrap it. Someday I'll learn Photoshop!!

These are my girls in the rabbit hutch. Kinda like them locked in a cage! LOL!! JUST KIDDING!! They LOVED playing with the bunnies & would stay there all day if they could.

The hit of the night was my uncle Gino's Quad. He took the kids all through the woods racing around the lake. They LOVED it! All you heard was "MORE!" "AGAIN!!" "FASTER!!!"
Here are my two uncles. They are 2 out of 4 brothers. My dad was the oldest. He would've LOVED being there last night with his grandkids....so bitter sweet.

Bon Voyage Zio!

Don't Bother Me!!!

In a little more than a half an hour.....

• I will be sitting on my couch.
• Holding my box of tissues--just in case.
• The girls will (hopefully) be sleeping.
• There will be no one to bother me while I sit & watch the season finale of Grey's.
• It's gonna be gooooood!!
  

Seriously.

Reunion Re-cap

So last weekend we had a reunion with my dad's side of the family. My Uncle John was here from Italy & we all got together on Sunday at my sister Marie's house. Believe it or not this isn't the entire family! All the little kids were running around playing together just haveing a ball! Leaving the adults to relax (for the most part) & play catch-up.

This is a pic of me, 2 of my sisters & 2 of my cousins with our Uncle. Love how it came out! I think I'm going to frame this one.

Me & Uncle John

This pic is bitter sweet for me. If my uncle had a mustache he could pass for my dad who's been gone about 14 years. All in all it was a good time & nice to have (mostly) everyone together. Marissa got to spend her birthday with all her cousins & liked being the center of attention--at least for a little while.

Field Day

Cue the olympic music....daaaa da dum dum dum dum da da da da dum...well you get the idea.

Marissa had Field Day at school today. They had so much fun playing all the creative races & games. Each class was split into two teams, making up the rainbow. Marissa's class was the purple & orange team. My girl rocked the purple.