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.

Cutie Patootie

Today I got to get my baby fix! My girlfriend Patrizia came over today to visit with her little sweetie pie Sabrina. I just could not put her down! She's got this amazing amount of hair that's so silky smooth. Love her to bits! When I see babies this little it almost makes me want another. I said ALMOST!!!! LOL!! It was so good to sit & play with a baby while having adult conversation.

As for scrapping, I forced myself to play with some patterned paper trying to pick one to go with a pic. I found a LO that inspired me in "Page Maps" by Becky Fleck. I'm not following the sketch exactly but I'm playing around with some ideas so I'm happy. At least it's better than the block that's been plaguing me!

Blocked

Why is it that for the past 2 days when I sit at my desk to scrap I feel nothing? I want to scrap, but I just can't. I've even thought that it's the LO that's staring at me that's got me stuck....but it's not. I've got it all planned out already. Just not motivated to manipulate the titles I need. Then I thought I could get my mojo back by skipping to another topic all-together but it's not working. I even tried playing with some supplies to get the juices flowin' but I've got nothin'! I'm feeling pretty frusterated right now.

7 Years

Mother's Day may have been last week but today was the day it became real for me. Just 7 years ago....... this girl made me a Mom. My baby girl is 7 today. I can't believe how fast the time has gone by! When she came into the world my life was altered forever! She has made me so proud of her, so happy, frusterated & sad sometimes too but eternally this little bundle has made me thrilled to be her mom. I love her so much! Yeah we argue & fight sometimes but always above all I love her & will always love her. She'll always be my baby!

HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY MARISSA!!

I LOVE YOU!!

Party Time

Today was Miss Marissa's birthday party with her friends from school.

I promised her if it didn't rain I'd curl her hair like I did last year (which she loved) & it turned out to be a beautiful day for a beautiful girl!

When Joe first got a look of Marissa with her hair all done, he just melted. I wish I had my camera on me when I saw the look on his face! He just adores his girls.

I was going for the whole "natural light" effect here but I'm not crazy with it. I think this came out a little dark.

The main activity at the party was each kid got a chocolate pop to deorate with melted colored chocolate & assort sprinkles & candies. I didn't know when I booked the party that these pops would be so HUGE (it could very easily have been their party favors instead of the goody bags). The pops were so HUGE they weighed in at 1 lbs. each! Can you hear the cavities forming on their teeth??
So grown up looking. She'll be officially 7 tomorrow. That just blows my mind.
The sugar had taken effect & the girls' eyes are glazed over. Gianna fights it with more candy!!

Her friends got her a lot of neat gifts which she loved (of course). She got 4 more Webkinz which she was sooooo excited about. Her cousin Nikki got her a scooter for her American Girl Doll which was probably the best present of all. She's one lucky little girl.

Tomorrow she wants to go play mini-golf at this indoor place that's all black lit. It's a monster themed place which would be a great birthday place for boys. Afterwards we're going to my sister Marie's house for a family reunion to visit with my Uncle John who's visiting from Italy. Luckily Marissa's happy about spending time with all her extended cousins. I was afraid of it taking away from Marissa's birthday but she's ok with it which makes me feel better.

She's been saying things like "I can't clear the table, it's my birthday" She really knows how to work that in her favor! She's just lucky. I hope she remember's that when it's my birthday....

Goody Goody

Tomorrow is Marissa's birthday party with her friends from school. We're having it at this ice cream/candy shop, & the kids are going to decorate their own candy pops & play candy games like guess the flavor jelly bean & karaoke. They're going to have so much fun! It's a really cute place...I say that since we had Marissa's party there last year.


Since the theme is "Candy" (& I like themes) I filled the goody bags with........CANDY!! I also found these cute M & M notepads in the $1 spot at Michael's to tie in with the theme. Joe got me some "Little Kins" Webkins that he fills the cranes with for the theaters & when we put them together they made a goody bag that will make any kid smile!

I was going to take a marker & write each kids name on the bag & make it look pretty when I had another "A-HA"moment. I realized I had a lot of OLD scrap paper with a candy theme & thought I can dress up the bags & tie it into the candy theme! I kept it simple but think they came out cute.


I got Marissa's stamp of approval & even impressed Joe. He says I should go into business making goody bags (we have seen them advertised believe it or not -- there is a market).

I think he just wants to put me to work.....

WTH!!!

I haven't had much to blog about this week. I haven't had anything nice to say. I've been driven to the point of frustration & I figure I'm gonna get it out & hope it passes.

Don't you just hate it when people decided your life for you? I do. They make decisions for you without ever consulting you? Then they judge you for these actions that weren't even done by you. How about when they expect you to change your schedule to suit there lives? Well, it's been done to me several times this week alone! The kicker is that it's by people that are close to me & I'm pretty pissed. I was also accused of not "going out of my way" for people. I defended myself by saying how I always go out of my way for people & how I'm taken advantage of for it! Now I'm careful of what I do for people since it just bites me in the ass.

For years I've been downplayed & ridiculed because I'm a "stay-at-home-mom". I've been told that because I scrapbook that "I have too much time on my hands". When I bake I get told the same thing....unless they want me to bake something for them. I'm at the point where I refuse to accommodate people because the favor is never returned. Not that I ask for much, but when I do they huff & puff about what a bother I'm being. Believe me, I am not the type of person that asks for help in anything very easily but when I do it's like I'm asking for the world by the reactions I get.

Joe always says "No good deed goes un-punished". Over the years I've come to realize this is so very true. I know this sounds mean but it just doesn't pay to be good because people just take advantage of you.

I'm sick to death of being taken advantage of!!!! You teach kids to treat people the way you want to be treated but some people just don't practice what they preach.

So is it any wonder that more & more I just want to take my kids & my hubby & move to where we don't know anyone?? I want to become a hermit!!!!

Scrappiness

So yeah, I know I promised that I'd post these LO's yesterday but hey life happens right? A lot of my time yesterday was spent at my mom's house hanging out with her & before I knew it the day was over. You know how it is.

These pics are from the day we spent at MGM Studios which is now called Hollywood Studios. Couldn't think of anything snazzy for the title. Kept it kinda simple since there weren't any pics from the day that "popped". Think I like working with wallet size...you might be seeing that a lot in this album.....

This is Gianna's version. I tried taking colors from her shirt to make it different than Marissa's version. Think I like how this one came out better...shhhhhh, don't tell Marissa!!!!

This is Marissa's version. LIke I said above I tried matching the paper colors to her clothes.

Not sure when I'll be able to squeeze in the next set of LO's since I've got to work on Marissa's party which is this weekend. My baby girl is gonna be 7!! It just blows my mind! I also have my Uncle John coming in this week from Italy so we'll be having some sort of "reunion" at my sister's house. There goes the weekend!! Let's all hope it flows smoothly.

Mother's Day

This morning I got to sleep in late (which is a good thing being that I stayed up till 2:30am finishing up another 2 LO's). At 9:30 I heard the doorbell ring & the girls yelling

"DAD! The doorbell! DAD! Someone's at the door! DAD!!"


then I heard him get the door & the girls screaming,


"Oooooh BALLOONS! BALLOONS!! BALLOONS!!"


Then I realized Joe sent me roses...and balloons. So I went back to sleep.


Around 10am the phone ring s& it's my girlfriend Carolee, calling to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. We chat awhile & I go downstairs, where I'm accosted by Marissa who can't wait for me to open the presents she bought me at the school "boutique". She got me a blank weekly calendar---just what I need to keep track of their activities, as well as a little mani/pedi kit. Daddy also helped them get me 2 movies that I've been wanting to see "27 Dresses" & "PS I Love You". I read the book for "PS I Love You" & couldn't wait to see if the movie was as good.

We had planned to go this big huge mall in upstate NY & have lunch at one the restuarants there then walk around & "possibly" shop. I say "possibly" because, um, I had every intention to, LOL! I chose to eat at the Outback since my other choice was the Cheesecake Factory & I had no intention of waiting (call me snobby but I was hungry!)

We got seated right away -- wonderful. The place was NOT busy & there was a lot of open tables around. Our waitress comes right up & takes our drink orders -- wonderful. She also takes our appetizer order at the same time -- great. She brings our drinks & I had asked for both a water AND chocolate milk for Gianna, whose 3 years old mind you. She gives us each our drinks & had Marissa's soda in a kids cup & Gianna's chocolate in a kids cup but the water that I had SAID was for my daughter was in a very tall glass! So I asked her to take it back & bring her a kids cup. Okay.

Soon afterwards our appetizers come & we dig in but our waitress NEVER TOOK OUR ORDER. We don't even SEE her anywhere. So I got up & went the the manager & asked that our table be switched & explained how my kids were CRANKY because they were hungry (they don't eat the appetizers). He asks who our waitress was & goes to find her. As soon as I sat down she comes over to take our orders. The manager NEVER comes to apologize or anything! I was so not happy.

FINALLY we get our meals & the girls are calmer & start eating. The waitress comes up when Joe's in the little boys room & asks if we want to order dessert & I explained to her that he wasn't done eating. I was so pissed! Meanwhile he comes back & finishes up but then it's the girls turn to go to the bathroom so I tell Joe to order me a coffee since he's getting dessert. Bad move on my part. I get my coffee with a bowl of assort sugar packets & barely have enough sugar for my coffee PLUS she forgot to give me a spoon to stir it with!! AARRGGGHHH!!! I told Joe he was NOT tipping her! I'm vindictive like that, but he won't do it & leaves her the bare minium. What TERRIBLE service!! And I repeat, IT WASN'T EVEN BUSY!!!!

Afterwards we walked around & did a little shopping which the girls hated but it was Mother's Day after all! And you know what I bought?? Clothes. For them.

Wow! This turned into a much longer post than I intended but I feel better getting that off my chest. I do want to point out that it did not ruin the day for me. I just refuse to EVER go back to the Outback in the Palisades Center Mall!!! Since you listened to me rant & rave I will be back tomorrow with some new LO's. Once again I say to all the wonderful women out there....

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

It's OUR Day!

To all the Mom's out there....

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Enjoy it--you deserve it!

Back to the scheduled Scrapping!

Since I had my little break from doing the Disney LO's I figured I'd get back on track. I desperatly want to be done with these albums BEFORE our Aug. trip. I'd hate to be 2 trips behind!! Don't even ask me how many trips I haven't even started from before 2006!!

The 1st LO is for Gianna's album. I wasn't sure how to use these pics until I saw Laura's LO & had an "A-HA" moment. Used my Cricut for the title, not thrilled with it but it's there.

Here's the LO for Marissa's album. Stuck to the same design (makes my life nice & easy), used KI Memories papers, the Cricut again for the title.

You know you made it when....

Today Marissa had her friend Katelyn over for a playdate. I was working on a LO at my desk when she comes over to me & asks what I'm doing. I told her I was scrapbooking & asked her if she knew what that was. She said yes & Marissa jumped in & started showing off. She takes down the Disney autograph album I made last year & shows her all the pages. I heard a lot of this...

"I saw Mary Poppins, she's pretty."

"Yeah I saw her too."

"I met Princess Aurora."

"Me too."

"I saw Stitch too."

"Yeah so did I."

"I met Princess Jasmine on this trip & this past one too!"

"Me too."

"Everyone who's in this book I met."

"Oh, yeah so did I."

Obviously the girl is hard to impress....

Then Marissa puts the book away & says....

"Now you know my Mom is really a Scrapbooker."

I was so proud of her! My very own cheerleader! Early Happy Mother's Day to me!!

Halloween Mini-Album

I know, I know it's May not October. I know it's nowhere near Halloween. I know I'm in the middle of doing the Disney albums for the girls but I didn't want to get burned out on Disney like I sort of did with the last set of albums **GASP**!

The reason I did Halloween? When I was packing for the April trip I wanted to bring some scrap stuff to play with when everyone's asleep. I started packing up a little "kit" figuring a mini-album would be easy, but got overwhelmed trying to narrow down what to take. That is one reason why I don't go to crops--I like having it all with me & can't plan ahead! Besides I needed the extra room in the suitcase!!

When I got home the box of supplies was calling my name--well actually I kept knocking it over. So I decided to get creative hoping it wouldn't take me too long. I think it went faster than the Valentine mini album I made, since I knew what to expect. ANY-WHOO, I'm done! Just in time for National Scrapbooking Day! I didn't plan that it just happened--swear!

Found this at Target in the $1 spot, a plain 'ole deck of cards shaped like Candy Corn. Cute huh?

I dressed up the flip side to each card since they looked a little boring to me. Not the clearest pic but you get the pic right?
Again not the best pic. Was fun going through old pics & seeing the girls through the years & how much they changed.
Gianna was Cinderella obsessed for a while & kept wanting to be her for Halloween. OK with me--the costume still fit!!
Finally this year Gianna wanted to be Princess Aurora. Think she realizes that it's ok to be different. Either that or she feels she's got to follow in Marissa's shoes since that was Marissa's costume when she was 3. **SIGH**

Had fun making this. Used up some stash, ok a lot of stash but magically still have LOTS MORE! I'm happy to say that I didn't use a full sheet of cardstock at all! I used a bunch of my cardstock scraps & when I got done purged more (see Laura I can let go!) LOL!!