Did anyone miss me?

I've been hiding under a rock for the past 3 weeks - did you notice I was gone? We'll I'm back!!! And with good news! I PASSED!! Today was D-Day - the dreaded Human Resources certification! Now I say that with a smile :), because I choose to take it and paid for it myself! I worked hard over the last 3 months studying and studying and never feeling like I was remembering anything! But the paper I received at the end today says that I passed (not quite official yet, but close enough for government work!) So after 4 long hours, 225 questions and a bit of confusion with my requested accommodations, I can finally sit back and decide - what do I do tonight??

I haven't done any scrapbooking or card making for almost a month. I think I've forgotten what to do! I don't think I have any creative juices in me today, I'm a bit drained, but tomorrow??!!

This 4th of July we will be spending in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico! They celebrate the 4th of July there, don't they?! (Hey, we celebrate Cinco de Mayo!) I don't care, to be able to relax is all I'm looking forward to! Well, that and a few dips in the ocean and a snorkel trip or two (or three)! We are staying at an all inclusive Intercontinental which looks wonderful - I hope it lives up to it's pictures! What I'm not exactly looking forward to is their 98 degree temperatures! Bring on the sunscreen! Now if we can only find the fireworks!!

When I get back, it's back to more posts and definately more crafting! I definitely can't wait to be able to do what I WANT at night and not work or studying!!!

Happy 4th everyone!

My Teens

Last Wednesday was Betsy's 15th birthday! Oh where or where does the time go? Melanie will be 14 in just 2 months! These cousins are special friends and they are so thrilled to be living so close together! This picture was taken on Sunday when we went to celebrate Betsy's birthday! I hope they will always be good friends!

Ready for Drywall

An update on the basement... we're ready for drywall! We passed our first inspection (after a few minor fixes) - the framing, electrical and plumbing stages! The inspector was very impressed with how well he did so far and gave us the green light to insulate! After 2 truckloads of insulation and about 12 hours, Dan got every wall cavity filled! Since the outer walls were already filled on the first inspection, we did not have to wait for that to be inspected! So, now it's drywall time! Unfortunately with my father visiting this week, construction is delayed until after our "mini-vacation" up into the mountains! But I can tell, once he gets started, it will go fast!

Hubby finally relented and went to the doctor today about his painful knee. He is scheduled to have an MRI on Thursday. They said he has arthritis and they think a torn meniscus and if that's the case, he plans to have it repaired in July. Thankfully that's a quicker recovery than it could have been, so he may not miss a day of ski season if he's lucky!! I know how he feels!!

Meet Fishy

Last weekend we added 4 more fish to our tank... 2 angel fish and 2 blood fin tetras. Melanie picked out her angel fish - the black one (pictured) is named "FISH" by her cousin Betsy! (sorry for the blurry picture - I need to work on these shots) The white one is named Grace - a bit more normal! We're just waiting to see what sex they really are! The other new fish, Dan picked out and appropriately named them "Twitchy" and "Shaky" after their erratic behavior! Unfortunately I have a hard time remembering their names and have nicknamed them many other things!!! (Like Itchy and Scratchy!) All seem to get along great with Bruno (not pregnant), Harold and Ginger. We're not sure if Bruno gave birth, but we can't seem to find any babies and the black dot is gone... so who knows. We all still enjoy the fish!

CJ May Challenge

This month's challenge was to use 10 items from your stash on your project. I'm glad it wasn't 10 "unique" items! I started with a couple of pictures of Melanie from October, 2000 - wow,that's a long time ago! I used Bazzil cardstock and patterned papers from KI Memories - Bloom. I added lots of flowers and brads from my stash! The letters are white Thickers - I love the dimensional look. I'm adding this page to a "Melanie" album, where I just do odd lay-outs of my beautiful baby!! Both of us really love it!

We had a relaxing, but rather rainy Memorial Day Weekend camping by Jefferson Lake! It sprinkled on and off the entire time we were there. It was just nice to be away, breathing in the wonderful mountain air! I can't wait to get out there again!

Father's Day Card

Here is one of the Father's Day cards that I made for Cards for Hero's. I love this Riley (well, I love them all) and thought it was quite appropriate for a male card! Inside it does say "Happy Father's Day"!

Speaking of camping... we have decided last minute to go away for Memorial Weekend after all. Originally we didn't plan anything because of the basement remodel, but we are now at a stand still and have no reason to stay home! The framing is done. We have to get an electrician in, but probably won't get one hired and working until after the holiday, so there is nothing stopping us!!! Yippee, back to the mountains I go!! We selected a campground we've never been too, in South Park (yeah, like the cartoon) and we hope that it will be nice! The guys (including Tom, our basement savior) will have an opportunity to go fishing! And I can study in the fresh mountain air!!

The fish are doing great... maybe too great! Bruno is PREGNANT!!! No, Melanie doesn't plan to change the name! What this means is no more fish until the birth. So the three little fish will have reign of that great big tank for several more weeks! This should be interesting!

Off to enjoy our summer weather!!!

Surprise!!

In just over 2 weeks, Melanie will be finishing up 2 (very short) years of middle school! The time has just flown by and our little girl is about to start HS! (OMG - I am scared to death of this next chapter!) Back in Chicago, an 8th grade graduation was a big deal... in Castle Rock - they have a carnival - that's it! No caps, no gowns, no Kleenex flowers (anyone remember making those)? What is wrong with this place? Well, since there will be no party, we weren't about to let this big event (to us) go unmarked - so we planned on getting her a gift! The only thing she's been asking for is FISH! And she wasn't even thinking of getting them for graduation! She had planned for them on her birthday!

Well we were out and about on Saturday and we thought what better time than to surprise her with a trip to PetSmart! Since Dan won't be around on her last day of school (business trip to - Chicago), we could just get her that present early! You've never seen a 13 year old so thrilled when she looked up and she instantly knew what we were doing there! She was jumping up and down - very anxious to get her new fishes!


We decided on a 26 gallon tank that would hold quiet a few fish! Unfortunately it did not fit into Melanie's bedroom as she hoped, so we made it's home in our TV Loft. This way we all can enjoy the fishes! The "kids" set up the tank on Saturday afternoon and impatiently waited for it to get to the right temperature so they could add fish.


On Sunday after Melanie treated me to a movie for Mother's Day, we went back to PetSmart and picked out 3 inexpensive little fish! The yellow one is Harold - he's her favorite! The white one is Bruno - he's kind of a loner. And the red one we named Ginger! 24 hours later, they're still alive! Yippee!! We went back to the store tonight but were told we should have patience and wait another week before we add any more fish to the water. You've never seen such long faces on my children before! Dan was so anxious to buy his "Jaws" and "Cuddles"! Eventually in a few weeks Melanie wants to add an Angel Fish - that is her favorite! I can't wait until her "school" is full and we can all sit and enjoy them, wishing we were small enough to snorkel inside the tank! (Can you spot Ginger?)