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?)

Catching Up

Here is the card I made for my dear friend Snot (aka Marlene) for May. I used a sketch I found on 2Peas and adapted it to a clear card. I've always wanted to try a clear card, had the materials, but never the drive. Well this was it! And I love it! In fact I ended up making several cards using this design (not all clear) and gave most of them away to Cards For Hero's. I'll show you some more cards that I sent to them over the next few days.

Last week was busy again. On Thursday, Melanie had another track meet. This time instead of being cold, she got sunburned! She did great in the 4x2 and tried really hard in the 400. She missed the 200 because she couldn't get to the start in time because she had just finished the 400. They need to plan that better! I got to see her run the 400 and was very proud of her!

Over the weekend I spent numerous hours studying away! I'm really moving now - probably because the module is all about benefits! It's what I do all day long! Hopefully I'll be finished with this module by Sunday... that's my goal! It's the biggest one though and I've got a long way to go! Just 8 weeks until the test - yippee!

Today Melanie had another track meet, this time at a school in Parker. She said she did fair, like the last few weeks. Again, I'm just proud that she's doing this - no matter where she places! She'd beet me in a heartbeat!