First Snow Day 2012

No, I didn't take any pictures but I wish I had. We received just a light dusting of what looked like a pretty big storm that hit just north of us but it was enough to cancel school today. And BRRRR its cold outside. However, my the end of the week, the highs are suppose to be near 60. Go figure!

Resolutions

Last year at this time, I posted a couple of resolutions. So I thought before I made any new ones for 2012, I thought I would check on how I did in 2011...

My resolutions were:

1. Craft more. Make more time to sew and scrapbook. I completed one quilt, made several aprons, and attended 2 scrapbook retreats. I didn't craft as much as I would have liked but I would say I did ok on the resolution.

2. Read more. I used to read all the time and I just don't anymore and I miss it.
Need to work on this one. I did go through several periods were I did a lot of reading but during the last couple of months, hardly read at all.

3. Learn to say no. Did great here - don't think I did anything that I didn't really want to do.

4. Make better use of my time. Not sure about this either.

5. Get healthier. Need to get back to exercising. Did AWESOME here! After the doctor yelled at me in March for gaining 8 more pounds over the winter months, I hit it hard and along with my husband, we started the 17 Day Diet. I took off 25 pounds and my husband took off 40. We started mountain biking and joined a gym. I went from a size 12 to a size 4 in pants and am off of my blood pressure meds.

6. Get rid of the clutter. Work in progress but made a dent.

7. And blog more. FAILED!!!

So now, off to work on my 2012 list.
Happy New Year!

New Years 2012

Cliff, Courtney, and I started the new year right with a hike in nearby DuPont forest. AWESOME!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year ya'll!

It's a new year and I'm all about the "New You" this year. Yes, I know its cliche but I NEED it. I started by getting a totally new haircut yesterday. Over the past couple of years, I had let my hair grow back long like it was in high school and college. I had gotten it cut when I became a mom 15 years ago and had kept it shoulder length. Anyway, it had gotten long and I had gotten tired of it so yesterday, I had it all cut off - into a cute, sassy bob.

Anyway, thought I would just post a few resolutions. Maybe by posting - I will stick with them. Here goes...

1. Craft more. Make more time to sew and scrapbook.
2. Read more. I used to read all the time and I just don't anymore and I miss it.
3. Learn to say no.
4. Make better use of my time.
5. Get healthier. Need to get back to exercising.
6. Get rid of the clutter.
7. And blog more.

And that's it. How about you?

Hope everyone had a WONDERFUL New Year!!!

Tailgate Market

I am really trying to eat fresh and local so I got up early on Saturday to hit our local tailgate market. Here is my loot:

I got a dozen eggs, several squash, cucumbers, and a green pepper. YUM! I will be back next week.

SNOW!

We live in the mountains of North Carolina but closer to the SC line and very seldom do we get any snow - maybe a couple of light snowfalls each year, most often just flurries. And usually we get an ice storm or two. However, yesterday we were hit with a storm that left the area covered in a white blanket. We were actually suppose to leave to go to my sister's who lives on the east coast of NC. We travelled about 15 miles from the house by interstate and decided it wasn't worth the risk. After we got back home, my husband and daughter decided they were going outside to play. After about 15 minutes they asked me to go for a walk with them. Now, I walk a lot and trying to get them to go with me is like pulling teeth so when they asked, I couldn't say no. So, I donned one of my husband's motorcycle wind suits, which by the way is a men's 3X. I know I looked ridiculous but it kept me warm and dry. And off we went to see the neighborhood. Here we are, my daughter is on the left.

National Tie One On Day

November 25th is National Tie One On Day! Celebrate and share the love!

October is...

National Caramel Month! So to celebrate, my daughter and I made Caramel Apples! YUM!

World Card Making Day

Today is World Card Making Day! So, guess what I did? That's right! I made cards! My friend Anna, my daughter, and I attended a card making workshop. We made 4 cards and donated one back to the Cards for Soldiers program. I forgot my camera but another friend did so hopefully I will be able to post pics later.
So Celebrate and Make Some Cards!

October is...

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So, I called today and made an appointment for a mammogram. If you need to, please do so.

October is...

Cookie Month!

So go bake some cookies and ENJOY!

Wine Country

Last Saturday night, DH and I watched Bottle Shock. We really enjoyed it and didn't realize that it was a true story until the movie was over. Anyway, after sleeping in late on Sunday, DH suggested that we visit a couple of wineries that are fairly close to home so off we went. Our first stop was Rockhouse. Absolutely beautiful vineyard and the owner took us down to look at the barrels and explained the whole wine process to us. Here is a picture of the "rock house":

We also visited Green Creek.

I love the rows of grapes.
These wineries are only a couple of minutes apart but there was a world of difference between them. It was very interesting visiting them both and we plan on doing it again. Actually, they are only about 30 minutes away and we can't believe we hadn't visited before.

Missing My Daughter

My Baby Girl is at summer camp for 5 1/2 weeks. This is the second year that she has gone and she had such a great time last year that we let her go again. I know she's having a great time but the trouble is, I miss her. Terribly. She's already been gone for a week and we will get to see her on Visitor's Day in a couple of weeks but still - she's my Baby Girl!
Here is a picture of her and her father from Visitor's Day last year:

Award from Val

Val sent me an award.
I am supposed to share 7 things that you may not know about me. I am pretty much an open book so I am having a really hard time with this but here goes:

1) I have an MBA. Now, most people who personally know me, know this; but not my online friends.

2) I am afraid of birds and have nightmares about them - huge birds attacking me.

3) I love to cook and bake but I am no good at throwing things together - I have to have a recipe.

4) I used to draw and paint. I was very artistic as a child and teenager. I know this is very odd for a math / business major - my art teacher in college told me so. Now, I only express creativity through scrapbooking, card making, sewing, and doodling on my daughter's lunch bags.

5) I have always wanted to get my nose pierced. Although, I think I would probably look really stupid. I really don't think I could pull it off besides, how many accountants do you know that wear a nose ring.

6) I did get my belly button pierced when I was 30. I wore a belly ring until about 2 years ago.

7) I love the idea of riding on the back of my husband's motorcycle. Actually, in my dreams I am a biker babe. However, when it comes to actually riding - it really scares me. And I do mean that it really scares me.

Here's my daughter on the bike. She enjoys riding a lot more than I do. LOL


Now feel free to take the award and post 7 things about yourself.

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of 7th grade for DD. We made a couple of gifts for her core teachers. We made brown sugar scrub and eye pillows filled with flax seed.

I hope her teachers like them.

Her Homeroom teacher called me at 8 am to let me know that DD was receiving a pretty big award - Most Outstanding 7th Grader. Unfortunately, I had to be working at our Charity Golf tournament and could not get away to attend the awards. And not only did she win that award, she came home with a total of 4: Most Outstanding 7th grader, A Honor Roll, Duke TIPS program certificate, and Most Improved in Jazz Band. I am SO PROUD of her.

Where have I been?

I can not believe that its been over a month since I've posted. I mean, I'm online like every day. So, where I have I been? Right here - just not posting. Oh, I have plenty of excuses - too tired, batteries dead in the camera, housework to do, had to work late, dinner to cook...
So, here I am to say that I am sorry to my swap partners for not posting pictures. And to my couple of followers - I hope you haven't forgotten about me.
Hope you have a great evening and come back soon - I do have pictures to post.

Oh, NO!

I have just read the most horrible news. The purse from my previous post that I made for the Amy Butler Bag Swap has been stolen. Here's the whole story:
http://daurenet.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-am-so-very-sad.html.
I feel so bad. What is this world coming to?

TGIF

Yea! I am so glad its Friday! It's been one heck of a week at work but maybe that's because I had the previous week off - who knows?!
Anyway, I plan to finish the Amy Butler Nappy bag that I am making for a co-worker this weekend and hopefully make a couple of aprons that I have the fabric for. I will post pics asap.
And it's suppose to SNOW Saturday night. Of course, the weather people are incorrect about 99% of the time but there is hope. I would love a day where I am "trapped" in by the snow so I could stay at home and sew.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.

2008 Top Ten list

Mama Kat at http://mamakatslosinit.blogspot.com/ put out a prompt and I picked my 2008 top ten list of what I did. Here goes:
1) I was nicer in 2008! LOL That was one of my '08 resolutions and I know I broke it very early. But I do recall several times where I held my tongue. Yeah me!
2) I was able to survive the 6 1/2 weeks that my daughter was gone to camp. It was rough but good practice for when she leaves for college (or so she tells me).
3) Renewed my relationship with my husband (thanks to the 6 1/2 weeks DD was at camp).
4) Reunited with my BFF from High School thanks to facebook. Hopefully we will get together a lot in 2009.
5) Reunited with my aunt whom I had not seen in probably 20 years. My father came from a really large family and most of them have passed away. My father passed away 16 years ago and during that time, I lost all contact with his family. My aunt did a lot of searching and found us this summer. It has been awesome reconnecting with her and getting to know my cousins. I have also gotten to hear a lot of stories about my father.
6) Started my first quilt. I took a class this summer (also thanks to DD being gone for so long). I have not completed it so I guess that will go on my '09 resolution list.
7) Made several gifts this year instead of buying them.
8) Read a book or two including The Shack. My reading was also down from years past but I do have a huge to be read pile waiting on me. It is so hard to fit in all of my hobbies.
9) Had my wisdom teeth removed. A lot of pain and a lot of pain meds - enough said.
10) Participated in several swaps - mostly apron swaps. So much fun!

Now to sit down and work on that '09 resolution list.
Best wishes to everyone for a Wonderful New Year!

More Swaps

Well, Christmas is over and its time to get back in the swing of things. I am taking a week off of work to clean the house and refresh for the New Year. Ah yes, also need to make those resolutions.
To help me get back into the swing of things, I have signed up for 2 new swaps. Sassy apron swappers and Flirty apron swappers are joining for one swap - Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice (see side button). Also, Mommy Holly is hosting an Amy Butler apron swap (also see side button). I am so excited and can't wait til I receive my partners so I can start sewing.
I have also signed up for a crop at my fav scrapbook store (http://onescrappychick.typepad.com/chick_chat/about_the_store/) this Friday night and all day Saturday. Hopefully I can get those Christmas layouts completed and put in scrapbooks.