Saturday, December 30, 2006

revisting my resolutions for 2006

these have been color coded and notes added as to how well i did -- still need work, did well at, "failed"

spend more time studying the Bible -- at times I did well, this will continue next year
find better ideas for Sunday School -- started the Power Hour program this fall!!
really get the youthgroup moving -- the girls are coming, now to keep it up!
find ways to spread the Word in my everyday life -- doing the best I can
find a better balance to my life -- it is working out well, the new job was a major turning point
get organized in all aspects of my life -- well, ok, this is hit & miss, lol
make more friends to go out with -- not too many, but i am doing a little more
get into a teacher certification program -- oops! need to call!
exercise more -- early in the year, yes, now, not so much
eat better -- to a point, the holidays are killer, though!
eat less -- yes, i am doing this
continue to lose weight (i had to buy a size smaller in pants!) -- i haven't really weighed in a lot, but i am still in the smaller size pants, now to get them even smaller!!
scrap close to 300 pages -- i did not keep track, but i think i did pretty well on this one!
teach a class at the LSS -- 2 last year!! woohoo!!!!
use my stash without buying a lot -- i have done this, i did 100+ without buying anything!
take a class from Julia -- she isn't teaching anymore :(

Monday, December 25, 2006

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

merry CHRISTmas everyone!!




enjoy the day and always remember that little babe in the manger who came to live and die and live again for all of us.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows

world,
we
have
a
title!!
book 7 --
coming "soon"
(next summer it is rumored)
to a store near you!!

Sunday, December 17, 2006

meme from mark...

this meme is known as the 123:5 meme.
The rules are:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next four sentences on your blog, along with these instructions.
5. Don’t you dare dig for that “cool” or “intellectual” book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up whatever is closest.

the book i picked up is The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield -- i just got it in the mail from my pal, amber, and have to read it so i can share with a few friends here & then send it back to amber! lol

ok, page 123, 5th sentence and then comes...

"A liar. And the plea that had so moved me -- Tell me the truth -- had been uttered by a man who was not even real.
I was at a loss to explain to myself the bitterness of my disappointment."


(and that ends the chapter, so i won't go any further, lol)

tagged by Mary Jo!

A - Available or single: single
B - Best friend: don't make me choose!
C - Cake or pie: birthday cake
D - Drink of choice: diet coke, water or flavored milk
E - Essential item you use everyday: my fun car!
F - Favorite color: green
G- Gummy bears or worms: bears
H - Hometown: St. Louis, MO
I- Indulgence: scrapbook supplies
J - January or February: January -- a fresh start!
K - Kids & names: none
L- Life is incomplete without? love
M- Marriage date: n/a
N- Number of siblings: 1
O- Oranges or apples: bananas
P- Phobias or fears: tornados
Q- Fave quote: "You Rock!"
R - Reasons to smile: God loves me (AND YOU!)
S - Season: winter
T - Tag 3 or 4 people: Sue, Danielle, Rita
U - Unknown fact about me: i didn't get my drivers license until i was 19
V- Vegetable you don't like: green olives, peppers
W - Worst habit: bad finances
X - Xrays: teeth & bladder
Y - Your fave food: pizza, pasta, sweets
Z- Zodiac sign: Sagittarius

Saturday, December 16, 2006

what a winter!

it has been in the 60s the past few days!!! i want snow! i want cold! i want a REAL winter!!!! gr!!

so all my Christmas stuff is done! woohoo! packages have all made it, cards are arriving, i have a few cards i need to send (needed addresses) but i will get those done tomorrow & then get them in the mail monday!

tomorrow at church is our service of hymns & lessons -- all songs & readings! yay!! meghan is singing in the kids choir, i am playing a tone chime for one song and a hand drum for another song...it will be very very nice! we are also doing our birthday party for Jesus during sunday school!! we have a cake & juice & goodie bags & balloons...it will be FUN! after sunday school the youthgroup is babysitting at church if people want to leave their kids for a few hours :) we'll read some books, watch some veggie tales, play some games, do some crafts, and just have fun!

this week is only 4 days of work! friday i am off :)

well, i will write more soon!

toodles :)

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

i am DONE!

i am ready for Christmas now!! my cards are DONE! they will go out in tomorrow's mail :)

everything else is pretty much done -- i have some presents to wrap for my neighbor (she buys the gifts, i wrap, lol) and for my dad (same thing -- he buys for my brother, i wrap) -- i love to wrap, though, so that is FUN!!!!!

this weekend i am going to go see "Driving Lessons" with my pal, renee! it is FINALLY coming out here in stl! we have been wanting to see that movie forever (it seems) but it kept getting pushed back for an opening date & time...

my packages that were mailed are arriving, so i am happy :)

toodles!!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

tired....

i have just been so tired lately!! i think it is the whole weather change going on and the rush of the month!!!

i am done with Christmas shopping...and wrapping...and decorating...and mailing packages...i just need to finish my cards then i will be totally done!!! i have some of the envelopes addressed, the letters printed, and everything pulled together, i just need to do it!!!!

work has been going well, the girl i am with an adorable sweetheart, now to work on the stubbornness!!! gr! the other kids are great that i get the chance to work with (both the special needs kids and the typically developing kids)...my co-workers are great as well!! there is one teacher (that i do not work with) who is not very good (she spends more time on the phone than with her students), and i don't like her very much, but i don't have to put up with her, so it's all good!!

my birthday was AWESOME! my brother, dad & i went to dinner on the 6th -- i wanted Red Lobster but their power went out about 5 minutes before we showed up! so we ended up at Kreiger's, but we will go to Red Lobster at some point soon...my dad got me the newest American Girl doll (Emily) and her accessories, so my collection of the historical dolls is complete (as of now, but that might change in the next year or so)...nothing from my brother (yet), who knows what i will end up with from him!! probably a gift card to target or some other store like that, which is fine with me!! and on the 7th my Godparents took me & my dad to dinner at a great local place called Amici's -- it is in kirkwood and the food was really good! they sent me a dozen pink roses, and got me a couple presents -- a new Precious Moments piece, a pretty wrap from Lane Bryant, and a gift card for Lane Bryant -- so i can go get whatever i want!! i also got some cards and other goodies from friends around the country :) i also got a "CAR COSTUME" with antlers & a red nose!! thanks MB!

i am looking forward to "winter" break -- december 22 i am off!! i go back january 2 or 3, not sure which! i will be cleaning a lot that week while i am home, plus scrapping as much as possible! we have a room in our basement that has a lot of books and junk in it -- my dad says we can clean it out so i can use it as a scrapbook room!! woohoo!! it has tons of shelves in it (which is what i want), but we have to clear it out first -- i guess the st. louis area book fair will be getting a call for a pick up again soon (we already donated about 19 boxes of books to them already this year!) -- books, luggage, papers, holiday stuff, ceramics my mom did...SO MUCH JUNK! maybe i can find some local friends who are willing & able to help?? or people with strong teenage sons who are willing to help move the crap upstairs?? i think there is even a couch in that room to get rid of!!

to close, i will share some pictures of meghan from thanksgiving weekend when we made brownies



Saturday, December 09, 2006

beta blogger

we'll see!!


i just upgraded to the new blogger......i hope it goes well!!

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Birthday List....

A Birthday Meme!
I saw this Birthday Meme on another blog I read and thought it would be fun to do so here is my birthday meme. If you want to play, the rules are to go to wikipedia, type in your birthday (month and day, no year), then list three events that happened on your bday, two important birthdays, one important death and one holiday or observance. So here is the meme for my bday...December 6 (today!)!


3 events
1865 - The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, banning slavery.

1978 - Spain approves its latest constitution in a referendum.

2001 - Name of the Canadian province of Newfoundland changed to Newfoundland and Labrador.

2 Important Birthdays
1896 - Ira Gershwin, American lyricist (d. 1983)

1993 - Elián González, Cuban subject of child custody battle

1 death
343 - Saint Nicholas

1 Holiday or Observance
Canada - National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Let me know if you played too!

Sunday, December 03, 2006

elf names!

what is your elf name?

you can find out here!

my elf name is ZIPPY TUM-TUMS!!!

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

You Should Spend Your Summer in Europe

You're in to almost all forms of culture - art, music, architecture, food...
And spending a summer at the beach sounds pretty darn boring to you.
So head off to Europe, where you can have your tiramisu (and even eat it on the beach!)



Rebecca Elizabeth Dunnell's Aliases

Your movie star name: Nachos Conrad

Your fashion designer name is Rebecca Kyiv

Your socialite name is Dinki Blair

Your fly girl / guy name is R Dun

Your detective name is Rhino Mehlville

Your barfly name is Ice Cream Tequila Sunrise

Your soap opera name is Elizabeth Glencullen

Your rock star name is Peanut Butter M&ms Cheetah

Your Star Wars name is Rebpig Dunrya

Your punk rock band name is The Tired Spork

Sunday, November 26, 2006

have fun playing with my new turtle, Arthur! he is to remind me of my goal to return to Ukraine (which may well happen come summer 2007!!!)!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Monday, November 20, 2006

You Are 94% Thankful

You're an incredibly thankful person, and everyone around you feels very appreciated.
You inspire people to be more optimistic, forgiving, and grateful.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

chuggin' along before the holidays

well, i have my list written & given to my dad with ideas of what to get me for my birthday and Christmas...i have a list written of WHO i am buying for, ideas of what to get them & whether i have bought it yet, etc...i am making 6 mini albums for family/friends that they can just add the photos in -- 4 are Christmas themed and are DONE -- 2 will have a thanksgiving/fall theme and will be done soon

i am probably a little over 50% done with my Christmas shopping -- the most important ones that are left are my dad & brother (who i have no ideas for) -- my brother is being a pain in the butt and not telling us what he wants or needs...he may get socks & underwear!!

once i look at the ads this morning, i may go to target this afternoon and get a few more people bought for (some i am part done with shopping for) -- i also need to get something for my secret pal at church's birthday which is coming up

i am excited because this afternoon i get to take a class at For Keeps Sake with Tammy Tutterow & make a totally awesome NOEL sign using some yummy new basic grey papers! and, if all goes well, i may sign up for a class tomorrow night with Sue, her blog says the class is the 20th, but something else said the 29th, so i need to check!

this week is a short week at work -- only monday & tuesday!! the school i am at is off from wednesday on for Thanksgiving! woohoo!! PLUS, it is jeans day for both days, so i can be super comfortable while enjoying the craziness right before Thanksgiving :)

i am in a total scrapping mood -- so after the class today (and some Christmas shopping) i hope to get some more scrapping done -- and i hope the mojo keeps coming so i can get a lot of scrapping done this week when i am off :) i have a few other projects to make as gifts, so that will take up some time, but it will be nice...

have a happy Sunday, and i may be back later with an update & photos :)

Thursday, November 16, 2006

bratz dolls

are the ugliest things in the world!!

it is bad enough to have hoochie-mama dressed "teenage" dolls whose feet come off in order to change their shoes....but to have BABY bratz!?!??!!? ugly little baby "dolls" wearing halter tops & mini skirts? loads of glitter around their eyes...why oh why oh why?!?!!?!?!?

Monday, November 13, 2006

lisa and jackie

Me & Jackie -- the arm length photos make everyone look wonderful ;)
Lisa laughing, as usual!!
The Saga of the Sock Sisters!!
some socks

Lisa & Jackie

Sunday, November 12, 2006

a few weekends ago...

The weekend before Halloween I went to Omaha with my dad. We visited friends and went to places I haven't been to in years (i.e. since I graduated college in 2000).
Here are some of my favorite shots from that trip!!
Tower of the Four Winds in Blair, Nebraska. My pal, Lisa, and I would walk up at this park a lot back in our Dana Days.
Bev & Rex's "puppy", Casey! Casey is my Omaha dog!
A bridge at De Soto Bend wildlife refuge in Iowa. This usually (at least used to) have water around it where the fish would jump!
A turtle sunning at the site of the Bertrand ship that sank at
De Soto Bend.
Rex & Bev -- my Omaha parents -- holding hands so sweetly at
De Soto Bend!

Saturday, November 11, 2006

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 10/10 correct!

linguistic profile

Your Linguistic Profile:
70% General American English
10% Dixie
10% Upper Midwestern
5% Yankee
0% Midwestern

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

have you ever....

felt like you were being attacked??

at a place i adore going and the (majority of) the people there i enjoy conversing with i have been feeling very attacked lately....

first i am complained to for saying that the better team won the world series with all sorts of comments

now i express something that insulted me that was said (2 times now in 2 days) regarding things with politics...one i was apologized to for......the other one i get a "if someone is bad at their job, they should be fired" type comment....sorry if this place is suppose to be fun and now everyone is getting political and being rude about things (cheering about rumsfeld, whether you agree with what happened or not, it is rude and uncalled for to do that)


somedays i just don't want to go, and at this point i don't think anyone would care or even notice

an email

{agree or disagree if you want, but be warned that insulting and/or idiotic comments will be deleted}

How to Be a Good Liberal

You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand.

You have to believe that businesses create oppression and governments createprosperity.

You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans are more of a threat than U.S. nuclear weapons technology in the hands of Iranian zelots and theNorth Korean Communists.

You have to believe that there was no art before federal funding.

You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclicaldocumented changes in the earth's climate and more affected by soccer moms driving SUV's.

You have to believe that gender roles are artificial but being homosexual isnatural.

You have to believe that the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of federal funding.

You have to believe that the same teacher who can't teach 4th graders how toread is somehow qualified to teach those same kids about sex.

You have to believe that hunters don't care about nature, but loony activists who have never been outside of San Francisco do.

You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.

You have to believe the NRA is bad because it supports certain parts of theConstitution, while the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution.

You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.

You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, Gen. Robert E. Lee, Thomas Edison, and Alexander Graham Bell.

You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.

You have to believe that Hillary Clinton is normal and is a very nice person.

You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried is because the right people haven't been in charge.

You have to believe that conservatives telling the truth belong in jail, but a liar and a sex offender belonged in the White House.

You have to believe that homosexual parades displaying drag, transvestites, and bestiality should be constitutionally protected, and manger scenes at Christmas should be illegal.

You have to believe that illegal Democratic Party funding by the Chinesegovernment is somehow in the best interest to the United States.

You have to believe that it's okay to give federal workers Christmas Day off but it's not okay to say "Merry Christmas."

You have to believe that this message is a part of a vast right wing conspiracy.

Monday, November 06, 2006

A Picture is Worth a Million Words

Click the Photo block to see a wonderful image! (for whatever reason blogger is posting it weird)

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Monday, October 23, 2006

randomness

so the Cardinals are now 1 and 1 with the Tigers, but we did it without someone using PINE TAR to win a game (those rotten stinkin' tigers!)

a pretty relaxing weekend --

saturday was a lot of time in the evening at church setting up for a book fair & power hour & getting power hour prepper for next weekend when i am in omaha...saturday was also some shopping & cooking & having some relaxation time!! i went and visited my Godson, Ian, and his mom & dad on saturday as well :)

sunday was power hour and not much else!!

i am sick, kind of, i have a bunch of drainage, so i am coughing & such, but i am feeling alright...no fever, no soreness, etc...just some weird illness!!

i am happy because tomorrow is CARDINALS spirit day at work! i get to wear JEANS! woohoo!!

this weekend i am off on friday -- the school i am at has NO SCHOOL! -- so i am headed to omaha for the weekend to visit my "dana mom & dad" -- plus my friend, lisa, is going to come down to omaha!!! WOOHOO! i haven't seen lisa in 5 years!!! i am also going to go up to dana and (hopefully) see my friend, jackie! plus, i need to go to the dana bookstore and get a new alumni shirt...

Saturday, October 21, 2006

which are you?

You Are 75% Feminine, 25% Masculine

You are in touch with your feminine side.
Sensitive, intuitive, and caring are all words that describe you.
And you're just masculine enough to relate to both men and women.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!!!


the CARDINALS won the NLCS!!!!!!!!!
they will whip the tigers in the world series!!!

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Gentle Warrior

found this linked on a board i visit -- it is beautiful!!

http://arosebyname.wordpress.com/2006/10/06/gentle-warrior/

tuesday....

it has been awhile since i posted (ok, not as long as some people!!)

friday night i did nothing!

saturday i went with my pal barb & her mom, nancy, to an all day scrap retreat -- lots of fun classes & worth the money -- i would consider going again!! made a few pages and projects there -- plus i bought some fun things i have been unable to find and got some awesome ideas for projects!!

sunday was power hour and then relaxing!! i created a TON of projects for an upcoming special event weekend at For Keeps Sake in november -- it was all fun Christmas stuff!! one was my DT project for this month, then i also made a 1 page layout, a gift bag, 3 cards, 1 quote mini book, an altered composition book & a cool set of altered blocks!

monday was RAINY all day long!!!!!!!!!! it was exhausting to watch the rain!!!

today was work and then i took my DT work into the LSS...now i am just relaxing!

i hope all is well out there (and post if you are reading this, lol, sometimes i don't feel like posting because i wonder if anyone even cares....)

toodles!!

Friday, October 13, 2006

just about a year ago....







last october, meghan & i went to BOO AT THE ZOO! so much fun to see the zoo decorated for halloween & kids dressed up enjoying the animals :) she wants to go back this year, so we will have to see if we can make it next saturday!!!

Monday, October 09, 2006

what a life...and i'm a dork

so friday i called in sick to work so i could sleep in and try and get rid of my cold a little better...i also helped set up and start the weekend retreat with for keeps sake -- AWESOME!

retreat review
friday: we had a class with a ckc teacher -- heidi grace is on bed rest and could not come :( -- we also got a goodie bag to start the event (halloween papers, stickers, make-n-take kit in a paper holder, a halloween colored album, a bottle of water & some pretzels) -- i worked on a few little things andhad a lot of fun chatting away!

saturday: i had slept at home (as to not get angie sick) but i made it there in time for breakfast...helped out with various things in the AM, got a LOT more done & took a class with tammy tutterow in the PM -- VERY cute little coaster album! i also did a make-n-take with stephenie from the fiskateers! i also signed up to become a fiskateer (i am #391)!! they had a "nifty everything's $1.50 with some fun karen foster things -- i helped the store with that & got some awesome deals! saturday night there was a costume parade, prizes & give aways! i was able to dig out my winnie the pooh costume :) if you participated, you got a $5 gift card for the store, so that was nice :) the night "ended" with the OPRAH moment!! everyone there got a TON of cropper hopper organizer goodies!! we got: floss holders, 4 different sizes & styles of paper holders & 2 sizes of embellishment storage!!!!!! as a DT member i got to help hand it all out! i packed up most of my stuff that night, i left out the items i would need for one project (a baby gift album)

sunday: finished the baby album & then helped with all the clean up and unpacking at the store -- it was fun, but my back sure hurt at the end of the day!!!

hotel: i am sure the hotel room was nice, i only saw it for a few minutes to put on my costume, lol

food: so tasty!!!!!!!!

goodies: so many & so fun!!

classes: wonderful!! plus, i won a t-shirt from stephenie at the class on saturday :)

how much i got done: 12+ layouts, a mini book, a baby album & 2 circle journal entries!!


since the retreat i have been doing fine -- still a little stuffy, but work went well today

after work i was a dork, dumbass, idiot, you pick!!

i stopped to get gas & drove off without removing the nozzle from my car!!! i had paid (pay at the pump), so i was good there! but the entire hose came off of the pump!! i went in & the manager came out to look at it & said everything was fine...i just hope i don't get a bill one day!!!!!!!

so, there is life & me being a DORK!

Thursday, October 05, 2006

colds suck!!

i have a cold!

i have been stuffed up since tuesday evening -- sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, very slight fever once in awhile.......

i have been taking sudafed & tylenol (when needed)....

BUT, the best thing i have done is call in sick for tomorrow!!! i can sleep in & then i will feel so so so so SO much better!!!!

toodles!

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Ridin' with Private Malone

i love this song by David Ball
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was just out of the service thumbing through the classifieds
When an ad that said old Chevy some how caught my eye
The lady didn't know the year or even if it ran
But I had that thousand dollars in my hand

It was way back in the corner of this old ramshackle barn
With thirty years of dust and dirt on that green army tarp
When I pulled the cover off it took away my breath
What she'd called a Chevy was a '66 Corvette

I felt a little guilty as I counted out the bills
But what a thrill I got when I sat behind the wheel
I opened up the glove box and that's when I found the note
The date was nineteen sixty six and this is what he wrote

He said my name is Private Andrew Malone
If you're reading this then I didn't make it home
But for every dream that's shattered another one comes true
This car was once a dream of mine now it belongs to you
And though you may take her and make her your own
You'll always be riding with Private Malone

Well it didn't take me long at all I had her running good
I love to hear those horses thunder underneath her hood
I had her shining like a diamond and I'd put the rag top down
All the pretty girls would stop and stare as I drove her through town

The buttons on the radio didn't seem to work quite right
But it picked up that oldie show especially late at night
I'd get the feeling sometimes if I turned real quick I'd see
A soldier riding shotgun in the seat right next to me

It was a young man named Private Andrew Malone
Who fought for his country and never made it home
But for every dream that's shattered another one comes true
This car was once a dream of his back when it was new
He told me to take her and make her my own
And I was proud to be riding with Private Malone

One night it was raining hard I took the curve too fast
I still don't remember much about that fiery crash
Someone said they thought they saw a soldier pull me out
They didn't get his name but I know without a doubt

It was a young man named Private Andrew Malone
Who fought for his country and never made it home
But for every dream that's shattered another one comes true
This car was once a dream of his back when it was new
I know I wouldn't be here if he hadn't tagged along
Oh thank God I was riding with Private Malone

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

busy week...

so over the weekend i was busy (see previous post), and i won't really have a lot of down time until NEXT WEEK!!

monday i worked all day and then babysat for friends from church (2 adorable little girls) and once they were asleep i was able to finish some stuff for FKS -- worked on nametags for the retreat & a class sample for a sesame street paper bag album...

today (tuesday) was work, then i went by FKS to check on some things about the name tags...and after i chowed dinner down quick i went to a meeting at Webster University about their graduate program (i am thinking i am going to go for my MAT in communication arts and teacher certification).........i will know more once i get the application packet for the MAT division

tomorrow (wednesday) is work & church & bible study....the girl i am with during the day is going to be on a field trip & her mom is going, so i am not needed -- i think i will be doing a bulletin board -- which i love doing!!

thursday is work and then help with finishing things at FKS for the retreat

friday the retreat starts and then it ends on sunday -- and then sunday night my brother is coming down for dinner


i also have to etch out some time to prep power hour for sunday (i am not sure who will be subbing for me, lol)....

i am happy, though, my computer is finally working like it should be (the battery was not charging) -- i got a new cord today from dell & it appears to be working! woo!!
toodles :)

Sunday, October 01, 2006

weekend in review!

saturday was a busy day with shopping & errands & prepping for power hour & laundry & cleaning & stopping at FKS to see some STINKIN' CUTE designers!! sam & abby design for IMAGINESCE paper line -- the paper is DARLING -- and the girls are even cuter!! sam is 4 1/2 and abby is 2 1/2!! they were on their way out of town, but they stopped at FKS to do some drawings & autographs & do some give aways! so much fun stuff!!

abby's cutie toes in her pink princess shoes!!

abby working hard on her drawing for me :)


sunday was the usual start with Power Hour! way fun!!! after that meghan & i headed to chevy's for lunch and then to the Missouri Botanical Gardens! we walked all over looking at the flowers and the Chihuly glass (the free aspects of the display); we also played in the new children's garden -- lots of cool things there! BUT, it is easy to lose track of your kids there! so many places to climb!! meghan took about 40 pictures with my digital camera and i took about 3 rolls of film!


a picture meghan took of a Chihuly rose!


a picture i took in the main building of one of chihuly's glass sculptures -- this is from underneath (it hangs right inside the main doors)

chihuly work in the lily pad pond!

meghan did an awesome job with this shot!!

Friday, September 29, 2006

a tag!!

The rules are: List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets. Tag 5 friends and list them. Then, those people need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people.

I am tagging: Mark, Danielle, Julia, Mary Jo & Lisa


1. One of my favorite TV shows is Dog: Bounty Hunter.

2. I collect a ton of different things (Precious Moments, picture frames, Winnie-the-Pooh stuff, etc etc etc).

3. I have run full force, face first into a glass door (more than once).

4. In my closet is an Easy Bake Oven.

5. I have 2 shelves full of things from around the world -- from my trips, my brother's trips and from friends (like a really cool leather tiny purse from Paula in Argentina!).

Monday, September 25, 2006

welcome Pastor Mark!


i missed being there this past saturday...my friend, mark, was ordained at the church where he has his first call and is now an official pastor, no longer a "pastor" :) i know he will do wonderful things for God!! one day i will see you, mark! and, btw, he has a darn cute dog, too!!!

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

tuesday

work was fine today -- traffic on the way in sucked, but i was flyin' in the afternoon!! tomorrow the kids have a half day, then we spend the rest of the day meeting and going through things since the site i am at is now fully staffed -- i also think i will be going for an official school oid instead of just the ssd one i have right now -- i guess i should wear a pretty shirt, lol & fix my hair pretty.....

the baby i posted about the other day has been found! ALIVE and WELL! about 5 miles from her home!! she has been checked out at the hospital (where she was born!) and has been reunited with her family! God is so good!

Monday, September 18, 2006

day of firsts

my first day went well -- slow at times, but that is ok....my new driving route went MUCH faster!!!

my first scrapbook class went well, in my mind at least, lol....i hope barb enjoyed it!! AND, i am to 4 people in my class next week!!

toodles

Sunday, September 17, 2006

gloomy day....

power hour went well -- the kids stayed focused a little longer than last week! i have to decide what story to do next week, and start getting all that stuff together...we read a story about parts of creation and the fall of man, but it also made sure to point out the PROMISE God made! craft was a necklace – a chipboard “person” that said God Created _______ that the kids could color...then they could string beads on the ribbon to hang around their neck...finished by reading another story book – cloudy with a chance of meatballs...

a sad news story is on right now -- on friday a woman got into a home, stabbed the woman who lives in the home & kidnapped a WEEK OLD baby!! the mother is home from the hospital with her family now (including a 1 year old son)...please be praying for baby abby to be found safe and sound!!

it has been a rainy day...i have laid around and watched tv and played on the computer....nothing too too exciting going on here! i am kind of sleepy -- but i think it is just the weather, etc...i plan on going to bed early tonight since i have work tomorrow and i have to be up -- i am going to try a different route to see if i can cut down on some of the commute time...

tomorrow night is also my first class at the scrapbook store! i will probably go straight from work to stick the kits together, then come home & eat before heading back...last i saw (yesterday) i had ONE signed up, which is JUST FINE since i have never done this before! it is a doodling class...and here are the pages! the class kit includes the paper needed (3 sheets of cardstock + 2 pattern papers) AND 2 pens!! and I am going to add some chipboard swhirly shapes to help with the doodles...






Saturday, September 16, 2006

doin' the happy dance!

i
am
done!!




i altered a composition book tonight -- took quite a while & quite a bit of work...plus, working on craft stuff for power hour (using sb stash) and i completed the equivelant of 4 pages -- so i am 100% done!!!!

Friday, September 15, 2006

first day

slow going today -- just shadowing the shadows, lol.....it will be fun, the commute sucked -- especially on the way home when it took about 15 minutes to go 1 1/2 miles because of an accident...

went out with my friend kathi tonight -- we were going to go look at the hot air balloons down at forest park, but we never even got close!! drove around, ate some ice cream.....

not sure what all will happen tomorrow -- i need to call renee in the morning....

toodles!!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

today....

orientation went well...4 hours of paperwork...we watched 2 videos -- one about how to call in sick (there is a special phone system) and one about universal precautions and handwashing!! then i headed over to the school & met the teachers & other paras i will be with -- there are 4 special needs kids that we work with all day, and then some other kids come in for resource help -- there are 2 teachers and 4 paras (including me) -- and NO work comes home with us!! it seems like a more "relaxing" job than one might expect... woohoo!!

then i went to the scrapbook store and hung up all my pages -- that store is permeated by my work, lol -- i will be working part time there when they need help -- i will also be doing more classes, including kid's classes!

so that was my thursday :)

for friday -- WORK! woohoo!!

this weekend won't be too exciting, but my pal, renee, and i may go up to a community days event thing by where we both work...and another week of power hour -- i need to figure out a way to retell the store of the first man & woman/the fall....plus God's promise....i will be working on that on saturday :)

toodles!

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

tomorrow, tomorrow!

orientation
8 am!!

4 more done.....

did 3 pages today for design team work for FKS -- i did 2 pages using the new daisy d's gypsy harvest line and 1 page using the new k&co kazoo kids papers....PLUS, i have another page partially done!!

so, i am at 95 DONE! only 5 left to do....1/20 to go!!

WOOHOO!!

toodles!

***ETA***
ok, i finished the one i had ready to go!! 4 left!! woo!!

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

only 8 (yes EIGHT) left!!

so i have been scrapping some -- i am now to 92 pages/cards/etc done!!!!! only 8 more & i can shop!!!!


one of the first things i am going to get it some of the new K& Co. Kazoo Kids cowboy stuff :) that may be all, lol....

Monday, September 11, 2006





GOD
BLESS
AMERICA!
not totally sure who to credit for this photo...i have gotten it in emails and seen it on-line, but i love it. please remember to pray for those who were affected by the events 5 years ago today...to me that is every single person, American or not. tragedy dealt a serious blow to our country, but every day we win the war on terrorism by living our lives.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

more job information

my interview friday went great! they have a spot for me, but the coordinator wants me to be sure i could handle the drive every day (about 20-25 miles each way)...i would be a teacher's assistant with special needs kids...the school site they have me at for now (tentative) is a nationally top rated school so it would be awesome -- more $$ than i was making before, but no money come summer (need to budget, etc) -- but i would be able to work part time and probably return to ukraine again!!!!! i would work 8:30 to 4, so i would be gone form about 8 to 4:30, which is SO MUCH better than split shift!!! so, my friend, who also just got a new job doing the same thing only at a high school, is going to go with me and we are going to drive up & see the schools...i drove it yesterday with my pal, renee, and it was about a 30-35 minute drive.....


it is at an elementary school in the rockwood district, for you local ladies) -- chesterfield elementary...they said there may be a spot in another, more southern, school, but it may take a few weeks, so i am not sure right now! lol

Friday, September 08, 2006

Thursday, September 07, 2006

one QUARTER left! and a few other things....

did 4 more pages tonight -- so i am at 75 done, 25 to go!! woohoo!!!!! i can shop after another 25!!!


tomorrow i have an interview to be an assistant (a para or paraprofessional) with St. Louis's Special School District...they serve children in all different districts who are working through a variety of developmental disabilities (LD, BD, Downs, CP, Autism spectrum, etc)....i think it would be a wonderful job!

yesterday was doing not much....i had church & Growing Disciples last night....today i went a few places (Target & For Keeps Sake for adhesive!)...tomorrow is the interview...

also, would it be silly to do a mini album with the pictures i have of my crocs?? like this one that i LOVE...


toodles!

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

getting ready...

this year we are starting a POWERHOUR program at church...it is a class for toddlers AND their parents...we are doing it during the Sunday School hour -- i will be teaching :)

i have had to come up with a lesson plan, class schedule, curriculum, etc...it has been a ton of work so far -- and i am NOT even ready for Sunday!!

i have a list of stories i would like to do, and will probably be adding more, or taking some out! i will have to see what we can actually accomplish in one hour!!

we will do a story from the Bible, a craft, some songs, do some early learning things (letters, colors, shapes, etc) and a review of the story with flannel graphs...should be fun! i just hope i survive!

toodles!

Monday, September 04, 2006

busy labor day

this morning i got up early and headed to my friend Kathi's place...we went on the Anhueser Busch Brewery tour...then went up in the Gateway Arch and then wandered the Old Courthouse (where the Dred Scott case was tried)...ate lunch at CiCis...

then this afternoon was a picnic at our Pastor's house...lots of fun!

but, i am POOPED!!! i think i will sleep well tonight :)

toodles

Sunday, September 03, 2006

awesome day :)

i got to go to the Cardinal's baseball game today!! high seats, but they were right behind home, so perfect to see everything!

the cardinals won -- 6 to 3...and Albert Pujols hit THREE, yes i said 3, HOMERUNS in the game!!!

there was a lot of activity before the game -- a bald eagle went flying across the field (had been rehabilitated from an injury), a walk for downs syndrome, 3 "first" pitches, a middle school choir sang God Bless America, the same school's band played the National Anthem...so much to see!!





other than the game, i walked a lot today, got sunburnt on my arms (not bad, just red), cooked a pizza for dinner, ate Ted Drewes, baked brownies for tomorrow and went to the grocery store...

tomorrow i am going to tour the Anheiser Busch brewery and go to a picnic at my pastor's house (which is why i baked the brownies!)

toodles!

Saturday, September 02, 2006

over a third of the way....

over a third of the way done with my 100 pages before i shop!!

i did 8 more pages today (so far!) so i am at 71 pages...

71% done, 29% to go!!

gonna go scrap some more :)

toodles!