Gift Giving

A family friend of ours has three little kids all under the age of 5. I think that they are the sweetest kids ever! The two youngest both celebrate their birthday in September. The youngest will be 1 and the middle with be 3.

I haven't been to many kids birthday parties but for the ones I have there seems to be a trend. The kids get tons of new toys. The toys are played with for a day perhaps a couple of days if it is a really awesome toy. Most are just left there sitting in a box of some sort feeling all sad a unwanted.

For the girls birthdays I want to do something special for them and their mom. I'm going to make little gift certificates so that mom and dad can have a day or few hours to herself. Yes, basically I am offering her free babysitting. For the kids it will be a day to do something fun with me. Yes, I'd like to think I am a pretty cool person to hang out with.

The oldest has already had a special day with E and I. I picked him up in the afternoon and we spent the day together and then he even spent the night. His first real sleep over. It's so much fun!

I have this extra cool factor because I'm an adult but not a parent. He likes that I can take him places, do fun activities, and basically just spoil him rotten and then at the end of the day I'm not a parent. I'm going to enjoy this special place that I'm in for as long as I can.

I just can't find the wording I'm looking for my certificates. I want them to be fun and for the girls..but really the girls can't read so it's more for the mom anyway. I'll probably work on them this week. Break out my scrapbook paper and stickers. I love a reason for crafting. I have been itching for a new project!

Fun Run

My sister goes to the same university I went to.

She even joined the same sorority.
Sadly, with 4 years between us we were never there are the same time.

However, that does give me the opportunity to go back and visit her!

This year our school is celebrating 100 years!

My sister and I aren't the only one's to attend the university, my mom and her sister graduated in the 80's. My grandpa was a professor in the psychology department and my grandma worked in the admissions office. So we all have a little history with this school.

Homecoming is in October and I am so excited to be able to go! On Saturday, before the game there is a 5k run/walk. I participated in it one year...the other years it's safe to assume I was busy sleeping during the race.

Since I'm getting ready for that half marathon I thought it would be wise to find a few shorter races to run between now and then. My sister has always been a runner and is happy to run along with me.

I filled out the paper work and will mail it off tomorrow.

I can't wait to go back "home"!

A Good Book

I love reading! I could sit outside on a beautiful day and read until it's too dark to see.

Which is exactly what I did yesterday.

That wasn't my plan. I intended to do more things but I was sucked into this other world and I couldn't or rather I didn't want to leave it.

I read about the book It Sucked and Then I Cried in a magazine a while ago. Normally, I forget about things like that a minute after I read about it but this time I remembered.

And with that amazing library card I just got the other day. My reading possibilities are endless!

Anyway, the book is written by Heather B. Armstrong
who started writing first on her blog www.dooce.com/

I enjoyed the book. In fact I couldn't put it down. I even laughed out loud many times.

Sick pups

I came home to a stinky house today....second day in a row.

My poor little girl dog was not feeling well yesterday and was sick in their crate. She was feeling better today. When I left for work they both seemed to be healthy happy dogs.

I came home to a nasty mess! I mean I had to hose off the dogs outside and their bedding and their crate. I wished that I could take a hose and spray the carpet as well. Looks like whatever little girl had was passed to my poor boy dog.

Yuck.

We aren't traveling anywhere this weekend...I'm not taking two potentially sick dogs in my car.

My only hope is that the cat stays healthy this weekend.


Happy Friday.

sad news

This weekend was supposed to be a fun filled...nothing important to do...lazy days kind of weekend....

However, we got a call last night from E's mom saying that his grandpa is in the hospital again. We were just down there 3-4 weeks ago because he was in the hospital. We knew then that things weren't good but had no idea they would take a turn for the worse this fast. (The boys are E and his younger brother) The boy's grandpa will be leaving the hospital shortly to go home and receive hospice care. His liver and kidneys are failing rapidly. The boy's mom says the doctors are giving him just a few more weeks. They want the boys to be able to see him again before it gets really bad.

Oh, it just breaks my heart to see E so upset.

Calling all mothers of 10 year old girls

I wrote for 30 days straight and the day after I almost drop it all. ha so much for creating a habit after 21 days. Oh well.

Today was a good day. The temperature was finally bearable. I even took the pups for two walks, one in the morning and one at night. I also managed to run 2 miles. I ran 1.5 miles yesterday. Yea, I'm proud that I have run two days in a row.

I am supposed to be running a half marathon in March. So far my training has been anything but great. This is the week to change that! Or so I hope. I want to take tomorrow off but the slacker in me knows that on Thursday it will be hard to run again. I'm lazy like that.

The whole nanny thing is getting better. I adore the little boy. I think he is funny and smart and keeps me entertained. But, I'm not going to lie I'm ready for school to start. I just don't know what to do with a moody 10 year old girl for 10 hours a day. I think my mother is dying with laughter when I tell her about my day because I'm sure I was a moody 10 year old girl.

She doesn't want to do anything I suggest. She doesn't have any idea of her own to keep her busy except watch YouTube videos. Which I have decided my future children will never be allowed to watch. Yes, that's me being judgemental, but she is learning some inappropriate things on there. I need help...does anyone have any ideas on how to keep girfriend busy and happy for the next week and half.

Day 30 A dream for the future

Today is the last day in the series!

One of my biggest dreams for the future is to have a family. I'd love to have four kids! I know that seems like a lot but I've always wanted to have a big family. I know there will be crazy and stressful days but the good times will make it all worth it! I hope that E continues to move up the ranks in the military and is happy in his career.  I suppose just having a big happy familt is my dream for the future.

Day 29 hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days

Let's see my hopes, dreams, and plans for the next year...here are a few

While I am happy I have a job, I would like to find more of a career position.

My biggest hope is that in the next year we are able to get pregnant. I will admit I have baby fever bad!

E and I are planning to take a trip back to Aruba where we went on on honeymoon.

I would like to get in shape and run at least a half marathon.

I want to take horseback riding lessons.

I need to volunteer more - I have great intentions and then seem to get busy and slack. That needs to stop!

I hope to be able to cross a few things off our home to-do list, refinish the dining room table, build a headboard for our bed.

Day 28 What's in my purse

I only use a purse when I need to carry a lot. Usually, that's when I want to bring a drink or snacks. What can I say I like to be prepared on a long day. The bigger the bag I have the more likely I am to carry needless things around all day. 

On a normal day I just have a clutch. My phone fits in an outer pocket. In the zipper pocket is my chap stick, military ID, drivers license, credit cards, cash (but that's rare). I wish that I had room for my keys. Those just get stuck in my pocket or I have to carry them.

Now that I'm a nanny I have a bag with a change of clothes tennis shoes (I wear flip flops there) and my bathing suit. I also bring a bag of craft supplies, paper, stickers, ribbon, Popsicle sticks things that are easy to make up something to do.

Day 27 My worst habit

Hi my name is Christine and I'm a nail bitter.

I bite my nails when I'm nervous or worried about something. I can usually tell when things are going pretty smooth because my nails will be long. It's a gross terrible habit but I can't seem to stop. The only thing that seems to work is to clip my nails extremely short!

Day 26 My week

Day 26 your week in great detail

We are almost through the week right now so I guess I'll go over a few things that happened earlier in the week. I knew I needed to get things done on Monday since I would be starting to work on Tuesday. I went to the doctors early. E and I are trying to have a baby but have some fertility issues so I needed to get a referral. Then I ran all over town getting errands done. I got a call in the early afternoon from the Crowne Plaza asking to set up an interview. I told them I could come in that afternoon or Tuesday morning. She said she could fit me in at 2pm. I finished up what I was doing and headed back home to get ready.

The interview went well. The position is in the food and beverage department. It's a full time position that includes lots of weekends and nights. While I don't mind working that kind of job it's not my first choice.

While I was in that interview I missed a call from The Founders Inn, the other hotel I had the first interview with. They were letting me know that they want me to come back in for a second interview. I called back and scheduled the interview for Tuesday morning. Leaving plenty of time to get the the job that afternoon.

Today and tomorrow I will be playing with kids all day. The weather has been gross so we have been couped up inside. I'm really ready for some sun so we can go out in their pool or to the beach. E and his brother have a bunch of friends coming in for the weekend and they are all staying at his brothers house. They play video games together so it will be a big nerd-fest.

Saturday, we are all going to the beach. I think my mother in law is going to come out and have a girls day with us - hoping for pedicures!

Sunday, I have nothing planned. I'll probably be lazy and won't do a single thing that involves 10 year olds. 

Monday, will be the first official start to a whole week of work for me in over a year! I haven't been full time employed since July 2009! crazy - now you can see why I'm hesitant to go back...that's a nice long break from dealing with the hassles of a job.

Day 25 My day

Day 25 your day, in great detail

I accepted a position as a nanny. I am the new nanny for a 5 year old boy and a 10 year old girl. They are super sweet kids and I am lucky to have a job. Today was my first offical day of work. I was there fore 4 hours yesterday but today was my first 10 hours day. I am exhausted. Wow I don't know how mom's do it. I suppose most moms aren't just thrown in all of sudden like this but still I can't imagine. And I thought I wanted 4 kids!

I'm not really going to go into great detail because lets face it, it wasn't a super exciting day. It was raining today so our options were limited. We played Wii games, played board games, took a trip to my house to check on my dogs, went to the grocery store to get cookie dough, ate lunch, baked cookies, worked on craft projects, played more Wii games, had a swored fight, more craft projects and bored games. That could make a person tired just thinking about all that. And I still have two more days to get through this week.

I only have both kids for 10 hours a day till school starts. The boy is in morning half day kindergarten so then my days won't start till 11ish. Thankfully, the girl will be in school till 2 or 3. She's a bit of a handful. So this is my life now! I'm going to look up the weather and more inside activities to do for tomorrow in case its raining again!

Day 24 - Where I Live

We live in an older neighborhood. The surrounding area is begining to be built up. There are lots of new shops and restaurants. Where 5 years ago there really wasn't anything out here. We live about 10 minutes from the beach. Which is my favorite spot to be in the summer! Here are a few pictures of the new house 

This is the front of our house. We just trimmed all of the bushes (I'd like to get rid of those big monsters in front of the house but that's a project for another time. We put all the mulch down. And added solar lights to the walk way. Unfortunantly, some of the lights don't get enough sunlight during the day to last very long at night! However, it looks like a brand new house!

This is our back yard. One of the biggest selling points of the house for us. We wanted a house with a large yard and a garage. Luckily, we like the rest of the house and neightborhood too!

The rest house is still being set up. I've heard that a house is always a work in progress. Our bedroom is my favorite spot in the house. We have a nice deck out back and this sliding door is the perfect spot for the cat to look out the window and check on the world. I love all the sunshine that comes in.

 

Day 23 - A YouTube Video

I love this!! SOOO funny. I don't plan to ever get a minivan but if I were in the market for one I would look at the Sienna first

Day 22 A Website

Sinc eI started volunteering for the Virginia Beach SPCA I am promoting everywhere I can! I love all of the animals there and they all deserve a loving home. So needless to say this is the link for the VBSPCA.

If you don't live in Virginia Beach take a minute look up your local SPCA and see what you can do to help. A lot of people say they don't understand how I can go there and not want to come home with all of the animals, and that they could never do it. Believe me if I had so much money that I could have a house/yard big enough and plenty of people to take care of them all I would! But I feel better knowing that even for a couple of hours I made sure those animals know someone loves them. It just take a little bit of time to do something wonderful. :)

Lavender cuddling with her blue man toy

rescued as puppies!

Day 21 A recipe

Let's start out with a little back ground information. My parents are from Ohio. My dad attended The Ohio State University. Growing up every Christmas we made Buckeyes. I've only had them the way my grandma made them until recently. Let me be the first to tell you not all peanut butterballs dips in chocolate taste the same! This recipe is easy and amazing!

Ingredients
1 stick of butter
1 lb. box of powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups of peanut butter
1 package (12 oz.) Chocolate chips

Beat butter, sugar and peanut butter. Form into small balls. Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Melt the chocolate in double boiler or microwave.

Be careful not to overheat or steam (water will damage chocolate - even small amounts of steam)

Dip the peanut butter balls 3/4 way into chocolate so some of the peanut butter still shows. Use a toothpick to pick up and dip into the chocolate. Let cool and dry on a wire rack or wax paper.

Makes several dozen.

I think they taste best if you put them in a container and back in to the fridge or freezer after the chocolate has dried. Something about frozen chocolate and peanut butter...I love it!

This is a picture of real buckeyes
Source

This is a picture of someone else's chocolate buckeyes
source

Day 20 A hobby of mine

I enjoy scrapbooking. I really have to be in the mood to break out all the supplies and then sit there for hours working on it. What I love more about my hobby is buying things for it!

I love looking at stickers, embelishments, and fun paper. I couls spend hours at Michael's looking at all the scrapbooking supplies.

Really, my hobby is shopping but I needs a way to hide that from the hubsand. ;)

Day 19 A talent of yours

I'm not feeling very talented right now. I can't seem to find a job no matter what I'm applying for so it seems no one else thinks I have talent...or at least not enough talent. {{lame pity party of one}}

I'm awesome at organizing. I love it. When everything is so neat and labeled hopefully there's some color coding involved. Any mess, any where, in any amount of time and I can own it.

This is why I would make a fabulous personal assistant to someone rich and a little scatter brained. But, not the kind that goes clothes shopping I'm not trendy.

Yea, I'm sure other people are posting how they can make their bodies turn in weird ways, or can fold paper into something amazing...perhaps my cool talents like that are still hidden.

Day 18 My wedding

A few of my favorite group shots

  

The girls got their makeup done

And their hair done while the boys played golf

We said our vows

I walked down the aisle with my daddy

We had our first official married kiss

We danced

We had wedding cupcakes!

I love our cake topper

We cut the cake with our brother and sister - then shoved it in their mouths

The place cards were beautiful all set up

The tables were perfect

We ate candy all night long!

And partied the night away - a drunken group hug at the end of the night

It was a beautiful day!

Day 17 An Art Piece

An art piece. I was going to say I don't have a favorite piece of art. But it doesn't say that it has to be my favorite. So just an Art Piece in general. Photography. I think many people can take pictures but only a few can take breath taking amazing pictures. I'm not one of those people...but you know the pictures when you see them.  I'll keep practicing...

Sunset NAS Pensacola

Day 16 A song that makes you cry (or nearly)

Usually, any song right now about dads and daughters will have me in tears.

My favorite is Darius Rucker It won't be like this for long

I'd post the video but I can't get the thing to work so you'll just have to go to youtube to listen. It is a great song and I think he has the most amazing voice.

Day 15 Your dream house

My dream house is on the beach of Aruba.

source

 There's a lot of open air living space with a big beautiful pool.

Source

 I can picture a cute cottage like house with tons of windows facing the water. I want a few from every room.

source

Day 14 A non-fictional book

Day 14 A non-fictional book

I don't read many of these. In fact I can only think of one book and I already wrote about it on day 4. So if you have any good suggestions for me do tell please. Then I'll have something to write about next time.

Day 13 A fictional book

Don't laugh too loud but I did have to look this up. I know every idot learns this in elementary school. But I always second guess myself when it comes to these to phrases. So what, I bet I'm not the only one. Perhaps the only one my age...but not the only one who gets confused.

And here goes another reason to point and make fun of me.

Because the book I'm picking for thsi post is the Twilight series

Yup, I love them...the books that is. And here's a little secret I really love anything that says I love Edward. (E's first name is...ohh yea you get it right) Anyway, I love the books. I didn't think I would. I didn't even try reading them when the craze first started but I had to see what all the fuse was about and yes, I think it was worth it.

Don't stop reading because of this! I still have 7 more days of potentially embarrassing things to tell.

Day 12 Something you are OCD about

Day 12
Something you are OCD about


So there are so many things...I'm sure my husband could give you an even longer list then I can. Picking one is kind of a challenge. But the one that popped into my head first...Hangers.

I worked in retail in high school and this is where it all began. The hangers have to face a certain way. All the clothing must also face a certain direction. In my own personal closet I think that you should see the front of the clothing item when you are standing dead center. That way as you flip through your closet you know exactly what you are looking at. Also all the hangers must go in straight. E has a tendency to make life difficult and will put the hanger backward.

Here is an example of a backwards hanger

source

I also go one step further I have all my business attire in a section, dresses in another, and shirts that I wear on a regular basis are color coordinated. I just organized out closet yesterday and did the same thing to E's side. We will see how long that lasts. It's my thing and I'm quick and good at it. So just let me know if your closet needs work.

Day 11 A photo of you recently

Day 11
A photo of you recently

 This was taken over the weekend at the camping trip. The cutie on the right, Addi,  was my flower girl and that cubby little one is my new favorite baby or Addi's sister! I adore them!

Day 10 A photo taken over 10 years ago of you

Day 10
A photo taken over 10 years ago of you

I don't have any on the laptop---had to go to the desktop to find a photo that old!

I can't find any pictures from exactly 10 years ago...I think because that was the end of middle school for me and I was so awkward I probably didn't take many pictures. This is at one of my grandma's houses before my sister was born so I'm around 2-3 years old! I love my little sailor outfit! That sofa is so 70's/80's!!! 

Day 9 A photo I took

Day 9 A photo I took

NYC - 2010

And the giveaway winner is Little Woman from Little Woman Little Home. Congratulations girl!!

If you are interested in hosting a giveaway from the CSN stores please let me know and I'll get to you in touch with the right guy!

technology problems

i am supposed to announce the winner of the giveaway today but our internet went out yesterday and so i cant really do this from my phone. Tomorrow morning the internet guy is coming so i will then. I am sorry ladies!!

Day 8 A photo that makes you angry/sad & giveaway

Day 8 A photo that makes you angry/sad

This photo was taken a month or so ago. It's makes me sad because of how much weight the two of us have gained. Normally, I would never post this because I hate the picture so much. But hey, this is real life here. We are both watching what we eat and exercising now. I hope this photo can continue to encourage us to keep up our new healthy lifestyle.

Don't forget to check out my giveaway!! Today is the last day to enter!