Favorite Things Swap

Thanks, to Mamarazzi for doing this. It was super fun getting things together. And I could have included so many more things. I received my package from Julie yesterday. Great stuff and I had to laugh because we sent several similar items. (A funny little side note: the day before there was a package as well. I got all excited, but it was just lyric's theatrical makeup kit)

I was super excited to open the box and see all of the stuff. I just kept pulling out and pulling out. Here's all the pretty wrapped stuff. Each item had a little note.

Here it all is after I got it all opened. The kids were asking "What is that? Who's it from? Why did you get it?" Ha, it's all mine - stay back!

Anyway, I'll try to work "around the clock" and tell you what I got. BOLD is for (similar) items that I also sent to Julie.

starting in the upper left of the photo: Reese's Pieces (which I love), Hot Tamales (Hot and spicy mike and ikes!), peanut butter M & M's (these are gone), Aveeno hand lotion, Premium M & M's (seriously, these are almost too pretty to eat), A frame for my favorite photo, shopping lists (because you always need one more thing, right?), sharpie pens (I was just looking at these at the store!), Suduko (love this!) , gum and pencils (Julie says these all go together), funky nail polish (the girls wanted to use these right away!), Scrabble slam (we love card games, too!) , a new book (she must have read my post!) this is My Sister's Keeper, and I haven't read it yet. I'm going to try to hold off until vacation, and Hershey's Kisses (yum!).

I'm so glad that I was able to participate in this swap. What fun to get some new favorite things!

Snapfish vs Shutterfly

I'm a loyal snapfish user from way back. It was the first photo sharing site I used, and I still do. I like that I can edit my photos right there, change coloring, add borders, etc and then pick up the photos at my local Walgreens. But...

I've been using shutterfly lately. Why, you may ask?? Because I received a very nice email from the man in charge and he said that Shutterfly will never require you to make a purchase to maintain your photos. Also, Shutterfly offers "share sites". This is like your very own website where you can not only share photos but you can send messages to people, and stay in touch. I have two. One for family stuff and one for my Rick pics.

I haven't done much with photo editing on Shutterfly, but I believe the option is there.

There are many other photo sharing sites. The only other one I have used is Kodak Gallery. They have a purchase requirement.

If you use a different photo sharing site, let me know. I'm interested to see how they work and what people find works best for them.

Before and After - Jazz

I've been trying to convince Jazz to get her hair cut for almost a year. It's gotten really long and she doesn't like to put it up. A couple of years ago, she went in for a cut and it ended up being way shorter than she wanted and she became anti-hair cutting. We've done trims but finally, the other day, I convinced her that it was time. Of course, I want to document, but Jazz is a poser, so this is what I got.






I was so happy that we were able to get her right in, thank you, Great Clips because I had more running to do. 15 minutes later, she looked like this.

She got at least 6 inches off, and it looks so much better, flows nice, looks and feels softer, and is so super cute. I wish she would have went a smidge shorter, but I'll take it.

The very next day, Lyric went for a haircut as well. Sorry, I didn't get photos of that.

We've been going to Great Clips since this store opened in our area. I'd say at least the last 3 years. The girls there are always very nice, and my girls almost always get the exact cut that they want. (See above note about 2 years ago!). I use this place as well. I think the last time I went in, I might have scared the girl. I said, I want it shorter and layered, but other than that, do whatever you want. I just wanted it to be a bit different. She did a great job. My cut is still a variation on the normal theme, but still it's short enough to be out of my face (which is a total requirement), long enough to put up when needed, and I can fluff and style as needed. They are reasonably priced, and you get a coupon on your reciept for your next visit. (every little bit helps, right?!?) They only do cuts and styles there, so I do my own coloring. (I know, I know, you're not supposed to do that, but for me it's a time and cost issue!)

So, as long as the girls continue to be happy, we will continue to use Great Clips for our hair cuts!

In a Book Rut

The other day I joined up with Paperback Swap. I have books to get rid of and thought this would be a great way to get some good stuff myself. So far, it's pretty slow going. Historically, I can read one book per day on vacation, so I need a minimum of 6 books to take on vacation in four weeks. I say a minimum because if I start a book and it sucks, well, I'm not wasting a day reading it. I should bring 6-10 just to cover my bases, I mean days.

I've got a few favorite authors (Janet Evanovich, Barbara Delinksy, JA Konrath, James Patterson) and I've read all their stuff. I need new stuff!

I started a list of books I might want to check out: Perfection by Julie Metz, Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg, Are You there God, It's me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler, and Almost like being in Love By Steve Kluger. By my count, that's only 4.

I need some suggestions, people! I'm open to almost anything except: vampire romances, historical romances, and smutty romances. I prefer fiction to non fiction, but I'm not completely opposed to non fiction.

Got any ideas?? I'm taking suggestions and there may even be a prize/drawing involved for all suggestions.

PPPP- End of an Era

This photo was taken the other night. Three of these girls are in high school next year. We are still going to do scouts, but it will be in a little different capacity than previously because they will be doing other things as well.

Stop by Candid Carrie and see who else is playing. I'm having trouble opening her blog today (my computer issue not her blog issue) so here's the main link. www.candidcarrie.blogspot.com

American Idol Winner

Pick your winner, but I say that they will all do good things. Kris is gonna get a little screwed because now he's tied to the AI contract a little tighter than the others, but I can see the future and it includes CD's by all of these boys being played in the Random House. They all have good qualities and talent and a future in entertainment.

I've heard a lot of people call Kris the underdog, but I don't understand it. Why, if he made it to the top 2 with America's votes, is he the underdog? Because the judges picked Adam to be the winner all the way back in January?? Adam has a pretty tight fan base, Kris is more "boy next door". Kris knows that "everybody" expected Adam to win, and I think he is truly grateful for this opportunity.

Being the WINNER on AI is not always all it's cracked up to be. Adam is going to be okay. Come on, people. Look at Chris Daughtry. Top 4 when he was kicked off. Now he is the # 4 top selling American Idol of all time. Without being the winner. Who did win that season?? Oh, yeah. Taylor Hicks. Has anybody heard his album?? Radio play?? PR tour?? Nope nope and nope.

And in that vein, it's okay that Danny didn't win. I've already put aside money to buy his CD when it comes out.

Don't worrry. It's all gonna be okay!

Crate Stacking Fun

This weekend, I went to our Girl Scout Camp and learned how to do this. Crate stacking. You know, the "old Fashioned" milk crates??! Yup, hook yourself up to a harness and start climbing. What you may not know is I have a horrible fear of heights. But I thought that this would be a fun activity for my girl scouts, so I sucked it up and went to the training. I didn't have my camera with me (mom borrowed it for a wedding she was doing) but I found this photo.

We didn't stand on top of the crates, but some girls do. I was able to complete 9 crates before I lsot my balance. That's really high!

If the person with the rope knows what they are doing, you get let down very slowly when you lose your balance.

I'm really excited to do this again. We are signed up for August (at our Camporee) but I might have to take the girls out there before that. I think they will really like it. It will get them out of there element a little bit, and give them a new opportunity. Hubby even said he'd like to be there if I do it again. I told him we could go out anytime.

I'll be sure to take photos next time!

BTW- Happy Birthday to Fisher! Today he is...still older than me!

Phriday Photo Phinish Phiesta

Last Friday, my friend Kelley and I went to Milwaukee. We got to see Rick Springfield. We've been doing this every year for the past 5 or so years. The last two years, we were lucky enough to get in on a meet and greet. you might remember this or even this .

Kelley and I are frequently asked if Rick knows us by name since we have seen him in concert so many times. The answer to that would be no. he doesn't know us by name, or even by face for that matter. We go to one show per year (sometimes two!) and don't always get face to face time with him. This year, Kelley decided to give it back to her co - workers when she said that she doesn't go to see Rick, she goes so Rick can see her. So, we made a sign and she asked him to hold it for their photo. he did and here's the result.

Now, head on over to Candid Carrie and see who else is playing along today!

I Won The Lottery!

Not really, but I got your attention, right?? One of the suggestions I recieved for a blog post was "What would I do with a million dollars?" I thought about it and came up with the following list. '

pay for school for me
pay off our house
remodel the house (expand basement and build a second story)
buy a brand new car (2009 Chevy Impala)
Go to Greece with Dan
Go to Australia
buy a cabin near Hayward, WI, on a lake
sent Dan on his dream fishing trip
put money away for the kids' college
give a whole bunch of money to various charities
buy a Rick Springfield guitar/backstage pass for me and Kelley
buy a new car for Dan (one that can easily pull the boat)
give money to each of our siblings
give money to each of our moms
put money into a savings account for each girl
start a foundation
put money into our savings so we can do more fun stuff

at my calculation, this leaves us sitting on around $35,000. I guess I would need that money to refurnish the house after the remodel is done :-)

So, I ask my loyal readers, what would you do with a million dollars??

Mixed CD Swap...take two

Remembe back in March when I posted This?? Well, I only had a couple of takers, but we mixed things around and everybody should have gotten their CD's by now. I was excited to see that mine included songs I knew (and liked) as well as stuff that is new to me.

here's my breakdown. Thanks, Jana for playing along. I hope that you are feeling better! Amy, I hope you enjoyed your CD and I can't wait to read your "review".

My New CD

1) Sweet Thing - Keith Urban
I love Keith Urban. I was a late comer to his music, but I think he is very talented and I enjoy listening to him sing. He's also from Australia, and we all know that my favorite rock star is from Australia as well.
2) Rock & Roll Jesus - Kid Rock
I don't listen to a lot of Kid Rock, but this is a nice song. It's not something I would have picked myself, but I'm glad it's on this CD.
3)Land Of Confusion - Disturbed
seriously love this song. There are a lot of "hard rock" bands doing 80's remixs. Seether did Careless Whisper and it's awesome. Oh, wait, back to distrubed. This is a good song made great. I had no idea this version was out there. Pleasantly surprised!
4)Prayer - Disturbed
Great song. I've not listened to a lot by this band, but I think I will be from now on.
5)Liberated - Disturbed
another one...haven't listened all the way through yet, but I will be adding it to the ipod
6)Energy - The Apples in Store
I've never heard of this band, but may have heard this song before. I like it!
7) You Found Me - The Fray
I just bought this on iTunes! It's Lyric's current favorite song.
8) I'm So Excited - The Pointer Sisters
How do you not sing a long and dance when you hear this song?!?
9) Rise Above This - Seether
More rock. I love Seether. See note above in #3.
10) All Summer Long - Kid Rock
I love this song too. With all it's inappropriate lyrics and everything. I have the Hit Masters version, so it's nice to hear the "original"
11) Who Let the Dogs Out - Stadium Janus
another "how can you not sing" songs!
12) Eve, The Apple of My Eye - Bellx1
Never heard the song or artist. Very nice!
13) Past Time - The Baseball Program
Cute song.
14) Believe In Me - Sloan
Right away, I thought of the Rick Springfield song with the same title. This one is very nice as well. It will be fun to have them back to back on the ipod!

I'm thinking about doing another swap in a couple of months. I'll post when it's time. thanks to both the girls for playing along.

With or without our shirts?

Ha, that got your attention, didn't it?? That's what Rick said to me. Yup, that right. Rick. Said. That. To. Me.

Here's the scenario. I had made a poster with 8 different poses and asked the nice casino employee to take it to Rick at the beginning of the meet and greet.

employee: "I, um, I don't know if I can. He's, um, he's kind of busy right now."

Me: "I know. that's the whole point. It's a funny. Just take it up to him. He can do whatever he wants with it."

employee: "Really, I, um, don't know."

Poor guy probably had no idea who the hell Rick was. Anyway, he finally brings it to the other side. Hands it to Rob Koz (Rick's manager) when then shows the other guys. then they put it on the table.

When it gets to be our turn, there is some camera chaos because Kelley's camera battery died. But when it was my turn, I said, "I want pose E" and pointed to the poster. "pose d?" he asks. "Is that the one with or without our shirts?" By now, he is wrapping his arms around me for a great big hug and nice photo op. What do I say?? "Without, of course!"

Here's the result.

PPPP-Phriday Photo Phinish Phiesta- Me and Rick Springfield

I don't have a "new" photo to highlight today, so I'm reposting one from last year.

Yup, that's me and Rick Springfield. Together. hugging. Together. me and Rick Springfield. It still makes me giggle when I look at this photo because I cannot believe that it happened. after a 26 year wait. Me and Rick Springfield. Seriously!?!? And the best thing is, it's happening again in 12 hours. Me and Rick Springfield. SERIOUSLY!

Countdown to Milwaukee- Tomorrow is the big day

I obviously have Rick on the brain.

Last night’s dream was weird. The venue was a combination of MKE and the red rock photos that my friend, Ally, showed me recently and the seats were all the way around the stage. I had somehow gotten a seat close to the front, but I was alone. (My friends apparently were still in the back) and my mom and step dad were there. When Rick came out, I had a great photo op: he saw the camera and stopped to smile for me. As I snapped the photo, my mom ran over, got in the shot and said “did you get it? Did you get it?” I didn’t get it. Then I kept trying to take pix and they were dark, blurry and not of Rick. (Lynn, do you think I have some sort of subconscious issue about my camera? LOL) Anyway, during intermission (I know, I never said it made sense), I went out to the restroom. The stalls were all built into the side of the rock/mountain and to be able to take care of business you had to crawl into a little hole. Needless to say, I didn’t go. I kept thinking I would either get stuck, or the whole thing would collapse on me.

Go ahead, analyze away and let me know what you think of that!

Tomorrow is the big day. I'm as excited about Girls Night Out as I am about the concert. Seriously, if the show got cancelled, I'd still go and still hang out with my friends and still have a good time. Seriously!

Countdown to Milwaukee

Today is May 6. On May 8, I'm going to Milwaukee. You may be asking yourself, "so, what?! People go to Milwaukee all the time." And you would be absolutely correct. But do people go to Milwaukee for girls night, to see a Rick Springfield show, and to meet the man after?!? I have to say, it does happen but only once a year. And Rick's people have changed things up so the same 100 people can't be at every meet and greet. What a great idea!

So, Friday afternoon, Kelley and I are taking off. We're meeting up with Lynn , grabbing some dinner and going to the show. (Oh, we'll be meeting up with some other people, too!)





Then when the show is done, we're getting this.

And we get to have a picture taken with Rick. and maybe even talk to him, right, Lynn?!!?

So, girls night out, great music and the photo of a lifetime. I can't wait!!

Twilight Highlight

First, I have to mention that I lost photos and music this weekend. I had spyware on my computer preventing me from accessing the internet. My brother ran the system recovery disk and now I'm in the process of reloading the programs and what not that we use. Lyric's photos are gone. We never snapfished them. Lesson learned: always backup photos and music. Seriously.

Second: The Twilight party was yesterday. You may remember the trouble we had in ordering the cake. Here's how it turned out.

here's some of the signs we had around.

I can't tell you how many times I was asked about the "Forks"

Here's what was in the goodie bags:

Apple, baseball keychain, baseball hackeysack, sunglasses, Twilight Sweettarts, and the Chex were a bonus. Fisher got a case of those as samples so I doled 'em out! All of this is a baseball goodie bag.

It was a beautiful day so the kids were outside most of the day. To fill some time when they were waiting for the pizza, I told everybody to draw a Twilight or Birthday themed picture on a sidewalk square. This was the best one.

My mom took the gift and people photos, so I'll post more when I get those.

Happy Friday

I know that all of my faithful readers have been wondering all day where I was, because even though I posted that I might not be around as much, I still have been. And I know you were all starting to get worried about me because it is already almost 4pm and still no post. I know that you want the scoop, because I always have a story.

Well, let me tell you where I wasn't- I wasn't on a plane to Greece, I wasn't at a Rick Springfield show, I wasn't at home sleeping off a hangover, and I wasn't holed up in a room writing the great American novel.

Where I was- sitting in a doctor's office, waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting. I expect to wait when I take the kids in last minute. I expect to wait when we go to Convient Care. I even expect to wait if I show up at the wrong time. I do not expect to wait when I have an appointment! We waited for an hour past our time. I could have totally worked for another 30-45 minutes if I knew we were going to be so far off schedule. I HATE WAITING.

Good things did come of it, except for Jazz's sprained ankle, which we kind of already knew. I got some questions answered about Jazz (and Lyric too) and we are following up on the tummy ache issue. She may have a slow GI tract, but I'm sure that will be another post, another day.:-)

After finishing with the Dr, we went to X-ray so we could check on the affore mentioned GI tract issue. Ha, the x-ray tech was at lunch and wouldn't be back for 30 minutes! I'm not waiting. NOT WAITING. So we have to do that either tonight or tomorrow at the clinic.

Got Jazz back to school, came back to work, and was called into a meeting right away. On the other side of the building. Ran up to the meeting, scarfed (is that a word?) some food and then back to my desk. I so need a drink after this day!