Loving Life

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Dedicated to Michael.....

I am dedicating this post to my dear sweet friend Michael.....a guy who loves to talk, only when "buzzed"; who likes to read "blogs", but never leaves a comment; someone who, I believe is a "secret scrapper", and knows how to use a paper cutter; who feeds "Chico" everyday except when he is on weekend trips; a guy who will make a personalized "Cardinals" shirt for every home game; a guy how likes to hang out with the "big dawgs" from work; a guy who is a "campaign trooper" & can get more signatures than three people put together ...........I can go on and on, but need to get some sleep!!!!!

Here's to you Michael, keep that smile on your face!!!!!!

Monday, April 24, 2006

MY WEEKEND!!

Haven't had a post in a few days because I have been to tied up with the Scrapbook Convention. Whew...........what a great time I had. It felt really good to be around my friends and enjoy each other's company. The first night we took an album class, we completed a whole 6x6 album. We woke up the next morning and headed for a full day of SHOPPING....and let me tell you, I did. Here is a pic of some of the stuff I bought (I still have more that isn't pictured).......poor Brian is picking stuff off the floor right now, he said "what happen?".......I told him I just wanted to take a picture of my stuff.......there is also a pic of Odie's trunk full of stuff and me and my buddy Faye Morrow Bell....





The next night Odie & I took a class and made this awesome Disney book. I signed up for it at the last minute & was glad I did. It's a board book and it turned out really cute. We later met up with our better halves for a few cocktails. I enjoyed the night and caught a little buzzzzzz. Afterward, Brian & I stayed at my brothers house in Mesa.







I have to say the highlight of my whole weekend was waking up at 6am to the sound of my niece talking. It was beautiful....I snuck in and brought her to living room with me. I had two hours to play with her before my first class. B & I took her outside for some sunshine & she was all smiles. She made my day.
I love her, love her, and did I mention that I love her?

We wrapped the convention. up with an awesome "Two Peas" crop at the Hilton. Kudos to Shanna for such a wonderful job!!! If I had to describe the crop in one word, you guessed it, "WOW"!! Not to mention I was in CHOCOLATE HEAVEN!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah =)

We just got back for Cas & Maria's...she made homemade pizza & it was delicious.....I told her about my blog and told her she needs to get one....hopefully she will read this and start one. She got a whole lot of neat things at the conv. I love looking at her stuff, she has everything!!! She is gonna help me with B's party. I can't believe B will be leaving in a few weeks.....yikes, what am I gonna do? He has me so spoiled, he is awesome!!!!

Well, gonna go hang out with him before it gets to late.....toodles till next time, sweet dreams, zzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

TWO QUIET NIGHTS.....

I'm just about ready for bed, but wanted to write about my last two nights. They have been really special.

Brian called me yesterday at work and told my he had a surprise for me. The surprise was...he took me on a date. After work, he told me to dress comfortable, and he turned both our phones off. Then he took me to Mesa for a nice dinner at one of my favorite places....Famous Dave's. Since we are both doing the Atkins thing, it was the perfect place for us to eat. Then we went to the movies and watched Benchwarmers. It was nice to have the theater almost to ourselves, just 8 people, including us.

Tonight we had a cookout and we tore it up!!! We had shrimp, burgers, and meat wrapped in bacon (Odie told me about that)....it was so good, I'm still stuffed. We rented "Walk the Line" on pay-per-view and snuggled and enjoyed the movie. It felt so good to just be home relaxing without any interruptions. Just me and Brian..........

Sunday, April 16, 2006

BEAUTIFUL DAY

I had a very wonderful Easter Sunday! My children went to church with Brian and I. It felt so good to sit next to them in church, something we haven't done in a long time. The mass today was almost two hours long, but time just flew by. Afterward we had a nice breakfast & my daughter had to leave. She gave me a beautiful gold Cross charm for Easter. I also got three pairs of shoes from that amazing boyfriend of mine........YAY!!!! This is a pic of my children.


We went to my brother's house in Mesa for Easter Dinner. Here is a picture of my niece eating sweet potatoes, which happens to be her favorite. Wait a minute, so far, everything she tries is her favorite. As soon a she swallows her food, she grunts for the next spoonful, I love it. Isn't she a doll? I got her these bunny ears and she left them on. I finally took them off of her after an hour.


Before we ate, we all held hands to pray and that is when my brother-in-law announced that he and my sister are expecting. For those of you that know me, you read right.......her sixth child!!! She is so happy and her husband is so excited. Between both of them, they will have eight children. My sister can't wait, she is a good mother and I can't wait to spoil her baby. She told me she wanted to spend a lot of time with me while Brian was in training. She is due in December so that gives me plenty of time to plan her baby shower and help her pick new baby items. I am so glad we have become close again. It made me feel so special to know her "secret" before they made their announcement.


We stayed at my brother's house all day and I got to spend a lot of time with Kailey. She is getting ready to start crawling. It's so cute to see her rocking, then she "poops out" and takes a break on her arm and tries all over again. I got her a Bible for her first Easter.


As you can see I am a picture poster. This Blog feels like scrapbooking/journaling without the fancy stuff and I actually find time to post. I had such a blessed and beautiful day today. Nothing went wrong, everything went right and for that I am thankful. I even received a facial massage and neck/back massage from my niece who will soon be a licensed Massage Therapist!! How lucky am I to have a niece who loves to practice on me??? Till next time.....BYE-BYE & SWEET DREAMS!!!!!

Saturday, April 15, 2006

BETTER DAYS

Been a few days since my last post and life has definitely been better. Let's see, I've got several things to write about and share pictures also.......

I went to the WOMEN'S EXPO w/Odette & Felicia. I was stuck in traffic for two hours and made my friends late......urghhhh I was so frustrated!!! I have a phobia about driving in "city traffic" so I was at my wits end, but when I met up with my friends, it was worth it. I had a really good time. I had never been to one so I wasn't sure what to expect. We missed Heidi Swapp's presentation at the EXPO, but were just in time for a free "make & take" with her. Here are a few photos from the EXPO.














I am going to CREATE ESCAPE, THE ULTIMATE SCRAPBOOK INDULGENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY, I am soooooo excited. It is going to be at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort in September. I just wish some of my friends would join. I know it's going to be a great experience. Here is the web site if anyone is interested. www.createscape.com

My daughter turned 21 on the 10th and didn't want to do anything special (there are reasons behind that). She came to visit and Brian & I took her to dinner and then for a few drinks. They didn't even card her!!!!!! That's a small town for you. I love my daughter more than she will ever know, I just want her to be happy. Here we are at a "local bar" for her first "shot" at 21.
















My boyfriend received some really good news.....He accepted a new job. I am so proud of him and he is so happy. He will be leaving for training for three months, so I am throwing him a party. I'm really going to miss him, he is sooooo good to me. Here is the invitation I made for his party.













Well, I better get close for now. I still have to make Easter Baskets and get to sleep. I am going to church at 9:30am. I'm going to go to bed happy tonight because my son and daughter are going to church with me tomorrow. I am so blessed that my prayers are being answered. Good night........can't wait to write about tomorrow!!!

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

URGHHHHHH

Tonight was one of the worst emotional nights I've had in a long time. I took my daughter to my brothers house and before I knew it, all hell broke loose. He tried talking to her about "her life" and it turned out to be a disaster!!!!!!!

Needless to say, after a whole lot of arguing, raised voices and crying.....we left. I took her home and finally made my way back home. My mind is so full of emotion right now....I am so sad.

I am gonna cry myself to sleep and hope it all works it's way out. Poor me =(

Sunday, April 02, 2006

PINAL COUNTY FAIR

I guess you can say I am addicted to this blogging idea........another great hobby!!

Got back from the County Fair about a few hours ago. I had a really good time. Went down to help out at the Dem Booth and watch Little Joe and La Familia. Turned out I didn't have to help the booth, they closed early, YAY for us!!!!!


Brian was feeling a lot better and we had a ball. I stuffed my face and enjoyed the Fair. I hung out with Odie & Michael, my boss & her boyfriend, my brother & his girlfriend, and KAILEY!!!! It was her first Fair and her first concert =) I was cracking up because she was jamming out to Little Joe. It was so fun to see how excited she was with all the action and when the music started she was a doll, making her cute squinty eyes face and yelling. She had such a good time, she fell asleep in my arms as I was dancing with her!



We sat through half the show and decided to come home. I had a good time and now I'm off to dream land..........Good Night until tomorrow.

ALOOSIONS

After a night of fun....I headed off to the Valley early the next morning for my first visit to ALOOSIONS......a Salon & Spa. Back in September I bought a package for serveral visits to this Spa in Scottsdale. My first visit was for a massage, it was so relaxing and so worth the drive.

Afterward I had a nice lunch with Odette and then she dropped me off at my brother's house where Brian was waiting for me. We were SUPPOSE to go shopping and meet with friends later for dinner...........that didn't happen!! =/

Brian was sick all day and night from the night before. We hung out at my bro's house till he was able to handle the drive home. Poor thing couldn't even eat, he just slept and felt yucky ALL day and night. Finally, late in the evening, he was ready for the trek home.

We really needed a new vacuum cleaner, so stopped to buy one. We got home and went straight to bed. Guess what......the vacuum cleaner doesn't work......have to take it back.....

Just about ready to head to the County Fair. We are gonna meet some friends there and go see Little Joe and La Familia. I have seen him perform in years. I asked Brian if was was gonna have some drinks and he responded quick as can be....NO WAY!!! haha, haven't seen him that sick EVER......

Saturday, April 01, 2006

WHAT A NIGHT.....

What an awesome night!! After work Terri invited Brian and I to go out the desert and PARTY!!! We went after Brian got off work and had such a blast. It only took us 10 minutes to get there and we ended up spending the night.

Brian was the first one to go to sleep, he almost drank a whole bottle of Barcardi Limon. Next was Kim, Rick, Doug, and finally me and Terri. Terri and I did a lot of catching up last night. It was so fun. We wanted to watch the sun rise but didn't make it...........