wow, been a while, how about a BF shopping tale

I mean December is always a blur, but November also.

I have been writing blogs in my head...like Thanksgiving..and the day after.

We had Thanksgiving with my bro in law, it was all very nice...but I like to have my own Thanksgiving dinner, as I like have a weekend of leftovers.  

However, on Thanksgiving, I gave up on my principles and let dd talk me into Black Friday shopping.  We went to Michaels (no crowds) then Walmart..O M G.  Now, no lines outside, but they let you wait at the displays till the sale start..8pm.  So, we spent a couple of hours in front of the displays of the video games we wanted...me in front of Wii and dd and Altje (ds's exchange student) in front of Xbox.  Ddil was free roaming, doing her own shopping and scouting the next display dd wanted to hit.

this is dd (short gal in white) and Altje (tall gal right next to her) at the X box display @6pm.

These were set up in the middle of a very wide aisle, from the front of the store was the X box, a small distance was the PSP'ers...the 2nd set of people in the pic...and last was the Wii.

Now us Wii'ers, were very civilized.  and a small group.  I mean think about it, most of us are women or children who do activities and exercise.  The hot games were the new Just Dance and Zumba...and a couple of girls has set up on that side of the display and were asking us what we wanted, as they were willing to grab for us.

There were a lot of PSP'ers..but it was a quiet group.

The Xbox'ers...Oh My...Rowdy, security had to step in...and Before the displays were unwrapped.  The woman you can kinda see behind the teen was making threats to my dd!!  But think about it, what do these gamers do?  Yeah, play shoot em up games.

So we get to 8pm and the wrappings are removed on the displays...it got crazy.  Even at Wii, the 2 girls popped up with arms full of games, and people are grabbing.  I got the next to last one.
When I was able to look up, I saw pieces of the PSP display flying in the air!! and these were the quiet people!  I was so worried for dd in the midst of the rowdies, and she was threatened.  I made my way to the Xbox display and it was gone.  there was the bottom left and a mound of games.  I could see that security was not 'reviving' anyone, no injured in the immediate area...but, I wasn't good till I could see my dd.

When I caught up to her, she told me what happened.  The guy you see in gray tshirt was next to the basketball game she wanted ...so as soon as display opened, he grabbed her one and yelled "I got you, get out of here"...but her dh had called and wanted a headphone that was on top of the display...so she had to reach over the back of a guy leaning down (he may have a shoe print on the back of his shirt)  and says she 'flew' over the leaning display..and got one.  Altje says she thought someone had pushed dd (as threatened) and she went to try to catch her.   All this happened in less than a minute.   They say it wasn't the people who were lined up around the display, but the crowd that pushed in from outside that made it dangerous.

We all checked out fairly quickly, I'd say by 8:05,  knew what we wanted and got out of there.  Ddil, being a a former Marine, had us walk out with dd in the middle.   Altje in front, dd, me and then ddil watching the flank, since there was a threat made to dd.  

Anyways, a Black Friday adventure.  Altje wanted to 'experience' and American Black Friday...and well, she got a pretty good  story to tell.

We've all decided no deal is worth it and next year, we'll be kicking back and eating pie.  Like momma said.

this has gotten long, I'll try to remember to tell you about my day after Thanksgiving dinner I made...think, 18 year old making her first dinner, Instead of 51 year old who's been doing this for almost 30 years...a tale of many disasters...ha!!!!

a REAL day off

I'm off from work today, and it is wonderful...but...I feel a bit lost.  I don't have any appts or pressing errands.  It really is a day off.  Now, tomorrow, I have appts and places and then babysitting, so that is a normal day off.

So, this morning has been litter boxes, laundry, dishes, a li'l sweeping (with 4 cats and 2 dogs indoor, the pet hair gets a li'l, well, 'hairy') and some dusting.  (which I seriously need to do more of)

So, now what?  Should get in my scraproom, but seriously low on 'mojo'  Do have a short crop on Saturday, can plan projects for that...hmmm. definately need to do some ATC's for the swap.

Even though Thanksgiving will be at a family member's (who said don't bring anything)...I think I still wanna do a mini dinner here.  I just LOVE having leftovers.  So, I could plan the menu/grocery list for that.

Also, gotta think Christmas lists and shopping.

But I dunno, just don't feel like doing anything .

 Maybe I'll pull out some dvd's and call it a 'do nothing' day...or make those lists first.  ha!!!

cuz this blog is 'no good without pictures' here is one from our Zumba class.  just finished week 8, 2 more weeks, then a break...hope they offer it again in 2013...cuz this has been fun.  I'm not losing weight, cuz I've been eating pretty much whatever I want.  (so off the  my game,, there.  (also lost my mojo), but the class IS fun!  dd is the cutey in front in the teal blue shirt...I'm the chunk in dark capris and black shoes behind her...ha!!!

Here is the spread dd and ddil put together for grandbabie's 'bug' party to celebrate her new swing set.
I did help with the cricut create a critter bee/butterfly and such.  DD (a non scrapbooker) was surprised I don't do more decor with the cricut (she loved it)...and couldn't believe "you just use it for scrapbooking?"

ha

and I loved this, We went to San Francisco's Golden Gate Park with the women's group from church.  This was at Shakespeare Park...closed to the public for a wedding...this li'l guy was a part of that wedding...complete with his doggy tux.

had to give up

I was reading the book "Bury Me Standing" by Isabel Fonseca.  It is about the persecution of gypsys in Central Europe of the 1990's.   I became interested in the subject when I went on the cruise of Italy and Greece a couple of years ago.  But I have to admit defeat.  Not that the book was boring or difficult reading, but the subject, I could feel was changing me.  Human Beings are capable of such  horrible behaviour and attitudes..  I don't know how else to put it, the 'human condition' is not noble.  I am starting to be so disgusted.  We are capable of such wrong doing and then justifying it.  I am 2/3 of the way through it, and just cannot read another word.  I was shocked that people are being killed/burned out of their homes in the 1990's...we aren't talking a hundred years ago.  And I don't think it has changed.  Our kids have a foreign exchange student, a 15 year old from Germany, who has made comments about 'Turks and Gypsies" that reflect a deep seated prejudice.

Is there a cure?   Is it Christianity, that teaches us "red, brown, yellow, black and white...they are precious in his sight?".   Is it the 'melting pot' attitude that the United States used to have.  I know, its changed to a multi-cultural 'salad'.  But wasn't the melting pot good?  The attitude that we were all Americans first.   I dunno.  I am just so disturbed by what I am reading...and seeing.

a few months ago, I read "The Warmth of Other Suns" and it was equally disturbing...but not as hopeless.

so, I've started a new Susanna Kearsley book...something I know I'll enjoy and something a whole lot lighter.

been working on ATC's, and have been  R E A L L Y  stumped...oh my, gotta go concentrate on them.

looking forward to the last installment of Breaking Dawn, cannot wait, don't know who I will be able to get to go with me...oh, and the commercials for Red Dawn...  Time to take care of some chores!

had the chance to crop, twice this week!!

I had the chance to crop twice...now, that's what I call a fantastic week.


the first was on Thursday.  DD had a business trip to our shop in Reno...so, I was able to pack a rolling cart and go to Scrapbook Paradise off of McCarran...for $5, I was able to set up and crop in the store.  Of course, had to do a li'l shopping....teehee.   For a crop like this, I do not take any embellies, as I really want to pack light and keep it down to one bag.  Also at a store, I don't pack very much cardstock.  As I will have access at the store.   I LOVED it.   So I do very simple, unadorned pages, that I bring home to embellish.  Like this one from our Mediterranean Cruise, oh, 3 years ago.   I tucked in a note to myself about where it was, so I can finish it.

Then on Saturday, I went to a 12 hour crop in Modesto.  It was a fundraiser for the California Youth Authority.   Very nice.  They had volunteers there to help you unload and load your car.  For this kind of crop, I pack a lot more...fill my li'l utility wagon and brought my cricut.  I tend to bring page kits, I subscribe to Scrapbook Circle and Scrapbook Nook (though Nook is no longer)  

 here is a 'monochromatic' layout I did of one of the statues of Achilles in Corfu.  (Michele, I'm doing Corfu pics!!!!)

I find that if I am just using the cardstock to border my pp, I will cut the center out.  This is the backside of Achilles layout.   Gives me an automatic matching matt when I use the inside!  The following gray layout also used this 'technique'.     

 and here is another layout of Old Town Corfu...made me think of my sis who uses a lot of say it with bling.

 This was my final layout, you can tell I'm getting tired when they get really, really simple.  I'll figure out what to add later.

and my stack of started, base, layouts that I need to embellish and put in books!

A few more Corfu pics, then some pics of the baked Alaska parade our last night on the ship...and then I'll be on Venice and can say I'm finally done with this trip!!   Maybe I'll do last October's Hawaii trip next...or San Franciso...or...well, you know.

Another funny thing at yesterday's crop.  They had hourly raffles, in which 5 women were called to pick their prizes off a table.  hmmmm, 20 to 30 women, 5 per hour...good odds, right?  Not for me, I was not called ONCE all day!  My table mates were each called 3 times, and for Megan, once after she left.  There were women being called 2 even 3 times during the same set of 5...in fact, the last raffle, they even announced, "Ok, we're hear to give Amber and Connie more gifts".  It was ridiculous, and at one point, I was really feeling down.   Even told my friend, I was going to start signing my ticket Tinkerbell.

Anyways, there were also 11 prizes out for a raffle, where you put your ticket in which prize you want.  I bought 6 tickets. There was one prize that I was the only ticket in the bag for...so I got hopeful, but before the draw there were 2 more tickets...anyways, I won!!  I actually won 3 of those prizes, and was esp excited to get the CTMH basket...

yay!!   So today will be a day of unpacking, hopefully embellishing...but, since I've been gone the past 3 days...probably should concentrate on housework first.

family ...what can you say

We are in the midst of a family medical situation.  Can't say much as my dh's side is very private.  BUT a situation has come up, and the question of do you tell the estranged child?   There are 3 brothers, but only 2 involved in the family.   It seems to be by dysfunction/choice...all the above.  So, there is something going on,.. no one knows how it is going to end, can go 'either way' at this point...is the 3rd son called?

Dh did call his brother, or convinced his parent to...and this brother 'cussed' that parent out.  Finally, dh took the phone and told him to stop.   This is a person who brings a lot of drama and that is probably why parent was hesitant/not up to/nor willing to call.

All the rest of us can get about the situation is that the hospital is testing...and it is not know what is going on, what is going to happen.

This is kind of an odd family also.  If it were my mom, I'd be on an airplane then at the hospital with her.  But this family is not.  Not even a visit at the hospital yesterday...just odd to me.  I know that is probably 'practical'...nothing anyone can do that the drs cannot do...but isn't being there important too?


okay, I'll stop talking in code.

Now, I've been in daily contact with my sis about this situation...just having someone to talk to, bounce your feelings with...has been so helpful.

Been spending a lot of time on Sparkpeople.  Signed up for the SparkCoach, and it has been really helpful.  By logging in everyday to see the short video, to log my day before and how I'm doing on my daily goals is very motivating.

Despite the odd week, and not so good eating, I've lost a li'l weight this past week.

We had the family over for a smoked brisket.  11 people in all, we had to bring out the 'kiddy' table.  Adriana 'picked' who she wanted to sit with her, it was me, my dd and my sis in law, Linda.  We had a good time at the kiddy table...ha!!!  oh, to be li'l Adriana.   The only grandchild, great grandchild and niece.  She is a li'l spoiled.  ha!!! and a li'l bossy...double ha!!

I've got the day off, been doing a li'l housework...after weekend clean up type of stuff.  And hope to work on my LOTW.   So, much fun.  I just plugged in my Slice...

and I'm ready to go.  ha!!

a morning to myself, well, away from home

So, what would you do with a morning to yourself?

Away from home, so laundry and dishes are not an option?

In a hotel in Reno?  hmmmmm

Dh and I are here on a quick business trip, we got a suite at the Silver Legacy ...already used the whirlpool tub and exercise room (last night)...have a couple of hours to myself while he goes to a breakfast meeting.

Got room service, playing on the 'net, no good shows on the tv...don't wanna pay 11 to 14 dollars for an in room movie...wish I had my scrapbook stuff (I'll remember for next time)...hmmmmmmmm

Speaking of scrapbook stuff, guess what I discovered yesterday?  Dh needed some aspirin so we stopped at the Safeway at McCarran Exit(as you enter Reno)....a couple of doors down....oooh la la...a beautiful and thriving and OPEN scrapbook store.  Called Scrapbook Paradise.  They were in the midst of a Sunday crop and YOU KNOW I did a little shopping.  With dh in the car, I only checked out one side of the store, but, oh yeah, great lines and stamps...okay, I did manage to spend @$65.  The Graphic 45 Birdsong is gorgeous in person...and they have a great Copic selection.  Did not pick up any stamps, but gotta admit one stays in mind and I'm wishing I nabbed it.  Too bad dh took the car...or I'd make a quick trip.

Also, had a yummy room service breakfast.  If you ever stay at the Silver Legacy, I HIGHLY recommend the ham and eggs and hash browns...and the oj is soooo fresh tasting and YUMMY!

but now I've got a couple of hours to kill...and I'm not a gambler so not interested in that...I SHOULD read my book...oh well, we'll head out ...and stop by Ikeda in Auburn on the way home.  ANOTHER recommendation if ya'll are ever that way.  I usually get an assortment of dried fruit and veggies for my mom, they also have fresh made pies...a wall of hot sauces...dips, fresh veggies/fruits, nuts, premade dips and salsas, pre-seasoned meats and a li'l restarant area for a lunch too.  I had a chicken pot pie once and it was YUMMMY!!

okay, lets see what can be accomplished...ha!!!!

so, here I am...up at 5 am

Yup, I was woke up at 5 am this morn.  The sound of a small dog yipping.  Now, we live in the country and that sound, to me, means one thing....that soon I'm gonna hear the 'death sounds' as the pup looses its life to a coyote or larger dog.   So, I got out of that bed as fast as I could.  Now, dh says it did not happen.  There were no 'pain' sounds...no coyote victory howl...  I would have liked to look for the pup, and I asked dh to do that when the sounds first started...but with the way sounds carry in the country...he could have been too far to find.  So, I'm up...

That has to be the one thing I dislike about living out here.  Coyotes.  HATE them.

I have spent most mornings on SparkPeople.  They have a new option, well at least new to me, called the Spark Coach.  Check in everymorning to get motivated and stay accountable.

Now, yesterday was a crop...so, I did not do that well with the food.  BUT though it was a small crop, of only 5 hours, did have a good time.  A friend set it up at the library, and we may be able to have that facility every 3rd Saturday.  It would be a 'community' event, open to all...but that is cool with us, as we are always excited to meet other scrapbookers.

Exercise, okay, I got the Wii3, so I've been trying out all the options under the Just Sweat.  Last night I tried out the continous play...can't remember the game name.  Now, I hit the 1000 calorie option...and that thing kept going...song after song...I figured that it would stop and say 'congrats, you made your goal' or something!  NO!!! I finally hit the Return to Menu button when I could not move anymore...went back to Just Sweat and my chart was at over 1700 calories!!  Okay, that was fun...and tiring...but ummmmm, yay.

I had a good week as far as the Jenny weigh in, showing a loss.  BUT with the weekend, the crop and an overnight trip to Verdi...my Monday morning (okay Tues, cuz I won't be home)...the number I use on Spark...I'm thinking won't be so good.  

have ya'll heard of LOTW's...aka Letters of the Word...I've been doing a "Name Your Own LOTW" swap at Scrapbook.com.   The top pic were the ones I did last month...the bottom pic is the word I got back.  I just let the gals know the letter height I wanted and the color scheme...and they created this...aint' it cute!!

Here is a layout I did using the one I had rec'd the previous month.

So, I worked on a few of those yesterday.  Also worked on some ATC cards for the monthly swap on Scrapbook.com...and just a couple of pages of Athens for my Med Cruise album.   S o m e d a y, I'll actually finish that album.

As I was leaving, my son in law told me 'crop till you drop"....I told him "5 hours, we're just barely getting started"...but I do have an all day crop scheduled for in October...its a fundraiser for the CYC in Modesto.

okay, time to face logging my food yesterday on Spark.  siiiiiigh