Just hangin out..

That is pretty much all we have been doing. I love not having a schedule, we play when we want,
we bake when we want, we nap when we want blah blah blah. We have been caroling with the neighbors, went and looked at Christmas lights (I have some amazing pictures of that, we found a house whose lights were set to music, much like the movie Deck the Halls, so cool) We finished our Gingerbread house yesterday.

It is funny how much Lindsey's decorating has evolved over the years, when she was younger the more icing and candy the better, now simpler is better. She must be picking that up from David and I. Funny.

I am 99.9% finished with my Christmas shopping, I only leave a margin of error because I am sure I will have forgotten something. I don't think so but anyhoo.

I hear *creatures stirring* downstairs, better go see who's up.

Hooray!

Today begins the first day of Lindsey's winter break. I have finished up my monogramming orders and will not be taking any last minute ones so that the girls and I can spend some good quality time together. We have gingerbread houses to decorate, cookies and other sweet treats to bake and whatever else we decide we want to do. We have a cookie swap to attend on Monday, which will be lots of fun too.

I plan to post as much as possible so you can see what we are getting into around here Mom (wish you were here). I am also trying to keep up with my December Daily Journal. I have taken the pics but they have not made it to the journal yet, hopefully I can get caught up on that as well. What are you all up to these last few days before Christmas?

Twelve trees

As promised, here they are. I finally remembered to take a picture of the tree on the front porch after dark.

1. Master Bedroom Tree
2. Lindsey's Room
3. Mallory's Room
4. The Girl's Bathroom
5. Memphis Tiger Tree in Guest Bedroom
6. Dining Room Tree - All of our family ornaments we have collected over the last 11 years.
7. Santa Tree in the Entry Way/Living Room
8. Family Room Tree
9. Feather Tree #1 on Mantel
10. Feather Tree # 2 on Mantel
11. Wall Tree in Master Bathroom Window
12. Front Porch

I know, I know that is a lot of trees, but oh well. We like putting them up. :)

She did it...

Wednesday, Lindsey went to have her 10 inch ponytail cut off to donate to Beautiful Lengths. She has been growing her hair out since 1st grade (two years) and decided in 2nd grade that she would donate it once she got to 10 inches. She told me back during the summer she hoped it would be long enough to donate by December. I have never seen her so excited about cutting her hair, she has such a big heart, always so thoughtful and giving. I think she picked the perfect time of the year to do such a fabulous thing.

Tara had to get out the BIG scissors, Lindsey has my super thick hair, which I got from my Mom.

right after she cut it off.

Here is Lindsey with Tara of Studio Stacy Salon. Miss Tara ROCKS!!!
I am pretty sure Tara gave Lindsey her first haircut. Tara has been cutting David's hair since he moved to Memphis back in the 80s. She is so talented, always does a fantastic job. Such a great lady!

I love Lindsey's new *do*, very grown-up.

These could have been lost memories

But because I am at home now, they are not. They are tucked away with all of the other fabulous memories I have.

Mallory is getting her baby ready for a nap:

then goes into the den and falls asleep on the fold out floor chair

*Sweet little angel*

I'm Ready...sort of

I am pretty much finished with decorating for Christmas, a few minor things left and that is it. I spent Saturday and Sunday putting up the decos, yes I put up twelve trees again ( I will post pics this year). Last year I made these advent boxes for the girls to count down the days until Christmas. I hung them on the wall last year but after a small mishap with the poster putty I was forbidden to put them back on the wall, so this is what I came up with:




I think it looks much better than the display last year, what do you think?


Off to finish up the Christmas cards, yeah baby. Now if I could get that excited about shopping I would be all set.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a fabulous day.

No Internet

I have been without the Internet/email/cable off and on since last Thursday night. OMG I have piles of email to go through, so if you have tried emailing me, I swear I am not ignoring you. I will get through my inbox and respond as quickly as I can.

Party Like a Rock Star

Lindsey decided on a Karaoke party this year and the girls came dressed like *diva rock stars*.



Lindsey in her *Diva Attire*:



I made backstage passes that Lindsey handed out as the girls arrived. They would have been laminated had my laminating machine not gone belly up on me. Anyway, I think they turned out pretty cute and Lindsey loved them and that is all that matters.




We also had sunglasses and inflatable microphones to hand out to complete their look.


Lindsey with BFF and fellow diva Lexi.

*Hey call me*

Her guitar cake: (Made by Rochelle at The Busy Bakery in Bartlett) edited: yes this is the lady that we used to have to meet in the Exxon parking lot to pick up our cakes/cookies.

The front door, complete with lights hanging from the front porch. (thanks Mom for helping with that :) )

The girls doing some karaoke:

and my friend Jessica showing them how it is done!! ROCK ON SISTER!

All in all we had a great time, even with all of the screaming no police officers showed up to shut us down. This group of girls know how to Rock the house down.

Oh and I can't forget my *diva in training*:

She wasn't sure what to think about the whole thing, she mostly hung out with grandmother. We surprised Big Sister and got a coordinating dress for Mally to wear. Too Cute.

Tap-Tap-Tap....

Is this thing on..... OK good, I know I am a blogging slacker so I apologize for that up front. It seems as soon as October hits all heck breaks loose. Busy busy busy. A lot of Lindsey's friends have birthdays beginning in October as well as family members and that is on top of all the other stuff like Halloween and Thanksgiving and just everyday stuff. My Mom went home on Sunday after here two week visit. I hated to see her leave, every time she does I get a little teary. The fact that I don't have family close by just makes me sad the older I get. Thank goodness for my friends though, they are my chosen family and I love them too.

We had a fun time at Lindsey's birthday party, *Karaoke* with 15 screaming 8-9 year olds. YIKES I must be crazy. I took lots of cute pics and will get them posted later today if time permits. You do know that I am the *lady in waiting* for a certain 17 month old right? One that does not nap a whole heck of a lot and one who likes to explore every cabinet and nook she can find.

I still have some monogramming orders to finish as well as some outfits I have cut out for Mally. I also want to get my December scrap journal started and finished this weekend, I am committed to a picture a day for December and I WILL journal, even if it is just a couple of thoughts jotted down. We are staying here for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Keeping it low key as usual. Off to get Lindsey's lunch made and get started on my day.

Birthday Week

Miss Lindsey turns *nine* tomorrow.

Holy crap, 9 YEARS OLD. Double digits next year. My sweetie is growing up so fast, I know this is the same teary rant I have every year at this time so I won't bore you. :) We are busy celebrating and enjoying time with my Mom while she is here. I was looking for a photo of Lindsey when she was a year old, but just realized I didn't go digital until 2001. I need to pull out my old photos and find one of her to scan and post tomorrow. Off to check on my Tomato Bisque.

Bye

Hangin' out

Just been hangin' out with my Mom the last couple of days. We are about to get into some serious crafting. Mally is napping and Lindsey is at school. We have a mental list of stuff to create, we will see how far we get over the next two weeks. I am all giddy inside just thinking about it. :)

t- 2 days

In two days my Mother will be here for a 2 week visit. I am so excited as are the girls and David too. Yes, he loves his Mother-in-law. :) Hopefully she and I can have some crafty time. We always manage to get ourselves into something. I found some really cute Santa redwork embroidery designs (I have never tried the redwork stuff) I think I will get them stitched up today and tomorrow and may have her help me piece them together for a little Christmas quilt. We'll see how time goes. Mally and I have some play time this morning and our walk, so if all goes well she will have a nice nap today and I can work on it then. We were all in bed way early last night. Lindsey at 6:45p, Mally feel asleep in my lap about 7:15P and I was asleep by 7:45P. The day seemed to drag on forever yesterday, it always does after we set our clocks back. It was a nice relaxing day though. Off to pack Lindsey's lunch for school and I think the coffee is finished brewing (the holiday flavored coffee creamer is out, so so happy about that, I love me some gingerbread creamer) Have a great day!

Trick or Treat

We had a fun time on Halloween, we had about 50 or so of our neighbors over for chili, then we all dispersed and went trick or treating. It is really hard to stick together when you have so many children going in all different directions. We had a lot of fun though and the girls scored some good treats. Our neighbor and friend always does it up nice, after we eat at our house she runs back to hers and sets up her treats, candy for the little ones and wine for the adults. Now that's what I'm talking about :) Lindsey was an Aqua Fairy again and Mallory was the cutest little ladybug you have ever seen.



Busted! eating M&Ms.


Lindsey and friends: we had an Aqua Fairy, Graveyard Fairy, Twin Rock Stars and a Vampire

Last night David and I had a dinner party to attend so the girls had a sitter. A night out, yeah for us! Today I am getting Halloween stuff put up and getting ready for my Mom's visit this week. Really excited she is coming, I have not seen her since August, and that sucks. Also getting Lindsey's birthday invites finished up today so I can get them in the mail tomorrow.

Does it ever end?

We are in the midst of a stomach bug now on top of ear infections. Good grief. Poor Mally!

Still here...

What have I been up to? Well, in no particular order:

• Mallory's hundredth ear infection/sinus infection (well not that many, but it sure feels like it)
• Volunteering at Lindsey's school
• Room Sponsor stuff (auction baskets, class journals etc)
• Monogramming orders are starting to pick up
• Sewing for the girls
• Planning Lindsey's birthday party
• Everyday Mommy stuff
• Trying to think about Christmas (it's hard until after Lindsey's birthday)
• Misc. *crap* that gets tossed in the mix (this is the stuff that really makes me crazy)

I really don't know how I did all this and worked too, I guess you just make it happen and not sleep to get it all done.


What is left to do?

1. Birthday parties (Lindsey has been invited to four, yes four this weekend)
2. A day trip planned for Saturday for the four of us (see above, hopefully it can still happen)
3. Deliveries to make (sorry Farrah and Lisa)
4. Some holiday stuff for the shop (and possibly for local pick up only :food stuff:. still working out the details on that one)
5. My calendar is full, just trust me on that and I won't bore you the the rest.
   

I have been in a real mood lately and I just can't figure out why, I am usually pretty laid back nothing gets me too upset, I just say what I think and move on, but somethings have hit me the wrong way lately. Oh well it will pass I am sure. I am also feeling a bit disconnected from old friends, but I have met some really amazing people since quiting work and volunteering at the new school. I feel more in my element now, but it still makes you wonder about the friendships that used to be. We all get busy I know, but at what point does that just become an excuse? Something else for me to ponder I guess. I have moved on, and we are all better for the changes that we made. Everyone is happy, MUCH HAPPIER. It's like a whole new world that I didn't know about.


OK, back to happier posts, I just needed to vent I guess.



This makes me VERY happy:


These are a few photos from our Urban Photo Shoot with my friend and neighbor Marci Lambert. I can't even begin to put into words how *happy* I am with the photos. She is so very talented. Every time she does our photos I think there is no way she can top this, but she ALWAYS does, ALWAYS! Thanks Marci!!!! Check out her website for info on a photo shoot of your very own. Check her blog out too, she always has something great to say!

OK, I have to go give Mally her meds.

Some new layouts

I have managed to scrap a couple of layouts in between this, that and the other thing.

I have been working on some scrap for hire stuff for a friend and it is pretty much finished (YIPPEE). I am putting some finishing touches on it and will deliver it to her this week. Now I need to start on some monogramming orders and planning Lindsey's upcoming birthday party. The older she gets the harder it is to come up with something. She actually wants to keep it low key this year, something small, which I am all for. We have a couple of ideas we are tossing around so hopefully we can get going with the planning real soon.