Happy Birthday - PTI

This week is PTI's anniversary! In celebration, I'm posting my favorite PTI card from last year. When I voted on my favorite stamp set, I chose the Around and About Sentiments. But when I look back at my favorite cards, they all use the Cupcake Collection. I think I voted for the wrong set. Oh well, I LOVE them all!

Welcome to the Year of the Rabbit!

So, now I have to remember to write RABBIT on my checks instead of TIGER, lol! Okay, bad joke...

Jim was born in the year of the Rabbit. He thinks he's a Dragon because he was born in 1952, but he was born in January before the Chinese New Year changed. So, sorry honey, you're a Rabbit: Timid and attractive, the Rabbits of the Chinese Zodiac tend to act more like bunnies, whether they like it or not! Sorry, Rabbits aren't macho...

Cheryl on the other hand is a Snake! Snakes are diplomatic and popular, the Snake has the sensual art of seduction down. This Sign is an interesting mix of gregariousness paired with introversion, intuitive reasoning paired with savvy business skills. Does that sounds like Cheryl? Sensual art of seduction?!!!

Here's Chris. The Rooster is the strutting peacock of the Chinese Zodiac! These quick thinkers are practical and resourceful, preferring to stick to what is tried and true rather than taking messy, unnecessary risks. That sounds like Chris... he's rock solid!

And there's me... the stupid Pig... The Pig of Chinese Astrology may be the most generous and honorable Sign of the Zodiac. Pigs are nice to a fault and possess impeccable manners and taste. They have so much of the perfectionist in them that others may be inclined to perceive them as snobs. Hey, it doesn't sound too bad being a pig, when it's put that way, lol!

If you want to find out what sign you are, go HERE:

http://www.astrology.com/chinese-astrology

They into account of the fact that Chinese New Year doesn't fall on January 1st. Great if you are a January or early February baby.

Good-bye year of the Tiger... welcome Rabbit!

Joy Captured - Happy Birthday, Jim!

Why is Jim's birthday one of my joys? Well, birthdays mark the passing of time... much like anniversaries. Another year has gone by, with it's all it's joys. {plus, it's Jim getting another year older... not me, hehehe!} He's 59 years old with retirement in sight. I still have years of work left... years and years...

I LOVE you, Jim!

Feel Better Soon, Grandma!!!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

New shoes...

I LOVE the Nike Pegasus Trail and have been running in them for years... but this year, the new model just didn't do it for me. I'd end my run with achy feet and sore toes. This time I'm making the switch... NEW SHOES! There's nothing as exciting as getting new shoes. I started with these.

I loved them, but they didn't LOVE me. I ended up with sore hips and blisters. So thanks to Road Runner Sports 90-day satisfaction guaranteed policy, I traded them in for the Puma Complete Nightfox Trail.

... Very flashy, but I really don't care what they look like as long as they are comfortable. I'm looking forward to trying these out tomorrow!!!

Ring Bling

The first semester of school is almost over... finals are next week! Chris has been making some WONDERFUL rings in his jewelry class. He was filmed during jewelry for the school's 360 video. You can see it here: Capo 360. Also, watch for him in the opening scene. The cross country team was recruited to stand in line.

Here are some of the projects he was working on in jewelry. The ring on the left is rolled with a scarf, the next one is hammered, and the last one (my favorite) is double layered with cut-outs. Here's a close-up:

This one is very cool with a wavy edge. Chris's rings are all size 9.5 made out of nickle and brass. His final project is in sterling silver. I can't wait to see how it turns out!

A card share...

Here it is... my first scrappy project of the year! Circle punches and the Around and About stamp set from PTI, made these super fast and easy! I made up a whole set of these simple little cards for Cheryl to send out birthday thank-yous. Did she send them out? Uh, no...

Joy Captured - Flowers from my girl

My JOY this week was coming home Friday night after a 48 hour work week and finding a BIG bouquet of yellow roses. Cheryl cut them from the backyard; arranged them in a vase tied with a pretty ribbon; and left them in the spot where I would see them immediately after I walked in the door.

Big {{{HUGS}}} and KISSES to my sweet girl!!!

My boy, Chris...

It's been a while since I've blogged Chris. He made the track team by finishing the mile in 5 min 17 sec (3 seconds under the cut-off time). He's really enjoying his jewelry class; the drawing & painting class?... not so much. He has to finish his color picture for homework, and did not want his photo taken (that's why it's so blurry), but a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do! And taking photos of her kids is very much in the mom job description.

I did sneak a photo of his picture. {Proud mama here...} It looks really nice if I do say so myself :)

Weekend is almost here! I hope you all have a lot of fun planned. The rain that was in the forecast earlier is GONE! It's going to be a GREAT weekend!

Joy Captured

Here's another new project for 2011. I've joined the challenge on Jill's blog to capture my word for the year on film. I've put a lot of thought into it and decided that my word for this year will be "JOY." Here is my first week's attempt at capturing JOY!

There is nothing like watching Jena play ball. If only everyone could be so happy chasing a ball across a field!

Birthday time again - part 2

I had to share one more photo... my baby girl Cheryl at 4yrs old. Even then she still had that wonderful smile!

Also, want to know how much money was in the soccer dude? There were no quarters in that bank... only pennies, nickles and dimes. Well, I was the closest guessing $35. The total? $183.05! No wonder I never win those "How many in the jar" guessing games...

Look out! Cheryl is going on a shopping spree!!!!