A New Beginning?

Today is the last day of 2007. Its a little scary, and exciting at the same time. This is the day we should all say 'I'm gonna do it better next year', 'I want to change this' or 'Let's make the new year as good as this one was'. Today, I decide what I want out of the new year - and make it happen. Yes, I am working on a positive attitude, so that will be new for me. I am going to get out there and make things happen instead of crumpling into a heap in the corner because things are bad. There will not be bad days for me, its sunny days ahead! Every day will be a day at the beach for me this year. I have many goals to accomplish this year.

I DID IT!

I worked all day, but I finally finished an album. It's such a great feeling. Now I have to put things away. Tomorrow, I will gather up my supplies for the next book.

What To Expect In '08?

Well, Christmas is over. I am a little bummed today because I am trying to download all the pictures from the past week and start putting things away. The tree is drying out badly and a dear friend just lost her father. Who would not be down. And, there is no sunshine today. Anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that I need sunshine and warmth!

So, what am I doing with my weekend and what is the big plan for the new year? Well, number one is to get in better shape and eat healthier. I have ingested way too much sugar over the holidays. Also very important, to get a whole lot more scrapbooking done. I have boxes and boxes of photos to scan and save. Then, I need to organize them and get them into albums! That Christmas gift I was making - not even started! How terrible is that? At least someone will have something to look forward to in the near future. I may just do the first page and then give the gift, then I can finish it later. I need to find another online scrapping group to chat with and get ideas/info from. The last one was a bunch of cliquish snobs. The Stepford Wives. All they did is drop their kids at daycare, and spend their days spending money and scrapping while their housekeepers took care of the cleaning and cooking for them. Those of us who work for a living did not stand a chance in that group, and those women made sure us working girls knew we didn't belong!

Okay, I just worked out, downloaded all the Christmas pictures and got the scrapbook supplies out that I am working with. Dinner is in the oven, so I have an hour to work. Someone, motivate me, please! I promise the Christmas pictures will soon follow...

9 Days Til Christmas

Are we ready for Christmas? NOOO... I just baked my first batch of cookies today. Nothing has been wrapped. Saving the wrapping for next weekend. I try to get that done all in one day because it kills my back. Now I am getting ready to scrapbook a bit. I will be happy if I can get two layouts done. I still have to make my grocery list of baking items before I can do any more cookies. Trying a new recipe for Chocolate Truffles this year as well as my Black Russian Brownies (yes, they contain Kahlua and vodka) and a few more of my specialties that are well loved by family and friends. I planned to make a big pot of my world famous chili today, but was not in the mood for a trip to the grocery store for ground beef and beans, and Matt was too busy under the hood of the Bronco to make a run for me. So, I cleaned, finished a transcript, and read a few pages of a book, The Godfather's Revenge. Its a great book, but I just don't have enough time to read more than 2 or 3 pages a day. That is very unlike me. Normally, I could finish a good book in a weekend, this one has taken me about 6 weeks so far. Its not like I have nothing else to do. I have been up and working since 4am. Don't think I will be going out tonight, I am ready to crash now. How sad. Okay, better get those layouts going. Wish me luck!

Countdown

Well, less than two week till Christmas. I have been very busy with both jobs, and trying to keep up at home. That part isn't working. Friday was my baby boy's 19th birthday so we went out to celebrate. As expected, I took lots of pictures. At least I got three pages scrappped Saturday morning. I did finally start my baking last night. Its officially Christmas now! Well, time to get back to work. Enjoy the pictures.

Keeping Busy

Thanksgiving was great. I made two new dishes, altering the directions on both somewhat. They were both awesome! I tried a sausage stuffing, it was Emeril's stuffing contest winner (Down Home Italian Dressing), but I did not follow the instructions completely, instead doing the Irish girl version, and it was to die for. I also tried a new recipe that was in a magazine for fresh green beans with sweet red peppers, mushrooms, and caramelized onions. It was oh, so sweet! I took lots of pictures of everyone, and will download some to add to this post. Spent all day Friday scrapbooking, as well as Saturday until it was time to go out ~ Mexican food and margaritas, baby! Sunday was Christmas shopping, watching one of my favorite movies 'Godfather II' and reading a good mystery. Today is the last day of my vacation, and since it is raining, I plan on watching some good movies and scrapbooking. I am halfway through one album, then I need to start an album that I want to make for my father for Christmas (a 'Grandpa' book) and another gift idea I have been toying with.

Christmas Preparations

Thanksgiving is over, now its time to think about Christmas, which will be here before we know it. I have so much to do. How will I ever get ready? I have spent the last two days scrapbooking, that is where my mind is.

www.elfyourself.com/?id=9591440913

Turkey Anyone?

Well, its the day before Thanksgiving. I precut all the veggies this morning. Tomorrow I just have to mix things together and pop everything in the oven. I have been going since 3am, so I need to get to sleep early and get my birdie ready by 8am. Gotta charge up the camera for lots of pictures. Matthew and Jen are outside with a couple of buddies, working on his truck. They have been working on it all week. I finally got out and took pictures of the progress today. Between Jen and I, he will have a nice scrapbook of all his vehicles and 'projects'. Well, gotta run out and get some wine for tomorrow, then we'll call it a night.

Staying Alive

Angela and me in Cape May, August 2007

I am really depressed, this summer was great, but now it's gone. I spent lots of weekends in Cape May, one of my favorite places to be. I have lots of picture of the beach, as well as the Cape May Lighthouse. I love lighthouses, and collect them. Trying to prepare for Thanksgiving; I am hosting the family dinner this year. I must be crazy. Actually, I just love to cook. Finally perfected my spaghetti and chili. In fact, my chili is awesome! Still scrapbooking. I finished an 8x 8 book for Maria as a graduation gift, then did another one, as a birthday present for Patty. That was a collection of pictures all through our years of friendship. What a blast from the past! Now I am scrapping all my Christmas pictures, starting all the way back to my first Christmas, as well as two more gift ideas I have. I could turn this into a full time career if I actually had the time...

Remember Me?

Well, I may have set a new record here for laziest blogger. Not for lack of trying, as is the story for everything else I attempt. It is almost spring and I can't wait! Then I will want to spend all my free time sitting outside, getting some much needed fresh air. By this time, I had planned to have numerous scrapbook projects completed; that has not happened. I am still working on the finishing touches to Matt's album (yes, the unfinished Christmas gift I gave my son). I must defend myself - the album is together, all the pictures are on the pages. I just have to add names and dates to a few pages yet, and maybe an embellishment or sticker here and there. My scrapping addiction is still as strong as ever, there are just way too many other things that take my attention and time away, as well as not enough 'weekend' time! I have only taken one vacation day so far this year, and used that day to catch up on laundry. I feel like there is nothing more to my life than work, work, run and do stuff for others, worry, work, worry... Too much to worry about, not enough rest; its all about everyone else's problems and needs. This is not a complaint, it is the truth... I have faced it.

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Today is dad's birthday. We celebrated as a family yesterday for him and Frank (14), with a great St. Patrick's Day theme. It was so much fun. I love having all the kids around together, even though the noise can be a bit much and the preparation then clean up seem worse each time. It reminds me of my childhood. We had so much fun with our cousins, and even though we lived hours apart, we were very close growing up. Those are some of my absolute best memories and I want my son and his cousins to have those wonderful memories too. And, of course we all take lots of pictures now, and all the kids love to ham it up for the camera.

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So, as I sit here and watch Jaws, I am downloading last night's pictures and chuckle to myself.

Family, you gotta love em...