Christmas Greetings!

I know, I know...long time no see! I will blame it on being busy...

Pictures and updates to come soon!

Merry Christmas!

"Lord Willing and the Creek Don't Rise..."

We are fine! However, Columbus, as a world-class, architectural mecca of the midwest, is suffering.

• Columbus Regional Hospital has been closed - thousands of gallons of river water from Hawcreek flooded the hospital basement and first floor. Critical patients were lifelined to other hospitals in the region. The hospital is closed until further notice - as you can imagine they have already begun the clean-up process. I know it will be long and hard.
• The Historic Downtown area (residential) - you can drive down Washington Street and every historic home is without power - has nearly every single home furnishing item sitting on their front lawn/near the curb for "heavy trash" pick-up. So sad!
• Our home is safe - we live in the country high atop a hill - the water would have to get really high to reach us, however, we were water locked for nearly three days as our home is surrounded by two rivers and one very large creek. We had to wait for the water to receed in order to get out to the major highway.
• FEMA, The Red Cross and many other organizations have set up camp in Columbus to help flood victims - I hope and pray that it happens quickly so that people can return to "normal."

Visit: http://hneolive.therepublic.com/sites/flood/ss_aer1/index.html to view a slideshow from The Republic.

Flowers, flowers, and more flowers...

I love these colorful paper flowers - I remember begging for one each time we visited a touristy type place when I was a child. Now, I just make them as needed. The are beautiful and cheap decorations for just about anything: Bridal showers/luncheons, baby showers, dinner parties, etc.

Visit: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11108 for complete instructions and a quick video.






CRAFT MATERIALS:
For each flower, you'll need:
6 large sheets of tissue paper in different colors
1 pipe cleaner
Scissors
Two 6-foot lengths of green crepe paper
One 4-foot bamboo garden stake
Tape
Time needed: Under 1 Hour

1. For each flower, stack 6 different-colored sheets of tissue paper, then fold the stack accordion style the long way.
2. Twist a pipe cleaner around the center.
3. Round both ends of the stack with scissors.
4. Open the flower by gently pulling up 1 layer of tissue paper at a time toward the center.
5. Turn over the flower and use the pipe cleaner ends to attach two 6-foot strips of crepe paper streamers to the bottom of the flower.
6. Now take those same ends and wrap them around one end of a bamboo garden stake. Tape them in place to secure.

I see why these types of posts are so popular...

A few bullet points as to what's going on in my corner of the world...

• Bill's (my husbands) Father, Carl passed away a month ago. It was an extremely hard time for Bill's family (5 brothers and sisters). Their Father had been ill (bronchitis and the flu), but nothing life threatening. He was in and out of the Doctors office but never admitted to the hospital. He called our home at 2:30 a.m. and he was rushed to the ER - never to leave. He had pneumonia - undiagnosed the previous three times to his Primary Physician. He ended up on a ventilator and went to be with Jesus while sleeping.

On a lighter note:

• I am working on our Nephew Matthew's wedding. He and his young bride are planning to marry on July 26, 008. They have asked that I arrange the flowers, drape the pews, bake the wedding cake, and help with the food for the reception. Whew! How do I get myself into these situations???
• We camped for a week and a half after the funeral - just to relax. We stayed about 20 miles from home and just went to work from there. It was nice!
• We have ridden our motorcycles everywhere this Spring! We recently rode about 200 miles through southcentral Indiana with a group of friends. What a time! I love to ride my motorcycle and hopefully I will think to take some pictures of us on them soon!
• We are working at home to get our pool ready to swim. The weather has really been on and off so the water temperature is still pretty chilly.

More later...

Can You Find I Love You!

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Memorial Day - Many Thanks!

Thank you Michael for your service to our Country. For fighting the good fight. Thank you for sacrificing yourself for us. God speed!

I mentioned some time ago that my Nephew, Michael would be leaving for Iraq...he did and has been gone "way too long" for me. I have been in contact with his wife and children on numerous occasions and have even had a few chances to speak with him on the telephone (its hard for me to talk to him without crying - the instant I hear his voice - on come the water works).

Rachel, Michael's wife shared this picture with me after Michael left. It's their son Brendson. I tear up just looking at it. Brendson actually told his cousin the other day - "your Dad works in an office? My Dad is a hero - he's in Iraq fighting the war!" (how can you be mad at that!?)

I spoke with Rachel last evening and she shared that Michael should be home by Christmas. Please pray with me for Michael's safe homecoming to his beautiful family!

For my love of all things wedding related (thanks Kathryn)...

THE PERFECT DRESS
Jennifer's wedding day was fast approaching. Nothing coulddampen her excitement -- not even her parents' nasty divorce. Hermother had found the PERFECT dress to wear and would be the bestdressed mother-of-the-bride ever! A week later, Jennifer was horrifiedtolearn that her father's new young wife had bought the exact same dress as her mother! Jennifer asked her step mom to exchange it, butshe refused. "Absolutely not. I look like a million bucks inthis dress, and I'm wearing it," she replied. Jennifer told hermother who graciously said, "Never mind sweetheart. I'll get anotherdress.After all, it's your special day." A few days later, they went shopping and did find another gorgeous dress. When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, "Aren't you going toreturn the other dress? You really don't have another occasion whereyou could wear it." Her mother just smiled and replied, "Of course I do, dear. I'm wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding."

I received this from my Nephew who is preparing to leave for Iraq; I figured if he can do something that Noble - this is the least I can do...

This is interesting... Place an X by all the things you've done, or remove the X from the ones you have not, and send it to your friends (including me). This is for your entire life! Copy into a new email.


(X ) Smoked a cigarette.
(X) Drank so much you threw up.
(X ) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) Been arrested
( X ) Gone on a blind date
( X ) Skipped school (summer school only!)
( X ) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Europe
( ) Been to Asia
(X ) Been to Mexico
(X ) Been to Florida
(X ) Been on a plane
( ) Been lost
(X ) Been on the opposite side of the country
( ) Gone to Washington, D.C.
(X ) Swam in the ocean
(X ) Cried yourself to sleep
(X ) Played cop s and robbers ---(or cowboys and Indians!!?)
(X ) Recently colored with crayons.
(X) Sang karaoke
( ) Paid for a meal with only coins
( ) Ate the same thing for a week to save money.
( ) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
(X ) Made prank phone calls
( X ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
( X ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue and made snow angels
(X ) Danced in the rain.
( X ) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( X ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( X ) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about
( X ) Blown bubbles
( ) Made a bonfire on the beach?
( ) Crashed a party
( X ) Gone ice-skating
( X ) Been skinny dipping)
( ) Gone to the movies, paid for one ticket, and then snuck into another theater to see a different feature afterwards.

1. Any nickname? Missy, Sissy, Siss, Baby
2. Mother's name? Momma - Jane
3. Favorite drink? Diet Coke and/or Key Lime Flavored Water
4. Tattoos? No way...
5. Body piercing? Not for me...
6. How much do you love your job? I love my job (been a Recrutier for nearly 20 years now), just a little frustrated at the moment....
7. Birthplace? Columbus, IN
8. Favorite vacation spot? St. Petersburg Beach, Florida...I LOVED
9. Ever been to Africa? NO
10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Yes
11. Ever steal any traffic signs? Yes - you know the flashing caution ones they sit out on the street...ask me about it - its a great story!
12. Ever been in a car accident? Yes
13. Drive a 2-door or a 4-door vehicle: 4-Door (actually 5 if you count the back lift gate)
14. Favorite dressing: Hidden Valley Ranch
15. Favorite pie? Pumpkin
16. Favorite number? 1
17. Favorite movie? Steel Magnolias - The Wedding Planner - The Wedding Date (see a trend here?)
18. Favorite holiday? Christmas
19. Favorite Dessert? I would rather have comfort food - homemade mac-n-cheese; etc.
20. Favorite food? Italian Food - current love is Bowtie Pasta from Johnny Carino's
21. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
22. Favorite brand of body wash? Victoria's Secret - Love Spell
23. Favorite toothpaste? Aim
24. Favorite smell? Polo Cologne on my husband
25. What do you do to relax? Make jewelry - flower arranging - crafts - sometimes I read.
26. Do you have a message to your friends reading this? Love ya!
27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? 10 years older!
28. Furthest place you will send this message? Georgia
29. Who will respond to this the fastest? whomever has 10 minutes to blow...
30. Who is the least likely to respond? Michael - he sent it to me - durn ya!

*!@$%&* - I've Been Tagged....

4 Jobs I’ve had:

1. Drive Thru at McDonalds (4 years during high school – LOVED IT!)
2. Administrative Assistant with the March of Dimes – Senior year of high school – went to school ½ day and worked ½ of day.
3. Set-up and opened Wal-Mart store in my hometown right after returning from College. The store opened just before Halloween and I made the decision I was leaving there BEFORE Christmas! ME NO DUMMY!
4. Recruiter – 18 years! Man, time flies when you are having fun!

4 movies I watch over and over:

1. Steel Magnolias
2. The Wedding Date
3. The Wedding Planner
4. Pretty Woman (do you think I am a true Romantic?)

4 Places I’ve lived:

1. Columbus, IN (hometown)
2. 2. Vincennes, IN (college)
3. Edinburgh, IN (right after I was married)
4. Columbus, IN (lived here 34 of my 37 years)

4 Shows I watch:

1. 1. House
2. Project Runway
3. American Idol
4. Anything wedding related on TLC – HGTV – WE, etc.

4 places I’ve been:

1. San Francisco, California – loved it!
2. New Orleans, Louisiana – for my honeymoon in 1996 – loved it!
3. Mexico – Yucatan Peninsula – during my Sophomore year of high school (1986) – with 30 other students for 10 days – loved it!
4. New York City, New York – with my loving husband a couple of years ago – loved it!

4 people who e-mail me regularly:

1. My best friend, Nicole
2. My partner at work, Steve
3. A dear friend, Beth (too many friends to list…)
4. FlyLady

4 favorite things to eat:

1. Mexican Food – NOT spicy!
2. Bow Tie Pasta Festival from Johnny Carino’s
3. Homemade macaroni and cheese – TRUE COMFORT FOOD!
4. Pork Egg Fu Yung
   

4 places I'd rather be:

1. Riding my motorcycle in the sunshine! (its gloomy and raining today!)
2. The Caribbean (on a cruise with my honey!)
3. Aruba
4. At home in front of the fireplace snuggled up with an excellent book.

4 things I look forward to this year:

1. Sorority Convention – April
2. RV Vacation – July
3. Motorcycle Vacation to South Carolina - August
4. Family Wedding (Leah) – hopefully in the Fall

A few of my favorite things...

I like for my home to smell good/warm/inviting - food is a great way to invite people in, but candles can set the mood too. Bill gave ma a beautiful WoodWick candle for our 11th Anniversary (along with beautiful red roses) - the flavor is Noel. Its a burgundy/red candle and smells like heaven.

The elegant new WoodWick™ candle features a natural wick made from organic wood & combines the soothing sound of a crackling fire with premium fragrances for the ultimate candle-burning experience! Each highly scented WoodWick™ candle includes a finely crafted wood lid. Available in 2 sizes: 22 oz. and 11.5 oz http://www.woodwick.com/

I like to smell good too. My "signature scent" is Victorias Secret's Love Spell. I use the entire Love Spell line - body wash, salt scrub, body butter, body spray, etc. I can't tell you how many times someone has asked me "What cologne are you wearing?"

I love to wear an apron while working on dinner/dishes, etc. after work. It prevents me from getting bleach on my clothes while doing dishes and working in the kitchen. (Insight: My parents owned a restaurant for nearly 30 years of my 37 years - we ALWAYS add bleach to our dish water.) Any who...why not look good while you are working?

Domestic Darlings is a home-based kitchen and fashion design and production company. We manufacture and sell our own designs of women's aprons, matching girls' aprons, and accessories, designed to help you get everything done around the house in style. www.domesticdarlings.com

Sorority Sista...

Yes, if you know me, you know that I am a Sorority Sista of Kappa Kappa Sigma. In Indiana we have a statewide convention each year in the Spring. This year, my Chapter, Theta, is the hostess chapter. We have been planning this convention for five years - YES, five years! We had a planning meeting last night and I left there very frustrated. Frustrated because for five years we have talked about the same details over, and over, and over again.

This is my blog, so I can vent - right?

Ok, this convention has been broken down into 20 or so sub-committees. We have spent way too much time "fiddeling" with committees who's Chairperson doesn't bother to show up and then sit around and analyze (read O-V-E-R-A-N-A-L-Y-Z-E!) and plan - ONLY to have the committee/chairperson finally kick in and do something totally different. Can you hear the frustration?

I want this convention to be GREAT! I want this convention to be FUN! My rear end is on the line for the decorations (HUGE!) and the arrangements with the Hotel - Holiday Inn Conference Center. Both committees that I chair directly affects all of the other committees.

Any suggestions on working these last few months with people whom I have learned to loathe? And the bigger question is: How do these people keep jobs if they are not able to multi-task and "get the job done?"

My secret indulgence...

I must admit that I love to make "homemade" greeting cards - its my secret indulgence...digital scrapbooking, MS Publisher, MS Word, PrintMaster, PC Hug Club (http://www.pccrafter.com/index.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1) = my favorite place to get clipart, digital scrapbooking stuff, etc. Check out their website - you'll love it too!

I love to make the cards reflect the recipients interests, hobbies, sports, etc. My family has come to expect homemade cards and if I "slip" - they always ask: "Where's my homemade card?" Your can purchase the "cropper hopper" here: http://store.scrapbook.com/ch-ch92453.html

I love the above photo of the card organizer - complete with a calendar to remind you of birthdays, anniversaries, etc. My only problem with the organizer is where in the world would I put it?

Care to share your secret indulgence with me? If so, leave a comment.

Have a blessed day!

Happy New Year!

Yeh, well....it only took me a week to post a "Happy New Year" post! Give me a break!!!!!!!

Here's to a new year filled with all your hopes and dreams!

• My Christmas was spent with a intestinal/viral infection. YUCK! I missed Christmas Eve dinner with my entire family AND Christmas Day was spent under the covers sleeping and running to the restroom. Did I say YUCK! I was so dissapointed as my entire family was home this year (from California, Florida, Alabama, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana) and I had to stay home so not to infect anyone else with the terrible infection. The only silver lining was my hubby - he at one point said: "I would do anything for me to be sick and you to be well - I know how much Christmas means to you. I am sorry, baby!" Awww - he received the "Husband of the Year" Award! I love you, baby!
• We are having CRAZY weather here in Indiana - yesterday we broke a 101 year old record by reaching 65 degrees! Wow - normal temps are cold, blustery, snowy, sleet, icey roads, 15-33 degrees. I didnt even wear a coat yesterday. Today when I left for work it was 61 degrees, but we are expecting lots of rain today.
• New Year Resolutions - I havent officially made a New Year Resolution, but unofficially, its to lose weight. If you know me - my weight is a struggle - has been since childhood. Here's to more exercise - healthier eating - and more time outdoors.

Thanks for reading along, post a comment when you are done - just so I know who's here.