It was a crazy busy weekend...

Friday night, I worked on Thank You cards that I desperately need to send out ASAP. I'm trying to finish those up today.

Saturday was our office picnic - indoors. All week the forecast had been calling for beautiful weather for both Saturday and Sunday. So, of course, it rained all day Saturday. Luckily, we all fit cozily in the house. Thanks, Mike & Kathy! I had a great time! =)

Sunday was Casi's surprise birthday party. I cannot believe that my "little pickle" is 10 years old! Honestly, where has the time gone? I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. I feel so blessed to have been a part of bringing her into the world. I was thinking about that yesterday, and I'll admit that I got a little choked up. I'm so proud of her and the young lady that she is becoming.

Last night was TV night. If you know me well, you know that I was glued to my beautiful TV from 9 - 9:45. (Why was last night's episode nearly 10 minutes shorter than normal?!) I also watch Lifetime's lineup. I love Drop Dead Diva and Army Wives!

This morning, I had another appointment with Dr. Bond. When I was 8, I had a bicycle accident and chipped 2 of my front teeth. They have been bonded ever since. Well, at last Thursday's check-up, he discovered that the bonding on the back of my front tooth had separated and the tooth was starting to show signs of decay. (blech!) SO...I have to either have it capped/crowned or have a porcelain veneer put on it. I'm thinking that the veneer sounds cheaper and less invasive. That's my vote. They did some of the prep work today and did an x-ray - mandated by my insurance company. (Like I would voluntarily have this done!) So, I get to go back on Wednesday to have the rest of the prep work done and find out which route we're going to take. A great start for the week. :P

totally random

For all of my wonderful Twilight friends, here is a link to the newest New Moon trailer. Enjoy! ;)

I've been busy planning, designing, prepping, and teaching classes at PIT and working on layouts for the store, as well as getting things around for last weekend's scrapbook-themed garage sale.

This summer has been crazy - driving to Berne nearly every other weekend since mid-May for our high school choir reunion and concert. Still have to send out "Thank Yous," but then I'm finally finished with that project.

Took a knitting class - then took a Xanax. That's all I'll say about that. Probably going to stick with the Knifty Knitter for a little while more.

Two of my friends from work are leaving. KMM's last day is this friday, and CXW's last day is next friday. I'm very happy for both of them, but sad for me. :(

Labor Day weekend is going to be "Etsy project time." Planning lots of crafty projects to load on the site as well as the rest of my hats. I've also decided that I'm going to start making an extra kit from each of my classes and add that to my sight, too. Stay tuned for more info...

new pics of little "e"

I took E's 4 month pictures last week. She was having a cranky day, but she was a real trooper. Cris & Bryce, here are a few peeks. I hope you like them. =)

I played with my photo editing software on this one. The original was really over-exposed. I kinda like the funky look I ended up with.

The tutu is kind of taking over in this one...

Still so serious...and cutting teeth?

Boy, that tutu must be yummy!

Finally, a smile! Thanks Bryce - you're hired! ;)

TGIF!

I don't know why, but I just couldn't find my groove the first part of the week. Finally started to find my mojo on Wednesday. So, of course, I got sick and had to leave work yesterday. Murphy's Law and all that. Today, I am feeling much better and am in "the zone" - finally! I have to do all my prep tonight for tomorrow morning's class, but I hope to still make it a relatively early night. We'll see. ;)

just some randomness...

I thought that I would post some random thoughts & ideas and facts about myself. (Yeah, it's a slow news day! ;)


Random Thoughts:

* Common courtesy and common sense don't seem to be all that common anymore.

* It is cheaper to buy "junk" or unhealthy food than it is to buy fresh produce. And we wonder why, as a society, we are so incredibly unhealthy. (Myself included.)

* We should always live in the "now" and plan for tomorrow. We can't change yesterday.

* It takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown. =)

* Friends are the family you choose for yourself.


Random facts about Me:

* I tend to scowl when I'm concentrating and/or deep in thought -- something that I'm constantly working on.

* I have had 14 different addresses in the last 18 years. No joke. Just ask my parents.

* I have always wanted to be a professional photographer but thought that I would be able to make a better living as a social worker. (Insert hysterical laugh here.)

* I have performed at Carnegie Hall twice.

* I love to travel. Okay, most of you probably already knew that. My dream job would be to travel the world taking pictures and experiencing each country's unique culture. I would love to be Samantha Brown.

Last, but certainly not least,

* I can tie a knot in a cherry stem with my tongue. ;)

It's gonna get real crazy, real fast...

(written 6/25/09) Right now, I'm trying to enjoy the "normalcy" of my relatively simple life, because I'm afraid that it's not going to stay that way for long. Next month, a mere 4 weeks away, is the South Adams High School A Cappella Alumni Choir Reunion and Concert. Aaron Kaehr and Rochelle (Sprunger) Criss, and I are the planning committee for this event. They are a real joy to work with. It's hitting crunch time, and, to be honest, we're starting to get a little concerned. As of yesterday, we've only had 6 registration forms returned, and that included Aaron's. I'm trying really hard to not completely freak out. So, if you are a member of our Facebook page, don't be surprised if you start to receive reminder e-mails. In order to save my sanity (and Aaron and Rochelle's), I implimented a deadline of Friday, July 10th for all registrations. I might allow myself a minute to freak out after the 10th. Maybe. We also have someone who has graciously volunteered to seek out some corporate sponsorship to help cover the expenses of the event. Thanks, "M!" So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed and praying that I have a mailbox full of registration forms when I get home tonight. Wouldn't that be nice? =)

my first food review...Asian potstickers

As most of you know, I don't cook. Well, at least not very often. Now, that's not to say that I can't cook. I can. I just choose not to. There's just something about eating the same meal twice a day for a week... One of the pitfalls of being single and living alone: What do you do with all the extra food? So, I live on frozen dinners, canned soup, and take-out. It's just easier. Okay, so there's a little background. (Just in case you didn't already know. ;)



As someone whose diet consists primarily of frozen dinners, I discovered last week that both Healthy Choice and Lean Cuisine have Asian-style potstickers. So, I decided to conduct my own little taste test and food review. And, here you go:


Overall, the Lean Cuisine meal has fewer calories, carbs, and Weight Watchers points. However, it also recommends that you cook it at 50% power for 8.5-9 minutes, which is quite a while when you are in a crunch for time. (BTW, you can cook it at full for 4 minutes, and it turns out just fine.) The Healthy Choice meal needs about 4 minutes on high. The Healthy Choice meal has twice the dietary fiber - and a lot more flavor. And, it only takes 4 minutes in the microwave at full-power. The Lean Cuisine meal, though good, was rather bland compared to the wonderful, ginger zing of the Healthy Choice meal. I would give the Lean Cuisine meal 3.5 out of 5 stars and the Healthy Choice meal 4.5 out of 5 stars.