Home Sweet Home!

Warning, this is a really LONG post! :)

Finally home again! It's been a whirlwind week (really two) of CHA Chicago, camping with family, and visiting with my parents in Houston! We're finally getting back in to the swing of things again around here.

I left for CHA (the Craft and Hobby Association Convention) on Thursday, July 19th. Robbie's birthday was that Friday so we celebrated on Wednesday. Robbie has had his birthday well planned out since Rowling released the date of the last Harry Potter Book - so his plan was to race up at midnight (Sat morning) and spend the entire day reading... In a last minute stroke of inspiration I decided to make him a "Potter Reading Fest Survival Kit".....and as in with anything last minute, you can't locate *anything* you're looking for! So despite running around looking for cute Harry Potter themed gifts...I finally decide I have to get really creative and just make it myself! (Mind you this is in the middle of packing and preparing for the conference!)

So, I run through Wal-Mart grab some Jelly beans - the knock offs of Jelly Belly's that have a ton of different flavors inside - and turn those into Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans - except in my rush to do them I couldn't remember the name and didn't have time to look it up...so they became "Burt's" Every Flavor Beans...a big "Hagrid Sized" bag. The sad thing is I KNOW Jelly Belly makes a Bertie Bott's package around Harry Potter promotion time...but I couldn't find them anywhere!! NOW I'm seeing them everywhere...ugh! I also grabbed a bag of Twizzlers to turn into Licorice Wands.

I had already purchased a couple of CDs a friend suggested for Robbie - and labeled those "Muggle Music, Under Investigation of Muggle Artifacts Dept".

And to finish it all off, I made a withdrawal of 20 Galleons (which I of course misspelled) so that he could buy his book.

I threw together the digital part of the product in literally 15 min or so, frantically trying to print and put it together before he walked through the door. (Again - that's my excuse for the misspelled info) It turned out cute none the less. He even asked where I bought the packaging, he thought it looked professional! Silly boy! :)


Here is a quick picture of the final product plus the Pizzazz paper pack (which was in my grab bag, very fun with a bit of sparkle) that I used to put it all together!

On Thursday it was off to Chicago! I was preparing Abigale for the fact that I was leaving and our conversation was priceless....it went a little something like this...

Me: I'm going to leave on an airplane in just a little bit and you get to go see Grammy and Pappaw, doesn't that sound like fun

A: Mama Airplane?? (She has this way of raising her voice really high as she asks short questions to clarify.

Me: Yes, I'm getting on an airplane. :) But YOU get to go see Grammy and Pappaw!!!

A: I go see Grammy, Pappaw?? At Pappaw's house?

Me: Yup!

A: Thinks on this for a minute....Mama go on airplane.... Daddy and Abigale ride helicopter!!!

Me: Ummmm you're going to have to take that one up with Daddy!

Luckily I was able to walk away from the car without tears, I think the fact that the airport scares me a bit (all the rules and directions and people watching you) had me distracted. :)

We made it there safely and had the BEST Chicago Deep Dish Pizza for dinner, YUM!

CHA was great, a whirlwind of activity - complete overstimulation while totally inspiring all at the same time! I had the best roomies, Ashley, Tanya, and Christine! We were able to meet up with Yvonne, she was so busy though! But really, here is the story I've just been waiting to blog about.... :)

Ashley and Yvonne both took part in a discussion over digital in traditional scrapbooking stores. Before the session started we sat in a waiting area right outside of the women's bathroom. Someone walks past us and I do one of those double takes...the "I know that person feeling"...when I spot Genevieve Gorder of Trading Spaces. I definitely do not know her, but I know her face!! :) Everyone was so busy preparing that I just didn't say anything and figured I would mention it later. The discussion went well and afterwards we were standing outside discussing this and that when she walked by again. (She was a key note speaker for the conference and had some kind of seminar later that evening.) This time I asked Ashley if she saw her and before I even finished Ashley spins on her heels tells me to grab my camera and makes a dash to the bathroom door....

Ashley: Grab your camera Amanda! (runs to the door)

Amanda: You are NOT following her into the bathroom!!!

Ashley: Uh, yeah I am! I've done it to Marie Osmond and I'll do it to her too!

Amanda: *I'm* not following you in there goof. (I don't remember if I actually called her a goof, but in retrospect I think I should have!

Ashley: Fine, them I'm waiting right here. (Plants herself right in the entrance so that she won't be able to avoid her)

Genevieve walks out of the bathroom.

Ashley: Can I get a picture with you? :)

Genevieve was so extremely nice. She laughs, says she's just washed her hands and offers to shake Ashley's hand. She asked us about the conference and was just a really all around sweet person - if she was bothered about the bathroom ambush she didn't show it. :)

Yvonne and I both jumped in for a photo too - I mean really Ashley had already started it! ;)

Is she tall or what?

While in Chicago we did some tourist fun things as well. We took the Gangster Tour of downtown, did a little bit of walking through downtown, and spent the evening at Navy pier. Which I have assured my husband was not full of sailors...but he doesn't seem to believe me! :)

Here are a few fun photos:

Did I mention that one of my contacts ripped on the first day? My very last pair at that - so I spent most of the trip feeling like I had just gotten up from a nap!

Lots of fun in Chicago! I returned to jump in the car and drive out to Pedernales Falls for some camping with my parents, aunt and uncle (and some of their family). I felt like a zombie! We did a safari farm wagon ride, toured some caverns outside of San Antonio, toured several LBJ & Lady Bird related museums/home places, visited a working historical farm (set in the 1910's I believe), and walked downtown Fredricksburg. I took pictures of some of those things...but I think I'll have to update on all of that another time! It was definitely an educational camping trip.... lol :)

I wrapped up the week at my parents and ended up home at last on Sunday evening. We spent much of yesterday around the house and catching up on some errands. Abigale was able to spend some time in her play pool and I caught a few cute photos - just haven't downloaded them yet!

Today we spent had a steamy visit to the zoo. I feel like I have to get in at least one trip a month - and the month is over as of today!

I've made some resolutions over the past week that maybe I'll share tomorrow - I really would like to put something into place before I begin babbling about all of my new found goals! Have a great day and if you read through all this I hope you at least enjoyed it! :)

Big Update!

So much has been going on that I've neglected dear old blog again! :) In fact so much that I don't even know where to start!

First, my favorite news, Abigale has a new cousin!! :) A sweet little girl was born to Robbie's cousin on Saturday. She's adorable and already quite a talker!!! We have been able to see her a couple of times and I smelled like baby all yesterday evening. Can't wait to hold her again! :) It will be nice for Abigale to have another child in the family to grow up with!

Second, my disturbing and annoyed news! On Saturday we made plans to meet a good friend and his twins for dinner at McDonald's. Some place where we could talk but yet the girls could play and be loud without annoying anyone. So, I leave the house right on time, walk out and start the car so it can start cooling off. At this point Abigale is standing right beside me. I look over and see that Mr Mailman has delivered the mail and once again left our mailbox wide open. (This is a daily annoyance with me, especially with all the RAIN we've had!!!) So I tell Abigale to stay there and I walk the 10 feet over to the mailbox. Abigale stayed right by the open door exactly where I told her to. I picked her up to put her in her car seat, closed the passenger side door, go to open the back door when I realize it's locked. Yup, while I got the mail my daughter was discovering the joys of automatic locks in all their glory. Ugh! At that point I had one of those moments where you know deep down that all the doors are locked, but you try them anyway, including the hatch. Did I mention that my house key was on the same keyring? Yup, that's right, we're locked out of the house too.

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So are you following me so far? Car running, doors locked, Abigale (thankfully) safe with me locked out of EVERYTHING!

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Some how by the GRACE of God, I had put my cell phone in my pocket. Anyone who knows me knows what a miracle this is - it's usually so far buried in a bag or purse that I can't find it before it stops ringing! I called Robbie, and of course he was delayed on a call and was just leaving downtown. So he's about 45 minutes away. Luckily Dave, our friend, was able to head from the McDonald's out to the house, which was still a good 25 min away. This of course happened the same weekend that our good friends with our spare house key were out of town.

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To make matters worse, the rain we've been having provided a super natural breeding ground for Mosquitoes - I was slapping of 4 or 5 at a time. My legs look like maybe I've caught some kind of pox related condition.

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But, we're safe and happy now and I have definitely learned my lesson.

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This morning I awoke to a different light coming through the window. We have a peach tree right beside the window and there was lots of extra light coming in. I peaked out the window and quickly found the problem. One of the branches was so completely weighed down by peaches that it snapped under the weight. I can't believe how many peaches we have this year!!! I guess that's one good thing about the rain that I can't complain about! Abigale helped us pick a big basket full, and there are still a ton left on the tree that need a little more time to ripen!

Lots of other little things going on in our daily life...I'll have to post more as they come to me. :)

Ok, one last thing...there are 2 days left for the Potato Sacks over at PDP!!! Mine is loaded with $10 worth of stuff for only $2!!!! If you're a little worried about buying, everything will be put in the store for FULL price after the sale! But I promise, it's a STEAL for only $2!!!

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In fact, here's a little sneak peek!

That's all I have to report for now!!!! Have a great day!

Word is out on the street...

that I have a soft spot for stray kitties. sigh. Yes, another one has appeared on our front porch..I think that makes 3 kitties in less than a year. Before anyone gets in a panic I did not let it in - BUT I can't help but leave it some food. It is literally skin and bones, poor thing. I really don't think it could be older than a year. I am a little worried that one day when my child is grown and my hair is grey that I'll be known as the crazy cat lady... :)

Abigale fixed my hair today...or maybe I should say decorated my pony tail. I have three plastic Hello Kitty hair thingies here and there on my head. She says I'm pretty - I'm just going to take her word for it. :)

My goals for today are to get at least 2 loads of laundry washed, folded, and put away, toys cleaned up in the living room, and to work on part 2 of my Potato Sack surprise! I'm hoping putting my to do list her on the blog will provide some kind of accountability to get it done! :)

We are also planning a little Ice Cream stop with Robbie's Aunt and Uncle are in town - should be fun!

Have a great day!

Camo Camper!!!

Just a quick post! My newest kit, Camo Camper is up at PDP!!!

This is such a fun, and a bit grungy, kit! I really love how it all came together so I hope you'll check it out! :) It's on SALE today for 30% off!!!

There are also a ton of other fun nature stuff on sale! Be sure to check those out too!!!

Check out these two fantastic freebies over at Polkadotpotato!!!

My freebie (on the left) includes 12x12 AND 12x24 Lady Liberty papers PLUS a 2pager template ready and waiting for your 4th of July photos!!

Plus you can catch these fun 4th items at 40% off!!!!!!!

You can also grab everything else in the store at 20% off!!!!!!

Have a great 4th!!!!!

SOS!

I'm starting to have fears that Abigale and I may be sitting on our roof awaiting a rescue! The rain has entered flash flood status. It hit hard and fast, and then is gone about as quickly as it came! (pictures to come...scroll down!)

Saturday it rained out our friends annual July 4th party. We still had the BBQ but the fireworks were cancelled.

Sunday - our mad dash across the metroplex was delayed due to rain. It flooded our street and Robbie and the neighbor had to actually push a car that's engine flooded up the street and out of the way. But, as soon as the rain let up... the extra water drained off.

Speaking of Sunday.... we had a baby dedication for Stephen w/lunch following at church, celebrated Robbie's grandmother's 90th birthday, AND made it across town to celebrate Isabelle's 2nd birthday. All with only a 20 min nap for Abigale - it was amazing that she made it through the day without a melt down!!!

Monday we rested up! I found the *cutest* thing ever at Walmart. Abigale *loves* cars (and trains...and airplanes...and helicopters - really any kind of transportation) and immediately started asking for one. She doesn't do this everywhere we go, but I think she's discovered that I generally have a weakness for anything under a $1 and usually give in at Walmart.

Anyway - so we're browsing through the toy department when I find the perfect toy for Abigale. Sure she can have a hot wheel.......OR she can have these really cute girly Polly Pocket "Wheels"! :)

Ok, I know, I think her mama is way more excited about it than she is...but they really are adorable. There are lots of different styles and they come with a cute little Polly person that rides in the car. They are a little taller than a hot wheel - but otherwise about the same size. Abigale is really good about not putting things in her mouth - so even though it says 4 plus, I think she'll be completely ok. They were $3 each....so not as cheap as a hot wheel, but not budget breaking either. (ETA - when I was looking around for a photo I found them for anywhere from $3.50 to $5 - so looks like Walmart has a good deal!) I'm looking forward to collecting them with her ;) :)

Ok, back on track here. Monday night we had dinner with our friend Kara and Scott (and their son Travis too!) They're moving to Arizona soon - so I'm trying not to think about that. We had a great time and will miss them SO MUCH!

Then... there is today, which rounds us right around to the rain again. The street flooded AGAIN and I caught some more photos....crazy I tell you! Our house is elevated from the street so, this is even deeper than it appears. I'm hoping I don't log in tomorrow to tell you we are actually floating down the street!