Friday, July 31st, 2009
I have been a really bad blogger this week, but I promise to get back on the stick. Plus, Five on Friday's are a great way for me to recap my week and get caught up on the things I haven't had time to post about. So without further ado…
1.) My Dream that never ends layout won this digital weekly challenge. Looks like I have some shopping to do… you can check out the announcement here if you're interested.
2.) Bones and Pburg. Yes, my obsession with Bones continues. Not only is it an awesome show, but this week they even gave a shout out to little old Parkersburg. Seriously! They were trying to identify a body, and they had determined the man was from Tennessee, Kentucky, or West Virginia. They did some lab work and found that the body had high C8 levels. I thought to myself, "huh, I have high c8 levels…" Then one of them said that C8 is found Teflon, and the other one said, "There's a Teflon plant in Parkersburg, WV." I was pretty excited. I half expected them to cut to a scene where Booth was interviewing my dad at DuPont – that didn't happen, but the whole thing was pretty cool anyways.
3.) Pink Lemonade. This week 2Peas is having a CHA celebration. CHA stands for the Craft and Hobby Association, and twice a year they have a big scrapbooking convention. I've never been, but places like 2Peas and Digital Designers do a lot of fun online activities. One of which was a chat with one of my favorite designers, Carina, who along with Jen Allyson gave away this free Pink Lemonade kit. I'm in the process of making a new layout with it, so check back next week for that.
1.) My Dream that never ends layout won this digital weekly challenge. Looks like I have some shopping to do… you can check out the announcement here if you're interested.
2.) Bones and Pburg. Yes, my obsession with Bones continues. Not only is it an awesome show, but this week they even gave a shout out to little old Parkersburg. Seriously! They were trying to identify a body, and they had determined the man was from Tennessee, Kentucky, or West Virginia. They did some lab work and found that the body had high C8 levels. I thought to myself, "huh, I have high c8 levels…" Then one of them said that C8 is found Teflon, and the other one said, "There's a Teflon plant in Parkersburg, WV." I was pretty excited. I half expected them to cut to a scene where Booth was interviewing my dad at DuPont – that didn't happen, but the whole thing was pretty cool anyways.
3.) Pink Lemonade. This week 2Peas is having a CHA celebration. CHA stands for the Craft and Hobby Association, and twice a year they have a big scrapbooking convention. I've never been, but places like 2Peas and Digital Designers do a lot of fun online activities. One of which was a chat with one of my favorite designers, Carina, who along with Jen Allyson gave away this free Pink Lemonade kit. I'm in the process of making a new layout with it, so check back next week for that.
Sunday, July 26th, 2009
This morning we kind of did a practice run of the half marathon. We ran pretty much the exact course with the exception that we stopped and started in the same place which actually made the run a little bit more than 13 miles. Kyla and I both felt pretty good and were glad we got to see what the course was like and where the hills were. It was actually a pretty good run despite the fact that it decided to start pouring down the rain at mile 11 and we got lost at one point and ran about three blocks too far. So we actually ended up running about 13.5 miles, which makes me feel more than confident in our ability to finish the half at a decent pace.
Friday, July 24th, 2009
The highlights from my week:
1.) Bones. I recently started watching the tv show Bones, and I am now officially hooked. It is funny and interesting, plus it's on like 3 or 4 times during an evening so it is very easy to get sucked into watching episode after episode. If you have never seen it, flipit to TNT any week night, and check it out.
2.) Sweets. This is kind of a continuation of #1 and further episode of my new obsession with Bones. There is a character on the show named "Sweets" who has the coolest job ever! He is a behavioral analyst and basically is just really good at reading people. I now want to become a behavioral psychologist, so if you know of any good books or online programs for how to learn this skill, please pass them along...
3.) Home improvement. We got some things done around the house that we have been meaning to get to for awhile now. Nathan and Bryce painted the back of the house, and Dad stopped by to help me with some things inside.
4.) Faithers. I got to see Faith for a little bit tonight for the first time in a week or so. She is so darn funny these days. Her big thing right now is coloring pictures and huddling under a blanket and telling "secrets". Hopefully I can catch a few pictures of both activities, because they are seriously cute.
5.) Sunflower: a series - Part I. A while back a friend from chuch gave me a small sunflower kit. This week Nathan get everything ready and planted it for me. My plan is to take pictures of it as it grows to get some more practice on manual. I plan to call the pictures... Sunflower: a Series (She said all dramatically)
1.) Bones. I recently started watching the tv show Bones, and I am now officially hooked. It is funny and interesting, plus it's on like 3 or 4 times during an evening so it is very easy to get sucked into watching episode after episode. If you have never seen it, flipit to TNT any week night, and check it out.
2.) Sweets. This is kind of a continuation of #1 and further episode of my new obsession with Bones. There is a character on the show named "Sweets" who has the coolest job ever! He is a behavioral analyst and basically is just really good at reading people. I now want to become a behavioral psychologist, so if you know of any good books or online programs for how to learn this skill, please pass them along...
3.) Home improvement. We got some things done around the house that we have been meaning to get to for awhile now. Nathan and Bryce painted the back of the house, and Dad stopped by to help me with some things inside.
4.) Faithers. I got to see Faith for a little bit tonight for the first time in a week or so. She is so darn funny these days. Her big thing right now is coloring pictures and huddling under a blanket and telling "secrets". Hopefully I can catch a few pictures of both activities, because they are seriously cute.
5.) Sunflower: a series - Part I. A while back a friend from chuch gave me a small sunflower kit. This week Nathan get everything ready and planted it for me. My plan is to take pictures of it as it grows to get some more practice on manual. I plan to call the pictures... Sunflower: a Series (She said all dramatically)
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
Just finished up this layout using Carina's new kit called Petal Patch, which is releasing next Tuesday.
For credits and more info, please check the scrapbooking section.
For credits and more info, please check the scrapbooking section.
Tuesday, July 21st, 2009
This week's digital challenge at 2Peas was to use a scrapbook template or quick page. Audrey has a ton of great templates, so I pulled one from my files and came up with this.
For credits and more info, please check the scrapbooking section.
For credits and more info, please check the scrapbooking section.
Monday, July 20th, 2009
Here's a recent layout that I did about how we all look up to Pap Bill.
For credits and more info, please check the scrapbook section.
For credits and more info, please check the scrapbook section.
Sunday, July 19th, 2009
Tuna Noodle Casserole. This week I tried a Cambell's Soup Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe. It was pretty easy to make, and actually tasted pretty decent. The main problem was that the recipe made a 13x9 pan full of it, and there were only two of us eating it. Tuna noodle cassserole is something you can only eat once or twice, so we ended up throwing a lot of the left-overs away. Although, I did pick some of the leftover tuna out for Milo, so I don't think he minded the excess.
Friday, July 17th, 2009
This week has gone by so fast, I can hardly remember five things about it, but we are going to give it a try anyways.
1.) Postcard. I got a postcard from my pea pal, Jodi, yesterday. She's been at Wrightsville Beach, NC for a week or so (lucky bum!). It was a nice little suprise to have in the mail.
2.) Scarlett. My dad is at a Civil War convention in Amish country this week, selling some of his miniature soldiers. I found out the very first one he sold was a Scarlett O'Hara figure that Heather painted! Sounds like Dad has a very talented, new apprentice.
3.) Monday's run. As hard as Monday's run was, it actually really boosted my confidence for being able to finish the half.
4.) Sleeping in. Kyla and I try to get in at least two good runs during the week. This typically happens on Monday nights, with the River City Runners and on Saturday mornings. This weekend Kyla is going shopping in Pittsburgh, so we did our morning run today instead of tomorrow. Which mean I get to sleep in tomorrow morning! I know in theory I really just traded sleeping in today for sleeping in tomorrow, but at this point today is already behind me, and the sleeping in tomorrow is still something I can look forward to :)
5.) Zac Brown band. Tonight's concert at the WV Interstate Fair was with the Zac Brown Band. We sat in traffic FOREVER trying to get there. Over two hours - seriously! And this was supposed to be the one weekend in July that I wasn't cooped up in the car for hours on end traveling somewhere. The concert was pretty good - not worth waiting in traffic for two hours - but a good time regardless.
1.) Postcard. I got a postcard from my pea pal, Jodi, yesterday. She's been at Wrightsville Beach, NC for a week or so (lucky bum!). It was a nice little suprise to have in the mail.
2.) Scarlett. My dad is at a Civil War convention in Amish country this week, selling some of his miniature soldiers. I found out the very first one he sold was a Scarlett O'Hara figure that Heather painted! Sounds like Dad has a very talented, new apprentice.
3.) Monday's run. As hard as Monday's run was, it actually really boosted my confidence for being able to finish the half.
4.) Sleeping in. Kyla and I try to get in at least two good runs during the week. This typically happens on Monday nights, with the River City Runners and on Saturday mornings. This weekend Kyla is going shopping in Pittsburgh, so we did our morning run today instead of tomorrow. Which mean I get to sleep in tomorrow morning! I know in theory I really just traded sleeping in today for sleeping in tomorrow, but at this point today is already behind me, and the sleeping in tomorrow is still something I can look forward to :)
5.) Zac Brown band. Tonight's concert at the WV Interstate Fair was with the Zac Brown Band. We sat in traffic FOREVER trying to get there. Over two hours - seriously! And this was supposed to be the one weekend in July that I wasn't cooped up in the car for hours on end traveling somewhere. The concert was pretty good - not worth waiting in traffic for two hours - but a good time regardless.
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
Here's my latest scrapbook page using Audrey's Pieces of Me kit that is releasing on Tuesday.
For credits and more info, please check the scrapbooking section.
For credits and more info, please check the scrapbooking section.
Monday, July 13th, 2009
Tonight we ran 12 miles! This was two miles further than I had ever run before, so I was a little nervous about it at the beginning but I actually did pretty well. It was hot and humid and for some reason the last two water stops were missing. The River City Runners normally set up water stops every 2 to 2.5 miles along the course, and they let us know ahead of time where they will be. Well tonight they weren't there - at least not the ones I really needed! It's pretty disheartening when you get in your head that you just have to go a little further and then you know you will get a quick break, and then when you get to that location there is no such stop. Not only are we thirsty, but it almost makes you mentally more exhausted. On the bright side though, I finished it and at a pretty good pace. At this point, I feel pretty good about being able to finish the half and am actually just excited for it to get here.
Saturday, July 11th, 2009
This weekend we went up to Pittsburgh for Chelsie and Joe's engagement party. The party was at Joe's parents' house; they have 16 acres just outside of Pittsburgh on this beautiful piece of property. It was a nice evening, and everyone had a good time. We spent the night at Chelsie and Joe's townhouse. It was so good to see Chels, and it gave me a chance to get to know Joe a little better.
I wanted to get a picture of Chelsie and Joe together, but they were both so busy mingling the whole night that I never managed to get one. Instead I'm sharing one of Chelsie and I and some of the other bridesmaids. (left to right: me, Bree, Chels, and Ashley aka Porto)
I wanted to get a picture of Chelsie and Joe together, but they were both so busy mingling the whole night that I never managed to get one. Instead I'm sharing one of Chelsie and I and some of the other bridesmaids. (left to right: me, Bree, Chels, and Ashley aka Porto)
Friday, July 10th, 2009
I've been doing a good bit of photo editing this week, so for today's Five on Friday, I thought I would share some of my favorite pictures from the last week or so.
1.) Faithers and Uncle Nate. I love this picture! Just two of my favorite people having fun together. Don't they both just look so happy...
1.) Faithers and Uncle Nate. I love this picture! Just two of my favorite people having fun together. Don't they both just look so happy...
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
Here's my latest layout for Faith using Carina's new kit called Sproutlets.
For more info and credits, please check the scrapbooking section.
For more info and credits, please check the scrapbooking section.
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
I’ve actually been planning this layout for awhile. I did the journaling months ago, but then never got around to making the layout. When I saw Carina's new photomasks I knew they would be perfect with this layout. Just in case you can’t read it, the journaling says:
"I am currently working as an Oracle DBA dealing with the outsourcing of my branch • I absolutely adore being an aunt, but I'm not quite ready to be a mom • I make a lot of plans and say a lot of things that end with the phrase "maybe in the next house" • I watch the news now and I actually really cared about the election for the first time • We only own one car, and I drive a total of about 10 miles a month • I feel like there are never enough hours in the day • I'm lovin' my life at 25."
I’m thinking I might try to do a layout like this each year, just to see what has changed, what is the same, and what’s going on in my life at the time.
For more information and credits, please check the scrapbooking section.
"I am currently working as an Oracle DBA dealing with the outsourcing of my branch • I absolutely adore being an aunt, but I'm not quite ready to be a mom • I make a lot of plans and say a lot of things that end with the phrase "maybe in the next house" • I watch the news now and I actually really cared about the election for the first time • We only own one car, and I drive a total of about 10 miles a month • I feel like there are never enough hours in the day • I'm lovin' my life at 25."
I’m thinking I might try to do a layout like this each year, just to see what has changed, what is the same, and what’s going on in my life at the time.
For more information and credits, please check the scrapbooking section.
Monday, July 6th, 2009
Audrey just came out with this new collab kit called Down by the Bay for us to work with this week. The fun colors and papers went great with some of my older pictures of Evan playing at DuPont park.
For more information and credits, please check the scrapbooking section.
For more information and credits, please check the scrapbooking section.
Sunday, July 5th, 2009
I have some bad news about the topsy turvy. We were out of town Wednesday and Thursday, and when Nathan went out to water the tomato plant on Friday morning, he found it completed wrecked. We had about 15 tomatoes on it, some that were pretty big, and now they are all gone. A few of the branches were broken. Even all of the flowers that were on it are gone. We’re still not exactly sure what happened, but we’re pretty bummed about the whole situation.
Saturday, July 4th, 2009
Happy Fourth of July!!! We had a great day with of family fun. Yesterday we spent the day out at the river lot with my family. We played a good bit of cornhole and did some cooking out. We play cornhole with the Pickens side of the family all the time, but not as much with the Rebers. Their lack of experience was certainly not showing though, because Justin and Heather kicked all of our butts! Heather is a seriously awesome cornhole player. I’m not sure she ever took a turn where she didn’t put at least one in the hole and most of the others on the board. At one point in the evening, after she had crushed Justin in a singles game, she looked at him and said, “You know our kids are going to be athletic because of me, don’t you?” LOL That line is going to make for an excellent scrapbook page…
Friday, July 3rd, 2009
So you may have noticed a few new things going on with the blog. I thought I would use the Five on Friday this week to highlight a few of them.
Five things I'm lovin' about the new blog...
1.) Multiple photos. I now have the ability to upload more than one photo per blog post.
2.) New, bigger blog header. I figured it was time to update the blog header. Not only is it a more up-to-date photo, but it is a little bit taller and I think it fits the blog style better.
3.) Archives. My brother set up the blog archive system so that just the more recent entries will show up on the home page - this should speed up the loading time when you visit the blog. You can still find all of the old entries sorted by date in the Archives section of the blog.
4.) Categories. At the bottom of each post, you should see a "posted in" section. I'm hoping to get all of the entries categorized that way if someone comes and is only interested in reading the posts about Faith or only wants to see the recipe entries, he/she can open just that category of posts.
5.) Comments. You now have the ability to leave comments! So if you stop by and have something to say about one of the posts, I'd love to hear it. Plus it lets me know that someone actually reads all of my rambling :)
Five things I'm lovin' about the new blog...
1.) Multiple photos. I now have the ability to upload more than one photo per blog post.
2.) New, bigger blog header. I figured it was time to update the blog header. Not only is it a more up-to-date photo, but it is a little bit taller and I think it fits the blog style better.
3.) Archives. My brother set up the blog archive system so that just the more recent entries will show up on the home page - this should speed up the loading time when you visit the blog. You can still find all of the old entries sorted by date in the Archives section of the blog.
4.) Categories. At the bottom of each post, you should see a "posted in" section. I'm hoping to get all of the entries categorized that way if someone comes and is only interested in reading the posts about Faith or only wants to see the recipe entries, he/she can open just that category of posts.
5.) Comments. You now have the ability to leave comments! So if you stop by and have something to say about one of the posts, I'd love to hear it. Plus it lets me know that someone actually reads all of my rambling :)
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009
Today we spent the day at the Beach Waterpark in Cincinatti, Ohio. It was actually a little cool outside and not exactly the perfect weather for a waterpark. Although most of us found the water a little too cold, it didn't seem to bother Faithers at all. She had a blast all day long! She played and rode slides all day. She is such a little water baby; she will jump up and down and completely dunk herself in water - doesn't bother her a bit. There were even some smaller tub rides for the kids that she rode all by herself. I'm still catching up from the busy week, but I hope to have the pictures up in the gallery within a couple of days or so.
Until then, here's one layout that I made of Faith and Papaw from our trip.
Until then, here's one layout that I made of Faith and Papaw from our trip.
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009
This afternoon we drove to Cincinnati and caught the Reds night game. The game was so much fun! The Reds won 1-0. We had awesome seats directly up from the third baseline. We were in the row above the lower section, but before the middle deck where seats can be taken out to accommodate handicapped fans. So basically there were 8 chairs where normally 15 or so. We had tons of room and Faith was free to roam around a bit in our section without bothering anyone else. I got a lot of great pictures from the game that I hope to have up in the gallery shortly, but until then here's one of Faith and Rosie.