Howdie Family and Friends - here are the going ons in the life of me. Stew shows up frequently. My family and friends visit a lot. My nieces and nephews are represented throughout. It's all about me and how I'm traveling along in this thing I call my life.

Monday, April 30, 2012

POTD: April 30, 2012






Stewbert working on his computer in the office.

Journal: April 30, 2012

Very productive day today, I must say.

I got all the doctors and dental appointments scheduled; did zumba this morning - a new program.  Still a short program, but a medium intensity program.  I looked like a monkey on crack.




But I'm looking forward to doing it again tomorrow.  I'm going to try to add strength training on Tuesday and Thursdays.

I weighed in this morning.  That number sucked, but that's why I'm doing all of this.  I re-entered my information on the Lose It App.  That date to meet my goal weight - sigh....


I tracked all of my food today and actually checked my calorie count before having a second helping for dinner - couldn't have it.  So I ate an orange instead.  I have to remember to add the orange to the calorie counter tomorrow.

We had BLTs for dinner.

I remembered to water the plants.  It's supposed to rain the next two days, so hopefully I won't need to do that.

The baby Eagles Stew and I are watching were awake two of the three times that Stew checked today.  The Eaglets are getting so big.



Work started off great today.  I mean, any day that starts with a message like this


I finished end of month work stuff - submitted my expense reports and time.  The site that was scheduled to screen our first subject today did so.  They want to randomize on Monday which is great.  There's going to be a great deal of work to do during this week to make sure that they can do that.  I told Stew over the weekend that this was going to happen, that the site was going to be ready to randomize quickly - they probably would randomize this week if the subject didn't require PK draws on days following infusion, making a later in the week start an impossibility.  Craziness.  It's always like this, every thing happens when there's no more time to wait.  No minute like the last minute.  HA - we'll get it all together though.

I'm going to need to train the site on drug prep and administration and at this very moment I'm not sure I understand it, so I'm really going to have to get that nailed down.

I organized some in the scraproom today but didn't do anything else down there because there wasn't a lot of time.

I did manage to download all of the pictures from the camera and upload them to Smug Mug and then I really need to get them burned to DVD - all in good time, all in good time.

I talked to Laura today.  Seems my little man isn't feeling that well so Laura's taking him to the doctors.  That isn't stopping him from being his funny self, however.

I took a trip to Target and actually remembered Stew's vitamins.  I went specifically to buy him a pillow because he keeps stealing mine.

We're getting to bed late tonight because we were doing crosswords before bed - they're evil things.

Today was a very good day.  Hope tomorrow is just as good.

LOAD starts tomorrow (layout a day challenge).  God help me.

Menu for the Week


Sunday, April 29, 2012

POTD: April 29, 2012





Stew and I by the damn at Eden Mill.

Journal: April 29, 2012

That nap I took yesterday really did me in as far as sleeping last night went.  I spent time organizing my scrap space and then at 4:30am, I couldn't keep my eyes open any more - went to sleep on the cot bed downstairs.  That thing is not comfortable at all.  I slept for about two hours and then continued playing in the scrap room.

I did some research into having my own domain name and website as well as looking at some schools that offer design degrees online.  Harford Community College actually has a program for an AA, but it's in person.  The other schools are online but expensive and as this is something I want to do just kind of for me and not really as a career change, I can't see putting out that kind of money.

Stew got up about 9:30.  He didn't sleep well because of a headache and he couldn't go back to sleep so we sat for awhile and figured out what we wanted to do today.  We searched on the Harford County website and found two things - an old covered bridge and the large waterfall at Rock State Park.  We printed directions for both and got ready.

We headed to Rock State Park first and walked along the bank of the river for awhile.  There was a guy downstream from us fly fishing.  We don't know if he caught anything but the whole scene was very "A River Runs Through It."  Stew suggested stealing whatever fish he had caught - and he's supposed to be the nice one amongst us.

We definitely think it would be a good place to bring dad.

We then drove over to the parking lot for the King and Queen seat.  We hiked there and did some rock climbing.  I'm glad Stew and I both wore our hiking shoes - we would have been slipping all over the place.

The top of the rock formation was amazing (and maybe just a little scary - especially to be up there with the clutz who can't walk).

There was a natural playground made from tree trunks and such - they even constructed a huge bird's nest and a table and chair set.  We don't think they are done with this area because they had a whole lot of Bamboo branches on the ground.

We left the park after that and drove around Northern Harford County.  We never did see the waterfall or the covered bridge - oh well, they'll still be there.  We did see some amazing houses and farms and other sites.  We were on some non paved roads for a long time - totally out in the country.  We saw chickens, goats, lots of cows, horses, even a llama.

Stew had to laugh several times as we were driving because we're on a road that basically could fit one car comfortably and then we'd see signs that said, "Road Narrows."  How much narrower could it get?  You're kidding, right?

While driving around Stew spotted a yard sale so we stopped to look around - we ended up buying three glasses pieces and were shocked to find out how close we were to PA - I'm talking within walking distance.

We met a nice couple that was telling us about their auction finds and told us about a festival that is held up that way in early July - sounds like something we would be interested in so we're going to keep it in mind.

We had pizza at a local pizza place there and Stew liked it.  I thought it was okay - they did have fountain Barq's though - that was yummy.  The iced tea tasted like it was brewed last year.

The scrapbook store in the shopping center was closed - lucky Stew - he's even luckier because I could never find my way back there.  That store has no idea what kind of sale they missed today.

Back in the car and we ended up at Eden Mill - looked at the catepillars in the Butterfly Habitat and saw two turtles in the little pond.  One was on a rock sunning himself; one would pop his head out of the water and as soon as either of us spoke, he would get spooked and huddle back down in the mud.

We saw several birdhouses constructed by local troops along the path as we walked up to the small dam.

It was a pretty sight.

Visited the nature center and they had lots of stuffed animals inside - like not teddy bear stuffed, like used to breath at one time stuffed.  They even had an otter.  I told Stew it was a good thing we didn't bring mom - she would have made off with that.

There was a bee hive inside the center (enclosed in glass) but it was interesting to watch the bees inside of it.

There was a box turtle with whom I made friends. I sat down on the floor next to his cage and he came right up to me and stayed there for the longest time.  I guess he thought I was going to feed him - poor guy.

Did more driving and ended up in Hereford and Parkton before making our way back home.

Went to Outback for dinner - mange margarita.  Yum. Got to see the Flyers win in over time.  We arrived when it was 3-2 in the third - we got to groan when they scored and be elated and then defeated when Briere kicked it in, then celebrate again after Briere scored for real.  One of Stew's facebook friends noted, "Hat Trick for Briere - but only two counted."

For the first time ever, ordered dessert - even if it was to go.

Stew and I got home exhausted.  WE went through the pictures Stew took in Kansas - 50 thousand of the museum he went to, not so many of people.  I'm never going to learn him.

We watched Supernatural and were upstairs at 9 for our routine.

It was a long and wonderful day.



I checked the Eaglets at dinner - the waitress went nuts asking us questions about it and telling us that she was a teacher and that she and her students have been watching the eagles since before they hatched.  Stew left her a nice tip - so nice that I questioned if he was feeling okay - he told me, "She's a teacher."  Very good, sir, very good!

As I'm writing this, Stew is looking at craigslist listings - there's one ad for a Credenza.  The guy states that it's fireproof because he filled it with cement.  Oh boy!

Eaglets were sleeping when I checked on them before bed - they were eating while Stew and I were at dinner.

I'm so tired I think I'm going to sleep well tonight.  Have to go help Stew with a crossword puzzle before I get to sleep.

POTD: April 28, 2012





Stew and I spending a lazy day at home.  You know it's cold in our house if Stew's covered up.  He says he does it just because he's comfortable - yeah, okay!

Journal: April 28, 2012

The NASCAR race just ended - well, I should say, it just ended for us.  We DVR'ed the first hour and a half or so in the hopes of avoiding commercials.  What a crappy ending.  I thought for sure Tony had that thing won.  I kept saying to Stew:  no cautions, no cautions, no cautions.  He'd been spinning the tires all night on restarts and I didn't want to have to face another one.  Then it happened.  NASCAR threw the caution.  The tv didn't show us what the caution was for - but I wish they would have otherwise I'm thinking that they're sick of hearing the fans whine about boring racing and they threw the damn thing just to tighten up the field going into the final laps.  What bull crap.  Oh well, I guess it just wasn't meant to be.  Sigh.

Stew's gone up to bed but I don't think there's a chance of my getting there very soon.  You see, I woke up this morning around 4:30, went down to the craft room and worked on editing some videos for uploading to my other blog.  Around 7:15, I checked outside and there was no rain.  Since Stew really wanted to go to yard sales today, I thought I'd better go up and wake up sleeping beauty.  I made myself a cup of tea, got a breakfast shake and poured myself some OJ to take my pills and then went in to wake him.  On my way by the thermostat in the hall way, I realized why I had goosebumps.  It was 62 in our house.  Stew's reaction is, "maybe that's why I slept so well."  Yeah...maybe.  Stew decides yeah he wants to go to the yard sales and we start talking.  All the while my bed and the warmth of the covers are calling my name.  I climb in for only a few minutes, you know, next thing I know it's 11:30 and the things I set out for breakfast - still there.


Stew said I fell asleep in about two seconds flat and he wasn't waking me - he likes his parts where they are.  That kind of killed the plans for the yard sales today so I headed to the craft room and continued the never ending job of organizing.  Why I decided to pull it all apart continues to be a mystery to me and until my clips come in, I can't get it exactly how I want it, but I feel like I made some progress today, so that's a good thing.

Between playing in the craft room, I hung out with Stew.  We watched Blue Bloods from last night (love that show!) and we continued to watch Parking Wars.  This show is down right crazy.  I can't even tell you what the appeal is, but we've been sucked in.  Good quote from today's show, Ponytail says, "I don't know if there's parking in heaven, but I know for sure there's no parking in hell."  Ain't that the truth - although, my hell will be sitting in traffic.  If God wants to punish me for all of the sins I've committed, that's what he's going to do.  Plop me right down in the middle of rush hour traffic in say, oh I don't know, San Francisco.  Grrrrr.  Glad I don't have any sites there on my new studies.

Saw a commercial tonight that was pretty funny.  The guy said, "Well the good news is, with my 401K, I can retire when I'm 83."  That was just hysterical to me.

During the race today, JPM and Kurt Busch were racing side by side and things were getting dicey.  Tony pulled up behind them and Stew said, "Oh look, here comes Mr. Reasonable now."  LOL.  Funny.

We had pizza from Pizza Hut today.  Not very good.  Stew likes their bread sticks better than anyone else's, so he prefers we order from there.  Their pizza sucks - next time I'm going to ask the delivery person if he can stop by Little Ceasars and pick up my pizza while he's delivering Stew's breadsticks.  HA!

Received the invite to Mom and Dad's Memorial Day shindig - excited for that.  Loving spending time with the whole family!

GDH started swim lessons today and according to her mom everything went well - except Ms. GDH can't stop giggling and thus swallows water.  That's not the point my dear niece.  Might have to go up and watch her swim sometime.  Speaking of which, I need GEP and MNP's little league schedules.  Have to send messages to their mothers tomorrow.

Neighbors today were having a party and I needed my own representative from parking wars.  I don't understand why people have to park this way.  When I have too many people to mark vertical to the curb (for lack of a better description) in front of my house, I ask them to park along the lower end of the cul-de-sac.  Apparently, not my neighbor.  I guess he figures having his guests park in front of our drive way is acceptable.  Good thing Stew and I had no plans today.  



Don't know what we're going to do tomorrow.  We had planned to clean out the garage, but it is supposed to rain.  It was supposed to rain today, too - so I guess we'll make the decision about plans when Stew wakes up.  No matter, rain or not, we're going to get out of this house - that is if no one is parked in front of our driveway.

My check in on my Eaglets today found them sleeping...


Friday, April 27, 2012

Journal: April 27, 2012

Ahhhhh, this blog is so far behind and getting it caught up is actually preventing me from posting anything new, which, honestly, just gets me in a bigger hole.  Oh the crazy ways my mind thinks.  It's all or nothing, my friends, all or nothing.  Except today I decided no more.  Yes, I have a million (only slightly exaggerating) posts to get written and memories to preserver, but today's important, too, even if I didn't do anything exciting. 

Warning, warning, boredom ahead.

Unfortunately, the worst thing about everything right now is it's all back off the routine.  Stew going out of town and then me going out of town has thrown a real wrench in things and I'm struggling to get back on top of things.  I think that's part of the reason why I couldn't sleep last night.  Just laid there staring so I got up and went in the living room.  I don't know what time I went to sleep, but I do no I was no where near ready to wake up when Stew did this morning.  I got up around 6:30 which honestly wasn't that bad.  Stew got to work really early today because he didn't wake me up until he left - which meant he could leave right for work without me delaying him.  Cause if I'm awake in the morning, I'm pretty talkative.  I had planned to do zumba this morning, that didn't happen.  And I know why - I need to have the clothes laid out the night before and not have to think about anything in the morning.  That hasn't happened, so I haven't zumba'ed.  I don't think that's a verb, but for now, I say it is.  I got up at 6:30, got caught up on my google reader, ordered the clips to finish the organizing in my craft room, then jumped in the shower, made breakfast, got dressed, and prepared for the 2.5 hour training session I had this morning.  It's interesting to see how other EDC systems are used.  It's pretty straight forward, I'm happy to say.  First patient on my study is screening on Monday - exciting time.  Glad to know I now can review data!  HA!

Other than work today, I played in the scrap room.  Had cereal for dinner.  Stew and I watched some tv and he updated me on the draft - well, only on the parts I care about, like the Steelers.  We drafted an offensive lineman who Stew says is the best lineman in the draft and with Pouncey next time him it may strengthen our protection.  Sounds good to me, only problem is the collective age of our linebackers is around 104 and we have 1, exactly 1, person who plays defensive secondary.  It's going to be a long season.

I made a new blog for myself that focuses only on my crafty endeavors.  I've spent most of the night working on it.  It can be found here if you're interested:

ginabeth1.blogspot.com

The other thing I did today was go out and water my flowers.  The lawn guy did a great job and the last thing I want is for them to die.  I also put on my photographer hat and tried to get some cool, arty pictures.  I don't feel like doing any downloading tonight so I'll have to share them tomorrow.

Don't know what our plans for the weekend are yet, they're pretty weather dependent.  We were going to go yard sale-ing tomorrow and then clean out the garage on Sunday and no those activities are not related - but it's calling for rain all weekend and if that's the case, I'm thinking pajama weekend for me sounds wonderful.

I have to get to bed now though.  My contacts are drying on my eyes and I can't stop yawning. 

POTD: April 27, 2012


Playing with manual focus on the camera.

Fast Fact Friday


1.  How many pairs of shoes do you own?



Let's just say I have more pairs of shoes than I need.  I haven't gone on a shoe buying binge for quite some time, probably since I started scrapbooking - I'd rather spend my money elsewhere now, but I still own many more shoes than I wear.  I'd say at least 75 pairs.

2.  How many times did you have to take the driver’s test before you passed?

I had to take the driving part of the test twice.  The first time I failed the 3 point turn.  Nailed the parallel parking, but 3 point turn - yeah, hit the curb.  The written test I only had to take once.

3.  How many schools did you attend?

Not as many as you might thinking considering how many times we moved when I was growing up.  Luckily, we moved in the same area quite often.  For elementary school, I attended 5 schools, then middle and high school - 1 each.

4.  How many siblings do you have?

I have four younger brothers.

5.  How many states have you been to?  (Or provinces, whatever they have in your country!)

How many states have I been to, or how many states have I visited - the number is different regardless of what Stew says.  Since I travel for work, I don't consider going to a state solely for work to be visiting.  I have visited 11 states plus DC to vacation and I've been in 31 states plus DC for work.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Journal: April 26, 2012

Back to work in my home office today.  Pretty normal day around the house.  Opened the blinds in my office - and found a scene out of Alfred Hitchcock "The Birds."  There were, no exaggeration at least 30 grackles on my front lawn this morning.  I can't figure out why.  We didn't seed it or anything.  It was beyond bizarre.  I've never seen that around here before.  Then as I was working, I see a guy walking across the lawn.  Scared the ever loving hell out of me - it was just the BG&E guy coming to do the meter reading, but my goodness.  Walked right under my window.  I about jumped out of my skin.

I spent my work time today doing expense reports (I just got back yesterday and it's in already - holy cow) and entering all of my work time for the month.  I really need to keep up with that better because trying to remember what you were doing when is an experience of hell.  It takes way too long to try to recreate it.  Have to get back in the routine of entering it every night before I "leave" work.

Stew and I have plans to go to yard sales this weekend and Stew has found a list of them, but the weather forecast also calls for rain all weekend, so I guess we'll see how that goes. 

Stew called on his way home from work and wanted to know what I wanted for dinner - sigh.  How about WaWa - so he stopped and got a sub for me and meatballs and sauce for him and we had that for dinner.  Checked in on the eaglets



and by 8:20 I was done for the night.  I have a lot to do tomorrow.

Bed time for me.

POTD: April 26, 2012

It was like the Hitchcock film "The Birds" this morning out front (not that I've ever seen it).  There were like 20 of these black birds, which I believe were grackels covering the lawn at any given time.  I don't know what drew them out - maybe the rain?  But it was weird to watch them fluttering about.  Unfortunately, only got an iphone picture - but those little black dots you see - yeah, those would be the birds.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Journal: April 25, 2012

Well, I survived my day in a dress without nylons.  I guess I'm just old fashioned and don't think that a woman looks finished and polished with bare legs.  You can throw me back in the 1960s or wherever with that thinking but I don't see it changing any time soon.  But I survived.

Training went well today and actually finished early.  We talked a lot about the upcoming investigator meeting which will be held in Toronto.  I better get my passport ready to go.  HAHA.

With the meeting ending early, I was hopeful to get on an earlier flight.  There was some confusion with my taxi.  The driver was told to pick me up in one place and he was sitting in another.  So lucky for me, I decided to go look at the main entrance to see if he was mistakenly sitting there - lo and behold he was.  He was lucky I had changed into my jeans and sneakers before I walked through the rain, lugging all my bags and my lunch with me, to find him.  What is with taxi drivers and this city?  Please get me home.

I got to the airport and my plans for the earlier flight are dashed.  Not only am I not going to get on the early flight, but my flight is delayed.  Welcome back Gina to the world of business travel.  Lovely.

Oh well, finally board and again a pretty empty plane for which I'm thankful.

Get to BWI, my wonderful Stewbert picks me up and we're trying to figure out what the hell to do for dinner - we decide to hell with it.  We're just going to have McDonalds.  Neither of us feel like cooking and it's fast. 

We watch some DVR shows, check on my Eaglets - Momma was feeding them.

And then it was off to bed.  Long day - looking forward to just banging around the house in my pajamas tomorrow.

POTD: April 25, 2012






My photo of Chicago.  I titled it, "City: In the Rain As Seen Through the Cab's Window"

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Journal: April 24, 2012

CRA training started at 7AM, had to be in the lobby of the hotel at 6:30 - brutal.  That's a bit early for me. 


The training was very in-depth and thorough which I really appreciate.  I appreciated too that the sponsor knows how hard it is sometimes to make it through one of these things.  The study manager from the sponsor kept us away by supplying a lot of candy.  There was always coffee to be had and this sponsor knows how to feed you.  They had yogurt parfaits, danish and a fruit tray for breakfast.  Mid morning snack.  Lunch was a pasta bar - the ziti was incredible for catering food and then there was an afternoon snack all the while eating Dove caramels.  Yummy.

Only two things marred the day:  I was way overdressed.  I wore a business suit.  In my last life, you met with the client (sponsor) you dressed appropriately.  Always very professionally, regardless of what the sponsor said the dress was like.  The invitation to the training said business casual and that's exactly what I could have worn.  Furthermore, I ran my nylons - grrrrrr.  In fact, I ran both pairs I brought with me - so there will be no panty hose for me and my dress and blazer tomorrow.  Definitely overdressed.  Oh well, I guess it's better to be overdressed than underdressed.

The training went until 5PM.  Ouch - long day and a lot of information to absorb, but necessary.

We headed to Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant for dinner.  The atmosphere was awesome and the food was incredible.  I had steak.  It was very tasty.  We sat at a large round table with a lazy susan in the middle and everyone could share the appetizers and the wine by rotating that.  The appetizers were two types of shrimp and though I wanted to try them, with the contact allergy I had a couple of weeks ago to shrimp I want to be near home when I try them again.  No need to go into anaphylactic shock on a business trip. The conversation during dinner was really good too.  This is going to be a great team.  The most interesting thing at the dinner, to me, besides the people and food of course, was the wine decanter used by the restaurant.  If I could have figured out a way to bring it home, I would have.  The whole bottle was poured into the decanter and it was placed on the lazy susan and then everyone could pour their own glass from there.  I didn't have any - I was too afraid that I'd be asleep in my potatoes if I did.  The whole time at dinner was very enjoyable.

The study manager and I talked about my site in Moncton Canada - she said, "There's a nice Residence Inn near there with a pretty good Italian restaurant across the street."  I told you this sponsor is all about the eating.  HAHA.




When I got back to my hotel, Stew had texted me to let me know that the flowers had been put in.  I can't wait to see them.  My yard will be so pretty to go home to.

I washed my face, brushed my teeth and put on my pajamas and got in bed to read - but was way too tired.  I was asleep before I knew it.

Another half day of training tomorrow and then on my way home!

POTD: April 24, 2012


Stew texted me a list of all the things he got done today - so cute.  I asked him if he wanted a cookie.  He said, "Of course I want a cookie."  So funny.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Journal: April 23, 2012

Woke up this morning with a list a mile long of things I needed to get done before boarding my flight to Chicago.  Luckily for me it wasn't leaving until much later this evening.  I started by making my to do and shopping lists.  Got ready and it was time to head out...


Our lawn guy is coming tomorrow to re-mulch and plant flowers in our front yard.  So I had to go to Home Depot to pick up the things I wanted.

I saw this fountain - super cute.  I seriously want this.


I spent way too much time looking at flowers - but I ended up with an assortment that I like and this Japanese Maple.  This was my mother's favorite tree - so I think it's awesome that Stew and I will have one growing in our front yard.  That is if I can figure out how to keep it alive - one thing I didn't inherit from my mother is her green thumb.



The clouds were looking ominous as I left the Home Depot - just love flying when it's looking like this outside.


I got home from the store and laid out all of the flowers that I bought in the yard to let our lawn guy (how Stew refers to him and honestly, how he refers to himself) know where I wanted him to put them in.  It'll be nice to have a pretty front yard.

It was then time to pack and I have to tell you, I'm out of practice.  It's been so long, I was forgetting stuff, packing 2 of something - just complete chaos.  Maybe this is one of those things if you don't use it you lose it or something.  I'm not sure.  What I do know is that it took almost double the time it normally takes. 

I must admit that it's pretty humbling to know that you can fail a pregnancy test.  The results didn't come up positive or negative - it said unreadable.  How in the hell - I failed the pregnancy test.  LOL.  I figured it out later.  It's negative - unfortunately.

After I finished packing -whew.  I made dinner.  Stew and I had spaghetti.  It was nice to have this time to spend together before having to catch a flight.  I wish I could leave late enough in the day every time to make this happen.  Stew took me to the airport - cause he's nice like that.


The flight only had 40 people on it, so that was really nice.  Everyone basically had their own row to themselves and there was no fighting over bin space.  Another plus I guess for late night travel.

Arrived in Chicago - forgot how absolutely crazy Midway airport is.  I mean, it's not like Atlanta or O'Hare - but it's small, and it handles a lot of flights so the concourses are always really congested and getting through there is like going through an obstacle course.

Get in the cab - yay don't need to drive in this crazy city - and we head off.  It was the absolute worse cab drive ever.  I don't think the guy had any clue where we were going and so he's looking at the map, while driving, trying to figure it out.  I asked him if he was going to read that thing the whole way.  He tells me that we're not on the highway yet so it's fine.  WHAT?  I'm about ready to tell him to pull over and let me out - besides the fact that it's Chicago at 10:30 at night and he has all the windows in the whole cab open.  I'm freezing to death.  I had to ask him to raise them.  So he did - the back ones.  Then he had to pay a toll, so he lowered the back window before realizing that it was his that needed to go down - did he raise it back up again?  Nope.  I had to ask him again.  I was never so happy to arrive at my hotel.


Finally got settled in my room around 11:45 and it was off to bed for me.  The meeting starts at 7 tomorrow and I have to be in the lobby at 6:30 - the morning is starting early. 

POTD: April 23, 2012


Off to Chicago - boy I miss my Business Select.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Journal: April 22, 2012

Woke up very early with Rachel so she could get home to head to West Virginia with her parents to see her Aunt Pauline.

I went to bed after that and woke up to find Mom and Laura in the kitchen making breakfast.  I just love that I have such close family members that they feel comfortable enough to do that - I never want that to change.  With my friends and family, my front door is open.  Come in, make yourself at home and stay awhile.  I love it.

Mom, Laura and I tried the Ugli fruit that Stew and I bought at Wegman's this week.  The guy at the store said it was the best thing he ever tasted despite its appearance.  Well, I don't know all about that - mom and I both agreed that though it was by no means bad tasting it didn't have a lot of flavor.

I spent a good portion of the morning talking with mom and Laura and then they headed home.  Laura's missing WTK, I'm sure.  Mom's not missing Dad so much.  HA!

After they left, I jumped in the shower and then went down to try to organize the scrap room - AGAIN.  It's a never ending thing.  I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed with it to be honest, but all of my progress was stalled when I ran out of clips for the embellishment hangers.  Okay, done for the day!

I then puttered around the house.  I took a nap.  Tried to watch the race - how freaking boring and I read.

I was tired early and went to bed even before Stew made it home.  He got in late and I woke up long enough to say hi and went back to bed.  I'll hear all about his trip tomorrow.

POTD: April 22, 2012



Mom, Laura and I partook in eating the Jamaican Ugli Fruit.  It actually had very little taste at all, though the small taste it had tasted to me like a tangerine.

The fruit has its own website: http://www.ugli.com/index.html

Here's some information on the fruit from the website:

UGLI® is the registered trade mark under which Cabel Hall Citrus Ltd. markets its brand of tangelos from Jamaica.

This tangelo is a variety of citrus fruit grown exclusively in Jamaica and exported by Trout Hall Ltd. to markets all over the world. It was discovered growing wild in Jamaica over 80 years ago and has been developed by the family of the owners of Trout Hall Ltd. into the commercial variety now in production. The original tree is believed to have been a hybrid formed from the Seville orange, the grapefruit and the tangerine families. Since 1924 when it was first discovered several improved scions have been used by Trout Hall Ltd. to produce the current variety which is so popular.

When buying the UGLI® brand of tangelos do not be misled by their appearance, you will love their sweet and tangy flavour.

“The Affliction is only Skin Deep so the Beauty is in the Eating “™

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Journal: April 21, 2012

Scrap day didn't start out as early as I had hoped.  Got to bed too late and didn't wake up until Laura woke me up, unfortunately.  Still we didn't get to the scrapbook yard sale at Perryville outlets too awful late - though I did need to borrow money since there is like no ATM up there.

The sale was pretty successful I thought.  I bought some stampin up stamps, adhesive and a bunch of prima flowers. 

We then headed to Michaels and Joann's.  Michaels was having a really good sale.  I picked up a bunch of organizers for the scrap room and some other supplies that I wanted.  Joann's was a bust - we were glad we spent our money at Michaels.

On our way back, a local church was having a Flea Market.  It was pretty much over by the time we got there and there wasn't a lot left, but it was still fun to stop and look around and see what everyone had to offer.  On our way back home we noticed that the farmer's market was open, so we stopped and mom purchased strawberries - the first of the season.  They were delicious.

Once we got home, Laura, Rachel and I went down to the craft room where they started the arduous task of putting together my new scrap furniture.  Let's just say that Laura and I aren't the most mechanically inclined people.  I think we needed to take our think apart twice before we figured it out.  We did figure it out though - so GIRL POWER.  I do need Stew to hang the peg boards I bought.  There's no way in hell I'm dealing with anchors and stuff like that.  Uh uh - I have a husband now, that's what he's for.

While we were playing in the scrap room, mom had herself a little nap.

We were supposed to go out to have dinner but after being out most of the day, we decided to just get Chinese and stay in.  Laura called dad to see what mom would want since she was sleeping and dad said that she always ordered cashew chicken - I should have woke her up.  While she does order cashew chicken on occasion it isn't her favorite.  She enjoyed it anyway.  Our Chinese restaurant is seriously hit or miss and tonight I'm happy to say it was a big hit. 

After dinner, we settled in to scrap.  Laura worked on layouts of WTK.  She had some pictures of him with a wood chipper and we had the idea to chip up some craft sticks and stain them to resemble wood chips and place them on her page.  That turned out great.  I got two layouts done - one of Mom and her bird hat and one of CEH's birth announcement.

We had a great time and stayed up late crafting and talking.

We're going to do this again in May for National Scrapbooking Day and this time I swear we're not shopping - we're going to buckle down and get some serious scrapbooking done.

POTD: April 21, 2012






The Farmers' Market is open!  Look at the glorious Strawberries.  Mom bought some.  They were delicious.

Friday, April 20, 2012

POTD: April 20, 2012






I broke up all the supplies I've received as kit club subscriptions over the years.  This was the stack of paper - from only the kits.  Craziness.  I don't think I'll ever need to buy paper again - but remember, there's a difference between need and want.

Journal: April 20, 2012

Stew left for his annual trip to Kansas and I'm happy to say he arrived safely.  I spent the day working and doing some more organizing in the scrap room.  I have to tell you, I knew all day that I would be having company tonight (Mom, Laura and Rachel decided to come tonight instead of coming tomorrow because there's a scrapbook flea market happening tomorrow and every one wanted to be here in time) but it was good to be able to relax and know that even though the house wasn't as sparkling clean as I like it to be when company is arriving, it was clean enough.  That's the good part of staying on our routine - doesn't take a whole lot to put the house back in tip top shape when we stay up on it.  I sure hope that lasts.

Mom, Laura and Rachel all arrived later than they would have liked, but they got here safe and sound and that's all that was important.  We spent some time chatting and then headed to bed.  We have a lot going on tomorrow.

Fast Fact Friday


1.  One of the most thoughtful people I know is ________________.

2.  I would someday like to be as organized as ________________.


3.  _______________ is the most talented person I know!


4.  If I could pick one of my greatest heroes (or heroines) it would be _____________.


5.  ________________ is the most amazing super-mom (or dad) that I know!






Not going to answer any of these questions as quite honestly these answers can change in a matter of minutes.  Every person in my life has a special place and at any given moment they could be the most talented person I know, my greatest hero or the most amazing mom or dad.  I would say that my mom is my all time hero and was  a super mom.  And Stew's parents are are super parents.  The rest, well, it just kind of depends on the day.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

POTD: April 19, 2012






Stew paying off the hospital bill.  You know he's always happy when a balance on a bill hits zero.

Journal: April 19, 2012

Got up early this morning and did some more organizing work in the scraproom.  I also printed out pictures of Stew's hands so that the doctor could see the progress that his hands have made since January.

Right hand, left hand from January



Right hand, left hand February




Right hand, left hand March









 I think in the February pictures I used flash and didn't in March - that's why the March right hand picture looks so much worse.

The doctor's visit went well.  The doctor thinks everything is progressing as it should and will see Stew in another three months.  He can swim, without his gloves, as long as he uses sunscreen.  Basically the doctor said he should continue to wear his gloves as much as possible, but also to treat the skin as normal skin.

We then found the accounting office and paid the Hopkins bill.  We got 10% off the bill by paying by the due date.  We saved a whopping $16!

Headed to Pizza Johns for lunch.  Stew got a cheesburger sub - extra american cheese, lettuce, ketchup and mayo.  I had pizza - tried and true, didn't get any grease cup pepperoni's though.

Headed home and started to get Stew ready for his trip tomorrow.  He's off to Kansas and I'm having girls scrapping weekend.

The Philly's game was nuts - We lost in 11.  Lee pitched 10 innings gave up no runs and still lost.  Guess who gave up the winning run - yup, you guessed it - Bastardo.  I hate that guy.  And we still have no hitting.  Shocking!







Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Journal: April 18, 2012

Got up this morning and worked out though I seriously didn't want to.  I'm glad I forced myself to do it though.  It kind of means more to me on these types of mornings.

Then my ADD got the best of me and I cleaned out the laundry room.  This is what Stew means when he yells, "Squirrel."  I'll go in a room to do one thing, get distracted by something shiny, or in this case, messy and clean it - but then not do or remember what I went in that room for to begin with.  It's nuts sometimes.

The rest of the day I worked and then tonight, Stew and Matt went to see the Flyers game.


They can't go anymore.  The Flyers got romped.  BAD. 






And that's not even the final score - that's just in the second period with 5 minutes remaining.  The game was ugly. 

Stew met Matt at his house and they drove to the game together so Stew got to see GDH.  She was playing with her birthday present when he arrived, complete with her headphones.  She was telling him stories like she is want to do.  She's quite the story teller and quite cute.

G:  Guess what I got.  It has wheels.
S:  A car
G: Nope
S:  A bike
G: Nope
S: A Train
G: Nope
S: A hippo on roller skates
G:  Don't be silly, Uncle Stew

I figure she'll be using that line again and again.


POTD: April 18, 2012






The soft pretzels at the Flyers game were shaped like the Flyers' symbol - awesome.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Journal: April 17, 2012

Woke up and did my Zumba workout.  It's still kicking my butt and I'm still loving it.


 I think the calories burned is way over estimated - but I like the number.

I had what is turning out to be my normal breakfast.  Natural peanut butter, natural apple butter, and whole wheat bread, a boiled egg and water.  It's yummy and keeps my full until lunch.

I did some decorating in my office today.  Mom bought me this monkey cling for Christmas and I hung it and the butterflies on the wall I face while I work.  You can also see my mood indicator - it's monkeys too - you're not surprised are you?




Stew got home from work and we headed to Bel Air. 

Stew in the car:

Me in the car:


We started at Sears because Stew needed some new jeans - so we got him 3 new pairs and while we were there they were having a sale on his work shirts.  So we picked him up 5 new workshirts (and yes, I made him try every one of them on individually before we took them to the cleaners - turns out 4 of them fit, 1 of them doesn't; however, my husband seems to take the tags off of clothes before he tries them on.  What???  Yep, that's what I thought, too - so now I have a nice men's workshirt I can wear around the house as a dress.).  Now he has 4 different color striped shirts which is good since I'm sick of seeing him in the same damn things - he doesn't care, but I sure do.

After Sears - we went to Joann's.  Stew buys a lawn ornament for Denneal's Grave every year before he goes out to Kansas - this year it was a frog.  Not exactly what he wanted and definitely doesn't beat last years - but he was happy with it.  I looked around the scrapbook section while I was there, but I walked out of Joann's with nothing - can you imagine?  There's a first time for everything.

We went to Ruby Tuesday for dinner.  Stew got the meat loaf - he said it was just okay.  I got the spaghetti squash. 


It was so not what I wanted, but it was okay.  It fit my calorie requirements.  I checked the calories on those damn mini cupcakes they have - yeah, that wasn't fitting in the day's total either, so passed on those.  I have to keep remember - nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels.

After Ruby Tuesday, we went shopping at Wegmans.  I freaking love that store!

Got home, watched some tv and headed to bed.

One last picture for today.  This is what Stew's socks looked like after he took them off:



I mean, they're on the floor, that's my fault since I haven't put the laundry away, but don't normal people throw their clothes in the pile or something....not my Stewbert - laid out flat, in just the manner he took them off.