Getting to know you... holiday style!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Definitely wrapped in his own special paper

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? House- white Tree- Colored

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yes

5. When do you put up your decorations? Thanksgiving Weekend not taken down till after New Years

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Cookies (hee, hee)

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Hmmmmmm, tough one because I have some bad ones. I was often sick at the holidays and once my Dad kidnapped my brother & I over Christmas. The FBI was even looking for us! Crazy, huh?

8. When and how did you learn that Santa isn't real? What? Santa's not real?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? The kids each open one.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Colored lights, lots and lots of ornaments, some handed down for generations, some new from trips, some hand made by the kids

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it, especially the first snow which has yet to happen this year!

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, if I have to, LOL

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? A CPK doll the year they were hot when I was in the 5th grade

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Family and friends, being reminded to show people I care about them, Celebrating the birth of Jesus

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Hershey Kiss cookies or fudge

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Baking cookies with the kids, mailing Christmas cards and hanging up all those we receive in the kitchen, Making Perogies with Scott's family

17. What tops your tree? A purple star ornament Megan got when she visited Disneyworld with Uncle Jamie when she was 5

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving gifts? Giving to the kids

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? A Christmas Song (that's the one that goes "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire", right?)

20. Candy Canes on the tree?
Yes

If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged! Come back and leave a link to your post if you choose to accept my tag! :)

Duplicates, holiday style!

Use Duplicates to stay caught up through the holidays and simplify your life! Coming Thursday to The Digi Chick are 2 Sentiments sets, a Combo Set of 3 layout designs and a BRAND NEW Designer Sample that you can get for FREE!

Here is a little taste:


Gotta scoot early this morning... my boss is away, so I must go play! ;) (LOL, Kim, aren't I funny?) I actually have SO much work it's rediculous, so I am going in to help cover the phones today! Have an awesome Wednesday!

The next time you see this smile.......

it will be with a mouth full of braces! That's right, it's finally time for Victoria to get her braces! It's been a long time coming, probably as early on as we learned that 3 of her adult lower teeth never developed. One of the 3 baby teeth fell out naturally and her remaining 2 baby teeth have shifted. In order to hold space for implants in the future, braces are necessary. She will start with braces on the top and then we will add the bottom. She had spacers inserted tonight, which she definitely did not love... especially when we learned that she can't have hard candy, chewy candy, gum, popcorn, etc!

Yesterday's shopping was quite an event! I hit Toys R Us first then went over to the mall where I shopped at: Happy Feet, Aeropostale, Limited Too, Yankee Candle, Best Buy and Eddie Bauer. At one point, a kiosk employee yelled out "Woah, that's a shopper who takes no prisoners!" ROTFL... yep, that was me hurrying through the mall with my limited time carrying bags that I am sure weighed more than I did! Now if only I made more than just a dent...

Off to shower and start my Tuesday! Hope your day is wonderful!

Health by the numbers!

Had my annual exam today. The results of the MIBI test are back- I have less than a 5% chance of having a heart attack in the next 2 years! Can't ask for much better than that, can ya? :) Thanks for all your prayers and notes of support! I appreciate it!

I have today off so I am going to officially start the Christmas shopping! I need to shop for the kids from my Dad and Scott's parents, too, so I have my work cut out for me! Have an awesome Monday! XO

Time off= slacker

Apparently time off from work equals "blog slacker"! LOL I can't believe it's been 5 days since I posted!

This weekend has been a fairly productive one. Wednesday Megan had her friend Aubre over, Dylan had his friend Danny over and Dane went to his friend Bretton's house. I wrapped up my projects for ATD and got them shipped out with an invoice that should be pretty helpful for Christmas shopping.

Thursday Scott's cousin Tina and her husband Brian came up. We were able to pull off a successful Thanksgiving dinner. Afterwards, we watch 8 Below and I napped.


Friday Scott started stringing the outside lights. Lesley came up and we headed to the mall. The kids had their picture taken with Santa and I purchased one gift (that makes 2 total purchased for the season). Gary stopped for a while that evening.

Yesterday Megan had a scrimmage at a local school. I won't say which since I want to mention what dirty players those girls are! One of the girls on our team got BIT during the game. You can't tell me *that* was an accident! Dane and Dylan both had birthday parties to attend and I spent some time working on some projects in Photoshop.

Today we went to church and Scott has spent most of the day trying to help Megan get her MP3 player working. I wrapped up some Duplicates projects that will be in the boutique on Thursday.

Tomorrow I finally have my doctor's appointment and hopefully I will be getting the results of the MIBI test from oh-so-long ago! Yeah! Megan also has a dcotor's appt, I have a meting at Victoria's school and Victoria has a consultation with the orthodontist! What a day!

Hope your long weekend was fabulous! XO

Let the holiday begin!

Woohoo- just 5 hours of work and then I am OFF till next Tuesday! Well, not entirely, because I will be working from home tomorrow but I will be out of the office for 6 whole days! Yeah! I am going to really use this time to clear my mind and try to get focused! :)


The new sketch has gone up at The Digi Chick! Come join us for this week's challenge right here! I have also updated all the links for the previous sketches so feel free to download them and get caught up!

Just one more day left to grab all of the single Duplicates for 50% off! Thanks to all those who have purchased Duplicates products in November! It was by far the best month yet! I look forward to adding new Duplicates to the boutique soon!

We watched A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving last night with the kids! I couldn't believe it was only 30 minutes. It seemed like it was hours long when I was a kid. I so love traditions that transcend time. :)

Well, gotta scoot to take a shower and get my day moving! Have a fantastic Tuesday! XO

Random Sunday things.......

Bad Catholic here... we skipped Mass this morning because I just couldn't get my butt in gear. We went to WalMart to buy some gifts for the many birthday parties my boys have been invited to over this weekend and next. I dropped Dane off at the bowling alley for the first of said parties and then I came home to chill for a few before picking up Megan, taking Dane to basketball practice then to the church for CCD. My dad is taking Dylan to his practice since the times conflict which will be a nice treat for Dylan.

I scrapped with the girls last night, wrapping up my projects for ATD. I just need to add some minor details like stitching and I will be DONE and shipping them back this week. I've told ya before but I will say it again, I LOVE crossing things off the to-do list! I did scan the one non-ATD page I completed and it's up in my gallery now if you wanna take a peek!

Scott is working on Thanksgiving this year which is really bumming me out. I told the kids we would order from Boston Market and sit around in our jammies watching the parade but then Scott's cousin Tina called and she and her husband are coming up so I guess getting dressed will be required. Somehow we went from an easy reheat of prepared food to a big production of Tina and I preparing dinner. I have only cooked Thanksgiving dinner once and it was a FIASCO so I can't even imagine how this might end up. I'll have to share that 1995 (or was it 1996?) story with you sometime.

Out the door! Have a wonderful Subday afternoon! :)

What a week it's been!

Gram has been moved to intermediate care!!!!! Yes, that's right- they have moved her out of the ICU. There is nothing more to be said than this is a MIRACLE! She will have a long recovery but she is stable and doing well.

This week has been a hectic one (when aren't they?... I worked Mon-Thurs and I am going in for a couple of hours today, too. We had 3 teacher conferences (all of which went great!), Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Basketball practice, Snow Sports Info Night and the usual homework and feeding frenzies!

After the meeting at work this morning, I am going to Dylan's classroom to teach them how to scrapbook! I feel a little nervous about this because they so outnumber me, LOL, but I think I have enough stickers with me to keep them happy through the rest of the year! What a great way to use up those old supplies, huh?

Have an awesome Friday! XO

A quick Monday update on Gram...

The family was called in yesterday because Gram was slipping. After 2 cat scans, the doctors believe that more of her intestine is dying off. Apparently you simply can't survive with too little intestine since that is where nutrients are absorbed. If that is what is happening, it will be inevitable that she will pass away. At this point, the family has asked that nothing invasion be done, that she be made as comfortable as possible. Thanks for your continued prayers and support.

I am working today and then plan to go down to Lowell to visit with her again tonight. Thank goodness Scott is off today.

Weekend Update- 11/12/2006

I got a call yesterday morning that my Gram had a stroke the day before. How much can this one woman bear? I decided to go back down last night to see her. My aunt Kathy was coming up from LA and I knew the family would all be there so I left the kids with Scott and went to Lowell. Gram looked much different than Monday. Many of the tubes were removed from her face and nose, but she still has IV's coming out everywhere. She was much more alert but she was quite aggitated and kept thrashing around in the bed. She had a very hard time finishing a thought and couldnt put more than 2-3 words together. She had a fever and was quite clammy. It was frustrating because we couldnt help her. We couldn't figure out what was causing her pain or what she wanted us to do. At one point Suzy was upset because she thought Gram didn't know who she was. Then Jen and I went in and she didnt seem to know Jennifer but she spoke my name. It was quite heartwarming for me, but I know Jen's heart was aching. She has been there everyday for Gram, they were as close as 2 people can be, so it's painful to see Gram confused like she is. Things are very much still touch and go. Its a miracle she has made it this far, really, so each day is a gift.

Still no call from my own doctor with my test results. I will give a call tomorrow so I can find out what is going on. My next appt isn't till the 27th and that is just too long to wait.

Lots of fun digi things happening this weekend...

Have you seen Collection: 365 from Christy and Robin at Sweet Shoppe Designs? Gosh, I just love it when those girls team up! AWESOME STUFF! Here are a couple of layouts I have done with the kits:




Valerie Fowler is having an AWESOME 50% off sale on her Acetate Alphas at The Digi Chick! You can scoop up all of them for just 99 cents each! Here is a layout I created using these alphas:



Single Duplicates are still on sale for 88 cents each and the Good Times Mini Album is still 20% off! Can't beat that with a stick!

Well, its almost 7am so I better get crackin' on the day's projects! Have a great one! XO

Pre-holiday sale- 50% off!

Click here to go shopping now!

Updating recent things......

First and most important... an update on my Gram........ she did make it through the surgery yesterday and today she had the vent removed. Apparently she is still quite confused and she believed she was going to die today, asking for her sister. Things are still very touch and go but there is hope! Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes! We all appreciate them!

Second, be watching for an exciting sale announcement on Duplicates singles in the next couple days!

Third, If you need a sale right now, check out the Good Times Mini Album for 20% off at The Digi Chick! You can grab both this album and Fee's awesome Good Times kit and get the Holly Jolly kit for free! How cool is that!?

Fourth, why does my family want me to eat meat? EVERY DAY (and I do mean every single day) my family makes some kind of comment either joking or serious about my lack of meat eating. Why is this a big deal? And why did my husband tell my friend Kim on Halloween to tell me that the Corn Chowder was safe to eat and that Salt Pork is not meat, it's just "the salt of the pork"? I don't even know how she kept a straight face when she said it.

Fifth, still no call from my doctor with the MIBI test results. Hopefully it won't be too much longer!

Sixth, sorry I have not yet scanned my paper layouts from Saturday. I think I did 6 in all, but I havent been motivated to get them put up. I received a package that included 3 new collections from American Traditional Designs today. I am eager to get started on those projects and get them sent back!

Seventh, I have had many people recently ask how I am liking my job at Oak Designs. Honestly, other than the fact I would rather work less days (who wouldn't?), I am really enjoying it. The work is different each day and there is always something to do. Kim (my boss and friend) listens to my opinions and appreciates what I do. Being valued goes a long way in keeping an employee happy.

Eighth and in closing, here is one of my recent favorite layouts. I love the new Ribbonettes from Fee Jardine and of course her Cherry Snap kit is one of my all time favorites! And come on, isn't my boy just the cutest little thing?



Have a great Tuesday! XO

Sad news...

I got a call yesterday that my grandmother is in the hospital. She underwent major surgery where they removed most of her intestine. She is currently in a medically induced coma until the surgeons can check her tomorrow to see if anymore intestine has died off. Things don't look good. She is in a very fragile state. *sigh* My heart is breaking because she has always been such a strong woman. I went hunting for some pictures of her and found this photo of her and I together last Christmas. Isn't she just the most beautiful grandmother? She is one of the most kind and caring people I have ever met. She is so genuine and sweet and loves her family more than anything. I have been so blessed to have her in my life. If you have a moment and could say a prayer for her, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

Radioactive Rachael sayin' hi!

That's right, I am still technically radioactive since my MIBI test yesterday! Kind of strange. I expected I might feel different, but I don't feel anything much at all, LOL

So, the test is over. There were some EKG changes during the stress test but other than that, I won't have any results for at least a few days, maybe as long as a week! I am hoping that this will be the definitive test to say what is wrong with me. I can't afford more $1300 copays for expensive $5800 tests anyway! What a racket!

Thanks to Haley I am a part of the "Bring A Friend to Work" month on Lauren Reid's CT! I am super excited to get started! I love Lauren's designs and guest spots are so much fun!

Have you been over to Heather's blog? She is showcasing her new "That Fall Smell" kit and offering a free desktop calendar! Its so fun! Check it out on her blog! Also, here is a layout I did using this new kit:


Speaking of new kits.... you must check out HOLLY JOLLY at The Digi Chick! The kit is FREE with a $10 purchase until the end of November! This kit is totally rockin! Here is my first layout with this kit:

I also used mini alphas from Jan Crowley! I love those little alphas- they are so much fun!

I think that's all the new fit to print today! Have an awesome Friday! Are you ready for the weekend? I know I sure am! :)