So, this is my "temporary" new blog layout. I had a hard time choosing the new title. It was between this and Married With Children. I ended up choosing this one because my life is a highway. Some days I'm in the fast lane and others I am in the slow lane getting passed by everyone around me. (at least that's my take on the title) I hit road blocks, construction and pot holes. Other days I can go "full speed ahead". I still have to work on the side bars and I am DETERMINED to put a new header on. I'm still struggling with that one but I shall not give up! The Married with Children title just makes me smile. It reminds me of the show. When Steve and I first got married, that show had just started. We thought it was the funniest show ever. I remember looking forward to every Sunday evening so we could sit and watch "our show". I even bought Steve and Al Bundy T-shirt. But, there are days when I feel my life is just "married with children". I spend so much time being a wife and mom, that I forget to slow down and do things for me. That is one of the changes I have vowed since the kids went back to school. Do more things for me. I have my scrapbooking but I just don't make the time to do it anymore because I'm so tired by the end of the evening when all is quiet, that I usually just go to bed. So, I'm going to change that. I told the kids that once dinner is over, I'm "off duty". Any questions or problems need to be directed to dad. hehe. When I was at the new Joann's I got so excited at all their materials and fun craft stuff that I can't wait to jump back into it. Tonight, I'm going to scrapbook with my friend, Marlene, and she is going to show me how to make this 'no sew' blanket that I've been wanting to do. I'll post a picture of it when completed. I used to piddle around and sew--nothing too fancy. With Mark missing Liz so much, I thought I would make him some Florida Gators boxers and pajama pants.

Today is going to be an absolutely crazy day. I really need to just shut off the computer since it's such a temptation to be on it when it's turned on. I'm really digging Facebook and having some fun with it. It's really addicting reading those bumper stickers and flair. So much fun. But, I need to hit Circuit City for some better virus software for Liz's computer. Our cordless phone is also dying. Even though Walmart is probably cheaper, I just don't feel like getting a headache today. Plus, I swore off purchasing all electronics from Walmart after getting a "dud" digital camera and they wouldn't exchange it after only 35 days! I also have to bake a gazillion chocolate chip cookies to send up to the girls tomorrow. I bought a big tub of cookie dough the other day at BJ's. I thought I would put a little tag on it that says "Return anytime for refill".

So, that being said, I really should log off and get my day started. Have a wonderful Friday. Make it a good one.

OH HAPPY DAY

I finally broke down and went to Staples and bought a webcam (spent $39). I finally got it hooked up and tonight I got to "video chat" with Liz. This is the longest I have ever gone without seeing one of my kids. I know you all think I am crazy, but it was really hard to send her off to college. It took such an emotional toll to "let her go". I never thought it would be so hard. I know many of you don't understand, but when your times come, you will. It was so cool to be able to see her and Heather (her roommate and BFF). She's surving her first four days of classes and only has one class tomorrow at 11:45. She told me that tomorrow will be "laundry day" and "grocery day". What?? My daughter doing laundry? That will definately be a "photo opportunity". I will admit, I did all her laundry. Not because she didn't know how, but I couldn't stand her laundry pile. It drove me nuts! She also joined a sorority. She's a Phi Mu! I'm so glad that she is getting involved. I told her that she has to make the most out of the next four years. Study hard! She will also meet people that she will be friends with the rest of her life. So, that means she won't be coming home this weekend. They are all going over to Universal Studios. Plus, Saturday is the opening football game that she's going to. Steve and Greg also scored tickets so they are going to go up. I have a whole box of stuff for them to take up to her. I wish I were going -- maybe next time. I told her to hit dad up for a nice dinner. :)

These are "my girls". Before they left, they had a little photoshoot with their friend who is a photographer. He took some awesome shots. Aren't they the cutest college students??

I survived Back to School night at the elementary school. I couldn't wait to get out of there. Not because I didn't like his teacher, but the district decided to "cut back" and all schools are to be set at 76 degrees. It was miserably hot. Yesterday the AC went out and those poor kids were miserable. What I want to know is if those "district people" are sitting in their nice offices @ 76 degrees. I know that doesn't sound like much, but we live in FLORIDA!!! The state also mandated that they have PE every day now. So, not only are they hot from PE everyday, they have to come into a "warm" classroom. It was miserable. Also, the kids have uniforms so they have to wear heavy polos. I might "bend" and go out and try and get by with T-shirts until it cools down. It was ridiculous.

I went to our new Joann Fabrics yesterday-not once but twice. It's so nice. So, clean and so much selection. It will be so cool to have a choice other than Michaels. When I saw all their Fall stuff, it made me realize that it's almost the season for this. This is a Starbucks Pumpkin Latte. YUM. However, it's still 90 degree's so it may have to be the cold version.

Since I posted and talked about Liz, my next post will have pictures of the other kids first day of school. I got a new camera back in the Spring and believe it or not, I'm still trying to figure out the whole uploading them to my computer. My other camera was so easy. But, I will figure it out.

Have a wonderful Wednesday evening. Hope everyone had a wonderful day. I'm off to organize my scrapbook room and work on a few layouts. I bought a lot of new stuff at Joann's yesterday that I can't wait to play with.

Hurricane Gustav and other stuff

Well, it looks like Gustav is heading out into the Gulf of Mexico. That's great news for us but looks like Texas could be in his path. Hopefully he will "fizzle out".

I'm off to get some stuff for Liz that she needs (another set of sheets, a lock for her laptop, some more food). Steve and Greg are going up to the football game on Saturday so they can take it to her then. She is now in a sorority so I get to start another scrapbook. She's having a ball. Classes started yesterday and she was so exhausted last night that she forgot to call me back. Thanks to Facebook, I knew she was in her dorm since she was online.

I'm off to check out the new Joann Fabrics that just opened up down the street. They closed the "icky" one and moved into the spot where AC Moore was supposed to be. I guess AC Moore went bust and it never opened. Hopefully, this Joann's will carry lots of scrapbook supplies. Otherwise, I'll still have to make the 30 minute trip to the other one.

So, I'm off to run my errands while the sun is shining. Have a great Tuesday.

(still working on updating my blog. I'm trying to figure out how to do a header. If anyone knows how and can walk me through it, let me know. I can't figure it out. I think I have the new name picked out but I am hoping to do it all at one time.)

Say It Ain't So!

Here we go again. Right now we are barely outside the yellow circle here in Tampa but I am sure that will change. I'm still trying to get in a "back to school schedule" but if this keeps up I will never be organized or know what the heck I am doing because I will be in my "be prepared" mode. Here's to hoping it makes a NE turn and blows out into the Atlantic.

Finally..............................

we are feeling the effects of Tropical Storm Fay. We got not even a raindrop on Tuesday. I guess second time is a charm. It's just a dreary, rainy day. I actually kind of like it. Unfortunately, I do have to venture out in it. I have to put gas in my car and I need to pick up some new gym shoes. I have been having lots of problems with my ankle and I went to the doctor yesterday. So, after all the years of wearing flip flops, my poor feet are paying the price. I have a pair of gym shoes already, but I want something that doesn't look so "clunky". I am also supposed to rest it and ice it as much as possible. If this doesn't work, I will have to get an MRI. Good news is that there were no strains or breaks.

I spoke with Liz last night and I guess Gainesville has been hammered by all the rain by Fay. She said, the campus was closed today and all activities cancelled. So, she is stuck inside her dorm room. Is that a bad thing? Oh yeah, last night our local news did a story about the comeback of bed bugs in colleges. Guess what college they mentioned? Yep the University of Florida. They also mentioned Ohio State. Gross. I sent her up with only one set of sheets, but I may send her some more so she can wash them more often. I couldn't stop itching after seeing that story. Ick.

So, I have finally narrowed down some new blog names. I would really love to hear some comments on what people think. Here's what I have so far:

A New Day

Life is a Highway

Married with Children

Unfinished Business

Life's Moments

It's All Good

Changes..............

I'm kind of leaning towards "A New Day". I keep hearing that Celine Dion song in my head. This past year has been a turning point for me. I turned the big 40--GASP, one of my kids graduated high school and entered college, and Emily entered High School. This was the first time, that I actually slowed down and took a look at how fast my life is going by. We've had ups and downs and by no means has it been perfect. But, I have a healthy family and a nice roof over my head. What more can I ask for? I actually sat down and deleted some blogs off my list because they were depressing to read. Not because their lives were bad, but no one can be that perfect. I would read some of them and just shake my head. I like reading blogs where I can actually relate to people. My family is far from perfect.

Anyways.............last night I went Creative Memories shopping at my CM Consultants house. She is moving and had marked some stuff down so she doesn't have to move it. I got some paper packs. I am extremely motivated to sit down and work on some layouts, but housework is calling. Maybe tonight.

Well, it's time to tackle Mt. Washmore and get the day going. I am so tempted to go back to bed--it's so dark in the house right now but I will resist the urge.

Have a wonderful, Friday. Make it a good one.

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

Eighteen years ago today, Elizabeth came into our family. We were young, clueless, and oh so excited to have our first baby. (I can't believe I am sharing this picture)! She came ten days early and we were NOT ready. Thanks to my friends Susan and Lori, Elizabeth came home to a completed nursery. Luckily, she was a good baby. She let us sleep through the night pretty much right away. She was a "text book" baby. I never would have imagined that the next 18 years would fly by so fast.

This is the first birthday EVER that we have not been together. It's only been a few days, but oh how I miss her! She has spent her first few days finding her way around campus. Being the good girl that she is, she has checked in with me everyday. I even set up a Facebook so we can keep in touch. My next investment is a web cam so I can actually be able to see her when we message.

I am so proud of the person she has become. She is extremely well rounded and I do believe she is going far in life. I can't explain how "strange" it is her not being here. I am used to staying up at night until she came in the door after being out. Poor Mark really is missing her. I taught him how to email her and he was so happy when she emailed him back. Greg and Emily are enjoying having the bathroom! hehe. I am sure my water bill will go down somewhat too. I sure do miss her. She's hoping to come home sometime in mid-September. That's a long time!!!!

So, Happy 18th Birthday, Elizabeth. Oh yeah, in case she is reading this--don't forget to register to vote.

We love you & miss you!

Tropical Storm Fay Update

Bummer. Today was the first day of school. Kids were up and out the door ready to go. I certainly am enjoying the quiet. However, the quiet will be short lived. I just saw on TV that they are closing the schools tomorrow. So, I spent my morning getting pictures developed and ran to Michael's for some scrapbook goodies so I can spend "my day off" working on some layouts.

I am not concerned about this soon to be hurricane though. I have candles, batteries, water, snacks and all the necessary items. If the power does indeed go out, we will survive. This system is so reminiscent of Hurricane Charlie four years ago. We were so lucky that year that we didn't even have any wind or rain.

I will post some pictures of "moving day" soon. Right now I am just enjoying the quiet. I know the kids will be home soon and it won't be quiet anymore.

SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?

Tomorrow is moving day! We hit the road at 7 a.m. to make the 1.5 hour drive to Gainesville and move Elizabeth into her dorm. We've been so busy getting everything together that we haven't had the tv on. I saw last night that there was a tropical storm brewing! Where did that come from???? So, I just logged onto our local news website and this is the headline.

Crist declares state of emergecny as Tropical Storm Fay moves towards Cuba WFTS-TV First in HD

Should I be worried that if this hurricane does indeed come in the "projected" path that one of my kids will be weathering the storm out away from home? I have a feeling she's not worried. She will be in a dorm room with a bunch of other college students probably having a blast. Who would want to be stuck at home with their family fighting over what to watch on TV? :)

This and that and Name my Blog Contest

I haven't blogged lately because I haven't had anything to blog about. It's the same ole stuff going on. Take this kid here, that kid there, blah blah blah. That's how my life has been going lately. I feel like I am on auto pilot. Well, that will all change in a matter of a few days. My "baby" is leaving for college. She's pretty much been packing up her room and putting stuff in storage containers because she says this will never be "her" room again. She shares a room with Emily (you can imagine her excitement over getting the room to herself). She tells me that she will only be "staying" here not "living" here anymore. I keep telling her that this will always be her room. She doesn't have to clear it out but she is excited about moving 1.5 hours away. No more parents hovering over, no more fighting with her siblings. She's "on her own". Not only will I have to adjust to her leaving, but I have to adjust to having yet another high schooler. Emily will be a freshman! Emily is the third child and sometimes I fell like I have short changed her. I try not to but I remember what it was like. I was the fourth out of five kids. I was always jipped out of things. So, I am hoping to spend more time with her. She's totally opposite Liz. So, I will do my best. Greg is all ready. He "gets it" this year. It has finally sunk into him how important those grades and volunteer hours are for college and Bright Futures. He spent the day today up at the high school volunteering. This time next year, I get to experience the whole "senior" thing again. I have been blessed though that I have really good kids. They are smart, they have great friends, they don't drink or smoke. So far, all is good. I'm not ever saying that they won't make mistakes along the way, but "it's all good". As for Mark, hopefully third grade will be as good as second grade. He had the best teacher.

So, I don't know what I am going to do next week when my house goes from total chaos to about 8 hours of silence. Lisa and I used to go to breakfast and we even did pedicures to celebrate. It's not the same without her. So, I have decided to spend the entire day scrapbooking. Not cleaning, not running errands but hopefully get some pages done. We will see how that goes.

I have also decided to update my blog and be a better blogger. So, first thing first, I need a new name for my blog. I am also going to "change it up" with different background to reflect all the changes that we have been going through. I hope to start including more pictures as well. So, I am going to have a "name my blog" contest. If I choose the name that you suggust, I will send you a prize. Don't know what it will be yet, but give me time to put some more thought into it.

Well, told you nothing exciting has been going on. Hopefully that will all change. Have a wonderful rest of the week.