What..................it's been 10 days:)

So, you say to yourself……..FINALLY…..prepare for a LONG post!! But, before I get to the stuff that has been occupying our lives here are some of the recent scrapbook pages I have done.





















Plopper: Sweet tart - Hunnibunny & Victoria Freeman
Font: MB Pomegrantate





















Plopper: Cabana Boy - Traci Reed
Font: 4990810





















Frame: #8 - Heather Benson
Font: MB Pomegranate
Paper, Tag & Graphics - Sandcastles - Nit Wit Designs




















Plopper: Bright Eyes - Laura McGee
Font: MB Pomegranate



















Plopper: Bright Eyes - Laura McGee
Font: Mama Wresh Pen


























































Plopper: Old Glory - Mindy Armour
Font: MB Lemonade




















Plopper: Cabana Boy - Traci Reed
Font: MB Pomegranate




















Plopper: Summerlicious - Kim Higuera
Font: MB Pomegranate



















Plopper: Cabana Boy - Traci Reed
Font:Vagabond

Plopper - 4th Of July

Font: MB Lemonade

Plopper: Americana 02 - Neverland Scraps

Font: MB Lemonade

Plopper: Red, White & Blue - Sondra Teer

Font: MB Pomegranate

Paper - Sandy Beach Alphabet - Meryl Bartho

Frame - Realistic Shadow - Nancy Comby

Font: MB Pomegranate

Template: DIP Simple Scraps #12 - Dawn Wilson

Paper & Graphics - Peeking Baseball - Ronnie McCray

Word Art: And I Quote - Athletics -- Mandabean

Paper, Word Art & Tag - Peeking Baseball - Ronnie McCray

Font: MB Pomegranate

Paper & Word Art - Peeking Baseball - Ronnie McCray

Font: MB Pomegranate

Frame: Split Screen - Kristy Semess

Plopper: Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Font: 4990810

Plopper: Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Font: Ant

Plopper: Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Font: 4990810

Plopper: Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Fonts: 4990810 & MB Pomegranate

Plopper - Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Font: MB Pomegranate

Font: MB Lemonade

Paper & Brads - Peeking Baseball - Ronnie McCray

Baseball - Baseball - Roberta D'Achille

Plopper ~ Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Word Art - And I Quote - Athletics - Mandabean

Font: 4990810

Template: Template #33 - Kimlizzy

Paper, Word Art & Graphics - Peeking Baseball - Ronnie McCray

Plopper: Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Word Art - And I Quote - Athletics - Mandabean

Font: 4990810

Plopper - Stephanie Whetsel

Font: MB Pomegranate

Font: MB Pomegranate

Trophy: Playball - PC Crafters

Baseball Paper - Field Day - Stephanie Whetsel

Lace - Batter Up - Rebecca Myers

Frame (recolored) - Baseball - Debbie Pearson

Stitch Paper - Take Me Out - Gary Fryns

Jeff just finished his “summer” baseball season – I call it his summer season because in August he will start playing “fall-ball” it’s a Wednesday night league played in BALLARD!!! I guess it’s not so bad since he has been playing mostly in North Seattle.

So, life has been crazy!!! The yearbook was finished and deliveredJ WOO HOO!!! We actually sold out of them! Can you believe it!!! That has never happened before.

School is OUT OUT OUT!!! WARNING…SHAMELESS BRAGGING AHEAD!!! Brendan got a really important award – it is called The Presidential Award For Education Execellence. He got this letter from the president and certificate and a pin with the Presidential Seal. He also made the honor roll. He got an award for playing basketball. But what was his favorite award??? The Safety Patrol Person of the year. He likes that one the best…….why……….because he was the only one to get it!!! He also got something for Volleyball. His big accomplishment?? He made every single AR reading goal since they started taking them at the beginning of 2nd grade. He is very proud of that – He’ll say – “remember when I hated to read” or “I’m sure glad reading clicked for me”. SHAMELESS BRAGGING OVER (for nowJ)

So, now we wait for middle school……….Did I say middle school??? CRAP!!! I will not cry I will not freak I will not cry I will not freak…….who am I kidding I am freaking already. He is looking forward to going. He is a bit apprehensive but still looking forward to it – Change it good change is good change is good. I don’t know if I keep saying it more for him or for me. Who cares I just keep saying it. I know he is 11 and he is really going into 6th grade – he is old enough he is old enough he is old enough he is old enough………..but when I look at him I see him as that little boy who wouldn’t enter the classroom in kindergarten and stood in the doorway…I will not cry…

Whitlee is doing GREAT!!! She is loving her gymnastics class – I think we may try soccer in the fall – I just hope it doesn’t turn out like it did with Brendan. Anyhow, she is growing like a weed. We are thinking about putting her in the ECE (early childhood education) class at Evergreen Heights. She would be a peer model in the class. Am I read for that NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!! I simple cannot wrap my head around it ---

Brendan and I went and saw Harry Potter 5 – at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday night!!!! YIKES!! We took JC with us. The boys LOVED the movie. Ever the critic I say it was ok. If I hadn’t read the book I would have LOVED the movie also. I was really interested in how they were going to cut the book down to fit into the 2hr. 15 min. time frame. I wasn’t disappointed --- The scene when Sirus died about killed me!!

That is all I can think of for now --- I’ll post more later……………….

Could this be real????

she is actually posting after an entire month!!!!!!!!!!! Well, kinda......since the internet is down on my laptop Jeff is having to "share" his computer with me so I can get online ---- this isn't fun for either of us. I am currently doing a post on my laptop that I will transfer with photos....lots and lots of photos...........SO, as Arnold would say............I'll Be BAAAAAACK!!!!!!

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOser!!!!

OK...OK...I hang my head in shame.........replace the bottle of booze with an iced green tea from Starbucks and that is me.....

We are in the home stretch of elementary school --- YIKES!!! it will be over before I know it!!!!


Can you believe that Brendan will be in middle school next year?!? I can't even wrap my mind around that right now.

What have I learned recently??? I learned at 38 I am still able to function on 1 1/2 hours sleep in a 72 hour period!!!

Why oh why would she be so crazy and do that you ask..............the company (whom shall remain nameless) that in years past we have gone through to do the yearbook screwed us over BIG TIME!!!! I have put the damn yearbook together not once.......NOOOOOOOOOOO........not twice..............NOOOOOOOOOOO but 3 yes 3 FREAKING TIMES!!!!!!!!! This is what I picture myself looking like when Jann told me we weren't having a yearbook this year because they didn't have it...........

You know freaking out on the verge of tears yet still holding it together and managing to look cute all the while ---- STOP LAUGHING MICHAEL!!!! I didn't say it was factual I said what I pictured!!!:)

All the while I am sure that this is actually what I looked like.........


who am I trying to kid this is me on a good day -- and from my good side:) :) I'm telling you add a ponytail and that is totally me:)

I am pretty sure this is what I look like during all the screaming I have done since Friday!!!!!!!

After my breakdown over the yearbook Jann and I quickly came up with some alternative plans..........

Now since we didn't have the yearbook mock-ups I had to create it YET AGAIN ---- this was time number 3. I just could not wrap my mind around them not having a yearbook this year. This is the big year for the 5th graders!!! Who came to the rescue???? KINKO's in Federal Way!!!! They ROCK ROCK ROCK so hard!!! they said they could scan reprint and compile the yearbook to look almost exactly like what we would have gotten from the "other" guys and....................................................for about $2000.00 less!!!! Like I said THEY ROCK!!!!!! And what is the best part of the whole crappy situation???? I got to use my creative skills and create a full color cover for the yearbook!!! That was FUN!!!! There are about 25 or so photos on the front and back cover --- I took the kids of the 4 other ladies who helped with the yearbook and put our kids on the cover since we worked on it and then I just took random shots that were collected through the year to fill it up. I think the kids will really like it.

And so with some minor screaming to get a copyright release this is what I look like now. I pick up the "proof" tomorrow upon approval it will take 5 days for the full and complete order to be ready!!! WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

I feel so FREE..........deep breath deep breath......and on to my next project!!!

I am teaching a class this month at Ben Franklin in Bonney Lake. It is making a scrapbook album using their new binding system. If you are interested here is the link to my class. http://www.bfranklincrafts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BFTM&Product_Code=SCL-6885

It should be fun fun fun....

This week marked a birthday for someone!! He needs to update his blog!!! I need an update!!!!

Brendan had 3 games left of baseball ---- he has had a good season -- he went 4 for 4 scored 3 times and had 4 RBI's last night --- the best part no trip to the ER or Urgent Care!!!!!!

Well -- I think that is all for now I need to get ready for a PTA meeting!!! I'll update with some scrapbook pages I have done recently later.................................

UPDATE YOUR BLOG!!!!:)

Bucking the system ----

OK so I know it hasn't been 7 or even 8 days ----

My computer is acting strange -- I think it may be on it's last legs but I'm not sure --- I wanted to get up here to post a layout I did of Brendan.

So, I'll add the rest of the credits later -- the kit however is About A Boy 3 to 5 by Misty Cato.

I'm outta here!!!!

Not 7 but 8

yes, that is right 8 days.....Ah life and it's little sidelines:)

We have had a BUSY week -- Brendan attended 5th grade camp last week -- it was good -- he had fun. There was a breakdown and I freaked but all in all he was home-sick and didn't realize how much he had missed us.

We went to the Mariner game on Saturday night -- It was little league night. Steve let Brendan walk with his team -- It was a BLAST!!!

Tonight Brendan had a baseball game -- he took a line drive directly in the chest -- it dropped him like a fly. I ended up taking him to urgent care per his doctor -- the dr. there said that if you had to take a ball to the chest he picked the PERFECT place:) That's my boy an over achiever:) :)

I'll be teaching a class at the Ben Franklin Crafts in Bonney Lake on Saturday, June 30th -- it is going to be SO MUCH FUN!!!!

I think that is all for now I am tired and I need to go ---- tomorrow is the school bbq --- it's our last (tear)........................................

Another week goes by..............

It seems like I am forming something of a habit here with only posting once a week. YIKES!!!

We are still fighting the "crud" at our house -- I'm still coughing, Brendan is all better but Ginger has developed a cough -- not a bad one but well....and that is all I'll say about her as she doesn't like me talking about her on my blog. I have to go back to the doctor on Thursday --- I have had a reaction of some kind to the antibiotic they gave me -- heat rash, itching, sweating like a PIG -- aaaahh so much fun:)

Today was a BIG day for us........Brendan left for 5th grade camp today -- he couldn't get out of the car fast enough this morning:) I haven't cried (yet) but am tempted to drive by the camp -- I know I know that is obsessive!!!:) I know he will have a great time. I am just going to miss him so much -- Whitlee has already started asking where he is!!!! Friday will be here in no time:)

Brendan and I went to see the musical RENT on Mother's Day -- it was his birthday present -- he/we loved loved loved it!!!! It was simply amazing!!!

Offically 1 week.............

Can it really be that long since I posted??? Evidently it can........So, I was sicker than I thought -- Jeff ended up working from home on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday --- I'm pretty sure he was thrilled to be back at the office yesterday................

Brendan ended up being sick also -- he ran a fever of 101 and 102 for 2 or 3 days. By Thursday Jeff simply made a statement......either I make a Dr. appointment for myself and Brendan or he was taking me to the emergency room. I had basically been in bed since Saturday:0

The good news.....I only have 5 hays of antibiotics left. YIKES!!!

Brendan had a baseball game last night --- it was awesome!!! Great weather and the team played really well!!!! Jeff's dad was in town and came to see the game.

Well, I think that is all for now ---- I have about 1000 loads of laundry to do..........yum......dirty sweaty socks that have been sitting for a week....................................

Here is a couple of layouts I did recently

Brendan's last choir

performance -

kit - making music by Andrea Gold

Kit - Color Pop

by Andrea Gold and Jessica Alger

pink eye....plague.....baseball....RBI Baby....RUN SCORED!!!

That is what our life has been for the past few days --- I think we may have the upper hand on the pink eye -- I think Whitlee put it simply "Pink-eye SUCKS!"

The plague is currently making its way around our house == it has visited Jeff and Whitlee and is currently visiting Brendan and I ---------- Ewwwwwwwwww

Brendan had his first baseball game on Monday --- 2 RBI and he scored!!! It was pouring the entire time but he loved it!!!!!

That's all for now --- I need more meds!!!!!

Hey Mike................You da man!!! We love you guys!!!!

Pink eye....No I don't mean a south park episode!!

So, duh....it's not a cold in the eye!! Since we have never had pink eye I had no idea what look for...............Guess what?? It's pink eye! Poor Whitlee ~~~

Conjunctivitis (commonly called "pinkeye" in the USA and "Madras Eye" in India) is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids), most commonly due to an allergic reaction or an infection (usually bacterial or viral).

I was able to get her into the doctor first thing in the morning and we started drops right away ~~ pink eye bye-bye:)

Brendan went to work with Jeff on Thursday -- it was "Take Your Child To Work Day" -- he came home SICK. He is feeling better now (thank goodness!!!!)

I basically haven't slept since Thursday ~~~ It's not looking good for tonight either!!

This morning was Brendan's Jamboree --- he had SO much fun!!! He is really enjoying sports.

Here are a few layouts I have done recently:

~~Template by Alice Naylor -- Kit by Playball ~ Mary Fran Nit Wit Designs~~

~~Template by Michelle Swadling -- Kit by Playball ~ Mary Fran Nit Wit Designs~~

~~Kit - CT Call Sampler by Weeds And Wildflowers~~

~~Template by Got Layers 4 05 ~ Template ~ Marcie Reckinger -- Kit Rain Drops And Daisies ~ Lena Brandenburg~~

~~Kit - Inital Box by Ake P, Paper - Fresh by Fernelli, Daisy - Rain Drops And Daisies ~ Lena Brandenburg, Flower and Ribbon by Papermoon~~

~~Template by Andrea Gold - Kit Rocker by Rocker ~ Tracy Drane~~

So, that's all for now -- I know I am forgetting something but I am so tired right now I can't even spell my own name!!! I'm going to try and catch a cap nap before Whitlee wakes up again!!!

UUUGGGG!!!!!

I really did mean to come back and post. Here is a "condensed" version of our lives for the past 2 weeks.

Brendan's birthday was GREAT!!!! Jeff took the day off of work and we spent the ENTIRE day at Seattle Center. We went to the Pacific Science Center. There was a Grossology exhibit there and Brendan REALLY wanted to see it. It sucked -- well, it was geared toward kids from say 5-8ish -- so, it freaked out Whitlee and Brendan was bored. Luckily, there was a new exhibit about small animals that opened that day and there were pony rides:) I think I took 100-120 photos of Whitlee on the pony:) And there is always the butterfly house -- Brendan LOVES that so much -- I gave him my camera and let him go wild. Whitlee lasted about 5 minutes before she wanted to leave and go "pet" the cockroach again (ewwwww) so daddy took her. Brendan and I spent a good hour in the butterfly house. He got some really good shots. We went to dinner and then to what turned out to be the Thunderbirds last home game of the season. It was a nice day and there was no pain.

Brendan had his birthday party on the 14th -- it was a swimming party. I was kinda freaking out because a lot of people were out of town because of Spring Break. Never fear he had a bunch of kids there. I think everyone had a good time.

Brendan pain free pain free ----------- WHOOO HOOO!!!! School started on Monday. Brendan was scared -- really scared. How would the kids treat him -- I told him that I would be at home and to call if he needed to. He made it almost all day --- I picked him up and he rested. His head was back at a 5. While, I figured it would happen I was freaking out inside -- maybe the acupuncture wouldn't work --- what if what if what if what if what if...................he seemed to be doing better by the time it was time to leave for baseball --- he was really looking forward to playing. After practice he was in tears his head hurt so bad. He didn't go to school on Tuesday instead I took him to see Chris. BAM!!!! Brendan was all better. Wednesday he tried school again -- he made it almost all day I picked him up, his head was at a 5 and he slept for a couple of hours -- when he woke up he was at a 3 -- hum...............again we went to practice and again he was at a 7 after practice -- hum................I called Chris and left a message - Brendan didn't go to school on Thursday ------- no call back from Chris (hum...) So, unlike him. Well, he didn't call because he doesn't work on Thursdays. He called at 9:15 am on Friday --- I took the choir tickets up to school at noon and picked up Brendan. Pain level back to zero --- Friday night Brendan had his last performance with the choir for Evergreen Heights - it was so great!!!!

Today is Tuesday and he is at school -- he went yesterday and stayed ALL DAY!!! There was ball practice last night -- no pain -- we'll see how it goes.

I am off to install a new garbage disposal!!!

11 years old......................

I'll be back

....Happy Dance....Happy Dance.....

Shhhh...................


can you just feel it????


can I be any more neurotic???


can it be real???

can it be true???


can it make me anymore crazy???


Picture this my friends...............This is me (and Brendan) doing the happy dance ---Today was our 4th trip to see Mr. Chris -- have I mentioned how AWESOME he is??? He was pretty aggressive with Brendan's treatment today -- He had let Brendan know and stopped when Brendan felt discomfort --- When Brendan got off the table he was at a 2 --- A 2!!!!! It's the 4th appointment and my kid is down to a 2!!!! We went to Matthew's TBall game --- We went to the grocery store --- I noticed a spring in his step that hadn't been there before --- off the cuff I asked Brendan -- "Your head doesn't hurt at all does it?" Without missing a beat he said NO -- stopped turned around and looked at me and realized what he said......................NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN NO PAIN...................


Before I break out in the manic crazed Snoopy happy dance...


caution..................don't get over excited.............

Whatever ---- I'll take it:)




I can see clearly now the rain is gone..................

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun......

And I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here.

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun. And I say it's all right.

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces. Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here.

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun. And I say it's all right.

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes. Sun, sun, sun, here it comes. Sun, sun, sun, here it comes. Sun, sun, sun, here it comes. Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...............................

So, it has been more than 2 days it has actually been 5 days --- as always life is and has been crazy:) Isn't that just like life............

Brendan -- My sweet boy - he continues to improve (woot woot!!!)- she says in a whisper....His pain level is down to a 4(there was an acupuncture appointment yesterday). Today was Therapy message day and Friday is another acupuncture day. He is actually doing some homework right now..............Did I just type he was doing homework??? Why yes I did!!! I think that there may be some school in the near future..........Maybe not until after Spring Break which is next week - but soon....People have actually made mention of how he is looking better!! Ah.........a ray of sunshine..............just a peek.............a tiny little glimpse. Trying not to put all my eggs(hope) in a basket(acupuncture) but seriously I don't believe it is the medication. I am trying hard not to be a mother hen -- letting him push his boundaries where he can -- it is hard.

I know that each time you go through something it is a "learning" experience. But I have learned a lot -- I really am a mama bear protecting her cub(s). I have learned that people really do care about Brendan (and us). You know honestly care -- the no strings attached kind of we care about you because you are you. It is a strange concept for me -- battle scares and all. None the less I am grateful and I appreciate every single one!!!! I have learned that I should follow my "gut" regardless of what my "mind" is saying. I have learned that I will do anything -- absolutely anything to take care of my children - I always said that I would but know I know without a doubt I would. I have learned that it probably isn't a good idea to suck down a power Matcha Green Tea from Jamba Juice(man I love those!!!!!) with a burner boost in it 1 hour before you meet with a team of neurologists (it induces SCREAMING LOTS AND LOTS OF SCREAMING!!!)that is a lot of caffeine coursing through ones body at a time. I have learned that a 5/10 on the pain scale can bring tears of relief to a mother driving home in Friday night traffic. Here comes the sun...........................

Matthew (my nephew) had his first T-ball game last Friday -- is it obsessive that I took roughly 390 shots of just him??? I probably took 25-30 shots of Steven. So, in a one hour t-ball game I took about 420 shots. Is that obsessive??? It really doesn't matter --- I really don't care:) He is my nephew and I'll take a million shots if I need to:) :) :)THANK GOODNESS FOR DIGITAL!!!!! I came home and used a baseball plopper and made these of Steven and Matthew...............................

The plopper is from the kit Baseball by Debbie Pearson

I sent them to Steven and Sharlene -- they liked them -- Sharlene has them at her desk at work and Steven has them at his Pinnacle office and at the district. I am going to have them printed in the next Costco print I do. Steven managed to talk me into taking the at bat shot of each of his players - there are 12 kids on the team..........funny it seemed like there were about 20 on Friday --- I'll make a plopper for each family and then burn it to a disk for Steven -- he can print them or just email them to the parents.

Steven said something to Matthew tonight.....Something that took me back 21 years ago in the blink of an eye --- something that made me catch my breath --- something that can shake one to its core -- something that I never really spoken to anyone about before -- Something I didn't think he remembered....Tonight Matthew told Steven he was STARVING....Steven said "Buddy, you don't know what starving is." Bam just that fast I was back there -- in that place I thought I had left so far behind --- He told Matthew "Aunt Penny, Aunt Susie and I know what starving is" -- BAM -- we are huddled in the kitchen making a small envelope of powdered eggs and dividing it between the 3 of us ---- 2 bites just 2 bites a piece -- but it was food. Then he told Matthew -- "you know Aunt Penny use to work in a grocery store and she would bring home left over chicken so Aunt Susie and I would have something to eat". I didn't think he remembered that -- we certainly have never talked about it. They would just throw it away at the end of the night --- 20lbs of fried chicken each and every night --- Why throw it away --- There were mouths to feed..... How many nights did they eat chicken for dinner and then for breakfast and then for lunch --- food is food....

Anyway, that's an update on us..................off to finish the yearbook -- it is the bane of my existance but I will kick the crap out of this baby!!!!!!!!!!