Super Bowl Sunday

We’ve made it to February.  Not too much happening around here.  Life just seems to be really busy but nothing like super exciting.  Wade and his family have been staying with us, for now 3 1/2 weeks.  Although we haven’t minded too much all of them here, we are looking forward to it just being me and Bill.  We had planned to get a 55” HDTV and would have loved having it before the Big Game today but there’s absolutely no way we would still have it in one piece with a 4 year old, 3 year old, and 1 year old around.  So, we’ll hopefully get it this week.  Seriously, this was supposed to only be 2 weeks but I knew deep down inside that it would probably go on another week or so.  I do love them but like my privacy and quiet time.  Oh well, that’s life.

I’m joining in at Log Your Memory for their challenges and it’s fun.  Now that FPD is closing their virtual doors in a couple of weeks, I’m finding time to get some pages done and just relax a little.  I kinda went into a panic mode when I heard they were closing.  I felt like I needed to find another CT and I do like site CTs but there’s nothing available right now.  I do have some awesome CTs I’m on but a couple of them haven’t done any new products so I guess that’s why I panicked.  I’mma gonna be alright!  Here’s what I’ve done so far…..

So, Log Your Memory is one of my new favorite sites and so is Mscraps.  I saw that a couple girls I’ve been on CTs with are there and I love all the designers there.  I guess that’s where my money will be going for awhile.  I’m hanging around TLP and hope to be more active there.  I definitely love that site but find it hard to really get in there and meet some ladies.  I kinda feel like I’m one of the oldest out there.  Crazy, huh?!?!?

That’s all right now.  I’ll be back later to chit-chat about absolutely nothing but to get some things written down so I can remember them later.  LOL 

GO SAINTS!!!!  Who dat?!?!?

Sweet Talk @ LogYourMemory

They’re kicking off a month-long challenge at one of my favorite sites today … the Sweet Talk Journaling Challenge at Log Your Memory!

I hope you’ll come on over and check it out today … there will be an entire month of scrapbooking challenges with a focus on “real life” journaling, plus the chance to earn points and prizes along the way! And if you’ve never visited before, you’re in for a treat! There’s a wonderful group of friendly, helpful scrapbookers just waiting to say hello and show you around!

Get started by visiting the Log Your Memory Blog HERE and get ready to journal your way to becoming a Log Your Memory Sweet Talker!

(And tell them melrio sent you!)

Last Post for 2009

Yeah, with the way I post around here, this will be my last post for 2009!  The new year is quickly upon us and I sure hope 2010 is a wonderful year…with way less rain than we got this year.  What a mess!  Christmas turned out pretty good and we are thankful that we had all 5 kiddos here to celebrate the holidays!  There’s Chad, Joy, Sarah, Wade, and Billy!

It’s been quite a few years since all of them were together.  And with Christmas, our grandchildren were together (except Amelia)

OMG, there’s a ton of them!  Love each & every one of them…in their own little special way.

We are thankful for our family and friends and wish everyone a wonderful New Year!  Here we go…into a new decade!

Peace & Love from our home to yours!

Chillin’ @ da Riordans

Okay….I must be really chillin’ these days as I haven’t updated in like fah-evah!  What’s up with that, huh?!?!?  Well, life is happening!  Let’s see, made it through Halloween without any issues.  WHEW!  Then my trip to Bah-STUN!  I had a great time but was glad to finally be home.  Check out me with the minuteman!

Don’t we make such a cute couple!  It was a beautiful day and riding on the train was surely an experience.  Glad I don’t have to do that everyday. 

Deer hunting season is here and yes, I am a deer hunter’s widow!  Well, not completely.  I have joined the ranks as a Huntress!  I told the guys at deer camp that Tiffany Lekowski was my idol!  Here I am….taking photos with my cell phone to prove I’m in the ‘Condo’!

Bill really did my stand up…..diva style!  LOL  Missed a doe and let a big, honkin’ buck get by me.  So, I definitely have a learning curve.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with a delicious meal and here’s my family, along with me and my deer hunter of a husband who is starting to look more like Santa!  HaHaHa!

Chad with his family

Wade with his crew

Billy with his girlfriend

And, of course, my mama & daddy!  Who, without them, I wouldn’t be here!  LOL

Alright, now I’ve got ya updated on me!  Hopefully, I’ll make it back here a little more often but definitely do NOT hold your breath.  I hate that the district has blogs blocked…that’s probably why I don’t update very often.  I’ve got tons of layouts done but kinda slacked in the past few weeks with work & life and all the obligations of who needs what, when, where.  But at least I have that to complain about so yes….I am THANKFUL! 

Wishin’ you all a very, Merry Christmas!  Enjoy the season and spread some joy!  I’ll be back soon with my Christmas list so get your cash ready!  LOL 

New Beginning

Well, looks like the kiddos aren’t the only ones returning to school this fall.  Yeah Me!  After sitting out for 9 years, I’m heading back into the classroom to finish up my Bachelors degree.  Finally!  Sitting with the advisor last week was a real eye-opener and after all was said and credits for my professional work, I only have 6 classes to go!  So, I’m taking 3 this semester and 3 in the spring and, hopefully, I’ll graduate in May.  Wish this old broad luck! 

These past few weeks have been busy at work and it always seem so stressful this time of year.  Especially when a new school is opening.  It’s nice but alot of work has gone into it to make the first day of school absolutely wonderful.  There’s a small downfall to everything this summer….I just don’t know where I fit into the whole scheme of things.  I feel like things are changing and I have no control over it.  I’m still sitting back, working on the items that I know I can contribute to and make a difference but I have some slight hesitation of the whole picture.  I think its my hormones going crazy.  What else could it be?!?!  It’ll all work out.  It usually does.

Now that {WST} has closed, I applied for a few CTs but didn’t make it on any of them.  There is still one more but I’m not getting my hopes up on that one, either.  But, maybe its the way things should go and there’s something coming later.  Dang it…I would love to know what God’s plan is for me.  You know, maybe give me a little schedule so that I can prepare myself.  LOL  Okay, I’m just kidding but you know I’m right!  It’s not like its the end of the world for me if I don’t get on another team and it might be because when one door (opportunity) opens, I jump in.  I do give notice to the teams I resign from but maybe its just me…my pages…my lack of something or ‘nuther. 

We had a great time celebrating Bill’s 63rd birthday.  He still holds the key to my heart and the kids love partying with him.

I’m a bit upset, though, that 2 of the kids didn’t take just a few moments out of their day to at least call and wish him a Happy day.  For crying out loud, we loan one of them our car (because he doesn’t have one right now), pay for the lawyer so that he can keep seeing the grandbaby, and nothing from him.  Ooooo, that kid just disappoints me sometimes.  But, we had a good time, regardless, with 2 of Bill’s kids and some awesome friends.  One, in particular, I’ve known since 1989 and from when I was married before in Sicily til now….we are still friends.  Like Sisters and she is very dear to me and Bill.

Oh, before I forget….since I know one of our kids hasn’t seen the house in, like, forever.  We finally got the house painted and trimmed out.  Bill did a fabulous job and it looks so nice!

  

And, my mother & I spent 3 days with my grandmother earlier this month and both are still an inspiration to me.

Soooo, that’s about it here.  I can’t imagine what wonderfully, blessed things are coming in the next few weeks but I’m sure it’ll be exciting.  Keep ya posted!  I have gotten a few pages done for my scrapbooks…..wanna see?!?!

Okay, gotta say ‘bye-bye’ to Sarah.  She’s heading out to some friends today and back home tomorrow.  We always have a good time when she comes out with us! 

So….until next time…

Ta-Ta!      

10 til Ten

Yep, that’s what time it is now.  Mark it on your calendar that I actually am going to get another post done here on the blog.  I thought I would be better at posting here but 1) my work has blocked all blogs now so I can’t post during the work week and 2) I’m so freakin’ lazy!  HA!  I’m really not lazy just busy.  Seriously, this past few weeks have just flown by.  Between work, family, and all the other schtuff that happens, I just don’t get much time to think about things like that.  I’m getting ready for another weekend with DH and I know he likes the time that we’re having together.  It’s totally thrown my weekends off and my weekdays too.  When he was working, he didn’t want to go do anything after work and now, he waits for me to get off work and then we’re off doing something.  And cleaning my house?!?!  OMG, I really don’t want anyone walking past the living room/kitchen areas.  What I’m really looking forward to is Deer Season.  Oh, I know I didn’t just say that but it’s about the only time that I may just actually have some ‘ME’ time and really get this house cleaned up.

We made it to court today and after all the freakin’ crap we’ve been through with our youngest, things may just work out for him.  He’s been through so much these past 7 months.  All I’m going to say is that his ex-wife has thrown his entire life upside down over B*S!  I know, I’m his mother but for someone so freakin’ miserable in her own life, she sure knows how to make people around her miserable too.  And then, can’t understand why people treat her the way they do.  But, we’re now on the mend and it is my hope that God looks after him.  So far, this week has been good for him. 

Waiting to hear how one of my grandson’s test comes out tomorrow.  Poor lil’ guy has been sick and hopefully tomorrow we’ll find out what’s going on.  DH’s father, we think, may be getting worse too.  He’s stopped eating and at 86, he’s kind of ready to go.  We’re not ready but then again, who is?  The nurses at the VA are keeping an eye on him.

I’ve totally been un-inspired to do much for scrapbooking lately.  With everything going on here, my creativity is at a major low.  Maybe Sunday, I’ll be ready to get something done.  Sad, huh?!?!?

Well, I’m outta here this weekend. 

See ya on the flip side! 

Party in the Woods!

I’m so looking forward to this weekend!  We’re heading up and into the mountains with a bunch of friends for some relaxing times.  I can hardly wait.  We spent the 4th cleaning the RV and it’s cleaner now than it ever has been.  Bill even helped out on the inside and we’ve got it looking pretty dang good too.  I’m just thankful that we have AC because the weather folks say it’s going to be a scorcher!  Great!

Not too much happening around here and I’m kinda happy about that too.  I’m loving the drama-free zone around here lately.  I’m sure it’ll change but for now, it’s real nice!  I’m made some time to get a few scrapbook pages too! 

       

My sweet family just makes it so easy to get pages done and they bear with me and the camera. 

Well, like I said, we’re in a drama-free zone and so not much happening.  I’ve got an early day tomorrow, pulling fiber so I’m heading out for the night.  Y’all take care wherever you are.  ~Mwah!

A Worthy Cause

Wr!t3r W@nt3d

Oh, how I need to get myself on here more often and update.  It’s been too long and I’m telling myself, NOW!  Now, I will start getting on here and updating my poor, neglected blog as it really could be therapeutic to share my feelings.  Yah…let’s see how long this last.  This Time! 

School is out for the summer and, as always, life gets kinda weird around here for some reason.  Changes with my job and the duties that I will leave and those that I will pick up for the new school year.  Dang….there’s going to be some very upset people around but if I can handle it, so can they.  Hey, at least we all still have a job.  And I am very thankful that I do. 

My best friend and I seemed to have fallen into a rift that neither one of us really knew how or why.  See, I told you life gets nutty around here.  She has some issues going on with one of her kids and she just closed herself off.  And, I guess I did too.  Finally, after her boyfriend and my husband wanted to know what was going on, I asked her to join me in the little corner of our friendly bar and we just sat down and discussed what was going on.  I swear….sometimes I’m just a big ol’ baby when it comes to friendships.  But I guess that might be a good thing because, as another friend put it….I care!

I’ve been hanging in there with my scrapbooking.  I just realized that I hadn’t taken one single photo this month.  How freakin’ sad is that!  Really?  Really!  Not a picture.  Even today, with Father’s Day, I neglected to even take a photo of Bill with each of the two of the three sons we have.  Number 3 son really disappointed me and his dad.  OMG, he really couldn’t find the time to call and tell Bill ‘Happy Father’s Day’?!?!?!?  That freakin’ busy, huh?!?!?!  WOW and to think that whenever you need something, your daddy is the first one to help you out.  Hope YOU had a good Father’s Day.  Must’ve forgotten that he wasn’t hatched and actually has a mom & dad. 

WHEW!  Got that off my brain.  Well, not really but I’ll leave all the expletives off of here and do it verbally…..once I cool down.  Since I gave Bill the day off from any & all household duties….like taking out the garbage, I actually found some time to get a few pages done so here they are…

And that pretty much sums up what’s happening around here.  Dang, I feel better already just by getting on here and getting my mind clear.  If you made it this far…..I don’t know if I should hug you or wonder what it is that had you read to this point.  You CRAZY fool!  hahahaha

Hope you have a fabulous week!  Hoping I hear some good news this week about a little adventure.  And….I’m heading out later this week to go visit my Mawmaw.  I can’t wait to see her again!  Later y’all!     

Sweet Nothings from the South

Don’t know why that came to my mind.  Sometimes you just gotta roll with whatever comes to you, KWIM?!?!  Ha!  Well, another year old and older than dirt!  That’s what my oldest said to me yesterday on my 44th birthday.  Dang!  That’s freakin’ old, ain’t it!  I still can’t believe I’m a double 4 and it I don’t feel any older.  What’s it supposed to feel like anyways?  We (my friends Debbie & Jannice) were supposed to get together on Saturday evening but Debbie’s husband was doing work in their attic last weekend and ended up falling through the floor of the attic and pulled some major things out of whack.  Doctor’s Orders had him laying down for a few days.  And Jannice….well, sometimes things are just better left unsaid.  So, Bill & I stopped by our local watering-hole for a drink then headed into J’Ville for a drink at Angel’s Place.  Nothing really happening there so we stopped by the store, picked up some beer and went home for a nice evening of NASCAR!  Oh Yeah!  Talk about the excitement and my joy with that!  <Insert Sarcastic Snear HERE!>

Sunday, my actual birthday, my parents picked Bill and I up and we were off to Heber for breakfast at the Rustic Inn.  OMG, they have the absolute best breakfast called ‘The Sizzler’ and it is delicious!  Picture this….a flat-iron grill layered with Hash Browns mixed with onions and peppers, add sausage, bacon, and ham pieces and top it off with 2 Eggs…over-easy please.  Then a side of biscuits and gravy.  YUMMY!  It was a nice ride and we got to catch up on family stuff.  Then the kids came over….the whole gang….grandkids and all and we had cake and ice cream.  Bill & I had a nice quiet evening at home before starting the work week today.  I don’t know what I was expecting but geez….come on…a little celebration for an old lady please.  Okay, yes I’m complaining and I guess I deserve to wallow in my own self-pity.  I did get my convertible so that made up for it.  And Bill paid for an unlimited month of tanning so I’m good there too.  Mom fessed up some cold, hard cash…..Mom Loves Me! and the kids got me a beautiful candle vase with some candles.  Awwww!  My heart was a little broken when Billy, Sarah, nor Joy called me on my birthday.  That totally sucked since I love them as much as my own kids but that’s step-kids for ya!  Thanks Y’all!  I’ll make sure I remember your birthdays too…..cause your daddy sure doesn’t remember crap.  Hey, I’m an Aries….so I forgive….I just NEVER FORGET! 

Yep, I’m back to work and just rolling with the flow until the end of school when life gets going for the summer.  We have a ton of projects to get completed before August so it should be quite a busy summer.  Don’t know what we have planned for vacations or time off but I’m sure we’ll come up with something.

I’ve got a few pages done:

    

Yes….that is me on my birthday.  Still sexy as evah!!!  LOL

I’ve got more pages that I’ve got to get done….here’s what I’ve worked on:

    

The first 3 are pages I’ve done for FPD challenges, so come on over and join us.  Lots of challenges to keep ya busy.  The bottom, last one is this week’s CT work for {WST}.  Love Valorie’s style of designs and have got to get busy on a few more pages.  Don’t know how I fell behind.  That ain’t cool! 

Well, Bill is grilling some fine New York Strip’s and I’ve got to get the salad and ‘taters done.  Until next time…..Get in a Better Mood Girl! (That’s me talking to me.  As Sugarland say’s in their new song “It Happens!”)  Later Y’all!