Erin Dancing at Masked Ball

on my honor....

She's offically a Daisy Girl Scout. The ceremony was simple and short. She got her pins and was so excited, she couldn't stop smiling. She's been going every other Monday for 2 months and has worked on 3 badges (which I still have to add to her vest).

Just playing

Just playing with color on an image. She's still a cutie

just to note

rain, gloomy days, depression and ho hos are not a good mix. just saying....

in search of free fabric scraps

In the ever eternal quest to save money, I refuse to spend money on clothes for me, my kid or her dolls. More so, her dolls. I will gladly make the child a Halloween costume and not buy it.

The cost for this was about $15 for the dress as opposed to the $30+ I'd pay at a store. The tights were extra and can be worn whenever (yes, she will, i know my kid). Not bad.. its cute and bright and whimsical.

So, for Christmas, I want to expand the doll clothes collection. I have the patterns but little fabric that is current. I have enough to do a patch work skirt and a halloween costume. I'd like to make some period clothes for her Elizabeth doll ( I found the patterns) but I'm lacking fabric.

Anyone have scraps of fabric they want to part with?

she tried

Erin has been on a "I can braid" kick. She tried to do her own hair. This is what the outcome was. Not bad if you ask me. I did have to redo it but I soon won't have to do her hair at this rate.

Baby Cakes

Saturday was Mary and Barb's baby Shower for Grace. I was honored to make the cake. Its a 3 tier pound cake with white frosting. I used Mom and Dad's recipes and it came out tasty. The frosting didn't come out as smooth and I need to play with the frosting a bit but overall, it was good.

Would I do it again? Not this big but maybe for Erin or Tim's birthday.

Pumpkin Tim

A few weekends ago Erin and I went apple picking at Blackman Farms. I adore this farm. They have wonderful pumpkins, great apple trees and a small area for the kids to run. Its a FARM... with real animals. You can even get a real turkey or side of cow. This picture is of the pumpkins.. they are PERFECT pumpkins. Thank you Blackman farms.

1st Day of School!

Its the 1st day of school for the kid and she's now in the 1st grade and gets to wear a uniform.
She was so excited, we had to be at the bus stop almost 20 minutes early. She recited all the rules she knows she HAS to follow while we waited. I have never seen a kid so excited about the bus. I wished her luck and she was was on that bus before the aid could get off!

This was outside our building.

This was outside our building.
Originally uploaded by melblackrose

Better Packing

I've done this trip enough to know how to pack and I messed up. In order to take the least amount possible, I totally missed a day for a shirt. And a long sleeved shirt. Those rooms get cold.

So off to the mall I went yesterday. Macys. I now LOVE Macys. And I bought 5 pieces (4 shirts and a cami) for $49. There was a sale and I took full advantage of it getting 2 tees at $4.99 each.

Speaking of the mall. When I went on Monday, there was someone walking around with what appeared to be secret service. Ear pieces and all. I couldn't get around them at one point. I have NO idea who it was. Not a clue. Secret Service, in the Fair Oaks Mall. Silly.

Where did the summer go?

I just found out that Soccer ends next week. I'm happy because that means I get to have my nights free again. I'm sad because all I'll hear from Erin is "I'm bored...". what can you do?

But really, where did the summer go? Its already August. I need to finish getting school supplies and shirts for school. And shoes.. and a backpack. I've already dropped $180 on uniforms. I just hope that they will last 2 years.

Today the lawn needs to be done.. again. The house needs to be cleaned... again. I really wanted to do something fun today. Roller Skating maybe. I doubt that will happen...

Here's Johnny!

At the one hotel we stay at in VA, the hallway looks strangely like the one from the Shining. Whenever I walked out of my room I swear I'd see the kid on the big wheels come down the hall or the twins at the other end.

Awesome

Hulkamania never died.

Prince of Darkness

At Erin's Dance reherasal, we had to go down an alley to get to the back of the stage.
If you have seen the movie "The Prince of Darkness", this alley looks like the one where Alice Cooper and his gang of homeless crazy people attach the one guy with a bike.

awesome.

Vacation Recap

Its about time I recapped our Vacation. The trip down was about 8 hrs. Note- when traveling with Erin, add like 2 hours to the trip. She knew the trip was long but not that long. It should have taken about 6 (including a stop for lunch). Columbus was hot. 90 degrees and no relief. Erin was amazed by the room. Our view was the best




I forget she hasn't been in many Hotels (she's been in one). The convention itself was awesome. We tried a bunch of new games and Erin got a chance to Demo a bunch as well. Several made their way home too. She also was introduced to painting Minis. I had to tear her away from the table. The convention also had a kid's room where they could go and we didn't have to stay! I actually got to go play a game with Tim and I tried the Mech Warrior video game - it was awesome. Expensive but awesome. All in all, a good convention.



The down time we wandered over to the North Market. Its what the Broadway Market should be. But they did have wonderful ice cream.

There was a nice pub near the hotel and I got hard cider. Yipee!!

We did find Mongolian BBQ which was really good (b.d. mongolian). And we did end up ordering room service. Erin was all over that.

I think the highlight was the Columbus Zoo - best zoo ever. The exhibits were fantastic and well planned out. They had misters at certain points - for the animals and the people. Here's Tim and Erin at the Chimps. It should have been by the Gorillas.


We never even made it to the Water Park or Jack's Landing (amusement park). It was that big. My favorite part - feeding the Lorikets.

Ok, second best part - going to Joe's Crab Shack. nomnomnom.... here's Erin getting down with the server during a musical break.



On Monday we headed over to COSI (the Science Museum) and got in for free. YAH reciprocal program. They had some really nice hands on stuff and an Egyptian exhibit. So freaking cool.
All in all, it was a really good trip.

Would I do it again? Yes but with a case of water and Iced tea.

Talk about hostas

Talk about hostas

Almost There

Its Thursday. I am off tomorrow and have only 2 more days of work till Vacation.

I need a Vacation. Like.. 2 days ago.

mmmmrrrrrrr.......

6 days and counting

So I live .. so far.

Survived my Birthday.
Made it through the Fundraiser event at school.
Had a good time at Champs
Did some gardening for Mom but not my own.
Soccer is well underway
The team won last night
Coming up....
Rehearsal for the Recital is tomorrow and Friday
Saturday Is the Recital
Sunday is Father's Day
Monday and Tuesday is Soccer and somewhere in there, I need to figure out what we are taking with us on the trip.

Is it vacation yet???

Day 2

More treadmill today. 30 min- 1.5 miles at 3. The foot was in pain. Would have gone longer but needed to get back to work.

We had a surprise firedrill so I got to walk up the stairs. Fun. No. Not really.

Back is dealing with the pain. As long as I don't sit for too long and the hips are tucked under, I'm good.

Ok. Work. Gotcha.