Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Doctor, Doctor - Give Me the News!

Remember that 80's tune?????

Sorry! Had a major 80's flashback for a second there. :-)

I'm doing it! I've finally made a Dr's appointment for tomorrow after school. I can't deal with this head cold sore throat cough feel like your lungs are going to come out of your mouth at any moment illness.

Have a Department Meeting right after school tomorrow but I made my appointment for 4:30. I'll keep all ya posted.

I'm hoping for some serious meds to knock this thing right out of me!

Please no shot in the bum!

Monday, January 30, 2006

Professional Development Day for Me!

Today I went to Harvard to be educated!

OK, I actually went to Harvard at the National Resource Center for Russian, East European,and Central Asian Studies at the Davis Center for a workshop on the 1905 Revolution.

It was quite the adventure for me. I took the commuter rail train out of Newburyport at 5:55 AM!!!!! I ended up in North Station at 7:00 AM. This gives me plenty of time to take the Green Line to the Red Line to the Harvard Square T Stop. The workshop started at 8:30. So, I follow the directions that were given to me to find the location of the workshop. I've taken about six workshops at the Davis Center but they have recently moved back on campus. If you've ever been to Harvard, it can be very confusing to find your way around campus. I walk across "The Yard" to the other side of the campus. Needless to say, I ended up getting lost. I wandered around campus for about half an hour until I finally found the right building. Other folks were getting lost too so I didn't feel so bad. I thought it was just me - apparently not!

Once I got there, everything was fine. The workshop was amazing! The organizers always bring in these experts on the topic from all over the academic community including Harvard. This professor (Dr. Sally Paine) from the Naval War College in Newport, RI spoke about the Russo-Japanese War in Meiji Grand Strategy. She was telling us that she team-teaches with a Marine. She does the history and he focuses on the military strategy. Can you imagine the energy that goes on in that classroom?

One of my former colleagues from Timberlane, Ray was at the workshop. He came with another teacher from Timberlane.

By the end of the day, I was VERY educated and ready to come back home. This time, I knew my way back to the Harvard Square T Stop. I took the commuter rail back to Newburyport and was back home by 5:00 pm.

A very long day - :-)

I've been tagged by Lauren!

Lauren tagged me!

Five of my guilty pleasures:

1) Anything chocolate - need I say more?

2) I love to travel - I can't really afford it anymore but I love to travel overseas! If I find a teaching job that requires traveling all the time, I would do it! My goal is to travel to Russia someday.

3) Snuggling with Ellie the Cat on my couch, watching a movie, and wrapped up in my quilt.

4) Scrapbooking.

5) Playing solitaire on the computer when I get home from school. It helps me to relax for some strange reason.

What are your guilty pleasures?????

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Updates

*Sadie the Cat is doing OK (according to last email from Cheryl). The vet kept her overnight for observation. Once they opened her up, they found more cancer and it was in her lymph nodes. Please continue your thoughts and prayers for Sadie. Pets are part of the family - I know Ellie the Cat is my family.

*FINALLY! I completed correcting all those Midterm Exams and got all my grades done by the Friday, Noon deadline at school. It wasn't an easy task to complete being sick and all! The new semester started on Monday on top of all the correcting so I had to get organized for that - there should be a law that we get the week off to correct those beast of an exams. And, I might add that the kids didn't do that hot on them. I swear that teachers spend more time designing and correcting the exam than the kids spend studying for the damn test!

*Still have this crazy cold that won't go away! I just don't get it. I've been taking all sorts of meds for it. It's a battle of the cold vs. M-Dawg. Who will win???????

*Tea is my new best friend!

*Kids say (or write) the dardnest things! A few weeks ago, my students had to write a movie review paper on the film, "Elizabeth." The funniest sentence was this one - "Queen Mary had the Protestants burned at the STEAK for their religion." The red meat???????? Those poor Protestants! :-)

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Say a Prayer for Sadie the Cat

I posted this picture before on my blog.
This is my friend Cheryl's cat, Sadie. I just received an email from Cheryl that Sadie has breast cancer and it going to the vet for surgery on Thursday morning. The vet seemed pretty positive about the outcome but if all of you out there in the blogging world could say a prayer and think happy thoughts for Sadie, I would greatly appreciate it.
Also, as an FYI: Check out your cat and dog for breast cancer. Like a human, if you feel a lump that is not normally there, get it checked out by your vet. Early detection is the key to a higher success rate of survival (just like Humans).
Here is my plug for Humans - do a monthly breast exam. Early detection is what saved my Mom's life (and Cheryl's Gram too!).
So, ladies, get out there and feel yourself up! :-)

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Snow in IL

My friend Cheryl took this picture of her house in IL a few days ago - look at all that snow!
I'm sure her boys had fun playing in all that snow too!
We got the snow a few days later on in New England!

Look at this good looking bunch!

This photo was taken at Traci's house in IL (I think by her Mom). Sherri, Traci, and I all went to school together. Sherri is a Mommy - just like Traci! It's so hard for me to believe that my friends have children!
Left - Ken, Sherri, Jacob, Traci, Mark, and Jeffrey.

The Blahs - Part III


Still feeling the icks. I did go into school today. Partly because I'm so behind in correcting and partly because I don't want psycho sub again!

I went in this morning and of course nothing I left was done. Surprise on that one!

I went to my Principal today and explained to him what has been happening. The downfall - I know have one of the secretaries upset at me because I went over her head. I feel bad but she wouldn't listen to me or anyone else when we tell her that this psycho sub should not be a substitute teacher.

On a positive note - I'm in correcting hell right now!

Monday, January 23, 2006

The Blahs - Part II

Still feeling icky today. Didn't go into school.

My throat is killing me and I sound like a man when I speak - might be attractive to some folks out there! The fever has finally gone away.

Went to Brooks Pharmacy to pick up some good drugs to knock this cold right out of me (I hope).

I just found out that I have the sub that no one ever wants to cover their classes today. I'm not a happy camper. I feel like I should've gone into school now because I've subjected my students to this horrible lady! I shouldn't feel that way but I do! Unfortunately, we have a major substitute teacher shortage so we are sorta stuck with what we have for now. Ughy! I can guarantee that everything I left to get done, will not get done because this sub tends to do whatever SHE wants to do! She shares inappropriate stories with the kids too - like how she used to do drugs, etc! Can you imagine? I know a lot of the teachers have complained about her but for some reason, she keeps getting called back to sub. I just don't get it -

Well, time to take some medicine so I can feel better to go to school tomorrow -

Oh, don't ya all just love this snowy weather we are having here in New England????

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Nasty Cold :-(

Feeling very blah today - sore throat, headache, tonsils the size of a softball, sniffles, etc.
Would like to feel better so I could continue grading.
Don't feel like doing much of anything.
Icky!

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Softball Season Already?????

I almost fell over the other day at school.

The athletic director emails me my softball schedule - Get this, the first game is April 12th! The season officially starts on March 20th! Can it be? It seems so early!

Oh, and for the record - there will still be snow on the ground until April vacation so all those games scheduled before that - won't be happening! How do I know this? I've been doing the softball thing for a few years now. New England weather tends to not cooperate with a softball schedule. In fact, we start our practices in the gym! Yes, the gym! And, to add more fun to this, because I'm the freshman coach, I get the worst practice schedule. Usually about two weeks into the season, I'm forcing the girls outside for practices because I'm so sick of being in the gym for 8:00 - 9:00 pm practices! Ughy!!!

I hope I get a good groups of kids on my team this year. The past two years, I've been very lucky! The girls have been great! Positive, energetic, enthusiastic, etc.

In fact, it's because of my softball players that I have the nickname - M-Dawg!

Oh, another bit of news. Fantasy baseball starts up soon! A bunch of the faculty at my school started up a Fantasy Baseball league on Yahoo. It's so much fun! Last year, I came in 7th.

"Take me out to the ball game . . . . . . " :-)

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Traci and I


This is Traci and I at her house in Spring Valley, IL over Christmas break.

The end of Exam week is almost here . . .

Now, the fun starts!

I'm still correcting movie review papers. I haven't even gotten to the Midterm exams yet.

The last day of exams is Friday. Can I make it? Can my students make it?

Taking the exams is so mentally draining for my students. It's a good thing, don't get me wrong. They should be tested on the material from the past semester. But my poor freshman are wiped! Most students are finishing up my exam in the two hour span. Some actually have to stay at least an hour after that to finish it.

My goal this year was to raise the bar. Bring my standards up. I need to challenge my students more. I don't feel like I've been doing that the past few years. I'm not helping my students if I don't challenge them - make them work hard!

My head hurts from all the correcting I've been doing the past week. Let's hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Grades are due next Friday @ Noon. Can M-Dawg do it?????????

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Raving Evaluation!

I received my formal observation report today from my Department Chair, Peter. It was fantastic! I was so happy to read it. At some point, he and I will sit down and go over it.

I was shocked on how good the review was - it makes me feel really good to know how I'm appreciated in a job that I absolutely adore!

This was the first hurdle of my third year. The second and final hurdle will be my formal evaluation from my Principal. The third year is an important year - you get what's called professional status. MA did away with tenure for their educators back in 1994. I've worked so hard to get to this point. I really enjoy teaching at Newburyport High School. I love the kids! I love the folks I work with. The community is great too! I hope to get professional status by the end of this school year.

So, at some point this next semester, I will be formally evaluated by the Principal. I'll keep ya all posted on that one! I'll be totally stressed out!

As a side note, we started Midterm exams today. The building is so different during exam week. Very quiet! The craziness begins - correcting hell! Why did I have to design a 25 page exam? Duh, I have to correct the beast of an exam - not my most brilliant move! But, we were told the test had to last the kids at least two hours! My exam will take at least that.

Oh, if ya see any 9th grader pulling out their hair and freaking out - that would be one of my students!

Happy Testing!! :-)

Monday, January 16, 2006

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

"Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity. But one hundred years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free.
One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land.
So we have come here today to dramatize an appalling condition. In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.
This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.
So we have come to cash this check -- a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God's children. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination of the Negro. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights.
The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges. But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. we must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.
We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" we can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring." And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California! But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee! Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
It's been forever since I've blogged, I know. What can I say? Life gets in the way!

I have midterm exams this week. Should be interesting! My exam is 24 pages long! Yes, you read it correctly! 24 pages! I have to keep my freshman busy for the entire two hour testing period. The kids are already freaking out over the test - I gave them a study guide to study but I think they will freak out no matter what I do. It's the first time they've ever had an exam of this magnitude. It's good for them!

I also assigned a movie review paper on Elizabeth that was due the end of last week so I have those papers to grade. I've been working on the papers most of the weekend. My semester grades are done with the exception of the movie review papers so all I have to do is plug those numbers into my grading program. I'm using a new grading software package this school year. My school finally decided to invest in GradeKeeper. I like it so far. It's pretty easy to figure out. And, if a kid wants to know their grade right that second, all I have to do is print out a report on their grades.

So, if I'm not blogging or emailing a lot this week, please know that it's because I'm in midterm exam hell and not ignoring you!

Happy testing! :-)

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Pictures of Starved Rock State Park - IL


While I was in IL, my parents wanted to check out the eagles nests' that have been growing at Starved Rock State Park. Unfortunately, the observation deck was closed due to the holiday (Jan 1st) so we couldn't get a good look at the eagles. My parents brought their binoculars. We did see one of the eagles on top of a tree. The eagles built their nests on an island in the middle of the Illinois River - just before the lock and dam.

Stress!!!!!!


Please excuse me for not writing a lot in the blog the past few days.

I've been a little stressed out!

Here is the scoop:

1) I'm entering into one of the most stressful times for a teacher - midterm exams! Exams officially start next Tuesday. However, you have to finish whatever curriculum that needs to be taught in two days, type out that 30 page plus exam, photocopy the test, type up a study guide to help the students prepare for the damn test, correct the stupid exam, and get grades done. All in about a week! I swear that the teachers care more about the stupid exams then the students. All I know is that I put a ton of time into designing the exam, typing it, photocopying it, and then correcting it. Usually, the students do absolutely horribly on the exams. Midterm and Final exams count for 20% of their final grades. The exam tests them on all the material from the past semester.

2) I was formally evaluated by my department chair on Monday. This is a very important year for me - I will have professional status. MA got rid of tenure for teachers but now they have a new word for it - professional status. After three years, the school offers you professional status (Basically this means it is harder to get rid of you without a "sufficient or just" reason). I really enjoy teaching at Newburyport High School so I hope that they want me back for next school year. They seem to want me back. But, you never know!

3) Tax stuff. This is a new thing for me this year. Since I now own a condo, the tax game has completely changed for me. I'm hoping to get a huge tax refund this year! So, I'm trying to gather all my receipts and paperwork so I can get my taxes done. I want to get them done early so I get the refund sooner.

So, this is life. Crazy. But it's life!

The only good thing that keeps me going: knowing that there are other folks out there just like me!

Sunday, January 08, 2006

An Afternoon with Carla Lou!

Met with Carla this afternoon for a gal's day out. We saw The Family Stone starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, and Claire Danes. It was cute. A little on the sad side but also had it's comedic points. It's a great chick flick. :-)

Afterwards, we headed to Not Your Average Joes for an early dinner. They have a great vegetarian friendly menu (Perfect for Carla!).

Thanks Carla Lou - I enjoyed the company and conversation. Thank you for your advise and wisdom about "that situation." :-)

Love Ya! :-)

Happy Birthday Janet-poo!!!

Go over to wish Janet a very Happy Birthday!
I met Janet back in the 90's when I was working at Pagenet - yes, I used to have a real world job! The only good thing about working for that company was meeting Janet and Lauren. We have maintained our friendship after all these years. Through good times and bad, Janet has always been a great and supportive friend to me.
Happy Birthday Nutty - I love ya! :-)

Saturday, January 07, 2006

I've been tagged by Lauren - thanks! :-)

Four jobs I've had in my life: Programmer, Administrative Assistant, Substitute Teacher, and Teacher.

Four movies I could watch over and over: Sixteen Candles, Bridget Jones Diary (#1 & #2), Breakfast Club, and Saving Private Ryan.

Four places I've lived: Dalzell, IL, Macomb, IL, North Billerica, MA, and Derry, NH.

Four TV shows I love to watch: I don't have cable anymore BUT I used to like watching Golden Girls reruns, Roseanne reruns, anything on VH1 - I love the 80's, and award shows.

Four places I've been on vacation: England, Ireland, France, and Germany.

Four websites I visit daily: My school email account, selected blogs (Lauren, Janet, etc.), my checking account, and The Breast Cancer Web Site.

Four of my favorite foods: Anything pasta, pizza, lobster, and chicken.

Four places I'd rather be: Germany, Caribbean Cruise, Mediterranean Cruise, and Russia.

Four albums I can't live without: Anything that is playing on my MP3 Player - The Best of U2 (Both albums), Rob Thomas, Inxs, and Antigone Rising.

It's the Fish!

This is my friend, Lea. Lea lives in Peru, IL. Why is she called Fish or Fishy? LONG story on that one! :-)
She asked me if I would post this picture of her - she loves Chuck E. Cheese! :-)

Friday, January 06, 2006

Hooked up with Traci over the Break

Major duh on my part!

I didn't take pictures of Traci and her new handsome son, Jeffrey, when I was out in IL over Christmas break.

I had the nicest visit with Traci. I also got to meet her boyfriend/fiancee, Mark. He's so nice and good to Traci and the baby. He's great with Jeffrey! Anytime a man changes a diaper - he's a rockstar in my book! :-)

Jeffrey was so cute! They totally lucked out - He's a great baby! I got to hold him. I adore holding babies!

Traci and I have been friends since high school. It's been so nice to be able to keep in touch with her again. She's a great gal!

Thanks Traci for the wonderful visit - send me a picture when ya get a chance.

Hugs to you, Mark, and Jeffrey. :-)

Friends


I finally got the time to post some pictures from my trip to IL.
The first photo was taken at Joann's house in Ladd, IL. Joann, Nancy, Lea, Jen, Cheryl, and me. The second photo was taken at The Maples restaurant in Peru, IL. Joann, Jen, me, and Lea.
We all met at the restaurant for dinner. Some other friends that were present was Lea's Mom, Cheryl's two boys, Wendy and her husband Brian, Lea, Jen, Nancy, and Joann. Lea aka Fishy was as crazy as ever! We all enjoyed the buffet and conversation at dinner. We then we all drove over to Joann's house in Ladd. We laughed and talked and caught up. The last time I saw all of them was last December so it was so nice to visit with them.
Ladies - it was so nice to see all of you! I miss you all! Thanks for the great night out! I hope to see ya's in the summer!
And, if you ever want to come out for a visit, let me know! :-)

Mia, the Yorkshire Terrier

This is Mia - my Mom and Dad's Yorkie. Mia lives in Morris, IL. She is four years old and Mom found her on Petfinder.com. She's been living in the Marenda household for about 3 1/2 years. Mia is quite the little cuddlier. She loves to be close to you!
When I was in IL, she loved to be near me. The above picture shows Mia on my bed with her toy. She loves her toys - especially her "Fishy" toy! :-)
Mom said she was depressed after I left to come back home.
Give the baby girl a hug for me Mom!

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Great quote

A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. ~Author Unknown
Need I say more??????
:-)

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Need to lose weight!

Yes, I know. I need to lose some serious weight. I've let myself go to hell the past few years.

If I don't do anything about this weight thing, it will cause me health problems down the road. I wish that I could eat "normal". I just can't. I've always struggled with my weight. It's that emotional eating that is out of control for me.

Get this - my Dad offers me $1,000 to lose weight. Yes, I know it's quite the incentive. Yes, I know that I need to take the weight off for health reasons. But, I just can't seem to put my heart into it. I'd be losing the weight for the wrong reasons. I need to lose weight for me. Not my Dad or the money.

I've always felt like I wasn't ever good enough for anyone - my parents, my boyfriends, my friends, my career. I guess I take out my feelings by eating. The only problem is that I'm hurting myself big time here. And, it can't continue on the rate it is going.

I've tried everything to lose weight. I've spent thousands of dollars on weight programs (weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc.), diet pills, gym memberships, etc.

Why can't I just be normal??????????????

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

A few more pics of the Card Album



Can't tell that I'm proud of this book, can ya???? :-)

I Can Finally Post the Pics of the Card Album


This was the gift that I made for Mom's B-day. She buys cards all the time. Mom stores the cards in my old dresser drawer. She always forgets what cards she's bought. So, I thought this book would make a great way for Mom to organize herself with all her cards. On each pocket, you can label the birthdays, anniversaries, or special holidays for folks.

I took the class back in the beginning of December at A Scrapper's Heaven. FYI: For you local folks, they are offering the class again on Saturday, January 14th. I choose to do each month as a theme. Some people in the class focused on one color throughout the entire book. It depends on the person that you are making the Card Album for. For example, this one lady in the class choose the color purple. She had a purple album, different shades of purple and flowered paper for the inside pages, and purple ribbon. I thought my Mom would enjoy all the different colors and themes for each page. The second photo represents August - I thought fish would be a nice theme for August. For September, I choose a school design paper to represent back to school.

I finally presented Mom the Card Album to her on December 23rd. She loved it! :-)

Monday, January 02, 2006

I'm Back!!!!!

Hello Blogging Peeps -

I missed you all!

I made it back safe and sound. I flew back this afternoon from Chicago.

Had a nice visit with my family. I was able to see a lot of my friends too! I'll post some pictures later on in the week of my IL trip. I finally took pictures of Mia, my folks Yorkie. My Mom told me she's been mooping around since I left this morning! Isn't she just the cutest thing? I left one unhappy animal to arrive to a very happy kitty! Ellie missed her Momma! :-)

I'm tired! I've been unpacking (Santa was very good to me this year). And, I went grocery shopping since we may or may not have a Nor'easter coming into New England tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday. I had no food in the house so I thought it might be a good idea to get some food in case we get this storm.

Happy 2006 to all - :-)