Have a Ghoulishly Happy Halloween!

 
I just thought I'd drop by and wish all my friends, family and followers a Happy Halloween! I really feel for those of you in the Northeast that do not have power.  Actually I am hoping that by now you do have power and that your Halloween activities are back on again!

My son Mitch works as a cashier at Goodwill.  Of course as such he is able to dress up for Halloween.  He also gets to dress/decorate the mannequins (which are just wire) weekly.  He had them pink for Breast Cancer Awareness, 80's for Footloose and now of course for Halloween.  As I'm sure you know well, Goodwill stores get very busy this time of the year.  Here are a few pix of his creativity.  

 I asked him how he got so talented when he was getting ready one morning.  He's like umm you!

Of course, I can't leave you without pix of the other child.  He didn't get dressed up, but he and his girlfriend are proud parents of a mouse. So here is baby Cotton.  

 

And just for fun and old times sake here is a pic of me from 30+ yrs ago. I was maybe 18?? I recently found some long lost friends on Facebook.  Really am enjoying catching up after all these years!  Hi Dan, Hi Scott.

That's it for now!  I'll be back to post some creations soon, I promise.  Hope you have a wonderful Halloween night and a great rest of the week!!

Homecoming 2009

Noah and his girlfriend Kristen went to Homecoming on Saturday. Here are some of the photos I took at her house.

The corsage
I love this photo - Purple is my favorite color and Noah's always looked good in purple with his red hair!
Eyes Closed
A hug...


My wild child...not the easy one by any means but still a sweetie nonetheless.

Reflections @ 48

Yes, I know a proper lady wouldn't tell her age or her weight! Believe me you don't want to know my weight. Age really doesn't bother me except when I try to do something that used to come easy to me :o)! Of course ask me that again when my 50th birthday is approaching I may have a whole different view LOL. This year my birthday also marks that it has been a year since I lost my job. It was on Friday of this week. I really am concerned about whether or not I'll find a job again. This economy is so scary! Today's Blade (local newspaper) showed the unemployment rates for Lucas and surrounding counties. It showed 13.3% for Lucas county and 14.3% for Toledo, of course that does not even include those who are off the unemployment rolls. Many of the surrounding counties are similar or worse. Ohio and Michigan are very high due to the high concentration of auto worker and manufacturing type jobs for the auto industry. So many businesses are closing up and I don't mean just auto industry type places. I have applied for everything from my Administrative Assistant background to a clerk at the local meat market, veggie/deli market, kohl's, home depot and Hobby Lobby...however that might not be a good place for me to work **grins**. Thankfully unemployment has been extended for this area, but it still isn't a job. Being a mid-westerner I have a strong work ethic and like the fulfillment of having a job. I've also met most of my oldest and dearest friends through working. Not that I haven't met some wonderful friends through blogging, but they tend to be far-flung and it isn't easy to get together and comisserate, oh boy would I love to do that! I do consider my blogging friends, friends not just blogging friends. Hopefully some day we'll have the chance to meet.

Noah got information on getting a class ring. Boy the cost is way higher than when I got mine 30 yrs ago! OMG 30 yrs ago, I just realized that it's been that long since I graduated HS! Hopefully I've talked him into waiting a year. He is working a work study job and gets a small check once a month (of course to him and his bro it seems like a lot). He got his first check this past Sat. He says to me go start an acct so I can have $$. I told him that's not how it works. I said you have to have a state id and some other proof of who you are. Plus it was Sat, so the credit union isn't even open after noon. Yesterday we tried to go get both of the boys state id's, but it was so packed we didn't stay.

Mitch is working on his schooling daily and will be taking the OGT's in just under two weeks. In Ohio you need to pass graduation tests in order to graduate. Most people here are surprised that you do not need to pass a graduation test in Wisconsin to graduate. I hope it goes well for Mitch! There are pre-tests online, so I'll have to have him do them so he can see how it works.

Tim will be starting chemotherapy again tomorrow. He was on a two week break. He has vacation in about two weeks it actually coincides with Mitch's OGT's so at least that'll be nice not to have to get up @ 4:30 to take him to work so I can have the car to take Mitch to testing. He also applied for vacation for the end of July so we can go to my family reunion. I can't wait to see family and Wisconsin again. Of course it'll be difficult because I'll want to see friends in Milwaukee as well as family in NW Wisconsin. It's all be good :).

March is Colorectal Cancer month and if you're interested there is a Cover Your Butt campaign. You can click the link and see what you can do to help support the campaign. It's a worthwhile campaign, I just wish that it would include ages younger than 50. Tim was only 43 when he was diagnosed with rectal cancer. His son will have to start getting a colonoscopy at age 30, that is what the surgeon recommended. Thinking about getting a Cover Your Butt t-shirt, wouldn't that be a hoot? Breast cancer has Save the Tatas! which would be fun to get too, but I think breast cancer has so much more support than rectal cancer or lung cancer.

Today I'm making steak and shrimp with pasta for my birthday supper. I should get going and get that started. Tim wants to drive up to MI for some computer parts he found on craigslist. The great part about that is that there is a Culver's in that city so we can get some frozen custard for my birthday treat! Today's flavor is Just Drummy which means it is vanilla frozen custard with peanuts, waffle cone pieces and hard chocolate. Yum Yum! Not one of my faves, but it'll do because ummm it has chocolate and nuts. I love their chocolate covered strawberry, mint explosion, almond hooray (similar to a mounds bar in frozen custard). Okay enough I gotta get going and get supper started Tim will be home soon from his PA appt. Have a great Wednesday!

Tagged & Swap cards

I was tagged by Staci this is one tag I haven't done before, so I am quite willing to play along :D! I hope you don't mind that I'm actually going to my 6th folder and using the first photo since the 6th photo is one I posted in the previous blog. Here are the rules:
Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.

1. Pick the 6th Folder, then select the the 6th picture in that folder.

2. Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes along with the picture.

3. Tag 6 other people that you know or don’t know to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them.

The Story that goes along with the photo: Noah's self portrait was entered in the Congressional Art Competition. The woman in the middle is Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. We were not able to get there until Tim got off of work so we missed the first hour. Noah was able to get in the Whitmer High School participants photo though. He said he didn't want to go and I said he had to since his work was being recognized. I said his friend could go with, so Tyler kept saying why wouldn't you go? He also told me he wasn't dressing up. I said you don't have to dress up, but once he got there I think he realized he could've dressed a little better. Noah is the curly red head on the end left in olive green.

So I am tagging these 6 people: Priscilla - Skraptacular Designs Carolyn - P.M.S, Etc. Catherine - Inksomnia Angela - Here, Now Tim - Unknown Oz Margy - There's a Wocket in My Pocket

Here is a photo of Noah by his self-portrait.


Here are a couple of the swap cards I've gotten done for SIT - Scrappin In Toledo. Whether you live in Toledo or not you're welcome to join our yahoo group. Please realize that we require participation though, why join a group if you don't join in the fun? So click the link if you'd like to join in the fun! Here are my sketch swap cards for Feb. The laughter card also works for our Friday Frenzy color inspiration. Here I thought I'd go with St. Patrick's Day but I decided to use this great quote stamp that Tim thought I should get. Don't you just love that quote?


Well that's it for now. I hope to post again this week, but don't hold me to it ;). Hope you all have a wonderful week!!

Concern

Today Noah was to go to Milwaukee, WI via MegaBus. The bus was delayed coming in from Cleveland. We left to run some errands and to come back a little before 3pm. His original departure was 11:35 am! We sat until 3:36pm and I decided I should call customer service. The gentleman checked and said the bus left out of there 20 mins ago! I said that is not possible since we had been sitting there at 36 mins and more like 40-45 mins. So I asked to change his reservations to tomorrow. The only bus they had for tomorrow was 7:35pm and that would leave my 15 yr old in Chicago around 11:30 or possibly midnight! NO WAY was I gonna allow that to happen. Also, today Mitchell was to come into Toledo via MegaBus. He was to leave @ 1pm and arrive in Chicago at 3pm. He said they didn't arrive at 3pm because the bus wasn't a MegaBus and got lost! He was told the next bus he can get on leaves somewhere between 10-11pm. So he won't arrive until 3 or 4 am. Tim works tomorrow and has to be to work by 6 am. He works near where the MegaBus arrives and departs. Actually it is right across the street. So we'll see how this goes. I've had a headache since about 3:30pm. I don't think I'll get rid of it til Mitch is here safe and sound. Monday I will probably have the same headache until I know Noah is in Milwaukee safely. I really hope there is good weather on Monday and that Noah doesn't have any problems or if he does that they're minor.

Well I have to go try and relax. Gonna have some Moose Tracks ice cream and put my feet up.

I'm sure I'll have a more positive post soon! Take Care!

Last day of November

The Sunday after Thanksgiving...and we're sick! Tim has a sinus infection and went to the doctor yesterday and was prescribed an antibiotic. Today he still wasn't feeling very well and called into work sick. He slept most of the day finally getting up around 2:30pm. I asked him to call a friend who needed computer help. I think I'm getting the bug too. I feel sluggish, sneezing a lot and coughing a bit. Of course I can't stop because there is so much to get done before Saturday's Christmas crop and next Monday's craft show. For the Christmas Crop we're doing a shoebox swap. You need to come up with a card and put all the ingredients in the box to make the card. Each crop participant can go to the box and make themselves a card. Everyone will go home with cards to use in the new year. There are 14 people signed up for the crop. My theme is congratulations. I think I finally found a card to do. Tim and I have been watching food network while I create the sample card. We love watching Guy Fieri and his show Diners, Drive-In's and Dives. Also we enjoy watching Ace of Cakes. Right now Guy Fieri is on Guy's Family Feast. For the the craft show I'm trying to come up with small items that children can afford to buy for parents and family members. Items are to be priced $10 or less. I've done a few altered comp books, lip balm cards (holders), candles, and I want to make some cinnamon ornaments, but guess what I can't find my cookie cutters.
Noah is really becoming quite the artist and of course that's the only class he's getting a decent grade in. Here are a couple of things he's brought home recently. I guess he's the kid running in the first picture. Kind of funny that his hair is straight in the picture. I think the container is awesome, he thinks it's not very good. I even want to make one. I think it might be a Dibs container or maybe a butter or margarine container.

Thanksgiving was a little rough for me. I'm all about Thanksgiving, I have such great memories from my childhood and enjoy visiting with company. I put a comp book on the table and asked Tim's mom and oldest sis to take a page and write what they were thankful for. They just looked at it and did nothing. When Tim's second oldest sister arrived I picked up the notebook again and said I wanted to make a keepsake book could you please take a page and write what your thankful for. Again, they just looked at it and went on with their chatting. Next was making food that they wouldn't even try. Well it ended all in a couple of hours and that was it. So next time I will not have any expectations and things will be better at least for me. :D

I can't wait to put the tree up! This is the first time in a long time I've felt like that. The boys usually are the ones to put up the tree and it's been sort of last minute. This time I'm going to start it and will slowly put up the ornaments. I think it'll be cool, because I actually have a window I can put it in front of. I don't think we'll have much to put outside this year, but hopefully next year we will. Here is a pic of the neighbors across the street. Of course they put up the lights a couple of weeks ago when it warm out.


Well I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hopefully I'll have a few things to show you next time I post.

Paper Trunk

Finally today I was able to send my handmade cards for the Cards for Heroes entry. I checked Paper Trunk's blog to see about changing the address to the Cards for Heroes address as I knew it would not arrive by Saturday. I happened to read a couple of their posts and saw that the date was extended until November 1st, so if you're thinking about getting some of your handmade cards to the servicemen and women you have a bit more time.

Noah called from his friend's place tonight to see if he could sleep over. I said you're going to go to school from Dylan's house? He's like yeah. I said you're going to wear the same clothes as you wore today, he said yeah. All of a sudden he started to snicker. I said ok you're coming home right? Thinking he was just teasing me about sleeping over. He says no, there's no school tomorrow can I sleep over at Dylan's? I said sure there is no school, he said there isn't school tomorrow. He said here, hear it from a friend. I'm thinking to myself like I'm going to believe Dylan. I happened to see the school calendar and picked it up, sure enough there is no school tomorrow. I said how come you didn't let me know earlier? He laughed and said he wanted to do it this way. Yesterday he wore my plaid clogs around the house and said these are so comfortable. When he went to his room he kicked them off in the dining room. I said that is not where you found them. He says shhh don't tell mom and heads to his room!

Yesterday I got my first blog award! I was definitely surprised as I don't consider myself an inspiration. I just enjoy what I create...well most of the time. Carolyn is such an inspiration to me, she is a DT member of the House Mouse Monday Challenge blog and always takes time to leave such nice comments on our creations that we submit. Heck, she even takes time to comment when I do not have a creation and has left a few comments on Tim's blog.

Isn't this just the prettiest blog award you've every seen! I guess it's because I'm partial to butterflies and their meaning.


Now, I am to pass this award on to six other inspirational people. There are several people I would like to give this to; unfortunately, I can only choose six. So here goes:

Priscilla of Skraptacular Designs - always an inspiration in many ways!

Staci of Stop It's Scrappin Time - I've loved and been inspired by her work since I first found her on scrapbook.com

Estee of One Ginormous Adventure - not only am I inspired by her creativity on layouts and cards, but she writes some awesome blogs that are featured on Mondays every week on scrapbook.com. Oh and she posts some awesome recipes too, I've tried a few of them myself.

Angela of Here, Now she has some awesome layouts and cards.

Catherine of Inksomnia - she always stops by and comments and like Carolyn, she stops by whether I have a creation or just a post about life. She creates some awesome cards.

Adria of Studio S - she may not post a lot, but her stamping is awesome! She is so creative as well.

So please stop by and check out these awesome bloggers! I'm so glad to have made some friends just by blogging.

Hope you're having a great week and that you have an awesome weekend! Rain is predicted here for our weather. It's been awfully cold in the mornings around the low 30's. BRRR

Just

a quick post this morning. I hope to be scrappin today and tomorrow so I should have something new to post soon.

On the homefront Noah went to the Homecoming game last night and when we dropped him off he was shocked at the long lines. I said it's Homecoming everyone goes to Homecoming. I took him to school yesterday morning so we could stop and get money for him to buy a ticket for the Homecoming - Yes my son is going to the Homecoming dance and will be dressed so much more nicely than his usual. He still can't get over that, I said Noah it's okay to dress nice and look nice once in awhile. On the way to school yesterday morning I told him one of the rituals of Homecoming in college was to swallow a live goldfish. He was like Ewww I wouldn't swallow a goldfish! Then he asked if it was alive or dead? I said ALIVE! He was like OMG a goldfish swimming around in your body. Again he said he wouldn't swallow a goldfish. I just laughed.

Oh and Extreme Home Makeover is here in Toledo building a house for a family with 11 boys. It's so heartwarming as they have adopted 9 boys. Two are their own. We pass by the site regularly, I shouldn't say the site, as the site is off the main road we drive on. We see all the people waiting to get on a shuttlebus to go to the site and all the equipment. Here is one of the articles if you'd like to read about it. Extreme Home Makeover

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful weekend! It's raining here and is supposed to all day, so some scrappin/papercrafting will get done today.

Tomorrow & BBC 26

Tomorrow is the first day of school for Noah, he now is a freshman in high school!!! Of course tomorrow is only 1/2 a day and only freshmen are on campus tomorrow. So he calls me tonight while hanging with his friends, will you take us to Parmalee? I say when? He says tomorrow after school. I said I guess I can get up if you have to get up. Just have to get up a bit earlier to drive Tim to work so I can have the car to pick up the guys from school and take them to the skateboard park in lower MI.

I'm considering doing a craft show or two depending upon how well I do. There is an orchard in lower MI that will be having craft fairs starting in two weeks, for eight weeks in a row. It's pretty inexpensive too. I just worry about having enough stuff.

3 of my favorite quotes - BBC #26

Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read. Mark Twain

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Eleanor Roosevelt

I couldn't find my favorite Martin Luther quote so I will put my favorite Albert Einstein quote:

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."




Here is my most recent card:

BBC # 22 Funny Child said story

Ok, I think I will remember this for a long time even though I was not there. My ex was getting the boys ready to go to the day care provider. He worked second shift so they were only there for about 45 mins. until I got off of work. Ok, back to the story. Ross was carrying Noah in the baby car seat and was just out the door when he realized he didn't have Noah's diaper bag, so he says to Mitch (who was all of 3 1/2 yrs old) would you please grab the diaper bag for me? Mitch says yes, I will because I love my brother, but I don't want anymore! That definitely fits into the Kids say the Darndest Things category!

My House? BBC Post #1

Ok so here is a drawing of my house. I tried hard to get this to look like a nicely drawn home, but had no such luck. So I just went with the flow.




**********************************************

On the homefront Noah made it to Milwaukee not without a little hassle this time. He missed the Chicago bus, mostly due to the Toledo one leaving late. I called him to see if he made it to Chicago. He said am I supposed to get the bus where I got off? I said No, you're supposed to cross the street. I said remember when we went over this? I even put in a map with the street names and arrive and depart. Noah told me at the time he doesn't do maps. Well he got to the other street and asked others they said he'd missed the Milwaukee bus. I had been on the cell phone with him because I was waiting for Tim to get out of work. So I told him I couldn't help him he'd have to call his dad. I tried but could not recall his cell phone number. So once I got home I looked up the next bus from Chicago to Milwaukee and called Noah's dad. He said that Noah was taking the next bus out of Chicago. I called Noah and he said he was taking the next bus I said it was at 5:30pm. So I called again just before the bus was to arrive to remind him to get on the 5:30 bus. I called again just about the time he was to arrive in Milwaukee and said are you in Milwaukee? He replied that he was. I then asked are you with your dad? He said no, he said he was still on the bus and almost to his stop. That's the last I heard from him. I will call this weekend to see how he's doing.

Tim has his PET scan on Thurs of this week. He found out that this scanner has 64 slices compared to Flower Hospital's which only has 16. So this should be so much more accurate. I wish we were told about this from the beginning as he could have had all his scans done at the clinic vs. Flower Hospital. We see the Chemo Oncologist on Aug. 5. to find out the results and the following course of action.

I had two interviews this week. One for a temporary agency position that would only last 6-8 weeks and one with a Day Care very similar to the position I had at the day care back in Cudahy WI. That is full time and permanent. I really thought the interview went well, so I'm really hoping they call. On August 12 I can go to Columbus, OH to take a civil service exam. I think I will do that unless per chance I'm already working by then. If I go to Columbus I'm hoping to meet up with my friend Cathy who is living in Columbus. Maybe do some window shopping at some scrap stores too.

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Carm

15

Today Noah turned 15! Wow where has the time gone? What happened to my little boy who listened? Well maybe he didn't listen that well, but the teenage rebellion is getting to be a bit much. At least he made it to school after telling me he wasn't going and took his pill after telling me he didn't need them anymore. I do fine without them. I said you're taking them, we just got a refill yesterday! So then he tells me he's not going to take them on weekends then.

Today Tim sent me an article from work about heart conditions and ritalin type meds. So I will have to mention it to the doctor next time we go. I did notice it on the warnings that come with the prescription bags last night as well.

Noah celebrated his birthday by going to a skate park to skateboard with friends. It's regular park that has a playground, skate park and baseball diamond. Our little Malibu was able to handle 5 teenage boys and a driver. Forgot to make him a cake, got too involved in cleaning. I'll make one tomorrow. It will be more of a surprise then :). Well just wanted to add this for today and will blog more tomorrow.