Blessed Christmas

2007 brings a blessed Christmas to my family. We are all healthy and happy. I was scheduled to work Christmas eve and day and the census was so low that I was able to stay home. We had a beautiful snowfall this morning...the last time it snowed in Colorado on Christmas day was 1913. Looking back I have to say the best thing about this year has been all the new friends I have made...at work, dance and fellow bloggers. Many of you pop in to make an encouraging comment even though I have been a slacker in the sewing studio. I've spent more time with Lauren than sewing (good thing here)and helping her pursue her dream of being an actress. I want you to know I have a son and husband that do get equal attention....Lauren is just not camera shy so she gets her face posted on my blog frequently. We attended mass this morning...the last mass at our church until next December as our community is so large that we are renovating. I was sad because there are so many loving memories in our church. Merry and Blessed Christmas to all of you! I look forward to all of your comments and hope that those of you who only look will pop in and say hello this next year.

Fah ra ra ra ra..ra ra ra ra

Between all the hustle and bustle of the holiday preparation it was nice to just sit back and enjoy "Young Voices". These children are all talented and they sing like angels. Gosh I need a new camera with a zoom! Santa? can you hear me? I've been good...most of the time.

Organizing

My sewing studio is almost finished...I just need to make curtains and frame the artwork I plan to hang on the walls. oh and Steve needs to finish my window seat which doubles as storage. Take a peek!

Love

I have say I have not been productive in the sewing studio...I've been thinking about sewing...does that count? I have been feeling very emotional and my life has been topsy turvy for several months. I have fought many demons and am looking forward to peace and happiness. I had a very sad day at work yesterday and it put my personal angst into perspective. We can loose our precious someone in a moment. I don't say enough on my blog about my best friend Steve...he does not tell me about all his risks at work because I'd be so anxious that I'd be in the loony bin. This photo shows how brave he is! he is so kind! he has helped me through rough times and stood by my side. I love this man so much! he is extraordinary!

Friendship

I have to say the past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. Lauren and I traveled to California for a dance competition and along the way...we met with Mimi and her gorgeous family! I am amazed by her bubbling energy, sweetness and her talent. She is pretty in her blog photos but in person she is BEAUTIFUL! inside and out! I felt like I'd known her forever. Lauren instantly loved her family and children and the girls were giggling and dancing. Randy is a brilliant actor who exudes manliness, confidence and is kind and gentle at the same time. We only had a wee bit of time to spend with them which was not nearly enough for us. I could have rolled out a sleeping bag and camped in Mimi's sewing studio. Her fashion drawings are spectacular! God wanted me to meet Mimi...isn't it interesting how we meet people along life's path and they touch our lives in such a positive way. I received news while there that my Aunt was dying and my mom was on her way to Missouri to be with her only sister. Randy did something kind for my mom...(it's a secret sorry) and made her day! I think this little gift he gave her has put a smile on her face throughout the past few weeks and made her lighter on her feet. Visit Mimi's blog and say hello! domestichaven.wordpress.com

Touched by an Angel

A couple of weeks ago I was having a rotten day and feeling very sorry for myself. I was surfing the blogs and Teresa Franco http://teresafranco.typepad.com was writing about evacuating from her home in San Diego. Well, a package arrived on my porch that day and guess who it was from? Teresa! she made me the most beautiful cozy blanket and slippers. Teresa is back home and safe thank goodness. When I opened the package I cried. I have made the most amazing and kind blogger friends! Teresa was having a bad day I'm sure while leaving her home and she was making my day at the same time. I love you Teresa! Visit her blog...she is an amazing artist! Here is a photo of Lauren reading a script cuddling with the blanket. (she is more photogenic than me)

HALLOWEEN!

Halloween is so much fun! We had a wonderful time! The group photo includes cousins that live in our neighborhood.

Meatloaf or Mystery Meat?

This costume is Lauren's idea with my assistance. Evil-Lynn...isn't she funny?

World Series

I'm camped at my computer waiting for 10:00 am when I (and millions of others) try to buy World Series Tickets. While I'm waiting I have to post these photos from 2004-2005 when the kiddos were Celebrity Bat Kids. GO COLORADO ROCKIES!

More Ghost Hunting

Here are some photos of the "ghost tour" I went on Saturday night with some of my friends from work. Part of the tour included the Oxford Hotel attic which apparently is very haunted. I took a photo of myself looking into the mirror of this antique dresser and the apparition appeared to the left of the dresser. Do you see the face?

October

We visited the pumpkin patch today. Isn't October fun?

Can't you just whip it up mom?

Can't you just whip up a 50's skirt for me mom? I was flattered when Lauren asked at 8:45 pm but after working a 12 hour shift all I could think about was my pj's and my crib. Her inquiry originated from the same lobe in the brain that the Money Tree and the "I need cookies for 28 kids" is located. No, I did not stay up and whip up a skirt...I can't sew at night. I did wish though that I had more costume supplies stashed in the closet. I yelped at her "what? why can't that school of yours let us know in advance?" as it turns out the school was having a fundraiser the next evening at Gunther Toody's and the children were encouraged to wear 50's clothing. Lauren had also promised to bring cookies as a treat for the class. Lauren, loving any type of costume or opportunity to be theatrical settled on a quick homemade bow, and my cat eye glasses.

Ceili Mor

oh my gosh! boy did we ever have fun at the Ceili! the dancing was amazing.

Homecoming Lord

Proud Mama has to post this photo this morning. Paul is a freshman with amazing charisma. He is not taking a date to the dance, he wants to go with his friends. Apparently a lot of girls were upset. I'm just fine with that choice! I wore Steve's letter jacket from 1983.

Flashback Friday

OMG! my mom just called me to tell me about an article she read in the newspaper: Jack in the Box is coming back to our state! I love the greasy tacos! comfort food! when we travel to the west coast we map quest Jack in the Box from the airports! I'm so excited! Luckily it is being built about 20 - 30 minutes away otherwise I'd be muy gorda! I can't wait to pick Lauren up from school today and tell her the good news! I confess...I'm a junk food junkie! bloggers? what is your poison?

Update

I've been so dang busy that my head is spinning. I have a ton to do today but seem to be short on energy. Our dance school is having a huge fundraiser/professional show this weekend and Lauren had to have a new costume (she's dancing with 4 former Lord of the Dance stars.) Costume...did someone saw costume? my favorite thing to sew...but I was already in over my head with feis buckets I agreed to sew for our silent auction. So I ran all over town looking for the perfect black skirt and leotard for Miss Priss. It is just so ...plain....not my style. After I enter this blog note I'm going to go wild with the heat wand, rhinestones and lace.

To add to our busy crazy life...Steve is bagpiping at the event and I'm in a team dance number and wouldn't you know it...it's the same night as Homecoming for Paul. oh! Paul was nominated for the Homecoming court! he's such a charismatic young man. He is a lot like his dad and my father. He has the gift of gab and can make anyone feel comfortable in any situation. I'm so proud of him! I hope he wins the vote...even if he does not I'm proud of how we've raised such a nice young man. Paul told me he ran out of $ the other day because he gave it to some kid that didn't have lunch money and was sitting alone. The special ed kids love Paul too. He likes almost everyone. This is also the same child who offered a girl $5.00 to eat a praying mantis and got everyone else to cough up some dough and the girl ate it for $50.00 total! yum yum oh boy is he Irish or what? Paul and I had a good laugh over his story and I told him about a neighborhood girl who would ring our doorbell and when we opened the door she would pop a live snail in her mouth...shell and all and start munching. ICK! I still recall her brown hair and freckles and green slime running out the side of her mouth.

I don't have a camera as it has gone missing but I needed to journal and found this photo of Paul back in 1994-95. I made this costume for him. It was pretty ugly yet cute at the same time. He loved this jacket...he wore it the previous Halloween and almost everyday for play. I still have it hanging in my hall closet. Steve who claims he is not artistic made the firetruck. This was when colored printers first came out and and he was hot stuff on the computer making lights and signs for the firetruck. Oh! I hope to have homecoming/dance photos to show all my blog friends on Monday.

Birthday Shopping

Today Steve and the kiddos took me shopping for my Birthday...we went to the Container Store and I picked out a grid system and magnet containers to hang above my sewing machine. Steve also bought me a new chair. Fun Fun! I've been organizing all afternoon.

I also received an I Pod Nano video so I can listen to my favorite songs while sewing. I am having so much fun in my new studio. I'm almost ready to take photos for sharing on the blogosphere.