Day 46 : 02-15-12

Day 46 : 02-15-12, a photo by ha! designs on Flickr.

My heart... In a little blue box...

Norm surprised we with this beautiful bracelet yesterday. He had it sized for me and brought it back home this afternoon. It's soooo shiny and I love the style! He knows me so well! I gave it it's own little photoshoot this afternoon. I think it enjoyed it! (Look at it pose for the camera!) *smile*

A special Valentine bonus: He also took my other Tiffany bracelet in to be repaired. (I ruined it by changing the clasp many years ago... I should have never messed with it!) It will be nice to have that one back in a few weeks. Yay!

Thanks again, babe!!! It's AMAZING!

a ballet-rific weekend

WOW! I definitely have a little ballerina!!! :)

This weekend she performed Saturday and Sunday in "Sea to Shining Sea," a dance recital for her dance school. Saturday's performance was in the costume shown above. Her teacher choreographed an adorable number that was so entertaining. It was one of the crowd favorites for the night! Cameron was AMAZING! ...OK .... I knew she was good, (I'm her mom after all!) but seeing her on a big stage, and the confidence, ACTING and dance... WOW! Just thinking about it now makes tears come to my eyes. She had the time of her life AND you could see it! Just look at the photo above... this was taken BEFORE the show... she's not nervous... she's calm and just anticipating the show. Oh... how I wish that my parent's lived closer. I know they would have loved watching her perform.

The photo below was taken after Sunday's performance. Leila was able to come home to celebrate Father's Day and attend this night. (I sure have gorgeous girls! ...proud mama talkin' again...) It was ANOTHER outstanding performance by Cameron... in fact, I heard people behind us in the theater comment on her grace and elegance during her dance. She really stood out! I'm so proud! I guess I'm going to have to buy both DVDs of the performances! (Of course they wouldn't put all the performances together... You must buy separate DVDs for each night! $40 each, adds up! They also prohibited any recording in the theater... so you're pretty much stuck! Oh well... I know she'll love being able to have all her relatives watch it!)
It was definitely a ballet-rific weekend! I don't know if my husband's first choice for Father's Day weekend would be to spend over 5 hours watching ballet for the weekend.... but he was definitely the proud papa! Happy Father's Day honey... our kids are lucky to have such a wonderful, funny, generous, video game playing, silly, scary movie watching (and torturing), BBQ-ing master, hard working, thoughtful, supportive dad.... I love you!

all by ourselves

It was the last day of Cami's Spring Volleyball league today... The season always seems to go by soooo quickly. We had a fun bunch of kids and it was really great to see all the improvement that was made in the 10 week period. She wants to play again in the fall, as long as it doesn't interfere with her new schedule of dance classes! We won't know what that is though until late August or September. Hopefully the scheduling will work out all right. It worked perfectly this year!

Cami's sleeping over at a friend's house tonight. So, Norm and I went out to a FANCY dinner. I felt all grown up! We even got dressed up (!) and went to Mastro's Steakhouse. It was DELICIOUS! I think I brought home more food than they served! The prime rib serving was ENORMOUS! (Norm told me I had to add this photo he took with his phone... and this was AFTER I was done eating!) I can't even tell you how AMAZING the lobster mashed potatoes were... see... I'm drooling, just thinking about it AND I'm full! We really enjoyed ourselves! A nice celebration.

I finished another chocolate pincushion this afternoon! (It's been in progress for a while... going back and forth to volleyball so that I could work on it between games!) I had a little time while Cami was swimming with her friend and Norm played lifeguard, so I was able to complete the photo shoot too. I just listed it on etsy, so now that's done! I have another one to list that I photographed as well. I think I'll list it next week.

Time to go and hang out with my honey... we ARE alone after all! :)

new blossom and mario

I had a chance to complete the new Blossom Card AND list it today! Another item complete on my list!!!! :) I love how the combination came together. I had to run to Michael's today to find a paper for the background. I didn't like any of the combinations I had. (It's amazing that I have drawers of paper and I couldn't find one I really liked! Sad!) As soon as I saw the black and white polka dot I knew it was the one... Of course, I didn't buy just that! I also found a nice set of Amy Butler papers that I think would make some gorgeous Blossom Cards, I couldn't leave without getting those! I think I'll have to add one of those to my project list for next week...

I couldn't resist adding this goofy photo of Norm and Cami. They have been playing a lot of Mario Kart on the Wii... you can tell because in this photo they have turned into Mario and Baby Mario. Cami is even looking cross-eyed! I might have to take video game privileges away for a little while (at least until the moustaches fall off!). I absolutely LOVE hearing them play games together, it makes me smile.

a NEW...

Here's proof... I worked on my sushi pincushion today! YEAH! It felt good to sew all the "rice!" My sewing machine was pretty happy to see some action once again. I really want to finish it tomorrow because I can HARDLY wait to take photos... why? NORMIE BOUGHT ME A NEW CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh! I can hardly believe it! He got me a nice Canon Rebel XSi Digital SLR... I feel so super spoiled. The pressure is on... now I really have to take nice pictures! :) (This photo was with my old camera this morning...) The camera was a gift for our anniversary (on Sunday), I was lucky to get it a few days early. ("So you can play with it all weekend!" he said.) Did I tell you how lucky I am? WOW! It was the most super, thoughtful thing ever... thanks! :)

I've spent the last couple of hours reading the manual (yes... I am one of THOSE people) while I waited for the battery to charge. Once it was finally charged I tortured Walter a little bit by taking photos of him while he tried to nap. I'm so excited I just want to stay up all night and mess around with it, but I know that's not a good idea... that 5:15 alarm rings pretty loudly.

I'm off to dream of my husband (he had to be first, considering...), a beautiful new camera, photo opportunities, art, projects, and just how fortunate I feel right this minute...

happy birthday honey...

Happy Birthday Normie! Today is my husband's birthday... Here he is with Cami. They're playing his new Mario Kart Wii game. It was so much fun! (Game was Cami's idea.) Leila added to his DVD collection with all three Bourne movies. He was very excited about this gift as well! He loves peanut butter and chocolate so for the "cake" I made peanut butter and fudge brownies... Boy, were they rich! I will definitely have to walk MANY hills to burn that off! :) Honey... you deserve the best... I hope all your wishes come true!

Cami had her school play performance today as well. She did an amazing job! The whole class really worked hard and it showed. I'm so glad that Norm and I were able to go and enjoy this together. We were so proud of all the hard work and practice she's put into getting ready for this day.

I packaged up the Paisley Skulls Blossom Card today... It's going to Yonkers, NY! I love mailing packages all over and I always anxiously await feedback! I LOVE reading that stuff! :) I am looking forward to working on the sushi tomorrow. I plan on getting started first thing in the morning as Cami has a minimum day (12:15 dismissal). I haven't played with my sewing machine for a couple of weeks... it's going to be nice to hear that motor hummmmmm....

mother's day

I had such a wonderful Mother's Day! My family planned the perfect day for me. I played volleyball in the morning and then came home to a delicious bagel brunch. Cami and I hung out in the spa for awhile while Leila took a nap (Walter joined her... He is definitely a snuggler!). Norm fixed a yummilicious BBQ rib dinner. I've eaten enough to last the week! :)

Cami made me the cutest flower pen with a matching notebook. They are adorable! I can't wait to use them in my office! I absolutely love it when the girls make me things. It makes me happy to think of the thought and care they've put into their gift. They are both so creative and artistic, I'm always thrilled with what they come up with! Leila took some of the cactus bloom and desert landscape photos I've taken and transformed them (via photoshop) into AMAZING art prints! She framed them perfectly as well! They are beautiful... gallery ready! I can't wait to hang them... Words can't fully express how overwhelmed I was by this gift... It was like seeing my art and Leila's art come together... I'm very proud! Thank you Leila, Cami, and Norm for making me feel so special. I love my family!

My mom LOVED the tree of life afghan that was her present for Mother's Day. (Read about it here.) I was so excited about her opening it. I could barely fit it in the box to mail it (flat rate... to save money!) so I couldn't wrap it. So Heather had the brilliant idea of me mailing it to her so she could wrap it and take it to Mom. (Of course, she had to torture me that she never received it and didn't know what I was talking about!) Thanks Heather for making the presentation of my gift perfect! You're the best! :)

gift stress

I have that feeling like in Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark).... there's that big rock chasing you and you're barely staying ahead of it. I think I'm feeling like that because it's Norm's birthday next week and I can't seem to think of the perfect thing. I'm very frustrated. I don't have much time and everything I think will be good ends up on the scrap pile. It's really making me feel yucky in everything else... I really need to fix this FAST!

What am I going to do?....

flat tire and flowers

My day started with a flat tire... so I walked Cami to school today. It gave me time to admire the beautiful flowers blooming across the street at my neighbor's house. I had to take some photos! They were magnificent!! I'm so glad I took the time to do more than notice them in passing... I'm going to make her a little set of cards. It will be my way to thank her for the beauty she's sharing with all her neighbors. I guess I'm also glad (in a VERY broad way) that I had a flat tire... it made me stop to smell (photograph) the flowers...

I did have time to take the photos and list the chocolate magnet set with altered tin. I think it would be such a great mother's day gift. I know I love little chocolate magnets holding things on my fridge! :) I'm so happy with how the tin turned out... it's perfect packaging for the little faux chocolates. (Yeah! One item on project list complete this week.)

I worked on the purse a little today as well. I was able to hand sew another 3 or 4 inches. It's slow work but it sure is looking nice. I'm going to have to decide whether I'm going to list it or not once it's finished. I'm struggling with that one right now... keep it for myself or list, keep it for myself or list... hmmm... what should I do?

Norm is in Seattle on a business trip. Cami and I miss him already. The house seems very quiet right now, I miss hearing his laugh while he watches some goofy show before bed. Speaking of bed... I better get going, that alarm rings pretty early!

(maybe I'll just put together a couple of the flower cards first...)

home again AND first weekly "project list"

The Vegas Volleyball Tournament was AWESOME! Although we had some major injuries occur during the tournament (Tram, Julie, & Robert) we had such a great time. We had FUN together. I love it when you can be competitive AND joke around. Our "Get Some" team was Julie, Art, Tram, Dale, Anna, Robert, Jared (thanks for saving us!), and me. Tram took some AMAZING PHOTOS of our team in action. I can hardly wait for the next tournament! (Heal quickly everyone!)

I also had such a wonderful time with my mom and sister... We had a lovely dinner together Saturday night and celebrated Heather's birthday. It's always such a treat when we are able to spend a "girls weekend" out. It's another benefit of my twice a year Vegas Volleyball tournament! :)

It was a very big weekend! Leila went with a BUNCH of her friends and her boyfriend to the big 3 day Coachella concert. She had a terrific time! I can hardly wait to see pictures. She stopped by the house today on her way back to school with souvenirs for all of us. Super thoughtful and sweet! :)

Norm & Cami partied it up while I was gone (of course!)! They spent the day Saturday with friends, swimming and barbecuing and relaxing... sounds nice, huh?!

I didn't get home last night from Vegas until around midnight... I've been a little sluggish (not to mention sore!) today. It's also been VERY hot here AND our air conditioning system is broken. We've been getting quotes but it will be another couple of weeks until it's replaced. It's a good thing that it cools off some at night!

Last week I mentioned that I would begin to list projects at the beginning of each week that I wanted to create. These project(s) must be art and/or craft related. (I can't say... I will "do the laundry.") The purpose of this is to push myself and not allow myself to spend as much time procrastinating about each idea that pops into my head. I want to see some of these ideas to completion. I feel like if I'm having to "list" these projects and recap my progress at the end of the week, I may actually begin to get beyond my own art barriers. Alright... enough with the self reflection! :)

THIS WEEK'S PROJECTS
Chocolate Magnet Set with Decorated Tin
CA Roll - Sushi (Faux Food/Pincushion)
Blossom Card - 2 in 1 card - New paper pattern
FINISH "the purse"

I have so many projects on my BIG list... I feel really good about starting to chip away at them. It's going to be exciting to see more items listed on etsy and to see my "gift" list items checked off. I hope to have a head start this year for the holidays! :)

I did work on the magnet set/tin today and should be able to take photos and list it tomorrow.

I had such an exciting and wonderful weekend... but... it's soooo nice to be home. :)

jet lag

I think that jet lag has caught up to me... I'm feeling very tired (and a little depressed) right now. Besides my body clock adjusting it probably has lots to do with my car being wrecked, lots of expenses, and frustration of not being able to do anything to help Norm get a break from work. Although we did get away for a few days, he really needs to take a vacation that is more than just a day or two.

I did have a chance to work on the purse a little today. (Of course I ran out of thread, which put a sudden stop to my progress!) I hope to have it complete in the next couple of days...

Cami was so excited about a book she got at the school book fair today. It's called, "The Girls Book - How to be the Best at Everything." She has been reading little hints and facts all afternoon. Super cute! :) I love it when she gets so excited and just chit chats... It reminds me to take a minute and just enjoy. Time goes way too quickly to be rushing it along.

I'm going to try for an early night and look forward to an early morning walk to get me started in the right direction tomorrow...

t o m o r r o w

We leave TOMORROW!!!! I can't believe it... I'm soooo excited, yet nervous. The nervous part is just the worry about Cami and Leila. It feels so odd to think they aren't coming with us. I just want them to be safe while we're gone...

I have to hurry and get my stuff packed up. I did find a casual yet fancy sandal today (finally)! I feel like I'm all ready! Norm wondered why I had to get all this stuff to go to another state... I told him it was just the catalyst to do something I SHOULD have done a LONG time ago. I think he agrees..... He's planning on taking some of my old wardrobe pieces on "a long drive, in a pillowcase." What do you think he means by this? :)

Well... I better get back to making sure I'm set to go... I only have an hour left because I have volleyball tonight. My team's in playoffs this week!

on the road again

It was misty and foggy this morning on my walk. I love walking when it's still dark and I have the roads to myself and my thoughts (and music). I get all bundled up (Cami says I look like a burglar) and I enjoy not worrying about dodging traffic as I go up and down the hills in my neighborhood. It's good to be back... on the road again!

I was able to work on the purse today. I fused the interfacing, sewed the front panel and back panel pieces together, and sewed the ribbon on the panel pieces. (I also got Norm's ironing done in between fusing the interfacing!) Tomorrow I'll fuse the fleece and layer the buckram to the panels. Hopefully I'll have time to do that.... I have trip preparation to do tomorrow as well!

Norm and I went over the itinerary for our trip and he helped me choose the outfits for the two evening events. It's a relief to have that part done. Tomorrow I'll head to Target (I have a return) and the mall (I know, AGAIN!). I plan on getting some nice looking flat sandals, maybe a black jacket or wrap, and maybe a somethin'-somethin' at Victoria's Secret.... :) I also need to make sure that I have the groceries that Leila and Cami will need, plus instructions, emergency lists, etc. I hope all this won't take too long... my purse will be waiting... :)