Memories

My Fav Pics from 2009

Posted on January 6, 2010 by admin

I went through all 11,000 pics I took last year! I narrowed it down to about 90 something and then had to choose from there. It was fun and a bit challenging. As an “artist” I think we get attached to certain pictures for one reason or another. I tried not to just post the top 10 that I’m attached to.

10.
Ok, this picture just evokes complete happiness and laughter. We were watching a herding demonstration and as you see, the one sheep wasn’t happy with the pushing and shoving so it just leaped up. I love that I was able to capture it.

9.
This was from a playdate with my Monkey at the Auburn Airport. I had such a great time. In fact, I think I even mentioned in my post that I had more fun than he did. I love the way this one turned out with a little vintage effect.

8.
During our Gulfport trip, I took tons of pictures of this bird. I kept slowly walking towards him to get a closer capture. He seemed pretty nonchalant.

7.
This is a shot from the Horse Show I photographed in the spring. I loved getting these action shots. I was so happy with how they turned out and had tons of favorites.

6.
Since we haven’t had snow in years, I was so eager to get outside during this nice snowfall back in March. I just love the ways the snow is covering the trees.

5.
Very happy with the fact I got this picture in a dark coliseum.

4.
During this first football game of Auburn’s season, I probably took 30 shots of this eagle doing his routine pre-game flight. This one is just such a favorite.

3.
This was my first maternity session of a non-family member. SO much fun with such a fun couple. I just love this one. I believe it was a favorite of theirs too. It just makes me think of the waiting and anticipation that occurs during ones pregnancy, especially that last month.

2.
I took this at a charity ball. I was trying lots of different settings in the dark room. And yes, this is one I fell in love with pretty much right after I saw it after uploading it.

1.
This is my little sister and her fiance. She and Chris are so in love and it shows. I had such a good time seeing them and taking these pictures.

Which one do you like best?

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T-Shirt Pillow

Posted on January 4, 2010 by admin

I have a box of old T-shirts that the boys have grown out of that I just couldn’t bare to throw or give away. Since I’ve been trying to do more sewing, I decided it would be great to take these old T-shirts and make something ‘memorable’ and/or ‘usable’ out of them. The first attempt was to make a T-shirt pillow. I already had some soft fleece fabric that would have a similar “feel” to the T-shirt fabric. You alwa So here’s what I did:

1. Lay the T-shirt out flat. Iron it, if need be.

2. Mark out where to cut. Since I’m a serious novice at sewing, I don’t have all those fancy sewing tools, like a rotary or grid plastic. (So don’t laugh!)

This is probably the best job I’ve done cutting fabric. 🙂

3. Place the T-shirt cut out and place it face-to-face with the other fabric.

4. Line it up with the fabric and place straight pins in it to trim the back side fabric.

5. Another good job of cutting. 🙂 Then, hem 3 1/2 edges of the pillow, leaving enough room on the last side to be able to stuff the pillow. Removing straight pins as you go.

6. After hemming the last side, flip the fabric from in-side-out.

7. Stuff the pillow with Polyfill Pillow Stuffing until filled as desired. Since my pillow wasn’t really big I didn’t want it overstuffed.

Here’s what it looks like after stuffing it.

8. Finally, hem the last part of the pillow.

The one thing I may do is to add a decorative trim to the edges of this pillow. I just didn’t have anything I thought would look good.

Posted in Feeling nostalgic, I am Woman..., Mama Drama, Me, Myself, & I, Pics Pics Pics | Tagged ACAC | Leave a comment

2009 Blog Review

Posted on December 31, 2009 by admin

I was reminded by Lisanne (blog removed) of a post I did back in 2006 at New Years and decided to do the post again for 2009. Post the first sentence of the first post of each month. I did mine with the first post that wasn’t a recipe or I heart faces post.

January
It seems that nearly every blog I read today shows people having fun in the snow.

February
Be sure to check out I ♥ Faces to see all the other beautiful faces that have been entered into the contest!

March
We woke up to beautiful blankets of snow today.

April
Here’s another creation that I finished the other day.

May
Last weekend we were in Peachtree City for a soccer tournament.

June
Saturday my sis-in-law, Maria, graduated from SCAD Atlanta.

July
Last week Drew spent his first week at camp.

August
This week over at I Heart Faces our challenge is to share your story of summer through pictures.

September
I just think it is awesome that there are FREE applications for iPhones & iPods.

October
Last weekend we went to Gulfport, MS for a soccer tourney.

November
Here’s a pic of the boys on our Trick or Treating night, which was moved to Thursday due to football. Yah, Football reigns here, so much they move Halloween to a school night!

December
This weekend has been fashioned from traditions that we’ve started, enjoying each others company, searching for a tree, cutting it down at Lakeside Tree Farm.

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Christmas in Pictures

Posted on December 29, 2009 by admin

Lights
Our house decorated for Christmas

The most lights we’ve ever put up!

Christmas morning
Stocking Treasures

The boys in front of all the gifts…waiting patiently

I love taking this picture of them in their PJ’s every year.

Posted in Alex, Drew, Featured, Fun Times, Home Sweet Home, Mama Drama, Pics Pics Pics, Tis the Season | Tagged ACAC | Leave a comment

Christmas 2009 {what we got}

Posted on December 27, 2009 by admin

Every year I try to write up what we got just to have it to look at years from now.

Rob
navy blue jogging suit
pocket knife
socks
Panini Press

Me
black jogging suit
Victoria Secret secrets – nothing exciting, I promise
Gravy Boat
Kitchen Spritzer

Drew
wallet
Auburn hat
pocket knife
Under Armor Auburn jersey
Silly Bandz
Champion Double Dry Compression T-shirt
Rawlings Baseball Glove
The O’Reilly Factor for Kids

Alex
Cars & Trucks
Fisher-Price Doodle Pro
Silly Bandz
Underwear
LEGO Camper, MiniFigure Collection, Police Car, Classic Car
Bendaroos Set
I Spy Christmas: A Book of Picture Riddles
Disney Bedtime Favorites (Disney Storybook Collections)
Webkinz

Family
Double DVD with Mr. Mom & Mrs. Doubtfire
Triple DVD with I, Robot, The Day After Tomorrow, & Independence Day
The Karate Kid
Grease
Wii
Backyard Baseball 2010
Wii Remote Controller (x2)
New Super Mario Bros
Wii Nunchuk Controller
Wii Play with Wii Remote

Posted in Alex, Cooking, Drew, Entertain me, Home Sweet Home, Mama Drama, Me, Myself, & I, Mr. Mag, The Fab 4, Tis the Season | Tagged ACAC, the Stanfords | 1 Comment

Blessings

Posted on December 26, 2009 by admin

Yesterday I was able to sit back (for the most part) and enjoy the day. Being observant of my surroundings, I became mindful of how thankful I am for a few things, like:

great in-laws that I get along with
a brother-in-law that is quite helpful and enjoys being with his nephews
making it a family tradition to have homemade pasta every Christmas
Rob’s Italian heritage, which enables us to have that homemade pasta
a nice home to be able to host holidays
2 healthy boys that have such a sweet heart and I really appreciate when they “show” it

I know there are many other blessings in my life, but those are the ones that came to mind tonight.

Posted in Cooking, Featured, Home Sweet Home, I am Woman..., Mama Drama, Me, Myself, & I, The Fab 4, Tis the Season | Tagged ACAC | 1 Comment

Christmas Eve {2009}

Posted on December 24, 2009 by admin

Today I spent nearly the entire day making everything for tomorrow:
Oreo balls
Banana Nut Bread Muffins
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Cookies
Sausage Balls
Sausage-Cheese English muffins (make-ahead snack or breakfast)

After all that cooking, I was exhausted! I relaxed while watching White Christmas, which is not one of my favorite Christmas movies! I need to go adjust my top 10 Christmas movies again. I was dreading cooking dinner after being in the kitchen practically all day, so I was very happy when Rob reminded me that a friend of ours was bringing over some homemade lasagna. Lasagna is one dish that I just can’t get to “work”. So it’s been a tradition for Rob’s coworker to make him lasagna for his birthday, but this year she never did do it with summer being so busy. It worked out great. We popped it in the oven and “wolfed” it down before having to head out the door. It was just SOOO yummy!!!

While we were waiting on the lasagna to cook we got dressed up and went to the Christmas Eve service at our church. Beautiful service as always. Our preacher’s brother, John Ed, preached. He started by talking about instant replay in football and how a coach can throw a red flag to have a play reviewed. His sermon was based on the idea that the devil threw the red flag to have the events of Christmas reversed. He discussed the events of that miracle and nativity scene. I loved the way he did this, because I think it really got Drew’s attention right off the bat, being how he loves football. I love Christmas Eve services; communion, singing Christmas hymns, hearing “O Holy Night”, and my favorite part; singing “Silent Night” with only candles to light the room. Just awesome!

We came home and the boys opened their Christmas Eve present, PJs, put those on, and then picked out a couple cookies to leave for Santa along with some milk. Drew asked if she should leave Santa a Coke instead in case he’s “lactose intolerant”. Made me laugh!

Posted in Alex, Cooking, Drew, Home Sweet Home, Mama Drama, Me, Myself, & I, Movies, Mr. Mag, Pics Pics Pics, The Fab 4, Tis the Season | Tagged ACAC, the Stanfords | 1 Comment

Top 10 Christmas Movies

Posted on December 19, 2009 by admin

Starting right after Thanksgiving, I really enjoy watching Christmas Movies. Thought I would share them with you. [Edited Post parts in GREEN.]

10. Jack Frost (1998)
This heart-warming movie with Michael Keaton and Kelly Preston is one that you just can’t go wrong with.

Favorite Quote
Jack: My balls are freezin! I never thought I’d say THAT with a smile on my face.

9. Deck the Halls (2006)
Just watched this movie and I was really excited because Ferris Bueller (my fav movie) aka Matthew Broderick is in the movie as Steve Finch along side Danny Devito. Devito, who plays Buddy Hall, moves in across the street from Finch and causes quite a hoopla. Funny!

8. Surviving Christmas (2004)
Ben Affleck enthusiam and love for Christmas just reminds me of how my Granddad adored this time of year. Although Granddad wasn’t quite as over the top as Ben’s character, Drew is in this hilarious movie.

Favorite Quote
Drew Latham: Please! Please, let me stay here!
Tom Valco: No!
Drew Latham: I’ll pay you.
Tom Valco: My family’s not for sale, pal.
Drew Latham: I’ll pay you $250,000!
Tom Valco: Welcome home, son.

7. Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
There’s something about the Kranks and I think it’s the fact that it’s since they have no kids at home they decide to have a year of no lights, no tree, not presents, and just go on a cruise.

Favorite Quote
Spike Frohmeyer: You’re skipping Christmas! Isn’t that against the law?

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Great remake. I think the “Whos” are so cute.

Favorite Quote
The Grinch: I’m all toasty inside. And I’m leaking.

5. The Santa Clause (1994)
Tim Allen is one of my favorite actors and this just awesome. The little boy is also great. The adventure that Tim goes on in being Santa is classic.

Favorite Quote
Mr. Whittle: I don’t know what’s happening to you. You’re starting to look like the Pillsbury Doughboy.

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 animated)
This is just a great kid movie all around.

Favorite Quote
Grinch: All I need is a reindeer!
Narrator: The Grinch looked around, but since reindeer are scarce, there was none to be found. Did that stop the Grinch? Ha! He simply said:
Grinch: If I can’t *find* a reindeer, I’ll *make* one instead.
Narrator: So he took his dog Max, and he took some black thread, and he tied a big horn on the top of his head.

3.White Christmas (1954)
I watched this movie and absolutely adored it! I’m just mad I waited this long to watch it. Loved the dancing and singing. Just awesome!

Favorite Quote (you just have to watch this to see why it’s hilarious)
Bob Wallace: How do you do?
Doris: Mutual, I’m sure.
….later in the movie….
Mr. Herring, General’s Party Guest: How do you do?
Doris: Mutual, I’m sure.

2. Polar Express (2004)
The year this movie came out I took TV Boy to see it. Just he and I. It was a really special Mom-son day. That Christmas Santa brought him the Polar Express book and a bell.

Favorite Quote
The Conductor: Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.

1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
This is one of the rare movies that I could watch over and over.

This movie is FULL of great quotes, but one that always comes to mind when I think of this movie is:
Ellen: “Audrey’s frozen from the waste down.”
Clark: “Ah, it’s all part of the experience honey.”

So what did I leave out of my top 10? What are your favorites?

Other favorites
Fred Claus (2007)
I had originally had this movie in my top 10, but it got bumped out by another movie.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Christmas Story (1983)
This is another one that was bumped out of my top 10.

Favorite Quote
Ralphie: Oooh fuuudge!
Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] Only I didn’t say “Fudge.” I said THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words, the “F-dash-dash-dash” word!

Classic Christmas Cartoon Movies
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)

Worst Christmas Movie Ever
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Some other Christmas Movies
Elf (2003)
Scrooge (1970)
Prancer (1989)
Scrooged (1988)
The Family Man (2000)
Jingle All the Way (1996)
The Year Without a Santa Claus (1976)

Here’s some other opinions about Christmas Movies:
Top 10 Christmas Movies
All Time Top Christmas Movies
Best Christmas Movies: The Top 25 of All Time
Top 10 Christmas Movies from Family Education
Being Frugal’s 10
Listverse’s 10 Christmas Horror Movies
Top 10 Christmas Movies for Kids

Posted in Entertain me, Lists, Me, Myself, & I, Tis the Season | Tagged ACAC | 1 Comment

Why????

Posted on December 15, 2009 by admin

I usually don’t write about politics. I’m not really one to publically voice my opinions about stuff like this, but I’m really the need to vent right now. I’m on facebook as is most of the world, and have “friends” of all sorts. Anyway, I won’t go into specifics about that as I shouldn’t go down that road. I just don’t get why people feel the need to have such absolute hatred for certain people in politics, especially ones that have never had any jurisdiction you and have in no direct way effected you.

I totally understand that people are going to have different views and although I dislike certain ideas and decisions made by past or present presidents, I in no way wouldn’t ever wish to harm or even express hatred towards them.

How high school is it to throw things at politicians? Sheesh…

Posted in Bloggin' It, In the Newz, Life's a Beach | Tagged ACAC | Leave a comment

Christmas Past

Posted on December 10, 2009 by admin

PJ’s
1998

2004

2005

Santas through the years

This isn’t all the Santa photos. I’m missing 1998 and 2002, I think:-( If I find them, I’ll redo it! You’ll notice we’ve seen the same santa every year since 2001!