How to Observe Thanksgiving

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.
~~Author Unknown.~~

Chip's Treats

New Cricut Project!

This is my first ever attempt at glass etching using my Cricut. It turned out spectacularly!

Good friends recently adopted a doggy, cocker spaniel - "Chip" and we are going over to meet him tomorrow night. We wanted to bring him something special :) We hope that he and his parents like it!!

The following items were used to create this project:

• Glass Jar from IKEA
• Armour Etch - Glass Etching Cream
• Mickey Mouse Font cartridge
• Provo Craft vinyl
• Cricut Expression

All Dressed Up

What a nice day we had, the only thing that would have made it nicer...would have been to have Stan home with us and not at work- but we made the best of it.

Suprisingly, Anthony was the first one up! This is our child that would easily sleep as the house burned down around him, to awake...SLOWLY...groggily and ask where the TV disappeared to. :D He tells me that he awoke at 7:30am (which is possible...but I'm thinking that it wasn't more like 8:30) I think that he relished his time up alone, to scout out the hiding spots for all the eggs. He came in our room at one point and sat next to me; talking. To be honest, his words sounded as if they were off in the distance in my semi-dream state...I was inclined to reach for the snooze button to get another 8 minutes of sleep escape...but it was my eldest son, still caught up in the excitement of the day, long, lean and lanky-cuddled by his Mom.
My real alarm went off at 9:30. I opened my eyes reluctantly. Anthony was with me again, chatting...I could see his lips moving but couldn't make out the words...then I heard the sound of bare feet slapping down the newly floored hallway. It was our Cameron...gleefully jumping up on the bed. He was GEEKED! He was a little concerned that the Easter Bunny was still in the house...but Anthony assured him that he was NOT. Phew...that was a close call!
Now, almost completely awake...I am listening to hear for Dominic...surely I would hear him beating his drum or playing cars...heck, knocking on his door to be let out (Knob cover on the inside of his door keeps him from escaping the house during the night and taking my car for a spin around the block) - but nothing. That was strange.
As I made my way to the edge of the bed...Anthony headed to Dom's room to take a look. That boy was actually still sleeping at 9:55am!! (Runing him in the backyard, like a puppy tuckered him out the day before!) He sensed the 3 sets of familial eyeballs staring at him and popped up with a smile, "Gooooood Morning!" he said emphatically. Amazing. I was bitter that the Rabbit didn't start the coffee for me! I could learn something from my youngest. :)
The 3 of them ventured into the hallway to collect the foil wrapped eggs and jelly beans. It didn't take long for Dominic to bee line straight to his Easter basket and start cramming chocolate into his mouth...it took a great deal of convincing to get him to allow me to take the foil off the eggs before he chewed them! Stubborn will he has...
They found all 18 eggs...and had a good time doing it. I'm pretty sure that Anthony saw to it that one egg, the last egg, got put in a place that only he would find it...(takes an oldest sibling to know an oldest sibling!) he looked like the hero...with the xray vision and all (It was stuffed into the couch). I'm most amused that he thought I didn't know.
We put Dom's new Barney DVD in and when that was over- we watched Mrs. Doubtfire. Anthony loved it. Cam wouldn't watch it. He said it was because is was PG-13 and he shouldn't watch those movies - but trust me, if the Turtles or Star Wars had the same rating- it would take duct tape and a telephone pole to keep him from it! I put the green bean casserole in, ironed the boys clothes and assembled the menagerie of items that we would need to bring on the trip to Monica and Dan's.
Once we were all dressed, my little men looked so cute with their dress shirts and ties - we headed out. Got to M&D's at 4. Had a wonderful meal. My sister is like Martha Stewart on steroids. Her desserts were in served in tiers for Pete's sake. (The only tiers in my house are actually tears and they are brought on by having to repeat myself 10 times before I am listened to!!) The boys looked great. They behaved well and were thrilled to get some cash and outdoor stuff.
Anthony ate 7 rolls (Uncle Dan still can't fathom where he put them) and polished off a nice plate of non-chocolate delacasies. (Ham, cheesy potatos, green bean casserole, a really delicious salad, rolls and this fancy stuffing) Yum! We visited with Nanny, Nana, Jackie, Juan, Alex, Julia, Chris, Beth, Matt, Julie and later with Jan and Paul too. We stayed til nearly 10pm and the boys stayed awake for the whole ride home. They were VERY happy to see that Dad was home waiting for us :0)
Overall, such a wonderful day. I am very grateful that my boys know that Easter is not just about a rabbit and candy. They know and understand that it is a celebration of the love that God and Jesus has for us. They are happily building their relationship with Him each day... as their mother, I am very proud.
He is risen! Make a new start, invite Him in...you won't be sorry you did.

Hilarious Commercial

Thanks for telling me about this, Monica! Enjoy everyone :D

My New Do!

Here is the latest change to my look...sporting an angled bang, almost black lowlights-with red and copper highlights.

Just glad I can't see the gray...well not for another 4 weeks or so ;D

Also, these are the new glasses that I bought at www.eyebuydirect.com for $78! Took 8 days to get them and they are very light to wear (my vision is 20/400)...$110 cheaper than what Lenscrafters charged.

What do you think??

A 1/4 Irish...and proud of it!

Well, thanks to my darling grandmother, Catherine Mary Collins Darin, I have an Irish heritage to not only be proud of but to pass onto my children!

Directly from County Cork, Ireland - Catherine moved to the USA after meeting my Grandfather during WWII, in England. I still have family in Ireland - my grandmother's sister Rita, her sister-in-law Noelene, and my second (and newly added third) cousins. I hope to still make it there someday in the not too distant future...I want very much to see where part of me began.

To all of you, Irish or not (everyone is a bit Irish on St. Patty's Day!), an Irish Blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Erin Go Bragh!

First Project with The Expression

Cameron had a timeline due for school today...so Mommy went to work with the Cricut!

Here is the finished product!

Covering the Cricut

Well, thanks to my darling husband and my fabulous mother...I am the proud new owner of a Cricut Expression!! I am in love with this machine and everything that it can do...the sky IS the limit. It totally feeds my creative appetite and I find myself daydreaming about what I can do next with it :) VERY COOL.

I was so tickled to get it, I wanted to find a way to cover it and keep the dust off and out of it - and hide it from the littlest Getz when he is downstairs invading as my "apprentice" :) I didn't have a pattern...and am pleased with the result! What do you think?

I Want To Be A Cat In My Next Life...

Well, that is true if you actaully believe that you get to come back as something else, if you screwed up this time around. My luck, I'd be a Rhino or something like that.
Anyway, this is Louie yesterday. I went to make the bed and imagine my suprise (and smile) when I noticed the paws sticking out. Ahhhhh...what a lazy life. No bills...no job...no need to "overthink" the day. Just move from hiding place to hiding place to steal some Zzzzzzs. I'm a little jealous! He's a great guy - otherwise, I'd be teaching him how to do chores!
Have a great day!

My First Ailment Recommendation

If anyone out there happens to be having any issues with fungal nail infections (toe), I just learned yesterday from my baby sister that this works wonders:

If you don't believe me...GOOGLE it! I wouldn't lie to you.

Much to my dismay...the journey into aging continues to nip at my heels! (See earlier post)

Freezin' in February

For those of us in Michigan, most of us are growing tired of the frigid temps and are craving some 40 degree temps to call a HEAT WAVE! Yikes! I can't remember the last time I thought a winter was this long, snowy and freakin' cold...
Perhaps I am just reaching that glorious age where "cold" is not synonymous with "living". Soon I will gripe about my aches and pains and make postings just to make my recommendations of ointments ;) I will make sarcastic comments about the "kids today" and begin to drive all around town with my right turn signal on. Nah, that can't be it. Won't happen to me...nah, let's blame Global Warming. Yeah, that's the ticket.
I'd make for a really, really bitter polar bear.

Happy New Year!

Well, as the door closes on 2008 and another opens to usher in 2009...I, like many, fall into the trappings of resolution making with most of the other humans on Earth. (Maybe that is too broad of a statement...maybe people in Timbuctu could care less about resolutions?)
I have decided on a couple things in no particular order:
I will recommitt to my health improvement efforts by getting back to disciplined eating habits (BIG fiber, healthy fats and carbs...drinking the water that my body LOVES)and get my a$$ back in the swing of excercise. I will "mix it up" and add activities of all kinds...not just the treadmill. Yoga...for starters.
I will get my craft room organized and enviable which then plays into the next; I will unleash my creativity with jewelry making and scrap booking- and will expand into felting (thanks Mon!) sock monkeys and whatever else makes my soul feel free.
I will find and create better methods to engage my children to be the best they can be. Scream-free parenting doesn't just happen :)
I will become one step closer and smarter to being savvy with our money- for us and the kids.
I will paint the living room and hallway.
I will fix or burn (not sure which) the dust ruffle on our bed.
I will move forward on completing my degree.
I will practice forgivess without compromising boundries.
I will consider changing my name to "Danalicious". I think it would be most fun to sign checks and make telemarketers use it when looking for me. :) I can just hear the thick accent that can't wrap itself around the English language..." Yes, yes...haylow? Haylow? Is Dee-na-lish-e-o-s Geetz to be at there?" Yes, yes...I do believe I could have enormous fun with this!
I will go to Milwaukee to see my Grandfather.
I will maintain this blog!

I am hopeful that although the list seems long...I will tackle and check off each and every item on it. Afterall, when I put my mind to something- NOTHING can deter me.

Good Tidings to you and yours in 2009.