Getting So Big!

I love being a Grandma!  Colton is so funny at this age.  He is still not walking but climbing everything.  Climbed out of his crib already!  What does that say about a child?  They climb before they walk? 

I'm ready for him to start saying real words so I can repeat those cute little sayings that come out of the mouths of babes. 

Check out my interview!

I think this lady's blog will really take off!  She is very professional and organized with great ideas.  Here is a link to my interview on her blog. 
 http://ctmomreviews.blogspot.com/2011/01/our-first-spotlight-of-mommy-monday.html

How the year is going so far....

Here we are already mid-January 2011 and this is my life so far.

• Working ALOT, too much really! Between my full time job as a Registered Veterinary Technician/Manager and my Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/simplesubtleties and just keeping the house clean (well, picked-up) I feel like I'm moving constantly!  We have been fairly busy at work too which is unusual for winter so I should consider myself lucky.  At least I am employed at a stable business. 
• I'm day 9 now without my usual caffeine.  I decided to get rid of it and honestly, I do feel better.  Not as achy.  I had a headache for 3 straight days when I stopped! That stuff can't be good for us!  I still crave an occasional soda or tea but I am doing well and saving money.  I don't really want the non-caffeine drinks as much so I'm not buying one every morning on my way to work.  Saving about a $1 per day so far. 
• My oldest son talked to me about moving back home.  We love having an empty nest.  Our kids are 25,24,21.  I told him there would be some ground rules AND that I would want a plan, and a date of when he would be moving out. Like 3 months or 6 months.  He didn't like all this and got defensive and said, "There are other people I can live with".  I just calmly said, "Well Okay then."  He needs to start acting like a grown up.  Right now, it's still all about the party.  Honestly, these days, he makes me crazy.
• I've been babysitting my 16 month old grandson on almost all my free time off.  He is still not walking or talking but he was a late crawler too.  I have a ton of fun with him.  He is kissing now and you know Grandma loves that!
• Found out I am taking wedding photographs in April.  I really HATE taking wedding photographs.  I guess because I don't feel like I am the best with a camera when it comes to important action shots.  I can get some great shots when I'm playing around or of staged things like senior pics, engagement, etc.  It's those "moment" pictures that people count on that scare the hell out of me.  What if I miss the kiss?  Then what?  What if I lose all the pictures before they get their copies?  Too many what if's.  It's family so I feel forced into it, which actually I was...I told them no several times and they kept saying you will do fine and you will save them so much money and they just pretended I never said no.  I should learn to be more assertive in 2011.
• Speaking of photography I really, really want to raise the money and go on this trip.  http://www.jimzuckerman.com/blog/white-horses-of-the-camargue-photo-shoot-france-april-2012  It looks amazing!  It is also very expensive (for my budget but I don't think for what your getting).  I have a year.  Maybe if my Etsy shop does SUPER DUPER well?  There is always hope.  :)
• In Missouri we are having a mild winter.  It's cold but no snow or rain really.  This winter does not seem as depressing as last winter at least! 68 days till spring I think.
• Jim and I have seen 2 movies this year.  Tron and The Fighter.  I really like The Fighter but sometimes it was hard to understand what they were saying. 

That is all for the 9 days of 2011.  I'm sure I'm forgetting something important.  I do hope to blog more as I let my blog suffer last year, but no promises!  It's too early in the New Year and I really am bad at resolutions! 

Happy New Year!!

Valentine is 17 years old today!!  Happy Birthday to my old dog and Happy New Year that she is still doing great~ just a puppy with a sore back and a hobble but otherwise a great sport at still playing dress up for my camera.  xxoo to all our fans.  May you have many smiles in 2011 and even more blessings.

Secret Santa Project Gift 5,6, and 7

 Canadian trip to the Red Carpet for New Moon.  This is her face photoshoped into the photo with the sign that says "Bite Me Hard Rob".  She is a Team Edward fan from the Twilight series.

Canadian Penny and a Coaster from Margaritaville

 This was all placed in an envelope and left for her.  She loved it! 

 This was for her trip to the islands. I wrote in the letter saying that Edward wanted me to give her this necklace to hide the bite marks and to please explain.  She really liked it too. :)

 This is her Oriental package.  She was called a Bimbo at work by a client (can you believe the rudeness of that?!) so in this letter from secret santa I said that I had it on good authority that she considered being an oriental bimbo but she could not consider that since she is "our little bimbo". 

 The satin oriental bag from China and a oriental stamp helped "seal the deal".

 She didn't work the day I brought this one in and hung it on the staff lounge refrigerator.  I made it to look as though she mailed us a postcard.  I wish I could say that I did the Photoshop fixes with her picture but I have not learned to do that yet so a friend of mine helped me out!  Too cool and fun!

Secret Santa Project Gift #4

Reading material for her journey with book marks. 

Everyone had to fill out a questionaire and she likes vampire stories and Team Edward from the Twilight series. 

Now the fun begins..........

DeGrace Christmas Card with Ali as Santa

Picture In Portrait 5x7 folded card

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