Life Continues

Life here continues to daze and confuse me. It's been pretty hectic here the last few days needless to say. Too many things going on and to be honest... I'm not so sure I can even write about them right this minute. Just know that everything is fine, it's just teenage (Joseph, need I say more) bulls**t! Other than that, pretty much everything else is going ok.

I have more photos to post of my WONDERFUL trip to Vegas! For today's viewing pleasure I have the Bellagio for you. It is beautiful in there. We always go to the arbortorem (sp?) which is beautiful. Its almost hard to believe that they use all fresh flowers for those displays.

After that viewing and the small butterfly exhibit we walked over to the chocolate place.. and for the life of me I just can't remember the name of it. The chocolate is out of this world and they have this huge chocolate fountain in there.

After that we walked up to the mid way, which is a walk pretty much to the side of the building. Once in place we got to view that water show down in the front of the Bellagio. It is one of the most elegant water shows I've seen. After that we decided to walk on back and then over to Cesar's! While walking in front of the Bellagio we got to see another water show. I got some great up-close photos his time.

So that is all I really have to share for today and I think you are pictured out today. I will try to post again tomorrow. I'm not making any promises though, lol. I hope you all have a terrific week if I don't get back tomorrow.

Wow! its Tuesday

Wholly cow. I am getting on here 2 times in one week so far. This is amazing to me. As I stated in my last post I'm ready to post photos of my trip.

My main reason for going that week is largely due to my niece (and god-daughter) was making her first communion. I could not miss that! Also, my nephew (and god-son) was going to his JR. Prom! Of course both events took place on the same day. Lucky me.

My niece looked so beautiful in her wonderful communion dress and halo. Almost Angelic, lol. (note: she can be a little devil). This is probably my favorite photo of her that day. She is sitting with my son Jonathon and she turned and gave him a little kiss on the cheek. This is not like her at all. She does not like to give kisses or even hug sometimes. Side note....Jonathon and Alley are kinda like siblings, they argue like brother and sister and there is 17 years between them. They do love each other though and are quite funny together. The funnier thing is my sister Tracy claims that Jonathon is her first born which really pisses Alley off, lol. Mind you she was 13 years old when I had Jonathon.

I really like this photo of them also. Of course these are the only 2 photos that I got with them both together. No surprise there.

This photo is of my sister Tracy, Alley and me together at the church.Here is me and my nephew Christopher. I'm standing on a step so I look tall, lol. Christopher is pretty tall and skinny. I'm really happy that he decided to go to the prom with a group of friends.

And this one is me and my god-children!

Now I don't think I've ever posted a photo that had my sister Kelly in it. This is because she doesn't like to be in pictures. So this one is of my sister Kelly, me, my mom, Christopher, my dad, and my sister Tracy.

I really like this one of my mom, Christopher and my dad. It came out pretty good.

Well... that's all I've got time for today. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to post some photos or Red Rock Canyon or the strip.

Have a great day everyone!

Good Golley!

Ok... I've been a bad blogger. I just have not had the time to actually sit down and type anything lately. I don't know what it is lately, but hopefully this will be the end of all that. I might have to post in the evening for now. My mornings are just too hectic to get anything on here.

So.... like I said in my previous post... It was DJ's Birthday last Saturday. OH MY .... where does the time go! I still can't believe that he is now 19!!!! Wholy crap... I'm really getting old now. So here is DJ at a whopping 19 years old! We really didn't do anything special because he was actually upstate refereeing and didn't get home until late on Sunday. So something simple at the house.

I will try to update again tomorrow with some more Vegas photos that I can't wait to share!

Happy Mothers Day!

It's Mothers Day! I wish all the Mom's out there a wonderful, relaxing day. This is what I'm planning on doing. Just relax a little bit before I have to run out to get DJ's Birthday cake.

Yesterday was DJ's 19th Birthday! He has been away since Friday afternoon and is due home later on tonight. He went upstate to Binghamton to referee the Freestyle/Greco-Roman States. He had been looking forward to doing this for some time now. I'm glad that he got the opportunity to do it. So we will be celebrating his Birthday today when he gets home.

Now as I promised.... some photos from my trip to VEGAS!

So this first photo is of my sister Tracy, my best friend Sandy, and me!

This one is of Shannon, me, and Jonathon. We were at this wonderful restaurant that Jonathon works at. The food was just out of this world! I had the Penne ala Vodka with chicken. Can you say yum!

Then Jonathon's boss sent over dessert for us. OMG. Look at this giant bowl of homemade gelato with whipcream. It was soooo good. She also sent over a large plate of cannolis' which are made right there in the restaurant.

One day we ventured out to the strip and went through MGM to see the Lion exhibit. It was very nice. (I've been there many times, but Sandy has never been to Vegas).

Well, that's about it for today. Hopefully, I will be able to get on during the week and post more photos of Vegas! I've got lots of photos to share. We really had a great time.

Hope you all have a TERRIFIC Mother's Day!

Its over.

Well, it's time for me to start packing for my trip back home tomorrow morning. I hope its going to be a good trip like the one coming in. I've got tons of photos I can't wait to share to everyone! Hopefully, I will be able to do that before I head Upstate to Binghamton, for the weekend. I've got such a busy schedule!lol I'm not really sure I even want to go this time to tell you the truth. Since DJ is not wrestling and it seems none of the boys from the team are going, I'm a little upset about that. It really is not the same without someone wrestling. Oh well.... thats life.

Nothing else is really going on here. We headed out to Red Rock yesterday and spent a wonderful, beautiful day out there. On the ride back home from there we decided to stop off at the Cheese Cake Factory! OMG... I just love their Godiva Chocolate Cheese Cake! It is to die for!

Apparently, I'm a loss for words tonight, so on that note I'm going to close for now. I have to get ready to have dinner (which I really don't want) with DD Shannon. So this will be nice. She has been looking forward to this for a few days now.

Hope everyone has a terrific day!

Hi Everyone!

Yes, I'm still alive! Just been here in sunny Las Vegas enjoying the weather and spending time with my family and friends.

I'm making this pretty short today and hopefully I will update tomorrow for you with some photos.

Last night we (me, Tracy, Jonathon, Shannon, my best friend Sandy, Jonathon and Shanno's roomate Antoino, and a close friend Chrissy) went out to dinner at the restuarant that Jonathon works at. The food was incredible! We had such a wonderful time. We took a few photos that I really want to post. So hopefully I will be able to post them in a day or so. Then we headed off to Freemont Street! Which is the old Vegas Strip. It has been pretty windy here but wonderful.

Today, We might be going up to the STRIP not really sure. Hopefully, I will have a ton of photos to share. I've been getting into a mood to scrap, but don't like any of the photos that I have right now. So this might take a back sit for a few days.

Ok... I'm getting out of here for now.
Hope everyone has a great day!

What can I say?

Its been a hectic week here. It started on Sunday, I had to get up at 5:30am to start to get ready for the Wrestling Tournament that DJ was entering. We had to leave a little early because we were picking up another kid who needed a ride. These types of tournaments seem to take forever (and they do) mainly because you need to get there usually between around 7:30am to register and get weighed in. Sometimes this can take over 1 hour depending how many kids (men) are entering the event.

So DJ finally gets up to the table, gets all his paperwork taken care of and goes and gets weighed in. He came out grinning from ear to ear. I was like "D" whats the matter? He responded with "I'm 171". I knew he was big! but not that big. All of a sudden I got a little shock of pain. Thinking omg he is going to have wrestle some guy who is a monster. As soon as I was going to say something to him he was like Mom, don't even say a thing. So I didn't. On that note he was starving and it was time to find a diner. Well... we drove, and drove some more... no diners. I could not believe it! What kind of town was this with no diner! We ended up at a deli for breakfast, which I was not eating so I didn't really care.

Jumping ahead to the tournament finally starting. We sat and waited for them to call to DJ's name and nothing. I was getting tired already. Finally they called him about 12-noon! Thats a long time to be sitting and standing around doing nothing. Lets just say... my back, my neck and my feet were killing me! The first match was against a wrestler we've never seen before. He was much taller than DJ and he might have weighed a little more also. To my delight DJ dominated the entire match and it ended quickly. This would be the only match I have photos of because the other kid we drove there with us... I gave him the camera to take the actual photos while I video taped.. and you guessed it. He didn't take ANY photos! I'm so mad! So here are the 3 photos that I actually took of DJ wrestling Sunday.

DJ went on to wrestle another match about 2 hours later and he won that one also. He walked away taking GOLD! Not to bad since this is the first time he is wrestling live in over 1 year. He is also getting ready for the EMPIRE STATE GAME trials that are set for June. I am really keeping my fingers crossed for him to place 1st or 2nd there.

Other than that, nothing much else is going on here. The weather has been just wonderful and I wish it was making me feel better, but it is not! I've actually been in quite a bit of pain the last week now. I still can't start my treatment up again either. So I guess I just have to grin n bear it.

The count down continues.... just 5 more day's til' I leave for Vegas! I just can't wait!

Also, for all my card making friends, I'm attempting to make a 50th Birthday Card for a close friend of ours. Once I get it done I will post it.

Hope everyone has a terrific day!

Ohhhh no... Cards!

Yes... I did it! I went to the this small card party and it was very nice. I learned a few techniques and well I even manged to get 3 cards done! I didn't realize that there was so much cutting involved in some of the card designs. I give you guys credit! I'm not a great cutter and I think I take forever because I don't want to screw it up.

So the first card we made was this very cute card, which I have to say took me forever to cut out! I could not believe it. I swear there is something wrong me. It is a pretty simple card and I was the last one done with it. The first photo is the front of the card and the second photo is the inside. *Sorry the scan's are horrible. My scanner must need to be really cleaned.

The next card we worked on was this beauty. I just love the vibrant colors that I was able to achieve. This card was nice and easy for me. lol

The last card we did was another challenge. It has double stamping! Ohhh boy. I really like how it came out though. There were a few elements on this one. I love the glitter or diamond dust as I was told and there is a wonderful texture on this card.... we used a dryer sheet before putting the diamond dust on. Very interesting.

All in all.... I had a wonderful evening and learned something new. This was all done with a Stampin Up consultant and she was just wonderful and fun. The big question is will I start making cards on my own? I'm not sure, but maybe. I give all you card makers and big applaud because I found it very difficult to work on a small area especially with my RA. Aimees... I don't know how you do it!

Other news....... Jonathon flew in yesterday with his friend to go and see the Yankees play Boston. How unfortunate that they lost! I was sad for them. I am glad that they had a good time though.

Oh yeah and I took the truck to the mechanic. Not good. My Explorer is a 6 cylinder and it is only running on 5! I haven't quite decided what to do yet. I will keep you all posted.

Hope you all have a terrific Friday!

Wow.... Spring has Sprung

I think it is finally spring here! Yesterday the weather was beautiful! It was about 60 out and mostly sunny. Today it is suppose to hit close to 70 (I really don't think it will) and be sunny. I never thought it was going to come.

So, now I'm waiting for Jonathon to come home tomorrow morning. I don't know what this kid is thinking. He is flying acoss the country to see the Yankees play. I didn't even think they were playing on Thursday, but he said they were. I think his friend got tricked. Supposedly, the friends boss got tickets to the game but could not attend and gave them to the friend. The friend didn't have anyone to go with him and asked Jonathon knowing he was from NY. The guy even bought Jonathon's plane tickets. At any rate this should be interesting.

As you may have guessed.... Joseph didn't get moving again this morning. I even woke him up 15 mins earlier. You guessed it. I'm going to have to drive him I think. I'm keeping a watch out for the bus so we will see. Yesterday the bus driver waited for him at the corner. I was relieved. This kid is just a nightmare. I told Danny that we need an intercom system and the speaker needs to be right next to his head. ohh... there's the bus. He's running for it! I'm not even sure an intercom system will work. I don't see this kid getting to school while I'm away.

Lets see.... what else do I have to report. Oh yeah, I let DJ borrow my truck yesterday because his was running crappy and guess what he killed mine now too! We don't know what is wrong with it, so needless to say, I'm pissed off! Danny seems to think that it has something to do with the catalatic (sp) converter. Hopefully, his friend will know by this afternoon. I need my truck! I guess it's a good thing it's nice out, because I'm going to have to walk everywhere today.

Well, that is all the excitement I can handle for one day. So I will stop now. I hope you all have a great day!

I got a little ....

Creative, finally! As I've stated before I've been trying to do DJ's Senior Wrestling Album. Well.... I've gotten quite a few pages done. Now mind you, some of the photos are not that great because of flash glare for some reason. Overall though I think some of the lo's came out great!

I still have more to take photos of and still need to complete the album. At least it is a start.

So on Saturday, I went to a crop. That's were I was able to get some of these done. To be honest with you, I go for the social aspect of it all. If I get something done, that's a plus for me. I just love Dee. She is so inspiring and is someone who just loves this craft. This time I met a new lady who is just wonderful and fun. She is a stamper but likes to dabble in scrapbooking. Dee and I are going to her house this week to make some cards. This will be a first for me. I don't have a clue about cardmaking, so this should be fun. Looking forward to it.

Thats about it for now. Hope you all have a terrific day!

Tired

Thats me..... just plain tired! I've been on the tired side all week now. I don't know what is wrong with me. Maybe I'm not sleeping well, hmmmm you think? I know this is a fact! I'm just uncomfortable all night long. Boy do I need my infusion. I haven't been able to get one since January! Thats a long time. Hopefully by next month I'll be good to go.

Well... as I sit here, I again am waiting for Joseph to finally decided to get up this morning. He has already missed his bus and now I have to drive him, which is really pissing the Hell out of me! This will be the 2nd time this week. He is just plain out of control lately. I've never had a kid like this one. Mind you... I've gone downstairs 3 times in the last 1/2 hour to wake his lazy butt! That is what really gets me going. Hello!!!! you are going to be 17 in just a couple of months! I swear when he turns 18 he's got to go! I just can't take him. I don't know if it has to do with him being #4 kid but none of my other kids were ever like this. I think he does it just to make me crazy. Well, it's working. Oh look... its been about 7 mins since I've checked on him. I better make it the 4th time waking him up or he'll miss 1st period. ........................ Wow! hes awake and moving! He's ALIVE!

Ok.. I've got to drive now. wish me luck.

Counting.....

down the days! That is until I leave for Las Vegas! I am now down to 20 days before leave. I can not wait. It has been a whole year since I've been there. I love the weather there now. It is usually around the mid 80's during the day and gets down into the 60's-50's at night. The sun is warm and shining most of the time and no humidity. I really need this time away without DJ, Joseph or Danny for that matter. There is so much to do once I get there again, since my neice's communion is 5 days after I get there. My sister and I pretty much have everything planned out so it should go smoothly. Can't wait to get out of Dodge!

So.... ds Jonathon called me last night (from Vegas) to inform me that he was coming home for 3 days in week from now. Apparently, one of his friends got tickets to the Yankee's/Red Sox games and didn't have anyone to go with him. So Jonathon is coming home (which I never thought would happen again in a million years) and bringing his friend. So needless to say... I have to clean this house really well now and figure out where they are sleeping since DJ has decided to trash his room and Shannon's. Jonathon can easily sleep in his old room (which is now Joseph's) and I guess his friend could sleep in DJ's room (if he can get it cleaned up in time).

Other than that nothing too new or exciting is going on here. Ohhh... yeah, we had the Kid Wrestling Awards Dinner this past Friday night and it was terrific! There was sooooo much food,I was getting sick just from looking at it all. We got a DJ for the entertainment for the kids and she was wonderful. She did so much with them. Of course in my hurried state to get there on time... I forgot the camera! I can't believe it. Figures. I'm hoping that some of the parents got some good shots of the kids so I can put it up on the website.

Well that is it for today. Hope you all have a terrific Day!

This Just In.....

It is pouring rain outside since late last night. It is GRAY and gloomy (two things I really don't like). For the record, it is also pretty cold out there this morning. With weather like this.... I just feel like someone has beat me up. I guess I will be going to the tanning salon when they open this morning. That usually helps with some of the pain.

Today I'm also going to the Chiropractor (sp?). Those will normally help also. We'll see. Tonight is the Kid Wrestling Awards Dinner and this is always a really fun evening. Each family brings a tray of food or desert and we hand out the awards to each kid. This year we decided to get a DJ with hopes of keeping all the kids in one location. Hopefully, this will work. I'm getting a little tired of being the bad cop, even though I really enjoy it.

Yesterday, Janet (of cats and cardstock) left me a wonderful comment and mentioned me on her blog. It was to list blogs that 'You Make My Day" This is the wonderful badge that comes along with the honor Janet --Thank you so much for mentioning little ol' me.

So without further ado (in no particular order) they are:

A Life So Simple- Heather

Aimeslee's Antics

Dana's Cafe-Dana

everyday telling of a story-Noelia

Moved to the Mountains-Toni

of cats and cardstock-Janet

random pondering-Colleen

Rainbow Crafter-Lida

2paws Designs-Sarah

The Top 5 Reasons I Do What I Do-Sherri

The rules for the *you make my day award* are to re-present it to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blog land. Let them know through email or by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times yourself, and if you do, consider yourself really, really loved.

Ok everyone I hope you all have a terrific Friday and wonderful Weekend!

Happy Challenge

I was visiting Dana's blog this evening and saw that she had a little challenge on there that she got from Bonnie Rose. So, I decided to take the challenge! Here we go:

Post 10 things that make you HAPPY! (listed in no particular order)

1. Being able to sleep straight through the night without opening my eyes once or having to get up for any thing.

2. I just love the sound of DJ's laughter. When he laughs it just makes me smile.

3. Sitting in a nice wonderful hot tub with no worries.

4. Cuddling up with my hubby (well, most of the time, lol)

5. Visiting my family in Las Vegas!

6. Going to a wrestling meet.

7. Getting together with the mom's from wrestling.

8. Watching a movie in the livingroom with the 2 boys and they aren't fighting with each other.

9. Spending time alone with hubby- no kids.

10. Being pain Free!

There you have it... Hope you have a terrific day.

Here I am....

at 5:30 am! I've been up since 3 am and have not been able to get back to sleep. I figured I better just stay up since I have to get up in an hour anyway to get Joseph up for school. I should mention that the reason I could not fall back to sleep at 3am is due to the fact that Danny started snoring like some kind of wild animal. I couldn't believe it. I'm sure I'm going to be wiped out by this afternoon.

The sun is starting to rise.... well it is getting light out. I'm not so sure about the sun yet. Which this leads me to the 2 peas challenge for today: The weather today makes me feel...
It is pretty early in the morning for me to really get a feeling for what is going to be for today, but what I can tell you is that for the last few days it has made me feel painful. When it is rainy and cold I just can't move and I'm always in pain. So for today, I'm hoping the weather is going to clear up because it usually takes 2 -3 days of good weather to recharge me again.

So, I'm not sure if I've mentioned that I'm going to Vegas at the end of the month. I'm so looking forward to this trip. I haven't been there for 1 year now. I can't believe it. This will also be the first time in about 10 years that I'm going all by myself. DJ and Joseph are staying home. Of course, Jonathon and Shannon live there, but I'm sure they will avoid me as much as possible, lol. Ok... maybe not. Jonathon usually makes it a point to see me at least 30 mins every day I'm there. My sister has already started her count down- 26 days! yahoo.

Lets see... things here are going to be a little crazy for the next few days. I'm planning the Kid Wrestling Awards Dinner. This is always a great, fun evening spent with most of the families and the kids. We usually have around 250+ in attendance. The great thing about this is that we make it a pot luck dinner! It has always worked out wonderfully and I've been doing it for 13 years now. Of course, the funny thing is that I don't even have a Kid Wrestler anymore and haven't in 5 years. Just when I think I can cross the edge, they suck me back in every year. Who am I kidding... I just LOVE it! I'm sure I will be taking tons of photos during the evening so I will be posting some here.

Ok, I've rambled on enough this morning. Now time to check out everyone's blog and try to catch up before I have to get Joseph up.
Hope you all have a Terrific Hump Day!

Still Going.....

Yep... that nasty stomach virus is still here. I got it yesterday. Now its a waiting game to see if Danny get's hit with it. I really hope he doesn't, because he is the biggest baby of them all.

Well, the weather here has been pretty crappy also. It has been raining for 2 days now. Of course it is going right through me since I have not been able to have my treatment in over 2 months now due to the surgery. I can't wait to get my infusion. I don't like feeling this way.

Other news... I finally went and had my hair cut. I know it sounds silly, but I just love my hair. I've been growing it out now for some time and get it trimmed about every 4 months. When I do go to get it cut, the girl usually blow dries it straight for me. I don't really like straight hair. I LOVE my curls. But when she does it everyone says how nice it looks. I don't know. I think it's just because they are so use to me having crazy curly hair that this just shocks the hell out of them. So I took a few photos of my straight do this time. Now just a fore warning... they are scary. I look like death, but I wanted to get some photos of my hair. My hair is pretty long also. It goes down to the middle of my back, which you can't see.

Oh well.. that is it for me today. I hope everyone has a terrific day.