and now - back to our regularly scheduled crafting projects

How's that for ultimate birthday cuteness? I found those little bubble birthday doodads in my stash, and I just had to stop planning for CKU and make up some quick cards. I'm the worst procrastinator - ever.

So - I think I mentioned boob tape in my wine-induced stupor last night. I ventured to the mall yesterday in hopes of finding shorts that didn't make me look like a hoochie-mama. Instead, I came home with a $76 strapless bra that fits and a pretty dress by Esprit with a plunging neckline. The helpful associate at Nordstrom's introduced me to body tape. This amazing stuff is basically double-sided sticky tape that won't rip off your skin. Adhere one side to your neckline and one side to your boobie and viola... you have a neckline that stays in place and won't show off more goods than you'd care to display. It gets my vote for one of the coolest inventions ever.

Now - back to procrastinating. I think I have some laundry to fold and a desk to clean up. Then I'll start organizing and working on my homework. I swear.

little reminder

... of things I want to talk about after I get some sleep:

1) Boob tape. It exists. 

2) $76 bras. They exist. (What?! Quit staring at me like that.)

3) Going from a size 44 bra right after pregnancy to a current size 36. (Priceless.)

4) Feeling performance pressure and test stress exactly like I used to in college as I prepare (or talk about preparing) for CKU. 

5) Wearing a sleeveless shirt for the first time in... like 12 years... (I'm hip. I think.  I mean, I definitely have hips, but I think I may actually... like... be dressing like I'm hip... sometimes... like on date nights... when I'm not caring for tomato sauce covered children, at least.)

Rantings of a bad, bad mother

Ahh... today has been a day. I'm reminded every few seconds of how I am failing my children. Water cups empty? Let's scream at the top of our voices and throw our bodies down on the ground. No friends ready and waiting to play with at our doorstep after school? Let's tell mom that she's the most boring ever. Training wheels not off the bike yet? Let's ask mom over and over to go out there in the 95 degree heat and take them off. Because, ya know, a 5-year-old needs to learn how to ride without them. Mom not entertaining enough? Let's screech loudly until she miraculously figures out what's wrong/needed/wanted. Brother not sharing? Let's pull on mom until she topples over. Mom not serving out the snacks fast enough? Let's bite her hand. That'll teach her.

Today, I'm reminded by my children of all the ways I suck as a mother. And darned if they don't just rub it in.

Finally!

5K run time on a very hilly (ie - mostly uphill) course: 29:43! I finally broke 30 minutes! Yay! 

Size 00? Are you f'ing kidding me?

Even though I can't really afford J. Crew, I still browse their online catalog because I know that I can at least fit into their clothes even if I can't/won't shell out $78 for a pair of khakis. I noticed today that size 0 is no longer the smallest size. Yes, ladies, size 0 has been trumped by the new super-skinny size of 00. I ask you, how can do people that tiny have room in their small shells for organs? Don't stomachs, livers, kidneys and intestines take up some room? Or - was size 00 just created to make all of us size 10/12s feel bad?  hrrmmm... 

I had my "Metabolic Profile" performed at Lifetime Fitness today. Basically, this test measures how well my body uses oxygen and burns fat (the preferred source) as fuel. I burn fat evenly through the course of my workout which is a huge improvement from where I was in November. (When you're out of shape, you burn mostly carbs.) My lungs and heart are stronger than 93% of people my age and are very efficient at distributing oxygen through my body while I exercise. To say that I'm thrilled with this news is an understatement. Later, when I saw Mark at Luke and Lucy's Little Gym class, I greeted him with "Say hello to new Kung Fu Masta'!" chop. chop.

As for my next athletic goal? I'm going to run the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in San Antonio on November 16th. That's 13.2 miles. I never would've even dreamed of doing something like this a year ago. I have the endurance. I just need to work on my speed.... I'm still a turtle! 

Happy 18 month birthday!

L & L turned 18 months old yesterday! Yay! It feels good to be leaving babyhood behind. (I'm sure that sentiment is echoed by L & L as well.) We spent the afternoon at their pediatrician's office for their check-up, and they look "fabulous" according to Dr. P. Luke's a lightweight in the 15th percentile, and Lucy is in the 25th percentile.  

Both express sympathy, show compassion, communicate well, share reasonably well and actually play together. They still like to do their own thing, but more and more often I'll find them 'reading' together, drawing on the chalkboard together and playing climbing/using the body of the other to get into mischief.

The compassion they have for each other astounds me. Luke dumped his plate of eggs onto the floor this morning instead of handing it to me when he was done like they both normally do. I sternly said "No Throw!" and got him out of the high chair to show him how to pick up his eggs. He cried of course. He's always the first to wail when Mommy raises her voice, but after a bit he calmed down, he began to scoop up his eggs onto the plate. Lucy let out sympathy wails and once she was out of her chair, began kissing Luke's head and bringing him toys since he was still a little tearful. Jack, as the only child for 3.9 years, didn't master these skills until he was well over 2.

Three cheers for the not-so-little twinnies who are growing up so bright and beautiful before my eyes. May Luke never lose his mischievous chuckle and Lucy hold onto her sunny smile.  

Just call me a hybrid

Love this... no searching through pounds of scrapbook stash for the perfect rub-on/frame/ABC's/stickers... I just hop onto Photoshop Elements, draw a pretty box, input some text, and viola! My card is almost complete! Felt flowers & button: Making Memories, patterned paper: Basic Grey

After hearing my craft room cry near-audible tears of loneliness, I ventured into my sad, lovely space today to make the card above and finish up a few birthday cards. Poor room. It's taken a back seat to caring for 2 kids with pink-eye and all the disinfecting of the house that comes with it and 2 cases of severe food poisoning. Unlike a scrapbook layout I saw at the local scrapbook store, I will not be taking pictures and scrapping my kids' oozing eyes. That's just... gross.

On the docket for the next few weeks:

* Scrap! I'm ready to jump back in!

* Finish up birthday/Father's Day cards a'plenty!

* Get entries together for Memory Maker's Masters contest

* Submit layouts to Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks and Scrapbook Trends

* Get ready for CKU! It's coming up quick!

Not to shabby

30:26 - official 5K time at the Chuy's Hot to Trot this morning... I'm 23 seconds off my best time, but considering that I physically couldn't move yesterday, I'll take it. It was very cool to have a race so close to home. I saw 3 different sets of neighbors, and Mark and the kids were there to cheer me on at the finish. I wish I could do the Danskin this year, but it just had to be scheduled the exact same weekend as CKU. I think a weekend of girl-time, scrapbooking and rubbing shoulders with famous scrapping gurus pulls rank. But ah, never fear - the BagelFest 5K is near (complete with all-you-can eat bagels at the end)!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you hard-working, sweat-pouring, tear-wiping, hug-giving momma's who so kindly read my blog. =)

bad bad evil milk

I will never again purchase Central Market Organics 1% carton milk. In the past month, I've returned home to find 2 cartons leaking all over my nice canvas bags, and last night, Mark and I were poisoned. At first we thought we were just sick with a virus until we narrowed down what we ate. This will probably be the only time I say this, but for once I am very grateful I have to buy 3 different kinds of milk to satisfy everyone in the family. No one else was affected by this loveliness. We woke up this morning to the most horrific stomach cramps and body aches, and they've lasted through the whole day without showing signs of tapering off. Since we're both achy and gross, we're taking turns playing the parenthood role. I just want to lay on the bed and die.

I'm always amazed when I'm down and out exactly how much energy it takes just to go through the normal routines of the day. I'm having trouble dragging myself to the toilet (sorry...) My brain can't fathom exerting any more energy that what is absolutely necessary.

groan. and I have the Chuy's 5K tomorrow morning. Maybe if I go to bed right now, I'll be ok by morning. Here's to hoping.

Frazzle Dazzle

My favorite layout from my all-day crop on Saturday (National Scrapbook Day)... I spent the day with 2 of my closest gal pals in a creative fever. Luke is seriously into Sesame Street and absolutely adores the monster "Frazzle." Frazzle is the only monster ever created to look scary. He's rather misunderstood since he can only growl, and his growls sound the same whether he is happy or sad. Luke, just like Frazzle, growls when he's 'talking' and can switch emotions so quickly that I often shake my head in bewilderment. 

Side note: I've been attempting to scrap what is happening right now and try to do a current layout for every layout I do to 'catch up.' I completed 6 layouts total over the weekend and am feeling mighty accomplished. {the other's are in the slide show}  I used a circle punch to create the scallops along the top of the Frazzle layout and used a tie-dye adhesive fabric paper for the orange circles. Cute. Cute.

Other supplies:

10 Little facts about Me (just in case you were curious):

1) I'd lose weight at a much faster rate if I quit popping Junior Mints.

2) I'm addicted to Boot Camp. My coach even added an evening session in June just for me! =)

3) The more I express peace and love, the more I get back. The more frustrated I am, the more frustration is shown to me. {You may think this is a "duh!" realization, but I'm always surprised by how calm and happy my family is whenever I am calm and happy - and visa versa.}

4) I'd be very happy if I could sleep until 9am everyday. I'm not a morning person.

5) I ask for help when I need it.

6) Organization is my strong suit. 

7) I have enough social skills to get by, but large crowds and parties intimidate me. I'd much rather be at home with a good book and a glass of white wine.

8) Did I mention that I like wine? White only, please. Reds make my tummy hurt.

9) Date nights with Mark keep me centered.

10) Scrapbooking makes me feel whole.

Share some facts about you... please?

I'm just terrible...

For the umpteenth time in a row, I've forgotten my niece and nephews' birthdays. I tend to do this each year and realize in a panic a few weeks after their date. Granted, they are now 18 and 16 and could probably care less that I forgot. Still, I feel bad because my sister-in-law recognizes my kids' special day on the appropriate day! It's hard enough remember all the insider birthdays and special holidays (Teacher Appreciation Week?  Father's Day? Mother's Day? Valentine's Day? Grandparents Day? Husband, children and sibling Birthdays... anyone?!) *sigh* 

My 18-year-old niece (the one who's birthday I... um... forgot) is graduating high school next month, so I actually have been thinking about her. Anyone have any cool ideas for a graduation gift? Mark and I want to do something special for her and not just hand her money. Anyone? Anyone?

Weeeee

The end of the school year is creeping up, so I've been working on "Thank you" cards for Jack's 2 teachers and 2 assistants. All of the cards look pretty similar to the one above. Don't you love the cute apple journaling cards?  I bought a pack of them off of Etsy.com. Even though I purchased these, they would be pretty simple to make in Photoshop. They're so cute that I couldn't resist them though. I'm an Etsy addict.

Phew. It's been a week - I tell ya!  This coming Saturday is National Scrapbook Day, and I plan on celebrating in high style by attending a 14 hour crop at Felicia's Scrapbooks. 14 hours is a long time, so I've been planning layouts all week. Thinking. Planning. Thinking. Printing photos. Drawing mock-ups. Picking out product. I still have oodles more to do, but tonight I'm beat. 

It's getting hot out there in evening boot camp land. I have one more camp in May to power through and then that's it until late September.  Mark's attending the 5:30am men's camp, and the idea of me getting up to do an AM class is truly laughable anyway. I'll spend the summer running late at night or on the treadmill, swimming, doing some Yoga to stretch out and attending group classes at Lifetime. I will never, ever go back to eating the junk and living the sedentary lifestyle I led prior to last August. I'm down 45 pounds and counting. I feel phenomenal. Amazing. And truly - lighter. Like a fairy godmother kind-of light. Like I'm flyinggggggg through the air. Wheeee... {I think I'm high on endorphins right now. Perhaps a shower is in order.... night night... }