tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80407138682856851872024-03-19T00:48:54.569-04:00The {Real} Roxannthe real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.comBlogger449125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-3798770352813052162011-04-19T21:29:00.006-04:002011-04-19T23:36:17.680-04:00Random thoughts on a Tuesday....<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">RANDOM THOUGHTS BY {THE REAL ROXANN} FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 19th, 2011...<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />First:<br /> On my mind today has been my home state. Oklahoma. And the 16th Anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing. It hardly seems that it's been 16 years</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> since the day America first changed.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> I was teaching in my classroom, when word came down that we were on "lockdown." The concept was there, but we certainly had never had to use it. And </span><span style="font-size:130%;">it wasn't long before Big Daddy was summoned to the news station and told to "bring a bag" because he was going to Oklahoma City and it was unknown </span><span style="font-size:130%;">exactly how long he'd be gone. This was one of the hardest things he's ever </span><span style="font-size:130%;">had to do during his 20 year long career. While he was gone, I was consumed with watching the coverage, 24/7 when I was at home. And I cried. Alot. And I took photos of all the amazing signs all over my town.<br />I didn't know anyone that died. But, we knew of people who lost someone. And really, everyone lost something that day. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcmYystWRRGp0m3_EmdDuw2zttxeeN9Z-2iX2XzTcxRom3HIERsU2zSBTTZBYqX3xaGj_3gpP0-3yUO2SwVlAtyg3o6cFpwLzkRWseTynSCVwdo7goS3xdHm-36yyAtQUihL61o3eMY0K/s1600/chairs-at-the-bombing-memorial.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 73px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcmYystWRRGp0m3_EmdDuw2zttxeeN9Z-2iX2XzTcxRom3HIERsU2zSBTTZBYqX3xaGj_3gpP0-3yUO2SwVlAtyg3o6cFpwLzkRWseTynSCVwdo7goS3xdHm-36yyAtQUihL61o3eMY0K/s400/chairs-at-the-bombing-memorial.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597502453657205810" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Always remember.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> I remember.<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Second:<br />I am damn, sick and tired of these damn migraines. Yep, I said it. Damn migraines. I. AM. SO. OVER. THEM. I've been trying to get totally detoxed from Diet Pop, so I have to wonder if that's not part of the problem. Part of the problem is probably </span><span style="font-size:130%;">weather/allergy related. And lastly, it's probably just me. My lack of good health, overall. So, I did cave today. I had a large Diet Coke from Wendy's and guess what? Migraine gone in an hour. Grrrr!<br /><br />Third:<br />Today we had a thunderstorm that reminded me of Oklahoma.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> I really miss a good ole' crazy-ass Oklahoma thunderstorm. The </span><span style="font-size:130%;">kind that has lots of lightening and thunder.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBNV-CO9bcgFDTpfEGF7n1aSfrrgVbpzrw6jKANW84zArBjKUD5SvI-FKmjSwTo4H8FFCAt9WSBAEJ-QKcMMAYtQM702QyOHW2Ght9zUMR6IEpR7N7wKLsoTYAkflggYc3Q7kZnyMbn9X/s1600/12906924-thunder-clouds.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBNV-CO9bcgFDTpfEGF7n1aSfrrgVbpzrw6jKANW84zArBjKUD5SvI-FKmjSwTo4H8FFCAt9WSBAEJ-QKcMMAYtQM702QyOHW2Ght9zUMR6IEpR7N7wKLsoTYAkflggYc3Q7kZnyMbn9X/s400/12906924-thunder-clouds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597498216760796338" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> And even a few random twists in the clouds for good measure. The kind that makes your hair stand on end and the kind that are</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> sure to cause damage. Yes, the kind that are so amazing to watch, you stand out on your porch watching, even knowing there is a risk in doing so. (this is what drives stormchasers.....and yes, it is sort of like the movie Twister, but not as hard core) Even </span><span style="font-size:130%;">though, I've had a tornado right over my head and it ripped the roof off my apartment building and slammed a dumpster into my car....and yet, I miss it. It's just part of me. Bring it on, Ohio... Bring. It. On. (I guess there's a possiblility of thunderstorms tonight....WOOT!!)<br /><br />Fourth:<br />I feel like I'm drowning in laundry. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWhfN7raXzf__vU-UeZabPStIe1R_ERfVpycuzxkZbaOcB0_z3AfQWj9ayMRqK9LjWnRy4sTbOH7PatT9RBFdhvJ1zfp74YA6e5fTlBIwHjqYUtrdIqwJIPsGpMGiyAzDJw5lYDU4PIE6/s1600/10187738-laundry-basket.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 79px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWhfN7raXzf__vU-UeZabPStIe1R_ERfVpycuzxkZbaOcB0_z3AfQWj9ayMRqK9LjWnRy4sTbOH7PatT9RBFdhvJ1zfp74YA6e5fTlBIwHjqYUtrdIqwJIPsGpMGiyAzDJw5lYDU4PIE6/s400/10187738-laundry-basket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597501951687248914" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Piles of both dirty and clean laundry. The laundry of 6 people is ca-ray-zee!<br /><br />Fifth:<br />I'm dreading going to the dentist tomorrow. Not like some people do, but I have my certain amount of dislike. I never </span><span style="font-size:130%;">realize how much I hate it until I'm sitting in that chair and realize how I'm gripping the arms of that dental chair like a madwoman. And worst of all....I know she's gonna yell at me. (well, maybe not YELL, but certainly lecture.) Both the hygenist and the dentist. Why? Because I have gum disease. Fabulous. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Last time they gave me some special mouthrinse to use to get rid of inflammation. Did I do it? No. Shoot, by the time I get to bed, I brush and fall in. Dead. Tired. So, I'm getting yelled at.<br /><br />Sixth:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Damn. I just realized I'm out of gas. Forgot to fill-up today. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Shoot. And unfortunately, the cost of said fill-up will be something like this! </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRM4E8Oe3E5-gTmSjRCGfRy-7b_A9RKBNK4N3BvJe1z-cYyjLQlmBF8NSTclpr6JrS1qwoedq_gbLe1Iob1VRsu_6rqZS758XzOoODeGCf8lRgam8mP0pncqrgCW7JziMTbYE-NRyHWK3O/s1600/5499413-gas-price-gauge.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRM4E8Oe3E5-gTmSjRCGfRy-7b_A9RKBNK4N3BvJe1z-cYyjLQlmBF8NSTclpr6JrS1qwoedq_gbLe1Iob1VRsu_6rqZS758XzOoODeGCf8lRgam8mP0pncqrgCW7JziMTbYE-NRyHWK3O/s400/5499413-gas-price-gauge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597498594976212498" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">$$$<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Seventh:<br />Big Daddy has to work late tomorrow. Or perhaps, I should say, later. Darn, I hate those nights.<br /><br />Eighth:<br />One of my positions is Secretary of the Elementary PTO. And today I looked for like an hour for the minutes I wrote last month to type up for tomorrow's meeting. I had put them in the bag I took on our Spring Break trip, thinking I'd be "ahead of the game" and get them done a few weeks ago. What was I </span><span style="font-size:130%;">thinking?! Like that would really happen! Ha Ha! And due to my trying to plan ahead, I was behind. Darn it. Luckily, I found them and got that done. Along with 100 ice cream cut outs today. (500 to go) And also 64 Easter teacher gifts. (only have to stamp the tags and tie them together now.<br /><br />Ninth:<br />I guess I should tell you that I am not currently traveling and doing my job. Why? Mostly, no work. And my lack of motivation to search out a new job. I loved my job. But, it was a hardship on everyone. But, most of all, me. If you've flown in the last few years, you know why!!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH79ig0x7iIebmeC5sZtyu5orFUePIKOpd4KfdYK_u01vW8ZGcRMwyFh1pWMbz0SWkRmiKLkIroohpc5jdxW6WdB_9wnrNrsHon4q7s-LlbQzbDnRQ1XhLmmDc85NXWyioeS0PUc0glFoY/s1600/15817741-planes-black.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 61px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH79ig0x7iIebmeC5sZtyu5orFUePIKOpd4KfdYK_u01vW8ZGcRMwyFh1pWMbz0SWkRmiKLkIroohpc5jdxW6WdB_9wnrNrsHon4q7s-LlbQzbDnRQ1XhLmmDc85NXWyioeS0PUc0glFoY/s400/15817741-planes-black.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597499072748750722" border="0" /></a> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> I miss teaching. I miss seeing my </span><span style="font-size:130%;">travel buddies. But, I don't miss the kiddos crying because "mommy's going out of town." Again. The best thing about this aside from being home all the time? I might actually scrapbook for myself. Shocker. I have things brewing around in my head, so you just never know what I might do next. (and if you need a personal scrapper....give me a call.)<br /><br />Tenth:<br />I have a new addiction. Coin Dozer on the iPhone. You know the game at Chuck-E-Cheese, filled with all the coins and you insert a coin and it flips it onto</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> the base and a little "pusher wall" comes out and slides the coins forward and you try to make them drop off the end? Yep, that's the one. Well, now I can play it for free. And I've sucked Big Daddy in, too. I'm embarrassed </span><span style="font-size:130%;">to say that we each have 5 versions of the game and we have a constant need to "do our Dozers." Oh geez, we need therapy. Clearly.<br /><br />Eleventh:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm attempting to get more healthy and lose weight. If you see </span><span style="font-size:130%;">me or talk to me, encourage me.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4aMg9u8RNXVuObBEDO87X5iEwS_RxF6U6uQNbrREMGlwntWBwBIRzekWwF96cXaXVw_0VPGRdTAaVmECYbPBPfVqzU4s8iyQ9TpFIhCy357SmVZR5CgZTh5NPotR8E_duOcqKzJTjvTf/s1600/14292344-raw-food.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 82px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4aMg9u8RNXVuObBEDO87X5iEwS_RxF6U6uQNbrREMGlwntWBwBIRzekWwF96cXaXVw_0VPGRdTAaVmECYbPBPfVqzU4s8iyQ9TpFIhCy357SmVZR5CgZTh5NPotR8E_duOcqKzJTjvTf/s400/14292344-raw-food.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597496502734386962" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> It's realllllllllllly hard.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Twelfth:<br />A friend lost her husband last week. He was 41. Four months younger than me. TRAGIC. It's been hard to watch this friend and her children hurt. And I often don't know what to say. I hate that. This is the second time this has happened to me in the past </span><span style="font-size:130%;">14 months and both times, I've been at a loss of words. What can I say? Nothing. Nothing is going to make it go away. Nothing is going to make them feel better. And I hate it. Please say a prayer for both </span><span style="font-size:130%;">of these strong women. KC and DG. Darn, downer again.<br /><br />Thirteenth:<br />If you know me, I am not good at landscaping. Which is ironic, since I am an artist. Well, here's the proof that I am a moron. (THIS IS WHERE HILARIOUS PICTURE OF MY LANDSCAPING WE STARTED GOES.) We started putting in this gorgeous border, not taking into consideration that our yard</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> is sloped. Yep, straight to the side as it goes across. Our border looks ridiculous. And if it ever stops raining, we'll be pulling that out and redoing it with more of a retaining rock. To our neighbors, sorry you have to look at it!<br /><br />Fourteenth:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I just took a shower. And as my thoughts distracted me, I </span><span style="font-size:130%;">conditioned my face. Yes, hair conditioner on face.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUnYWySsBrFw-d9QZBZrZFsoIECUmaRwH7Mlm7rYFxI3TkETDMc564AUYbkYhSwNOxlxRTXxJPtSKCLnhXbrGs-Ms6S6tQsKU2VDz1FsjxIbspoVuz1nSHvl0xDFBY7IImqafv7H619Hr/s1600/herbalessences"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUnYWySsBrFw-d9QZBZrZFsoIECUmaRwH7Mlm7rYFxI3TkETDMc564AUYbkYhSwNOxlxRTXxJPtSKCLnhXbrGs-Ms6S6tQsKU2VDz1FsjxIbspoVuz1nSHvl0xDFBY7IImqafv7H619Hr/s400/herbalessences" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597492625091542386" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> I guess it should be silky smooth. But, if I look a little greasy tomorrow, give me a break.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXf1-Fu_zsz29Ghoke0XHM5WUz24BknJORLpiejFSZ-EZDTYq7tRs9ai2hnWuzZR4rW8WgrOg5IMvE9D5uDx1q4SXk4Ef7XzPwBI-9hR3P-v4bcpxQ5osNV9Xzn2FrNFLRWv6OYjSeESCy/s1600/ryanlerch_sunscreen_outline.png"><br /></a><br />Fifteenth:<br />Public Service Announcement: SUNSCREEN IS GOOD. (or perhaps a hat!) Remember, that if you part your hair in early Spring after a long Winter, wear a hat in the sun. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">And give me a break if you see flakes in my hair. Yep, my scalp is peeling. I know, I'm awesome.<br /><br />Lastly:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This post is dedicated to my DZ Sisters, </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MbJWVv8kJFu1niSrZ46sUxooRzSvxf5S7Q5oANRf2N7ZRVgErY3Sz75SobhKdHbV1XKuh__DyyR9QHGM0XJd8CWpoB9lzlK-8vN7XqKBid6g0SkLbzknnoFRXwIBczn7eWA3MtXmIBqL/s1600/pink-rose.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 73px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MbJWVv8kJFu1niSrZ46sUxooRzSvxf5S7Q5oANRf2N7ZRVgErY3Sz75SobhKdHbV1XKuh__DyyR9QHGM0XJd8CWpoB9lzlK-8vN7XqKBid6g0SkLbzknnoFRXwIBczn7eWA3MtXmIBqL/s400/pink-rose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597490941445398338" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">who according to the posts on FaceBook, miss my blog! I was asked to "come back" and that makes me happy!! I love you guys......<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />And I just realized there was a lot of "downer" to this post. Sorry about that. I guess that's what's on my mind today.<br /><br />Well, crap, I just deleted the cutey-cute signature, too. Figures.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-10980328893500223702011-02-11T17:39:00.002-05:002011-02-11T17:56:01.476-05:00Is it possible?<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Has it realllly been a year?!!!!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/82/DD572C9632D1878EE207A3AE061C0737.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-30098337689890960022010-02-03T14:14:00.008-05:002010-02-18T10:40:15.455-05:00SOME GREAT NEWS!!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm so excited to announce...<br />I'm a new Design Team Member of<br />TWO CHICKS DESIGNS!!!!!!<br /></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">How exciting is that?? (Pretty stinkin' exciting!)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.twochicksdesigns.com/">TWO CHICKS</a> is run by a wonderful girl named Christie and she sells all the cutie-cute Scrapbooking shirts that you see at the scrapbook conventions! </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />This is the next <a href="http://www.twochicksdesigns.com/My_Stash_Scrapbook_Long_Sleeve_T_shirt_p/sb2275.htm">t-shirt</a> I want to get! It's so cute!!<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXRuVAgYmkPDqYAI1G5qaq2PsvjSRN6LT_uf0dxtqGy5TNUTzxmalx6o63B-aSVSV2Xn5RxJcT_b74ZcDlDa6n2OTc0Lq6a_jTE7KzFHU2FjekNIHp03i9KQsvopItriNw9oK0c5xqS1k/s1600-h/crop+stash+t"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXRuVAgYmkPDqYAI1G5qaq2PsvjSRN6LT_uf0dxtqGy5TNUTzxmalx6o63B-aSVSV2Xn5RxJcT_b74ZcDlDa6n2OTc0Lq6a_jTE7KzFHU2FjekNIHp03i9KQsvopItriNw9oK0c5xqS1k/s320/crop+stash+t" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434105645932892050" border="0" /></a>But, if this one doesn't suit you....then pick one of the many, many more!<br /><br /><br />So, I am so excited about this.<br /><br />Because....I get to start creating with some of this fun stuff just released at CHA LAST WEEK!!<br /><br />The whole collection is called <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;">Chicken'N Stuff</span>!<br />HOW CUTE IS THAT?!!!<br /><br />And individually known as <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Chick'N Noodles</span>:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFR2WE-Wr77i2dT6269KgqJaa5sjgIcKE0mbpkGbRxy-me3mBIZwFhptLGmYzWpyGMuVhf_6mfhBiIqt6jkev4D9c1kGyGLwAXxndLMpyGqlhEaEISH_rq9PNRkAtmgs64eK2nxNsZ479/s1600-h/Chick+%27N+Noodles"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFR2WE-Wr77i2dT6269KgqJaa5sjgIcKE0mbpkGbRxy-me3mBIZwFhptLGmYzWpyGMuVhf_6mfhBiIqt6jkev4D9c1kGyGLwAXxndLMpyGqlhEaEISH_rq9PNRkAtmgs64eK2nxNsZ479/s320/Chick+%27N+Noodles" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434098430078572434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Which is a collection of single color ribbons, both print and solids.<br /></span></span>Chick'N Noodles has over 12 yards of trims, cords, ribbons, laces and fibers to use for all your crafting needs. And being that I am addicted to ribbon, this product is right up my alley!!!<br />(or would that be down on my farm?!)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Next up is <span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Chick'N Feathers</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">:<br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJRHrPXdefxqCiMoNLejTsGWJ69nrAEBS0ANm3JJIhwfYgqseY8iw5mdnGbCF9wmzEM6xI_vsNosRwVVyn9rwWvz-Rae36FyYU32PuYH64APrPdT4RSR8Fk5ogzt2Xja3YKxYmjPz8PJe/s1600-h/Chick'N+Feathers"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJRHrPXdefxqCiMoNLejTsGWJ69nrAEBS0ANm3JJIhwfYgqseY8iw5mdnGbCF9wmzEM6xI_vsNosRwVVyn9rwWvz-Rae36FyYU32PuYH64APrPdT4RSR8Fk5ogzt2Xja3YKxYmjPz8PJe/s320/Chick'N+Feathers" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434099527114976354" border="0" /></a>Which is a collection of all kinds of soft embellishments for your page! These could include flowers, padded appliques, crochet flowers, real feathers, and more!<br /><br />And last, but certainly not least is <span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Chick'N Feed</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">:</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN4IWIZIEG2iVEloKJXJz2eA9qU3Jx3YOheRqBGBQ5L_yD9aF_BmTqDB1LcxreI4e0TAbXi1wBBKUkSifehU7YsqCSEvt6SDuVPa7pflOd2g44uOYNDtH9_zU3_ZkPEfzwdyQONsbq_bd/s1600-h/6a00d83526d53369e2012877522d74970c-800wi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN4IWIZIEG2iVEloKJXJz2eA9qU3Jx3YOheRqBGBQ5L_yD9aF_BmTqDB1LcxreI4e0TAbXi1wBBKUkSifehU7YsqCSEvt6SDuVPa7pflOd2g44uOYNDtH9_zU3_ZkPEfzwdyQONsbq_bd/s320/6a00d83526d53369e2012877522d74970c-800wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434098437358569522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Now, for being chick'n feed, this is some darn good stuff! (ha ha!!)<br />I just love this stuff! This could include rhinestones, including flowers, sequins,<br />glass pebbles, acrylic accents, brads, clips and buttons!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />And, just for the release there are some Limited Edition Rainbow Chick'N Stuff!<br />If you're interested in those, go thee <a href="http://www.twochicksdesigns.com/">here</a> and check them out!<br /><br />I love them all!<br /><br />So, stay tuned! Soon, you'll be seeing some new creations by me for Two Chicks!<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-60996942863081203472010-01-22T16:45:00.004-05:002010-01-30T10:01:13.780-05:00Well, darn blogger...<img src="file:///Users/roxannwalker/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" />Sorry I took so long to Post....<br /><br />So, I typed up a huge post...and stupid blogger WILL NOT let me copy and paste it! I am so irritated. I tried to copy it a few days ago, but couldn't get it to do it. I assumed I WAS doing something wrong. Well, nope, Big Daddy confirmed it wasn't me. ARGH! I am so frustrated.<br /><br />DARN! I have to retype the whole thing!!! Boo!!<br /><br />So....without further adieu...this is the other days blog post:<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br /><img src="file:///Users/roxannwalker/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-2.jpg" alt="" />I have to admit it, I've been intimidated to start blogging again. What? Me? The girl who used to document her whole life is hesitant about blogging again? Doesn't that seem a bit dramatic? But, honestly can you blame me? (and if you know me at all...drama is to be expected!) I haven't blogged on a regular basis since we left Kansas over 13 months ago. Will you still love me and my blog? Will you still read and comment? Or have you moved on without me? Will you care if I come back?<br /><br />Truly, I have tried many, many times to pick up where I left off, but it was just too hard. Trying to decide how to start again. And how to explain where I had been and why. I mean, my blog name is "The Real Roxann" and I pride myself on being real. Being honest. And I always try to blog real...meaning a real, true and honest look at my life and my feelings...the good, the bad and the ugly.<br /><br />There were some serious situations going on in our home during the end of the year 2008. Life felt very uncertain: hard, scary and way stressful! It started the end of October and continued for several months after we moved to Ohio on Dec. 19th, 2008. The things that were going on were so serious. And we couldn't talk to anyone about it. And so I couldn't blog about it. And keeping it all inside was so, so hard.<br /><br />As our daily struggles became weekly struggles and then became monthly struggles, I didn't <span style="font-style: italic;">want</span> to blog. I just couldn't use my blog as a constant place to whine and moan about how much life sucked then. I didn't want to do it and I figured that no one would want to hear it.<br /><br />Believe me, I know that despite our struggles, we have it pretty good. But, that doesn't mean it's all sunshine and roses. The past 15 months have been some of the hardest times so far. Sometimes rocky. Sometimes filled with fear, uncertainty and the underlying questions of whether or not we had made the right decisions and how to deal with the complications caused before and after the said decision.<br /><br />And I just couldn't bring myself to blog about it. And then, there is the privacy issue. Since much of this revolved around my husband, I had to be very careful of what I could say. Because in his business, you never know who is reading.<br /><br />Anyway, as things started to get a bit easier as the months go by. I really wanted to blog again. But, I could not figure out where to start. Should I explain where I've been? Should I share the things you missed? Should I tell you about the changes in our lives? Should I tell you about the struggles?<br /><br />Bottom line, if I am who I say I am. <span style="font-style: italic;">Real. </span>Then, I have to.<br /><br />Towards the end of our time in Kansas, we were facing some very troublesome conditions. Big Daddy’s job situation was horrible. The management at his station didn’t know what the hell the were doing and managed to dismantle nearly 2 years of blood, sweat and tears he had put into that station. He was turning that place around and they came in and ripped it apart. It was horrible and a blow that he took personally. (although, it had nothing to do with him. When you work for a family-owned business and you are not part of the “family,” you can often be taken for granted and disrespected. And, that along with the fact that Ike’s boss, the General Manager was fired with NO warning and her job, along with his own, was dumped into his lap, for a measly $10K more a year. (his boss was making mid-6 figures!) With that addition, the stress level in the workplace had become unbearable and the environment had become hostile. It became clear that we had to go. For my darling husbands sanity, it <span style="font-style: italic;">was not</span> an option to stay. (my sanity, too!)<br /><br />So, we began the job search again. Not believing we were we “doing this again.” For heaven’s sake, we hadn’t even been in Kansas for 2 years.<br /><br />In short time, the job interviews were coming in. Some seemed interesting, some seemed downright frightening. (hello…job in Bakersfield, CA?!!! Um, no thanks! I don’t want to move to the “armpit” of California!)<br /><br />Anyway, after some interviews and some opportunities…<br />The job in Columbus, OH was the front runner.<br /><br />So, the house was listed and within weeks of the decision to “move on” we were moving! Between that and trying to maintain some sense of normality and not let anyone know of our plan to leave, it was a difficult time.<br /><br />At first, Big Daddy was going to move without us, as we had done before. But, it became clear to make it through these trials, we needed to all be together. So, in a last minute change of heart, the decision was made that we’d all be going!<br /><br />Key the calls to the new company to request a bigger corporate apartment and new arrangements. Then, key Mama to take care of all the details for everyone to move in less than 3 weeks!<br /><br />And 2 ½ weeks later, on Dec. 19th, 2008, we moved the 900 miles from KS to OH, with 2 completely loaded cars. We had us, the 4 kids, the Winter clothes, the Christmas presents, the dog, the cat, the 5 fish (loaded in a makeshift “tank” constructed of air tubing and an empty milk jug.)<br /><br />The journey was exciting and progressing fine, until we stopped at a roadside motel, looking for a decent place to stop and rest. And after paying, Big Daddy deemed it disgusting and we were moving on….. Then, Marinne got sick on both ends. We ended up just pressing on and driving all night long to get her settled.<br /><br />We arrived in Columbus at 5:30am and so began our new life here.<br /><br />It was hard, those first months. Everyone was terribly homesick for Topeka, for we loved it so much there. We missed our friends. We missed our life there. This was a hard adjustment!<br /><br />And then, the depression set in. For everyone, from Big Daddy all the way to the baby girl.<br /><br />After all, we were a family of 6, downsized from a 2000 sq. ft. house to a 1100 sq. ft. apartment, in the middle of Winter.<br /><br />But, as Spring came, we found ourself with only a few weeks left in our Corporate apartment and our house in Kansas still on the market after 4 ½ months. Talk about scary.<br /><br />But, we progressed with house hunting on faith. And we found a beautiful home. See <a href="http://therealroxann.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-house.html">PHOTOS of HOUSE here</a>. And we closed on March 27th…with just a few days to spare on the timetable. And within days, we closed on our house sale in KS. It was awful, we lost a TON of money, but at least it was done.<br /><br />And since then, we’ve very slowly tried to find out new life. Over the Summer, we spent parts of June and the entire month of August in Oklahoma. We were really missing home.<br /><br />It wasn’t until Fall, that we really started settling in.<br /><br />We’ve been working on getting furniture for a formal dining room, we’d never had before. And now, we are preparing to replace the furniture that we’ve had for over a decade, that is completely falling apart. That’s the plan for later this month.<br /><br />And finally, we are finding a new “normal.”<br /><br />Ike is very stable in his job. He’s already received 2 promotions in the year we’ve been here….and just completed an excellent score by the General Manager of the station in his 1 Year Review!!! Way to go Big Daddy!<br /><br />Ike bought a motorcycle he’s been re-doing and that takes a lot of his time. And he’s doing honey-do’s around the house…which amounts to putting up more storage and building a room for Logan in the basement!<br /><br /><br />Logan is excelling in 8th grade, despite the fact he is carrying 3 classes that are high school level. Poor baby has hours of homework every night! He's got a 3.844 GPA!! And just last week, he’s been chosen as one of 15 students in the entire school to join the Science academic bowl team! Woot!<br /><br />Jensen has finally settled in nicely. Loves his teachers. And they love him. Really making progress in reading. Made scads of friends. And if he has his animals, he’ll be just fine. (he’s just like his Aunt Sis.)<br /><br />Griffin is progressing great in First Grade. He’s reading like a champ and has made a good friend who lives on the next street over. (unfortunately, John is moving to New Zealand next year!) He’s found a love for Lego’s this Fall…and got almost nothing but Lego’s for his birthday. (his choice!)<br /><br />Marinne is getting big. I decided to keep her home and home school her, rather than send her to preschool. She knows letters, colors, shapes, numbers and she can do most of Griffin’s first grade Math. She’s on a path of educational excellence, just like her older brother, Logan. AND we enrolled her in Ballet, Tap and Tumbling at a dance school in our town. She loves it.<br /><br />And me….I’m still scrappin’! And I’ve become a busy PTO mom again. And I unpacked my scraproom. It’s basically done, but I’m constantly pulling things out as I use them, so it’s always a work in progress. And over the past few weeks, I’ve been burning the candle at both ends. (since Dec. 22nd) I’ve cranked out work for 2 manufacturers and I’ve done 20 cards, 3 projects, 1 2pg. Layout and 2- 1pg. Layouts! No wonder I’m tired!!!!<br /><br />And add to that, Logan had strep, Griffin had an upper respiratory infection, 2 ear infections and a sinus infection.<br /><br />Marinne had a birthday on Dec. 23rd and she turned 5. Yep, FIVE!!!! Can you believe it? (especially my Savannah friends….)<br /><br />Christmas, New Years and the end of Christmas Break….and here we are in 2010 and I've just had my first scrapbooking trip for the year and preparing to go to Portland for Trip 2 this week.<br /><br />I guess, since I didn’t blog last year and I’m lame and didn’t send out Christmas greetings of any kind….I guess I’ll give you sneak peeks of our life last year.<br /><br />Any other suggestions of what you’d like to hear about and how I can make up for lost time?<br /><br />Please…just love me again……<br /><br />Roxannthe real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-70789526957611174822010-01-10T10:47:00.002-05:002010-01-10T10:51:09.482-05:00I'm coming back....I really AM!!!!Last year was so difficult, over-all that I just didn't want to come on here and use my BLOG as a big, fat whine-ville.....so I didn't blog. <br /><br />Unless it was reallllly important! <br /><br />But, I've missed you. And I keep getting emails that you miss me. So, I'll be back very soon.<br /><br />Unfortunately for time sake, I am designing for 2 companies for CHA and I'm swamped right now. I leave on Thursday for California for a Scrapbook Expo. And I'm flying home on a red-eye all night on Monday morning! GAG!!! So, I may not get to it until I return. But, I promise it's coming!!!!<br /><br />Love,<br />Roxannthe real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-73797781812098485132009-04-14T17:01:00.016-04:002009-04-16T18:06:31.001-04:00The New {HOUSE}<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Well, here it is, my friends.....our new HOUSE!!!</span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdUQuDAPqJbilB_1g1YeniKXhtGDrW-Cq9_i2CyX6faIflvsXSrPpF8uYBTiT6nUdrKCD71WB7fFtNOS-PFtjri2hgcaL2pS6ZNtMU7fHdKpHKepYrUUT14QGiWeHfrUJe6Kb47ymotno/s1600-h/DSC_0094.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdUQuDAPqJbilB_1g1YeniKXhtGDrW-Cq9_i2CyX6faIflvsXSrPpF8uYBTiT6nUdrKCD71WB7fFtNOS-PFtjri2hgcaL2pS6ZNtMU7fHdKpHKepYrUUT14QGiWeHfrUJe6Kb47ymotno/s320/DSC_0094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324664169560643858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> I'm just so in love with it!</span></span></span><br /><br /><br />So...come on in and I'll give you a little tour! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPNqSSn98erfjla3-Lb1f-jOruOKGLxulhvg4rkR0y70AY3zXDyEJelBGNt-oPZ8EPUmEByL5Mx9u7imi9S-QZ1IDtXSGhA8VVvAvv_TNI6dV_V4kQ1XbyTBLbnfoJQWtLB226UsX2-xb/s1600-h/DSC_0054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPNqSSn98erfjla3-Lb1f-jOruOKGLxulhvg4rkR0y70AY3zXDyEJelBGNt-oPZ8EPUmEByL5Mx9u7imi9S-QZ1IDtXSGhA8VVvAvv_TNI6dV_V4kQ1XbyTBLbnfoJQWtLB226UsX2-xb/s320/DSC_0054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324663698241130194" border="0" /></a>This is my front door. It's black, just like my shutters. And I have a little peeky window,<br />so I can see who is out there! (Don't worry, I have an alarm system, too!)<br /><br />And don't you just *love* my wood floor?! It's real wood, not laminate! (although, I've had laminate before and realllllly like it....this real wood floor is gorgeous!) The wood goes from the front door into the guest bathroom, down the hall, in the kitchen and in the dining space.<br /><br />When you stand at my front door, you can see down the entry hall to my kitchen! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwxCZMJSBVFNqmqn_i3sLIPAn5NgEQFUdmT90sDj34p7IidzpfNes3cF3lEc-LIzJGaBVPB3n1KvaFKgNvDSgMxngkGRqRfidyCmUuxbYkix2PdrXeOfWz7VH-puGmeLAjYPgBiZSANWX/s1600-h/DSC_0058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwxCZMJSBVFNqmqn_i3sLIPAn5NgEQFUdmT90sDj34p7IidzpfNes3cF3lEc-LIzJGaBVPB3n1KvaFKgNvDSgMxngkGRqRfidyCmUuxbYkix2PdrXeOfWz7VH-puGmeLAjYPgBiZSANWX/s320/DSC_0058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324663060316893762" border="0" /></a> And what a kitchen it is! I love it. White and bright, with LOTS of space and<br />I'm loving all the brand new appliances! I am SPOILED!!!!!<br /><br /><br />When you turn the opposite way, you are looking into our big Family Room or Den, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zMXH5tbyxQwW141x7Hs-D9oM4xLIOCA82r_pZN6yqm-7lEQZzQES9Y1dj-5F0lG0XIoviKDGI2Uv_9bP1HFrpOEssXwAGTEu5DwtyTmylA_ll-_bgAYxWJ5ZAUvT4rEqzgjeiW3cs6VT/s1600-h/DSC_0044.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zMXH5tbyxQwW141x7Hs-D9oM4xLIOCA82r_pZN6yqm-7lEQZzQES9Y1dj-5F0lG0XIoviKDGI2Uv_9bP1HFrpOEssXwAGTEu5DwtyTmylA_ll-_bgAYxWJ5ZAUvT4rEqzgjeiW3cs6VT/s320/DSC_0044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324663263844882418" border="0" /></a>as some people would call it. It's a really big room with a marble fireplace with gas logs! <br />It's so fun to light that baby up while it's still cold outside at night!<br /><br />(and the little door to the left is my laundry room, which even has a big, deep sink in it! *loves* It's smaller than I would like, but I'm sure I'll live! :) When you walk thru it, it leads to the garage. Nope, no pics of that....it's boring~)<br /><br />Back inside, standing in the kitchen, you look into my formal Dining Room. Don't you just love that chair rail and the crown molding?!?! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW-IwLGgfvzGiiT3KYbQERwjvldqewmhOr_YTs9mXKUWxXK_XHPKCT1axyYFlK74886dU-bpOIjSvslbJ0MEOKNnT-UCWxvORbtNT9lfUNikpjvebn2SCqZ1N_iT-xmf8VnVqyLd8MKQ9/s1600-h/DSC_0048.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW-IwLGgfvzGiiT3KYbQERwjvldqewmhOr_YTs9mXKUWxXK_XHPKCT1axyYFlK74886dU-bpOIjSvslbJ0MEOKNnT-UCWxvORbtNT9lfUNikpjvebn2SCqZ1N_iT-xmf8VnVqyLd8MKQ9/s320/DSC_0048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324662449114801618" border="0" /></a>Oh darn, now that I have 2 eating spaces, I guess I'll be forced to go out and buy some new dining furniture!!!! (Sorry, Big Daddy....ps. leave the credit card on my bedside table! <br />Ha Ha Ha!!)<br /><br /><br />When you stand in the dining room and look towards the front of the house, you will see our Formal Living Room. What a nice space! More crown molding, a patterned wall treatment<br />and windows with wood blinds....what's not to love?!?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp_K69smhirKjunt3kIW3oueMUQ5JWzfmyntAElz93fkN3rT3krdgYa0qGCvGOSjNeO9N168-1yG_HT2FL4hlEjyp2-cJWg9nwxhx5bO0glS_SAV9GqdF9oV18VPQocHAnd6nD0AyR9FV/s1600-h/DSC_0049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp_K69smhirKjunt3kIW3oueMUQ5JWzfmyntAElz93fkN3rT3krdgYa0qGCvGOSjNeO9N168-1yG_HT2FL4hlEjyp2-cJWg9nwxhx5bO0glS_SAV9GqdF9oV18VPQocHAnd6nD0AyR9FV/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324662452462460546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then, turn your body to the right and your looking back at the front door! (We just made a big tour circle!) There are 2 doors to the right of front door....the first is ::drumroll, please:: <br />MY SCRAPROOM!! And next to it, is the guest bathroom! So, when you come over and we stay up super late scrappin'...we only have to walk a few feet to get to the potty!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjua9B0j319Le0JtOx3ydqsuOZoWfSj2XYHiGxZop2xb9Z_Iijn0rZEH5R32T4MkwPhGplOUzFtAPlp5TZCtWzuSJzMT0gtC_64inLhICwMoESbTDP1z_NvobWkr0Qjrfm83g66cnU7Btv-/s1600-h/DSC_0050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjua9B0j319Le0JtOx3ydqsuOZoWfSj2XYHiGxZop2xb9Z_Iijn0rZEH5R32T4MkwPhGplOUzFtAPlp5TZCtWzuSJzMT0gtC_64inLhICwMoESbTDP1z_NvobWkr0Qjrfm83g66cnU7Btv-/s320/DSC_0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324662460150200834" border="0" /></a> <br /><br /> Let's check out <span style="font-weight: bold;">MY SCRAPROOM!!!!!!</span><br /><br />Take a peek into the door! Isn't my window beautiful?!?!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJfwCXzcWHr4YSA7KbZIcNBvMPXSkUkEihyWx2l8TBQeZZjqmK7bCxQ-x4pGce1GNR3AbK9vXIDM6ra9ePSu11oLZbKtMThlh3LgypAuoJur6H5TPM6CVVgKzR8nW-jMebhYMF84ozmPK/s1600-h/DSC_0052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJfwCXzcWHr4YSA7KbZIcNBvMPXSkUkEihyWx2l8TBQeZZjqmK7bCxQ-x4pGce1GNR3AbK9vXIDM6ra9ePSu11oLZbKtMThlh3LgypAuoJur6H5TPM6CVVgKzR8nW-jMebhYMF84ozmPK/s320/DSC_0052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324661117937668210" border="0" /></a> And I have a tall, vaulted ceiling!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYsZvY1c0RP0zD55agSW-VwkS5e5GBXxLpWKlWwX8ZnGfNC_wE0bmvOhkXHI9JqhIVCtHkBoWcbdNU_6MuuQ4USSnRFBXRmIVkO_XljBtE58BHs1IEq8pJrsIVNeL3leUWQ4vWGJNgOk_/s1600-h/DSC_0053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYsZvY1c0RP0zD55agSW-VwkS5e5GBXxLpWKlWwX8ZnGfNC_wE0bmvOhkXHI9JqhIVCtHkBoWcbdNU_6MuuQ4USSnRFBXRmIVkO_XljBtE58BHs1IEq8pJrsIVNeL3leUWQ4vWGJNgOk_/s320/DSC_0053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324661646811601826" border="0" /></a> (and a kid in the hall ruining my picture!)<br /><br /><br />And here's that guest bath and the banister leading up the stairs!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIl4ITeBJ4oRbmEONId39F4_niQQ6DbTqEGKmsmooySYlR6B4uOEnUxoNXzNo6Yt08DDMMWsXizinj9GS817vKYClV7eCtmw5lzVU_1c2U0_XBfreY6U3uy3area78ERK_xq8tcQ2gO1-/s1600-h/DSC_0057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIl4ITeBJ4oRbmEONId39F4_niQQ6DbTqEGKmsmooySYlR6B4uOEnUxoNXzNo6Yt08DDMMWsXizinj9GS817vKYClV7eCtmw5lzVU_1c2U0_XBfreY6U3uy3area78ERK_xq8tcQ2gO1-/s320/DSC_0057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324660753968508482" border="0" /></a> And a peeky into the guest bathroom!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPqXa6IhWXFzKvvhQRr27e0_9UymQahxzUvpiSb6Y6jB3aRcWRF3Ci7ry7qOsc-EOtXMtNY-sHkkxq9bg-ho-4DWOklpNyRzEGb6VS1Dssx4Jvy6oez4_NmBubVtC8q9gGZlo9mt0-f9K/s1600-h/DSC_0061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPqXa6IhWXFzKvvhQRr27e0_9UymQahxzUvpiSb6Y6jB3aRcWRF3Ci7ry7qOsc-EOtXMtNY-sHkkxq9bg-ho-4DWOklpNyRzEGb6VS1Dssx4Jvy6oez4_NmBubVtC8q9gGZlo9mt0-f9K/s320/DSC_0061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324660402071922226" border="0" /></a> Up the stairs, we go! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvfp3IJGiZz8DC8qxMJHggE3tHNjZq-lrdtcdlxnYe4VB-GJwioACgXul-WdAdx-jrvtgYIOiP1WSsLZ8w-KmEHbHZay2r7Zib4nWRtjtRMO8ld8g5fXe-k_u-4IuVFwWCQ9SDB8BF1sM/s1600-h/DSC_0062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvfp3IJGiZz8DC8qxMJHggE3tHNjZq-lrdtcdlxnYe4VB-GJwioACgXul-WdAdx-jrvtgYIOiP1WSsLZ8w-KmEHbHZay2r7Zib4nWRtjtRMO8ld8g5fXe-k_u-4IuVFwWCQ9SDB8BF1sM/s320/DSC_0062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324658039304108114" border="0" /></a> (hmm...I'm now thinking I should have videotaped this tour!)<br /><br />Anyway...look to the right.....3 big bedrooms a full bathroom and a huge linen closet!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm8MpLaIzV2qwzD2T9qGr3QdNkUGnoF2spgD1YrWXPBHV5ZXMf_Q73Z8B19AC4oi_phPvQluk-3xTHJW4SDcPs3nJyKpIFfgCaDYOHCJ-Fl4wxhTTn8D7ZLTRMYF0THoyLdoZXT8v-Gzb/s1600-h/DSC_0063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm8MpLaIzV2qwzD2T9qGr3QdNkUGnoF2spgD1YrWXPBHV5ZXMf_Q73Z8B19AC4oi_phPvQluk-3xTHJW4SDcPs3nJyKpIFfgCaDYOHCJ-Fl4wxhTTn8D7ZLTRMYF0THoyLdoZXT8v-Gzb/s320/DSC_0063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324660012344409538" border="0" /></a> Then, look to the right at the top of the stairs and you have the master bedroom,<br /> walk-in closet and bathroom! This picture is actually in the room and shows the little cubby corner where our big mirrored dresser and hutch will fit perfectly! <br /><br />We have a vaulted ceiling and lots of space!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNGdnA119VvF3e1fxRXO_IDlcsvyv-xEqR9_A2sjK5mh-X4xVVv5X-7Ig1vTaoYXD6FAa7llf42cHW8iymohC1i2WB8_cGk49U0xpOVUdvubgA6qH5Ec1oUAZK7XInQ0KykOUa1j6pr1v/s1600-h/DSC_0072.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNGdnA119VvF3e1fxRXO_IDlcsvyv-xEqR9_A2sjK5mh-X4xVVv5X-7Ig1vTaoYXD6FAa7llf42cHW8iymohC1i2WB8_cGk49U0xpOVUdvubgA6qH5Ec1oUAZK7XInQ0KykOUa1j6pr1v/s320/DSC_0072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324659052673097154" border="0" /></a> And now a peeky into the master bathroom. <br /><br />Luv, luv, luv the tall cabinets and double sinks! Woot Woot!! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZg3XCjkTjCjf3yCoMEBIoDOTOqVP9mrNHS2OTtN8Pico3Eg7EyliimgiNaqwq902HhmqPkt97Eu9CSt50Tf5UdJTx_OSSJS_XLpI8O7KSwpwQG3dicRNvsLw5VD0wWBnvuzHxQkzxX_F1/s1600-h/DSC_0066.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZg3XCjkTjCjf3yCoMEBIoDOTOqVP9mrNHS2OTtN8Pico3Eg7EyliimgiNaqwq902HhmqPkt97Eu9CSt50Tf5UdJTx_OSSJS_XLpI8O7KSwpwQG3dicRNvsLw5VD0wWBnvuzHxQkzxX_F1/s320/DSC_0066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324655779924151218" border="0" /></a> And when you look at that bathroom window, I have a perfect view of the 614 acre federally protected wildlife preserve!!!! It's marshes and ponds and has birds and animals galore! I haven't seen all of these animals, but from what I hear there are 300+ species of birds over there, deer, raccoon, ducks, geese, brown bats and who knows what else. I'm cool with that, as long as they stay over there! If I came face-to-face with any of those critters...I'll freak!!! <br />(you must remember, I am a C.I.T.Y. Girl!!!!!!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfunVd1YZqufvm-GSj13wlUgcpKaXnEPCJV8VE_YEcowiVhhEe5W3DaTCzv9IBzEP5kiT0x-UdDVvJBjN7O1iocXJtlpOOhkh6jzLhYcyAkyNfVIeklsdZ_S1uw8_c2XYAJciABVeE8M1/s1600-h/DSC_0069.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfunVd1YZqufvm-GSj13wlUgcpKaXnEPCJV8VE_YEcowiVhhEe5W3DaTCzv9IBzEP5kiT0x-UdDVvJBjN7O1iocXJtlpOOhkh6jzLhYcyAkyNfVIeklsdZ_S1uw8_c2XYAJciABVeE8M1/s320/DSC_0069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324655963736489986" border="0" /></a>But, for now, I am enjoying the views! (and sounds!)<br /><br /><br />SO Peaceful out here!<br /><br /><br />And I can't wait to get completely unpacked and settled!<br /><br /><br />So, who's gonna be the first to come visit?!?!<br /><br /></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-6782190410797989772009-04-14T11:12:00.002-04:002009-04-14T11:15:01.671-04:00IT'S TIME........<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;">to SHAKE this BLOGGY up!!!!!<br /><br />As you see...changes are under way!<br /><br />Too bad I have NO CLUE how to do this stuff~<br />(anyone want to help me?)<br /><br />HTML experts...email me!<br /></span></span></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-50713551919258952532009-04-08T22:23:00.002-04:002009-04-08T22:24:24.799-04:00Kare Bear<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0CegQGYgNgNujpVZjnkaA3U7yMkybWH7ytw-bNAWjmNowHlQUdgLAK8cZVkPHPRypMjeYvpC6ctNqGA4ewmQWbMTL221Yy5Y2iKjDHbKCa9U5qwwadbskQC_NSo9alsK2FlZURg5sgb4/s1600-h/kari+2"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0CegQGYgNgNujpVZjnkaA3U7yMkybWH7ytw-bNAWjmNowHlQUdgLAK8cZVkPHPRypMjeYvpC6ctNqGA4ewmQWbMTL221Yy5Y2iKjDHbKCa9U5qwwadbskQC_NSo9alsK2FlZURg5sgb4/s320/kari+2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322511692673072754" border="0" /></a><br />I'm heartbroken to say that Kari passed away today in the arms of her mother. It was peaceful and it was time. She's an angel now.<br /><br />Thanks sincerely for all the prayers. They were answered. It was time for her to no longer suffer and God took her home.<br /><br />Love,<br />Roxannthe real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-68907541222740015712009-03-28T22:06:00.004-04:002009-03-28T22:24:10.653-04:00Prayers Needed!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5Hnb7F9CiFoc8XjzlNUEGBe4Taaf4n4kxh3mOEqYcRyr7YrHndCYYCuyL5sBpR6HC9Fx1MtAXb9WfbANwVdNZ6Wo509bmzd9RvycBluOlIAR9_J2PGqEVc_BpXEr-YN4iIVfHmnz9vZG/s1600-h/kari"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5Hnb7F9CiFoc8XjzlNUEGBe4Taaf4n4kxh3mOEqYcRyr7YrHndCYYCuyL5sBpR6HC9Fx1MtAXb9WfbANwVdNZ6Wo509bmzd9RvycBluOlIAR9_J2PGqEVc_BpXEr-YN4iIVfHmnz9vZG/s320/kari" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318425527738557266" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I just had to update only to say one thing..... this sweet baby <--------------------------right over here is Kari. Kari is the 9 month old daughter of my dear friend and college roommate, Jenny and her hubs, Jeff. Kari was born with a serious heart defect and just this last week, this little sugar had a full-on heart failure. (of course, this is my layman terms of what happened) Technically, it was Congestive Heart Failure.<br /><br />Jenny had made plans to come see me in Ohio the week this happened. They didn't make it because her older daughter was sick with a fever. And thank God they were at home, rather than my house when this happened....close to Kari's Doctors. Don't think I was disappointed that they couldn't come, but I am so glad they didn't. I am glad they were home and could get Kari to where she could begin getting help very quickly!<br /><br />Sweet Kari needs your prayers. And so do her momma and daddy, and brother and sister, Jeffrey and Katie.<br /><br />So please, take a moment and hug your babies. And give thanks for your healthy children. Jenny and Jeff are so strong and are fighting for their girl. And Baby Kari is a fighter, too. But, all the fighting can make you very tired! So, pray for strength and pray for baby Kare Bear!<br /><br />Here is a <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/karischoondyke">link where you can read about Kari and her journey</a>. Here's the <a href="http://www.karisheartfoundation.org/">link for the charity</a> set up by Kari's parents to help children like Kari.<br /><br /><br />Please know I am fine, just very, very busy. I'm currently in Kansas, preparing for the movers who come on Monday to FINALLY make our move to Ohio "official!!" I return to Ohio on the 2nd, to meet the movers on the 3rd. In the meantime....email me or call me on my cell! I miss you all!!!! (ps...thanks for all the comments, posts on Facebook and emails telling me how much you guys miss my blog! It will be a little longer, but I will be back. I promise!)<br /></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-7539079403891965672009-03-10T07:08:00.003-04:002009-03-10T07:11:17.603-04:00FOR JAMIE (and all others who are concerned about my well-being!Hey friends. It's me. Still Alive. I've had nothing for breakfast and I plan to watch PS. I Love You on the DVD player tonight.the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-88656557334074226652009-01-19T11:15:00.004-05:002009-01-19T11:52:43.510-05:00TV STARS!!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Ever since these boys were babies, they've been exposed to TV. Both boys were less than a day old when they were filmed the first time to be shown on the News. (Yes, it's shameless bragging, but a job perk to show off your beautiful offspring on tv for all to see! We even had some people so inspired by the beauty of our babies, that they actually sent GIFTS to the TV Station for the baby! The downside, when Logan was born at 10:01pm (1 minute into the nightly news...) they wanted to come film me and the baby RIGHT THEN to use THAT NIGHT! Breaking news...you know! Well, I basically said there was no way in HELL that was gonna happen!!!! And believe me, you don't mess with a new mom who's been in labor on pitocin (the devil's drug!) for 12+ hours. You just don't. (if your smart, anyway....)<br /><br /><br />Anyway, I digress.....<br /><br /><br />So, there have been times while we were in Topeka that they have called on my kids to do certain things for the news. (offspring of the business tend to understand a bit better.....) So, anyway, they were doing a feature called "Kid Cast" to help with the weather forecast. They wanted kids from 7-13 to come tape the Weather Almanac.<br /><br /><br />These are the highlights.....<br /><br /><br />The computer monitor with the video marker before the teleprompter starts rolling...</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgXSmE8kAMtfDr49wUSFvxuNhuncf0bM3ecdlzAovQEOBonkoIaCaw9p4B90ysT_xU2SeWHi1IppYoYIeOuA15a5a3rX_igYM63inK0ajJXtf60fzCK7P18C8dohu0AicTT66vJmrbUJd/s1600-h/DSC_0025.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgXSmE8kAMtfDr49wUSFvxuNhuncf0bM3ecdlzAovQEOBonkoIaCaw9p4B90ysT_xU2SeWHi1IppYoYIeOuA15a5a3rX_igYM63inK0ajJXtf60fzCK7P18C8dohu0AicTT66vJmrbUJd/s320/DSC_0025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293040552207017970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Stand By..... </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIDrhsHqZMU3oiLM-I-njeVcWURjtq13YdKSlmV8AIw_V-9cjEG11daePuF7CJrdU0BOjPLAA8wnP8dBdJC70w1as7iKvCYefj_tB10yPr6DO9t89DTCgAsPpcp5xX9AS-bym_iS6b6fz/s1600-h/DSC_0024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIDrhsHqZMU3oiLM-I-njeVcWURjtq13YdKSlmV8AIw_V-9cjEG11daePuF7CJrdU0BOjPLAA8wnP8dBdJC70w1as7iKvCYefj_tB10yPr6DO9t89DTCgAsPpcp5xX9AS-bym_iS6b6fz/s320/DSC_0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293040546746616994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> Logan in front of the green screen. (in case you didn't know, almost all<br />weather is shot in front of a green screen, so they can use a<br />"Chromo-key" to super impose the weather graphics.)<br /><br />Big Daddy giving the close-up approval.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDAH_qJL-7Y3jDKvMW9xGwEEChjW49SURa635_u0EWPpkSWZRQTOfMSYFc8RgSvj48M7Pq3ehcqc3J59jE1-99MxRI2dWcfJJzCsPorVr0m3grYe2RXV6evFsqDX8BmCz3MfD7TQUGfEl/s1600-h/DSC_0023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDAH_qJL-7Y3jDKvMW9xGwEEChjW49SURa635_u0EWPpkSWZRQTOfMSYFc8RgSvj48M7Pq3ehcqc3J59jE1-99MxRI2dWcfJJzCsPorVr0m3grYe2RXV6evFsqDX8BmCz3MfD7TQUGfEl/s320/DSC_0023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293040534413483554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> (see you can see the graphics now!)<br /><br /><br />Now, Jensen's turn....I LOVE this photo! I think it's so cool showing the teleprompter that he had to read and him in front of the green screen! Very cool!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hlvoALkolzVxuymrI8j2hBjRF-pQq8W_1lHAvAkUw-MXDqm48KN0aWdvXdFDUZaf2L820EDp_-NxiqIYaafYy5ck5rYvH-l-1IkCf5NSs6AnYzKo7JWD8nVzlKkn-kHs-9mYzwvHRgs8/s1600-h/DSC_0018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hlvoALkolzVxuymrI8j2hBjRF-pQq8W_1lHAvAkUw-MXDqm48KN0aWdvXdFDUZaf2L820EDp_-NxiqIYaafYy5ck5rYvH-l-1IkCf5NSs6AnYzKo7JWD8nVzlKkn-kHs-9mYzwvHRgs8/s320/DSC_0018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293040527517136034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> And a shot of Jensen's Full-Screen with the graphics. I love how Big Daddy is watching in the background. He looks "unconcerned." Meaning, he wasn't worried about the boys performance, at all. (even though reading on the teleprompter was a real challenge for Jensen, since reading is harder for him. And to do it out loud AND on camera.....HE DID GREAT.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJVksBi4ZOkx08dr0egVGSsGfbkjN9j9vL4A_qjLj9r2GNo7p_eWM3mfFaonqJFS7QUwL0UySmH6dKMzaR4zCtJJkmUeeK-ST0-8MyO-U6ir3SRhAqOBjxojV5lIV7U_QNtGpj9BCZw52/s1600-h/DSC_0019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJVksBi4ZOkx08dr0egVGSsGfbkjN9j9vL4A_qjLj9r2GNo7p_eWM3mfFaonqJFS7QUwL0UySmH6dKMzaR4zCtJJkmUeeK-ST0-8MyO-U6ir3SRhAqOBjxojV5lIV7U_QNtGpj9BCZw52/s320/DSC_0019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293040531812508082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />They both did!<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">And here are the links where you can see what actually aired on the News.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ktka.com/news/2008/dec/03/49_kidcasts_jensen_walker/">Jensen</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ktka.com/news/2008/dec/10/49_kidcasts_logan_walker/">Logan</a><br /><br />I'm so proud!<br /></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-82549040625952945172009-01-19T11:13:00.002-05:002009-01-19T11:14:58.887-05:00**BUSTED**<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Well...I've been called out.<br />My good friend TS has gently reminded me that I never posted anything from Marinne's birthday on the blog.<br /><br />Yes, I have to make up for lost time.<br /><br />I'll get right on that......<br /></span></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-83062007146804181262009-01-15T11:34:00.007-05:002009-01-15T13:31:16.233-05:00Jenny II: And the Original Frying Pan Named Jenny<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrbWYShMGXUaG9p7WIBUdBgIokbrLEfsbvjSeeWd-rmOEhcN6z6L-GaiR0Jv0yT5bpNjKCQwTTQSHiKxr5KGO9m9693cbhM7LLaP9rXxQecmq9Z-Q97m7eXie2l8nLiofORt8QOj9nmam/s1600-h/DSC_0015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 377px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrbWYShMGXUaG9p7WIBUdBgIokbrLEfsbvjSeeWd-rmOEhcN6z6L-GaiR0Jv0yT5bpNjKCQwTTQSHiKxr5KGO9m9693cbhM7LLaP9rXxQecmq9Z-Q97m7eXie2l8nLiofORt8QOj9nmam/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291560875819543714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Meet Jenny --------------></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />She's a good pan. I've had her for over 15 years. (a gift from my college roommate and BFF Jenny) So, of course, we named the frying pan Jenny.<br /><br />Now, I know you must think I am crazy, naming a frying pan. But, it's not so crazy when something so simple reminds you of someone you love! And that's just the </span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">way it was, every time I would use Jen</span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">ny the frying pan, I'd think of Jenny.<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">So, let me tell you about Jenny. I met Jenny our Freshman year and we became fast friends. And very close. We had as much in common, as we didn't. But, she has a warm, loving heart. And this drew me to her.<br /><br />In 1990-1991, she and I lived together. I told the story in another post <a href="http://therealroxann.blogspot.com/2008/06/lots-of-info.html">here</a>, about a hilarious joke we played on our roommate. (just scroll to the bottom of the post when you see me and a pretty, pregnant blond girl!)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">**ps...this story is really funny and worth looking up to read it**<br /><br />She was one of my Maids of Honor in my wedding. (yes, I had two...I just couldn't choose one of the other)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Then, later when Jenny and I were pregnant with our first children, she lived with us for a short time while her hubs was in Grenada. I was her labor coach </span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">for lamaze and with her when she gave birth.<br /><br />She and I were really great friends...and after 20 years, we are still in touch! Well, after we met this Summer and I saw her for the first time in years.....we have been talking about old times. One of the things I told her was about Jenny. She had no idea I still had the old frying pan. I told her I did, but that she was falling apart. Her handle was about to fall off, she has stains on her </span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">that WON'T come off and she's all scraped up from old age (and being abused by teaching Logan how to cook.) She cracked up.....she had no idea! (Much to my husband's chagrin, I just can't bring myself to throw Jenny the frying pan in the trash!)</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Now, if you remember, when I told you about Jenny in my last post, she was 8 months pregnant. Well, she had her baby in August. </span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Kari.</span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">And when Kari was 5 days old, it was discovered that she had a life-threatening heart condition. It's been a hard and heartbreaking road. But, Kari is doing well for now.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kZ4gBuvifD98NOgw2-H5_d8dNrSNymKOvx6jSPmYn4rOCj_54T9UAvg_CRo0vwZ2R9a9_-kiLjSDwTCXo4HoqHpfcw7-BxK9Mwx7T1izZNlQOmCdrZjR6Q1nSE1sZf5S369opOxdrSn6/s1600-h/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kZ4gBuvifD98NOgw2-H5_d8dNrSNymKOvx6jSPmYn4rOCj_54T9UAvg_CRo0vwZ2R9a9_-kiLjSDwTCXo4HoqHpfcw7-BxK9Mwx7T1izZNlQOmCdrZjR6Q1nSE1sZf5S369opOxdrSn6/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291589056301018642" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />So, imagine my surprise when I came home from running errands one day and found a giant box on my doorstep.</span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> I had no idea what it could be....until I saw the return address on the box. And then, I burst into laughter! Because I knew what it was......</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> JENNY II</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iL5UmxTositGhml8vXkcTZHDq_GIjP_pswVCgj_gZ-XBfdhr9kR4UxW5WI_-oyQY7V1CBFs4o9OJ2addcPJAWsLgFTtrN98bcguQFD_rTYariNpv4YJ8GUnL2IWZ3W_shPO39K8Mt9JP/s1600-h/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iL5UmxTositGhml8vXkcTZHDq_GIjP_pswVCgj_gZ-XBfdhr9kR4UxW5WI_-oyQY7V1CBFs4o9OJ2addcPJAWsLgFTtrN98bcguQFD_rTYariNpv4YJ8GUnL2IWZ3W_shPO39K8Mt9JP/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291560868687955602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />------->><br /><br />What a fantastic surprise! It's true, Jenny loves me. (Jenny the girl, not the frying pan) My gosh, she has a very sick baby and she still made the time to get out and get me a frying pan!<br /><br />And it's a nice pan, too! It's Calphalon! So, she spoiled me, too!!<br /><br />Thanks Jenny for Jenny II. I will enjoy her!<br /><br />But, I love you!</span><br /></span></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-69283752341405574712009-01-15T10:44:00.006-05:002009-01-15T11:34:17.701-05:00Artistic Genius....a shameless brag.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZwrErDAQn9c91fLk8CUdR08rHjF6qDrD_eh5iP8jRDJmIbTruGkiU2Y0Exzl28P2BtBt3-niPscPrYqj58eYyPIQqUHpgTghPBwktA5pf_x7YAsjIeYR4K9mFFosNmd1OrOblKOASCqh/s1600-h/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZwrErDAQn9c91fLk8CUdR08rHjF6qDrD_eh5iP8jRDJmIbTruGkiU2Y0Exzl28P2BtBt3-niPscPrYqj58eYyPIQqUHpgTghPBwktA5pf_x7YAsjIeYR4K9mFFosNmd1OrOblKOASCqh/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291547912783606850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Let me tell you about this picture....Marinne loves this sketch toy. She had a baby version when she turned 2, then last year we upgraded her to this bigger one. She draws on it nearly every single day. So much so, that it's falling apart. (see the weird black splotchies above the letters MZ.<br /><br />Now, as a person who has a degree in Early Childhood Education, I was FLOORED when the Princess brought me this picture she had drawn. The only reason she brought it to me was that she asked me to draw a picture of our doggie, Barclay. (which I did...it's the 3rd figure from the left....and that was hard in such a small space!)<br /><br />So, why was I surprised? Well, if you know about art and child development, there are many things about this picture that are remarkable for a child of only 3 years old to accomplish.<br /><br />First, she has included a "ground line" in her picture by actually </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPARh0qpDb5r-ElGHw2-kEbGWazZ1-lEsx2I2qM-vDYA9ZYW3wLYbOtar1SdIIEWQLRCxbYmBi7lJhXJC5n0ihbRDFVeYIdD5bCUZhirf8WgQV1NwQxTrSr7tSRR5YvjYiI25PbW-dWm1/s1600-h/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 327px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPARh0qpDb5r-ElGHw2-kEbGWazZ1-lEsx2I2qM-vDYA9ZYW3wLYbOtar1SdIIEWQLRCxbYmBi7lJhXJC5n0ihbRDFVeYIdD5bCUZhirf8WgQV1NwQxTrSr7tSRR5YvjYiI25PbW-dWm1/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291547617158196194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">scribbling to indicate </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">where the ground is. Then, she included a "sky line" in her picture, provided by drawing the sun and placing it in the proper location in relation to what she drew.<br /><br />In addition, her people have more than just a basic circle and dots. She has provided faces, bodies, arms and hair (on the adults.)<br /><br />When she brought it to me, she told me that this was our "Family" and she drew Daddy, Momma, L, J, G and herself, but she needed me to draw our dog. I was impressed to see that she actually drew the right number of people (6) and that her 3 older brothers are actually "above" her. Like she is littler than them. She "gets" that. (although, she is known for calling them her "friends" as much as she calls them her "brothers.") And that's ok with me!<br /><br />And lastly, she said that the MZ was her name. She recognizes that her name begins with a "M" and she is quick to point out "that's my name" anywhere she sees the "M." Such as the Macy's sign or at McDonalds. She recognizes that her name starts with an "M." I think that's pretty smart!<br /><br />So what does all this mean? Well, if you look <a href="http://www.csea-scea.ca/TeachingIdeas/stages.html">here</a>, you can see that some of what she is doing is in the Schematic Stage of Art Development. And the typical age for that is between 5 and 8 years old. (and she's not yet Four at the time she drew this!) I'm telling you, she a genius!!<br /><br />And I'm not a big prejudiced!! (ha ha ha!)<br /></span></span>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-46535753651638414292009-01-06T10:18:00.006-05:002009-01-06T11:55:10.456-05:00ENOUGH BLOG NEGLECT!!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6XXzlu-qX4eZS8StAwYCdkBYKYrdcGMqRNrqjfD9ZKQ1JaXZ_I0W2L3F7SHTqtQ0N3JCRnoGg0zwskTxpGxFTTpBkfCyTTZIALmBOkC22cbd5ELqQrbHUpKwmNybH5RyPA-RnpdU635B/s1600-h/welcome+back...."><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6XXzlu-qX4eZS8StAwYCdkBYKYrdcGMqRNrqjfD9ZKQ1JaXZ_I0W2L3F7SHTqtQ0N3JCRnoGg0zwskTxpGxFTTpBkfCyTTZIALmBOkC22cbd5ELqQrbHUpKwmNybH5RyPA-RnpdU635B/s400/welcome+back...." alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288225217831635346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am a bad blogger.<br />I deserve to have my blog baby taken away.<br />But, I'm gonna do better. I swear it! I miss the bloggy!<br /><br />Seriously....</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Well, we are in Ohio. It's cold. It's sleeting and supposed to be turning into snow. The roads were already getting slick when I dropped off the boys at school. And it 2 hours, we'll be out again. Not exactly lovin' that!<br /><br />Logan started school today. Look at this beautiful Middle School. I hand-picked this school system for the things it can offer our children. The High School is directly across the parking lot from the High School and the Middle School Gymnasium and Cafeteria is in between these two schools. It is really nice that all the schools are together. And when I saw these buildings, well, I was certainly impressed. Beautiful!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUkC2axO8ExFP6UCkgtWcSsQLzXrUjo0ZWnJf5slhcils9rK58t-zYn0zMY6tbycmIiHL1K_Is-1thKORcvP_rKitTZClIkBRniT_I8e_HFuvghbzFqM3J4UVYqDuTj7tlzEmJEHApdaM/s1600-h/DSC_0169.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUkC2axO8ExFP6UCkgtWcSsQLzXrUjo0ZWnJf5slhcils9rK58t-zYn0zMY6tbycmIiHL1K_Is-1thKORcvP_rKitTZClIkBRniT_I8e_HFuvghbzFqM3J4UVYqDuTj7tlzEmJEHApdaM/s400/DSC_0169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288208617414345074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> Griffin's school is just around the bed from Logan's school. It's looks the same as the Middle School. </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t85YS-zSlCB9NeAT6edm9sggzKCHhcOxbBIT9MuCj7QuZZSyF-mCeQMdT8gTbnB5wwm7pgWdkWeZ2ihOdS9Bn_TFzm6HJxcJSFSo7omsLx_jaEk8U3vvynR9Lg2FePNHcSl6B33Uv_UO/s1600-h/DSC_0164.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t85YS-zSlCB9NeAT6edm9sggzKCHhcOxbBIT9MuCj7QuZZSyF-mCeQMdT8gTbnB5wwm7pgWdkWeZ2ihOdS9Bn_TFzm6HJxcJSFSo7omsLx_jaEk8U3vvynR9Lg2FePNHcSl6B33Uv_UO/s400/DSC_0164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288204628744011106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Very nice. And quite impressive. Griffin is very excited to be back in school. He misses his friends. He was so cute getting loaded up this morning to go. I'll be posting some pics of his first day later. I need to upload them first.<br /><br />Then, adjacent to that is Jensen's elementary school. </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFdbJI-d0uFsto8sDbr142LJWDAFL8yzqdMPt7J2hgsTlkRxh0_01WydCVgrZMCPsqM0D7vKNqMvOOvBthTXbOZ4D2aqsGrOm4rtvUc_CRgyIWzXtvrWrxNeJIuEneVNfW9U0kbK7fK6U/s1600-h/DSC_0167.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFdbJI-d0uFsto8sDbr142LJWDAFL8yzqdMPt7J2hgsTlkRxh0_01WydCVgrZMCPsqM0D7vKNqMvOOvBthTXbOZ4D2aqsGrOm4rtvUc_CRgyIWzXtvrWrxNeJIuEneVNfW9U0kbK7fK6U/s400/DSC_0167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288206126360120002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">But, he won't be going till tomorrow. The enrollment secretary was out yesterday, so we have to wait until today to get him fully enrolled. Believe me, he's overjoyed to score another day off! And I'm enjoying just him and Marinne this morning.<br /><br />Well, I'm off to pick up the Kindergartener!<br />More later.....<br /></span></span></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-89675768444357986272008-12-31T00:00:00.001-05:002008-12-31T00:02:44.838-05:00I suck....<div style="text-align: center;">I want to post, but I am just so overwhelmed by everything these days, it seems like just another thing on the "to do" list. I have lots to share and I hope I'll find it in myself to do it tomorrow.<br /><br />Forgive me, ok?!<br /><br />And by the way, Happy 2009!!<br /><br />I, for one, hope it it's a thousand times better than 2008 was to us!<br /></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-34271686123534558512008-12-17T07:06:00.002-05:002008-12-17T07:30:44.607-05:00WHAT IN THE WORLD AM I DOING UP!?!?!?!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">...why don't you ask my brain that?! <br /><br />Because I woke up for the second morning before 5:30am and I CANNOT shut my brain off.<br /><br />ANNOYING!!!!!<br /><br /><br />I have all these crazy (and not so crazy) thoughts swirling around in my head. My gosh, there is so much to do/remember/think about when you move across the country. I am so petrified I am going to forget something obvious. <br /><br />So, I know you are thinking, "Hey Roxann...why don't you make a list?!" Well, of course, my friends I have done that. I have 3 pages of notes in a spiral notebook. But, I am worried I have forgotten something. And considering, we aren't "completely moving" at this point, it makes it a little different this time. <br /><br />You see....after doing this cross-country move 2x before, we decided that this time, we just can't stand to be apart. You see when we moved to Georgia, Ike went first and the kids and I stayed for about 5 weeks with Ike living in Georgia without us. It was HARD. So hard, that we moved after 5 weeks and all of us lived in a 1 room Marriott hotel for 3 weeks. Yep, that's 5 people in a hotel room...including a toddler. Ask me how fun that was?!?!? Ha ha!<br /><br />When we moved to Kansas, again, Ike moved without us. This time was even harder because we had another child (baby girl) and she was only a week into her 2nd year when daddy left. This time we made it 4 weeks apart and then moved to KS and lived in our house with no furniture or anything for almost a week. (yep, slept on the floor on a blow-up mattress, which was great until on the 3rd night Jensen's cat dug his nails into it and then the mattress was a lost cause!!) At least we had heat!! Because it was freezing in Kansas!<br /><br />So, this time, we decided that we were all going together. <br /><br />Period.<br /><br />So, we were committed to making that happen. So, we are moving into corporate housing. We will be taking only the bare essentials with us. (ya know...clothes, personals, important papers in the safe...that kind of stuff) We just can't take it all right now. There would be no place to put it. We are moving into a 3-bedroom condo and it looks really nice on the internet, but we know that with 6 of us, we know it's still going to be cramped.<br /><br />So, for me, I know I ABSOLUTELY CAN'T live w/out my scrapbook stuff for up to 4 months (which is how long we could be living in this condo...at least, this is how long Ike's company is paying for it....while we try to sell our house in Kansas.) So, I am trying to pack the BARE ESSENTIALS....meaning my basic supplies....and then some MUST HAVE stuff.<br />But, if you are a designer like me, the thought of not having access to my beloved supplies is about to give me a fit! But, the reality is, I can only take a SMALL PORTION of my STASH! Which completely sucks!!!! (ha ha ha! poor me!!!) And this is giving my panic!<br /><br />Many people are asking me....how can you just move and leave you stuff behind. (not just scrapbooking stuff, but all your stuff?!) Well, it's quite simple. We've learned the hard way, that being together is more important than the stuff. <br /><br />After all, it's just STUFF!!<br /><br />If someone stole our stuff, would I be upset. Well, of course, I would. But, again, it's just<br />STUFF!!!!<br /><br />It can be replaced.<br /><br />Our family and being together is what it's all about.<br /><br />And considering Big Daddy starts his job on Monday, Dec. 22nd, the thought of spending Marinne's birthday (the 23rd) and Christmas and New Years apart, was just too much to bare. So, we just AREN'T doing that. We are going...TOGETHER!<br /><br />Besides, we have two of the nosiest neighbors ever, who as annoying as it's been while we've been here, will come quite in handy now that we are leaving all our stuff! (Seriously, we call one of the ladies, Mrs. Kravitz...ya know, the nosy neighbor on the classic show Bewitched!) So, she will keep an eye on things...and she'll tell my friend Kelly, who will keep me informed and who has a key to the house, so she can keep an eye on things! It will be ok. It has to.<br /><br />Ok, well, I've chattered on for over 30 minutes and it's 6:30am.<br /><br />Time to wake up the sometimes moody 7th grader and get him movin'!<br /><br />Talk to you soon, my lovelies!<br />I miss you.<br /></span></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-31334719210802387182008-12-15T07:54:00.002-05:002008-12-15T08:18:50.679-05:00NOT ENOUGH TIME IN THE DAY........<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">.....this is my current state of being. NOT ENOUGH TIME IN THE DAY!<br /><br />I absolutely CANNOT believe that we move to OHIO in 4 days!!!!!<br /><br />It's been a crazy last few weeks! And it's been very hard to keep up everything on my blog updated. (sorry about that!) But, parts of it I couldn't help. For instance, I couldn't let on that Big Daddy was interviewing for new jobs....because that could have jeopardized his job here. So, I had to keep my mouth shut. (which believe me...is VERY hard for me to do!! Just ask my dad....I'm famous for it!)<br /><br />This morning it's 3.7degrees here in KS. The wind chill is -17 below. And it snowed last night. As a parent, I think that's reason enough to cancel school....but alas, the kids still have school. Ridiculous, in my book! I think if it's single digits, then school should be cancelled! But, that's because I don't want my babies to be chilled to the bone!<br /><br />The house is on the market for one week tomorrow. We had one showing the first day, but nothing since. (although, the realtor says we've had some hits online that have asked for more info....) I was disappointed we didn't score any showings on Sunday. But, it is a week and 1/2 before Christmas, so I don't know why I am surprised. Hopefully, it will sell w/in a few months!!! PRAY that it will. A house sitting on the market 850 miles away, will be a HUGE stressor again (since we just did this less than 2 years ago....that time, the house in GA was on the market 6 months! OUCH!!) I just want it to sell, so we can get a house in Ohio quickly.<br /><br />As most days leading up to this move, I have a busy one today. I have a doctors appointment in 52 minutes at 8am. Then, we have the Chem-Dry carpet cleaners coming at 10am, so the fun part of that is keeping Miss Priss out off the way while the give the carpets a once over. Then, at lunchtime, I have a meeting at Logan's school with the school Psychologist to get his "gifted" testing records, so we have them before we go. This should help make his transition a bit easier!<br /><br />I start packing/loading tomorrow. It's hard to decide what we absolutely need to take NOW and what can wait until our next trip home to officially MOVE. But, bottom line, it doesn't really matter, as long as there is Target and our family is together. Things don't matter, but THAT does.<br /><br />Alas, due all this crazy, I probably won't get Christmas cards done....and I'm taking some time off from my scrappin' DT's. It's hard on me. Because it's such a huge part of me. But, I am thankful that I work for some super understanding people. (can you believe I haven't scrapped in over a month!!!!!) I miss it so. <br /><br />And speaking of scrappin'....I owe everybody my final "travel" update from the CKC-Seattle show. I really need to get that on here. I promise to try to do it very soon!!! (as if I don't have other things to do...)<br /><br />And last but not least....I miss you guys! I hope everyone is doing GREAT!<br /><br />xoxoxo<br /><br />~Roxann<br /><br /><br /></span></span></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-36448279294208312472008-12-11T10:22:00.005-05:002008-12-11T10:33:08.588-05:00O-H-I-O<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxcgXTEEgA9_MGUr7vnT34wPZKYiJnhpJRAdTZYkFabm8TC4ApxpCOrYM11L5RRtMAzFoMdVpnvJJx87Udk4YeqR7hqAsLZsRS1ND5zI7bbBJGhg56vqe_sCE0311jds9YNCNi9G_lYZf/s1600-h/map.GIF"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxcgXTEEgA9_MGUr7vnT34wPZKYiJnhpJRAdTZYkFabm8TC4ApxpCOrYM11L5RRtMAzFoMdVpnvJJx87Udk4YeqR7hqAsLZsRS1ND5zI7bbBJGhg56vqe_sCE0311jds9YNCNi9G_lYZf/s400/map.GIF" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278555059179578386" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:180%;">The time has come when we can finally announce where we are moving......<br /><br />Columbus, Ohio!!!!!!<br /><br />Wowza!!<br />I am excited!!!!!!!<br /></span></span></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-26714568023809121272008-12-06T12:05:00.004-05:002008-12-07T12:32:06.793-05:00The season for Birthdays!!!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For those keeping track, Jensen just had a birthday in October, Griffin's is in November and Marinne's is in December. It's a very busy time for us!</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >(and obviously, you can see that Big Daddy and I must be super amorous in the Spring...just like the woodland animals!! Hee hee hee!!)<br /><br /><br />So, this child had his Sixth Birthday in mid-November.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0hVyXThHeAaabnUiVAHklKrhASLgKMsp7pYqFN-SBr9mYF9iyLxjEW4LYchn7bTfIDBOMyQCbfGfis0ayZf-L7j9xveqD95dihYWENsOaIyU_WAz_giSdFOlenzEWW8235m1cjYwTyhB/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0hVyXThHeAaabnUiVAHklKrhASLgKMsp7pYqFN-SBr9mYF9iyLxjEW4LYchn7bTfIDBOMyQCbfGfis0ayZf-L7j9xveqD95dihYWENsOaIyU_WAz_giSdFOlenzEWW8235m1cjYwTyhB/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276726156781172706" border="0" /></a>Logan made him this birthday cake...it was a layered cake and it didn't work out so well.<br />(at least it tasted good!)<br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />Some facts about Griffin at 6 years old....<br />...He's 75%-ile on weight and height.<br />...He is funny, always keeping us laughing.<br />...According to his Kindergarten teacher, he's absolutely perfect!<br />(exactly where he needs to be in school!)<br />...He has a crush on Miss Anderson, his Kindergarten teacher.<br />...He has a wild imagination for story-telling!<br />(He told me he had a substitute teacher one day because Miss Anderson bazooka barfed in the computer lab and had to go home....that DID NOT happen! <br />But, believe you me, his story was quite convincing!)<br />...His favorite color is green. Especially bright green.<br />...His favorite food is pizza.<br />...He is a *FANTASTIC* KID!!!!!!!<br /><br /><br />Make a wish, Big 6 Year Old!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1RUr9zCBcYJsOwlGhe7asGlfwGVFUxEPXGoezBNHDpTP_V93X1eVRcaafRpG-U_WJTwf_UFSdFo7drnJdCXmPypKrLx6n_qT3ql1EiZv0YbQHx5HYwmMXDPT-sC1jfMmCtTetsOB9p11/s1600-h/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1RUr9zCBcYJsOwlGhe7asGlfwGVFUxEPXGoezBNHDpTP_V93X1eVRcaafRpG-U_WJTwf_UFSdFo7drnJdCXmPypKrLx6n_qT3ql1EiZv0YbQHx5HYwmMXDPT-sC1jfMmCtTetsOB9p11/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276726167396992818" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" > The birthday hat came from Miss Anderson at school! <br /><br /><br /><br />The cake gets the big *thumbs up* from Griffin!!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC3bs4zTSgH7jsJAU79dXkOugJQUHTKBsG9fv9GIU2LCJO1uWoD8bnSkqNA0IKAPp13PVEjQEjrAQO_JeuL8hCp84ioCBjquf2fwN3KT0mZLJ3Vz1BZKuTWLsgMU3jk54yFXl0b-i_29n/s1600-h/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC3bs4zTSgH7jsJAU79dXkOugJQUHTKBsG9fv9GIU2LCJO1uWoD8bnSkqNA0IKAPp13PVEjQEjrAQO_JeuL8hCp84ioCBjquf2fwN3KT0mZLJ3Vz1BZKuTWLsgMU3jk54yFXl0b-i_29n/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276726170399954034" border="0" /></a></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-18525630617350114422008-12-06T11:25:00.004-05:002008-12-06T12:05:10.314-05:00Max<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">On the weekend before Griff's birthday, his teacher sent him home with Max and a giant backpack full of fun things for him to do. There was a journal, which we had been instructed to fill out about Max's adventures with Griffin.<br /><br />There was also books along w/ read-along tapes. And a book of Science experiments to try out. So, we set out making the plans for the weekend w/ Max.<br /><br />We decided first to try a Science experiment. Griffin picked one with apples.<br />We were to take an apple and cut it into pieces. We made a chart to place them on. One apple was supposed to be left alone. One was to be sprinkled with water. And the last one, we were to sprinkle with lemon juice. Then, we were to check the apples in 3 hours. And then, in 12 hours. So, we did the first one a dinnertime and checked it at bedtime and there was very little change. Except the apple left alone was just barely brownish.<br /><br />Then, in the morning, we checked them all again. The apple left alone was completely brown, the one with water was slightly browned and the one in lemon juice was still almost completely perfect. Then, we talked about why it would be this way.<br />Griffin thought this was so cool!!!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC8ccc_jqq-_Pg_Y4PL2QPf_Sgz2dSRGBSb92Q1NLunf-AXgCMpnhLmEhHYrCAkYnHm4JI6_-OgZjYdEIBCOv0vaThB3vBN-QNWn2pTHcu88bPiTWisWHXdLnb6OO76uKCQ9YnqY-bc7a/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC8ccc_jqq-_Pg_Y4PL2QPf_Sgz2dSRGBSb92Q1NLunf-AXgCMpnhLmEhHYrCAkYnHm4JI6_-OgZjYdEIBCOv0vaThB3vBN-QNWn2pTHcu88bPiTWisWHXdLnb6OO76uKCQ9YnqY-bc7a/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276715688417855522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> On Saturday, Max got to ride in the car</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJjDjYiI2Gi035sqyGZmIKbQ8Dwmq1pdRzEd45YIgYSsqDr6z757CmMyg8McenjfDgQTd3_fl-Yi-nkg9OyuD-6R1TMMYum3W8JHitki117BSWXOK-DpEbQyBKqf0xlA2AT3si9uVJ985/s1600-h/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJjDjYiI2Gi035sqyGZmIKbQ8Dwmq1pdRzEd45YIgYSsqDr6z757CmMyg8McenjfDgQTd3_fl-Yi-nkg9OyuD-6R1TMMYum3W8JHitki117BSWXOK-DpEbQyBKqf0xlA2AT3si9uVJ985/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276715700018040594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> so we could go to Chuck-E-Cheese</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxi9go2D9njF0cFimoPK8ul8YFIRPQrHcgt4BBgEBvx_h4LGhVeSojfNesb0Rn81ORok1fgHrhoG-2NuM1Tu9DdmZ14_P5OHpEtPJodqvRVNWrOkUHzoRSzDfhqRJ3_YtItRDs0GYl4xR/s1600-h/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxi9go2D9njF0cFimoPK8ul8YFIRPQrHcgt4BBgEBvx_h4LGhVeSojfNesb0Rn81ORok1fgHrhoG-2NuM1Tu9DdmZ14_P5OHpEtPJodqvRVNWrOkUHzoRSzDfhqRJ3_YtItRDs0GYl4xR/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276715702297385346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> as part of an early birthday celebration.<br /><br />I think it's safe to say, Max really enjoyed himself!!!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnx7mcjhARNdijfMrf73qMRR1_uaXPlo8wz4ngLhtHRbV3jQbHFwZO1IMzxlJ4PDgXoHRNgno3AagO6jCDhbnUtujWP3P_H63ZpmQDNBGbmYiFTiTQvX7h7Kmpr12wbo9al5MjVHTcsth/s1600-h/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnx7mcjhARNdijfMrf73qMRR1_uaXPlo8wz4ngLhtHRbV3jQbHFwZO1IMzxlJ4PDgXoHRNgno3AagO6jCDhbnUtujWP3P_H63ZpmQDNBGbmYiFTiTQvX7h7Kmpr12wbo9al5MjVHTcsth/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276715706932333298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> When we left CEC, we went to Toys R Us because they had sent him a giftcard for $3.00. So, of course, Griffin picked a giant box of Nerds candy.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hsmNi4X9851cawRaS4k7vUdfpCM91OlvuPYAhBhLtqdYPTZqd4S2pZwlVAR2wXwXZhkpXZmxRXsY_afEwCt9lnysfFm43ZN2pjn-xmBO_4HL3PH-kfgktSn4O5GMgHYCkk4nfm_cyscg/s1600-h/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hsmNi4X9851cawRaS4k7vUdfpCM91OlvuPYAhBhLtqdYPTZqd4S2pZwlVAR2wXwXZhkpXZmxRXsY_afEwCt9lnysfFm43ZN2pjn-xmBO_4HL3PH-kfgktSn4O5GMgHYCkk4nfm_cyscg/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276715713623439362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">They gave him a birthday crown and a balloon to wear while doing his shopping.<br />So, this worked out well for when we were having him look around to make his birthday list of things he wanted. (it was a good thing his real birthday was still a few days away! We had some major shopping to do!!!)<br /><br />When we got home, we had a tired boy and a tired bunny!! </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdmGPxzPcz_d4c1dqqYiN6ePS7XJ5hBuoCRfN5fcEOCiOlIpBdX3zOxnHwVaxycjG72K0J9ctmbaPDlFQKi_Hum7KzTFziUfONIKzIeB5TdQkY7oQfbkEXdAhXDcnCAXbXmo7v9ARvzGE/s1600-h/DSC_0011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdmGPxzPcz_d4c1dqqYiN6ePS7XJ5hBuoCRfN5fcEOCiOlIpBdX3zOxnHwVaxycjG72K0J9ctmbaPDlFQKi_Hum7KzTFziUfONIKzIeB5TdQkY7oQfbkEXdAhXDcnCAXbXmo7v9ARvzGE/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276716029388668610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> Goodnight Griffin and Goodnight Max!!<br /><br />Then, on Sunday afternoon, Griffin and Max were going to read/listen to the books on tape...which seemed like a good idea, until the tape player ate the cassette tape. <br />(Now I remember why CD's and IPod's are AWESOME!!!!)<br />So, Griffin kinda freaked out, but I told him I'd offer to pay for the tape so Miss Anderson could get a new one and then he was happy. <br /><br />All in all, I think Griffin and Max had a great weekend!!!!<br /></span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-39897222618739510972008-11-22T14:02:00.008-05:002008-12-02T08:08:47.209-05:00TEN Years Old?!?<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">How in the world can this kid be 10 year old?!?<br />And in true form of a ten year old...he wanted McDonalds for his birthday lunch.<br />It wasn't fancy, but it was exactly what he wanted. Well, <a href="http://therealroxann.blogspot.com/2008/10/limo.html">minus a Limo.</a><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoqBTprf8khCUDL0QSbQCevQPJKHhEIsIuWwl-nl6qgoHSUgM2AxBAyo5jMLhRw2srZ25ceZnJZ_pEBzxAIChXhqjETaseUIosdvYqm8zeJxNKW6W3RB0XhmIwHELtNM2LZK6gkxwUV4u/s1600-h/DSC_0042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoqBTprf8khCUDL0QSbQCevQPJKHhEIsIuWwl-nl6qgoHSUgM2AxBAyo5jMLhRw2srZ25ceZnJZ_pEBzxAIChXhqjETaseUIosdvYqm8zeJxNKW6W3RB0XhmIwHELtNM2LZK6gkxwUV4u/s320/DSC_0042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271563959668863378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> We decorated the living room with streamers and balloons and we tied yellow balloons to his chair. We even covered the door of his room with streamers, so you had to break thru them to get out of his room! Hilarious!!!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLR9upYjJaYggHzF6XisQrboBsRqsDv4pqWZYesub50nzpUOOBqil-dE0h-d7K8Rb7Wv6l1CqMIlllAAyFP8-ThWjIW3De1bZiXGiTKXBpdepCDBGH2AstAjQ_wYgIRJp_JcZTTX2DTX13/s1600-h/DSC_0048.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLR9upYjJaYggHzF6XisQrboBsRqsDv4pqWZYesub50nzpUOOBqil-dE0h-d7K8Rb7Wv6l1CqMIlllAAyFP8-ThWjIW3De1bZiXGiTKXBpdepCDBGH2AstAjQ_wYgIRJp_JcZTTX2DTX13/s320/DSC_0048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271563948657871634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> And as previously discussed in <a href="http://therealroxann.blogspot.com/2008/10/limo.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">this post</span></a>, he had wanted a limo. But, when that didn't work out he had chosen to go to Chuck-E-Cheese for his party. So, we went there for dinner that night. It was our family, Mimi and Papa and our best friends here,<br />Kelly and her kids C, C and O. It was super fun!<br /><br />We pigged out on pizza, salads and pop before we went to play the games!<br /><br />And believe me, we had plenty of tokens!!<br />(this was only part of them....</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">)</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRG3N7qfEa3ceREcDWQlMmdZNr0euanm3C5Zex8f3CmXIFEkL1VmLq4hi1X8nT57uUb0RaSZr0nwsYnyya9e75MWTkLSOai2qCoHCJWAN6NfkePt98u9egrmxUgunaEKEx6pbH-m4ZYNr0/s1600-h/DSC_0055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRG3N7qfEa3ceREcDWQlMmdZNr0euanm3C5Zex8f3CmXIFEkL1VmLq4hi1X8nT57uUb0RaSZr0nwsYnyya9e75MWTkLSOai2qCoHCJWAN6NfkePt98u9egrmxUgunaEKEx6pbH-m4ZYNr0/s320/DSC_0055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271563946613377138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> J's favorite game is Skee Ball. And his sister tried to keep up with him.<br />Hilarious, I'll tell you! She doesn't get the "roll" the ball, rather than "throw" the ball!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZRLUdjfNvpdjVdV_MLhDEhqqkDPdmsrR1rKWoeHXnsu_kjsiPvWdW646uvrG72OoSEfSFQexP2m2z81xbxx9CwVF1tMNXicer9WXprJIJJONHHlBWzqCNcwqp7CdHkEl35fTc-NWMEiE/s1600-h/DSC_0059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZRLUdjfNvpdjVdV_MLhDEhqqkDPdmsrR1rKWoeHXnsu_kjsiPvWdW646uvrG72OoSEfSFQexP2m2z81xbxx9CwVF1tMNXicer9WXprJIJJONHHlBWzqCNcwqp7CdHkEl35fTc-NWMEiE/s320/DSC_0059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271563937703036882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> And then, it was WISH MAKIN' time!!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK1AW6VU1L_OVTbkw5zcBocayh-oshlBxtL1VSNW2uE6xUbwfRHN0E7tQpX3SrwEf2OMgEOvbB5-IfVSZ-wOqdhNDnLrWdiKBOi2mu7c2S2ZTSTt1VPWotuRZjnoLXXvW0FlV0QpN1NHw/s1600-h/DSC_0084.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK1AW6VU1L_OVTbkw5zcBocayh-oshlBxtL1VSNW2uE6xUbwfRHN0E7tQpX3SrwEf2OMgEOvbB5-IfVSZ-wOqdhNDnLrWdiKBOi2mu7c2S2ZTSTt1VPWotuRZjnoLXXvW0FlV0QpN1NHw/s320/DSC_0084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271562652164638914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSxGe04ql2ARZFGYcMqGHFt0J-mCEY0uWxhQY58puVvQ2C-67C6Drt45T0ikE94qgZEU99_nKJWmSQdEPXZoe2rad0yhCte4zr_cPtfTJrKliui4UT9AQgsAoYkdgVy6ztVthjH-Z6Q_2/s1600-h/DSC_0085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSxGe04ql2ARZFGYcMqGHFt0J-mCEY0uWxhQY58puVvQ2C-67C6Drt45T0ikE94qgZEU99_nKJWmSQdEPXZoe2rad0yhCte4zr_cPtfTJrKliui4UT9AQgsAoYkdgVy6ztVthjH-Z6Q_2/s320/DSC_0085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271562642522930626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Too bad for him we used trick sparkler candles!!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-sA99I4JEBd__PRzynOQIbcavO09_P6Yc85dGXeZCWW6c6kjX2bUKWhyphenhyphenthHeLGBE4yjlNa_0ozkfxy7-3-hKsQiNnrhvehvZ2hgnihmHxTsmjujc2ZPYyFSkWA5JqRB4e2YyXe1lrmnX/s1600-h/DSC_0086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-sA99I4JEBd__PRzynOQIbcavO09_P6Yc85dGXeZCWW6c6kjX2bUKWhyphenhyphenthHeLGBE4yjlNa_0ozkfxy7-3-hKsQiNnrhvehvZ2hgnihmHxTsmjujc2ZPYyFSkWA5JqRB4e2YyXe1lrmnX/s320/DSC_0086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271562638355205426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> Heh! Heh! Heh!<br /><br />(Logan made the cake...he's insisted on making all his sibs cakes this year!)<br /><br /><br />Then, it was on to the gifts!<br />Of course a new WebKinz was in order....</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJ3g6bXQjH-CNxk9mlvX7kCYF4pB2IXKSYKrUvAbZFo2t1orXH0XdVaLJog9mO2TjuIRwct46peuZKvJfPP2lIBpfuOaJygjY2hsgblDWcETmJei3LYUxPTW6dPfCZnKajC2MNjUZyxXy/s1600-h/DSC_0100.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJ3g6bXQjH-CNxk9mlvX7kCYF4pB2IXKSYKrUvAbZFo2t1orXH0XdVaLJog9mO2TjuIRwct46peuZKvJfPP2lIBpfuOaJygjY2hsgblDWcETmJei3LYUxPTW6dPfCZnKajC2MNjUZyxXy/s320/DSC_0100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271562637337043778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">AND a pile of Nintendo DS games.<br />He was a HAPPY CAMPER!!!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-HEsHQ7ikCXDDykWuG6kAHXW-w5GC56slV_YLAK1NJkuMTKehG6QsO9rx7RI9k9jXhu2j_hyphenhyphenK9Z0F20nK6OZaWQNsn5_TVNb9ZfKFU-2H-iOunP5fCr-sXPCj5jfsyWNAd6gxvvLrIy5/s1600-h/DSC_0110.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-HEsHQ7ikCXDDykWuG6kAHXW-w5GC56slV_YLAK1NJkuMTKehG6QsO9rx7RI9k9jXhu2j_hyphenhyphenK9Z0F20nK6OZaWQNsn5_TVNb9ZfKFU-2H-iOunP5fCr-sXPCj5jfsyWNAd6gxvvLrIy5/s320/DSC_0110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271562630728029282" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Then, it's time to cash in tickets.....</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9G4RFbBtQeCWnR6guJGuNPqgG4V3wTKXY-RM-ENOL38gyVm0-bkK4_rZhHW7StLKJMHZyF0gUZFSYQ7-hv0Ujgd-syUf-H3V1g-Uph_gk2lbDsdIN_icwFvXVRgEP1mTu7ukElgbicUef/s1600-h/DSC_0111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9G4RFbBtQeCWnR6guJGuNPqgG4V3wTKXY-RM-ENOL38gyVm0-bkK4_rZhHW7StLKJMHZyF0gUZFSYQ7-hv0Ujgd-syUf-H3V1g-Uph_gk2lbDsdIN_icwFvXVRgEP1mTu7ukElgbicUef/s320/DSC_0111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271560568610353090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">He looks pleased with his loot, wouldn't you say?!<br /><br />Happy Birthday Jensen! We LOVE you!!!!<br /></span></span><br /><br /></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-15527925488938261282008-11-22T13:24:00.004-05:002008-11-22T13:52:39.131-05:00*Paper Mache'*<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Curses to the 4th Grade teacher who made us do the Paper Mache' project!!!!!!!! Yes, Jensen had an assignment to make a paper mache' animal based on one of the animals from the book, Bunnicula. So, his choices were a cat, a dog or a bunny. Jensen chose the cat, of course. (his favorite) And yes, it was his assignment, you know who was in charge of this project. Ya, me! (Big Daddy was in until the going got rough.)<br /><br />So, with no paper mache' experience...I had no real clue what to do. but, I hate Elmer's glue, so I was hoping we could avoid that. Thank Goodness for Google! I quickly learned that flour and water could be used to make a "glue." And that sounded good to me. So, we began to cut strips of paper and mixing up the glue. And then the FUN began!<br /><br /><br />And by FUN...I mean we needed to Paper Mache' each other!!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj20rF-aFRoQ9brRbiu-1i3JRxteDkItr8MXHGNah1KF3PIDkzpTMVmFeAeLbxGCGEkLIMNjmBMCwObzpea840i4ElZ3fIWusbdHBsyHBENbayBOA-N0ahKtQgueKS0NQ05toXCjNBEdu/s1600-h/DSC_0031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj20rF-aFRoQ9brRbiu-1i3JRxteDkItr8MXHGNah1KF3PIDkzpTMVmFeAeLbxGCGEkLIMNjmBMCwObzpea840i4ElZ3fIWusbdHBsyHBENbayBOA-N0ahKtQgueKS0NQ05toXCjNBEdu/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271552104509944146" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXs1ZKf2t2VLUzrR5GjTq07O4kVM0j15ifXNuj7vqVtzrXOIstoBL-w1ffpWXNmg2AkE5OwkRIFdiWUwoTQR45tvJOHlBWaCfQ3x-_nAFNXnla8az2LXU-4_kF6dV8BM9Z9UOjCnJh_25/s1600-h/DSC_0033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXs1ZKf2t2VLUzrR5GjTq07O4kVM0j15ifXNuj7vqVtzrXOIstoBL-w1ffpWXNmg2AkE5OwkRIFdiWUwoTQR45tvJOHlBWaCfQ3x-_nAFNXnla8az2LXU-4_kF6dV8BM9Z9UOjCnJh_25/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271552096961990306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> Serious mess!</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpjerKkrXG3G6oF6jpQs-nSaGK99ogKAwWImwB58VeNaQJxIQsKStJGWLV0zx5fxc7yJ557bUflbDfl2p0v74y8UrwojZHByxI10pFFUhbkMVfHETX_7COyEsO8LcmsynBmaZ0B31ffoB/s1600-h/DSC_0038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpjerKkrXG3G6oF6jpQs-nSaGK99ogKAwWImwB58VeNaQJxIQsKStJGWLV0zx5fxc7yJ557bUflbDfl2p0v74y8UrwojZHByxI10pFFUhbkMVfHETX_7COyEsO8LcmsynBmaZ0B31ffoB/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271552082715336946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX0rNWXRGPgKl1r3mzWYT6qqBqIqyptauGLd47xBmSaknfhhXILga0js3o3SqJUFxJR0_Hw5uD-Fk9-2ZzH5HJmIzy8VmTcHM9LneibwKouEMoA0J1ydQZKItflmjL5xg1XEzgRLaQ_4b/s1600-h/DSC_0040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX0rNWXRGPgKl1r3mzWYT6qqBqIqyptauGLd47xBmSaknfhhXILga0js3o3SqJUFxJR0_Hw5uD-Fk9-2ZzH5HJmIzy8VmTcHM9LneibwKouEMoA0J1ydQZKItflmjL5xg1XEzgRLaQ_4b/s320/DSC_0040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271550779091639090" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The drying cat base.... made from 2 balloons, some toilet paper tubes, newpapers, masking tape and the flour/water glue. It took over 24 hours for this thing to dry!!! Talk about down to the wire!!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2mGejTOlc1DBF2K3o7UTXLqg1uhhHH5fpmmB_2YbgIenx_kgvVJ67RXvE2agi7qxgnYqnh2RuGTBHC5xtHYgZ5nMtZqNPaTkGSuUSAMfWy8Wnze0RNqklWqQUGk7QUVk4Z-Bkoz9m9yC/s1600-h/DSC_0037.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2mGejTOlc1DBF2K3o7UTXLqg1uhhHH5fpmmB_2YbgIenx_kgvVJ67RXvE2agi7qxgnYqnh2RuGTBHC5xtHYgZ5nMtZqNPaTkGSuUSAMfWy8Wnze0RNqklWqQUGk7QUVk4Z-Bkoz9m9yC/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271552090599561026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> And then, the painting...</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXyz4u3Ca6xdIS0meMJULQOOiTtSgzwNx0jPvB9KNL1cw8FZaEpNK2LfECSZF5FQZZJJlbvvTKwJpMvDcdjjE-TPmFJiOEXNN0BGui1GjVZdW6zrkic_dnCQctzF-pQi6HRjKXMf8V1dJ/s1600-h/DSC_0051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXyz4u3Ca6xdIS0meMJULQOOiTtSgzwNx0jPvB9KNL1cw8FZaEpNK2LfECSZF5FQZZJJlbvvTKwJpMvDcdjjE-TPmFJiOEXNN0BGui1GjVZdW6zrkic_dnCQctzF-pQi6HRjKXMf8V1dJ/s320/DSC_0051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271550784835853058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tslV6txdZck7qpMaMdz0LfwrjY-HE3ihrdbtthRmwRidIFF9FPdUjlmh2ls98QEx_ZcvP9SZoYUblb1l3xrDHgRTh9HZF7C8Ndc0G480BB7oL9MKpaICy7Jnvnt5DIoKNxJsxsThhxv7/s1600-h/DSC_0053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tslV6txdZck7qpMaMdz0LfwrjY-HE3ihrdbtthRmwRidIFF9FPdUjlmh2ls98QEx_ZcvP9SZoYUblb1l3xrDHgRTh9HZF7C8Ndc0G480BB7oL9MKpaICy7Jnvnt5DIoKNxJsxsThhxv7/s320/DSC_0053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271550800089892226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9ydQODb_I1j7ldiZWnlNu0GTKDTQx3aymFKL2zZKRi6PHFS25YrDcGVyZX0YNtqypFOc925FC27FNKMvqpOtM1lDgEsk-qmg_1xa8Lps5fOiYw4N2hu118eW5Mr1KNjOU4rJXez99YRr/s1600-h/DSC_0052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9ydQODb_I1j7ldiZWnlNu0GTKDTQx3aymFKL2zZKRi6PHFS25YrDcGVyZX0YNtqypFOc925FC27FNKMvqpOtM1lDgEsk-qmg_1xa8Lps5fOiYw4N2hu118eW5Mr1KNjOU4rJXez99YRr/s320/DSC_0052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271550789976143458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">And finally, "Chester the Cat" is finished!<br />(after 3 days work!)</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDBqoSmqhWfhLgg_0lgNHj_82eyLHvDFNs7X2VECv0d9_WTN_7-oxpb0Yyg5JaE7IpjKQ5S3o3OgWGmHwtlChPD913HCM7d0R0y8n8eHU6y2XcueUAoNmlHsJf8w_3i5Nntv40e4B8_zR/s1600-h/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDBqoSmqhWfhLgg_0lgNHj_82eyLHvDFNs7X2VECv0d9_WTN_7-oxpb0Yyg5JaE7IpjKQ5S3o3OgWGmHwtlChPD913HCM7d0R0y8n8eHU6y2XcueUAoNmlHsJf8w_3i5Nntv40e4B8_zR/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271550800792772674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> Not bad, if I say so myself!!!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span><br /></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-59984579586977832572008-11-19T09:39:00.010-05:002008-11-19T12:26:57.449-05:00Creating Keepsakes Convention - Kansas City<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAF0QgvAF4Nf49_5qt5TQj9cC0_XhlcQvIFjQilwiT0jXcB4xOppA780nX4eOvLM7-_0fkIuJAe3eQC-RsIDegYtc5oFmwFARutvpF2Sy1WMowo4kg5yqOVkIo4Tjf3aok1y1Jrl2xOH6/s1600-h/girlyhammer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAF0QgvAF4Nf49_5qt5TQj9cC0_XhlcQvIFjQilwiT0jXcB4xOppA780nX4eOvLM7-_0fkIuJAe3eQC-RsIDegYtc5oFmwFARutvpF2Sy1WMowo4kg5yqOVkIo4Tjf3aok1y1Jrl2xOH6/s320/girlyhammer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270410946721786114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">(don't ask about the hammer...it's a message for Alex Ann!)</span><br />Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">CKC - Kansas City was *crazy fun* !!!!</span></span><br /><br />Of course, this is my "home show" now that I live in Kansas, so it was fun just for that reason. It's fun when you know you will see someone that you know.</span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> And I did see a few people I know from Kansas.<br />But, I met some new people, too.<br /><br />First of all, there are all the wonderful women in my classes!<br />I swear I have never met anyone that wasn't nice since I have lived in Kansas and it was the same way at the CKC Convention! Such nice girls!<br /><br />Classes were fantastically fun! I just so love teaching!!<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The biggest *fun* and the biggest challenge were one in the same. Alex Ann and I worked this show together, just the two of us. (Remember, you met Alex Ann <a href="http://therealroxann.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-fantastic-trip.html">here</a>.) Yes, we had 3 booths and I was in charge completely for the first time. (nervous, I was so nervous!) But, we had trouble finding local help, so Alex Ann and I were on our own. But, we still rocked it! (normally, we hire local women to help in the booth....but this time, we had no one respond to our adds looking for workers) So, AA and I both rose to the occasion and really made it work the best we could. And it was GREAT!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">She and I make such a good team. We really work well together and<br />we just had the BEST time!!! We are like sisters of something. We laughed so, so much! I totally love that girl!!!!<br /><br />So...one cool thing was that we had the BRAND NEW Glue Glider Pro adhesive gun by Glue Arts! This thing is highly sought! And if you haven't seen it... here it is! </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.scrapbooksnstickers.com/Store/Products/Item/-198/1/894.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzghlqyCa0KvdDRkSkkGUvINcFkv4DOvCSNTGtXlhpgFhkTAwprvl5GSlANIBR4slHayOoJS4FNMxD4_h7taRf73M6qQzvAOtRngJeUcUKydzdPKci51RJLvvN5SbkijlOcCOmiCnfjnHX/s320/glueglpro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270390801806888242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">It's so stinkin' cute, isn't it?! And it's so easy, too. All the cartridges are interchangeable. To switch to a different type of adhesive, you just pop out the cartridge in the gun and pop in the desired one, lickety split!<br />How cool is that?!<br /><br />So, on the first morning of the convention, I'm working in the booth when a lady asks me about the Glue Glider Pro. I turn around to find....<br /><a href="http://www.cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/">CATHY ZIELSKE</a>!!!<br /><br />Oh. My. HotDog!!!!!!<br /><br />Cathy Z is asking me for advice/info about something!<br />WOWZA!!!!<br /><br />So, after deeming her as ~famous and fantastic~ ...both of which she graciously denied....I told her everything I knew about the new GGPro and she decided she had to have one! (and why not, <a href="http://www.scrapbooksnstickers.com/Store/Products/Item/-198/1/894.html">Scrapbooks 'n Stickers</a> has them bundled w/ the gun, and one of each of the 3 refills for 20% off the total price!) So, Alex Ann took a picture w/ my Blackberry to document my awe!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0457X1IfahTlciFuCJNVzXbsR3zdOKFVvM7mkfMMay4SrX6LmyVGkwIo56ZRhr-qwvqDjAqOYsED8YbN1TvvyEL81ebBl0bw8cs-gcnovX5MjrjIDGQofiHw-JuLhJcxUpdG1RnrZUdGT/s1600-h/Rox&CathyZ.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0457X1IfahTlciFuCJNVzXbsR3zdOKFVvM7mkfMMay4SrX6LmyVGkwIo56ZRhr-qwvqDjAqOYsED8YbN1TvvyEL81ebBl0bw8cs-gcnovX5MjrjIDGQofiHw-JuLhJcxUpdG1RnrZUdGT/s320/Rox&CathyZ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270387082035673954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> FYI...Cathy Z is so nice and completely down to earth! REALLY enjoyed meeting her!! Take her class some day so you can meet her too!<br /><br />Another highlight of the KC trip was meeting this fantastic chick!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvgL38TBsihseYWF4nMz3ff4fwryXqcgqD7AIiUCMbypkOGzJi6Q9gvf1IBByFNY24pjXw90O4gLzojxqwHEK4wSfd4WEaAT4PyLZ3MNtirZEehusG0OSUmiXC68f_FFkZ0T1OKNg-FmK/s1600-h/charlotte.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvgL38TBsihseYWF4nMz3ff4fwryXqcgqD7AIiUCMbypkOGzJi6Q9gvf1IBByFNY24pjXw90O4gLzojxqwHEK4wSfd4WEaAT4PyLZ3MNtirZEehusG0OSUmiXC68f_FFkZ0T1OKNg-FmK/s320/charlotte.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270387686316677762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> Even better was that I didn't realize she was coming.....ps...isn't she the darn cutest thing you ever saw?! Yep, she is. Even cuter in person! And SO NICE!<br />So, this is Charlotte. I met her online at Scrapbook Nook message board. She is friends with my *bestest girl* <a href="http://www.albumsbyamber.blogspot.com/">amber</a> and therefore, my friend by association. So, I am working, demo'ing Bind-It-All and this cutey-cute girl came over and said, "YOU must be Roxann!" (well, I looked at her and she looked familiar -- so I figured she must have been in my class....NOPE...it was Charlotte from Scrapbook Nook!) WOO HOO! I was so excited!!!<br />I was so happy to meet her...and she was so super nice! We are trying to get a time to get together to scrap...and I hope we do very soon!<br /><br />The most nutso part of the show was that we had a shoplifter. Not just us, but us and 7 other vendors were victims, as well. They got 2 packs of $4 KaiserCraft brads from us. (good stuff, she chose to steal...but reprehensible behavior, to say the least!) So, I am working hard, but all of a sudden I am approached by the head of CK and he asks if I can come with him for a moment. I could tell he was serious, so I was inside sorta freaking out. Well, as I followed him down the aisle, I leaned forward and said, "Did I do something wrong?" He turned and said, "No, we have a shoplifter." Well, if you know me, I really started freaking out. I hate cheating and stealing and it makes my stomach hurt! I'm just such a goody goody, that anything like that gives me a serious stomachache. So, I got the pleasure of identifying our merchandise and then identifying the accused. Then, I had to give the police officers my personal information. And the whole time, the accused is sitting right there, handcuffed in a chair, not 4 feet from me. Showing absolutely NO remorse. Apparently, this wasn't her first time. All and all...a nerve wracking experience. But, it mad me MAD, really MAD.<br /><br />I worked so hard and on Saturday night, my hands, feet and ankles were so swollen, they looked like this....OUCH!!!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCyyWSoYjvLTv66mf8BQA2G0OJKpzCZ7OzaO35KVKplUXOPU0hBPcI3ZRyt6aGnGFQEaDY6o2Qvr8kWjrN-PhUELK50gnXwDAJF8Zey8bbS_k4hQU2UzPuEl2HZfsTighffTMFPpHjT9G/s1600-h/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCyyWSoYjvLTv66mf8BQA2G0OJKpzCZ7OzaO35KVKplUXOPU0hBPcI3ZRyt6aGnGFQEaDY6o2Qvr8kWjrN-PhUELK50gnXwDAJF8Zey8bbS_k4hQU2UzPuEl2HZfsTighffTMFPpHjT9G/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270381591997419554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> I couldn't even get my ring on!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEMxBt4kGZYQ004XkwtN2v-m5oSrXMF5NxNzORgd_hOCetsvA0P3IFSxxfIZ_2t1BdlY6a8KWZuwyuuKH5w2GFkgSyoxr1N_6HNrTJVXPlu_rmDJ9RI6ofbF0KHCeegkU8Kuxu-td433j/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEMxBt4kGZYQ004XkwtN2v-m5oSrXMF5NxNzORgd_hOCetsvA0P3IFSxxfIZ_2t1BdlY6a8KWZuwyuuKH5w2GFkgSyoxr1N_6HNrTJVXPlu_rmDJ9RI6ofbF0KHCeegkU8Kuxu-td433j/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270381584506984626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> The signs of hard work and not enough water!<br /><br />The big thing I learned this weekend was about this:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE OFFICE</span><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgTdsPLKy0-KVOFXHnevtFym7kcU4Zcd1UEoS_TN7FDiSaziFTRqyM5RuF5Mq4BVDzHZron2qzIgBhqsbITdk3GVgGulgUtjJ2Xav6iER5uNuJQP_34EwmjYGahqSOm1qLS4mEWxHi-OY/s1600-h/the_office_tv_show.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgTdsPLKy0-KVOFXHnevtFym7kcU4Zcd1UEoS_TN7FDiSaziFTRqyM5RuF5Mq4BVDzHZron2qzIgBhqsbITdk3GVgGulgUtjJ2Xav6iER5uNuJQP_34EwmjYGahqSOm1qLS4mEWxHi-OY/s320/the_office_tv_show.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270378607141236402" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Obviously, I've heard of The Office. I've seen the commercials. And of course, Ike has seen it a few times and has told me how funny it was. Well, Alex Ann is a huge Office fan, so she was making jokes from the office, that I really didn't get since I have never seen it. So, after hearing her talk about it all week, and knowing that Ike likes it, I bought Season 1 of The Office on DVD and brought it home to him. (after all, his job has been very stressful,so I thought it would be good for him to laugh!) And we got addicted to it. Over then next 3 weeks we watched every season, every episode of The Office.<br />I thought since I'm just a mom, I figured I wouldn't be able to relate or think it was funny. I was wrong. This show is stinkin' hilarious! So, if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it! Rent it today and start the laugh marathon!<br /><br />"That's what SHE said...."<br /><br /><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040713868285685187.post-38466990291354210252008-11-19T08:38:00.004-05:002008-11-22T14:02:33.160-05:00Lately my life......<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">....has been over-the-top, out-of-control and generally way too busy.<br />And way too much "serious stuff" going on.<br /><br /><br />My somewhat cool blog has turned into a ghost town and I have highly neglected it. But, sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. Know what I mean?!<br /><br /><br />So....how is everyone?! I miss your comments.<br />(of course, if I don't post...I deserve it!! Ha Ha Ha!!!)<br /><br /><br />So, I'm gonna try to play some "catch-up" today. Stay tuned!<br /></span></span></div>the real ~Roxann~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08182786221545229324noreply@blogger.com2