Look at this sweet card I made for Joe.  

awwww.....

Now I wish I had some pictures to prove I SCHOOLED him on several Dave and Buster's games.

On one of our first dates, we went to Dave and Buster's. 

I wasn't sure what to expect, but we had a great time. 

Competition is good for a relationship, right? ;)

So a year later, we decided to a rematch of skill and luck. 

The results...

My Queen of Ski Ball status is still intact. Yessssss...(Napoleon Dynamite Style)

Super Trivia - winner. Hey, I'm smart or good at guessing on multiple choice questions.

Daytona USA - tie.

Nothing But Net...I tied him on one out of two games.  I still think that means I win.

Galaga & Crazy Taxi - I will have to give these to Joe.

{1} Year

One year in pictures...

February 2010 - Our first picture at a Blue Jacket's game.

 Feburary 2010 - Sledding at Grigg's...with a bunch of 6 year olds.  Yep.

 March 2010- Taken at Bario in the Arena District during his sister's birthday party.

August 2010 - Hard Rock Cafe  South Carolina

 

October 2010 - Lynd's Fruit Farm

December 2010 - Columbus Zoo Wildlights

Here's to Year 2!

Nothing in Particular

Some randomness...

Spread.  Sounds AMAZING.    Stupid peanut allergy.

I wanted to make a Valentine's wreath this year. This one is cute! Wish I had thought of using wire coat hangers before I drove all over town looking for a LARGE heart frame to use. Maybe I will still make one...

After seeing this fun jewelry display here.  I used a gift card and bought one for myself.  Can't wait for it to arrive.  To see it in action, visit here.

Should be in bed.
Nite.

Wrestling Stint

Last weekend, my nephew Joey participated in a wrestling meet/match/tournament. I'm not really sure what to call it because my knowledge of wrestling is very, very limited.  I don't know how it's scored and I'm not sure what moves are considered appropriate or penalties.  Joey had gone to a couple of practices and was invited to attend this event.  Of course, I wasn't going to miss it.

I learned quite a bit. 

 

1) It's a very emotional sport.  Many of the kids (little and big) cried through or after the matches.  I think the combination of being so physically close to someone, the yelling, and essentially fighting your way out of uncomfortable positions must be emotionally draining. It was hard to watch. For the record, Joey would want you to know that he didn't cry. 

2) If you aren't aggressive from the second it starts, you will be pinned and you are done. Sometimes in seconds. Poor little guy. This after traveling to the event, spending three hours waiting for weigh-ins and coaches meetings and watching other matches.  It's very physical for the amount of time you are in the match, but when you aren't there's a lot of waiting around. Joey is a mover and a shaker.  He likes to be in constant motion...as in running and jumping,  You don't really get that in wrestling, but I am glad he is getting exposure and has the opportunities to try different sports.

3) My little Joey isn't super aggressive.  Not now anyway. I'm sure he will grow into being more aggressive. He loves to wrestle with his dad and his grandpa. When he was younger he would even wrestle with me. I loved that. But that's different.  That's done while smiling and giggling and no one was keeping score.

4) Joey is athletic.  He has a super throwing arm, he's fast and he's always wanting to kick some sort of ball around.  Those are his physical strengths at 7 years old.

and

5) I don't like wrestling! Is it wrong that I was hoping that this experience would make him want to go another direction with his sports options? 

I've been told since that he is moving on from wrestling.   
Whew.
His Aunt E is ready with her camera for spring soccer. ;)

"ABC's of E" - C

Cars 

Going down memory land... 

Pictures are similar to the cars I owned, though not the exact.

My first car was a Honda CRX.
I LOVED that car.  My dad loved the car. It gave my mom nightmares.
A little two seater, a sunroof. Stick shift.
I was pretty cool. ;) 

So after my mother got a new car (see the next vehicle below), I was passed the Honda Accord.  A nice upgrade with air conditioning and I remember thinking "Wow!  This standard is sooo much easier to drive than the CRX".  I do have to admit I missed my cute little blue car, but not for long. :)  This car saw a few accidents and had a lot of body work over the years I owned it.  It was eventually passed on to my sister.

Once again, I was given this gem when my mom got a new car. I LOVED this Jeep!  It was big, but not too big.  I could "haul" stuff.  I was able to sit up a bit higher. It was great for the drives to and from Marysville in snowy weather. Eventually, it started to become a maintenance issue and I had to trade it in.

Ahhhh...the green car.  When I needed to start looking at a new vehicle, it was going to be the first one I truly bought/financed on my own.  (I know that I was extremely fortunate to get this far without having to take that on. Thank you Mom and Dad.).  A friend of mine was a car broker and I gave him the following criteria:  no dark colors (especially not green) because it shows dirt, 4 doors, and either a Honda or Toyota.  Long story short, I ended up with a 2 door, green, Ford ZX2.  It was very affordable & the most loaded car I have owned to date.  I grew to love this car.  Sadly, I totaled it in 2003.

Meet Dottie. This was the first car I owned that was brand, brand new. My car looks like this minus the sunroof and the spoiler.  This vehicle went through Hurricane Ike winds and ended up with a million year old HUGE tree on it - for a week.  That's a story for another time.  I was surprised it wasn't totaled, but a month and a half in the shop and essentially a new body, I am still driving it.

 

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Christmas Eve 

 (2009 celebrating with Nat and Alanna)

Besides being a very special day all on its own, it is also my birthday.  I wasn't thrilled about this when I was a kid because I couldn't have sleepovers or friend parties on my actual birthday.  However, my parents were fabulous about making it about my birthday and my birthday only.  No Christmas wrapping paper on my presents, my own birthday cakes that were non Christmas themed (after a certain bratty 6 year old got upset about a beautiful stocking cake that her mother spent hours baking and decorating - I'm so sorry Mom!), and I got to pick my birthday dinner.  That usually meant going out for Mexican or having my mom's enchiladas - yum!  The most common question I get when I have to fork over my drivers license is "Did you get jipped on presents or what!?!?".  The answer was/is no.  It was very fair and in fact, I think I make out with more goods because I will get "early" birthday gifts throughout the year.  hee hee. :)  

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Cirque du Soleil

 

O.M.G.  I'm obsessed .Where do I begin?   My Aunt Becky took me to my first Cirque du Soleil show Ka in Vegas.  We had the best seats and I was just overwhelmed with the experience.  It made me want to run away and join the circus.  ;)  I've made it my goal to see as many Cirque shows as possible in my lifetime and I've been fortunate to see many in Vegas and the traveling shows.  I'm amazed at the creativity, beauty and athleticism.  The sets and costumes are just spectacular.  I could gush and gush and gush.... Seriously, if you have some time, go to their website and enjoy.  For Christmas, Joe bought me tickets to see Dralion. Perfect gift for me!  Thanks, babe!

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Comfy Clothes

I love comfy clothes.  

The second I am home I can't get into my yoga pants, sweatshirt, and slippers fast enough. 

I have an extensive wardrobe of such items.


Now I am off to enjoy my snow day in my comfy clothes! Woot! Woot!
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So tell me....

What was your first car?
Do you like the timing of your birthday?
Have you seen a Cirque du Soleil show?  If so, which ones?
What are your comfy clothes staples?

"The ABC's of E" - B

The "ABC's of E"   - B

Books

I used to be a big reader. I still am.  Just not so much with books of late.  

That is one area of my life that I would like to change this year.

I received a Kindle recently and love the idea of being able to keep it in my purse. 

In fact, I am reading a book to my students from my Kindle. Fun!  

I WILL read more in 2011.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Blue Jackets

 In the past year I've been lucky enough to attend many Blue Jackets games.  

Still very much a novice at understanding the rules, etc, but I love the energy of the arena at games.   

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Bruno

Meet Joe's pug. 

Well, unless you've already had the pleasure of spending quality time with this...

attention seeking, blanket hogging, snorty, affectionate beast.  

He's often a pain in my rear, but the little (big) guy is so ugly, he's cute.  

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Back Handspring

I can still do one, though I keep it strictly to trampolines these days. 

I had a video of me doing one a year or so ago, but we will stick to this photo.

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Burritos

I {love} burritos.  Especially from Chipotle.  

I swear they put addictive chemicals in them so that you start to wonder if you need to go to burrito rehab. 

I personally haven't had one in ages and I'm trying hard not to break the cycle.

"ABC's Of E" - A

Jenny, a cool gal, has been blogging the "ABC's of Jenny". I thought I'd lift her idea. 

Here is the first installment of "The ABC's of E".

Allison

Allison's my younger sister. She's got a great husband and the cutest little boy ever. We look nothing alike and are pretty opposite. She's got the gift of being able to talk to just about anyone about just about anything which makes her a lot of friends and a great sales person. I wish I had a little more of our "outgoing-ness".

Allergies


Allergies stink. I grew up with seasonal allergies and eventually started having reactions to some animals. Mainly horses, dogs and cats. About a year ago, I started not feeling well after eating almonds. Then it started happening with peanut butter and peanuts. So, at the end of last year, I had allergy testing done. I truly thought I was being silly. Mid 30's and develop a nut allergy? Yep, I did. I'm still getting used to reading labels for allergens and carrying meds.

Alanna

Alanna - One of my dear, dear friends. College roommates. She was the domestic diva of our little apartment at OU. Thank goodness we had her. She fed us for 3 years with her cooking talents. We've been through a lot together and I wish she lived closer!

Alias

Alias. I loved this show when it was on. Sydney Bristow kicked butt and wore some fun get ups.

Jim and Pam

Rewatched Jim and Pam's wedding from The Office last night.
My favorite TV wedding ever.
The boat...so romantic.... and very Jim and Pam.
My favorite TV couple.
I {heart} Jim and Pam.

Dear Punk

Dear Punk Who Broke Into My Car,

You suck. I hope you felt even a quarter of the frustration I've experienced when you realized you took something that meant absolutely nothing to you.

But, it was super valuable to me.

My guess is you dumped it somewhere.

Punk.

I also hope it hurt at least a little punching through my window. (BTW, you owe me $275)

Was it worth going out in the snowy, freezing night?

Most Sincerely,
Silver Toyota Owner

I Love Jake Ryan

Pretty sweet shirt @ Old Navy.
Makes me want to watch Sixteen Candles.

Happy Birthday, Alanna!

Pink

This post is dedicated to all things Pink. Or at least all stores with the name Pink in them!

There is the most delicious cupcakery called Pink Moon Cupcakes.
They are so, so, so yummy and the store is adorable.


Some of their cupcake flavors:
Snickerdoodle
Buckeye
Pretty, Pretty Princess
German Chocolate Cake
Carmel Machiato
Carmel Apple
Chocolate Raspeberry Cream

Pink Moon also has some cute homemade things like a pin that I bought.
Love it. I will create another post about that, because I am going to attempt
to make my own.;)


As I was leaving Pink Moon, I noticed another store across the street called
The Pink Flamingo.

It's a bead store and I just received a charm bracelet for my birthday.
I thought I'd take a quick peek.
I was in bead heaven. I want to take classes now.


Check out my loot.



The beads were inexpensive and the staff was nice.
The bead lady even made me the "J" charm for the special "J"'s in my life. ;)

Happy Birthday to one of my special "J"'s in my life, my dad! Happy 60th!!!

I Love My White Shoes

My friend, Jen, posted another version of this on her blog and it reminded me of seeing the following video at a professional development meeting at my school a couple of months ago.

Too cute for words.
The little sister cracks me up.
What is she wearing on her head?
Worth watching to the end.
Smile. It's Friday!

Exfoliating Sugar Scrubs

Tricia, friend and colleague, had the great idea of making exfoliating sugar body scrubs as parent volunteer Christmas gifts. Super idea! 3 ingredients, easy to whip together, inexpensive, no problem...

I have a way of making things much harder than need be.

First of all, when I was gathering the supplies (amid Christmas shopping chaos and the last week of school before winter break), I left a gallon of extra virgin olive oil in the car for about two days. We were having below freezing temps. By the time I got the oil out of the car, it was solid and looked like lard. Nice. :/

Let me rewind, this was Thursday night around 9:30pm...the next day was Friday, the last day of school before break. It was cold. I had already settled into my comfy clothes after running around town like a maniac doing errands. I.wanted.to.stay.home.

So I see Lilly, my fur baby, on the heating vent (see a previous post for a pic) so I figured why not. I put the jug on the heating vent and in an hour I had olive oil that looked like olive oil again.

Where rolling again! Until I realize the almond oil was not scented and my exfoliating sugar scrubs still smelled like I need to dip some bread in them... After many texts back and forth with Tricia, she agreed to meet me the next morning and bring the proper sweet almond fragrance. She dubbed it the "Great Sugar Scrub Rescue of 2010".

A couple of days later, I tried many more scents and even experimented with coloring.
I'm now addicted to making these as little gifts.



Here's the recipe (well, my version-ish)

For 1 pint (think ball jelly jar):
*about 1 cupish of sugar
*about 2/3 cup olive oil (you don't want it too goopy, but you need it to be moist)
*10-12ish drops of soap fragrance
(not the candle fragrance & not an essential oil - you can find at Michael's)
*soap colorant (optional)

I also made some smaller tubs of scrubs for the nice little plastic containers seen in the above picture. I found these to be good for the stronger scents like orange.


Scents I tried:
Honey Almond - a personal fav
Vanilla Lavender - relaxing
Vanilla Pomegranate - my second fav
Orange - good for energizing and near the kitchen sink
Eucalyptus Mint - good for feet ;)

I'm planning to order some new scents from Bramble Berry sometime. 180 scents to choose from. Hmmmm....