getting crafty-wafty

Yes, that's right. I got my "craft" on for Girls Night this last week. My friend, Montay, was awesome enough to host and made kits for each of us to create this beautiful masterpiece.

Sorry for the poor picture quality...I just took a quick snap so I could share with you. :0)

It is a standing recipe holder. We each brought our own coordinating papers and ribbons and then proceeded to mod podge the papers onto the boards and ink the crap out of them.

The ginormous rings at the top make it possible for you to lift each section up to view the index card recipes. I obviously haven't gotten to stuffing mine with recipes yet. :0)

Anyway...we had so much fun and I got to take this home! Thanks so much Montay for being such an awesome host and for putting so much time and effort into these kits for us. You rock!

Wordless Wednesday

It's my baby's birthday on Sunday.

*sniff, sniff*

Further quirkiness revealed

I did this tag back in February, but just got tagged with it again and figured...why not? I freakish enough that I always have quirks that people find odd. :0) For the original quirky tag post go here...

http://random-ashlee.blogspot.com/2008/02/me-quirky-not-even.html

As for now...off I go. This is a tag where you name 6 non-important quirks you have. Though all of MY quirks are WAY important...

1. My "getting ready" rituals must be done in the same order. When I shower, it is shampoo and conditioner and THEN soap. It cannot be the other way around. Also, the hair must be done before the make-up is put on. AND...teeth must be brushed prior to putting on make-up.

2. I hate to drink milk. I can't do it. I even tried to last week, but it was SO gross! I can use it for cereal and for baking...and love chocolate milk...but I can't drink just a plain old glass of milk.

3. I buy my Christmas presents MONTHS early. In fact, I have all but one Christmas present purchased for this year. I know what is coming and try to get it out of the way before the season starts and gets hectic. In fact, I usually have my Christmas cards all done and ready to mail out on December 1. Another thing on the list to get checked off quickly. I know...I'm a freak.

4. I hate wearing socks. I can hardly stand it. My feet get claustrophobic if I wear them for too long.

5. Purple is my least favorite color. For those of you that like it...please skip this next part so I do not offend you...


It is UGLY! I'm not talking plum or even lavendar. Those I can handle. But purple...like the purple crayon in the crayon box....so not a good color.

I told you purple-lovers not to read that part! :0)

6. It drives me crazy when people say words wrong. Like "crick" instead of "creek", and "fustrating" instead of "frustrating", and "warsh" instead of "wash". Holy cow! Enunciation people! Ok....so I know some of it has to do with where you live and it's an accent. But I notice it...and I can't help it. I had a friend from the Midwest who always said "beg" instead of "bag". What? Sigh....

So there you have it. Further quirkiness revealed. I'm sure I've lost at least a few friends who are now so scared of me they would rather just stay away. It's ok...I understand. I scare myself sometimes. :0)

Thanks Jamee for the tag! If any of you are wanting to play along, consider yourself tagged!

Go team!

Boo! Did I scare you?

October is one of my favorite months. My family celebrates several birthdays this month, including my daughter, who will be three this month.
But, the best part about October......

is Halloween. It's one of my favorite holidays. Why? Because I get to have fun with it. :0) Let me share.....


First of all...to get into the proper spooky spirit, one must watch Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas". This is one of the most awesome movies ever made.

Then, you must go to the pumpkin patch. Yes, I know it is cheaper to buy your pumpkins at the grocery store...but do your kids get to go through the hay maze? Or climb the hay tower? Or ride the pumpkin express? Besides...what toddler doesn't love pulling around their own little red wagon and filling it up with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes?

After selecting your most favorite pumpkins....it is essential that you get down and dirty and carve at least a few of those babies. The year that Mackenzee had just turned 1 we put a binky in the mouth of her little pumpkin. It was super cute. :0)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeZftK2kO6U&feature=related

And then of course, you must properly party down, Monster Style. Trick or treating is a must, and it is WAY more fun if you are in costume as well. :0)

This is my costume this year. You think I'm kidding? Not even remotely. It's hanging up in my closet as we speak. :0) I'm going to be Ashlee, the Sassy Pirate Maiden.

Don't mess with me. :0) I'll make you walk the plank.

So, what are your favorite fall/Halloween things to do? Anything I've missed?

This is a meme that has been passed around, so now it is MY turn to fill you in on all the dirty little secrets about the hubby....you ready for this? {seriuosly, my Ambien has kicked in and I al losing a bit of my normal functioning as my body would like to go to sleep.} But NO, I must blog! I must share love with all of my "devoted" readers. Because I know that what I writie about is to good to pass up, right? :)


" All about your spouse"

1. What's his name?Jaysen
2. How long have you been together? We met October 9th five years ago, and got married May 22. So, in essence we met October 9, 2003.
3. How long did you date? 8 months
4. Who eats more?Usually me. food is good.
5. Who said 'I love you,' first? It is one of my favorite memories. We were sitting together on his couch and he was acting really wierd while were were talking and he said {very quietly} I think "I'm in love with you. But I don't know how you feel about me." It was very sweet. Poor guy. I of course came to his rescue and gave his answer, but he said it out loud FIRST.
6.Who is taller? Him
7. Who is the better singer? Me. I'm just glad that he tries sometimes. :0)
8. Who is smarter?Book smart? Street Smart? I need a better defenition on this one. I don't think that one of us is smarter than the other as a whole. He know so many things that I don't, and it goes the other way. I just like to think that our combined smarts work well in getting us from point A to point B. You know?
9. Who does the laundry? Me. He is not allowed. Unless it's just towels. I have a process and he messes it up. And honestly, he doesn't fold the towels right. Sigh.
10. Who does the dishes? Mostly me, but he chips in when I need an extra hand.
11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? WHo's right? Mine or yours? :0) JUST KIDDING! I sleep on the right side of the bed.
12. Who pays the bills? Me
13. Who mows the lawn?He does.
14. Who cooks dinner? Mostly me, but he is the breakfast man.
15. Who drives when you are together?Jaysen
16. Who is more stubborn?Probably me, though he can get pretty stubborn at times too. :0)
17. Who kissed who first?He kissed me first.
18. Who asked out who?Well, I'm assuming that since I didn't ask him out, then he asked me out. It was a blind date, so maybe he didn't ask me out either and we were just told to show up together at a restaurant with the matchmakers. SO, perhaps the matchmakers asked us both out. You think?
19. Who proposed?He did.
20. Who is more sensitive?Me
21. Who has more friends?He does.
22. Who likes sports more?Him
23. Who watches more t.v.?Him
24. Who dresses the most fashionable? I think it would depend on your sense of fashion. :0)
25. Who is the funniest? Again, a definition would be helpful, because Jaysen's sense of humor is....well.....different. I laugh A LOT. But too many people just don't get it. But I don't find my self to be super funny either. So, we may just have to call this one a draw. We are one buh unfunny couple. Oh well!

Know you know about me and the hubby...to a certain extent...delving further into our relationship may scar you for life. :0) We have good times in this house. Two cutie Patootie kids and enough sass that we could bottle it all sell it and become millionaires. :0)

Maybe then we could save the economy, because nobody else seems to know what the hell we're supposed to do.

Go team!

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

As many of my devoted readers know....{mostly because you come to Girls Night}, the 2nd Thursday of every month is Girls Night. A night away from hubbies and kids to play and chat and nibble on yummy treats. I formed this group after my daughter was born. She had really bad reflux and cried nonstop. The hubby kept telling me to get out of the house for a breather, but I didn't have anywhere to go. {shopping costs money...dangit!} Thus began my monthly retreats into sanity-land. It began in February of 2006 and though the people have come and gone....it has been one of the best ways I have had to form amazing friendships.

Here's the thing though....after 2 1/2 years {almost} of doing this, my creativity is beginning to get tapped out. Trying to figure out something to do every month for a group of ladies with different types of personalities that will be wicked awesome fun is getting harder and harder. I have some great ideas, but know that many would not be too keen on participating. :0) I can get a little crazy, but I know not everyone is comfortable with looking silly in public. {Though I was pleasantly surprised at their willingness to let loose last month during the photo scavenger hunt} So, I am turn to you, my interpeeps. Any great ideas? I still have a few left up my sleeve, and I gave my ladies an ultimatum several months back and forced them to cough up a few ideas of their own. :0) But those too, will run out in time.

What have we done so far you ask? Let me share...

Bunco, baby shower, pedicure night, photo scavenger hunt, unbirthday party, game night, going to the movies, death by chocolate, Christmas craft exchange, scrapbooking, craft night, going out to dinner, painting pottery, and going out for dessert. {notice food is involved most of the time}

We try not to spend too much money so that it doesn't get out of hand, though sometimes it is unavoidable. I am dying to have an 80s night at the roller skating rink....but several people have already nixed that idea. {wouldn't it be fun to dress up in 80s clothes, which is now highly available in most stores...} I've thought about doing a bit of Crazy bowling, which involves making each frame a challenge. For example, bowling in slow motion, backwards, sitting down, eyes closed...you get the idea. But again...pretty sure it's not gonna happen.

So, my readers...fill me in with all of your fabulous ideas! Give a girl a hand. And then go start a group of your own! We have so much fun and enjoy our monthly break from the daily humdrum. But my girls night girls....no more hair dying! It has been officially taken off the table as possible options. Kapish?

I'll be waiting for your ideas.......

Still waiting!

Uppercase Living

I am in love.

Don't tell my husband. :0)

Long story here.....

One of the blog's I frequent had a post about this fabulous "home party" that she was selling products for. The company is called Uppercase Living and after looking at the photos of what they had to offer, I was sold. COMPLETELY. So, I sent a note to the consultant and told her I wanted to throw a party. But, see.....I'm not the most patient person. And, I found out that a friend of mine was selling the stuff here.....where I live.....

So, I caved and had my friend here do it. {Sorry Katie! You still love me?}

I may have to take out a loan to pay for all of the products that I want. Take a peek.

This one will go in my guest bath upstairs. There is another one that says "Wash your hands...mom said so" that I am going to put in the kids bathroom downstairs. :0)
This one I am going to put on the wall by my stairwell that I have been frustrated with what I should put there. Pretty huh?
This is why I love this company. It's not just words and fonts and colors....it's phrases and shapes and "whoop-do-do's". It's the WHOLE package. And I don't have to think or be creative because they do it for me.
Isn't this adorable? I have so many Christmas gifts now completely taken care of!
They have girl stuff....and boy stuff....holy cow. I'm like a kid in a candy store. I want IT ALL! :0)

How about you? You interested?

I thought so. :0)

Go here and you can look through the ENTIRE catalog. And...ummm....Sara is totally set up to take Visa. Not that you would need to use yours or anything.....

Her email address is on her website...you can just email your order to her.

And because you love me so much....could you put my name in the email? I love free stuff....and I would totally get some that way. :0) Oh....and I love you too. :0)