Jillian lost her front tooth today!

What a gorgeous day in Boston.
Extra, Extra, read all about it, Jillian lost her front tooth.




Nantasket Beach in March


It was in the 70's today! The sun was shining and you could smell the salt in the air from the ocean. Baseball season has begun! I really love this time of year. I took some pics of the kids at the beach in March but they were freezing. I can wait to take more pics when we have another nice day.

Rebecca, Cindy, Geri, Kristen

Look at all those candles

Are all these books for me?!!!




We had Cindy's 40th birthday party. It was a great turnout. There was a ton of food and drink and everyone brought more food and drink! Mary manned the blenders making Margarita's and Daiquiris and best of all it was Girls Night out! I didn't get home until almost 5 AM!!!!!!! Geez, I felt like I was in high school again coming home in the wee hours of the morning. I swore I would never do Karaoke but once I got the mike it was all over. I really think Cindy had a good time. I enjoyed making the invitations and bookmarks. That was some Book Club, heeee. Happy Birthday Cindy!

Is this an April Fools joke?

I know this is a scrap booking blog but I am getting so pissed off about the economy that I just can't help myself. The profits for the oil companies rang in at a cool 123 Billion dollars in 2007 with a lofty $18 billion in tax breaks. That's PROFIT! Everyone is starving while the fat cats are sitting on their money bags. Texas Gold. We are arguably in a recession and big oil is amassing record profits. Congress met today to discuss changing the tax breaks to big oil and guess what Bush said about it? If it passes he will veto it! If that just doesn't tell it all I don't know what does. Bush and his Texas oil boys are so blatant. How about so disgusting. This makes me irate. Is there anyone out there as pissed off as I am about this. How is this not a conflict of interest. How does he get away with it? More importantly why do we let him? Big oil says the prices are beyond their control blaming crude oil and OPEC for the high prices. I say how about them profits boys. How do you explain that?

Recession

What is the definition of a Recession? Are we in one?

There's been so much talk about Recession lately. Are we, aren't we. Will we see more of a decline in the GDP in Q2? Will the Stimulus package brought about by the Feds help?

Simply put, "In macroeconomics, a recession is a decline in a country's gross domestic product (GDP), or negative real economic growth, for two or more successive quarters of a year. WIKI says, a recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales.

In 2007 the GDP for each quarter declined. Healthy growth is 2-3%. Q4 2007 was .6%. Economic growth plummeted from 4.9% in Q3, and 3.9% in Q2 2007. The total GDP for the year was 2.2%, down from the 2006 growth rate of 2.9%. The big concern now is the Q1 GDP for 2008. A recession could ensue if Q2 GDP also turns negative.

Given the data. Are we in a recession? What do you think.

Waiting

It's still cold and I am still loving it! Easter was lots of fun. We had an egg hunt for the kids. Billy was joking around about expecting to see the local newscrew there thinking it was a town event when it was actually just our family. Jillian found the Golden Egg.

After Church and the Egg Hunt we went back to Jeannies "our house". As always it was a full house and we had fun. We played cards and we got a little out of control. I laughed so hard Marc thought we were drinking.
Happy Easter

Recession, Basketball, and Donald Trump

2008
Today was McKel's 2nd basketball game. They won in overtime and I was so proud of coach dad and Kel. There was a huge change in the girls from last week to this week. Practice really helped! I can't wait until tomorrows practice. We will be working on rebounding and dribbling the ball. Final score 26-24, Go Lakers!



I love Donald Trump. I've been telling everyone we are in a recession and possibly heading toward a depression for months now but because the "analysts" are reluctant to admit it, no one wants to believe it. I stumbled upon this fabulous video tonight and leave it to "The Donald" to set the record straight in an interview with Cramer. See here for yourself.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=625091311

I love my own personal validation here too. I can admit it. I want to say, "I told you so" and I'm not even an analyst. Just talk to the everyday people around you and it wouldn't be too hard to figure out the dire situation in the economy today. I could never figure out why the common people like ourselves can't seem to talk any sense into the Analysts and the like. I don't even want to get started about Hollywood and their poor job of choosing shows people will actually like and watch.
Oh well, I feel better now that I had a chance to vent! That's the great thing about blogs, you can ramble on all you want, nobody is listening anyway, LOL!!!!!!!!

I FOUND MY CAMERA!

Moving back home has been a dream for me for a long time. Well, It finally happened! We packed up and shipped out on October 4th. It was a ton of work and we busted our butts for many weeks to make it happen. It was quite an adventure. Unfortunately, in all the hull-a-buloo, I lost my camera. I wasn't able to take pics of the house when we left. I didn't get a picture of the big yellow Penske truck daddy and Billy drove. Chonks was so excited to drive in that big truck with daddy. Everytime we saw a truck like that on the road since the move, Billy yells, "hey, there's my daddy's truck!"
We got here the first weekend in October. No camera for that either. I also didn't have a camera for the kids first day at Jacobs School or Billy's first day of pre-school. Their first Halloween. Billy and Jillian's birthday, the first snow fall of the year, Big Billy shoveling snow for the first time, Thanksgiving, and on and on and on it goes. It's a scrapbookers nightmare! I will have to find a clever way of preserving those moments even if I don't have pics.

On a positive note, I found my camera last weekend!!! Whooooo, just in time for pics for the Christmas cards and Christmas and a fun time in the snow!

I have to say, Big Billy has been quie the trooper. I told him the winters here are very mild. It has already snowed more times this year than it did in all the previous five years combined. Of course, we would pic the harshest season. As I tell my family, "hey, thats the way I roll". We had to replace the transmission in our van right after we got here. That was a quick 18 hundred but where there is a ying there is also a yang. As many crazy things that has happend, there have been as many great things that have happened. Billy is really loving his job! The commute is a bit of a nightmare but the job itself is awesome. I am so glad he is happy. I've been enjoying spending time with my family and friends. I've really missed this lifestyle for so long. The kids are adjusting quite nicely as well. Kelly now goes by the name McKel at school and she loves it. People are always telling her how cool her name is. We've done our Christmas shopping already and we are just about ready to have Santa come.
signed,
no longer cameraless in Boston

We go to Mike and Melissa's for a kid party tomorrow. We are so looking forward to seeing them and baby Mikey.

Blake, nuff said

YouTube - Bob Carlisle - Butterfly Kisses

YouTube - Bob Carlisle - Butterfly Kisses

I'm planning Kelly's 10th Birthday party. It snuck up on me so fast. Times have been so tough on every one lately that I really haven't had time to think about it. It feels like she's been her(e) forever but at the same time the years seem to have flown. I've tried so hard to savor the time because I know ultimately regret is inevitable. Mistakes will be made. Her heart will get broken. The world will unleash its cruelty. I also know that the world will also show her true friendship, love, joy, and all its beautiful things. I hope someday she will understand what this song is really saying. Most of all, I hope she knows how much I truly love her. YouTube - Lee Ann Womack - I Hope You Dance: Closed Captioned



Happy Birthday Kelly McKel!!! I love you so much. Have a wonderful new year. It will certainly be an adventure.

Love, Mom

Changes, Big Changes

Ch, ch, ch, changes, Isn't that how the song goes? August is all but gone and September is upon us. I jokingly call this time of year my Busy Season. It starts of course with Back to School. Kelly's Birthday, Billy's Birthday, Jillian's birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas just to name a few. All wonderful things that add spice to life. It also marks another year. Kids milestones that come and go so fast. Kelly will be 10 this year. My little baby girl isn't a baby any more. Jal pal will be 7 and that just breaks my heart. My little baby Billy turns 5, five, yes one, two, three, four, 5! I still rock him to bed every night. I am just not ready for this but as we all learn time waits for no one!
We think we have a pet! There has been a stray kitty in our neighborhood and we have been feeding her. Poor little thing is so skinny. None of us are really cat people but we all fell in love with this little cutie pie! We just don't know if she is healthy or not so we need to take her to the vet. Problem is they want 200 dollars, yikes! Anyway, I have some really huge news that has to do with changes but I can't reveal it now. So until next time . . .

My Birthday Scavenger Hunt

While I was in Boston my friends and family planned a fun Birthday Party for me! It started off as a scavenger hunt. There were two teams. We had to go and take pictures at the old places I used to live and do some funny stuff that all pertained to my life growing up! We had to find 3 people I graduated with and have my pic taken with them. It was interesting when I would knock on the door of someone I haven't seen in years and ask for a pic. Not only that but I had to do it quickly because we were on a time crunch!!!!!!! "Hi how are you, I haven't seen you in years but I can't talk right now, I just need a pic" fortunately we had Geri on our team and she knows everyone and where they live now, lol!!!!!!!!!! We had to ride the carousel, spell the word Hull in people, rearrange someones porch furniture in the street (of course we put it back) After the scavenger hunt we all went back to Theresa and Joe's. Then we all went to the beach to watch all the fireworks displays. What an incredible experience. All along the beach are bonfires and fireworks displays for miles. It is really something to see!!! Then we went back to Theresa's and partied the rest of the night! I got some amazing gifts! I have to give a huge shout out to Kristen and Cindy for all the work they did planning the Scavenger Hunt and all the food, etc. and to Geri for all her amazingness!!!!!!!! Thank you all so much, I LOVE you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our House, in the middle or our street

July in Florida is HOT!!!! Especially when my DH is doing work out in the yard between him and the natural FL heat they almost started a bonfire, haaaaaaaa!!!

We've been working on sprucing up the place. We finally have decided that as much as we would like to make it work in this house our kids are getting bigger and it's time to move on. Kelly and Jillian sharing a room has just about killed them AND US!

It will be hard because we moved here when Kel was just about 4 months old. We've brought the other terrors, I mean kids home from the Hospital in this house. We have a lot of fond memories but enough ado about everything, IT'S TIME TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boston 2007

We are here in Boston enjoying the sunshine and the not so sunshine. Each day is a mystery what the weather will bring but no matter what it is, I LOVE it!!!! Cloudy and rainy, go visiting family and friends. Cold and clear, walk the beach and enjoy the brisk wind!!! Hot and sunny, Beach anyone? So far we've had it all! There is nothing like the air here. I can't explain it. It is just so crisp and satisfying. So far we've hung out at Fenway Park and The Cask N' Flagon. We've been to the beach, the movies, met the triplets, bumped into old teachers, been to soccer games, and cookouts, had our ceremonial Chinese food and Steak and Cheese sub from Vickies, dined at Schooners, Billy had lobster at the Ocean Club, he went to the Red Sox ~ Yankees game at Fenway, and I could go on and on! The kids are having a great time with all their cousins. I don't think we will ever go back! Here are some pics of the other day at the beach. Have a great June!!!

Lilacs in the Spring

Lilacs in the Spring. Blooming, casting its sweet aroma. Creaking wood on the stairs. I pass by, the sounds of home to me. Coming and going - blooming, bustling life. Laughter and laundry.Grandpa on the couch. These were all constants in this big life filled house. The Matriarch always held a smile. I sit and she rubs my head for a while. Her pleasant demeanor set the tone. It was the place we called home. That big house on the hill holds so many memories - still. I can see the lilacs blowing in the breeze. The private drive, Mrs. McClusky's. The winter months sledding, skating on the pond. In warmer days riding bikes, taunting the summer kids that didn't belong. I can still smell the salty air and feel the breeze in my hair. We'd play for hours, never had a care. We were happy. Life was simple then.

American Idol and BShorty!!!!!!!!!

Whoooooooooo, Blake is still standing. There is no question that Melinda is the most talented by far but just a perfect voice isn't always what the audience calls for. Beat Boxing is making a comeback! Be prepared to see a lot of it in the upcoming months. I think Jordan is a perfect candidate for AI. Blake would actually (probably) be better off by NOT winning because he would be open to sign with who he wants. There are already folks lined up outside his dressing room door, believe it! I think we will be seeing a lot of him in the future. No matter what the outcome of Next weeks show is.
I know there are folks out there who don't care for Blakes style of music. I totally understand the nay Blakers but if you know the current music trends, plain and simple Blake is HOT! Blake is a true artist, performer, entertainer. He is just what the DJ ordered.
Not everyone is into country but Carrie Underwood was incredibly talented for her genre and the same goes for Blake and his.

May 2007

What a busy month so far. Everyone I've talked to has been feeling the same way. The kids get out of school in less than 2 weeks. We've had teacher appreciation last week, Mother's day, Bridging ceremony's for Daisy's and Brownies for the girls, final meetings, overnight trips, SAC meetings, school fund raisers, homework and school projects, and most of all Nana and Pop Pops 40th Anniversary Celebration.

I've been working on some DT assignments for the School of Scrap. What awesome sponsors Lisa's had lined up!!! Not to mention the opening of The Store, whoooooo!!!! www.theschoolofscrap.com I've also had the last two weeks of choosing the spotlight student and sketch of the week. I love every minute of it!!!

It wasn't until I had a quiet moment tonight after the Mother's Day festivities to realize just how quickly this month has gone by and that the kids only have 9 days of school left. Could someone please 'splain to me how this happened. My baby is going to be in 4th grade and Jal will be going into 1st grade. I had a little cry for myself because time is going tooooooo fast and I don't know how to get off the gerbil wheel for a moment so I can sit back and savor it.

We will be going on vacation at the end of the month and I am so excited for all of us to get away together and spend some quality time! This will be the longest summer for us because of the law change that doesn't allow student to return to school before August 20th. I am happy about the change because it was getting ridiculous!

Hope everyone had a happy mothers day today! I know I did. I am so thankful for my husband and children!!!

April 2007

Happy Easter! I hope every one's taxes are sent and tucked away for another year that will inevitably fly by. We are in the last 9 weeks of school for the kids. It almost makes my heart ache. I sound like a broken record when I talk about how fast time flies. On an exciting note, I am anxiously anticipating our summer trip! We have a super long one this year because the school schedule has changed. We will be taking advantage of that extra time and spending an entire month in Boston.

I can't wait to spend time with my family and friends. I am not sure if I will be happy to come back to Florida when it's all said and done or if I will want to stay there permanently. Time will tell. Maybe a month long trip will settle my question once and for all. Do I want to move back? Believe me, I hope the answer is no because I don't think it's ever going to happen through no fault of my own. Realizing I don't want to move back would sure make my life a lot easier. Still, I can't help but yearn for the 4 seasons and the smell of the salty air and listen to the roar of the ocean. There are some things that are just part of who I am. The bain of my existence. The ocean feels like a natural part of me and without its rhythmic dance I feel incomplete.

I don't know if family politics would make me crazy but I know a nice walk on the beach in any kind of weather could rejuvenate my soul. You just can't grow up in a town like I did and not have it be part of you.

March is almost over

Wow, March is just about finished! This year is already flying by. We had a great St. Patrick's day weekend in Port Charlotte a.k.a. Po Sho. We went down to the docks and ate and drank green beer. Mike and Melissa always roll out the red carpet. The kids had a blast too!

What's new at the School? Check it out www.theschoolofscrap.com. Anyone from SOS who reads this post and leaves a comment earns 10 school bucks. Lisa will be revealing a fun way to cash in on "the bucks" soon so be sure to start collecting.

Check out Design class to see whats new for April. We will be adding to our chipboard album and also there will be a great new project to inspire you.

Thanks for reading.
Laura

Monday 3/5/07

Become a star student at The School of Scrap! Check out www.theschoolofscrap.com or come on over for some fun classes, contests, games, gallery, or just meet some new friends that share the same passion for scrapping as you do. At SOS you can earn prizes, school bucks, raks, or just plain old bragging rights!!

Check out my classroom to see whats new for March!!!!!

Anyone who reads my blog anytime in March recieves 50 Extra Credit points toward the end of the month totals. Just post a comment here and pm me that you did so and 50 EC points are yours!

May I wish you a Beannachtái Lá Fhéile Pádraig (pronounced: ban-ach-tee la fay-le Paw-drig) Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Have you heard the News? There's a new kid in town and it's name is Creative Cottage!!!!!!!! Whooooooo!!! Can I get a what! Can I get a What, what!!!!!!!!! We are all so excited. Maybe the "OTHER" store need not be visited by me ever again.

Check out www.theschoolofscrap.com for all the new classes for March! We have some new DT members so I think the fresh blood will make it fun and exciting. All us veterans will continue to deliver great classes but a bunch of the girls have switched it up too!!!!! We are also hosting a contest with some great prizes from Club Scrap AND Hot off the Press! They have some incredible product!!!

What's new with us?? Kelly will start soccer, we are in the midst of selling Girl Scout cookies and I am happy to report I haven't eaten a one!!! It's been hard but I am standing firm!!! They keep talking to me from the corner but I am NOT listening, lol.
Jillian got the Terrific Kid award at Cimino for her advanced reading!!! We were so happy and proud of her! She also joined Daisy's and is sooooo excited to get to be like big sister Kelly. They actually got to go to an event together last Friday night!
Billy continues to crack us up with his Billyisms. "Absolutely not", and "I'm gonna tell my dad that you're so pretty" whenever he want something. When he tells a story he says I did that tomorrow instead of saying yesterday. It is so cute to listen to him!!!!I both love and cherish the days I get to spend with him. All too soon he will be starting school and I will no longer have my babies, sniffle! It goes by too darn fast!

Anyone from SOS who actually took the time to read my ramblings get 50 Extra credit points in Design Class just for enduring it, lol!!!! Just post here that you read it and if you can't seem to post then IM me. I am a sneaky one!