I need a nap....

I feel like I have been going on 6 cylinders for the last 3 weeks.
Work has been insane. We are currently in our busy reporting season, and I have had to do reports for 8 separate hotels. These reports typically take 2-3 weeks for 1 hotel, and I had to do 8 in that 2-3 week period! It was a bit nutty. I did get some help from some of the hotels, but overall it was all good. I do love doing them, it is just a matter of getting in over my head this year!

So, G and I got our apartment, but haven't moved into it yet because we have no furniture. Once we get a bed, we will move in and work from there, but that really needs to happen fast because I can't take much more of the hotel living! I swear I spend all of my time sitting in bed and working!

The baby belly is getting bigger, and I am gaining weight just fine now (almost too well, but the doctor isn't worried). I found a new doctor here in Michigan, and that has taken that off of my "to Do list".

I am hoping to get some creative juices flowing tonight, so hopefully I will have more layouts and fun stuff to share later this week. We shall see.

okay...back to work...xoxo ~K

Belly picture time!!

So I am at 22 weeks and I have my first belly pic:



She is kicking like crazy and being very picky about the food she gets...I claim she prefers candy, but I would be wrong! :)

Also....Gary and I signed the lease on our apartment today! I am excited because it is the one we wanted, but didn't think we were going to get it because they had rented the one out. Luckily, another opened, and we are now officially on a lease!
We move in October 10th!!

I have been siting in the hotel room watching tv and scrapbooking. Getting some good stuff done, so that is nice.

back to playing...more later!
xoxo
K

Whew!!

Thank goodness that today is the start to the weekend!!
I know it was a short week with the holiday and all, but this week kicked my behind!!
Today, I treated myself to an expensive day at Mario Tricoci and it was so worth every penny!
I got an eyebrow wax, highlights, and haircut. This is the 2nd best haircut I have ever gotten!! the highlights are the kicker because as a whole it is freakin' amazing...at least in my eyes..LOL!!

Here is a pic:


I am in Michigan this weekend hoping that we can find an apartment. So far there are so many awesome possibilities, so we shall see!

Otherwise, nothing big happened this week, work just drained me. But that is always a good thing. It means I am not slacking! LOL.

okie doke...off to chill out before the boy gets home!

xoxo
K

Well, I was wrong....

I would have bet money that I was going to have a little boy, but alas...
last weekend I found out that I am having a little girl!!!
I am so darn excited about this!!
I am really pushing for Wrigley Elizabeth, but not so sure if Gary will go for it! LOL

Here is my little girl:


(I cannot believe how much detail these ultrasounds give you now!!)

I also got word from work that I will be moved to Michigan in two weeks!! Quick yes, but this is great. I have so much to do that the sooner the better.

okay...off to have a Harry Potter Marathon and maybe get some scrapbooking done today!!
xoxo
K

Back in with the P's....

I am officially done moving out of Chicago.
My hips hurt, by back hurts, my feet hurt, and my butt hurts, but I am done!
So, I am staying with my parents while I am in town, and seeing as I will be working in Chicago for this week I will be here all week!
It is actually kinda nice being able to hang out with my mom and my stepdad a bit.
My mom even set up a little scrapbooking desk for me!!
I finished a project tonight while I had time to sit and play:



This is a picture of my grandpa holding me when I was itty bitty. I cut little strips of paper and created the frame...kinda annoying, but otherwise fun! I love how it turned out!

anywho, that is about it for now. I am going to finish up online and get some much needed sleep!

xoxo
K

Quick Questionaire....

hmmm...I guess I am really trying to catch up for my time off since this would be post #2 today, but the fabulous Holly posted this little questionaire on her blog, and I thought it would be fun!!

drinking: bottled water

listening to: the sounds of the neighborhood since I am working on airflow through the house, and my neighbors are LOUD!

reading: Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (good stuff!)

relieved about: nausea has subsided...for now

missing: Gary

not digging: The heat without the A/C!

totally.thankful for: um...just about every little thing happening in my life/day/moment!

planning: too much to list!

reliving: all of my meals...over..and over...and over again....really now, morning sickness should be done soon...right?!

daydreaming about: Air Conditioning!

putting off: paying my parking tickets...bad, I know!

finally accomplished: ummm...nothing is really completely accomplished, but plenty of things are started!

scrappin' with: Nothing because I am sitting here posting this!! Must go scrap now!!!

alrighty!! your turn! If you post it on your blog, send me a little note to let me know!

xoxo
K

um, yeah, I should update!!!

So, it has been a little while since my last post. Sorry about that!

LOTS of changes going on here...

*The job is going great, still doing a LOT of traveling, but it is still wonderful

*I am moving out of my apartment in Chicago, and putting my stuff into storage while I do all this traveling.....

*but, I am looking at a new place in Michigan because....

*I AM PREGNANT!!!
no joke, really, I am!!
I can't believe it either!
Little bit of a change huh?!?

I have been dating this guy from Michigan, and well, here we are!
So, things have changed quite a bit!

I am scrapping more now and making more time for myself.
I am also going to try to blog more and keep everyone updated...I will try at least!

I need to get back to work, so I will share more soon!!!
xoxo
K

Yep, I am still around...

Sorry I have been missing in action lately, but OMG, so much has happened since I last wrote....

1st. I did my "trial run" in O'Hare for the new job. It went stellar! Like for serious, it went so well that I was even worried that they would try to keep me at that property instead of giving me the National Sales position!!!

but alas,
2nd. I GOT THE JOB!!!! the Tuesday after my "trial" my boss called and made the offer...I did the happy dance all day...but, they gave me until Friday to finish up everything at my current hotel, get it all in order, and be done! WOW! That was craziness because there was so much to do! But, it all got done...

3rd. My hotel had a going away party for me....I cried basically all day..LOL..I know, I am such a crybaby. I can't tell you guys how much my boss at this hotel means to me. She is one of my all time favorite people, and I feel like I just left her...even though it is still a hotel in my region, and I will still be there and working with her. Heck, I have already talked to her every day since I left LOL! Anywho, they had a lunch, and said goodbye...some of my housekeepers even cried...I miss them so much, but it is such a great thing for me that it is bittersweet. So, my boss got me a set of cross pens and a leather day planner as a going away! I think she was really telling me to get organized, but It has already been a huge help!

so, 4th. I am writing this from my hotel room of the property that I am working at this week. I am in Troy, MI, and so far the job is going great!

Paschen is watching the cats for me this week which is a little odd because she is at my place and it just feels weird.

Oh, I even did some scrapping while I have been here...digi, but scrapping none the less...Here is a layout of my Hemma....Hope to have more done throughout the week!!



Okay...back to work...I forget it is an hour later here, and I have some more work to do before I go to bed!!

xoxo
K

EEEK!!! Guess What!?!

OMG!!! So, well, the interview went great!!!! I was so freakin' exhausted by the time I got home at 12:30 am on Monday, but it was so well worth it!

I don't have the job yet, but I am doing a "trial run" of the job basically to see if I can do it. I start next week, not sure where yet, but overall, I think I have the job in the bag!! I am thrilled, and it was so good to see the "big boys" at corporate and hang out with them a bit.

so, keep the fingers crossed that next week runs smoothly, which I am sure it will anyway!

xoxo
K

Wish Me Luck!!

okay...I am leaving here in 15 minutes to head for the airport and start the longest day ever! My flight leaves at 5:45 this morning and I have a layover in Philly before heading into West Palm. Then, coming back, I have a layover in NC. I should be arriving back in Chicago by 11:30 tonight. Needless to say, I am already exhausted and I haven't even started yet. I feel great about the interview, and my "chances" at getting the position. So, Now all I can hope for is that they feel thee same way!

I will write when I can today!

xoxo
K

OMIGOD!!!

What a crazy and exciting day today has been!!!

Let me start by saying CONGRATS to the new SIStv Fashionistas!! It is so exciting to see so many of my fabulous friends on the list!! Makes my heart smile!

Next, let me tell you this.....I have my final interview in Florida on Monday for the National Sales Position for my management company!!! AACK!! I am so freakin' excited. They called me today to ask if I would rather come out Friday or Monday and because of time I chose Monday...here is the fun part...my flight out is at 5:30 am and I come back in Monday night at 11:30pm...I have a huge sales event here at the hotel on Tuesday, so now, I am going to stay at the hotel Monday night (probably won't get here until close to 2am!) and then be up and at 'em for the sales thing on Tuesday!!!

okay, so...fingers and toes crossed that it goes well!!!

back to work now, just wanted to pop in and share!!

xoxo
K

BRRRR.....

Oh my freakin' goodness it is so cold! I mean negative temps cold. and then the wind kicks in and you almost pee your pants because it would keep you warm. Okay, sorry, TMI...not that I did, but it was a thought! :)

After yesterday's full moon/lunar eclipse, I am not surprised that today has been one of the oddest days ever! I spent over an hour looking for one of our meeting room guests who "went missing" and drove all over the area looking for her, only to find out that she went to buy a cell phone charger and got lost coming back?!? She had her whole meeting freaking out, and I was in the middle of it. but alas, at least she is okay!

So, still haven't been able to scrapbook, but let me tell you why. I went in there the other night to work, and the radiator is broken! So, it is negative temps in my room! I had slippers and socks on and my feetsies were cold in seconds! I am not even going to attempt to have the landlord fix it, he will only break it again and probably burn the place down!

Oh well, I am taking a mental health day tomorrow, and plan to scrap no matter how cold it is in there!!! I have so many projects to get done, and about a month worth of daily cards to do too!!

I have darts tonight and it is a partial re-match so we have extra games tacked on (part of the reason I took tomorrow off) so I will be out until close to 2am i am sure! And, there are only two girls tonight since the 3rd girls is sick!! Meaning that I am going to be playing a LOT of games!!!

okay...hope to have more scrappy goodness for you tomorrow!!!

xoxox
K

The last of it is almost gone....

I am really having a hard time coping with this right now. Paschen moved more of her stuff last night, and the last of it is almost gone. It is the weirdest thing. I just don't understand how there can be so much animosity yet also be so much love. We will always be friends, of that I am sure, but I have to find myself. I didn't even know that I was so lost. This has been good in so many ways though. I have had more control over my finances..okay, I have always been in control of them, but I am finally controlling them in the right ways. I have been so busy with work, and darts though that I haven't had any real alone/me time at the house, so the true test is coming. I am hoping to get in the scrap room tonight and get some of my work done, but we will see.

Here is a great recipe for you if you are a fan of Chipotle's burrito bowls....

*Purdue Southwestern chicken strips
*1 Green Pepper
*1 Red Pepper
*1/2 tsp Garlic salt
*coating of vegetable oil for the pan
*1 cup rice (per two people)
*Toppings (Sour Cream, Cheese, Salsa)

start by cutting the peppers in slices, and popping them into the pan with the veggie oil and the garlic salt. Cook them up for about 3 minutes and then toss in the Chicken strips. Mix it all together and cover for about 5 minutes (7 minutes will start to make your chicken a little crunchy!). I use instant rice, so once I have covered the chicken, I pop my rice (with 1 cup water of course) into the microwave. This is my timer for the chicken too. then, when rice is done, serve it up in some bowls, and put the chicken/pepper mixture on top. I then top with some shredded cheese, sour cream, and salsa, and it is the perfect fajita bowl.

I made this on Sunday for the LWORD dinner and it was a big hit! I don't think I have ever seen my sister eat anything that quickly!!

Oh, and the best part about today....After two weeks of craziness, Mercury is no longer in Retrograde!!! I am actually seeing the difference. Some good, and some bad, but thank goodness that is over because retrograde got me good this time around!

okay...that is it for now...hoping to share some creativity soon!!!

xoxo
K

I'm Back!!!

Hey all,

Well, I am back. I have been so swamped, and out of town too, so I haven't been able to keep up. I haven't scrapped since like the 31st or something, so I have to get that done too! I was asked to train a new sales director in Maryland, so I flew out on Superbowl Sunday, and flew back late Thursday night. Lots of things have been going on within that time though.

Instead of giving you the "play by play" let me just give you the cliff version:

Grandma is okay, and back home
Kickin' butt in darts on Saturday, and then again on Thursday night when I got in from the airport
Paschen and I had a complete and clean break on Sunday. Too much animosity to keep dating right now, so I am officially single
While I was gone, my living room window had a bit of an issue with leakage, so now I have leaking apartment, and a landlord who can't do anything about it
I had a little bit of bank problems while in MD, but amazingly, those are gone
I am getting ready to go play darts in Schaumburg so I have to actually go get ready since I have to be out of the house in an hour, but I will be scrapping all day tomorrow!!

I will update more as I can tomorrow.

xoxo
K

well Crap!

sorry for the not so happy title, but that is what the last week has been, a whole lotta crap!
I only have one little scrap goodie to share with you, it was done last Thursday before darts, and it is the last thing that I have had the energy, or the chance to work on--Elsie Challenge #4:

I like how it turned out with the outline of the photo (photo from April/May 07), but the doodle on the K does not make me happy. oh well.

So, the whole week was pretty bogus all in all. I did get my taxes done, and will get a refund, so that is one good thing, but otherwise, I am still working on figuring out the good!

My grandmother had a stroke on Sunday. She is 90, and I know she has had an amazing life thus far, but it so ain't over yet! She is okay, did not lose motor function, just misplaced her brain for a moment, and her BP was way off the charts! they found out that her carotted(sp?) artery is 99% blocked, and they were discussing surgery. because of her age, they want to not do surgery (thank goodness) and just keep an eye on her! So, she is coming home from the hospital today which makes me very happy, and I am going to try to get up there this weekend and spend some quality time.

then come to find out that last Sunday, my mom's cousin Pat had a stroke as well, and is also in the hospital! She is one of the extended family members that I am closest to, so this one caught me completely off guard. She is in Florida, and her son's are there keeping an eye on her. I am sure she will be okay because she is "strong like bull". :)

I am going to stay positive for both of them, but any extra prayers for the fam would be totally appreciated!!!

ta ta for now, and hopefully I will have some scrappy goodness for you later!!!

xoxo
K

WOW...

okay...after hours of trying, I am finally connected. What a day...It took almost 2 hours to get to work today because of our snow, and we didn't get more than 4 inches! I did get to work on some more ATC's when I got home, and I finally have more pictures to share!

this may be my favorite layout ever! I did it for Truth Or Dare Friday over at SIS, and I just love how it turned out!



the rest of the stuff is just some ATC's and such and none of the pics turned out so we won't be sharing those tonight!

alrighty...off to bed soon...Paschen is supposed to come over tonight since she had to work late and doesn't need to drive all of the way back to Kenosha!!

I am sure I will post tomorrow or so...OMG...sidenote, I am so upset that Heath Ledger is dead! I am just bummed.

xoxo
K

I have come to a realization.....

2008 has started off ugly, but it is supposed to be the greatest year yet by every account that I have read, horoscopes, my tarot cards, even the initial reaction to the year is that it was going to be great. So, why has it started off ugly? Here is my realization:
It is not that 2008 is going to be bad, this is just the end of a really crappy 2007 finishing up!

That's right, It is going to be a fantastic year! I am going to do everything that I need to do to make it so. Not only that, but everything happens for a reason. This change is my current situation may be so that we are stronger people so that when we do fix ourselves, we will work better together, or it may be a door opening to a new life. I don't know what the reason is yet, but I will find out soon!

I wish you all a wonderful 2008, and for those of you who have had a rough start so far, keep in mind that it isn't 2008 being mean, it is 2007 finishing off it's BS!

okay...back to work...hoping to have internet connection again tonight so that I might be able to share some of the stuff I worked on last night, but we will see!!

xoxo
K

your internet connection can make or break your weekend...

well, it broke mine anyway!!! I am officially online for the first time at home since Wednesday!!! So, the good thing about that is that I got loads of new stuff done scrap wise, I read two books, and I worked on my bills...I guess it is okay that the internet was off huh?!

here are some of the projects that I worked on:

More Daily cards---here is the one from Saturday 1/19:


My January Trash to treasure blue light special layout:


And my newest card from Sarah's 52 card challenge:


More to do today, I am waiting for a phone call from a friend to possibly go get coffee, but the way these temps are, I may just stay in under the blankets the rest of the day!!!

until later...whenever that may be...

xoxo
K

Oh My Goodness!!! --totally Random

yeah, so, I do NOT wake up when I should ever...I am a crab ass every morning...this is only my second morning waking up on my own (Paschen was mt alarm clock), and I woke up at 5:12 am (the alarm hadn't gone off yet!) fed the cats, showered, ate breakfast, made lunch, and was still smiling by 6:15am when I left the house!!!!

All of this on a Friday night after an evening of darts!! Luckily though, darts was short last night because the other team only had 3 players, so I was out of there by 10:30pm and home by 10:35pm. That helped the sleeping situation a little bit! We are officially sucking this season! I won our first and only game of the season last night...we are officially at 1 win and 10 losses...ugh it is ugly!! I play again on my other team on Saturday and I am really hoping that goes a little better!

I have so many scrappy plans for this weekend that I am all giddy to get home and start. I feel as if I haven't been able to play in my room in days! I am just hoping that I will get internet connection again soon at home because being without it at night really bums me out.....

okay...sorry for the totally random thoughts, but thats all I got today!!

xoxo
K

Starting Over....

It is now 2008...as a matter of fact, January is half way done already. I thought that this was going to be a great year. I had goals and dreams, Paschen and I had plans. but now, I am starting over. Paschen moved out. we fought, and we fought bad. we are going to start over from scratch...me in my place, and she in hers...It doesn't feel real. My car has been broken down since October, so I had to quick, get it fixed so that I had a way to get around now that I am "single" again. It cost over $1,000!!! My stepmom offered to pay for it. this is a woman that I love dearly, but we have different views on things. she had never accepted any of my girlfriends the way she accepted Paschen. She loved her, and she still does, and she is praying for me and us daily. So, I got to drive my car yesterday...funny, it was October 15th when the car died, and the car was officially fixed on January 15th! exactly 3 months later! I really need to get my s*** together!!

There are bright sides though...I have more time to scrap, I live alone for the first time in 3 years, I have time for me, and no one can yell at me for being on Scrap In Style TV too much!!! :)

I have been doing daily cards this year...every day I do a new ATC to show something about the day...the best part about them is that I am only using the scraps on my table...they have become very dark since Friday, but I am happy with them...here are some of my favorites so far!

January 1st



January 3rd---Oh yeah, that's big news, I quit smoking!! even with all of this mess happening, I haven't smoked at all! I am so proud of myself I cannot even tell you!!



January 4th



January 10th--Yippee, Darts season has started again!!



January 12th--the day after the big fight, and I spent the day sulking with my favorite Wizard!



January 13th



January 15th



I did one for yesterday, I just haven't been able to upload it to my computer yet, but hopefully tomorrow I will update!

Oh, I am also doing a 52 cards challenge with one of my favorite SISters Sarah...check out the blog here...Sarah's rockin' blog...here are the first two that I have done:

#1---this will be my sisters 40th birthday card in 3 years..if I remember..LOL



#2--this is one of my all time favorite things that I have done...ahhh...so proud! :)



so, that is some of the crazy stuff happening here! Hopefully I can keep up with my blog now!

thank you to everyone who has been helping me through this mess...luv you all!!!

xoxo
K