Happy New Year!!!

Hi All -

The last two weeks, well actually all of December, has been very busy and exciting for my family.  The busy part was finishing the holiday shopping, putting together teacher gifts, Christmas card mailing, holiday baking, school parties and worrying that I was not forgetting anyone. If I forgot you I am sorry but you know I wish you well.

This year we did something a little different during the Christmas break.  I took my kids to Amarillo (without hubby) to visit his mom (the best MIL in the world).  We had a great visit with Granny, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and other extended family.  The only bummer was we did not get to see our oldest niece/cousin and her new baby.  Our schedules just did not work our for us to visit.  I am sure we will get to see him real soon.

After 5 days I brought the kiddos home to have Christmas with dad/hubby.  Then to change things up a bit this year we took the kiddos on a mini vacation to San Antonio. We had a great time, stayed in the fabulous Drury Inn Plaza on the River Walk. We went to the Alamo, Sea World, cruised the River Walk on foot and by boat and my older kids went with dad to the Alamo Bowl.  The city is beautiful, clean and we had the best time. This trip gave hubby a chance to try out his new camera from Santa--he just loves his new Canon T2I Rebel.   I have to mention on the way home we stopped at the Hard 8 Bar-B-Que Pit in Stephenville, TX.  That was some yummy bar-b-que, so yummy we bought extra to bring home to have on New Years day. 

Kids looking into Dolphin pool a Sea World.

View of San Antonio River Walk from tour boat.

View of San Fernando Cathedral from our hotel balcony.



Oklahoma Cowboys vs. Arizona Wildcats in the Alamo Bowl

Hoping that you had a blessed Christmas and wishing you all the best for 2011.

See ya!!

CJ and family



Hi Everyone--I am still here.

Hello, did you miss me?


Well, I have missed you!! It has been a busy summer as you can tell by my lack of posts. Things are starting to slow down, but only a little bit. The kids are back in school as of the 24th--hurray!! I won't bother getting into the fiasco I had with the District to get my three kids into the same school. It was nerve wracking, but now they are going to the elementary school on Sheppard AFB which happens to be where DH works.

We have had fun but they needed to get back to school, okay I needed them to get back to school. The two oldest attended local day camps for 4-weeks and the baby(she is 6, but in my eyes still a baby) went to Granny "camp" for 2-weeks. I must say I was impressed with the day camps provided by the city. Camp hours were 9-3, with snacks for a two-week period for only $50 per child. I thought that was a bargain . Other than going to my MIL's we have not taken any trips this summer because my husband retired from active duty in February and has no accumulated leave with his new job yet. We do have big plans for next year, we are going to Knoxville, Iowa for the 50th Anniversary of the World of Outlaws Race. Should be lots of fun.


What have I been doing?

Well, I have been busy stitching for swaps and making cards but I lost my camera the weekend of my nephews wedding so no pictures. That has me seriously bummed. I hate taking pictures with hubby's camera, so after weeks and I mean weeks of searching the net I finally bought a new camera. I purchased a Pentax Optio M40 from Overstock.com for a terrific price. After reading all the reviews I felt this one was too good to pass up. It is only 8 mega pixels, but who cares, I am taking picture for fun. It arrived yesterday so in the next few days I should have some pictures to share with you.

One other thing I have done this summer is collect lots (and I mean lots) of floss this summer. For some reason Mark Martin (NASCAR) has been winning. He one of the oldest racers on the track and he is acting like a twenty year old in that #5 car. I can tell you that practically everyone--including me is surprised by him. I mean I have been a fan of his for years, but I was not expecting all these wins. But he deserves it, he has to be one of the nicest guys in NASCAR and I am proud to be a fan.


Finally made my first biscornu which was far from perfect for a Swap-Bot.com swap. I've signed up for two more so surely the second will be much better than the first. The one I received came from a lady in the UK and it is just fabulous. Ahhh!! My second one will be much better for certain since I have taken the time to review several "How to" blogs. Thanks to all the girls that have taken the time to post great pictures and instruction for visual learners like me.

Pirjo selected me to receive one of her PIF's. My next post will be about the PIF and hopefully I can do something nice for one of you. I love these PIFs when they come up and I am so tickled to participate in a second. I am also looking for someone to start another stitch around the world project, if one does not come up soon I may do it myself.

I received a wonderful surprise from Meari for guessing the correct amount she paid for a piece of furniture that is now her well organized Stash Cabinet. I have been waiting for my camera to arrive to open the package, take a picture and post a proper "Thanks" to her for being so generous.

Anyhow, I am here, I am busy, and I am so ready to pick back up on this blogging thing now that the kiddos are back in school and I have new camera.


See ya!!





CJ