3 Day Weekend

It was time to get away! Frank and I both were just so ready to get away from work and all its headaches, we decided on Wednesday of last week to see what Priceline.com had to offer - we got so lucky! We got to go to Wilmington-Wrightsville Beach! I love priceline.com ... it's cheap and easy and sometimes a gamble but this time it was like winning the Pick 3 lottery!



This was our prize! The Holiday Inn Sunspree on the beach!



And this was our view of the Inter Coastal Water way - hey, for as little as we paid you don't always get the ocean view room. No worries, though, it was so cool to see the way the sun rose from behind the hotel and slowly light the neighborhood below our room. This was taken about 7 am and all the houses seem to be the same color, but once the sun was perched high in the sky they took on their real colors.



This was the view from the terrace and 3rd floor lobby - oceanside. We were on the top (7th) Floor. Their were two pools, in-and-outdoors, two whirlpools (that felt really good after riding bikes all over the island for about six hours), and a kiddie pool. Frank like the whirlpool because it was about the temperature of bath water (not hot enough for me, but finally one he could stand) although it was filled with 5 little girls from Raleigh almost the whole time we were soaking. They were cute and noisy and basically all girl! Chatty, chatty, chatty!



We got to the beach about 3:30 on Friday, checked into the room and freshened up and headed out to find some seafood. We ended up at Heck of a Peck.



It was really good food - oysters on the half shell, shrimp, and scallops - all fresh and well prepared. It was definitely a family restaurant - even our waiter had his folks in for a visit to celebrate his daughter's first birthday - Amanda's birthday, too! This is Jeff (our waiter, shucker, new friend) with his daughter and doing what he does so well - shucking oysters.



After dinner, we drove downtown and this temple caught my eye. I had to try out the high ISO setting on my camera and it worked great the church would have looked so ugly if I had used a flash. This was the first house of worship built in North Carolina for the Jews. It was built in 1875-76 - its congregation was established in 1867. When I got up close I could hear singing coming from the basement area. I think they were there practicing for a wedding because I only saw three people come out after the lights went out.

Day Two: Biking around the Island see next blog entry for details - it's time for me to go to bed now. More on Monday ... I promise.

Happy Birthday, Amanda

Tryin' real hard to get that "smilin" thing down pat! Happy Birthday, my first baby, my grown up little girl (since you were 2). You're finally as old as you've always acted! I love you and I am so proud of you and I thank you for all that you are and all that you have done for me! Have a great day and celebrate the wonderfulness of you!

1 pound; Congrats Nicky!

Forgot to report last week, so in case you're keeping up I gained .5 last week and lost 1.5 this week for a total so far of 6 pounds! Slow going that's for sure.

In Sports today:

Nicky played in a scrimmage game in the Fletcher Baseball League and hit an inside the park home run. Tamara said she didn't know he could run that fast. Guess he was pumped up! Congrats Nicky!

Matter's West team beat Brevard on Monday to take back over the lead in the conference and they take on East tomorrow night at home.

Of course, tomorrow is also Amanda's birthday. I can't believe she will be 20!

He Scoops - He Throws!

Just stopped by West and guess who was playing a make-up game? They won 21-0 over Christ School and the game was called, much to the delight of the freezing cold fans, after 4. Matthew got a hit and scooped a grounder for the third out in the top of the third.

A New Heart & Spirit

(photo of butterfly removed for publication)

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you ... Ezekiel 36:26

Another favorite from the Arboretum visit.

April Blooms

(photo of big orange flower removed for publication)

One of my favorite photos from the day Amy and I went to the Arboretum. Used for scrapbook color challenge.

12 of 12 for April

Here's My 12 of 12 for April. The picture of Tigger was taken in honor of Amy's birthday since I didn't get to see her today. The little girl in pink is Sophia and the boy on the swing is Duncan, Heather Staton's little boy. He turns 3 tomorrow and Heather asked me to take pictures at his party today. I took a picture of the TV while I was watching the Masters and Frank was snoring! The flowers are little weeds in my yard but they are good practice for me while learning to use my 100 macro lens. I was going to take a pic of my painted toenails but the bottle was much prettier!

Happy Birthday, Amy

Even though we celebrated with a Lifehouse concert on Thursday, today is your real birthday and I hope it is as special as you are! I love you!

Happy Birthday, Hannah

Happy Birthday, Hannah! Isn't cool that the girl with the palindrome name is celebrating her 11th birthday on the 11th! Hope this birthday filled with ones is a grand celebration for a really special niece! Hugs!

1 POUND - That makes 5!

Lost a pound. It's definitely coming off a lot slower this time but at least it's coming off instead of piling on!

Like Twins, Only 5 Years Apart

While going through my pictures this morning (couldn't sleep) I found these two images and couldn't believe how much they favored each other and how close they were in age when the photos were taken. It took a little calendar math but I was able to figure out there are only 2 days difference in their ages when these photos were taken in 2003 & 2008. Wouldn't it be cool if I could keep track of them over the next few years? I know I have pictures of Harmony at every birthday so maybe I will use those photos for her and then add Xyla's each year to compare. Don't let me forget!

Is it possible ...

. . . That Cary Grant AND Clark Gable could BOTH be George Clooney's father? I know, I know, it's not possible, but he sure looks a lot like them and he acts a lot like them. I'm sure that he has watched a lot of their movies to pick up some of their traits and he is perfect for 1920's - 1950's based movies like his most recent, Leatherheads.

Leatherheads is the type of movie that makes me wish I had been born during Hollywood's true heyday. Back when the movies were clean and full of quick wit and the sex was only innuendo and seemed more romantic that way. This movie wasn't shot in black and white but has a subtle sepia overtone that makes it seem as old as the time period in which it is set, the early days of Professional Football. In 1925, the "professional football league" was considered more of a joke than a real profession and the college teams were the ones drawing all the crowds. This movie is a funny take on how one guy, Clooney's character, Dodge, goes about saving the professional boys from extinction by getting one of the top college players to "turn pro." It's a pretty good movie that was filmed in and around Greenville, SC, which probably explains why they played Clemson's "Tiger Rag" song during the opening and closing football scenes.

Clooney is a great looking man and Renee Zellweger plays well as a 1920's reporter for the Chicago Tribune in this screwball comedy that reminds me a lot of His Girl Friday, one of my favorite Grant movies with Rosalind Russell. Grant and Russell are great in this movie ~ hurling insults, as well purses, at each other without even a hint of hesitation. If you like these types of movies, you, too, should enjoy Leatherheads.

P.S. When Amy, Matthew and I got home today, Amanda was just starting to watch Kiss Them for Me ~ another great Cary Grant movie. Must be my lucky day!

Amy's Travelogue

These are Amy's photos from our little trip to the Arboretum for her class project. I helped her put them into a slideshow to send to her teacher. Enjoy.

This might be the last one ... at least for today

Are You Bored with These?

Okay, I admit it ... I LOVE MY NEW CAMERA!

Beautiful

Did you know Frank describes me as a "butterfly caught in a hurricane"? Wonder why?

.4 = 4!

Today was weigh-in day - lost .4 which is quite a bit considering that I didn't eat that muffin over a series of three days - I ate it all in one day. Then I went to find the nutritional information. Talk about a surprise. They were good muffins but not good enough to be 17 Points! Can you believe it? One Muffin equivalent to 2 meals plus a snack. UNBELIEVABLE! I was stunned. Needless to say my trip to Mimi's could have destroyed my diet. Will have to be more careful next time.

Like my monarch butterflies? It was so fun to have such beautiful creatures to take pictures of. My kind of project.

Shooting Butterflies ... not as bad as it sounds!

Amy and I went to the NC Arboretum today and though there weren't too many flowers blooming in the outside gardens, the greenhouse was all a "flutter" - with butterflies of course. We were able to get some really good photos. Here is one I am going to use in Foxfire Gallery's ad this Friday. Will post more tomorrow. (photos removed for publication)

Lunchtime Thoughts

It's lunchtime and the microwave is heating up my Smart Ones Chicken Parmesan. Kind of a letdown from the weekend's good eats. On Friday night after my photo shoot at Falls Park on the Reedy, we decided to give one of Angie's favorite restaurants, Mimi's Cafe, a try. Frank had the Seafood Fettuccine and I had the Grilled Chicken Tuscan Style. Both were pretty good ... I think mine was the best. It was delicious grilled chicken sauteed with garlic, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, squash and sun dried tomatoes. I chose the version with mashed potatoes instead of rice even though they were about 2 points more. It was worth it. The flavors of the vegetables with the creamy potatoes ... yummy! Anyway, we left we some complimentary free muffins (because it was our first time there ... how nice.) I had my low fat blueberry muffin on Sunday and took a bite from the buttermilk spice this morning. It was really good but probably more points than I would want to think about giving up today. Maybe I will just take a small bite for two more days and spread the points out. The restaurant definitely gets a "thumbs up." Thanks, Angie, for the recommendation.

PS We also got to use our gift card for Whole Foods while we were there. Thanks again, Angie.

Falls Park Garden Stroll

Falls Park, Greenville, SC

Yesterday, Frank took me to Greenville so I could try to find some pretty flowers to take pictures of. This is one of my favorites. I will add more later today. We are on our way to a (wet) company picnic for Frank.

3.6!

So my first weigh-in this trip around the WWW (Weight Watchers World) - I lost 3.6 pounds. Wow, only 71.4 to go. MUST. TAKE. THIS. JOURNEY. ONE. DAY. AT. A. TIME! You know I am surprised Jenny Craig didn't play up that theme with Valerie Bertinelli's weight loss!

Family Bowling Night

Last night we had our first Family Bowling Night and it was a lot of fun! There were 14 of us (Frank, Me, Amanda, Amy, Atley, Nick, Joanna, Ethan, Harmony, Xyla, Tiffany, Shawn, Andrea, and Justin) and we met at Sonic, had some eats and headed to the bowling alley! Zack even showed up after work, but not in time to get into the bowling.

Here's my Top 10 List of Things I Learned at Family Bowling Night:

1) Never walk up behind Atley when he is getting ready to bowl (right, Amy? How's the chin today?)

2) Amy has quite the competitive nature when challenged by Shawn

3) Harmony doesn't like to lose! She was really cute though when she knocked the pins down, blowing kisses and high-fiving everyone afterwards.

4) It takes 3 lanes to accommodate 12 bowlers

5) Nick is a great bowler - until Zack shows up! Guess big brother made him nervous, but before Zack arrived, Nick had only one open frame going into his 7th. Still he ended up with a 116!

6) It's okay to fall down when you are bowling, as long as the end result is a STRIKE (right, Frank? He said it was all strategy.)

7) If you volunteer to bowl for someone else, don't be surprised if it turns out to be a strike (right, Andrea? She bowl for Joanna twice, throwing strikes both times)

8) Just because someone throws 2 strikes in a row doesn't mean they'll get a third (right, Tiffany? After Andrea threw a strike for Joanna, then for herself, Tiffany thought, "Why not, she seems to be on a roll" and let her throw for her. Her third time up? ONE pin!)

9) Putting all the girls on one team and expecting them to finish at the same time as the rest of us and with decent scores ... NOT going to happen!

and last but not least,
10) If you invite 'em, expect 'em! I was so thrilled with the turnout! We will definitely have to do it again!

Happy Birthday, Tamara

May you be one of the fortunate few whose day is bright and fair, whose sky is blue, whose friends are true, and who finds joy everywhere on this day that's so special all because of you!

Happy Birthday!

Here comes Peter Cottontail

Look What We Did!

(photo removed for publication)
I admit it - I pretty much went to all the trouble to dye these eggs just so I would have something to take pictures of with my new camera. Cool, unh?

Can you tell I am going crazy with the new camera?

No More Film!

Oh and I got a call from Mom and Dad. They made it back and it sure sounds like they had a great time!

Counting Points Again ....

So today I officially start counting points again. I am going to try and focus on the positive fact that I haven't gained ALL of it BACK yet, instead of getting down about still having so far to go. According to the scales at home I will need to lose 70 pounds to get to my goal. I will admit I am ashamed to say that I have put back on about 25 pounds since this time last year. WOW! Isn't it amazing how quickly it adds up? To start this road again, I know that I must fess up and put it all out here for you all to see and to hold me accountable. Heather, my supervisor at work, and I will be going on Wednesdays at noon. She is a skinny little thing if you ask me, but she says she really needs to go and needs a friend, too. Now that I have my real estate people trained to turn their stuff in on Tuesdays for the most part, I should be able to make the Wednesday meetings again. Of course the down side is that Julia is no longer there on Wednesdays. She has moved to Tuesday nights and I am just not a night meeting person. I wasn't overly impressed with Linda, the lady who replaced Julia, but she wasn't too bad. She was quick, though. She must start right at 12 and we were out of there by 12:30 last week. I went with Heather last week to see if it was someone I could take as there was one leader I just could not listen to every week. Thank goodness it wasn't her! Anyway, today will be my first official weigh in and have chosen my blue jean dress as my weigh-in dress. I know that denim weighs more than some materials I could have chosen but I decided that would be a good thing to really make me try harder. I am expecting to have to lose 20% just to get me back to where I was a year ago this month. To save you the trouble of looking back at last year's posts, as of March 14, 2007, I had lost 53.4 pounds and was hoping to reach 55 pounds total by the end of March. It took me until sometime mid-May to reach the mark and then it was uphill from there on out. Between mom being in the hospital and me accepting a new position with lots more responsibilities and more pressing deadlines, I gave up! It's true. I admit it. (They say confession is good for the soul, I hope so, but it sure doesn't feel that good right now.) Anyway, I admit that I got tired of counting points, tired of weighing in, just tired of it all. And now it shows again. So I am asking you all now, please pray for me and for the strength and willpower it takes to get back into this. I WANT TO DO THIS! I think! LOL. Anyway, you can't be lazy and take on this endeavor and right now I feel lazy. Maybe rainy days are bad days to start again, but Heather and I promised each other and I have promised myself, too. I know I am rambling so you can stop reading when you want to if you haven't already. This post needs some pictures ... right? So how about we start off with a BEFORE picture of me. Didn't do this part last time but think I will post a picture each week of me. Maybe it will help me to actually see what everyone else sees ... the good and the bad! Gonna go find my camera. TTFN.

5 Years at War? Wow!

This date in History?

US enters war in Iraq. (Did I hear from someone that Nate was getting to come home this month?)

Did you know that about $1 billion was taken from Iraq's Central Bank by Saddam Hussein and his family, just hours before the United States began bombing Iraq. It is the biggest bank robbery in history. Think they knew what was about to happen? Weird.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I can't help but think about Pop on this day.

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again, May God hold
you in the hollow of his hand

New Candy & Selection Sunday

Have you tried these yet? Frank and I shared a bag and they are pretty good. He describes them as "tootsie roll bits with m&m coatings." They were chewy and chocolaty and though I have never been a fan of the original skittles, I thought these were pretty tasty.

So, who watched the NCAA Selections? Can't wait to get my bracket and make my picks. Love this time of year ... and love that my Tarheels are the overall Number One Seed! Go Heels!
Thought it was cool that Louisville, Duke, and Tennessee all got high seeds, too. In fact, if things goes as planned, we could see a UNC vs UT battle in a couple of weeks. Won't that be exciting? Make your picks and then keep me updated through the comments section (Amanda, I will be counting on you for the updates of each round from the Etowah side of the family.)

I guess Mama will get a late start on making her picks as her and Daddy left today on a cruise to the Bahamas. Let us all pray for good weather and safe passage. I'm still not sure about them taking another cruise. Angie and I got them one for their 40th Wedding Anniversary five years ago and when I asked them how it was the first thing Daddy said was, "I can't wait to get some real food. I am going to Cracker Barrell." Anyway, this one is through Templeton Tours and Charles Stanley, the famous evangelist from Atlanta, will be on board. Anyway, I hope they have a better time this trip. Can't wait to hear the details.

Just starting to bloom!

Journaling on page: "When my sister turned 40 in March '08, I decided she should have a surprise party with old and new friends and with family and I decided I wanted it to be bright and cheery -more fabulous and 4o than a dark over the hill party - and so I made her a cupcake cake complete with 40 cupcakes." The flowers on the layout were actually used on the cupcakes, too.

I found the cupcake tree at AC Moore and Mom made the 40 cupcakes. The tree holds 38 that we topped with silk flowers from the dollar store and then we filled the tops of the last two cupcakes with 20 candles each! I thought it accomplished my theme very nicely. Isn't it nice to think that at 40, we're really just starting to bloom rather than that we're already over the hill? I think so, too.

And here is the video with the rest of the pictures from the party. Most of the folks there are Angie's friends from Biltmore Baptist and from their church in Greenville. I knew how to get Mom & Dad and Amanda and Amy there, but I had no idea who else to invite. That's where Gene came in handy. When I talked to him, he was all for it! We first thought about having it at their house and he would get her out while Mom and I decorated. Then he remembered the house in Sherwood Forest and said he would check with a friend about holding it there. Once that was okayed, he had to talk Angie into going. This was most likely the HARDEST part of all the plans. For two weeks, Gene has to listen to Angie whine and complain about what a stupid idea it was to drive all the way to Cedar Mountain just to spend the night and then travel all the way to Knoxville (to see UT play SC.) She complained about it to Mama, she complained about it to me, and she obviously complained A LOT about it to Gene. After the shock of the surprise wore off, she just kept repeating, "I can't believe I said those things to him." We're not sure what she said, but we're pretty sure she has forgiven him and he has probably forgiven her, too.

Enjoy the video, and if you are one of the great friends who helped bring all the food and fellowship to this event ... THANK YOU!

12 of 12 ... the Scrapped Version March 08

Special thanks to Cathy Zielske for the template to hold the photos. Love the idea of doing these as 8.5 by 11 - Will make it a nice way to save them.

Today's 12 Photos from the 12th of March

I try to remember to carry my camera with me every day, but on the 12th of each month, I get a reminder from the 12 of 12 Blog Site

These are my photos from today, beginning with 12:12 AM - the time I went to bed. Most people take the picture when waking up, but I thought last night since I was going to bed so late, "Why not?" The show continues with visits to John Johnson Ford, Fletcher Rec Park, Frank's new work, and finally, Matthew's baseball practice. And since I love the Carpenters so much and I can't "sing without my camera" I chose a favorite oldie for the background.

These are my favorite 12 shots from the 12th of March. It may seem boring, but hey, it's my reality.

Wow, This is so cool

My work website, www.blueridgenow.com is now showing video. This one is from Matt's game against Erwin last night. You can read the entire story on Matthew's Sports Blog.

Date Night

See a good deal and make it a date night! Every week Frank comes home at least one night and tells me that Tuesday night is bowling special night. Last Tuesday, I decided to go by Sonic and bring home a surprise rt44 Cranberry slushy for Frank and discovered that Tuesdays are 99 cent slushy and 1/2 price Sonic Burger nights. So, on Sadie Hawkins Day (February 29) I decided to ask Frank out on a date - a cheap date! So tonight was the night, we enjoyed our Sonic Cranberry Slushies and Burgers and then bowled three games at Tarheel Lanes. I won all three games (Frank told me it was okay to brag) - my first game was 125, then 141, then 119. That middle game is always my best!

Now, two weeks from now, all the kids will be on Spring Break and I think we will make it Family night. So if you are reading this and would like to join us, feel free to! We will meet at Sonic at 6:30 pm for cheap burgers and slushies and then make our way over to Tarheel Lanes. Bowling is $9.00 for three games and shoes! When I say you are invited ... I mean all of you! I know it's a week night, but who cares, it's great exercise and it will be nice to see everyone.

"Matt, " said Coach Hyatt,

"Your JV career is over." Now, when we girls heard that, we're thinking, "Oh my gosh." But Matthew, who knows he is a good player, knew exactly what Coach Hyatt meant. He meant, "NO MORE JV, YOU ARE NOW ON THE THE VARSITY TEAM!" WOW! So cool, Matthew and Zak Beard are the only sophomores to make the Varsity Baseball Squad. As you can imagine. We're pretty darn proud.

(Reprinted from Matt's Sports Blog.)

Did you see this promise a few minutes ago?

This was taken just a few minutes ago from our parking lot at work. We were all standing outside to look at this amazingly bright and gorgeous DOUBLE rainbow. It was so beautiful. You could see the arches so clearly and see both ends (well close anyway.) Patrick Sullivan took this shot. Stupid me left my camera laying on the couch this morning. UGH!

Happy Birthday, Angie

For some reason, people think when you turn 40 you should automatically remember the past as if from here on out it will be harder and harder to remember it ... haha! It has been true for me for the last 15 months, so maybe they are right! Hope it's a good birthday and honestly 40 is not that bad! Happy Birthday!

Scrapbook Weekend

Well, Frank has gone back to work and I decided to scrapbook. Here are a few of my pages: first ones are Amy in a photo taken today and Amanda just before graduation in May 2006; next two are Anna & Emma, my friend, Angela's daughters; and last is the little boy from Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Happy Birthday, Joanna

Happy 23rd to the darling little girl with the parasol - Peek-a-b00 - Daddy's still watching you and he is very proud of you! Hope it's a good one! (This picture was scanned from the one in Frank's wallet ... it's pretty worn out, but he says it's still his favorite.)

I saw the Eclipse ... and Saturn's Rings, too!

It was so cool, the moon looked so 3D when the eclipse was total - like a giant ball in the sky instead of the normal flatness I see! Frank got out the telescope so I could see Saturn, too. Gosh that is such a pretty planet. I love it when you can see the rings so clearly. What a great way to end a great day!

Good News!

Frank talked with the folks at FLS (where he worked until January 16) and they have a new warehouse opening up in Fletcher and have hired Frank back to work for them at the new facility. He goes tomorrow morning for his drug test and then onto orientation. Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes ... not only for his job search but for my sanity (ha ha!)

Almost 2 Hours Ago...

Frank went into the kitchen to make my breakfast. This is the result. Breakfast quesadillas with sliced strawberries, mango, and sour cream. No wonder I need Weight Watchers!

Happy Valentine's Day

Chillean Sea Bass, Yummy Crab Stuffing, Fresh Green Asparagus topped with Lemony Hollandaise ... what more could a girl ask for? Apple Pie, maybe? I'm not sure, but I'm guessing that even if you ate out tonight at a 5 Star restaurant, your meal was not as delicious or made with as much love as mine was! It's so nice to have my own personal chef!

Being that I am NOT the chef and that I worked so hard today, I made a stop at Inlges and got to wait in their "Lover's Lane," along with a bunch of other GUYS. It was so cool, they had an arch of paper flowers and red and white balloons along with a sign that said, "Lover's Lane ~ for Valentine's Purchases Only." My self-decorated giant chocolate chip cookie, strawberries, and chocolate dipping sauce qualified!

When I got home and gave Frank his big cookie, he fussed at me because he said I said, "We're not getting each other anything." Then my sniffer caught the scent of apple pie coming from the oven, and then we both laughed! He broke the rule, too. Ahh ... isn't it romantic? I babysit to earn enough to buy his cookie and he chopped wood to earn enough to buy me a pie. Reminds me of the "Gift of the Magi" ` well sort of, neither of us lost any hair in the deal. LOL.

Okay, so tell me what you did on this day of love for the one you love or what the one who loves you did for you.

PS Be sure to check back later for results of Matthew's last regular season game tonight. It's at West and against North.

Kids say the cutest things ... even the older ones

On Monday morning I took Matthew to school and I asked him when he was going to take driver's ed (you know, since he turned 16 three weeks ago). Do you know what he said? It's pretty funny!

He said, "Can you do that online?"

Pretty sure he was serious! I guess I should be happy he's not chomping at the bit to add to our growing parking lot of vehicles and ever increasing insurance costs.

Amy Makes the Dean's List!

Blue Ridge Community College

Blue Ridge Community College announced the fall semester 2007 dean's list. Students must be full time student with a minimum grade-point average of 3.5.

The following students were named: Henderson County: Anne Adkinson; Chad Anderson; Kristine Barbour; Cori Blankenship; Henry Bleiweiss; Heather Bradshaw; Benjamin Capps; Christina Chavez; Jennifer Connell; Kelley Creech; Richard Cross; Robert Davis; Ashley Downey; Teresa Drevar; Kayla Edney; Diana Gamez; Sylvia Gossett; Kasey Hendrix; Casey Herbert; Sharon Huchzermeier; Reuben Jacques; Michelle Janes; Michael Johnson; Brittany Jones; John Jones; Shannon King; Michael Klipp; Kelly Leech; Tammy Lyda; Lisa MacDonald; Natasia Marling; Katherine McCraw; Connie McGowan; Ashley McGraw; Josie Medrano; David Morris; Glen Morris; Philip Olivier; Erica Ours; Sarah Parris; Kristina Patterson; Lindsey Prather; Maureen Rhodes; Amy Roberts; Guadalupe Robles; Kimberly Rodriguez; Laura Sexton; Courtney Shock; Stephanie Slinkard; Charles Smith; Eric Smith; Daniel Sutton; Kayla Thomas; George Tipton; Richard Van Wingerden.

And Amanda did well, too, she has a 3.0 Average!

Matter Scored to 3 Point Shots In Win Over East

Matthew and the Falcons beat Uncle John's East Eagles last night by 2 points and Matter scored 8 points to help! You can read the write-ups about all of his games on The Baller's Blog (click here: http://mattersports.blogspot.com ) I have copied all the stories off of the Times-News website to keep here as a record for him. The Headlines in light blue are by me ... as I am sure you will be able to notice right away since they usually talk about Matthew!

Did You See This?

It's Matthew! On the front page of the paper last Wednesday. I didn't see it until the end of the day. He has a guy's arm in his face, but it is definitely him. I have extra copies if anyone needs them autographed ... haha! (If you click on the image it will open up bigger so you can see him better.)

Two Layouts I did on Sunday

I know I have used this pic before, but I wanted to use it on a paper layout, too. The last one I did had Helen in it and was a digital layout. Today, I organized and then managed to "dis" organize all my paper supplies while scrapping these two layouts.

The Biggest Upset Ever?

That's what they said anyway. There were a few of us at work who actually really DID pick Eli Manning and the Giants to beat the Patriots. Sure, it was wishful hoping, but hey, they did! And what an amazing win. I have no fingernails left! Go Giants. I cannot wait to see Peyton hand off that trophy to his little brother (well, not literally, but hey they did get it back to back!) Way to go, Mannings!

Conrad Family Photo shoot

I did this paper layout today using photos I took of Frank, Justin and Tiffany back in December. Tiffany asked me to take them so she could give them to Art as a framed gift for his new "man cave." Some of them came out pretty good and there were way too many for a one page layout. Here I picked some of my favorites and even made a mini book on the second page to hold a couple more and a close-up of each of them. Enjoy!