So another month has come to an end and I'm not even going to tell you about how I did on my monthly goals.
Obviously that last sentence said it all. Now, I have gotten better but not up to my new years goals.

This photo was taken at my nephew Donovans 5th birthday party. We all had a nice time at my brothers house for a family party.

So I just need to drain my brain for a minute so bear with me.
March is not a great month for me. It most ways it is an absolute downer.
March is the month that besides being my Dad's birthday it was also the month he asked my mom for a divorce. Yes, I remember.
This is also the month for two of my best friends birthdays. Two of my best friends that are both now deceased.
Growing up Natalie was always there, our mom's were best friends from high school. We are six months apart in age with Nat being the elder. In the 6th grade my family moved just around the corner from her house and we spent countless hours together. We graduated high school together.
35 years ago today she was born.
15 years ago this year she was taken away.
I still think about her often and miss her.
She was a very creative spark and rarely had a bad word to say about anyone.

Kim was my other birthday girl. My first friend I made here in Tucson. The two of us went through a lot of crap together. She was there when I got the call about Natalie. I was there for all the good and bad for Kim too. It will be three years in May since Kim passed. So much has changed and yet so much is still the same.

So both of these women have been on my mind alot this week because both of their birthdays were this week.
I'm not really looking forward to this April much either, not because of any thing bad. Actually our anniversary is in April, it's because the month is so darn busy. I'm looking forward to May. Nothing has been planned for May so far. I think I will arrange for a camping trip but dang it I want to relax.

Okay back to semi normal broadcasting.
At the kids' school is this beautiful hawk. I really thought this photo was going to be blurry but it came out great.
One morning on the way to school I could see from quite the distance that the hawk was perched in this tree. We pull into the parking lot and I'm grabbing my camera. I realize that from hustling I'm shaking and I can't steady the camera. I run back and grab my tripod. Just as I start to focus on the hawk again he flies away. This is when I realize there were 2 hawks in the tree and the second hawk which is a female, and much larger, was lower and back to the left and that was the hawk I saw from the road! I never even got a chance to snap her picture because a few seconds after the male flew off she followed. I haven't seen either one since. I know I will, I look every morning and I have my gear ready to go. I'm being very patient. Not easy for me. :)
I will also report that I have gone slightly around the bend.
Yeah I know, this is old news.
I was provided with a link from someone at cricut.com to see these barn owls Molly and McGee. Molly had 5 eggs and I have watched sporadically as each one has hatched. As of today there is one egg left to hatch and we are waiting for it. Rob doesn't get it but Kelly, Chelsea and I have learned alot. I tend to leave the sound on but I will do other stuff around the house or the computer. This is a Ustream video with a chat line and you learn all about this set of birds and owls in general. The next few weeks as the babies get bigger this will get more interesting. If you want to check it out Molly and the owlbox .
I will say I'm not the only one fascinated by these owls. There have been over 5 million unique viewers that have checked this site out and schools have done interactive video chats with the gentelmen Carlos whom this is happening in his back yard. There is also an e-book being written and talks are in the works with one of the national networks to do a story.
So I'm not the only looney one.
This weekend is gonna be crazy, cooking for Alpha tomorrow (50+ people), Rob is off Friday so we are doing easter eggs and then getting ready for the egg hunt on Saturday and the Grandma's are coming here for Easter dinner.
Yeah I'll be in the looney bin and hopped up on sugar by Sunday night.
Happy Easter weekend!
*Carrie*

I read a few things this week that reminded me that we all have to start from the beginning. I was reminded to look at what you admire in others and use that to take off on your own adventure.

Now I have said this many times, that I want to put up my own art (photos, scrap pages) for our home.

I haven't put up very much since I did my inital jumpstart. But it thinking about putting up more I just haven't done it yet. I'm a major procrastinator. Anyway with this new lens comes a learning curve and an inspiration to try new things, maybe new things I might one day put on my walls.

I have started digging out and rereading all the books that I bought when I first bought my camera. Things I didn't understand then I'm understanding better.

A friend of mine has purchased her first SLR and has been asking me my opinion about lenses and basic photography questions. Her enthusiasm has refired my passion. Plus it's spring time here in AZ and I love spring in Tucson.

Yesterday both kids had their awards ceremonies. Thankfully both kids received High Honors in their classes. As I was watching Wyatt receive his award I remembered how scared I was about him starting Kindy and with his teacher. I'm so glad I was wrong. Wyatt is thriving in his class. Kelly girl is my rock. She doesn't give herself enough credit. She is sweet and quiet and smart but doubts herself. This year, just like her teacher said, she is coming out of her shell. I'm excited for both kids and their upcoming school year.

This morning after looking at a photo article about 41-delicious-flower-photographs, it inspired my to try again. I love flowers and I love these photos. The one thing I learned is that I most assuredly need a macro lens. Yes I know, add it to my wish list. As Burgess Meredith once said you can wish in one hand and crap in another and see which one gets filled first. If I don't have these dreams i might as well put down the camera. I can only do so much with what I have and believe me I'm trying to figure out and push these limits. I know I have a long way to go and as I tell my kids practice makes perfect.

So this morning I went out into my weed filled back yard to see what I could do with my new lens. I put my camera on the tripod and flipped the center column and flattened the legs. This put me on my belly, no biggie except Chlesea decided that I was wanting her to jump on my back for a pony ride.

I tried a few different things and this is the best I got.

My favorite is this last one. The stem is crisp and clear, which isn't exactly where I wanted the to focus to go, but I'm flat on my gut and it's hard to even see through the lens at this point. Don't forget I also have the midget bouncing on my back too. Thankfully my phone rang and I abandoned my mini shoot to talk and upload to see what I got.

Boring stuff for most of you I'm sure but it's what I do. When I go back and look at these photos 30 years from now I can this is when I was just beginning.

Happy big, huge 60th Birthday Dad!

The following are pictures of one of your presents.
This is completely homemade on top and unfortunately due to shipping box sizes and cost I had to disassemble so that it would fit in the box.
Even though I shipped it UPS on Friday, the lady said it would not make it to your home till Thursday or Friday.
This is completely my fault because I had it in my head that your birthday was Thursday and not Tuesday.
Oh well, knowing our family history that the gift is making it the week of your birthday should be cause for joy.

Now Dad, when the box arrives you may not open it. HAHA!
Please give it to Gerry so that she may open the box and re-assemble the bouquet. Gerry will give you your gift.
Plus, who knows in shipping it may now need some repairs.
It was a very snug fit getting it in the box.

So 60 years!
Wow!!
You have seen so much and yet you seem to remember so little! hehehehe
You have been through the, 50's sock hop era(sorta) and Elvis, the 60's Vietnam era and woodstock, the 70's Disco era and the birth of your children,  the 80's, I loved the 80's, (whatever happened in the 90's)
Wait!I remeber something from the 90's- the Clinton era,  your childrens graduation, your divorce and remarriage, walking your daughter down the aisle.
With the new millienium came, grandchildren, hip surgery, your sons wedding, more hip surgery (right?), more gray hair everywhere.

Some things never change,
Your still drinking Pepsi products, you like Lays potato chips with french onion dip, still watch drag racing and nascar. You still wear Stetson cologne, Your still go bowling. You buy a TON of magazines every month. (You do know that getting a subscription is cheaper right?)
I'm sure you still visit Taco bell a minimum of twice a month. You prefer vanilla ice cream.
You still live in the Town/county you were born in.


Knowing all this we still love you and wish you a very Happy Birthday!!
Now go eat some chinese food,(new favorite) and go to a hockey game!

Love you Dad!
Carrie + Mikey
plus our spouses, kids and Mom.

*Carrie*

A week ago Sunday the whole clan which includes Mikey's family all trekked up to the Phoenix zoo.
The sky was a beautiful blue with a gentle breeze and absolutely perfect temps.
Our family loves going to zoos. I love trying to take the perfect picture of some of my favorite animals.
Hey, I don't know when I'll be able to go on a safari so I make do with what I have available.
The last two times we have been there I have made it my mission to get a good photo of the sumatran tiger. He is fabulous.
We arrived at about 9:30 and I immediately want to head in the direction of the big cats. Get them early and fresh.
Or so I thought.
The following pictures will show the state of things at the zoo that morning.........
The tiger is relaxing......
behind his exhibit is the lions
the lioness is napping....
The lion....
Spreadeagle on his back napping!!!!!
So I just go with the flow and make plans to visit the big cats again before I leave.

I return 5 hours later. I'm not kidding you the lion was in the exact same position! While it was a cool pose it did not fulfill my perfect photo dreams. hehehe.

That morning was more of the same. The mandrill splayed out. There was another one who was really sprawled out. The African dogs sleeping, the cheetahs, you guessed it were also relaxing.

Maybe that's what we should have done, was stay home and relax in the sun.

I wouldn't have traded that trip for anything.

It's going to make an interesting scrapbook page!

Carrie

Well we did it! Rob and I made our first piece of furniture together. We had to tweak some of my plans but everything went very well.
Of course we both learned a few things along the way. I think I learned the fun stuff and Rob learned more of the planning and execution.

I learned how to use a circular saw (little scary), nail gun (fun), and the drill (easy peasy). I have gotten proficient at counter sinking screws but need to work on my wood filling technique.
The hardest part of the whole project was painting.
I think I had almost as much paint on myself as I did the cabinet. Thankfully it comes off fairly easy.
Rob has begun stalking the Knock off Wood blog. Rob would love to make the farmhouse bed and I would love to make a table for the back yard. Something we could all sit around.

I have a few other plans that I have found on her blog that I  would like to make like a bookcase/toy box and I would like to make myself a dresser similar to one that Kelly has but bigger. It's nothing fancy at all but very practical.
Rob has been going through the knock off blog looking for plans of all the projects he would like to make.
So far, we have a bed, table, dresser, scrapbook island (his idea), and bookcase, that I know of so far.

Rob is saving all his plans in favorites for that "someday". 

  Here is our lovely center primered in bright pink. I had to reassure both our mothers that it wasn't going to stay this color. We are quirky people but not that quirky. No, no it was painted Mark Twain House Brown. After a couple of coats of paint I think it needs to be roughed up a bit but the old man likes it.  

Here is my hero, installing the million miles of cables to hook up so that we can use all our modern technologies.

My camera lens couldn't get wide enough so
I had to shoot at a funky angle.
I still have to find baskets for the bottom cubbies, but right now the cedar chest that the tv used to sit on is sitting right in front until I
 can move it out to our already crowded shed.




*Carrie*

Christmas in March!

The kids received a box for my dad the other day filled with goodies.

Each kid has been thrilled with their presents. Kelly got a barbie doll/ giving a doggie bath, Chelsea is loving the crayons and coloring book. She also received a sesame street purse and cell phone.

Wyatt is over the moon with his robot. 

At one point Wyatt waved to the camera and said, "Thank you Grandpa Percy"

that kid is such a ham.

So Thank you Dad for our Christmas in March!!

Top of the evening to you!

This was the kiddos this morning before school. I spent most of the morning in Wyatt's class for the "green"  party his class was having. Every student had green on. It was so adorable.

So I have lots to catch up on and I think I'll string them in posts scheduled throughout the rest of the week.

The other day Wyatt pushed Chelsea on the big kids swing. Kelly had done it also a week or two ago but it's a big deal when Wyatt did it because he tends to ignore Chelsea. Chelsea was of course thrilled to being on the swing and wasn't thrilled when it was time to come in for dinner.

Picture was taken by ms. kelly.

I think I have a budding photographer on my hands. I'm just become very nervous when she wants to handle my camera. I have rules for when she wants to take photos. The strap must be over her head and she can't run around with the camera. Now that I have my new lens on it I'm even more paranoid. The camera was heavy for her before, it is even heavier now, but she did great and got this fantastic shot.

Chelsea is getting real good at keeping her glasses on. She tends to only take them off when she is mad or tired.

When she does take them off it throws me for a minute, I've gotten used to her having the glasses on. She is just so cute.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

*Carrie*

My beautiful girl with her face covered in baby powder.

She was being quite a stinker that morning when I was changing her diaper. I was chasing her around the house trying to get a photo when I had the brilliant idea to open the front door and when she came to inverstigate snap some shots in the lovely diffused light.

It's that time of year where the wild African daisies invade my mother in laws neighborhood.

There are just a couple of homes where the homeowners let these flowers takeover their front yards for a short time. The blooms only come in yellow and orange and just scream to me that spring in Tucson is here.

I have found that these flowers are actually quite hard to photograph. I haven't been able to get the colors just right. On this day the sky was completely overcast and I thought that would make a satisfactory result but yet again I have not accomplished color accuracy. I have a few weeks yet so I'm sure I will try again.

A little over a week ago I took Chelsea to see an Opthmalogist. Chelsea had begun to go a wee bit cross eyed on occassion. The doctor determined that Chels is far sighted and that this could be corrected with glasses.

So off to the eyeglass center we go. We tried on a few frames, Chelsea likes to try on glasses it seems

We settled on this last pair and 7-10 days later I'm trying to keep them on her face. Every day has gotten better but it is still a struggle.

How cute is she??

I'm not sure for how long she will have to wear these but we will see the doctor in April for a checkup.

Chelsea's vocabulary has been growing by leaps and bounds. Since she turned 18 months in December we are used to hearing her say, "bye, see you later", "eat" (this is usually said to Wyatt because he eats so slow), "go get it", (this is said to the dog as she throws him her food) "stinky", (when she needs to be changed). Now at 20 months she is adding, "no thank you", "please" is also more consistent but then so is "yes" and "no".

Gosh I have so much to catch up on...I still have to post about Kelly and Wyatt's report cards, cookie booths, building the media center (which I will be doing tomorrow), Rob's crazy tree trimming, the finches have started laying eggs and Kelly pushing Chelsea on the big kid swing.

Life sure does move fast sometimes, but now I need to go change a stinky diaper.

Oh my goodness, we all have had one sickness or another for the last couple of weeks. This makes for some long days and even longer nights. Chelsea's bug is still lingering, with a cough, but she seems to be on the mend.
It's been so long I don't know where to start.
I'll start with the top photo.
On Thursday, two weeks ago, All of this showed up in my mail. While I was thrilled to get all this at once I wasn't feeling the greatest so my enthusiasm level was a bit off. I have never had so many packages for me at one time, hence the photo.
The next morning I was exhausted from not sleeping and still feeling sick but that was the day that my new camera lens and my new cell phone were to arrive. So wouldn't you know that every time I would finally fall asleep, either Mr. Fed Ex or Mr. UPS showed up. I know I sound ungrateful but take that as a hint on how awful I felt. I was sprawled across the couch with my boxes sitting next to me. I'm one of those people that if I'm not feeling well I just want to sleep because I know that when I wake up I will feel better. Not being able to sleep just seemed to make me feel worse.
Later that evening, after a nap, I broke open my boxes and played with my new toys.
It was all a bit overwhelming. I had purchased new scrapbooking tools and books, cricut cartridges, gypsy, accessories for gypsy, new camera lens and filters, upgraded my cell phone, new monopod, cuttlebug folders. It was quite a haul.

Now everything has been ooh'ed and aahhh'ed over, looked over and checked out.

I'm learning how to use both my new lens and my Gypsy. Both have a slight learning curve. But I'm definitly loving them both.

I spent most of yesterday cleaning out my scraproom so that I can actually scrap there.

Oh yeah photo #2! Rob has been wanting a laptop for over a year and I was ready to cave and let him get one. When I came up with the brilliant solution....are you ready for it????

Call your mom and see if she would like to sell her laptop!

It is a year old, she used it maybe 10 times and it has been sitting in the family room plugged in ever since. There has been nothing added to it. This was a case of she wanted it but didn't want to take the time and learn to use it.

So Rob is enjoying the new laptop. But his mom wouldn't take any money for it, he just has to fix a skylight for her. Simple.

So some nights when the kiddos are in bed you'll find Rob on one end of the couch with the laptop and me on the other end of the couch with my Gypsy designing. Modern Family indeed.

Last photo was taken with my new lens and practicing using it in low light.

I totally forgot to post the picture of the V-day bags I made for the kids' classes. I made a total of 44 of them and each bag had several mini candy bars or suckers and a pencil. I had almost forgotten to take a photo of them. So this is my last second, get it done picture.

Not every one had stamping on them but those were my favorites.
My plan was to color the stamped valentines but I just ran out of time.
I was telling Rob that maybe I should start this stuff like six months in advance.
My kids liked them and they did get to help a little. I think next year we will go easier.
Another little project I started last year was to take a picture of all the seasonal M&M's.
This accomplishes two goals, I love m&m's and its part of my holiday decorating, at least for a few days anyway :)

 I missed a few last year so I'm trying to remember to buy and photograph them this year. Then I want to do a scrapbook page about it.
I believe next up are the Easter/Spring colors.

*Carrie*

oh my goodness, I really don't like when my kiddos are sick. I feel bad that they don't feel well but I can also be a bit oh a hypocondriac too. I'm feeling a bit nauseous right now.
Today Wyatt isn't feeling well and for Wyatt to wake up in the morning not feeling well is very rare. So as I type this he is chillin on the couch watching Sid the Science Kid. He sure isn't acting sick right this second.

The kids got some new buddies this weekend. On Friday we stopped by Petco to price bird cages. I have been saying for a year that I would like for Squeakers our Finch to have more room and some buddies. Well we walked into Petco and they had this cage on clearance from $90 to $45. Umm yeah, I'll buy it. Then the cashier suggest another pet store since they no longer carry birds at Petco.
Now Rob said I could only get one bird right now, but when I was being rung up it was cheaper to get two (1 for $14.99 or 2 for $23.99). So as Rob was putting Chelsea in the car I got another bird.
So we are home setting up the new cage and we ask the kids what they want to name their new friends.
Two names came up, John and Sally. hunh??
We offered names like Diamond and Fossil. The kids loved that so we welcomed Diamond and Fossil to our menagerie.
I love to hear the little chrips that Finches make and I realy want a total of six finches someday. Sooooo...
when Rob came home from landscaping on Saturday he suggested we go ahead and get two more birds. I immediately loaded up the kids and we went back to the pet store for two more birds.
Hey, you don't have to ask me twice!
I picked out another white and another brown zebra finch. The kids wanted to name them Shiny and John.  Okay shiny and John it is.
Looking at the picture above the birds names in order are: Diamond, Fossil, John and Shiny.

Squeakers didn't know what to make of this invasion so he pretty much stayed by himself the first couple of days.
Now he's hanging with the group and chirping right along with them.
I do have one teeny tiney complaint though, this new cage we bought while very good sized, is called a clean living cage. Cool, no more or very little bird seed will be making a mess around their cage.
Yeah right, little pigs. I'm going to have to get one of those wraps to cut down on the amount of bird seed that is flung around.
Clean living cage my fat fanny.
*Carrie*

I'm sitting here this morning thinking about how much I like Valentines Day.

Not because I have a sweetheart but really because my favorite colors are red and pink and I like hearts. Oh yeah and I loooove chocolate.

So as I sit here drinking a cherry Pepsi and munching on valentines m&m's and looking at the different projects women have made for V-day. Banners, cards, mailboxes, etc.

For the past week I have been working on the kids' valentines bags for their classes.The project has become somewhat of a monster. Instead of making one prototype and being consistent I went a bit cricut cut out heart crazy, and things have gotten a bit choatic. Now I'm trying to reign everything in and get the job finished up.

Besides all of that project mess I have once again forgotten to put up any Valentines decorations. I do have some, they are in a small box somewhere in the shed. I have also misplaced the fabric I bought years ago for that tablecloth/table runner I was going to make. I really know where the fabric is but I put it in the wrong fabric box and its a pain to dig it back out. Sigh, guess I will try to have it completed before Valentines next year.

Once upon a time I said I was going to be one of those moms that decorated for every holiday. I'm failing miserably. I'm finding that time seems to go sooooo fast and if I don't have/make an appointment to do this kind of stuff it slips my mind.

These are my rambling thoughts on this lovely Tuesday morning. Maybe I'll go dig that box out of the shed. I still have a few days right?!

*Carrie*

Good beautiful Friday to you!
This weekend looks to be a productive one for our family, Rob and I are planning on going for a bike ride on Saturday afternoon. I'm excited because this will be the second time we have been able to ride together.Where are the kids? The rugrats are going to my moms house, bless her heart.
Sunday, besides watching the Colts beat the Saints in the Superbowl, Kelly and I will be manning a cookie booth for her troop. Now it's possible we might be rained out, cause the trusty weatherman said rain is headed for us, but we are optimistic.

Is it sad, disgusting and annoying that I'm uber excited about getting my tax return back??
Besides getting my new lens Sigma 24-70 I'm also planning on getting a Cricut Gypsy !
Go ahead and call me names, I understand completely.

I was talking to Rob and said that I have felt shopping deprived and that being able to shop for scrapbook and camera stuff that I have been dreaming about for months is like being in a candy store. I have been shopping around trying to find the absolute best deals. I have been reading reviews and watching videos.
**Bonus** after talking to my mom she is going to let me upload all her cartridges onto the Gypsy.
Yes we know that if she were to buy a G then she couldn't use her cartridges to upload. But my loving mother has owned an expression for about a year, has finally taken it out of it's box but hasn't really used it yet!!! The horror!! So I'm not really worried about her getting a Gypsy. Plus she gets all my carts now!
So anyway Rob gets a new road bicycle and I get about the equivalent to buy whatever I want. Not bad.

I missed this great sale last weekend on Cricut carts so I have been scouring the web stores and ebay trying to get carts at prices of $25-$30.
My cart list of wants and I'm not buying them all mind you;
From my Kitchen ( won on Ebay for 28.00) , Hannah Montana (just won on Ebay for 29.99), Designers Calendar (Oh my crafts 24.95), Animal Kingdom ( tried to buy for $25 but was sold out so I won on Ebay for 29.00), Sweet Treats, Paisley, Sweethearts, Forever Young, Tie the Knot.
I have created a list of all the items that I have been wanting since last spring and I'm hoping to get most of them this spring. How sad is that.
I'm also very excited and very nervous, I have shown Rob some plans that I have drawn up for a custom made media cabinet for our living room.
The idea came to me about two weeks ago and then I stumbled on this blog, Knock off wood, by way of this cool blog, shanty2chic. Now I feel empowered to build this myself or having my friend Julie come help me.
Back to the plans, Rob is all for me building this cabinet! He even put it on our tax spending budget! How cool and supportive! Now I just need to get with Jules once we have the money and plan a day to put this puppy together.
So many plans so little time! I love being creative!
*Carrie*

Welcome to February!
Let's recap January shall we?

I re read my goals just before I started this post. I pretty much failed in the first month.
Lets see, number one was to be more creative.
I feel that I have been and I've learned new things too.
I was supposed to make 5-10 christmas and all occasion cards. I made 3 cards total. Yep and those were on Saturday the 30th.
Number two was be more active.
I did so-so. I rode my bike once for 6 miles and I did do a downtown photo walk around, which I would like to do again.
Also on my list was for me to "make a want to do" list. Yeah I still need to do that. I also feel it will inspire me to do it.
The photo above was taken during my downtwon photo walk. There is this band shell right next to the catholic church, it's very interesting. I especially like all the colorful metal flowers. It is very unique.
Before I begin random blabbering I'll stop here.
I have nothing planned for tonight, I guess I should work on my to do list.
*Carrie*

The learning process can come easy or hard.

Lately my kids are really into those seek and find books. Kelly can usually find almost everything but Wyatt gets stumped easier. On this night Wyatt kept asking for help finding almost everything. So when I decided to bring the camera out he was in no mood for it.

Moooommm, Stop taking my picture, I'm trying to find Simba!

But Wyatt you're so cute.

Mom, I'm not cute I'm handsome.

Love this kid.

It's the end of the month and I don't believe I have complete any of my monthly goals.

Now granted I have started working on the kids' V-day goodies but I have not done a single card.

This might be remedied tomorrow because I have two birthdays and a baby shower this weekend.

Clayton my nephew is turning 7 on Saturday and my wonderful hubby is turning 39! on Sunday.

Rob's one request is to go to Gavi Italian restaurant. This tiny hole in the wall restaurant where the food is a little pricey but huge portions and tastes fantastic. I'm super excited about going, especially since we had to get our furnace fixed and I didn't think we would still be able to afford going.

What other exciting news do I have.....nothing really.....I have begun cutting fabric for a new quilt. It's called Enigma. I bought 20+ fat quarters when J's had them on sale and I really didn't have any specific plan for them so I just went for it a began cutting. We shall see. This will be the biggest quilt I have constructed so far.

On a proud photographer note, some of the parents in Wyatt's class have asked for copies of the class picture that I took. Also my quilting ladies have encouraged me to enter a photo into our local county fair. No cash prizes but I get a snazzy ribbon and my photo will be seen by hundreds of people. Pretty cool I think.

Plus I think I might try making a photo bucket list. It sounds like fun and I plan on having years and years to complete it so I might get a bit fantastical with it.

Let's see what the weekend brings.

*Carrie*

I caught a cold last week that knocked me on my bottom. Fortunately I didn't get a fever so I was able to attend and take pictures for the Winter prince and princess party in Wyatt's class.

Most of the girls wore their princess or halloween costumes and just a few of the boys dressed up. One young man came dressed more like a king then a prince and by the end of the day he wanted to dress Wyatt up in his costume.

Each prince had a princess or a few had princesses they took the girls shoe and had to find their princess and put the shoe back on. The kids then went out on the dance floor and swayed and twirled to some music. Later the kids were given snowflake fans and they did another dance. This dance they dipped and swirled and shook the snowflakes around.

It was just soooo sweet.

I think I took about 100+ photos of the event and I spent a bit of time last night sorting and deleting photos. They are now uploaded to Costco for printing and will turn them into the teacher tomorrow.

Wyatt's class is just adorable and now all the kids know me and will come up to me for help or to show me what they are working on. I now know each by name and the kids get a kick out of the fact that I know them by name.

On Sunday my friend Debbie and I, with permission from our pastor (inside joke), went to the quilt show instead of going to church.        

Just WOW! it amazes me what you can do with fabric, and if I would have had more money I would be have been willing to try and find out! I find myself drawn to brighter quilts but others are just as gorgeous. This one to the left was one of the first I had seen. It's all batiks and fascinating to look at. I think I might try my hand at making at least one big quilt this year.   

I also seem to be drawn to scrappy quilts. For those who quilt there is always bits and pieces left over and to make a quilt out of them is so freeing.

Right now sitting on my kitchen table is my cricut E. Yes my bug is back! I was told that a diode went out and it ended up costing me $85.00 to fix but that is better than having to buy a new machine.

Now the gypsy is still calling me but we will have to see how generous my hubby is at tax refund time.

Considering that he is getting his road bike for cycling, I'm getting a new lens and monopod plus some other scrappy and quilting stuff, I don't know if I can get up the nerve to ask for more.

Not that I'm afraid to ask him mind you I just don't want to appear greedy.

Carrie, you know you want me, you know how awesome I will be, you must buy me. You must get a pretty sleeve to put me in, you can take me anywhere and create with me. You can upload allllll your carts to one spot, you can weld words and create new files for what you want. Buy me. Buy me....

See this is what I hear in my head. That darn gypsy is calling my name.

But for now I must go fold laundry.

Sucks to be responsible sometimes.

Carrie           

What a nice week this is turning out to be.
Saturday was weather perfect for us to go to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.
Too bad my kids weren't perfect.
There were several times I was tempted to leave them on the path and just keep walking.
Since I don't want this post to be all about my *ahem* brats, then I will tell you what I enjoyed while there.
Let's start off with the view. If you get down at waist/hip level you would think that there was not a soul around for miles. It can be breathtakingly beautiful.
Some of our local vegetation is fun to try and photograph and I'm hoping to head back soon sans kids to really work at getting the right shots.
This time though I just brought one lens and a relaxed attitude, the attitude didn't last long with the kids though.
Some of my favorite spots are the mountain lions, they were actually walking all around their habitat this time, making my wish I had brought my long lens.
My next favorite spot is the bear habitat. the museum has this really cool tree that you see on the left. The bear himself was asleep on the rock shelf so he was no fun but I liked his tree!
Toward the end of our visit I let Kelly carry around my camera and try to photograph hummingbirds.
I believe Kelly's moto was quantity over quality.
Now don't get me wrong, she got some interesting shots but I had to delete the ones of peoples cars and their tires and their license plates. Unless she has a undercover job for the DMV or CIA I have no reason to have such photos.
For the next time, when I plan to venture out on my own I will bring my gear, patience and pray for good weather. I really want a crack at the raptor bird flight. The museum has a couple of gorgeous hawks and owls that I would really, really like to take fantastic pictures of.

For this week the city of Tucson plans on getting plenty of rain!
Could you hear me cheering! I so love this weather. Today is another cloudy day with intermitent rain. The type of weather stuff that makes you want to curl up in a chair and read a good book.
Wait! Already did that yesterday.
Last evening I finished the Twilight series. I read all books in days. Rob is so glad that I'm finished reading them. Not bad, they're a good read but I'm not sorry to say I'm not into all the hype. I think this devestates my poor mom, big Edward fan, of course mom has not read the last book yet. Things changed for me when I read the last story.
Now I will start with the movies. I think this is the first time I have read the books before watching the movie. Well except for maybe Romeo and Juliet. But I was forced to do that.
I better get motivated. I called the repair shop where my big still sits and the owner said they have it apart and are looking at it right now, he will call me later.
Yeah dude you were suppose to call me Friday too.
I really hate waiting but I pray that they can fix her.
*whispers* even though I have been looking at and researching the Gypsy.
You know, just in case ;)
*Carrie*