tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4084615240409105852024-02-19T17:21:56.486-08:00Stampindipity By DeidreSerendipity: a talent for making fortunate discoveries while searching for other thingsDeidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-81781392223913761452011-10-16T20:39:00.001-07:002011-10-16T20:39:54.834-07:00Wow Time Flies!!<p>So sorry that it has been so long since my last post.  SO MUCH has happened!  We have moved back to my hometown of Bartlesville, OK which has been a very difficult move for us so far.  The main reason it has been so hard this time, is because it was a choice, not a mandatory move, like we have had to deal with in the past.  In the Army you went where they sent you, when we went to San Diego it was because we went for the job.  </p> <p>This time was different, there was nothing wrong with the job or our life in San Diego, in fact we were quite happy.  But one of the great regrets in my life was not getting to grow up around my grandparents.  They were all such wonderful people and I really wish I could have dinner with them just one time as an adult and parent.  I am sure the stories they could tell would be priceless.  I really want that for my kids and Joel got such a great job offer that it made that decision a little easier to make.  But WHAMMO!  this has been a hard move.   Although we sold our house in 9 days, we lost money and had to replace the heat and air unit in the house, a week before we listed it.  Yikes!! I guess I should have seen the foreboding there!  Pulling the Uhaul out to Bartlesville was an adventure as always, including having to load and reload it two times along the way…NOT FUN!  I think that will be our last Uhaul trip, if my husband has anything to say about it. </p> <p>Then we arrive in Bartlesville where we thought we would be able to find an amazing house for half the cost of our house in San Diego.  This did NOT turn out to be the case.  All the homes that were in that price range needed LOTS of work.  (Or they were located on a busy corner or had a fault in the foundation and were literally leaning!!) Some of the houses needed 100k to 200k just to be safe (roof, electrical, windows.)   We were starting to think we would never, ever find a house!  Yes, we are kind of picky and we had a huge list of “wants” (big yard, trees, lots of light and an open floor plan were the biggies) but we really thought we could find it.  We found one house we both loved but the house had some major issues ie, it was not finished and liens, and we never felt quite comfortable with the deal, so we opted out of it. </p> <p>Long story I know, but it does appear that after 70 days of intense searching we have finally found our home.  So as of December 1, we will officially have a Mooney residence in Bartlesville.  Just in the nick of time too, because I don’t think my hubby can handle sleeping on the couch anymore at my Mom’s.  The bed hurts his back, so that is where he finds the most comfortable spot but he is really looking forward to our mattress arriving!</p> <p>We have had quite a few adventures these past few months and I will tell you all about them one by one as I get the chance to write more!!</p> <p>Here is a pic of one of my favorite moments since we have moved..seeing these wild turkey’s in my Mom’s front yard!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g3_MbjomfA0/TpujfzmvA5I/AAAAAAAAA18/Ad5NWaXJbOQ/s1600-h/summer%252520621%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="summer 621" border="0" alt="summer 621" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-odFnuklv0Rw/TpujhLbQefI/AAAAAAAAA2E/B0o-z3cBKL8/summer%252520621_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>and a card I made using the direct to paper method which is fast and easy!!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5ddaf19Z_cSnodqq1hUileVlsn8Rr4bq5kklJJV8xuU6BNeXjs-NTmWuW9_JfebAyJbDb3fmUGJSNeG7Xq8nLs6gx-sDoAtGL1ivF1p-REHGnKUZzpiwb7s_wmsyLNzNVylAgKulEB2u/s1600-h/summer%252520267%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="summer 267" border="0" alt="summer 267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8obKu0jSw3hIEzz1uBRNIJPQAl-CSNpM6dnppygofemwBkOhqZ-487AdoIOGm3VNlz3Vxt2rzptfGy78IcdBdzS3_wNy0Vxn1-feGc20tErGQTySv4B1-_3U54ddgEKU-JcdsZQosox6/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Ciao for now….Deidre</p> Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-88118562853108154182011-04-19T23:02:00.001-07:002011-04-19T23:02:25.839-07:00So Neglected!!<p>Man it has been way too long since I posted.  I am sorry I have so neglected the ole blog but it has been a crazy 6 or 7 weeks.  I just finished my third half marathon in 87 days, so as you can assume, that means I have been running…A LOT! I am really proud of getting that accomplished, but I am even more excited about my upcoming runs because A) they are short….5k and 10K and B) They are crazy fun!!  Both are team events and the little 5k is called the ridiculous obstacle course challenge and we have a team of 30 ladies called “Moms Gone Mad.”  It should be similar to the show called wipeout, except I don’t think they are going to have moving things, but I could be wrong.  We are going to wear wacky costumes and just have a fun time.  With 20 obstacles in 3 miles it is just going to be a hoot.  We have the biggest team in the competition and as such, we also won tickets to a Padres game, so even more exciting!!  In June, I have the infamous Camp Pendleton Mud Run which is a 5 person team.  I did this race last year injured and am looking forward to doing it strong and healthy this year….our team for it is called “Moms Gone Mud!!”</p> <p>I finally hit the ole 20 pound weight loss mark and then I went and blew it by going on vacation with my hubby!  We went to San Francisco for two nights and then to wine country for two nights and had a wonderful time.  We had great food, great wine and just really enjoyed the time together.  We visited Alcatraz, ran through the presidio and along the bay, walked the golden gate bridge and hiked lake Sonoma.  But despite all the activity I still managed to gain 4 pounds in 5 days.  Isn’t that crazy that I can gain 20% back in 5 days when it took me a month to lose that much?  YIKES!  Luckily it has come back off pretty fast and I am only up a pound now so I know I will get back down there and I wouldn’t change a thing as I enjoyed every last bite!!</p> <p>Here’s a couple of my favorite pics from the trip:<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Ta522X38UzI/AAAAAAAAA0o/VzgAWjP8GBo/s1600-h/april%20067%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="april 067" border="0" alt="april 067" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Ta523G0Y8-I/AAAAAAAAA0s/XDgSgOaiZVM/april%20067_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Ta523Yz_Q7I/AAAAAAAAA0w/D_H2Mwh0ZWc/s1600-h/april%20066%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="april 066" border="0" alt="april 066" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Ta524BN8hPI/AAAAAAAAA00/840Cgf9k68s/april%20066_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Ta524b1UjdI/AAAAAAAAA04/5QeVv2AnmwI/s1600-h/april%20118%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="april 118" border="0" alt="april 118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYY4BZBGsvp1XmbxT_TNEXrJndK8jJLNRY8EdcmXFMAadZ9e94NSEbSPr3Lvqw9IRwdCqnVJjhwMCLHWCxhmy1-N401C22y4Pq7F7ROyWp3wX8WasbTVSKJOGB4wTGgdL7loOrHG5lfwr/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>I was amazed at how much there was to do in wine country.  It would be great for a family trip as well..hiking, quaint towns and festivals, the russian river and of course wine for the parents at the end of the day!  I had always wanted to visit this area and now I really want to go back, as there is so much more to see and do!</p> <p>When we got home from SF, the girls and I took my Mom to the Carlsbad flower fields which you may remember I have blogged about before.  I have to share the beautiful wedding though, that they were preparing for while we were there…I just love the rustic feel of it….see for yourself:</p> <p>the reception area:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Ta525DL52_I/AAAAAAAAA1A/kJCTgRM55aI/s1600-h/april%20254%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="april 254" border="0" alt="april 254" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Ta525k8S0RI/AAAAAAAAA1E/4ZdizV71Zv4/april%20254_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>table seating chart:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Ta5258AQPTI/AAAAAAAAA1I/Ehd38V-L-Gw/s1600-h/april%20255%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="april 255" border="0" alt="april 255" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Ta526HR6uEI/AAAAAAAAA1M/FZ1XjQlJx84/april%20255_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>the bar area:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Ta526rQLfpI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/y6AOQ3vwbM4/s1600-h/april%20248%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="april 248" border="0" alt="april 248" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Ta5264Ph1fI/AAAAAAAAA1U/n5P6UPAEw94/april%20248_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>and the bridesmaids, LOVE the boots!!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EP2Q3V6GS446WKwu6IdxyUMqz_r_fdhUyNc6GCX9vPuFBJmaq3L2uXqMIdSwA4CNokS0x3bq40Rk_W714ERcLp73pq1Sr5LGS9CxukFiAWsDWeuzCZOvdpNkzjc1cC4RVABhvDeeBa_A/s1600-h/april%20250%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="april 250" border="0" alt="april 250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUoYa92CSJJOkHyoxn001kUC30OCB_II7rgcBSUv3zQ_NpHBLzT0UHoVp8OBy_u0ZEswaVMRrmx4IVk7DjQ4ZWuWcMzaonIumn5xEGCcq_0g4rPoHIaGWMv0MmgXFVy8Cj_8k7UW7RixK/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>Last, I will leave you with my latest creation:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Ta5279I4z-I/AAAAAAAAA1g/aPVGCk6Csnc/s1600-h/February%20012%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="February 012" border="0" alt="February 012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Ta528Ww2JGI/AAAAAAAAA1k/HNEPC9CUaFU/February%20012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a>  </p> <p>This card uses the emboss resist technique.  I embossed using versamark and clear embossing powder onto decorator paper and then brayered over it with melon mambo.  When you wipe the ink of your embossed area the flowers just pop off the page!  Try it sometime!</p> <p>Ciao for now!!!   Deidre</p> Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-31670254035601008202011-02-25T21:57:00.001-08:002011-02-25T21:57:42.014-08:00Happy Belated Valentines Day!<p>Hey everyone!  Hope you all had a great Valentines Day with your loved ones.  Life has been unusually busy.  The whole running thing kind of overtakes your world when you are training for a race!  16 days until my next half marathon!  I am just hoping to have a strong finish this go around.  Normally when we run, I can sprint at the end.  Most people would say that means that I did not run fast enough during the race.  Well, the last race I did, I ran too fast the first half, averaging 8:48 per mile going into mile 7 and I totally fell apart during mile 11.  My heart rate got up to 192 and I could not get it down.  I was so happy to see that finish line, but I had absolutely no juice left.  </p> <p>My running buddy Patty, normally hollers at me…..”you know you have a sprint left in you Deidre!!” as I am finishing and she is usually so right!  That is my goal for this race, just to finish strong.  I really don’t care about my time so much, I am more wanting this not to be such a big deal.  Last time I got canker sores from the stress, my stomach was upset, all kinds of trouble.  This time none of that nonsense.    It is so weird how your mind can wreak havoc on the body.  I have been running 10 and 11 miles during my long runs pretty much every weekend for a while now… 2-3 more miles should not be such a big deal!  Here’s hoping!!  I am lucky this race is closer to home too, so we don’t have to get up at such ungodly hours which will also help cut down on the stress.</p> <p>I hit 19 pounds on my weight loss only to get sidetracked by Valentines Day and overeat on chocolate and gain two back!!  I only weigh once a week so hopefully, I have been tighter on my eating this week and will be back to 19 pounds lost.  I am ready to make it 20!  </p> <p>Here’s a belated Valentine for all you wonderful people out there using the inlaid embossing technique.  Basically you punch out shapes and adhere them to cardstock and run that through your big shot, in an embossing folder, to create a wonderful textured piece!  Love the texture and the colors of this card!  </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uIe2tkUkV_5wwUzkZFu_6bvgecyn57ju0wBmZ9ZZ3NnMandOmlSxOpoaYhjK9pOCBFYKng6KYF4jiKLrth69STb29hOsi-5GCmaW2yvMwz6ftwpBVGKOvt0Fr9YtbSegpdsw4jOUFQ-B/s1600-h/February%20010%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="February 010" border="0" alt="February 010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGBDXmYdYEb0bAUCRuprffAghY0APvKsJ-yD7zNskcQ5QR40barva5zW7qJRfGwQSRlhONhoKoq029PfLCyDhHQ4wNqtJSGxSageVOKSSJhrCOQ6znE7AisrazRHL6pZD97lv1boQJvrp/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>Hope your Valentines Day was filled with love…..</p> <p>Ciao for now….Deidre</p> Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-18987117679850984372011-01-27T16:30:00.001-08:002011-01-27T16:30:39.192-08:00Half Marathon-DONE!! Another one on the horizon!!<p>So I finished the Carlsbad half marathon and although it wasn’t easy, I did not get injured and I finished in 2:01!  If I had been looking at my time ( I purposely DID NOT look at my time...I just wanted to do my best)  I might have been able to squeak in under 2, so I am so stoked and excited about it, that I don’t want to let all the training go to waste, so I signed up for another one!!  I figure, I actually kind of like running (up until about 7 or 8 miles..then not so much!!) and it’s beautiful here, so why not just keep going??  Here is a pic of me and my constant inspiration, Patty, who inspires me to do better every run! </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TUIOHt9rF9I/AAAAAAAAAzc/fpyRwUYySlY/s1600-h/carlsbad%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="carlsbad" border="0" alt="carlsbad" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRODBvI2u0PG3FQl-fj2AwOgja-1-9JtUMPCXj4u2yYndAFz3_AJyN26t0JY5IvS8LYNuHmEkqOMKN0241Ybuswp9DshiDNgY44-Br8siX25rgqOK6r0uGoi6FTeKStk1lY06Lmp8W-F1g/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163" /></a></p> <p>Patty is a faster runner than me, which I have decided really helps you when you are training because you push a little harder just to keep up with them!!  She too, is a twin Mommy and I am so glad that she is my running buddy!!!  Patty had an asthma attack during the race and still finished in a  really good time so we both are excited to get another shot in 6 weeks.  Not to mention the fact that the shirt and medal they have developed for this race are just amazing….check it out:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TUIOIJMGwQI/AAAAAAAAAzk/pyWvQ57fQFA/s1600-h/safari%20half%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="safari half" border="0" alt="safari half" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TUIOItSq_yI/AAAAAAAAAzo/TOgpZJj1WtY/safari%20half_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="134" height="130" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TUIOIw02sOI/AAAAAAAAAzs/D7XCoWmUKxc/s1600-h/tiger%20safari%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="tiger safari" border="0" alt="tiger safari" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPNc-fwHoUhMuIVqy49bPtk5W3va0W3oO7vd5ujCYGQPeu1PpiD-oQ1-jPxfea2yV09uKBzG1iFP6nIGjgOzWY9y53o7j5wkt62TQlBsS_HivCPvNz2kgj47eUyxWMXk6hHEVJLb_1hHZ/?imgmax=800" width="134" height="134" /></a> </p> <p>So yes folks, I am doing it for the shirt and the medal and to get under 2 hours.  Madness, but you know what?  It keeps me moving!!!  I have 10 pounds left to lose!!</p> <p>I wanted to show you guys how I decorated my house for New Years because I thought it was cute…at the last minute we decided to have a family come over for a low key New Years so I threw some decorations together and thought they were pretty good for not buying anything...here is the table..with the clock..get it??</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzy1lw28ogd_pi23I4CHA1fE0zJkYyP3mLZvbGhJ7uFLHfe0K3YdimLQpPl0NJxqTt6MiCYznDZw0zxcidkkI_4Dpyk5NYRinfmtjAcEJCMK2D4USHVGWC-FHK4U0ivCAoyVdMkRpm5Yq/s1600-h/new%20years%20019%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="new years 019" border="0" alt="new years 019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TUIOKFmdUpI/AAAAAAAAAz4/JfD731Rzjw4/new%20years%20019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>Here is my buffet near the front door:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5alm1kHtnfEePQ4W-9dRg8BTkOidMLm9Mt5eDiatdfn7a5HKzF51XR3rc8G0YmiXNdVhlKP23r7qKGzos5oujfZGjZaRualcxj7HrTh06exBZGyF0VQPK42AYmOt7x596XkcPoAmWMWZc/s1600-h/new%20years%20023%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="new years 023" border="0" alt="new years 023" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TUIOK74wgOI/AAAAAAAAA0A/jgG7xqF_3dA/new%20years%20023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>and for all the stamper’s out there, here is a cute card that I got in swap I recently participated in that was made by Dee Shore…isn’t it “unBEElievably” cute?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TUIOLLpp4yI/AAAAAAAAA0E/lUSgE1Vt68Y/s1600-h/christmas%202010%20120%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="christmas 2010 120" border="0" alt="christmas 2010 120" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TUIOLlwu0SI/AAAAAAAAA0I/bhYlV4JlGsw/christmas%202010%20120_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a>   </p> <p>Ciao for now….Deidre</p> Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-24376269612695280692011-01-20T10:48:00.001-08:002011-01-20T10:48:47.138-08:00New Year, New Me!!!<p>If you are here for the stamping and don’t care about my dieting adventure...scroll down for some eye candy!  For anyone else who cares…I have lost 15 pounds since October and I am thrilled!  I actually didn’t think I could ever do it.  Now don’t get me wrong and think that weight is all that important to me...I knew I was healthy, I knew I had curves and I didn’t want to change any of that, still don’t!  But Susan Lucci is my height and her, albeit bony self, weighs 100 pounds.  I was at 157.5…so I knew somewhere in the middle was much more appropriate for me!!  But anyone who knows me knows I work out like a maniac and what else could I do?  I was getting really tired of not seeing any results and of getting injured.  My Mom actually thinks I am addicted to exercise.  I can guarantee you that is not the case!!!  But I do love regular exercise; especially here in San Diego where you can do so much outside.  </p> <p>I guess it all kind of hit me last fall when I was talking to a friend about my running partner being so fit and she made the comment, “well she works out all the time!”  I just looked at her and she goes, “but you do too, don’t you?”  I thought to myself what the heck am I doing, I know for a fact that I work out as much, if not MORE, than my running friend!  It is kind of like the definition of insanity…doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  I was definitely ready for a change.  </p> <p>I have had success in the past with the Bill Phillips Body for Life plan so I tried that..basically healthy eating, one cheat day per week and weights and cardio.  So I tried that again…I couldn’t go two days without cheating!  The sweet tooth always gets me.  I have tried weight watchers before and had moderate success on that, but I really hate keeping track of my points.  That is where I am the most horrible…writing it all down.  I also knew what I didn’t want…even though I know people who have had great luck with medfast and with the HCG diet it just never made sense to me to try a diet where the calories are so low you shouldn’t exercise.  I knew I didn’t want to give up my exercise!!  I had tried Nutri System when I was training for a triathlon a few years back and although the food tasted good, I still overate, justifying it with my workouts.  Nothing worked for me!</p> <p>I read Jacquie Werner’s new book called “This is why you are fat” that is just fantastic and kind of made some things click in my head.  She discusses in the book about supplements and vitamins and how they all effect your hormones and how that all ties in to weight and the stuff she said made sense.  I knew I needed a good multivitamin and I was especially interested in using some amino acids.  A friend had just started selling Advocare and I remembered Advocare.  I had taken some of their vitamins in the past, but I had a hard time remembering to take them on time, but I did remember I liked them and knew they had been around a while.  My friend suggested I try the 24 day challenge.  I was leery, I freely admit!  She broke it down into two parts for me, a 10 day cleanse and 14 day follow-up.  I had to be super good on the 10 days..no coffee, no alcohol, no sugar.  YIKES!!!  On the 14 days I could be good 80% of the time and bad 20% of the time.  Which meant a glass of wine or two per week, some small deviants with the attempt to be mostly good.  I decided to give it a try.  I could do anything for 10 days right??  I was really unhappy about giving up my coffee and creamer…man I love that stuff, but I knew I had to try something different.  The first day was pretty hard but it started to get easier and surprisingly, I didn’t cheat!   I made it through the first 10 days but only lost about 3.5 pounds.  I was happy but I also was expecting something more. I mean I didn’t cheat!!  I always cheat..I thought that would make such a difference!!  I was expecting Biggest Loser type results I guess! I will have to say that my cravings had completely gone away by this time.</p> <p>During the second phase I met with my friends upline who was on the US Bobsled team!!  Very fit chick who has so much cool information to share with me and we discussed my food intake.  She strongly felt that I wasn’t eating enough and encouraged me to eat a higher protein snack around 8:30 at night, since I normally go to bed at 11.  That shocked me, as I thought you really shouldn’t eat after dinner and would try my hardest not to.  But I started having a snack at night, usually my greek yogurt with some berries and fiber cereal and lost another 4 pounds.  Then I went to Vegas and had a great time with hubby and ate and drank…not crazy and we did exercise but we had a good time, then we had Thanksgiving and I weighed and had gained 1.2 pounds back! (but it was worth it!!)    </p> <p>Now we are at the holidays...dangerous territory!!   I could easily gain 5 pounds in one week of parties, wine, cheese, Christmas cookies and candy.  Luckily the gym I work out at (Studio Sweat, so awesome!) decided to do a healthy holidays contest.  The whole goal of the contest was to lose weight or NOT GAIN any during the month of Christmas.  I loved that idea and although I did have my share of Christmas goodies, (gingerbread crème Brulee on Christmas day just to name one!!) wine..three parties in one week too!  But thanks to the vitamins I didn’t have cravings…I used some techniques like, I have to drink two glasses of water before I can have another glass of wine, and I was running a bunch as I prepare for my second half marathon in three weeks so I was burning quite a few calories. I was pretty sure I was at least staying the course and not gaining at least.  (I hate the scale and rarely weigh myself unless I have to!!) I had decided that I wanted to do the 10 day cleanse again starting January 1 to clean out all the junk from the holidays and get a fresh start for 2011.  I had to weigh in the first day and you can only imagine my surprise when I saw that I had actually lost 3 pounds over the holidays.  I was stunned.  </p> <p>Now, I am on day 6 of this cleanse and down another 3 pounds and am so happy!  No wonder I am feeling faster when I run…I have removed 60 pounds of pressure (5 pounds =20 pounds of pressure) off my knees alone!!  I feel so much better, my clothes look better on me, and I know that I am not going to get injured this time.  Can I get a YAHOO!!</p> <p>Anyways that is my journey..I am 7.6 pounds away from my goal weight.  Even more importantly, on Sunday I plan on doing my second half marathon WITHOUT injury.  2011 is going to be my healthiest year ever!!!  </p> <p>Joel has been out of town but as soon as I can get him to take some pictures I will show you guys the new me!!!</p> <p>For all you stampers out there..I am so far behind!!  Here is the technique called bleach pastels that I did in November for my club members..basically you stamp in bleach and then rub pastels over for a soft color look..I love how it turned out and love that peach parfait color!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TTiDi_JWhdI/AAAAAAAAAzU/MoH2NtzL5jM/s1600-h/nov%2010%20040%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="nov 10 040" border="0" alt="nov 10 040" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TTiDjYTkGYI/AAAAAAAAAzY/9srxndOK_Zo/nov%2010%20040_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>All images @ Stampin’ Up</p> <p></p> <p>Ciao for now!!  Deidre</p> Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-65194080662072370112010-12-25T11:28:00.001-08:002010-12-25T11:28:09.006-08:00Merry Christmas!!<p>Man it has been so long since I posted but it just seems like November and December flew by.  I have lots to share and will be back soon with that but I couldn’t let the day go by without wishing you all a very merry and blessed Christmas!!  We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, enjoyed opening presents and are looking forward to a nice dinner out in Balboa Park, no cooking today for this Mama!!!  The most fun present this morning was the super duper reindeer pooper and the girls new vtech digital cameras.  I think they have taken 100 pictures of the dogs so far!!  More to come soon!!</p> <p>From our home to yours hope your day is great!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TRZFxhj8ijI/AAAAAAAAAyg/IMIB-LqrLVo/s1600-h/nov%2010%20080%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="nov 10 080" border="0" alt="nov 10 080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBr2kpE_nYVCOeeEzIEKNIvsIvbIFH2K4XzjhnCwK1_kSkmQf6BhUa-MUQe4gmGathzT2711rKXENyZG8T-OCilqlqX-tQDXl2ThvjkXbEsnXxOlfVxMWsqxbslbthkzrfAUkAsZ0gAbRr/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Ciao for now!!!  Deidre</p> Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-76995250918623883502010-10-27T22:42:00.001-07:002010-10-27T22:42:00.264-07:00BOOOYAHHH BABY!<p>Okay so it is October 27th and I actually kept one of my New Year’s resolutions today!  BOOOYAHH!!  I actually finished the treats for the girls classes and special friends yesterday….I know, I know, the shock and awe of it all!!  Now, the teachers gifts aren’t done but I already know what I am going to do and I have all day tomorrow to do those two which involve baking; which had to wait until the last minute, so I have to give myself an A ++++.  You want to see now doncha??????</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TMkNHRbqHfI/AAAAAAAAAxo/3fYhvrDr1rw/s1600-h/snuggles%20visit%20037%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="snuggles visit 037" border="0" alt="snuggles visit 037" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TMkNH3hFJ3I/AAAAAAAAAxs/oLV8S_oHXEs/snuggles%20visit%20037_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>I made the cutest and simplest little triangle box that we learned how to do at convention in 09, stuffed them with some candy added a cute tag and ribbon (all scraps mind you….nothing except the candy was purchased for this project!!  How’s that for using my resources???) AND THEN even had time to go back and add the sentiment and the bat…I made 70 of these suckers….</p> <p>Here’s more cause I know you want to see more right????</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94QoZr5TFkO9M6kIIVl1CXmunW1mCUzlsuwi83D-OhleOrFl53t2L1H-OB3AvxWHLPtjGIGBB1kYobvVY7dHUewuB3yTzLCqKCkK1VfphqTalIgTelbW9ydc_7rNFiKOxkTMtQMR7zU4Q/s1600-h/snuggles%20visit%20040%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="snuggles visit 040" border="0" alt="snuggles visit 040" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TMkNIYomKjI/AAAAAAAAAx0/fOLgcs7cscc/snuggles%20visit%20040_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>and one more just cause I kept a New Year’s resolution finally on October 27th:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIBz7lWFDCZqEuwZFVVHMPZNgzyroS7k08KeU5CIL8H8JZNwFyE5HemZieWfIEHB6I6iIl4I-qdFoa7e2OBGz8sUVCJy-zH7okUCiDI3cK9EfdkNtakkd666gU5W8RJR6W_3TxP1YtYN7/s1600-h/snuggles%20visit%20034%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="snuggles visit 034" border="0" alt="snuggles visit 034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZj8wTIRPdowyDi1haBJv8Zef9yts2sa9Ev76qTPDITHndhKLQX_MnFxAKmCFsJCy4Fvd3HG4c00PZB8QRnV2dJ40TvGwp-GkoKV0SR00eoMwYv4Grg6m87MS52U0NTpopJYKgy2oY_iZT/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>excuse messy desk and another stuffed animal that I have to hand sew back up because I HATE MY PUPPY LILY WHO EATS EVERY STUFFED ANIMAL SHE CAN GET HER PAWS ON….okay sorry for yelling but that dog creates so much extra work that I could use to do papercrafting…she is lucky she is so cute…in case you have forgotten, how can you be mad at this face??</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iBul9qFDmOxGLKGLqNYoS_9FM1CVfK51PWv6_ATedAXnC_-w4pe9-SzHkG-BU4eVZhr3_ZxH09a682RABxue4m7PPBj_WdIFR1i9yCt21_F6j0UMLs6ceMxhbUSs_JXmdHUf_w5DHp2z/s1600-h/feb%20017%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="feb 017" border="0" alt="feb 017" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsJQQmpIK40yJjjqQqESOv9dluAYeKw32HnH_Fp-_qZ0XMkgYKJiii4Kv2DcXZUGA-0Z9HlDZiOg-QwNRHwZY6r3ZNr_twuXiLhyphenhyphena9K_7uPM2E-jgdIDq0IPKNTbujFLXobxstwZ62vHA/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>And that folks is all for now.  My goal next year?  To keep one of those resolutions by March…I can’t outdo myself too fast now can I?????</p> <p>Ciao for now…..Deidre</p> Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-33105161223838818932010-10-17T14:33:00.001-07:002010-10-17T14:35:36.455-07:00Laughing all the way home!<p>My kids seriously crack me up. So here is the conversation in the car on the way home from school Friday: Matteson: “Mom, we have two days off of school, right?” Me: “Yep!” Matty: “<strong>WOOHOO, PARTY IN DA HOUSE!”</strong> Me: laughing all the way home….only in kindergarten…..and already living for the weekend!!! </p><p>So I wanted to show you guys my latest club technique card and the stepped up version I am doing for a swap I am in. Ever since I saw the Christmas Collage stamp in the holiday mini, I imagined it in lots of colors. I knew I was going to do the baby wipe technique and was hoping it would turn out like I saw it in my head and I have to say.…it came out even better!! </p><p>So here’s my card for my club ladies this month..the gorgeous glass glitter from the Stampin’ Up Holiday mini really sets it off:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMVJNCL1oFqbRwqG-0j22tci38ph4LFDQTfVj-qePQHcPY8LszkkXeMWv404TCgCvGzm5OykAJaGkimFPqXuFedb8zho5tAOA8wQUHdDA55uxIR2iTMmk-KgVRvYmHRd-4KUsr_alcTxa/s1600-h/oct%20cards%20006%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="oct cards 006" border="0" alt="oct cards 006" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NambAp-048NWStzo1RYOsyNYajZan82VtvQkXbRBaF-AwhkPA9SlefoLUq1Ij67c7gguS7IrzINgxJld6TGcAQtIJaYyBWbYcnd_RmzjnK0MM0rN_VPX3miXSx3BTdB3fF8g1u4c0kGH/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>This is what my baby wipe looked like that I used as my stamp pad:</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TLtrnwpYV8I/AAAAAAAAAxY/_dMyXM-e7oM/s1600-h/80%27s%20party%20003%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="80's party 003" border="0" alt="80's party 003" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9ofdeCOzMder4ievbV78z4IKiDHloNoXgamK41OlDKVSXCPtXWP8LGHyOXp5wPz7KWJJlbIgK7b3C6VncRmHr62SvfNOfewa-vca9dNVi2V_8CPeq0HcEmP0PGQ2a7olQn4uo1fhwCVU/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p><p>I like to do mine on aluminum foil, a paper plate would not have worked for me as the stamp is too large, but the foil keeps everything under it dry and easy to clean up!</p><p>Just in case you need to be shown…here is a blog showing how to do the technique:</p><p><a title="http://www.stampingtoshare.com/2010/10/106-drip-drop-reinker-technique-video.html" href="http://www.stampingtoshare.com/2010/10/106-drip-drop-reinker-technique-video.html">http://www.stampingtoshare.com/2010/10/106-drip-drop-reinker-technique-video.html</a> </p><p>I sponged the edges of the main image first in so saffron ink and then again in crumbcake to add more depth. Used my crystal effects to hold the glitter on, let it dry and then assembled it all. I just love it. Since I still had so much ink on my baby wipe that I hated to throw away I decided to do the same card for an internet swap group that I am in, but I needed to take everything up a notch, so I decided to do the cracked glass technique on the 25 so it would look like an old ornament and then I added a tiny tag with a vintage trinket safety pin for a little extra yummy!!</p><p>I wish you could see the cracks better in the cracked glass but trust me they are there!!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpIcKo36DpaOnSrvCDxMPRuWl4wX1S09XbY79dt9w8VzT8v-RdhZr8RcqGuW5hdpVFPXstZJ8zqrAtc9UzYXWj9eVkOkJtwN4Toht4Qk4YZE8EjSxmhSyh2JwZO5x40_x-AQFx-C-cflC/s1600-h/oct%20cards%20008%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="oct cards 008" border="0" alt="oct cards 008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9802Z9BPRu0sfQ3FriSBnVje_r3FZJMyQk62SsUer1DmtUwjjnz6bmLNbsVaZQ74Rx4CVZpGYheVj2PD2IOe5F5MJSwxYN_UO_Y-KNN8nem-5reA_osYXmUysN_AYQQTYVnD0urIFd6P/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>Some old olive satin ribbon is the perfect accessory!! Hope you guys like my vintage Christmas Card!!</p><p>CS is real red, old olive and very vanilla</p><p>reinker colors are elegant eggplant, old olive, real red, more mustard, so saffron and night of navy</p><p>Ciao for now! Deidre</p>Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-17731755893829147232010-10-14T23:24:00.001-07:002010-10-14T23:28:38.755-07:00Long Days and Longer Nights<p>Well it has finally happened! The girls started full day school last week and they are officially whooped! At first, two days in, I thought to myself, “they seem to be handling this pretty well.” The next day, we had a new teacher in gymnastics and breakdown city. The long days were starting to kick in! </p><p>This week, Matilda has been in my bed at some point every night and both of us are officially exhausted! No matter how much I love hugging that little body into mine for a cuddle and rubbing her back and hair, I just can’t sleep with her!! She wiggles like a sack full of snakes!! Ever since I had the girls, that deep REM sleep that I used to have every night, all night, before children is easily interrupted by the slightest noise. </p><p>Needless to say, heavy breathing 6 year olds that wiggle like snakes all night…keep me up!!! She came to my bed twice last night, the second time saying she had a bad dream. After about 30 minutes, I headed to the couch and just left her in my bed hoping to get the last hour of sleep in before the alarm. Wouldn’t you know it… 30 minutes later she is putting her feet on me on the couch and working her way into a cuddle again…she had tracked me down!</p><p>Let’s hope we get through this transition period soon and then maybe I will actually feel like myself again!</p><p>I had not had the chance to show you guys the girls birthday party yet. We had an art party and the kids had a blast painting everything. Here are some pics:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TLfzk9G1SrI/AAAAAAAAAwA/NH0OiCCipA4/s1600-h/august%20128%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 128" border="0" alt="august 128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDZhH-kiUT7hJJDw4-chUAVXJmZ3ca90j6VlybCHcZvJhmH49FXMc4gAMFn_PsXH9eWBDcT6r2csvFUP5yOSjdbpZUqwHToz4lepybRLQz3mtsVP695XJZuBm6_bFL-Wa73dW-Lq9J0Lx/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>here is the sign at the beginning:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TLfzloX-p9I/AAAAAAAAAwM/3WLyRQ8vZsk/s1600-h/august%20129%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 129" border="0" alt="august 129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMW6e9GytT2xVbMVi-3MgwsKFDFzXX0GUWYdiDlDxzuKKeocCUW9TDQ7PYOHQRVz6izpUe3hzHE8BeopHRZSZW0STF1YPT9uVC4B4H_t0DhAVp6ykoywi_CWJrRjG0k5EuQE3nuYGlAen/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>here’s midway through the party:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TLfzmmTqojI/AAAAAAAAAwU/C9ENxZatRec/s1600-h/august%20154%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 154" border="0" alt="august 154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzU5qxxNSGwCitKBgnIge_1USY7uT3GffWvv_-QFol4mifIAs_XKfWmVBrDr2_CHas5SLTNKynXma9af_Z4tVwTt5GQohM8ELmo99Dh6RVE1LsWKg8sUya60-Y87gaeIQe8zq0T7kuPmh/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>and the final result:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvH0X1sNjLU8801nNGJKXuvFxZpmkGTmoCWKux9Qd8z2Ik9sbXNFtkWbuHdVRXlWgK177JLpCycuNjHips4SO7i1CyYLjtiCt9qHE38IRJ5Q88Odf0esVMlgQSiPmV_mrA_M4Lzh4oOWt2/s1600-h/august%20180%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 180" border="0" alt="august 180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRv9CLSiMe1rjKvjp8Z_1JAh0BX6S4nhmXwBXGkCs7jdfmH0Kza4oJvLcornM_bFEABN7JMnD8LjXZnSgHQx8NSSVcvFcpePW6qLrM6LgzCzIMfGjPxoxjndvnHyzhSLXjQ768AeXYDNDZ/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>the cake:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TLfzokzObHI/AAAAAAAAAwk/UkcBEHZxqaU/s1600-h/august%20136%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 136" border="0" alt="august 136" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TLfzo-sITQI/AAAAAAAAAwo/66DHEQ8y8zU/august%20136_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>I wish I had gotten a better picture of the inside of the cake..it was so cool..here’s the only close up I could find….</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqg53VlnB9TO6-VekAOw7oDp7XU2Rr7-pcO_G9PdJ_TcEMMXAG79SRyR3ST03bdhhQh4P9DuKOE4Fex7oVbojZ7-97hrlccgyIeDpQ2BykMz0HmZcc_iFjjjIqPT0zHc3mVHOT2poelTs/s1600-h/august%20174%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 174" border="0" alt="august 174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndU8Bx4OMHBoS6Pueo0wbTy3-FosccYjrnXjgucQcaWMm7lFAZvhCc0NIjY6n8ZcvYMiNDCpPmrXW2LxqoCTJ8YpwFAQHjaHaFTspLnnhCYMscQQ31krfrj9-9ug-AWJrbaVbX9IMi7lE/?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244" /></a> </p><p>it was a rainbow cake and so fun to make..the kids were high on food dye all day though, I am sure!! Here’s where I found the cake if you ever want to replicate it:</p><p><a title="http://www.omnomicon.com/rainbowcake" href="http://www.omnomicon.com/rainbowcake">http://www.omnomicon.com/rainbowcake</a></p><p>Here is a pic of some of the kids working on their art piece:</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TLfzqKw1UWI/AAAAAAAAAw0/zfKGeTfyAUc/s1600-h/august%20134%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 134" border="0" alt="august 134" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TLfzqsdgz5I/AAAAAAAAAw4/2OlXjtNIpqc/august%20134_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>and of course the all important goodie bags:</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TLfzrBTth5I/AAAAAAAAAw8/5tQZi_H9bi0/s1600-h/august%20113%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 113" border="0" alt="august 113" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TLfzri2ySrI/AAAAAAAAAxA/ghcnOrbR1ms/august%20113_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>here’s the thank you cards we made...the invitations were just like them, but I can’t find my pic of them:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGwao2GjKWzdy6XvnDSMSkJIHBi2JmSPCwMzbLC2tUp0nDXb8uvYts7TeaG7onuTE0XF7hBs57ZCZtZCMczPf921iqcFqCER4FJxdlgDQd4dzlFzCsD3jgShC2ExTfkXF1MEeD6ujcCWj/s1600-h/Late%20Sept%20012%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Late Sept 012" border="0" alt="Late Sept 012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TLfzsIiCAfI/AAAAAAAAAxI/PoLV5BrvJnA/Late%20Sept%20012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>Hope you enjoyed a sneak peek at the girls 6th birthday party!!</p><p>Ciao for now!! Deidre</p>Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-66238095230366940182010-09-20T14:34:00.001-07:002010-09-20T14:34:14.795-07:00Don’t faint!!<p>WOOHOO two posts in two days….the world must be spinning off its axis!!  Matilda was the source of interest this morning.  She woke up crying saying she had a bad dream.  When I asked her what about, she said that I had left her and Matty with a mean queen and never came back to get them and that the mean queen put a spell on Matty so whenever she tried to sing, only bubbles came out!  What the heck does that dream mean??  Any of you dream readers have anything for me to go on with that one???  </p> <p>I totally reassured her that I would never leave her and that if I ever had to leave her for some weird reason, I would make sure she was with someone nice and loving, definitely not someone who wouldn’t let Matty sing!!</p> <p>Anyways a good story and a chance to share another awesome card I made……This was a for a gift certificate for one of my best “stamping ladies” as the girls like to call them…..I love the colors and all the new vintage trinkets that we have these days:  </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpklLO_5Lr63Pk15oj2dRQw99ISK8JBxkg9yXv7ymWRJuGX_DJ2rCG_FDzyMoIJfw_4_9a4Bg1rPWw40DWdZKhsxn5VFbpjoTHlZB596nbdACvbpYnQlrnz5picZ_qJtsmlKSFAHZzCbV/s1600-h/begin%20august%20002%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="begin august 002" border="0" alt="begin august 002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zz20E-scVQ5SMo6xx3wtfOIf7n_YhMSE0ELG74sxAozF3t0E3iqZPYv5pelfzvcP5wzeApwOcgvwDcOIavvFB238kv9PB1-3XbfHmMJ5seSGu7amkaIiS8qx-nr2gEnxtlEPxkIzwtwV/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Gorgeous eh???!!!  (YILM!)  I am going to have to make a few more of these as they are just too pretty!!  The texture, the colors, the vintage brads, I could just eat it up!</p> <p>And here are some baby shower invites I made for a friend’s baby shower a few weeks ago:<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJfTTg2BuNI/AAAAAAAAAvo/ubexZFaFolM/s1600-h/begin%20august%20005%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="begin august 005" border="0" alt="begin august 005" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2a8mIOozOOIWHU6WLo0b_uRMMVGL8D4CEsb8dCnnGVnCsQGF3QwbeaBvq4qyQt4Y8oo4iw7oAsdW7nO5L-DqsyiDfSs6l0M4r-fHnmmNU7vNStaEiYEw7F1oKr9iR6eqi0x7Hxcl7JYow/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>and lastly the diaper cake which was my gift for her:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJfTUbHUDXI/AAAAAAAAAvw/E_EVXC8ncdI/s1600-h/august%20106%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="august 106" border="0" alt="august 106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cDqCPIESg_KxDUgpY5JF6_AECe3PCsN4Fkwqn2ADsmT2rBPc9NMDoomYG4XaMhaVfgjSOUuXuTvWJaaQspMWgL2mN59-PKAtkCWGN2W9tq6gq5lHX_pDegBGMo325gESd7xiYpSwT3xA/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Check out the cool palm trees along the bottom!</p> <p>Here’s the baby card I made for her, but it’s almost 100% cased from this card:</p> <p><a title="http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1231529" href="http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1231529"><font color="#008000">http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1231529</font></a></p> <p>Here’s my version…sure wish I had not sold that key tag punch now but the tab folder punch definitely worked the same magic!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJfTVFkpStI/AAAAAAAAAv4/8EIaVg-DNb4/s1600-h/august%20111%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="august 111" border="0" alt="august 111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71LBQyJ64xSfLuBmkvkGnWuoAema_2emELuuP-48KGt8gNQPnxNFqdjl8AEu_3w2VPlB8mwuR47_O7PP-zWEZk0hdGqLysGxwxJ5Pto9MKLeUfBCZNBqYZo2GqMPAL0EnVkclWo0APOFy/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Ciao for now…..Deidre</p> <p>PS….Dad…. I used it’s and its correctly in this post!  Guess this old dog can learn new tricks!</p> Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-52750025948560703912010-09-18T11:59:00.001-07:002010-09-18T12:06:39.921-07:00There is some “P” in the pool at Palm Desert<p>Hey everyone! Sorry it has been so long since I posted. I keep hoping one of these days I will do better. I have lots of great things to share with you, I just have to find time to write about them all! I have to start though, with our latest trip. The girls and I went to Palm Desert (right next to Palm Springs) over Labor Day weekend to enjoy some time with some friends that were using their timeshare week. They had a great place that was super huge and fit both families wonderfully! Thanks so much Jeremy and Lisa! Joel, at the last minute, had to stay home and work, so that was kind of a bummer, but he rarely has to do that so we just kept our plans, which involved lots of swimming!! We pretty much spent two days in the pool. It was 115 degrees there ,so the pool was really the only place to be. It was so hot, that you had to wear your flip flops right to the edge of the pool or you would burn your feet walking on the concrete. BUT...the water was perfect and refreshing.</p><p>We were having a great time and I happened to glance at Matty who looked absolutely horrified at one point. I said “Matty what is wrong??” She says, “Mama I am so sorry, I couldn’t help myself and I peed in the pool!” She is normally so good about getting out to go, so I was just about to reassure her, when Matilda pipes up, “Don’t worry Matty, I pee in the pool all the time!!” That made us all laugh so hard! So, I just have to warn you if you are heading to the Marriot Desert Springs resort you may want to give it a few weeks!!! Ha!!</p><p>Here is a pic of the famous windmills you see on the way out there!!</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJUL-CSPu9I/AAAAAAAAAuA/nm-84sPlbsA/s1600-h/late%20august%20005%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="late august 005" border="0" alt="late august 005" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyKRDadASmt3QnGDZYUYpdNeU4c7fS3BI5NEfs27t9gTTOseOEDjnCeVHDF7ljv3-105Be5BAHeo2kgsn7pEyjhTf2nTdPAmRftP3HqgE7BBT2gJL8-Y4qFy8eOGZIlxLabT6XBievnm9/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>When we got back my hubby surprised me with my early birthday present….</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJUL-hV0kXI/AAAAAAAAAuI/soeSq-BAAeU/s1600-h/late%20august%20009%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="late august 009" border="0" alt="late august 009" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJUL_Kcs9LI/AAAAAAAAAuM/Hn1II8sLUh4/late%20august%20009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>I had been looking at this painting in the store for a year and never could bring myself to spend the money despite knowing how perfect it was for this spot. Joel knew I was in love with it and got it for me…what a great hubster!! It really reminds me of the days we lived near Venice! </p><p>Since I last posted, we have had the girls birthday party, a baby shower, and many other projects. I think I will start in chronological order with the baby shower! The inspiration for the shower was the bedding picked by the soon to be Mom, Steph. Although she is having a girl, she is not a pink kind of gal so she wanted something more neutral and contemporary and I have to say I absolutely love all these colors together!</p><p>Here is a pic of the bedding that was our jumping off point:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJUL_zEbWII/AAAAAAAAAuQ/3E7tyTenT44/s1600-h/steph%20bed.png"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="steph bed" border="0" alt="steph bed" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinADkwV_dWpXy3gD_sGfk1JR7-svpv4I19vB0Xlb0BDLBoM-LMtqIqNbrnjvn9iRyVO-GWjAbxn5OJu-h9aGWxZVlQReUMqdtvikvl4Rwuxo-6Gi3yui7JmNtmucwMynskmx1d8QzmzGY8/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p><p>So I took the main colors of yellow, orange and brown and also, polka dots and animals and ran with it! Here’s the stuff I did:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJUMA3Jjz1I/AAAAAAAAAuY/CHrqC_MKUOI/s1600-h/august%20024%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 024" border="0" alt="august 024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvHKJCbc-nILrxKsPo2a1UGgcG_4e0YmGGouuz4yQLeEuCZdp8NNgMgpsym5sq0D_ndNEOLBMxVt1b9w3zuTzwzvIoWY3rYblkSAcJ5kCikYoxrVBsBZcm36K48z8vLCM0UD1vaA6c9RH/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>and here is my first watermelon baby carriage…I kid you not this took maybe 15 minutes:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14gcCUpsRNj-fXIqPTI8RAJSoR-9731EKdXUDXwgmbaF2UKfcX68tZuy8eBnVdXjV0lB4PvgweYrHUSQfobtbaj_Je0rH_DUHXDF3XGFFFCcUa1_IMmbHL2aRxB7L7urOPSNrCij-Clh5/s1600-h/august%20020%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 020" border="0" alt="august 020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJUMBz1pU6I/AAAAAAAAAuk/geqZOXJt1Zk/august%20020_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>Here’s the baby cards which I cased from a christmas card because the circles were just perfect:</p><p><a title="http://artisticavenger.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/but-mommy-theres-no-snow-yet/" href="http://artisticavenger.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/but-mommy-theres-no-snow-yet/"><span style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://artisticavenger.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/but-mommy-theres-no-snow-yet/">http://artisticavenger.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/but-mommy-theres-no-snow-yet/</span></a></a></p><p>Kerrie, my friend who hosted the party, had everyone print their address on the envelopes to help Steph send out her thank you’s, which I thought was a fantastic idea:</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJUMCVI6HBI/AAAAAAAAAuo/AHCqn85LCU8/s1600-h/august%20028%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 028" border="0" alt="august 028" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FzYFYvc4Xnl8YWKXk3jEqkIqlUzg3uM0fSPFP6PUqlVOgv48QTATPsSQixFxRe_fqkPWaoMMZwwFdTdp58J2-CiOh8s2-kCQw-9_b9jaRaYD1U3hpTA2IgQTt4RDvkVgEcjIwpF95Kca/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>Here are the party favors:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITUXeBzXgLklZhj_NBjeq097VhpgKmtdVpuCGU7PGf9NNwXLZcC4z7G9Pd3YPF5apJY-go4l048tBPA4fQmsiECffPgz-7W8JcjagmD3fw26JOCZ9SC7hp5YGlLNlxek72t4EzpyhyzGT/s1600-h/august%20025%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 025" border="0" alt="august 025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJUMDIsLAZI/AAAAAAAAAu0/Y73hBgT4r20/august%20025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p><p>and the banner (click on the pic for a better view!):</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJUMDixtRjI/AAAAAAAAAu4/k8A1g4nFSaA/s1600-h/august%20032%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 032" border="0" alt="august 032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BfJKjSS7t81fs5HTrVbw0_Ckzd3rvg8OsJ3K78UAqi0mFqvI-PMvIqXJ1GxdGcNb2N0dSSTlU175jvxlTj6QQn6196vblPjLd-8HPfTJ_GJlIX2sdEwsALosSdN9qwB9oGiGGOJaKk1H/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>The gift list:</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJUMEIMvurI/AAAAAAAAAvA/JI2BDopyncA/s1600-h/august%20027%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 027" border="0" alt="august 027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi6NT3B9ahg16LwIBgLCPldcqCNZUb69nRz8gwJfsv3NHWNctysBXObbzwe_ZkJl2gIJSeGBrlMN1WIVcGLFvOdwF0qwCvebRETBttjsXf_4RkSUndVDC0qGJikSxiCk4bZsY7V4UFqyt/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>The game cards:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvfVoywNsWeS1GRSl2ZzLlSDwxfxRlYKEePRMhxmrlPSm23qcmidwz_yutg6v6rGq4rXxRAo3UhtK9uzT-2edFlTamq8vcbxgRHZ-djygAVQZujUoWD3QmQWVMivqP1m7M8RWMUhuhs2u/s1600-h/august%20029%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 029" border="0" alt="august 029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_0kFor5PJI2niVDGx58jA9N5iEzfxY_QVF_ggv-qEJcvxr4GjnSNtXp2efBzz_dfl9dLLAKFdISORbrwFJS0xhS1l7YTAjZ3SnPgSYrI4VHQkh_1WZSAC1TBBHcAfnITaYtTtrdbpWQp/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>the baby shower bag game:</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJUMFmGlA2I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/m5aK9LeQkGo/s1600-h/august%20030%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 030" border="0" alt="august 030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8KQlbQKEHxRrfTB-G26XnAT2PtcrxugTQhMuIGErtHhGCxpYXwjJD3kKQagOwvw-lv6WUdYR_-_Tp7XfBAUGCIxHoCu9gkq9zvwFWQjjch_Eoq1tyMWRHkhpVwCjGZwbQGYwssjS44vh/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>and the whole table... another super easy idea here….I punched out different size circles in all the colors and scattered them as a table runner:</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJUMGI7bCPI/AAAAAAAAAvY/Guos9grfVyw/s1600-h/august%20043%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="august 043" border="0" alt="august 043" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TJUMGue4srI/AAAAAAAAAvc/cxUYDLM69do/august%20043_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>Hope you liked Steph’s contemporary shower!!</p><p>Ciao for now……Deidre</p>Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-20750764220202791012010-08-02T23:25:00.001-07:002010-08-04T09:28:06.403-07:00Light and Romantic<p>Well I am going to try and post a little more often, because I have a ton of projects that I have been working on and can’t wait to share them!! </p><p>But first a quick funny from Matty, my resident comedienne! Matty is really getting into music. She has all the songs on the radio memorized, who the artist is, and whether they are an old or new “rock star.” Her favorite right now is Adam Lambert’s “What do you want from me?” When an old song comes on, she gets the 411 on it immediately. She is back there singing Pat Benetar, Rob Thomas, Kings of Leon, you name it! Well, the other day she was getting frustrated because we couldn’t find a station playing music, so she says to me, “C’mon Mom can’t you find something light and romantic??” I mean seriously, I about busted a gut! Where does she get this stuff?? Matty Moo, I do love you girl…romantic…she doesn’t even know what that means!!</p><p>Last weekend we were invited to our friend Thatcher’s 2nd Birthday Party at the miniature railroad in Balboa Park. Well, Stampin’ Up used to have a great looking vintage train stamp set so I borrowed it from a fellow Rubba Sista (my fun group of demonstrator friends here in San Diego…Hey Girls!!) that I knew had it; and this is the card that I came up with….I have to say I thought it was fabulous!! (YILM!) Click on the photo to make them larger and see the detail...there is a lot of texture going on with the card.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighgdA29r308WzNMtLWFL46pkJthoblUpeeeGCqbaevJ6Ll5K9H9Od92doRABgr0SmOMP2kc32KqS7f-OtRvKqvrs0hUEW5zqvbEZDk0Yxc9Tb8s-v4RLMJT36wn0npV6R1y8JLxrPMSBq/s1600-h/july%20031%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="july 031" border="0" alt="july 031" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2QjAN6nUL4tNRajvH3E2iTBEerXwQHJKXNsYekdPPr5nOqBjIMDK2lG5m4dTWfr3R3vi32_DLJDi9eZHpMlLDxgGYfw0CC4GoYvY4qNclX5q3c9lyq_SnoL7G5kEVDstnYwPlSI7cSRa/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>and of course the matching packaging:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lYn29aComCcST_-nIBymJSDA8EEWz2o3Kn0LIWiO63nkAOWp95kLX93Q5cZSAy2bJ6ap-IXhn1rx1FHRiFq9XuIfPatHJJz1HCYW-9ILMweLczBWGR3oqhR81_S2MIjJUbhK81YKgtC7/s1600-h/july%20027%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="july 027" border="0" alt="july 027" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TFe2XErzcYI/AAAAAAAAAsU/1Dpa-k0Fric/july%20027_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>and here is a close up of the tags:</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TFe2Xdel_2I/AAAAAAAAAsY/qMTBiS3QfLM/s1600-h/july%20028%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="july 028" border="0" alt="july 028" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TFe2Xyh4edI/AAAAAAAAAsc/nh2roc7OlCQ/july%20028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TFe2YCM5n1I/AAAAAAAAAsg/pe0rSAfj4xI/s1600-h/july%20029%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="july 029" border="0" alt="july 029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5PdkJrelw1eXpz5cINd8x_wUwU-08ZYMGDJZyF2A_DGERHuN0HEwKjgN0WYd75Ra198S5FpnVDTyy85epgKgJDPntx5jbV2MFzY9N-IGQycmrKCHuS3cvfpWaKNgG5hbTtGQ-f2dIswf/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Okay that’s all for tonight friends…more to come soon… I have lots!!</p><p>Ciao for now! Deidre</p>Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-4381632073863597442010-07-18T13:08:00.001-07:002010-07-19T09:04:17.872-07:00It’s feeling like summer!<p>It has been a fast and furious month since I last posted…one of these days I will start posting more often, but for now, I do it when I can. </p><p>Life has been good for the Mooney’s lately. The day after the girls dance recital we headed off to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming for our vacation with our friends, the Fico’s. We stayed in a cabin outside of Bozeman, MT about 30 minutes north of the Gardiner entrance. Every which way you looked you saw magnificent mountains…check it out:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfHr7WmKI/AAAAAAAAAps/40-NPKcfTqQ/s1600-h/yellowstone%20094%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 094" border="0" alt="yellowstone 094" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXzHkb4l0U2AB5OiJkKjyCy7_yId_6upuVMeDDZH_51wTR0n9Lrb8Ur8ox_p2t3306FAev8PFLTqPqI-l_K0QRMjqhghvs9aCYjNUqc-s8IdR9TsEITV4dj9X6Yr9QEqWtKmo4rXSavU-/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfIW8JIfI/AAAAAAAAAp0/qUnR1nRbJY8/s1600-h/yellowstone%20356%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 356" border="0" alt="yellowstone 356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrOfZrRtZIveHDO2IbUKCW_hK5rhWlcS0lAdg5nfq5T12quJzbtiTQE0XH8uu9VxwfDjRs6qxjwMZVxyDDwHV85rv0socUqhWslT8Bh6HhssqzmivixxFWmZ5Dz092wa2y2my18v2MoKs/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>Yellowstone is just spectacular when it comes to seeing wildlife, we saw lots of bears, mountain goats, big horn sheep, bison, elk, mule deer, a coyote, trumpet swans and two bull nosed snakes. The only animal we didn’t see was a moose. They had a big fire in Yellowstone which burned up the trees that moose like to eat, so they have moved further south into the grand tetons. As the trees grow back, they expect the moose to return. Our friends from Alabama got up super early one morning to go see the wildlife (getting up super early on vacation doesn’t sounds like vacation to me, so we passed!) They left the house at 4 am and were rewarded with seeing wolf pups, a grizzly with a kill, grizzly cubs and lots of black bear cubs. So for them, the wild animal lovers, it was totally worth it. I was happy with just seeing them as we drove out of the park each night, there was plenty!! Here are some pics of the wildlife:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnj-8w333g7Az1TsEZcDrVyw9sHfeB4-5C0EOAOkyZZQuAqGB-a5nXuCAAsHuE49NswR-KuRiaQG5t747AbaWCem7pZo7k-3bTF2mWLif1pGZ2cikz-iNDFp41OEZYrqlcLZjBHoKOpXN/s1600-h/yellowstone%20224%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 224" border="0" alt="yellowstone 224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCJ2yTywg2fZaCb0HnFGwPQz7fCXmUexVMaHNHHtbo63B8XRVVAMxzznwi4HFGexKNsr6EV-zZPEAVzd5AAGyQ4BKHg1oG4gePm7NGQKZyO99CXLFF5VPZCQ0cXkeCq_WqbQCy2yZ67MI/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3Z_z-wOaIstnISGd_GxiD69Mfoo-wM4U2yLNoaKJMhbJA7KaAtTAWAI-yPcJE0OJ8-Ira085WjEktzFWY9W78n4sDAu1Z42BrJJPyjKVmYJGMlnMaNb5JnqzQcrF45r0W5SK43cuOvRL/s1600-h/yellowstone%20429%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 429" border="0" alt="yellowstone 429" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfK-JKKQI/AAAAAAAAAqI/VLc_H-gx2lI/yellowstone%20429_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfLoSR0fI/AAAAAAAAAqM/3VXY5_kmwOk/s1600-h/yellowstone%20432%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 432" border="0" alt="yellowstone 432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NdOyW01LjOOokPO7-Ezq4sC51CJxIZuR41bOoOkc5XrQ642K5PdF0Cea6Bzcks3Y5Bc9GOj1PyVkVNCc4rZ39gMd_F163HH8QekhepimLiHXjvhoTN0hIgzk3XE2xJYQbn7FSd3UeO_s/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>Here’s a pic of the whole family enjoying a little hike near Yellowstone lake:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfMLWQlxI/AAAAAAAAAqU/a44FcLn4LdI/s1600-h/yellowstone%20222%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 222" border="0" alt="yellowstone 222" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfMYhE1KI/AAAAAAAAAqY/6ZF4rampdyk/yellowstone%20222_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>and last but not least some amazing shots of Yellowstone, my favorite was the grand canyon of Yellowstone:</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfNBtyBGI/AAAAAAAAAqc/EH8SVhPTU7w/s1600-h/yellowstone%20131%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 131" border="0" alt="yellowstone 131" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfNTOv3CI/AAAAAAAAAqg/Vm2Rk2MAINk/yellowstone%20131_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXJHmqpxDLcTfT6rpf4MQCOo3V2JlMjgQODD_iu_WzdCPoqgtjOqXA0cgvQtbBqgmYdyT4LeNY4bTwc_uh11dMla7sYc7jcUDdf-9PCETNwbonZRxMaJNf6p1WciAgFSvXFYQTwx3D7IZ/s1600-h/yellowstone%20136%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 136" border="0" alt="yellowstone 136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUUzQxhVMaQJJxJijfSNv2UEO5qhE-0BsojfZq4QfigamCqTvZf3nABi78L0CiNJyygW2gcRHPQelIlVLOexppclIOWCmXRxodI5owoxL2aH9dwJbVVoZ7CWFXArOUgPq_SOc4x5xucBh/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>here's lake yellowstone:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfORmDF2I/AAAAAAAAAqs/kzhpmUHllcM/s1600-h/yellowstone%20206%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 206" border="0" alt="yellowstone 206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcp2R1iO9NraOUC14266CXlcpNGOxdqVJie5tCX9kE8G2AMb2zcVQ8t0N4Qkds_88AfpQj1B2dgKyEpq_PKSyI2hyuQdqB_Jrai5HlhvpOVB6dT5UOp7BzIRdhx0TbbLhIpqW-stXAW5S/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>and you have to see ol faithful while you are there:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMsQi3HGX0QixM5L8R3WF84ZeE3SlvNYlQq0O2ZYQebrlWK9E-2QsfxZKa91vqrJuVG6wjTN2dDbj1vpCMxRUW-lQkokyt5QB71OtOwXKqW2QzFWigdyTExXN0LhZMJ1LCyEuKhxYWsgK/s1600-h/yellowstone%20251%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 251" border="0" alt="yellowstone 251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnV7knodbNSBRfmHYJCWI7F5pgfg2EvWBHed89f0U-aal1vgdHiwUYlw_WzxWxzRd610SN_IP2qoSRBRcMHRGv5TFa2FepnX7weVXT29SICF7SV0VG4knIy8ri3dh6YK7gdt2EyVb-WHDq/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>Lastly, Yellowstone is known for its thermal activity, bubbling mud, fumaroles and geysers which make it truly unique. Here’s a few pics of that:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyyh9vpIRwyy9_Ow7pVa89qCL1jqcUH1RCTCSyuk6xM_J72agZmthlooghgYIl9rsFF5lJ0yNLYqrmEj7FKze_0U9bFjeJAl8pkWZfeprsk1h05IUNq8CaEklbnWJkdE3wdkHJAOoVaPV/s1600-h/yellowstone%20057%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 057" border="0" alt="yellowstone 057" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfQGDTT4I/AAAAAAAAArA/ofRt5J2rDMk/yellowstone%20057_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfQi_oUcI/AAAAAAAAArE/IztA7twlhRc/s1600-h/yellowstone%20021%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 021" border="0" alt="yellowstone 021" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRW45IRCTwIkNkvtyt-2LL3ZyWtGu-Jh0gFJ0yC_VfI7Hyla7Trzs2YxbqSy-ENHd90dbr2jU_cqXOFFrGDTbhJL6MM0oNkXc0KmZmh5KLQ5q26nAJZQlLJBVQP-m3-_SYIAdKNZKRJ7fo/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>Now I just have to share a funny story! We finally took a nice hike away from lots of people and we were really enjoying ourselves. We met a family coming down the trail who said they had to leave their picnic, as they had seen a black bear and decided to get out of there. We were like, COOL! Let’s get up there! They happened to mention some sheep they had seen too. So, we come around a bend and see about 5 sheep that looked like this, pretty tame huh?</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfRSFVMGI/AAAAAAAAArM/xeUQv6V9C5w/s1600-h/yellowstone%20376%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 376" border="0" alt="yellowstone 376" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfSGPWmKI/AAAAAAAAArQ/MNX3abeH6pc/yellowstone%20376_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163" /></a> </p><p>They were eating grass, looking at us, we were looking at them and wondering more about the bear. We didn’t take into account one thing:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4RvvxQqZoURHB9TBS4eL7NwFxyyhfCLbGFi6Anr3_Orok4Xy1QZJSM5NyZk0xY8IBWU-JNLXk33oPox7YtwtD_xSWRtmQhTaLd4wNzFZ9TenaWuvhCNLTV3w1GmqHEFuqL1UtQeXefT4/s1600-h/yellowstone%20369%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="yellowstone 369" border="0" alt="yellowstone 369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0NPu9HOrsxaUcob2yZmpCLyz2WAU_UHo2Nl6Hllc3kMI9d9hFgw6Yn8hnIz_59eH8wsb6dqlp1LOMxMyKjsfyaM0lPkRVjX1YJGKR6wC3wrhTKjvxKmciHr01z8MkEsQUMUgqojNcJI7/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>8 year old Ben was last in line and decided to start bleating at the sheep..BAA BAA BAA…well the sheep didn’t like that at all and after a few seconds they started running at us!! I scooped Matilda up and ran like the dickens…Randy, (Ben’s dad) was ahead of me but started running past me, taking off his backpack so he could use it as a weapon….Joel had Matty up ahead and he started yelling, “Run for the trees!”…but that made me think…what about the damn bear??? </p><p>Luckily, we made it to the trees, the sheep stopped running, and there was no bear to be found. Joel and Ralph (Randy’s Dad) kept an eye on the sheep while we gave them very wide berth….Randy was with the women and children and declared himself to be the secondary line of defense, in case the sheep broke past the other guys! All in all, looking back it was pretty funny, but I have to say the adrenaline was pumping for a minute or two, and we decided to cut our hike short just in case there was any other wildlife (besides Ben!) out there!! I mean if we can't handle sheep, I think a bear is definitely out of the question!</p><p>But it truly was a fabulous vacation. I am loving all the national parks. Next year maybe Zion???</p><p>I made another diaper cake last month for a bunko baby shower. I went with a vintage theme…check it out:</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfTRK9YsI/AAAAAAAAArc/hAU0EQEoKZ8/s1600-h/june%20cards%20014%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="june cards 014" border="0" alt="june cards 014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfTtbaa9I/AAAAAAAAArg/SC6YJS-kDWk/june%20cards%20014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>and here are the party favors:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfTymllcI/AAAAAAAAArk/YYnesGWWewE/s1600-h/june%20cards%20009%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="june cards 009" border="0" alt="june cards 009" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-yIx-JABp4Jrjfyxwue021A1VhARSJUETUdwC9_38UfKXQ3V6WGA0cA9YGxMItHt3E17oKE5guaDij9uLAL_r1Nlnto6nwEvb7Dfj96eGKv8cav2b_MxB0YzwMGYFQaWpil6ijFuwoSy/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>the gift list:</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfUsanaqI/AAAAAAAAArs/ldz6BZWvUWM/s1600-h/june%20cards%20010%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="june cards 010" border="0" alt="june cards 010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM17cKc4kUntwtGM9etUyRm8iDbQsZidbCot9p9znPfHyxV0qMrCrXfiQCyco8BT9aqnHfvtr1x-Q9jx3HQzu_U8kbbVvbenCKJ4161fg1BDy8elx1LPfeXUnqSaLWDg2TqYZjQxYKxtQX/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>and some thank you cards I made:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-SUQouG8dO7f6ciVdHU4RTU5wmzGs-UlbmmZjlRINpUcHvHpY0Btu-cMimPvtcShyphenhyphenZdLIa1Im8sJ5XXAWd0h8yfJ7m260IQFp3JE2su-qxWthEeZi7fY8IZf4CuCZb5H9CZrBefeFExK/s1600-h/june%20cards%20011%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="june cards 011" border="0" alt="june cards 011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TENfVpIj_WI/AAAAAAAAAr4/SAWRS_brsis/june%20cards%20011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>Ciao for now! Deidre</p>Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-79001398101665400122010-06-18T03:25:00.001-07:002010-06-18T03:25:37.380-07:00It’s 3 am, I can’t sleep and I need a new butt!<p>Yowsers…I am supposed to be sleeping right now.  Some of you might know from facebook that I woke up two days before my half marathon with leg pain, well actually butt pain!  I have had a problem with my piriformis muscle for well over a year now but nothing like this.  The piriformis muscle wraps around the sciatic nerve and when it is inflamed it squeezes the sciatic which is where the pain comes in.  Usually the pain would be off and on never more than a day.  This time it just kept getting worse.  I still ran the half marathon, although to be honest I limped most of it, which was really disappointing for me.  My body was ready, my mind was ready and my butt did not cooperate.  It was the first long run I did where my feet didn’t hurt.  I finished in 2:29, which was better than the average time but I know if I had really been able to run like I had been doing for all those months prior I could have probably finished around 2:10.  But I guess that means I just will have to do another one to prove it to myself!  The downside of all this, is that I am still limping.  Today it has been officially two weeks.  I am seeing a great sports medicine doctor who I thought gave me the miracle cure on Tuesday.  She gave me a shot of Markane (SP?) and steroids.  By the end of the day I was walking normally again.  Wednesday did great.  Thursday, limping again. </p> <p> Not good, as we head out on Sunday to go to Yellowstone National Park for a week of hiking.  I am going to go back and see the Dr again tomorrow and am praying for a botox shot.  Supposedly the botox will paralyze the muscle and make me pain free.  At this point I just want to be myself again.  I want to go back to exercising and being my active self.  I wonder if she does decide to do the botox if there would be enough left for the old face!   hee hee hee </p> <p>Here’s a pic of me crossing the finish line at the marathon:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR7llxjK46FrsfeMD37PvfethuRtOTT4jEjfUevUNjH76lP9-hyAdDYABjmiyMxfoPw_9keMyuxoOZeXJYlx6gGEjI9ilJnrRB3aIysH6_T98qHgbF4UMlMflpX8vFWZL4XMBCk6M_nkg/s1600-h/marathon3%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="marathon3" border="0" alt="marathon3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TBtJlTaOzcI/AAAAAAAAApI/WXQjVlM2zU8/marathon3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a>     </p> <p>I have been doing lots of stamping for my new club members and some other projects.  A friend asked me to make her some cards, as they are moving to Hawaii, to give to everyone with their new address.  I was only too happy to oblige and this is what I came up with:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6jCePnhnFxFkua9SdK5rgkFQVUyjt4z1dFm71oQAJOIq5krSsnERNLakZG_hY3VTgPLHibOq9CGCGAg5XukyHsoNaaNrTADl8c3sspyLffyr3ICFSMLaA1ysXedvSo4f0A6AiHFTAjmf/s1600-h/june%20cards%20001%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="june cards 001" border="0" alt="june cards 001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFyUMTcRHsqMbAarqZlQE58w5kKf-duRSbHGPTeKfHQk5fy81Lwcu4vUxNCdDQP1pQhmwbphXjVvi0fgglUco85qHm9P-TwLZTzKDk9lrnygyRZjBuShMjXWdjB3ZYUWRtwjMU_WSCKCJ/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>The inside read the Kennedy’s are moving from one paradise to another!  I thought they really turned out cute (and they used up a bunch of my glorious green paper that I really had no idea how I was going to use!)</p> <p>Then I had to make a little something for the girls dance teachers.  Here’s the card I made for them:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DbYJDLLAovxFeS-zpVXHAxomkBRDXytoD9dY5tutLuTZ-j1Zz0TVry3EWjE-jm8cb8Sg6GSCepl86KkOPVM0TXHuE-DgjAWjS28fcCT1IlrbxGkOWcLvi0G5teRw_c6u-CdIEveWLf6F/s1600-h/june%20cards%20004%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="june cards 004" border="0" alt="june cards 004" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmo5OppQa2zLcUIakJmI1LFYOrmg_b2Y06DMvqhcGfizg3J_PW4JlRirb3A15rLiFXtQGLdpdG1DbJj7b1kgSoCjkQFgcuLNow572TWa1OYo0GXhgAWntMQmZh_u2U-dh8hoLwORCYFCLp/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>I also made them a little frame with the names of all the little girls in the dance class which turned out really cute, I especially love the saying..”all you need are toe shoes, a tutu and a willing heart”:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhZHqin6EPA_LWAMUqE06i_kkbtsUdpKpmx2DGJhXvnjVlOD8chgBJep_VYkWKFpEASFGZCTCd4yJxxJY2e7-974usKRLVeryrK_tQoEPt_xcCPQJD7s5yoXQjQEQRFcWbREppKequ80O/s1600-h/june%20cards%20006%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="june cards 006" border="0" alt="june cards 006" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqPH1weURkeRl6vUUzpOBvl62g3Unz39GINtF1egT12NY3EuekQ-ksmFLYjNqima8cBlmxOI6W-70E7afnoC8j9G5DsXiojPli3F0xVOp4V8anO0YEgl-cq8EBGZho1Ottat7OeLzDnuG/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>Well, I am off to try and sleep again, I think the medicine I took is keeping me awake along with hubby’s snoring, but I have to give it another shot...hope the dr gives me one tomorrow!  Wish me some sleep and a new butt!</p> <p>Ciao for now…..Deidre!</p> Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-14571642237380036692010-05-28T23:14:00.001-07:002010-05-29T12:20:20.944-07:00Curlers and Coffee Baskets<p>Hey all…hope things are well where you guys are. I completely forgot in my last post to mention a slight obsession that I have…the band Daughtry! I got the chance to meet the band, go to their soundcheck before the concert and then had front row center seats for the show… and I have to say, I have never been that close before and it is fantastic!</p><p>I usually have the worst luck getting good seats for concerts. I thought we had bought level 1 seats off the floor for Aerosmith when we went to Vegas a few years back. When we got there we were the second row from the very tippy top. Our seats at $129 a pop were so bad that the sound equipment was hanging below our field of vision blocking the jumbotron so for the entire show we got a great view of Steven Tyler’s crotch and that was it. If the music had not been so good we would have left!! So this was a major treat for me. I have loved Daughtry since he was on American Idol. When the first album came out in 2007 Joel was in Iraq and he and the girls would sing “Home” to each other over the computer and for many months after he came home for good. Even at 2.5 the girls knew who Chris Daughtry was! They have every song memorized on the newest album and ask to listen to it all the time in the car. I love that they know all about my favorite group and love hearing their sweet little voices singing the songs. Here are some pics from up close:</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TACwt4ojVuI/AAAAAAAAAnc/kRwVP70uyXs/s1600-h/may%20030%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="may 030" border="0" alt="may 030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gMPYGYUEVooec52dGEMEtQZ106LKCC6EWFxHtVkMEJQAS4WwsRiCVVScYlADll_DZ_JeRmth6uyyXTDF_wbtjxthUOxgPVk9iB4KimE5RMCK0iXJqfDge9xeLLZT4HMbM4B5seZ7IgM6/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>this was the soundcheck</p><p>here’s where I got to meet the band:</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TACwu7-h3YI/AAAAAAAAAnk/v22mznterug/s1600-h/1DaughtryVIP_SAND_96%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="1DaughtryVIP_SAND_96" border="0" alt="1DaughtryVIP_SAND_96" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TACwvMLHH4I/AAAAAAAAAns/6xz-99IZmgc/1DaughtryVIP_SAND_96_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163" /></a> </p><p>here’s from front row center at the concert:</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TACwvXPxMjI/AAAAAAAAAnw/I1Os0FWicek/s1600-h/DSC00754%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="DSC00754" border="0" alt="DSC00754" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TACwvzppxVI/AAAAAAAAAn0/9ildIDIoH4o/DSC00754_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p><p>We had a blast although my ears rang for a day and I was really tired from staying up so late waiting to get Chris to sign my cd, but at around 2 in the morning he came out and we did get them signed so it was worth the wait!!!</p><p>My girls had to get ready for a show last week so we got to use sponge rollers for the first time and let me tell you those suckers work..the girls look like they had stuck their fingers in a light socket for about 3 days! Here’s a pic I just have to post..Joel called them Myrtle and Ethel and they definitely looked like that!!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKF18PmtCS9YVmNApTVmNtFt1zOrpXVmi6u-2RawxHemiKyMK2cpoQo7yO_7JgFtEX_iOwDRt_OBMVrL6pH7uNYt20akCFXryqNiYo12Pqw85Taa3ustVZYKnDG2FsJKC-_vJsznPBiy-W/s1600-h/late%20may%20080%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="late may 080" border="0" alt="late may 080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkn5g8y9RrTjD2bYu5RSXt5kViUGM-aLJBdua5Tos4O6_2k-accZq1FCL09JqVvkGgJAxfAVBmpg1oyjuCFpqTeUY9tuTc90o_-r8L613SNBFyH3g88XXsY6wcN7cDrJdtLYI4t1daTYiB/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>I also made it home to OK for my goddaughter’s graduation from high school. I was only there for 48 hours but I got to see my family and enjoy Samantha’s big day..here’s a pic of me with the graduate..isn’t she beautiful??</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuRNqRz5C9UQMgxQK4BRWxQoSYR8H82uE9Dgp8nHxKx4BWJbNOPZJTcXWlXqd2QI9RHIAkfUA4BU_oA6ZsqFuoJ3BHAFxveIJqINV4xUUFy5WT7l0iwy-2BcpRr9frvoxmHvqcL3doFAe/s1600-h/late%20may%20019%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="late may 019" border="0" alt="late may 019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MdmEtq11vMlttZ6b6srTVFGC1QkL-0lJJ9JV_8LCDuJJnnZ73k1u5Bt2PoQpnIdrzNHJ61ng8-lOKGNHLcjsBPu6tIq4lmy3AkOadordh7sVRuTeCZUAIk_pjdNoy0i3Kf8qYa0nHpCB/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>and for my stampers out there..I finished a coffee gift basket for the girls teacher for her birthday. All the kids brought something to put in the basket and I made some cards and tags for her. Check them out:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQKcLWCbzQXBu7DdmtmwdphtrzlO2M2ENl92T26yX6fCgt21h60a2b2J4Tnm49U-LZgf8EXJ2oWYuRNjOquTxWrtmvlinIfjxAzizDDGwrpX7rKJrY3inrB2mre_oF-5Z5rB2itGMUFOk/s1600-h/late%20may%20091%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="late may 091" border="0" alt="late may 091" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TACwx850QuI/AAAAAAAAAoM/nWUG2ewxZq8/late%20may%20091_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACm52eob3dFqvP3KRw0cDkCi6I8cz_OkggQ4Kps18ulF644O8iY-qJ5Cr3lHiwHJzs26bMkLaj0_0AADsAjA5bN2V-pbv3BVwHeOFceZJebeedhhulI-s8A4L-YLX82Zd9IElaek_z2SF/s1600-h/late%20may%20092%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="late may 092" border="0" alt="late may 092" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX354LUM1PYtyGUwCq1ciM1fChIfUGu5vvd5p3zvanrpUGpK3mmEiOaaI-crbRAlNboFIsmHB3zkI8Wk-Uf5nXkUIyMbvwD8lBEImX9U4V9oLron7kB3D_lYH4xMLgM5ebEFJ-Plc3a_pY/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TACwy2joPPI/AAAAAAAAAoY/Xxc9EMfxu-0/s1600-h/late%20may%20093%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="late may 093" border="0" alt="late may 093" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnMxaOtu_wo0UKDDQVC4h9uSEdIMWfgLIDrieWV2eWCmjeaPJn254arSOm0m9kX68ZZ2LciC4GHNZbQrrclFlXmlhVom8nJOVuccPIaTyib8zU1W1zQQcN_OceUUQvJ-YH4XiUBN3Jvhk/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/TACwzXV60pI/AAAAAAAAAog/1ehB7ouEECw/s1600-h/late%20may%20097%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="late may 097" border="0" alt="late may 097" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8CXzjXdrVW_-zP7lNdGcX03B0FrYTYUNqQKJIAJnbrqyPqEUGaWhtWedTyOZOHCUnX-R1Ta7vCwaXsPfGxZpQR0X28fI63ynPznDAnunbuUQSN1FedEWjqCrpbs5Sn_uIivsGLKSLXWP/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyYq0wceD9dfg4YAECgR85B7YsLmceKuA3s3_eIx28VpfFTjd2pLByNG6BGORuSYEFFWgOI-5eZ8_LxXuYUDsByL1hEap0d5XSdQ-Xi4vhFPt-Tiops8AOBoTR00bDgA1ugwWP6rJceUe/s1600-h/late%20may%20096%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="late may 096" border="0" alt="late may 096" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri2SPtEnAauSuxiLO7K1ivwOqybFEljoOMqrDgTO1tJ6VZppudXoUpBwZ9lwirHCSAHPblldyic09bY15IGQzWoXEy24_X0nnseJH6iwknEqCzRqpPevXgpvDf2dpc6QeTAr8odAtIU_F/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>I got my color scheme for the cards from the dish towel we used in the basket. Another fun thing was I shredded coffee filters to use as the stuffing for the baskets. It turned out really cute!</p><p>Ciao for now…..Deidre</p>Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-90748917824660104882010-05-11T21:52:00.001-07:002010-05-11T22:21:12.783-07:00Life is good but busy….<p>Hey everyone…life has been moving so fast around here that it seems like I hardly have time to breathe!<br /><br />So let me recap what has been going on around here since I last posted:</p><p>I am starting up some new stamp clubs and have had great response this time which is really wonderful because it keeps me in business as a Stampin’Up demonstrator and makes me stay on track making things for them, which forces me to get my therapy time in and that makes everyone happier!!! </p><p>I am training for my first half marathon and for a non runner like me that is not an easy task. Because I have paid the entry fee for the Rock and Roll Marathon I have been doing the work and am super proud to say that I ran 11 miles on Sunday which is by far the most I have ever ran in my life and it went pretty well, I have to say! </p><p>Last week was teacher appreciation week and as room mom I was responsible for making a poster for the room, a sash for the teacher to wear to the luncheon, a basket tag and a placemat for the luncheon. Of course, most of the stuff got made the day before (what happened to the procrastination resolution huh???) and I forgot to get pics of everything but here is the poster I made for her and before you notice it… I did get an extra c added to the word “success!"</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S-oz9r9j8MI/AAAAAAAAAms/sdwcarZ4PQ8/s1600-h/may%20016%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="may 016" border="0" alt="may 016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpPiaSJaLhND4JIwATxLeWjCdeQU-RBb-2bBpDgfTXRGraBNYHKm9oTKed4u_Z6dEYtk1uRHgURmF0It0os7PEFQZKbzy58EztQ9EG5BFPdS4V5PoSzWYyn29czpPcn1dsvjcZGraMAa-/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXcP08CLC3yREb8bIi6SPt9V1ideLP6IrWmNlBK9HeLMjRQbWF6nW27nIJjtfhTgoA81QpCogt1lz3zSDUXdjyL18fWKtPuoob5LCiNcCr25mtOCHtdPmJBAaF9FumTAG4Mtv2M7bGyl7/s1600-h/may%20017%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="may 017" border="0" alt="may 017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S-oz--t1PdI/AAAAAAAAAm4/kYqgn7_9mf8/may%20017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>Much thanks to Heidi and Tricia who helped me cut out all the cupcake parts while we were watching our kids do gymnastics!!<br /></p><p>I was also recently involved in a charm insert swap for Stampin'Up's simply adorned jewelry line...I had the tag from a workout shirt that I had bought and I really loved the colors and style of it, so I used it as my inspiration. Here is the tag and my charm insert that I made:</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHRURzRbv-pSI7_WO-l8_jzlmqb9VDHzNjSaUA0hp80WHJ80MLZxveTP3D2b6uwhcMOO9SH1HuHNCyIK12X5r06f9VGPE4sPEub1-J74UvmSzbYqWG5ZT86Oere9kN-crjZF77NjNa64D/s1600/may+008.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470247052400088562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHRURzRbv-pSI7_WO-l8_jzlmqb9VDHzNjSaUA0hp80WHJ80MLZxveTP3D2b6uwhcMOO9SH1HuHNCyIK12X5r06f9VGPE4sPEub1-J74UvmSzbYqWG5ZT86Oere9kN-crjZF77NjNa64D/s320/may+008.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p>and here is the insert inside the charm:</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1U9A0659I9SpC5XMk_5lz67euljNhoaINetJtVOv4iFOlfFYZBQJG5Y327t6rKo80PHh-_cEILlw6M3elbzZu5ZesEXr_FueMoarA1C7xMgDTvsqwT7qoDvupn1alPBYhAqa4HY7cl1u/s1600/may+009.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470247752340361266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1U9A0659I9SpC5XMk_5lz67euljNhoaINetJtVOv4iFOlfFYZBQJG5Y327t6rKo80PHh-_cEILlw6M3elbzZu5ZesEXr_FueMoarA1C7xMgDTvsqwT7qoDvupn1alPBYhAqa4HY7cl1u/s320/may+009.JPG" /></a><br /><p>I know there’s more but that’s what pops in my head right away!!!<br /></p><p>I have pics of lots of things to post so I will try and do better this week and get some more blog posts done!<br /></p><p>Ciao for now……..Deidre </p>Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-77863144348727404522010-04-16T22:51:00.001-07:002010-04-16T23:38:58.168-07:00Supermom!<p>Hey everyone..hope your week is going well…I am actually starting to get caught up on things…all my projects are finished, birthday cards went out in the mail...one from last month,one from this past week and one for next week! Ha! At least one of them will be there on time. You would think since I am a cardmaker I would be better at that! I do need to get my Mother’s Day cards going… I just can’t decide whether to go westerny like this:</p><p><a title="http://www.tenealewilliams.com.au/wp02/2010/04/16/inkspirations-sketch-challenge-21/" href="http://www.tenealewilliams.com.au/wp02/2010/04/16/inkspirations-sketch-challenge-21/">http://www.tenealewilliams.com.au/wp02/2010/04/16/inkspirations-sketch-challenge-21/</a></p><p>or flowery like this:</p><p><a title="http://itsastampthing-vicki.blogspot.com/2010/04/elements-of-style-friend.html" href="http://itsastampthing-vicki.blogspot.com/2010/04/elements-of-style-friend.html">http://itsastampthing-vicki.blogspot.com/2010/04/elements-of-style-friend.html</a></p><p>Both really suit my Mom, so I am still thinking!!! Speaking of supermoms ( and I have one of them!!) I have to tell you a funny that Matty said to me last week….we were walking over to the neighborhood pool (don’t be hating…our mortgage is extremely overpriced...got to love CA!!! but I get to swim in March and April…it’s a trade off!!) I was pushing the girls in the jogging stroller and thinking about maybe I could possibly push them for a jog, since I am training for this half marathon and during all spring break I did not get to run..anyways I digress…This would mean pushing 100 pounds with improperly aired tires and running which would not be easy…oh yeah and add in hills. So I said out loud to the girls…” Maybe tomorrow we could go out in the stoller and let Mom jog a couple of miles…can you guys sit still for that?” Then I said, “ I don’t know if I can do it though” and Matty says “you can do it Mom, you can do anything…you are SUPERMOM!” God I love that girl!!! Made me grin all the way to the club! If you are wondering...I didn’t even try to take them for a jog…but I did get my jog in!! </p><p>Matilda also had a funny comment when we got back from the club that day…they were having some cereal on the patio for a snack since they were ravenous after swimming and Matilda says to Matteson… ‘isn’t this a lovely cafe??” Um, that makes me a waitress, not a supermom don’t you think????</p><p>I got an order for my third diaper cake if you can believe that!! This one was going to Chicago for a baby shower and needed to match the Carter’s Tree Tops bedding line which had owls and squirrels and foxes. So I scoured cyberland trying to find punch art owls and the other animals. I found the owls, and a squirrel but no fox. I found a bag with a fox face but I was really wanting to have the whole fox…so don don daaaa…I am the first one to make a punch art fox!!! Woohoo…here is my little guy!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMV8dqfytPVONNCUF3QuhpAsJ7HYaEnkDPL_LOftUIK9FPXGHVdNjXS01TKl3vsxYJBCARrC72L_8KG1GalRYH4LP-zLOprtcTib7S0gOIcIqDfgKtI2_gaZ_MOBdKMRlg980GEmrfANC3/s1600-h/late%20april%20027%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="late april 027" border="0" alt="late april 027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtt1YERdUQJo2AV9KTOL8AJtDlJ32K6lnsNQxoeguDpBO4rLhg0nsaeAeOW5SpqYL0RuK5Zk0qi_-Z0BKeFPHwLu-JC1H42g5LmYnPLjrQrm7prPO-o8R5pySDxadYw3PSXv-BWk8uXqE/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>and here is the whole cake:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGiZmI-E3vf7mT4fC0Fp8Axn2NTRydG7d564Pf7tPW0-7H13Fbe9-UT7XjkhQAk9LVeys1r95RT2owk48LWhG9lEdxu8K2WQlSsQty59fH18R_hS7I9u0-VCDqexlSdzkKT50vMGqKjCu/s1600-h/late%20april%20026%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="late april 026" border="0" alt="late april 026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S8lMcKxUZjI/AAAAAAAAAmg/hMZFBj4XPe0/late%20april%20026_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>They are really fun to make!!! So for those of you that are tired of diaper cakes..here is a card I am making for a shoebox swap next week:</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S8lMci39qXI/AAAAAAAAAmk/idHUmrFqjiA/s1600-h/late%20april%20034%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="late april 034" border="0" alt="late april 034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIwGYTPGh0PY4LSOPCfegZf1uay3reeVen_um2v7uHIdknPPN4YDMs7sKKeaJeqMPdsPb9yPnHOITg6Mymh03Q_j7I5dLhi1KaPH5elA6aIc3B2MgeytY854b3CHCvyRGGHnxpKLjNXZq/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>Hope you are all well and have a great weekend!!!</p><p>Ciao for now….Deidre!</p>Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-65779816889340769942010-04-03T22:07:00.001-07:002010-04-03T22:07:01.185-07:00Hearst Castle and Diaper Cakes!<p>Hey everyone…..hope you are all doing well.  Things are sort of back to normal here in casa di Mooney.  We had company in for a week, then a friend from college was in town so we spent a day with her, the next day we packed our bags, took the dogs to the kennel and the following day left on a great vacation.  Add to that I got an order from someone who attended the baby shower to make the shower favors for her sister’s baby shower which of course needed to be done before I left AND my company asked me while they were here to make some baby shower invitations and let’s just suffice it to say I was really busy!!!  I just realized as I typed this, that I forgot to take a pic of that baby shower invite too, darn it!  Well, I will have to have her take one and email me I guess!!!  </p> <p>So we headed off to the wedding on Wednesday….oh yeah and picture this…while I was getting my pedicure done on Tuesday, I was making the favors for the wedding and am happy to report I finished assembling all 50 butterfly matchboxes while I was sitting there….all the little Korean ladies has tons of questions about those, and I was sure glad to not have to work on them in the car!  The coast along highway 1 in California is so amazing and rugged and beautiful, we just loved seeing it and everything that the area has to offer.  Our view from our room at the Ragged Point Inn was just amazing as seen here:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geOBXbYQI/AAAAAAAAAj0/L7yrvYAE4IE/s1600-h/wedding%20045%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 045" border="0" alt="wedding 045" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geObhKiiI/AAAAAAAAAj4/ZoTRdhMmhAU/wedding%20045_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>but for the first time in a long time, we had no cell phone service or decent internet.  I paid for a satellite service but it was really spotty and went in and out the whole time and was about the speed of dial up and as everyone knows it is really hard to go backwards when you are used to superfast internet, so I just put the computer aside and enjoyed myself!!</p> <p>We drove to Monterrey on Thursday and went to the aquarium which was very fun and hands on, then on the way back to the hotel we found the most awesome restaurant…Nepenthe….we loved it and the view so much from there, we drove the hour back there on Sunday to have dinner there again!  Very cool place and here is their website if you ever go to the area:  <a title="http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/" href="http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/">http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/</a></p> <p>Here was my view:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geO6O7_eI/AAAAAAAAAj8/nqCCaHLalkE/s1600-h/wedding%20037%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 037" border="0" alt="wedding 037" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7gePdpMCSI/AAAAAAAAAkA/l6GO5dGpx44/wedding%20037_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>Then on Friday we toured Hearst castle and it was simply amazing, all the attention to detail was something else!   </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7gePkRDKRI/AAAAAAAAAkE/GkgWBtRDVFM/s1600-h/wedding%20069%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 069" border="0" alt="wedding 069" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geQA5tp-I/AAAAAAAAAkI/cil0URWzvF4/wedding%20069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>Here are some pictures of the neptune pool:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6TC8Y4EsfOBdGgbVhJ4xooZJC3wbxF1qFFrdnQ9Xp-L240r7mamAEZ6gOn-yTqxPIVMfK2XrY-9ihuLrpnJJq5Au3HI9ygzSiYb1FicGn_qgu5mG9DuC1TWz9X0a0ktTxasQLId4rUwp/s1600-h/wedding%20072%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 072" border="0" alt="wedding 072" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatUMYNZAc1NfKwInxFOEHn4Jys9wOCNoAYPjtiS83ZAbIzhUAJq0E0pavTUPm9PZm0JFrBX8Mb9Zfsxfj88B7NWSVHz05RlU6ybU9DjRyEw05yWoN5GzjeV0dRQ0sqYE3roG8bWwM6yNg/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQL8Qv_Bv5Yg8OrMYZ9sIEjeGqHXAobQ41IlPDmvUMucmGF5k8OxUW78HSY5S4QsD7wNbtyRAGK3UFLbhvBmJCRwhP2jt90tDJdLn0WgRZz9wl6q0sPW13f_lM9YaYVKJrWInTZejwLER/s1600-h/wedding%20077%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 077" border="0" alt="wedding 077" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geRs1iEWI/AAAAAAAAAkY/f33T9Umz7Zo/wedding%20077_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>and here is the indoor pool:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOX1KOnaCmRaQ7IAzwRZixTQfqCh0AIdB2TxWWVGxmyNZJU8_XpQwQ-q_TLSQKlisOtmy8412n_oQ0otRTuwpXCcqf64WtjEdP_vYiMkrR1vi8pmOZWtmNgk_W8deWL2eHjkJtAx5LC7zq/s1600-h/wedding%20123%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 123" border="0" alt="wedding 123" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geSeffYLI/AAAAAAAAAkg/uo-kzMrjSww/wedding%20123_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>and the dining room:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhed9k2RO55vcSx1_2831pN7cFaJDsyP1VPwS7tTwUv1053AGqJhVOA2H1lPVEs2ISmPI0sQKY55SDLk3SqovEm3iyLpE1rmvX1c22JeWhduwR7dAkITa7nrclSh1UW-dBhsJ_WAmueouQ4/s1600-h/wedding%20110%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 110" border="0" alt="wedding 110" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geTnp4EEI/AAAAAAAAAko/6iZ6UMdhtw8/wedding%20110_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>I think Matty said it best at the end of the tour while we were in the theater room watching old black and white movies of WR Hearst and his guests:  “ Mom, I am really impressed.  This guy did a great job building this house!”  That’s my girl!  We also saw the seals as we were driving there:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geUCZOQ5I/AAAAAAAAAks/f5kiUQT9pwY/s1600-h/wedding%20060%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 060" border="0" alt="wedding 060" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QJukTH8zS39nSODu-6DTkpV14M3Ml0Xd-n0p_DAz-szEshCAyuJhhiHeA-BSn_9mZNyDA0QVcuEu_RMh8UsXuB4j88OTlzwa4CRtbX9LUFvGRKlsrLRFB8QvvQOpIIGl0jSQQlneQi53/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>The wedding was Saturday and took place in this spot:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geVbmUE2I/AAAAAAAAAk0/Jb4lnFTftyA/s1600-h/wedding%20147%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 147" border="0" alt="wedding 147" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geVk62ziI/AAAAAAAAAk4/gye0ecSHUXo/wedding%20147_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>here’s a pic of the happy couple:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geV8h0YbI/AAAAAAAAAk8/dpHs7ffRq_4/s1600-h/wedding%20171%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 171" border="0" alt="wedding 171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QFa2kIf8C69IUiqp3nqBX_TKN1oW6U7HQYGj1WMCl-PEYZxHRWP51xbvI7VSoWZTTb7zzBWY2Rprw_zsYM8GcbreL2gBc0t1e-sCRSi4bMwDX1bauRV8xAFGp5Kkn-8__65n4vHirojC/?imgmax=800" width="154" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>and here is the beautiful reception area:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geWnvkgjI/AAAAAAAAAlE/iiU29mEhz9s/s1600-h/wedding%20202%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 202" border="0" alt="wedding 202" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geXIdoIiI/AAAAAAAAAlI/wxMCC2oJmlc/wedding%20202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>I wish I could post pics of the girls in their flower dresses…. they got their hair curled for the first time and spun and twirled so cute on the dance floor.  The said it was the best day ever when they went to bed that night!</p> <p>The last day there we took a hike not far from the hotel to a great waterfall:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geXT-ZlwI/AAAAAAAAAlM/SqPtCYtNf9M/s1600-h/wedding%20239%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 239" border="0" alt="wedding 239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh4AqLeMTD_K48NUFDFPKQ6esv7keD94LKV8WjED_3HArCfqhN-TSWdXvxxsnRYrv-ISNCISK2NqZm5ueGVGA2uqTHbe3l-5bqEDI4y1DYLDnahLAE_JxDZxY3TpecUaq4s9xFLTajJAF/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>and I think this last pic really exemplifies the Big Sur area:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyvjSraoHnAkQrwX7_TQuQifn1xl95mFtHBT_p4Dix8Wvg1QZeJcSCG_v_BoDDFQb5tuhOYENkiHl37B6gYPlbv5K-CQNiLbb1nBstYv4ZesKuF5FhfKnlRGUSHuo9XKLUtdqHCAWkYdp/s1600-h/wedding%20059%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 059" border="0" alt="wedding 059" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geYolsN3I/AAAAAAAAAlY/vT0214rCdU4/wedding%20059_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a>  </p> <p>and not to forget to mention it..the drive over to highway 1 on Highway 46 had the most amazing show of wildflowers, the hillsides actually looked like they were on fire!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuNAySswkRjHUkaLRlRN0GqG6kel_1cp4uj9vSOQNXBrVecFuphtpatkIBLiLIyzM56p5qE0IrLFYXMUBWMuqCoVeU_He3MnCUKouvOjKnzyaLYlm36Y6PgUJS8vYwNV6cPmS9CRRfPDH/s1600-h/wedding%20293%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 293" border="0" alt="wedding 293" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geZRU2MFI/AAAAAAAAAlg/QW5mwEwTSNY/wedding%20293_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>So I am killing you guys with pics this time but I have to show you my great diaper cake for the baby boy jungle theme shower, here where the invites that were my inspiration:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geZq3IgtI/AAAAAAAAAlk/2FwZ2kr3I6c/s1600-h/wedding%20007%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 007" border="0" alt="wedding 007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geZ0fxmRI/AAAAAAAAAlo/KVAyu2_pJ0Y/wedding%20007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>and here is the cake:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz0d0o0Pi_jKEcI71m4Kn1htpZKBUk7k11STtmVudcHe6ZRErxcaNpDc9dIR7wqPzp7tA4FqJLBI7JHfk7050w8jj7W8AcciEj7D5dQPBPkJkoDfIPap1BCPGPlgJjKcf76A354Z0l9z6/s1600-h/wedding%20002%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 002" border="0" alt="wedding 002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMAsaeYmNNC4a6W5wzvQR3zWWbv4MtmtDBH8-E00Dk8wyweq6JivNxb2LG3yGhczR7cMaQiuI6UAf7nP2rAHTmlo5uyPUQygcyQr_n62EZVXiSVQKgqRo_vaFxgJ3RFEsCXR-23AvQxlR/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>and here are all the favors and things I made her to go along with:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxskOkVErN6jIleUe47L96ZfbTezD3xmNzUCoxeQbU6iUmhga6QM6voLpMJWjRMYLLokiz42Qum5CIzTh_0ExEKsq9x9TA4uDZaSNyeAvGbJwHzHhyphenhyphen7S04YQ0pDhswUkZSLLvMlvXGAKZ/s1600-h/wedding%20006%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 006" border="0" alt="wedding 006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7gebhp58rI/AAAAAAAAAl4/8LXrfiWH2fs/wedding%20006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S7geb5w2z1I/AAAAAAAAAl8/DB_65P79Jxc/s1600-h/wedding%20004%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 004" border="0" alt="wedding 004" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxJ-RCpcitnC4llKqNsxMR5FwBcvS8JTfkL_jgXDSut1ZaMvvmmvEK_638NtbJi3O4bExkAjBdU8q4Qm7XVwOL5ObWvAg9YVKRpLeBIADSDGPWbg7Og-u0SoDSew5W53JO_T8_J6VJTrb/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiLctEBGWYslmWZQUXQt25GBTkam3lYjUKa831qoH9NE8FCRukneCMBbV9WuWlmRDxSJ8bkRgcLPj4XydZgVWcCM3x3rTXeAuaZKGbtHKBe7hYzmQND7pYtn7rrctCA35yGrEJbDoCL15/s1600-h/wedding%20005%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wedding 005" border="0" alt="wedding 005" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhT8yN1laql8SBdY7edueoy1ibQMhinIBQQfFdBaVjpj__rD4HwbrWZ2Kug9obf2XVX7_SmuZf4bNvSqMLpNwurojzcb8-78zpfeRGByXW5IyC_gRM2Izm7iMQZ7mLDeMXvebT21-bRKcG/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>and guess what???  I already have another order for a diaper cake!!  Maybe I have found my niche after all!!!</p> <p>Ciao for now!!!     Deidre</p> Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-18669258114491876512010-03-14T13:47:00.001-07:002010-03-14T13:50:02.018-07:00The Baby Shower-Froggy Style<p>Hey everyone, so it seems life has been super crazy this past couple of weeks and it won’t be getting any better until March is over! Yikes! The past few weeks I had a stamp camp and then was preparing for a baby shower that I hosted for our realtor here. I really had fun putting everything together... so let’s get to it and I will show you what I did although I forgot to take pictures of everything! DOH!</p><p>Lea is having her third baby and her third little boy..but this woman does nothing conventionally and has had them each 6 years apart so it is like a new child every time!! She says she did it on purpose to make sure they weren’t in college at the same time!! She is young though, so she can definitely handle it! I love baby showers so I offered to help host one and my part was all the decorations. We had it at beautiful home across the street from the Mom to be. Lea and her sister did the food, and a friend of Lea’s from LA did the punch, so it was definitely a collaborative effort! </p><p>I just have to share the most yummy appetizer that we had, I wish I had taken a picture of it but they went too fast. It was fresh asparagus wrapped in bacon and then crisped with red pepper slices under the broiler...that’s it! Oh so good! The only trick to it is you have to dump the grease twice while cooking it, so that they will be crispy not sitting in the grease. YUM-O!!</p><p>Here is a pic of my favorite part, the candy buffet:</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S51LMYz1KZI/AAAAAAAAAis/QXoWnI8GejE/s1600-h/lea%27s%20baby%20shower%20013%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="lea's baby shower 013" border="0" alt="lea's baby shower 013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S51LM4sT6EI/AAAAAAAAAiw/DkW4Bpk46Jk/lea%27s%20baby%20shower%20013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>and here are the little baby bottles that they filled with the candy as their party favors:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieczj3iyNxxKCkapyjfNE0EcBnGuh9Ug7ymHRc58zQ0myqB05x50QEOigCz5jdfZfI7QsUJMzz5IlaKM8enltMgTR-SmtwFEpV-OLPrQgGUVuVLqXc875atJ3NsYM-ABn8PXgUunE3-uhP/s1600-h/lea's%20baby%20shower%20018%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="lea's baby shower 018" border="0" alt="lea's baby shower 018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S51LNUzvHvI/AAAAAAAAAi4/0ZWYDB5CWRw/lea%27s%20baby%20shower%20018_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>and some smaller ones:<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S51LNr2OZxI/AAAAAAAAAi8/GhVum_b_aoQ/s1600-h/lea%27s%20baby%20shower%20019%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="lea's baby shower 019" border="0" alt="lea's baby shower 019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7y3r95ae4lAmiZXBf_Ha5kvrAqDhd2YYASlrz2BxA4tsL5OEKQX9c-iCd7GEtR1X-sYdo3aGRYkjbJofFq_qGmPoBFZbA7mltjb_D7An-h3kL9BZ6ZVIvOBTBEsycXfycYntgbHcEmaVl/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p>Here is the diaper cake…my first!! It took a case of diapers from Costco plus about 30 from a small package, I pulled 10 out to do the poopy diaper game (hey don’t knock it, the Mom to be specifically requested it!!)</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S51LOhD0hsI/AAAAAAAAAjE/qgDWFjDdqJk/s1600-h/lea%27s%20baby%20shower%20010%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="lea's baby shower 010" border="0" alt="lea's baby shower 010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S51LPS6XP2I/AAAAAAAAAjI/TDWrxUq8aIk/lea%27s%20baby%20shower%20010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>Here’s the gift bag I made for her gift:</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S51LPujCDVI/AAAAAAAAAjM/AHfdArVvo9s/s1600-h/lea%27s%20baby%20shower%20012%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="lea's baby shower 012" border="0" alt="lea's baby shower 012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S51LQMyLxtI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/UYH_KuTlHMg/lea%27s%20baby%20shower%20012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>All the frogs are made from punches….wide oval for the face, 1 3/4 inch circle for belly, large oval for legs and boho blossom flower for toes, 1/2 circle for white part of the eye, 1/4 circle for black eye and then for the mouth, I punched out an oval and then punched a strip with the tab label to get the strip for the mouth!! I shaded everything with the same color green to give it dimension….they turned out so cute!! The daisy’s are our Daisy number 2 die for the big shot.</p><p>Here’s the cards I made to play the two games:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25nORlkPovXnD-8N8Ya8iC9Fq3NljOeBUNOZKX04JLJur0nRdj0sPlW6o7KVgtQRzM51N7onQ74sdIipgywbCSM1rRwkPLjB7ZdKDvg9WNhD5nWTI-Wvo9tA2znifcZTgbvdMquI5U83m/s1600-h/lea's%20baby%20shower%20003%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="lea's baby shower 003" border="0" alt="lea's baby shower 003" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwdYPNmcj2AcJx3QJkl_VSwEMFV3Do-b6SydPQ_hbaXxxKlIyPUOGsD4RnEosWCdgIxKEGj2Sjla03nwzMBxGuY8qvGMmXrguj_sk_Ea2957WGHbURlna4q8EGsGG8CCzR9B0jH5OoVLs/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>and here’s the poopy diapers ready for action:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_A7myzakVTtXSY3Yh-5MBEZ7YfRxEhPhKIucsNSNYA9g-y1vfPpAKzKIQKWWoyFr7P2_UBhbfRUqIxFqi01tcNxXwzHsN58i5t8wBLHSWy9C8BzSys4sPIyoWoU2F1_QM6UJLLRyDoW2/s1600-h/lea's%20baby%20shower%20004%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="lea's baby shower 004" border="0" alt="lea's baby shower 004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S51LR6AlxsI/AAAAAAAAAjg/X6328hytxZw/lea%27s%20baby%20shower%20004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>We also played a game where you had to guess what baby items were in the brown paper bags with the letters spelling out baby shower..I forgot to get a pic of the mantle with the word all spelled out but here is the Mom to be standing in front of them, isn’t she the cutest?</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S51LSH79wKI/AAAAAAAAAjk/hVtqAVd7_ZQ/s1600-h/lea%27s%20baby%20shower%20021%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="lea's baby shower 021" border="0" alt="lea's baby shower 021" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQe9v-bXOqcfK1o-nC0MYCyQBB1jKqUzMhW4efC0U_HXnw5whm5e1jF-OahosoVVjlmmNa4ehObUzpzEm563A0v_j_H-Y_OANcTV2jcKctpYPuy1Np4rqImwmO5YcJ3lfV5_ccDUfLmlAh/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>It was much fun and much work and now I am pooped!!! One last pic for you though, I sold one of our decor elements tree to the lady who hosted the party a while back and finally got a picture of how she used it in her house…it is so cool and fit perfectly in this little alcove above her desk..such a fun idea!!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-9TPRWVJrG0GO9RlJxxEkzQwr013RnpjWGJZdmWCaUHEQlRSDNZdJJcjX0wOy7GVG45K3neaCx_AWFyOKBlKHlOAk4EfJI7cUYWeLQvTdikOzXXyjqpUhnfY5vGV4P5GjMT3CU6KZWw9/s1600-h/lea's%20baby%20shower%20017%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="lea's baby shower 017" border="0" alt="lea's baby shower 017" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSQlXV3iPt-D2V-YiJdkgvdnN-J8Pnd79iu29zngotKdPdRKTaf7yyZoefXibZR3iSpXkTYHnSeKHvDu6UV-npDhSrC8ILnusVTtXu7Pc07USTonbbPapFqy_O4s14aljc23IoIuLvnSt/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p><p>Now I have to go get used to this time change and relax a little…oh wait I have company coming in two days..4 people for a week, guess no relaxing for me, it’s off to clean!!</p><p>Ciao for now!!! Deidre</p>Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-49196058869306965422010-02-14T22:53:00.001-08:002010-02-14T22:53:30.780-08:00So damn cute!<p>Usually it is Matty who cracks me up but this week it was Matilda.  She had on all pink and brown and we were trying to get her a pair of shoes.  I recently bought her some really cute brown leather shoes with pink polka dots on them and they would be perfect but we couldn’t find them.  Matilda says to me, “ Mom I really need to find those shoes because they are so damn cute!”  I almost spit out my coffee!  Her eyes twinkle like no ones business when she knows she is being ornery, so I had to stifle my giggles and give her my “that’s a daddy word lecture!”   Since she usually looks like a hobo wearing everything in her closet at once; it was really funny fashion commentary!</p> <p>Matty did make me laugh earlier this week.  She wasn’t particularly enjoying writing her name on all of the Valentines and was telling me she didn’t have “time.”  I said, “well, maybe if you would work on your valentines when you get home from school instead of playing on the computer, you could get them done.”  She looked at me and said “that’s a really good idea, Mom!”  Yeah I know, Mom is very wise, young grasshopper!  I hope she will continue to take my guidance with the same enthusiasm ten years from now!!</p> <p>So, like I said last week I did not get the kid’s valentines made this year but I did make some super cute gift bags for the girl’s teacher if I do say so myself.  These bags were 4 for $1 at the Target dollar spot and I stamped them up:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40nZwybsZ7Cbt7LtD_3q_H0zApKfCpybiUiV6EpJeRwy3Q1CT5M13se7OGMi4IcEQysjEbJM4bj1gjMqdmBTdampbxbF9txlq5IVHivEulFiAtRxwxw8kWWxylI_Ycc46mZnr5zNB9cBn/s1600-h/valentines%202010%20007%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="valentines 2010 007" border="0" alt="valentines 2010 007" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwmZ_jrNmXwxgKqTrV2hcsA0zwbHUwrtSbh8ewqugCL1RoXaGRwafOaK7VIEUjQ5LPNCM57JHKqbycmuO6xsbaoUq7xjQX-2EwvrvCpdMNKJKbx1mPic1LHsJhTc8E8RzaJm52GYsO44-/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a>  </p> <p>Inside of one was a package of cards and the other held one of my mailboxes.  She really liked them!</p> <p>So Lily is just fitting right in with the family.  The girls love her so much!  We have been letting her sleep with us and we are all getting more sleep because of it.  She doesn’t take up much room so it works much better..if she gets restless it wakes us up and I let her out, if not we all sleep…win win!!  Here is a pic of her giving Nico comfort:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiji3ZpIu0BkmtBz0uGaTNw-BIXIHcLJIH6WJ_IU9dXicC4RI9xAvBsazsHapLyJyKIVXvpzml965nme1yesFzSBEcvfD7792yfKZ7eALgMz16E7UES51Fa3gZ_Wf6vxr1sS-lkmBTXjP7Y/s1600-h/valentines%202010%20001%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="valentines 2010 001" border="0" alt="valentines 2010 001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S3jvZ7lAdCI/AAAAAAAAAic/x29a7C6FnG4/valentines%202010%20001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>and another just because she is so cute!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S3jvaIX398I/AAAAAAAAAig/z92IHJUr3Yg/s1600-h/valentines%202010%20026%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="valentines 2010 026" border="0" alt="valentines 2010 026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S3jvauUVAnI/AAAAAAAAAik/9sSOEGD-lSk/valentines%202010%20026_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>We had a great relaxing Valentine’s Day.  I got 6 miles in this morning and we had some friends over for dinner.  It was another beautiful day here…hope your Valentines day was great as well!!!</p> <p>Ciao for now……>Deidre</p> Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-54922401020032739152010-02-06T21:26:00.001-08:002010-02-06T21:30:35.234-08:00Meet the newest Mooney!<p>We have an old dog named Nico that just turned 17. He has been a great dog and has been through so much in his life. Joel has had him since he was 6 months old and he has been all over the world with us!! We know that the end is in sight for old Nico. He is having a harder time walking and getting up. He can’t take his pain medicine very well anymore. It is really amazing to me every morning when he gets up to go outside. Sometimes he is in such weird positions that I really think he has left us and then I detect breathing. He sleeps almost all the day now. We knew that we wanted to get another dog as we are firm believers that dogs need a buddy. We also knew that although we are not usually fans of little dogs we wanted a dog that the girls could play with and walk…Clapton just about drags them down the street! So we decided to drive out to the animal shelter last week just to see what they had….we were NOT planning on getting a dog. Then we saw this:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0XYDZ25NK7Ex2Fu_9RFV2-PEGC4ARy2KPjLKkd79MtjoElOlEkV-_hsiHvuSUf426T7ILBZjhdgFFHg5TD-d5Hht01h_tS0jTivd4RSaBgNEEi-7eR3evmFNKuEPlewKQFqGL9ZMgDV2/s1600-h/feb%20017%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="feb 017" border="0" alt="feb 017" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S25O_skXOXI/AAAAAAAAAhM/yY6Tang_o7o/feb%20017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>Now how could you resist a face like this???? At the shelter her name was Latte and she had a sister named Cappuchino. After playing with the puppies for a while the girls were calling them “Licky” and “Elle.” We actually thought about adopting both of them but the shelter was pretty strict about only allowing you to adopt one, and the cost was outrageous compared to what we have paid at shelters before (although it is a great shelter and I know they will use the money wisely) so one it was, and we decided to combine the two names so they both got to name her so we have “Lily.”</p><p>She is a fantastic little puppy! She is only 9 weeks old and she was potty trained in 3 days! I can’t believe it! Her only downfall is she can not be left in her kennel for more than three hours at this age, so we are having to take turns at night letting her out. I tell you I will never get any sleep…damn girls have kept me up for 5 years now and we then get a puppy! Crazy I know!!</p><p>She is already a huge presence in the house and every night she is curled up on daddy’s chest. (This was a guy who never has liked little dogs!!) Clapton continues to put her in her place but Nico loves her. Whenever I can’t find her it is because she is curled up next to him, so I am really glad we got her because I hope she brings him a little comfort and joy during the time he has left with us.</p><p>We are all having lots of fun with her and I am trying to keep her from chewing up all my furniture!! So far she has only damaged one sock, so all in all, pretty good! </p><p>It does seem like time has been flying by..I was busy with this for a while:</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S25PABc6PYI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/So70ndRihjw/s1600-h/feb%20001%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="feb 001" border="0" alt="feb 001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S25PAYG8byI/AAAAAAAAAhU/ApzA5N03Qlw/feb%20001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>This was the ribbon and embellishment share I did..plus a few customer orders, and my last class in the background. Then I made a bunch of these:</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S25PA1r18vI/AAAAAAAAAhY/5SHpD-3qQ6w/s1600-h/feb%20011%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="feb 011" border="0" alt="feb 011" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKxZS16wQwrO14C2oSd4IlOGPWRovIaHxQ5_Yn8DHCjbrYQtTIj-jZ4RA-YkFayh2mVOooYLCZ3Vv-04ksTZ43T7dz0NQgJEZKXkL1KlihSkUj9CpjJTcIidh2CVYMCNUrBJV8sJodehB/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>This was my technique card for this month..my favorite, reverse masking. I did this card for my stamp club and my Swap group in Georgia..Hi Ladies!!! If you want directions on how to do it just email me!! I guess I do need to send those directions out to my clubbers, DOH!!</p><p>Then I made a bunch of these for hostess gifts:</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S25PCBnWUDI/AAAAAAAAAhg/rYS0HmcJg1I/s1600-h/feb%20003%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="feb 003" border="0" alt="feb 003" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4rAsfXBkhwln6cSEYQpafCykNR854xdFd_w08dD7A_f3neuT1zdlYvIAdC0oWizr3sEKl7Y3ZsT7ZUG0Fj877MTD7a8IB9dhYhgGZ92Ihv-vw72Xvratf_UXkTpMtl9zUDaK5sbl9Q9s/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>I love that strip of chunky glitter..just use a piece of sticky strip and press the glitter into it!</p><p>Then I made a few of these from my last class as I really need girl birthday cards on hand!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ENVCgnpaRWesUWVzx5_fZhSMQ1u2U5Jpz1LnomXf1fzQaoLPfkhV0X0Ft7vLNqBWaSRpnPkPZEfsLzx3sxdSdMELF30244xSLwgGg8GXADW9nyVCjQGBHFnfa2jM-MSKJ-cCjjtEdcmo/s1600-h/feb%20008%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="feb 008" border="0" alt="feb 008" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S25PDe_I_nI/AAAAAAAAAhs/RGgfhZG8Aiw/feb%20008_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>Last but not least, I made some of these cards up for my stash…heck I may even send one this week with valentines day coming up!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiii2EycNy8NSFR9Tj2KF6suSh6_PBscNU5Eemgzvl6AP4d-EsFUmZFs4Z-FCiboZPNbV-volbi2Xgtx8iChXKM9oZ-IBb3hT2Tx9pnkXzaG6RlGIFslhdm4FD3zV-KpZQWyz6qbxnvAdwh/s1600-h/feb%20007%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="feb 007" border="0" alt="feb 007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S25PEL_QtnI/AAAAAAAAAh0/D7xfjKaef2Q/feb%20007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>So I have been keeping busy lately and I have to confess one last thing….I bought the girls Valentines this year! I know, the horror! I just don’t have time to make 48 of something right now…I am going to make all the teachers something and call it good…sometimes you just have to throw in the towel you know!!! There is always next year!</p><p>Ciao for now!!! Deidre</p>Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-90152251529277515362010-01-17T13:09:00.001-08:002010-01-17T13:09:27.686-08:00One last Christmas Gift!<p>Okay I found one more picture of things that I made for Christmas, so I had to share with you guys.  This was so fast and easy to do, and I have to say this caramel popcorn is absolutely to die for.  I made two huge roasting pan batches in my oven and was so surprised that it only made about 3.5 large bags of finished product.  We gave 3 bags to the neighbors and ate the half bag in no time at all!  This kicks the tail of any tinned popcorn I have ever eaten!  Next time I will make a double or triple batch so I can share the love.</p> <p>Here’s what the finished product looked like:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJHiIGtmGEPPCijrRI_bAQj-pLC-dDxNka4KLxQPfROm5vbYnaVF31Lcz9zLz4ofawzBOfWDPcTWku3qCyTBGAwcTj-Kz2z7NlqYSCextH1l_-nj7hxQmP4R8OAlFZnpnjcclONaNr-KQ/s1600-h/jan%2010%20027%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="jan 10 027" border="0" alt="jan 10 027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlahFShv-7rxgEYb-97vOAEgxH8giMhTgCI4eQ3yQ2a1r3JywGtDkMi-bnGdcchYZUw3aCapRYyk0mfN6WF7UqcLWgpE8uqrB-weu9J3whoJfUxVDf3V-GXdxrfEIejt8O6thFB79_VkI/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p>the tag has that great saying from sweet season, “gingerbread and sugared things, enjoy the sweets the season brings”</p> <p>Here is the recipe for the caramel popcorn:</p> <p>Caramel Popcorn</p> <p><img alt="recipe image" src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/site/allrecipes/area/community/userphoto/small/36166.jpg" width="140" height="140" /></p> <p>Rated: <br /><img alt="rating" src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/global/print/color/FB6400/5.0.gif" width="82" height="14" /></p> <p>Submitted By: BS4U2C</p> <p>Photo By: Monika</p> <p>Prep Time: 30 Minutes</p> <p>Cook Time: 1 Hour </p> <p>Ready In: 1 Hour 30 Minutes</p> <p>Servings: 20</p> <p>"Popcorn is coated with brown sugar and corn syrup caramel then baked for a crunchy treat."</p> <p>Ingredients:</p> <p>1 cup butter</p> <p>2 cups brown sugar</p> <p>1/2 cup corn syrup</p> <p>1 teaspoon salt</p> <p>1/2 teaspoon baking soda</p> <p>1 teaspoon vanilla extract</p> <p>5 quarts popped popcorn</p> <p>Directions:</p> <p>1. <br />Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (95 degrees C). Place popcorn in a very large bowl.</p> <p>2. <br />In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in soda and vanilla. Pour in a thin stream over popcorn, stirring to coat.</p> <p>3. <br />Place in two large shallow baking dishes and bake in preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, for 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool completely before breaking into pieces.</p> <p>YUM-O!  Ciao for now!!!   Deidre</p> Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-51839240746324676342010-01-10T12:32:00.001-08:002010-01-10T12:32:09.636-08:00Happy New Year!<p>I can finally say that now that I have posted my last Christmas story for the year….on to 2010!  Life is good here in San Diego.  I spent some time this week making my future daughter in law’s wedding invitations with her help and getting to know her.  She is such a delight!  Jacquie was loving on my big shot machine…she likes scrapbooking and says she really needs one of them…guess what girl you joined the right family!!!  There are lots of birthdays and Christmases in the future so I have that girl covered!  We are so glad to have her join the family!  The big wedding is at the end of March in beautiful Big Sur, California and I am excited to go see a part of the state that I have never visited...I hear it is fantastic!</p> <p>  I also got my club technique cards finished and my Columbus swaps done, so all in all, it was a pretty productive week I would have to say!    I am teaching a Valentine’s Stamp camp on Friday and looking forward to seeing my San Diego crafters this week!  We are going to make mailboxes, two cards and a cute packaged valentine treat.  I can’t wait!  I will share all of them after the class…can’t spoil the surprise you know.</p> <p>So other than that it was back to the routine and that is a happy place for me.  Hope you guys are enjoying a great new year as well!  </p> <p>Here’s my eye candy for today: </p> <p></p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhQjgEbZKTRBoadIuLk82ne3vepkT-sleNLh1lRcFGswv1jb4gxDBJZWkqAS03F33t7Ahq4wh-dZLAPRHkAmqYW_MnLOc607dCAa6uMT_tHaLIzyOlNpzEC_MKpwGPVWt-oxg-y0AHWe6/s1600-h/christmas%2009%20007%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="christmas 09 007" border="0" alt="christmas 09 007" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9bQmwCR6CxUMkZ2Wfp160C5v7ByDDw3JXt6Plkg3m5TTH2UerWRQAl-hdRA5F7zHPmR7D1gyVtwAs7zBQSAyZtt3br5GgkIhDge557adMKjHMRxJB7N7Lhy3QcMGNFq0LmmItKB2KuUD/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> <p>This is what I made all my club ladies for Christmas….you guys know you want to be in my club now don’t you???</p> <p>And here was my technique card for my club ladies in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLeVrtJeoOymOSQ46ro43z-h29QE3gqH6BSo4EAOWbCSH6JedqLFChBL81nz2H6Kw7iQTSN4fuKCBHtShQSraAQ5Ccj5i9j-q3XNV0XzrePpb331EVsn7Fwxbjccw2DgdZWBNe-HG3AW-/s1600-h/christmas%2009%20009%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="christmas 09 009" border="0" alt="christmas 09 009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/S0o5SExJy8I/AAAAAAAAAg0/5AuXx7IU8rk/christmas%2009%20009_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> November..I thought this card turned out so pretty..I love the non traditional Christmas colors and just love those vintage ornament stencils!</p> <p>Ciao for now!  Deidre</p> Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-19048460095151414932010-01-01T20:39:00.001-08:002010-01-01T20:43:55.090-08:00Elf on a Shelf<p>So Santa brought us a special gift early this year. One night, the first week of December, the front door bell rang and on the stoop was a package from Santa. Inside was our own Elf on a Shelf! Santa was on the fence I guess trying to decide if Matilda and Matteson should be on the naughty or nice list and sent us an elf to help make the decision! </p><p>According to the story that comes with the elf on the shelf, the elf flies back home to the North Pole every night before Christmas to report whether the children have been naughty or nice that day and to relay what they want for Christmas. </p><p>We gave ours the name of JT, as every elf needs a name you know? I hope the real JT, our friend from preschool class doesn’t mind that he has an elf named after him! When the elf returns the next day he is always in a different location. </p><p>For some reason the girls did not want him in their bedroom that night so we placed him in the stairwell on top of a picture where he could oversee everything. The first thing the girls did when they woke up the next day was to go and see if he had moved…as soon as they saw that he wasn’t in the spot anymore…Matilda said, “whoa, he is magic!” Every morning they would search the house until they found JT. </p><p>They talked to him and told him what they wanted for Christmas, and when they were naughty, all I had to do is say… “do you hear that JT? Make sure and tell Santa that the girls are being naughty tonight,” and the next thing you know they were apologizing to me and begging JT not to tell Santa that they were naughty! The hardest part about having the Elf on a Shelf was remembering to move the little sucker every night. Santa’s helper had to really stay on her toes, and was more than a little bit relieved when JT went back to the North Pole until the next holiday season! For those of you wondering where you can get your own little guy, Santa shops at Borders around here!</p><p>Here is a pic of JT in one of his locations:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzMUYL3wixcVDqdjQGilk-ZZuFXz5Bb7gBKtDWoPF9kLxxVglJ4tlW2rsVz1P66QWgfarv6tZKj_jyfMAD6reXty6XlEi275FY5ZUw2spdKrDwgKrmQNhyphenhyphenrzZGVReYvrR8BdPghdbGSKR/s1600-h/christmas%2009%20001%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="christmas 09 001" border="0" alt="christmas 09 001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Sz7N8WRSrjI/AAAAAAAAAgM/ftJ7tmwVsVE/christmas%2009%20001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>and here he is in a different locale:</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Sz7N8tOtwoI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/-57WbWXzQVQ/s1600-h/christmas%2009%20002%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="christmas 09 002" border="0" alt="christmas 09 002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Sz7N9He2tHI/AAAAAAAAAgU/gjSuHGT3DxE/christmas%2009%20002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>See you next year JT! Here are some of the teacher gifts I made this year….I made the cocoa kits for the main teachers and the candy bars for the assistants. I thought they turned out pretty cute although I am getting tired of drinking the frappucinos to get the bottles and packaging!</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Sz7N9ewrt2I/AAAAAAAAAgY/i109EnhL9aA/s1600-h/christmas%2009%20017%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="christmas 09 017" border="0" alt="christmas 09 017" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKxUBQVPxXInTsoY-QtXZRFL0oejxoMqMsYcC0LKtVkEaO8Qrz_0h7TSiqlpzCLkkIzWyVMOV3Uc7FpzL3JspISyZH6n5O8DliqQKjDiuXr_QHxrq_IvGCIHB4E1yYkAiyeQZRwVd6pEe/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>and here are the bars:</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/Sz7N-Kbs1UI/AAAAAAAAAgg/uWTSj5nyxQw/s1600-h/christmas%2009%20020%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="christmas 09 020" border="0" alt="christmas 09 020" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJrodYNot9GT7yyI1h5x6NsqMZcGTFjHfYgMlZTsDcMRYnKBtrLf7qvgBkYcaRoUFur4B3pfIlr12-KJntBqBV3YlmccyCbL26hyTdlMl2HNrMA0XCxoPSby9gJ-xnA1egyJ9DW9SoPte/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p><p>the poem on them is about how this is this year’s edition of homemade Christmas fudge! So true this year!</p><p>Hope your Christmas was wonderful and looking forward to a great 2010. Happy New Year everyone!</p><p>Ciao for now….Deidre </p>Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408461524040910585.post-15307349144870105752009-12-18T22:01:00.001-08:002009-12-21T09:18:20.401-08:00Is Candy an Option?<p>So I have to tell you guys this funny story about Matty, before I forget all about it. Matty and I have a lot in common..one being a huge sweet tooth. We come from a long line of sweet lovers. My Grandma Gressett would have dessert before dinner. God I loved that woman! We finally finished up the Halloween candy around the first of December. It has already been replaced by the plethora of Christmas goodies so fear not that we are sweetless in this house! Anyways, I would normally give the girls some of their Halloween candy after lunch and one day about a month ago, lunch was over and Matty had this look on her face. I said, “what do you want Matty?” and she gave me more of the big doe eyed look. So I said, “Matty do you want candy?” She looked at me and her eyes got bright and she said, “are you saying that candy is an option?” On my gosh I about died laughing…”yes sweetheart, candy is always an option!!!” Oh, the things those girls say!!!</p><p>I really need to take some pictures of some of the things I have been making so I have more to post, for today I will leave you with this Christmas card I made using Soft Suede, Serene Snowflakes and the Shimmer Champagne paint, that stuff is so fun! All Supplies are SU!</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/SyxsQ22k7KI/AAAAAAAAAfw/KufemMYT4i4/s1600-h/october%20062%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="october 062" border="0" alt="october 062" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HTJ4BD7luuk/SyxsRbFttPI/AAAAAAAAAf0/G57pAyOuBU0/october%20062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p><p>I have to say this is officially the craziest week of the year. Packages to mail, school parties, teachers gifts….one last furniture delivery and 2 digital scrapbooks that I finished for a client for Christmas gifts. One more party tomorrow and 3 packages left to mail and I am finito!!! Woohoo…now for baking and all that fun stuff! We are going to sneak in the Princess and the Frog on Monday too!!</p><p>Ciao for now……Deidre</p>Deidre Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647692193353675507noreply@blogger.com0