Sunshine, Funnel Cake & A Fried Twinky

Today we spent some time at the Blackberry Festival. Now, because I am not stupid- I only brought a little money with me...so, I didn't get to buy any of the cute Blackberry items ( i.e. clothing, hats, bags ). I also didn't buy any yummy syrups and jellies ( how I now wish I had ). Instead we enjoyed the sunshine, funnel cake and  a fried twinky. Now, I have to tell you- I thought a fried twinky was an urban legend. But it's REAL. I bought one for Duncan ( I swear he moaned when he took a bite ). He offered me a taste...I was hesitant because I'm not a big twinky fan- and the thought of a fried twinky sounded a bit repulsive. Imagine my shock when my mouth screamed hallelujah! :)

Emma and I enjoyed some funnel cake. Which is a family favorite. It was quite yummy.

Here's the fried twinky. Seriously people, you have got to try one of these. It's not something that I would want to eat all the time- but as a special treat, it can't be beat. When you bite into it- you get the crunchy from the batter, the cake ( which in my opinion is usually quite dry ) is moist, and the cream filling is warm and gooey.

And here's my princess enjoying her funnel cake. I would have been in big trouble if there was no funnel cake at the festival. There would have been a mutiny. No funnel cake is a bad, bad thing. Especially when it's the one thing you look forward to eating.

It was a good day. The weather cooperated ( we won't get much more of that ) with sunshine and temperatures of around 75 degrees ( so it wasn't too hot ).  I really need to make sure we do more of this kind of thing. After all, we are loosing time as the kids grow older. We definitely need to take advantage of the time they do want to spend with us. Pretty soon, we'll be empty Nester's and our kids will be out living their lives...

This Soccer Mom Has Had It {A Rant}.

I've been a soccer mom for ten years. Ten long years of standing in the cold rain watching my girls play the sport they love.  Did I stand in the rain because it was fun ( and I'm just weird that way) ? No. I stood out in the rain because I love my kids and love watching them participate in something they're excited about. This year is a little bit different. My oldest opted out. I think we ( the entire family) were burned out. Having her at practice every day on time and come the weekend games not seeing her play more than 15 minutes the entire game. But, that's another drama all together. 

 This year has been a challenge for us financially. I know a lot of families out there are struggling too. So, you know where I'm coming from. Because it's been tough, I didn't sign Emma up before the deadline. We were late. Totally my fault and I accept responsibility.The day before I was going to register her I got a phone call from Emma's coach stating that the team was filled ( which in my ten years as a soccer mom has NEVER happened). Turns out that the registrar has "registered" two girls without taking payment. So technically they're not on the team. He told me to contact her and tell her I had the money to pay in the hope that she would place Emma on the  team. I emailed her and waited. And Waited. And WAITED. For some sort of response. I got NOTHING. For two weeks. She couldn't be bothered to answer my email for two weeks. When she finally did she said that she would have to place Emma on the waiting list. She was waiting for the two families to pay. Because it's difficult to come up with $130. Well, DUH. HELLO??? This was the entire reason I hadn't registered my daughter. TCC has always had a policy of collecting money at the time of registration. The whole "you have to pay to play " thing. Which is fine. I'm totally okay with it. When it applies to EVERYONE, and not just a select few.

Fast forward to August 22ND ( ish). Emma's coach finds out that one of the spaces is still opened. Turns out the parents of the other girl still haven't paid. At this time the team has been practicing for three weeks.  Anyhow, the coach is supposed to hear at the end of the week if they have paid.  Saturday comes around and he still hasn't heard from her. Fast forward another week ( again ). I get a text from the coaches wife last night. I need to get in touch with the registrar and pay. Emma is on the team. I read the email forwarded from the coach this morning. The registrar said to get in contact with her ASAP if Emma still wants to play because there is another girl behind her on the waiting list. So. I email her because I don't have her number. I give her my contact info. Then I talk to her coach and get the phone number for the registrar. I call at 10:30 AM and her voicemail picks up. Again I leave my name and contact info. It's now 9:10 PM and she hasn't tried to contact me at all. So much for ASAP. The thing is- she probably won't contact me at all this weekend. I'll be lucky to her from her before Tuesday. Monday is a holiday. Now, I have to pay the late fee ( which brings the total to $150, buy cleats ( another $25-$30) and put a $25 deposit on the uniform ( which will be returned at the end of the season when I have returned the uniform). All this has to be done within the next four days (  uniform pick up is Tuesday). That's a total of at least $200 this week. I would have been fine with it...if I could have paid for the registration a month ago, or heck even two weeks ago. And still, no contact from this woman. I know this is a volunteer position, and it can be difficult. But, if you can't handle it YOU SHOULDN'T BE DOING IT!! It isn't fair to my child that we have been dorked around for the past six weeks. Hanging on to that kind of money when you have bills to pay is well, ridiculous. REALLY. What is really sad is that my little girl who loves to play soccer is no longer excited about the prospect of playing this year. So, if the stupid woman contacts me ( and that's a BIG if ) not only am I going to give her a piece of my mind ( I'm usually very polite ) and tell her what she can do with her spot on the team. I'm going to contact TCC and file a complaint. Perhaps stating that after playing for TCC for ten years...well, it might just be time to take my business elsewhere. It's not like I don't have options. There are at least four other soccer clubs within 15 miles of where I live. I'm done. This soccer mom has had it.

Fresh Fish

Yesterday while I was reading my Facebook page- I came across a really cute sketch from Sketchy Thursdays. I was inspired. Here is my take on the sketch:

Here is where you can find the sketch:  http://sketchythursdays.blogspot.com/2011/08/818-sketch.html

I use my Unity Stamps on this layout as well. Stamps from the "This is the Time" set.

I tried to get a close up of my bullet journaling. I tried to give good hint for catching the "big fish". Photos were taken @ Universal Studios- This past June.  Paper is from my stash. Cardstock is Stampin Up! I used Thickers for the title.

Some Get Well Soon {LOVE}

My daughter Emma wanted to make something special for her piano teacher ( who was recently hospitalized). We decided on a bouquet of flowers.  I do like to make my own flowers- because they last a lot longer ("Real" flowers while lovely, eventually do die ).

We chose to make the flowers in blues and browns, which seem to be her favorite colors. The flowers were made using a paper pack from DCWV ( their linen closet collection ). I cut them out using my Cricut Expression and the Walk in My Garden cartridge. I used a mason jar for the "vase". I got the idea for the mason jar from the Tip Junkie blog. I used hot glue to make the heart and the "Love". Then I spray painted it white. The ribbon is from Stampin' Up ( Marina Mist ).

Here is a close up of the flowers. The buttons are from my stash. I was pretty happy with the end result. Especially since I waited until the last minute to put them together! It seems like I am always doing that- waiting until the last minute to complete a project. :| 



Emma had her lessons this morning and Marcia seemed to really enjoy her flowers. We are glad that she is out of the hospital and in better health.

I'm A Dork...

It's official. I am a dork. I used a sketch for this card and now I can't remember where I got it from. I even looked on my blog list ( I know I got it from one of them..but, I can't find it anywhere.). It's like the sketch ( and maybe the blog itself disappeared). Scary stuff, that. So, I am going to post the picture anyway. With the knowledge that I am NOT trying to take credit for this idea. The sketch does belong to someone- and the credit belongs to them. It was an awesome sketch. I love how my card turned out.

It looks exactly like the sketch- with the exception of the added ribbon.

This is the inside of the card ( it was not part of the sketch). I took the cupcake theme and brought it inside. The stamps I used for this are from Stampendous ( it's an acrylic stamp set ). Cardstock is SU!, printed paper is from Simple Stories-Life Documented set of paper. Cupcake was made using my Sizzix. Ink is SU!


Now, all this card needs is a little cash inside it so I can send it on it's way. It's quite a bit late...But, she knows that I love her so it'll be okay. :)

A Sweet Sixteen Post. Better Late Than Never.

My daughter turned sixteen this past June.  WOW. Sixteen. REALLY? When did that happen? These are the thoughts that careen through my mind. Sixteen, a mile stone for her, heart breaking for me. Heart breaking, not because it means I'm getting older. Heart breaking because sixteen means that her father and I have only two more years with her before she goes off to school, or where ever her dreams may carry her. Two more years where we continue to instill in her our values, trying to make her into a productive member of society. Two years where we can hug, touch, play and guide her along the route through high school. TWO YEARS. It isn't enough time. It's hasn't been all fun and games. Nope. Especially the last few years. HELLO! She's a teenager. A female. Sometimes it's like an alien has taken over her body. Gone is the toddler who stole many a heart. In her place is this faux -adult full of crankiness and angst. Though, there are times when I see that toddler. In her smile. A smile that lights up a room. In her smile I can see the curious imp, the child that always wanted to know WHY? I love her smile. It's effervescent. She's effervescent. We are truly blessed to have had her in our lives for the past sixteen years, and we are looking forward to seeing her mature into the adult that she will be. Happy Sweet Sixteen Linsea!

Her are some pictures of her 16th birthday party. We had it at our local waterfront Park.

 These are Mason jars that I spray painted white and blue. The tops of the blue jars are wrapped in lavender tulle, the tops of the white are wrapped in blue tulle. These are the center pieces used at her party.

                                      These are the invitations we send out .

                                                                                                                                    

Here is the Birthday Banner. We we not able to hang it up because it was too windy- and trying to tape it onto cement was a painful endeavor.

We ended up using two picnic tables. I place table clothes on each table. One in Blue, one in lavender.  We bought food from Costco, sandwiches, soda, cake. I made the cupcakes.

I'm not sure how well you can see them- but, I stamped hibiscus flowers all around each tablecloth. The hibiscus flower is from Stampin' Up!, the ink is also from SU! Bordering blue craft ink.

These are the cupcakes. I used my Cricut Expression and the Going Places cartridge to cut out the Hawaiian shirts. The paper is Bazzil, but I can't remember the name of the colors.


I think everyone had a nice time. I know Linsea was pretty happy with how everything turned out. I for one am glad it's over. It takes a lot of time and effort to put on a birthday party. Thankfully, I'm done for a while!

Happy Fourth of July!

"You have to love a nation that celebrates it's independence every July 4TH, not with a parade of guns, tanks and soldiers, who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but, it is patriotism. " ~ Erma Bombeck

In honor of July 4Th- I made these Flag Luminaries. I bought the flags at Michael's ( got them for 50% off, so I spent a total of $2 for the four mini flags). I re purposed two glass jars ( they're the same size )- used spray adhesive on the flags to glue them to the jars. Then Mod Podged the flags ( making sure I didn't get any on the jar) to make sure the flags didn't come off the jar. I found the idea on the Mod Podge blog.

Here's a close up of the luminaries. I wrapped twine ( I bought a large spool from the hardware store a few years ago- for about $4 I've been able to use it on countless projects) around the lip of the jars several times. The smaller jar is one I frosted last year using a template I created with my Cricut. I needed something smaller to set off the luminaries (*things always seem to look better in sets of three*).

Here's a birds eye view of the luminaries- all lighted up. This project came together easily- with very little mess ( though, my fingers did get sticky when I used the spray adhesive! Not really sure how to avoid that..)- I'm excited to try it again using pieces of scrap material. Looks like a trip to Joann's is in my future. I need to check out their remnants section.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a safe, fun- filled Fourth.