Wow, I haven't had time to update in almost a month :( Between working and baseball and my husband's midlfe crisis. I am behind on everything and just ready to quit!!! I have been on antibiotics since last Thursday and this morning my fever was almost 102 WTF!!?? I need a break - ok, enough whining, not enough hours in the day for it. I did get to go to one of the county fairs with DH and 3 of the kids - the girls had to work so they could not go, but here are some pics.

All the kids won these stupid little hammers and bats so the kids decided to beat up on Dad LOL!!!

So I will try to be a better blogger and update more often, off to the post office now so if you are expecting something from me, it is probably in this pile of packages LOL!!!!

Working until 2 a.m. to get these out tonight!! They think they are making me dress up HAHAHA we'll see about that LOL!! I might just to get into the spirit of things, but then again - probably not :)!!

Sarah & Kirsten on the 4th!

For those of you who do not know - my Sarahbear is in the pink

Sarah Softball Trophy

JJ Storm Player #7

Missy is sooo talented!!

I won these on Ebay from Missy. They are so cute!! She is sooo talented!! I have been buying punchart and paper piecings from her for years and I am declaring today Missy Made It Day!!! You can visit Missy's website here www.missymadeit.com and there is a link to visit her ebay store for all her gorgeous tear bear!!!!!

THANKS MISSY!!

Which Disney Character Are You

You scored as Donald Duck, Your alter ego is Donald Duck! Try as you might, you have a nasty temper that is hard to control. But you try hard to please, and you aren't one to go down without a fight. Donald Duck 81% The Beast 75% Peter Pan 75% Cinderella 69% Ariel 63% Sleeping Beauty 63% Goofy 63% Pinocchio 50% Snow White 50% Cruella De Ville 25% Which Disney Character is your Alter Ego? created with QuizFarm.com

GREAT LAKES DRAGAWAY - June 2007

Dave's first time racing the Nova!!! So he may not have been the fastest yet - but he was the hottest!!! :)

Sarah Graduated!

Sarah & Kirsten

Sarah, Jake & Mandi

Allie, Sarah, & Mandi

Grandma & Sarah

Sarah graduated 8th grade on June 8!!

The day after she turned 14!

She is now officially a High Schooler!

OMG - I'm getting old LOL!!!

And she graduated with a 3.98 GPA!!

CAR SHOW JUNE 9, 2007

So Dave decided to show his car at the car show on June 9th. There were a lot of cool cars there. His buddy Ryan came over with his Roadster - this is the 2nd pic. (Dave's car is the first pic!) Anyway, Ryan's car was covered in rust. He says he is not going to restore it in anyway - the rust is what makes it cool. It has the old Mexican style restaurant chairs in it for seats LOL!! Everyone was saying it was going to win best in show LOL!! Don't know if it did - we did not stay that long. We went again last night but I did not take any pics - really, how many do I need of the same car LOL!!

I've been tagged

I've been tagged by Michelle. Place an X by all the things you've done, or remove the X from the ones you have not, and tag your friends. Copy to your blog.

( ) Smoked a cigarette
(X) Drank so much you threw up
(X) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) Been arrested (knock on wood)
(X) Gone on a blind date
(X) Skipped school
( ) Seen someone die
( ) Been to Canada
(X) Been to Florida
(X) Been to Mexico
(X) Been on a plane
(X) Been lost
( ) Gone to Washington, DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Gone skinny dipping
( ) Felt like dying
( ) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons
( ) Sang karaoke
( ) Paid for a meal with only coins
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(X) Made prank phone calls
( ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
( ) Laughed until liquid came out the other end
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sun rise with someone you care about
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Made a bonfire on the beach
(X) Crashed a party
(X) Gone roller-skating
(X) Ice-skating

1. Any nicknames? MOMMY
2. Mothers Name? SHIRLEY
3. What is your favorite drink? LEMONADE
4. Tattoos? NO
5. Body piercing? YES
6. How much do you love your job? RIGHT NOW IT'S OK
7. Birthplace? WISCONSIN
8. Favorite vacation spot? IN THE MOUNTAINS
9. Have you ever been to Africa ? NO
10. Ever eaten Cookies for dinner? YES
11. Ever been on TV? NO
12. Ever steal any traffic signs? YES
13. Ever been in a car accident? YES
14. Was it your fault? NO
15. 4 Doors? YES
16. Favorite salad dressing? RANCH
17. Favorite Pie? PECAN
18. Favorite number? 7
19. Favorite Movie(s)? XXX - get your mind out of the gutter LOL!! Vin Diesel in XXX (triple XXX)
20. Favorite Holiday ? THANKSGIVING
21. Favorite alcoholic drink? PINA COLADA
22. Favorite Food? LASAGNE
23. Favorite day of the week? SATURDAY
24. Favorite brand of body soap? IVORY
25. Favorite TV show(s)? LAW & ORDER SVU, AI
26. Favorite toothpaste? CREST CINNAMON
27. What do you do to relax? SCRAPBOOK
28. Do you have a message to your friends reading this right now? BITE ME ;)
29. How do you see yourself in 10 years? HOPEFULLY ALIVE AND HAPPY
30. What do you do when you are bored? GET ON THE INTERNET
31. Furthest place you tag someone? FLORIDA
32. Your hero? DON'T HAVE ONE
33. Your middle name and be honest? ANN

Have a Pina Colada on Me

After the weekend I have had - CHEERS to all! LOL!!!!

What Your Favorite Color Purple Says About You:

Intuitive --- Seeking --- CreativeKind --- Self-Sacrificing --- Growth OrientedStrong --- Very Wise --- Rare

http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourfavoritecolorsayaboutyouquiz/">What Does Your Favorite Color Say About You?

So I am finally getting to this that Val tagged me with a while ago!

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks!

Your Name: Lori
1. Famous Singer/Band: Linkin Park
2. 4 letter word: Lust
3. Color: Lilac
4. Street: Lovers Lane
5. Gifts/Presents: Luxurious Sheets
6. Vehicle: Lexis
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: lighters - but we don't smoke
8. Boy Name: Louis
9. Girl Name: Linda
10. Movie Title: Life-size
11. Drink: Lemonade - preferable Mike's!!
12. Occupation: Linguist
13. Flower: Lilacs
14. Celebrity: Ludacris
15. Magazine: Martha Stewart's LIVING
16. U.S. City: Las Vegas
17. Pro Sports Teams: Lakers
18. Fruit: Lime - preferable with some Tequilla LOL!
19. Reason for Being Late for Work: just because I am LATE
20. Something You Throw Away: leftovers
21. Things You Shout: Love You
22. Cartoon Character: Mario Brothers LUIGI

Rules: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the
following...They MUST be real places, names, things...NOTHING made up!
If you can't think of anything, skip it. Try to use different answers if the
person before you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the
boy/girl name question... Now Go!

So I am gonna tag - Missy - Jolene (when she has time)- Sarah - and Mary - HaHa Mary now you need to start a blog!!!! LOL!!!

You are a Dark Red Rose

You represent unconscious beauty and deep passion. Your vibe: sophisticated and worldly Falling in love with you is: wildly carnal and forbidden

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorroseareyouquiz/">What Color Rose Are You?

Grumpy!!

My Grumpy Man - He just loves it when I take his picture and post it online - NOT!!!! LOL

Your Quirk Factor: 55%

You're a pretty quirky person, but you're just normal enough to hide it.Congratulations - you've fooled other people into thinking you're just like them!

How'>http://www.blogthings.com/howquirkyareyouquiz/">How Quirky Are You?

Ok, this will be the 3rd time in 3 days that I have tried to post on here!! What a pain blogger has been! OH WELL!! So I am determined to get this post on here today LOL!! I have been so busy as usual. Have not had much time off lately so my house is a first class disaster, I did do laundry over the weekend but had to work yesterday and softball tonight so it is still sitting here on the couch waiting patiently to be put away - ever wonder what 1 week's worth of laundry looks like for 7 people LOL!!!! Keep reading and you will see!

So, our week started with NSD last Saturday. www.cropperscottage.com was hosting a 7 day cybercrop. Each DT member had a day and posted 7 challenges. There were some really great challenges, but with working so much I only got 4 done and was after the deadline. But I still printed them all off and will keep working on them. The first one I did is shown in a post below. The second was to use 2 photos of your pet, so I took Akela outside and took some new photos of him - isn't he cute!!?? Another challenge was to use 1 photo of your breakfast. Then the next one I did was to create a LO showcasing something that no one knows about you. Well, I chose doodling on my jeans LOL!! I guess that everyone that sees me, knows that I do this, but my online friends don't so I thought it would make a good addition to my BOM.

Then a few of the DT members posted challenges to scrap a day in our lives. I have not had time yet to actually scrap any of this, but here are the photos. A mini trip to the grocery store. Making 2 huge batches of sauce so I can making spaghetti, baked mostacolli, and have some leftover to freeze for a quick dinner. And yes, that is really only 1 week's worth of laundry and done in 2 days. I still don't have the sheets, towels and blankets.

And I can't forget about work. I really do love my job, just need some time off LOL!!! Not just a day or two. I need a two week vacation - Maybe spend one week out in Colorado, and the next week at Disney World. I would love to stay in one of the really nice resorts and not have to worry about cooking. Maid service for the laundry LOL!! NOT gonna happen anytime soon!! But I can dream, can't I LOL!!! So most days the biggest part of my day is books! I do try to read a little everyday, mosty at lunch and on break at work.

So I decided this week that I need to purge some of my craft supplies, and reorganize my office. You should check out Jolene's blog. http://jolenegeorge.blogspot.com/ This woman is amazing!!! She not only has beautiful taste in decorating, but she could be a professional organizer. Her blog and the pics of her scrap room, motivated me to want to do some reorganizing of my own. I have pile of books everywhere by my office and there really is no more room inside, so I think I am going give away the books that I have read and don't want to keep. Move the ones that my girls want to read (mysteries) and I bought 2 smaller bookcases. The new ones will have to go outside my office door, where there is another small room. It is basically a large hallway but it contains a huge dresser that I have my scrap paper and die cut machine on top of. So my goal for this week is to build these 2 bookcases and clear out some of that scrap paper!!!





We have had so much baseball/softball lately and Friday night was no exception!! It was a horrible night though for sports. It was soooo windy and cold. I didn't get home in time from work to catch TJ's game, but did get to watch Sarah's. DH and I ended up going to sit in his van because it was cold, yet there was TJ with just his shirt on LOL!! Both teams played very well. TJ team won 14-1 and Sarah's 12-0 or something close to those numbers.




So on Friday, JJ went to a lock-in at school for the four classes in his grade. Too many kids for me, but Sarah decided that she would go spend the night and help out after her game. So on the way hone, I got her a large iced coffee and brought her over to the school at 10 p.m. It was so cute when we got there! JJ had already been there since 6, and the PTO hired a DJ to come. JJ was singing Karaoke {sp?} he was so embarrassed that I saw him LOL!!! It was too funny! Sarah said that the kids were up all night! JJ and some of the other boys went in the "girls" activity room, where the girls were doing hair, makeup and nails. JJ came home with his nails painted black!! He would not let me take a pic of them. But Sarah and JJ were up all night and came home at 8a.m. to sleep LOL!!
Mother's Day was very nice. DH brought me a very pretty bouquet of flowers. It has yellow roses, orange and cream tiger lily's and pink carnations. Very springy! He also made breakfast and invited my inlaws over. We had french toast, eggs and bacon. It was even more yummy because I didn't have to cook it :)!!! He also gave me a gift card to Starbucks! Hmmmm, wonder why!!??? LOL





Then Monday I worked some more and started reading a new book Karma Girl, by Jennifer Estep. It is a paranormal romance, but not the usual vampires, werewolves or aliens. It is about a reporter who uncovers superheros and ubervillians. So far it has been funny, but I am only on page 53 so we'll see. But it did receive 4 1/2 stars on www.waldenbooks.com. Mostly, I read the paranormal romance and vampire/werewolf sci-fi, but my brain is not all gushy mush LOL!

I am also reading A Woman in Berlin, by Anonymous. This is not something that I would not typically read, but Linda said it was a really good story, so she borrowed me the book. It is the author's personal journal of her time as a young girl in 1945, when Berlin fell to the Russian army. Definitely not a light read, but a clearly detailed account of the war and enemy occupation, and her experiences at that time. 4 1/2 stars on waldenbooks.com.

Next on my list is, Elementary, My Dear Watkins, (A Smart Chick Mystery) by Mindy Starns Clark. This is a Christian mystery. Looks like it should be pretty good and it received 4 1/2 stars on waldenbooks.com.

Third is Lost & Found, by Jacqueline Sheehan. I picked this book up because of the big chocolate lab on the front cover. Cuz ya know, I love my lab!! Anyway, after reading Marley & Me last year, I never skip a dog related story and glad that I did not bypass this one. It is a story of moving on after the death of a husband with the help of a dog. In contrast to the grief of loss in this story, is the overwhelming love and joy that this dog brings to her life. 5 stars on waldenbooks.com. I also finally bought James Patterson's 1st to Die. I know, I am way behind as he is on #6 now LOL!

On a different note, Valeri posted about a site that I think we all should visit. Shane Bernier is only 7 years old. He is diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His only wish is to break the world record and receive 350 million birthday cards by May 30. Please check out his site and send him a card. http://www.shaneswish.com/index.php

So now that I have spent the better part of my morning, typing this LOL! I will try once again to post it to blogger. Oh I almost forgot, Val tagged me yesterday so I will get to that shortly, probably tonight after ball games. Since I had the day off, DH and I went to get Mexican for lunch YUMMO!! Chicken Flautas and Guacamole!!!

Oh, I almost forgot this too LOL!! (really need that vacation!!) Christi, Rita, and Val, check your mailboxes, or grab the FedEx man, however I decide to send this. Vicki, check your front door in a few days LOL!! And I can't wait to hear from Christi and Kat - congratulations Christi!! I am so excited for you. Can't wait to see pics!!

And the very last thing for today DH finally finished his car!! WOOHOOOO!! He has been restoring it all winter. I think it looks HOT!!!!

I am so freakin mad!!! I just had this long post with tons of pics and stupid AOL shut me off and I lost the whole thing!! I am going to scrap so more and will repost everything in the morning!!! URGGHH!

Congratulations Amanda!!!

Mandi made National Honor Society!!! I am so proud of her!!! The induction ceremony was last night. Even though she still has a really long road ahead of her, she has it all planned out. Well, for the most part anyway. She knows what she wants to do with her life and has mapped it out as far as college is concerned. She knows what her course study needs to be and how to acheive the goals she has set for herself! She really is an awesome daughter!!!

Your Personality is Very Rare (ESTP)

Your personality type is dominant, driven, poised, and self-aware. Only about 5% of all people have your personality, including 3% of all women and 6% of all menYou are Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving.

A Week in Review

Happy Birthday Miss Allie Anne-Marie!!!!!!!

Mama loves you brat girl!!!

Allie had her friend Maggie sleep over and tonight we are having a BBQ . Nothing fancy. I had told the kids that they could not have birthday parties this year. We have them every year, and with as many kids as we have!!!??? They can skip a year LOL!!

This was the first challenge that I was able to get done on National Scrapbook Day!! The first challenge was to do a page about WHY I scrapbook. Here it is. I used the kids school pics from this year. I forgot what Sarah looked like with blond hair LOL!!

The altered D was for a Junkitz contest, but I made it too small. Requirements were 8 inches or larger and mine measured 7 1/2 inches. I would have fixed it by adding some black matting, but the other entries were soooo awesome and I had to get to baseball games on Friday night, so oh well.

So Friday was such a blast at work (totally being sarcastic) LOL!! My BIGGEST pet peeve is shop lifting!!! I work in a bookstore so obviously we don't mind if customers make themselves comfortable and read. We love when customers BUY books, but don't mind at all if you sit down and read. We have a huge Manga/Anime section, and have kids come in all the time and camp out on the floor and read. Ok, that's great and it actually helps me when we get a talkative bunch in. I know nothing about the Manga section and they will tell you about whatever series they are reading and I file that info away, because if Mary or Jill is not working, yeah well then I am screwed when it comes to recommending Manga titles. I get that the books are $8-$12 a piece and most kids can't afford that. That is why we WANT them to come in and settle in for reading. BUT Friday afternoon, I had 2 girls come in. They were probably about 13 years old and were acting very suspiciously. One had a backpack with her and anyone who works retail knows that is a HUGE sign. So anyway, they were there for about 20 minutes and I asked them several times of they needed any help. Of course, no, they did not. So then they were leaving and I followed them to the door and asked them again if they needed any help and they got really nervous. I asked them if they were forgetting anything and the were like "no" and I said "are you sure" and the one was like "ummm, no," but looked really guilty. I said "I think you are forgetting to do something" and then I walked to the registers. They dropped the books that they were going to steal and left. OK! I was pissed. Then, a bit later, they came back!!!! I was on them so fast!!! I did not move from about 3 feet from them the entire time they were there. The one girl came up with 2 books and bought them, and the other girl was complaining she wanted a different one. I know they came back to pick up the ones that they dropped in the front of the store, but M had already gotten them. One that they bought was one that they dropped. After they paid this time, they came back again - I know they were waiting for me to leave. The one girl bought another book and they left and about 2 minutes before I left, they were back again!! But M and J were already onto them too!!!! I guess they bought another book after I left and then they were gone. In one of their visits, I had to tell the one girl she needed to keep her backpack closed and on her back, because I know she did not want to look suspicious LOL!!!

Sarah and her friend Meghan went to a Quinceanera for their friend Elizabeth. My Sarah is the one in green!

It was also my birthday last Monday. Dave got a brownie from the gas station and had the kids sing happy birthday before school. I didn't even get to eat it because the dog got it LOL!!!

The coach from the team that Allie was playing, brought her a cute little gift bag full of candy. His daughter drew a get well card for Al. It was too cute, she put Allie on the front pitching!