backup, backup, backup!

About a week ago, one of my external hard drives stopped working. For a few days, it had been making a weird clicking noise. Then, it just stopped being recognized by the computer. At first, I thought it was "no big deal" because it's the EHD that has all my "digital freebies" (digital scrapbook stuff that I've downloaded for free). But as time goes on, I realize that EHD had more and more stuff on it that I'd forgotten about. Like the Excel file with all my unused coupons for different digi stores. And all the digital card projects (that I'd paid for!). Plus, almost 2 years of my favorites sites.
Since the EHD crashed, I've signed up for Mozy. The backup had been running for several days, and was 36% complete. Then last night, Windows thought it would be the perfect time to install some updates and restart the computer. GAAAAHHH!!! Now the Mozy backup had to start all over. oh, I am so frustrated!!!
But, I am relieved that the other EHD is still working fine. That one has all the pictures, completed scrapbook pages, and all the digi stuff that I've purchased.

Moral of the story: backup your files!! You never know what you're going to miss using.

Got boogies?

I've seen these in several stores recently, and I have to admit, I laughed that we would "need" wipes just for boogers. But with a sick baby girl and not feeling so hot myself, I decided to give them a try. I love them! It's that simple. :) And then I found this giveaway on a blog, so I had to enter!! Sweeps4Bloggers is holding a contest to win 2 packs. Wish me luck! :)

cheese

Here's Miaka, sharing her cheesy grin for you all to see! :D


And me, sharing my blue tongue from the cupcake I ate (Tuesday night). :P

free quickpage!

I am participating in the Quick Page Team Challenge at Pretty Scrappy. I got a free kit to work with, and the assignment was to create a quickpage, brag book page, or hybrid project. This week I got to work with Juicy Pop by Creations by Rachael, and I chose to make a 12x12 quickpage. If you'd like to download it, visit the gallery at Pretty Scrappy. If you'd like to help me out even further, register and vote for me!

Polar Plunge!

P-chan accepted the challenge of participating in the 2009 Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics . Not only will he be Getting His Plunge On, but he'll be raising money for children and adults in Kentucky with intellectual disabilities so that they can have the opportunity to experience the joy of sports training and competition.

We are asking you to help by supporting our fund-raising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of many! It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make your donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer, you can also mail your tax-deductible contribution with the form on the website.

Any amount, great or small, helps the cause. We greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on P-chan's progress. Click here to visit my personal page.

Join in the LIST!

(while I wait for LOST to become available on ABC.com....)

Join in the fun! Copy and paste the list. Bold the things you have done...
Found this on a random blog. I love stuff like this.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo ~ not in front of actual people!
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea ~ well, it was Tampa Bay...
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning ~ hello! I worked in fast food for 6 years...
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight ~ funny story! I got a concussion!
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill ~ I totally did this to go ring-shopping after getting engaged
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person ~ (sheesh, someone is obsessed with Europe!)
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance I was just there for the ride. It was Kenshin being transported.
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud ~ mud hole in PG, ftw!
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone. 2 of 'em!
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle ~ P-chan's bike goes 35 in the 20 zone around the house. ROFL
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person ~ I think I must have, but I don't remember it so I'm not counting it
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Made amends with someone who offended you
101. Flew in a small Cessna plane with just you and the pilot
102. Ran out of gas
103. Eaten fried okra ~ NASTY!
104. Swam in the Caribbean Sea
105. Peed in a swimming pool ~ this reminds me of the sign that was at the pool where my grandparents lived: Welcome to our OOL. Notice there is no P in it. Please keep it that way.
106. Rented a beach house
107. Hosted an exchange student
108. Been a Secret Santa to a family in need
109. Worked on a political campaign
110. Coached a sports team
111. Baked bread from scratch
112. Driven from coast to coast
113. Paid off all of your debt ~ and we liked it so much, we're doing it again this year!
114. Roast marshmallows over a campfire
115. Cut up a credit card ~ it was expired; does that count?
116. Drove a car through a flood ~ but in Tampa, it's called "rain"
117. Been on t.v. ~ I was in a commercial for bike helmets, as a public safety announcement (my whole family was)
118. Seen the twin towers.
119. Been to ground zero
120. Been on top of the Empire State Building
121. Lived outside of the United States
122. Stayed awake for more than 24 contiguous hours
123. Applied for a reality TV show

Now add something that's not on this list and keep it going, if you'd like.

Slide to the left!

Now everybody clap your hands!

Seriously, now. He isn't the candidate I wanted, but I honor and respect that he won. I pray he will make the best decisions for the country. Obama ftw!

Gallery of Miaka

Here are the long-awaited and promised pictures! :) They are in chronological order.

Here is Miaka, the day after she came home.



That's what she looks like most of the time.

Here's what the boys started to think she looked like:


aaaawww, pretty girl!

oh, the baby's not too shabby either. ;)


nekky!


yes! she got to wear the same pants as the boys!


right after the bath (still have to edit those pictures, lol)


why yes, that IS a preemie-sized onesie.


just chillin' with Krillin:



in case you wondered, bunnies are her "thing":


I ADORE how she sticks her bum out!! :D This is from yesterday.


That's it for now! We don't have an armchair (like Missy does, to measure her children). So, any suggestions on how to "show" Miaka growing?

My hungry, hungry hippo

Miaka has a new nickname: Hungry Hippo! I admit, it doesn't bring to mind a flattering image, but it fits nonetheless. She is hungry all the time, being a baby does that to ya. And she's growing fast! She is 3.5 weeks old today, and weighs 7 lbs, 10 oz. That means she's packed on 1 lb, 3oz since she was born. That's over 18% of her starting weight!! She has also grown an inch taller. However, she is STILL smaller than Krillin-at-birth. ROFL

Pictures will be posted tomorrow. Today was crazy. And I finally found the cord for the camera. :)

Andrea Gold has some new products

Andrea has some great new products at GDS. First up is her Holiday Splash kit.

It's on sale right now for $3.20.
Next is the Add-On for Holiday Splash, on sale for $1.20:

Here's a page I did using both kits:

I love the deep, rich colors and elements! :)

She's also released her 2nd set of classic templates, in a set called Classic 50 pack Template Bundle #02. :)

And here's a quick review of all the templates included:

That's less than 55¢ per template! :)

And her latest release is a grungy, purple-y kit called My Imperfect Life. I promise I'll have something done later this week, to show it off. :D


And finally, Andrea is offering an awesome promotion!

That's right: Spend $5 and get this great QP collection (see the bottom middle one? That's mine! :D)

and if you spend $10, you get $5 credit toward your next order in Andrea's shop!
Don't forget, when you spend $10 at GDS, you automatically qualify for the design team's collab kit. So basically, you're getting (at least) 3 kits, a QP collection, a HUGE collab kit, and $5 back, when you spend $10. woot!

Christmas wishes fulfilled!

We hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Day! Ours is just about over, and it was wonderful. So many things to be thankful for:
Nice weather
Not being in the hospital
Miaka is here! :)
P-chan didn't have to work today
The boys didn't get a case of the "gimmees"

Our day started just after 7am, when Krillin woke up for the bathroom, and stayed awake for the stockings. LOL He was considerate enough to wait (and even wake up) Kenshin before digging into the stockings. Since I never knew what they asked Santa for, I was a bit anxious that Santa brought something they would like. Santa won big points today! :D Krillin got the new Superman movie and some FunKeys, and Kenshin got the Walle movie and FunKeys.

Here's summary of our favorite gifts of the day:
What was the gift you were most excited about giving?
Dad: Flight of the Conchords DVD set, to Mom.
Mom: 6-Minute Stretching book, to Dad.
Krillin: the "Dad's Fix-it Shop" sign, to Dad.
Kenshin: The RC car, to Dad.
Miaka: I didn't give anything, I was just cute and pooted all day.

What is the gift you are most excited about receiving today?
Dad: 6-Minute Stretching book, from Mom. I've been looking for this book for months, ever since I lost the one I had, on the trip to FL.
Mom: Flight of the Conchords DVD set, from Dad. These guys are hiLARious!
Krillin: mini Transformers set, from Mom & Dad. (At least, Mom thinks this was his favorite....)
Kenshin: Ben 10 Omnitrix watch. "I've been wishing for this all DAY!" Really, he's been asking for this for months, but that's what he said today. He also hugged it, and for a few seconds, I thought he was going to cry.
Miaka: I got some very cute clothes from Auntie Emily.

Funniest quote of the day is brought to us by P-chan. A little background, first: We have had a certain frog candle for years (I think we got it when we got married); the frog is relaxing on an inner tube, with his legs hanging out. Over the years, between moving 5 times and having kids, it has gotten pretty beat up. Legs missing, elbows cracked, etc. Last week, P-chan decided he was going to burn it. We put it on a fire-safe plate and forgot about it. Today, he remembered his vow to burn the frog, and placed it in front of the tiny manger scene we have, and told the boys it would keep Jesus warm. About 45minutes later, I heard, "Look, the frog gave his eyes to warm baby Jesus!"
For the record, it was a good 15 minutes before I could stop laughing. Miaka was very upset at me. P-chan is now chagrined at his own comment, but I don't think it was sacrilegious, just irreverent. Thoughts?

Merry Christmas!

Have some fun with these brain-bending Christmas song titles! The answers will be in the comments. :D

1. The apartment of 2 psychiatrists.

2. The lad is a diminutive percussionist.

3. Decorate the entry-ways .

4. Sir Lancelot with laryngitis.

5. A B C D E F G H I J K M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z.

6. Present me naught but dual incisors for this festive Yuletide.

7. The smog-less bewitching hour arrived.

8. Exuberation to this orb.

9. 288 Yuletide hours.

10. Do you perceive the same longitudinal pressure which stimulates my auditory sense organs.

11. The red-suited pa is due in this burg.

12. Stepping on the pad cover.

13. Uncouth dolt has his beezer in the booze and thinks he is a Dark Cloud's boyfriend.

14. Far back in a hay bin.

15. Leave and do an elevated broadcast.

16. That exiguous hamlet south of the holy city.

17. Behold! I envisioned a trio of nautical vessels.

18. Listen, the winged heavenly messengers are proclaiming tunefully.

19. A joyful song relative to hollow metallic vessels which vibrate and bring forth a ringing sound when struck.

20. As the guardians of little woolly animal's protected their charges in the shadows of the earth.

21. Frozen precipitation commence

22. Monarchial triad

23. Oh, member of the round table with missing areas

24. Boulder of the tinkling metal spheres

25. Vehicular homicide was committed on Dad's mom by a precipitous darling

26. Wanted in December: top forward incisors

27. We are Kong, Lear, and Nat Cole

28. Cup-shaped instruments fashioned of a whitish metallic element

29. Oh small Israel urban center

30. Our fervent hope is that you thoroughly enjoy your yuletide season

31. Parent was observed osculating a red-coated unshaven teamster

32. May the Deity bestow an absence of fatigue to mild male humans

33. Natal celebration devoid of color, rather albino, as a hallucinatory phenomenon for me.

34. Obese personification fabricated of compressed mounds of minute crystals.

35. Tranquiltiy upon the terrestrial sphere.

36. Have hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in their belief

baby Miaka is here! :)

Just a quick note to let you all know that I had my baby! :D
Miaka was born at 9:06am EST on December 19, 2008. The labor was short and easy. Well, in my eyes anyway! :) She weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces, and was 19 inches long. She has a full head of dark hair, and seems to have blue eyes...but you know that could change. :)
She looks a LOT like Krillin and Kenshin.

It's been a long time, but I did it!

Yessirree, I locked myself out of the house. I had just gotten the boys on the bus, and remembered it's garbage day, so I went inside to get the garbage and outgoing mail. I put both of them in their proper spots, returned to the house, and that's when I found the door locked. I don't even remember locking the front door when I took out the trash. It's a good habit to have, I guess. I've caught myself doing it when the boys and I go for a walk. But this time I didn't catch myself. oops! Why not go in through the garage, you ask? Well, because I don't like the idea of someone getting into my house through the garage, so that door is deadbolted all the time. And the back door? We have our Christmas tree in front of the back door, so of course it's deadbolted, too.
I went down to Becca's house to borrow her phone and phonebook. After a few minutes, I realized that all of the listings are for greater Louisville, and...well, I don't really live "that" close to Louisville, and I would probably be charged extra. But then Becca's husband tried a spatula to unlock their door, and it worked. So we came back here, he tried it, and VOILA! It worked! I'm very thankful for that, but also a little freaked out that a plastic spatula can open my locked door.
So I am safely back at home. No harm done. Becca and her husband saw me in all my Morning Glory, of course, so maybe there was some harm. ;0 I'm in my jammies, with a fleece hoody, a fleece hat (to cover my bed-head), and no make-up. hurray for mornings!

Thanksgiving and more

December 1 already?? That means I'm down to 2 weeks until the baby's due date! As excited as I am, I really hope that she doesn't come this week. Why? Because P-chan AND Jessica are going to be out of town for their jobs. Jessica is my BFF here, and in the Original Plan, she would watch the boys while P-chan and I went to the hospital. In the Backup Plan (if P-chan was out of town) Jessica would take me to the hospital, and the boys would stay with Beverly. So for this week, we're down to a somewhat last-minute and spontaneous plan, going something like this:
If it's Tuesday, Wednesday, or early Friday, Beverly will drive me and Donna will watch the boys.
If it's Thursday, Donna will drive me and Amanda will watch the boys.
P-chan will be home by Friday afternoon, and Jessica will be back Friday evening.
I love plans, don't you?

Thanksgiving was spent with Amanda, April, and their families (and another friend, but I can't remember her name, oops!). The food was delicious, and it was nice to be around people we like. :) But on a homesick note, it just wasn't the same as being with Emily and her fam. I really miss you, Emily!

Black Friday, I did not venture out at 4am. Nope, it wasn't until about 10:30 that I left the house. My first stop was CVS, where they had some freebies and a few "better than free" items. Almost everything was still in stock, too. :) Of course I got rainchecks on the things I missed. Next, Jessica and I went to see Twilight. Without giving anything away, I liked it, but still thought parts could have been done better. If they make the 2nd book into a movie, I will probably see that as well. After that, I went to Meijer, and realized that the sale ended at noon (it was almost 3pm). Doh! So then I went to Lowe's to take advantage of their gift card offer, and also got the drill set that I've been oogling! :D And the final stop was Walgreens, where I got paid to take several tubes of Colgate Total toothpaste. LOL Then it was back home, where the boys and I spent a nice evening "at home" (usually I'm dragging them to several stores) while P-chan went to work.

Saturday I got a tank of gas, and paid $1.56 per gallon. :D

All I want for Christmas

...is the name of one of Pretty Scrappy's newest kits, and I love it! Casey does an awesome job with all her designs, and this new kit is so sparkly, that I just have to have it! :D I "met" Casey through her blog several months ago, probably through a link from DigiFree, for her "Live, Laugh, Love" themed mega kit that she was (and still is!) giving away for free, pieces at a time. Then she offered some personalized snaps, and I ordered those. When Hurricane Ike hit Casey and her family, I wanted to help her out, but didn't know how. When her design team released the "New Beginnings" kit, I was very excited. :) Now I'm in the store every week, ooohing and aahhhing over everything. :) I am Casey's #1 stalker! (I've got the blinkie to prove it!)

note: the Pretty Scrappy store is down as of blog posting time, but they are working on it! I think Black Friday killed it. LOL

update: The new store is up and running, and the link is updated! yay! :)

Happy Birthday to me!

Yesterday was the big 3-0 for me! I am officially no longer in my 20s. ROFL P-chan and the boys sprayed silly string all over the kitchen, and baked brownies. I opened up my presents: a little mind-buster game, a pair of earrings, and not 1 but 3 different watches. LMBO Now I can match them to different outfits, woot! :)
P-chan made me a special Birthday Potato. What made it so special? Why, he put exactly what I wanted on it, of course! :P Then we ate brownies; I had peanut butter on mine, and they all had frosting and ice cream with theirs. :D
Thanks, boys! :))

On the baby front, I am only 3 weeks out from the due date now. Things are very uncomfortable for me. I am just about ready for her to come out. I say "just about" because I still need to sew the diapers! LOL Miaka and I received many wonderful gifts at the baby shower, so she's pretty set for clothing. We also got several of the bedding set items from Target, woot! :)

Great deal from ArtsCow!

Are you looking for a great deal on photobooks? Through November 25, 2008, ArtsCow is offering unlimited 8x8" photobooks (20 pages) for $6.99, and that includes shipping! Holy Cow! :D They have plenty of pre-done layouts, in case you don't have digi-scrap pages. If you haven't signed up for ArtsCow yet, feel free to use my referral code:
http://www.artscow.com/?Ref=464838
And then use this coupon code at checkout to get the books discounted:
PBSD699
Well, what are you waiting for? Go! :)

$1.98

that's what I paid for gas today. :D

How was the election process for you? Did your candidate win?

brag book exchange with Andrea

Andrea Gold is hosting the Brag Book Exchange at GDS, and there are still a few more days to get in on this! I finally got my page done, here it is in all its glory! :D
click here for credits!
If you decide to buy the kit and participate, you'll get all the others submitted by forum members, and 2 exclusive pages designed by Andrea herself.

Get all the details at GDS: http://www.godigitalscrapbooking.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8610