Day 2 At Sea

We woke up WAAY too early for vacation time, but I think I was just so excited! I could see the sun peeking in through the curtains, and my curiosity was piqued! I probably could have been quieter, however, I wanted everyone up so we could enjoy the day!

We headed to breakfast at the Raffles buffet. Like yesterday's lunch, it was just so much food to choose from, however, everyone was happy with something! Makes like easy, and who can say no to fresh waffles with fruit on top?

Today was a day of doing... it is hard to sit still when there is just so much to do... And we did a bit of it all...

Checking out the view: and noticing that the water is definitely prettier than what we are used to in the gulf closer to home!

Swimming **multiple times**: there were two pools, but we spent most of the time at the kids pool. More kids T's size, he could reach the bottom, and fewer college aged kids hogging up all the chairs. Hey, the bar man found us there... nothing lost!
FYI or Note to Self: Be VERY careful where and when you mention that **YOU** never seem to be in the family vacation photos. And then make sure that you KNOW where your camera is at all times! Some of these just might show up on your camera card! Cass, this is for you to prove I was actually there!

Playing ping pong:

Posing: E was usually more up for posing, T I just caught when he would look at me... at this point, he is realizing that it is salt water he is swimming in... yeah, kinda messed up the pose, but I will take it...


Dinner tonight was Asian Fusion... another specialty restaurant, but it was all you can eat for a cover of $15. Kids were half price... I can promise you I ate my share of sushi... I probably ate my weight in sushi that night! It was awesome. And an Asian influenced creme brulee was a pretty nice way to top off the night!

Now to get that sunset I looked for yesterday... Saw it going down, reached in for my camera, and poof... it was gone. But this is pretty darn close for today! There is always tomorrow, right?

The "Newlywed/Not so Newlywed Game" was going on in the Galaxy of the Stars. We played along and did fairly well! it was a hoot to watch those poor people on the "stage" having to give their answers out in public... and to watch Penny's face change a 1000 shades of red when she had to answer one of them! Nope... won't divulge the question OR the answer... her secret is safe with me!

Costa Maya tomorrow...

Lights Out!

me

In the Beginning...

It was definitely time to be on break! My students had been going crazy, the weather turned cooler, and we just needed this nice family break!

I had been packed for a while, but completely since the Sunday before! I didn't want ANY surprises! I told you I was ready!

Friday the 13th... probably not the best travel day, but we are on vacation! It was 44* when we left, so we had to do a little replanning our travel attire! Definitely looking forward to warmer weather!

We arrive at Chuck's sister's (Penny) house about an hour south of New Orleans Friday afternoon. Some family came over and Penny made an amazing lasagna and had some nice "hanging with the fam" time!

Saturday was pampering day. Penny treated "The Girls" to a mani/pedi to look nice for the trip. And a really great lunch. Everyone was just so tickled with anticipation. Our goal was to wake up and leave by 10AM Sunday morning! We were up WAY early! Man it was tough to kill that time before we left!

We got to the port in time to be in the first throng of people on the boat! Trav was amazed at the size! We toured the boat with our first stop at our room to drop carry on bags, and then at Raffles (buffet) for lunch. It was almost TOO much food to decide what you want to eat!

With full bellies, we headed back to our rooms to look for our luggage! Two bags down, NINE to go! We packed! Lets see what this boat is made of! We toured around some more, but the weater just wasn't all that nice! We saw the pools, casinos, etc and even thought we saw it all... boy were we wrong! Muster (mustard to a six year old) Drill was entertaining... T asked if we had to do that EVERYDAY and when would it be the Ketchup Drill? HA! This was what New Orleans looked like when it was time to leave! I sure hope that the weather improves!

Decided to give the luggage one more shot! Yeah... everything arrived! We unpacked everything... the room is tiny - with T's bed pulled out, we were wall to wall beds! E will sleep with Penny and James in their room down the hall! I cant' stand living out of a suit case, and there just isn't room for them to be out! After we settled in, we headed to dinner!

Teppenyaki at one of the specialty restaurants. It was a pretty good show, and the scallops were amazing!

Drinks at the bar and headed off to bed! Missed the sunset... there is always tomorrow's!

Lights Out!

me

One More Wakeup...

as T would say! Bags are packed, batteries charged, camera cards are dumped, we are ready for ELEVEN days of fun!

If I don't get a chance to tell you... have a safe and happy Spring Break. And if you are one of the poor souls that don't get a break... I really do feel sorry for you, and I will enjoy a frosty beverage, pool side, on the boat just for you!

Penny and James... you are the best! We can't even begin to tell you enough how gracious you are to us! We love you!

Lights Out!
me

Well... hello there!

Today's message is brought to you by ME! My name is Spikes (I was apparently named long before they realized I was a female) and I am a Bearded Dragon. I belong to one precocious 13 year old girl. She feeds me daily, brings me fresh water, and occasionally drops in some really yummy meal worms or crickets.

Yep, I know what you are thinking, how is it that that lizard is owned by a girl... well, I believe after listening to multiple conversations, that there is an older female that tends to tell her it is time to do this. I hear that this happens quite a bit in the human race...

Kid wants pet
parent says kid won't take care of it
kid promises to do it
kid doesn't
mom does!
Bless those moms!

Lights Out!
me

Travisism...

OK, look'e there! Two posts in one day!

I forgot I had a quirky funny little man thing to say! I didn't forget I had the quirky funny little man, just that he said something funny!

So, we started baseball (photos to come later, I am waiting for good ones). Ran to Academy after the first practice to get gear! On the way out, he grabs my hand and is just grinning! The following conversation happened next!

Me: You excited about baseball?

T: Yep!

Me: What part?

T: It is fun out there...

Me: Oh yeah

T: And I like my hat!

T: And I like my new jersey!

T: but...

Me: yeah?

T: That weiner cover HAS TO GO!

Out of the mouth of Little Man!

Lights Out!
me

Random...

Now I know why it took me so long to post between the last two... I just don't feel I have anything worthwhile to say. Nothing ground breaking has happened! Nothing earth shattering! Nothing overall sad, exciting, funny! Nothing but day-to-day life!



And I am OK with that!

Do you...

ever wait SO long between posts to where it seems like it will be a chore just to finally post? This month is almost over and I am JUST "finding" time to put something up here! I am going to just peruse my camera flash card to see what happened, so I can tell all! Yep, this is going to be really BIG in the photo arena! But you are due, aren't you?

So...

February in review **and I am sure I will miss something**

Turned 40! And after that last post, we met up with Mom and Dad for some lunch and they gave me a MM Carousel. This is what it looked like AFTER I was finished with it! It just makes me giddy!

Basketball ended, so I made E sit for a little photo shoot! She had fun and even made a basket!

7th grade celebrates the end of their medieval unit with a feast! Costumes, games, art, and food. And what Medieval feast is complete without a PIG? My darling sister-in-law made E's precious dress!

Can't remember if I mentioned this before, but I was published in Scrapbook, News, and Review. It is an online magazine and this layout was featured for their Obsessions section!

Made the DT for a cute little sketch site called NutsAboutSketches and Shawn has really gotten my mojo back in the groove! Here are some of the goods from her sketches.

Valentines just can't be complete without homemade cards made at the very last minute with two adorable and COOPERATIVE kids. And they really were BOTH!

Track started and E just amazes me with her endurance. I would love to be able to say I ran the distance that she runs each day. And I would LOVE the legs that would come WITH that mileage! Will post running photos once I get some! **the layout below is from last year's season** I guess I could have cheated and just given you THAT photo!

Art Happened! It feels so good to just get into the scraproom everyonce in a while and actually USE it for what its purpose is. It gets used to store stuff more than anything else!

And finally... I leave the end of the month with Rodeo Day... those of you that know that Go Texan day is a huge event in the Houston area! It is tomorrow, but today was the kindergarten rodeo day! They ate cowboy lunches, danced, and taught their parents to dance! Look at the fun!

OK, for MY sanity and your server limits, I promise to post more often!

Lights out

me!

4-0!

It is just a number! A wonderful number! A larger number than 39! A GREAT number! And I embrace it! Maybe that should be my "Ali Edwards Word of the Year!" (since I haven't picked one yet)! EMBRACE! I didn't wake up with any new wrinkles, gray hair, or creaks! In fact, after having the flu for the past week, I woke up feeling rather young!

Had a wonderful, quiet day at home, went bowling with the family, and came home and let Chuck spoil me with an amazing dinner and my favorite dessert... angel food cake with strawberries! They tasted a ton better than that photo might reveal! Look at all that yummy strawberry goodness!

The ladies at school did some scheming while I was sick... they all showed up in black, decorated my room, the kids brought me flowers, and my room mom brought in donuts for my homeroom! That makes coming back after a week off quite delightful! Kelly even made another fave of mine... Dr Pepper cake! It is just divine!

And to top it all off... in my email box was a note from Shawn over at Nuts About Sketches... she asked me to be on her DT for her sketch site! I am actually thrilled, as she will get me thinking outside my "one photo layout" box that I seem to be stuck in! Check in over there if you ever needs some inspiration!

Smooches to all that wished me happy times and even to those that made fun of my big 4-0! I embrace it all!

Lights Out!

me

Less than one week...

I will be FORTY! The Big 4-0! Nah... it doesn't bother me... I don't really feel like that is old anymore! Now... I am noticing more lines on my face that weren't there last week, Chuck found more grey hairs than I knew I had, and my bones/muscles seem to bother me more when it is cold outside... but I don't feel OLD!

I can handle this! It is just another day! Everyone has been giving me a hard time, but I am riding it out in style! Chuck went out and got a tattoo when he turned 40! I doubt I will go and do something as drastic as that... but it would be fun to say I did that because I was 40! Now to figure out what "that" could be that doesn't make a permanent mark on my body!

Just random thoughts on a random day! and with NO photos to add!

Lights Out!
me

7 Random Facts - Final Installment!

Little Man! Today is his "half birthday!" His birthday is in the summer, so for school purposes, they celebrate "half birthdays!" They get their free dress, snacks, birthday crown, line leader, and just to be king for a day! He can live with that!

So... in honor of his "half birthday" I will get to his 7 Random Facts! Kelly, I am finally done!

TDM
1. This boy is my little reader! Finally someone in my family that can just sit and read and forget about the rest of the world! I am right there with you kid!
2. He has a laugh that will turn the biggest Scrooge into a giggling fool!
3. He gives the very best hugs!
4. Is a Momma's Boy through and through... but like his dad, it isn't a bad thing!
5. This kid has seen more of this world being dragged from one of his sister's activities to another!
6. He is NOT a morning person!
7. Can throw more "why's" at you faster than anyone I know! He is just so curious!

Love you Little Man! Our world is a better place with you in it!

Yeah, I know Christmas is over, and it is time to change my background, but the "cutestblog" site is giving me issues! I will get it changed! :)


Lights Out!
me

7 Random Facts: Part 2

OK, things seemed to have settled down, so I guess I need to get back to my random facts. Sorry Kelly that it has taken so long!

I was going to do T... but since Chuck and I just celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary, I decided that he should go next!

CTM!

1. This man knows the most random stuff. He doesn't know WHY or HOW he knows it, but he does. Sports, Music, history, you name it... he knows something about it!

2. He HATES it when his feet get wet!

3. He is a Momma's Boy, but in his case, that isn't bad at all!

4. He really does not like to read!

5. He is really funny and has a great sense of humor!

6. He loves to work around the house. Tinkering in the yard, fixing stuff around the house, building stuff.

7. He is loving, supportive, and MINE! Ok, I know that isn't random... but so true!

I love you!

Lights Out!

me

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to take this opportunity to tell each one of you Merry Christmas. May the joy of the season envelope you all!

I took part in the CK Ornament drop... that was so much fun! I will post photos of that joy later on...

Lights Out!

me

Lain...

I am not a stalker by any means. I actually met you through a podcast you did on the GBC kit I was designing for, and then met you in person at CKC Houston, and then saw you again at CHA Chicago this past summer. But I am not stalking you! I promise!


What I do want to attempt at this point is to tell you thank you! And I don't know how else to say it, but just out right!

THANK YOU!

Received this little gem in the mail thanks to the great sisters over at BOPELS. I read it every chance I could...

THANK YOU!

Thank you for making me feel normal after reading, giggling, calling out, "I do that!", guffawing, reading outloud to my mom over the phone, screaming, "That's Me!", warding off dirty looks from DH, and giggling some more... I finished it, sighed, and knew that I was OK! I can come out of the closet and announce to the world... I AM A SCRAPPER! I AM NORMAL!

So... Lain... when does Snippets 2 come out? But not stalking!

If you are NOT Lain, and you are reading this... and you ARE or KNOW a scrapper who needs a little boost of confidence... this is THE book for you! I thought about "regifting" it for my mom for Christmas, but... I read most of it to her... and I can't give up my copy! Off to get her one of her own!

Lights Out!

me

7 Random Facts...

Thanks to my teaching buddy Kelly I was tagged... Now this isn't my first time being tagged, and I am afraid as random as I am, there isn't a whole lot more random to post about... seeing an idea from another place, I decided to blog 7 random things about the Monkeys! I will start with Monkey #1...



EBM:



1. The lizard that inhabits my scraproom is hers. She asked for a lizard for her 11th birthday... what eleven year old girl does that? Now if I can get her to take care of it without asking! HA!

2. She is NOT a morning monkey! Her alarm wakes me up, but doesn't seem to pull her out of her snoring slumber.

3. She works her tail off at school and we are so proud of her.

4. She loves to run! She doesn't come by that naturally as we don't run!

5. She is over-the-top about Jonas Brothers right now... I am still trying to figure out what that is about... but then again, I am not 13

6. Her favorite color combination right now is brown and turquoise.

7. She is so precious to us and we are amazed at what an amazing young lady she is turning into! We love you!


Look for T another day!

Now, to make this official... I am supposed to tag 7 other people and link and such... well, I should be putting potatoes in the oven... so consider yourself tagged!


Lights out!
me!

Handmade for the Holidays...

Have you all been to Lainey's blog? If not, and are rushing to get teacher/neighbor/coworker gifts made... GO NOW! You can win as well! The girls over there were busy making our lives easier. How do I know... cuz it really kick started my mojo... Lookie what the kids' teachers, our neighbors, the daycare aides, and my coworkers are getting! I did these along with 29 thank you cards, finished addressing/stamping my Christmas cards, and wrote my annual letter ALL THIS WEEKEND!


Altered Dollar Spot calendars: I always make MINE, but I never thought of making personalized ones for everyone else!

Ornaments: This is an annual tradition of mine. But I was at a loss for what to do this year!


Altered frap bottles: I did this for Halloween once... but Christmas... ingenious! And with so many day care aides, this was PERFECT for them whole group! I will say I was a little... HIGH ON CAFFEINE by the time I was done!



__________________

On the homefront... It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Here are some shots of the tree, and our "little" pooch helping with the lights!



This is probably one of the prettiest trees we have gotten in a long time! I think next I will take photos of things around the house! We have such huge sentimental goodies, and I want to document it!


Lights Out!
me

Really? SNOW?

OK, this is a rarity... Snow in SE Texas just doesn't happen on a normal basis. Well, yesterday we were hit with the white stuff. Now at MY house, we got the "flurries" and were able to catch it on our tongue and it clumped up on the trampoline, but it didn't stick to the ground. I don't care WHAT you Northerners call that, but down here in "Boy Howdy" town, it is called SNOW!

My parents live less than two hours north of us, and it stuck... This is her front yard with the REAL snow on the FAKE snowman! How fun!

And Little Bandit just didn't know what to expect when all that cold white stuff was all over the place! Isn't he adorable?

And I DO have my tree up and decorated! I promised photos for Mom, so that she can actually SEE my tree this year! I will put it up tomorow!

Lights Out!

Me

I actually WON something...

Have any of you met Lain Ehmann or had a chance to read her blog or had a chance to catch Snippets? NO? Well, I have been counting down the days until the release of her book... and then to find the time and a place to get it!

Well, on her blog, she keeps posting fun little blogs to go to try and win your own copy... so I figured I HAVE to have it, lets try winning it and finding new "people that get it" along the way! Well, I did! I found these sisters (and they are a hoot) and now they are sending me my very own copy of Snippets. I can't be any more thrilled! I have already called my mom and she is so very jealous (yes, she will either get her own copy for Christmas, or read mine when I am done).

GREAT weekend behind us... we went to Old Towne Spring and just had a nice relaxing scoot around the town, bought some Christmas gifts, tried some mulled wine, bought some vintage candies, and just people watched! so fun

Sunday we bought our Christmas tree and it is up and it is BEAUTIFUL! I will post photos when I remember to BRING my camera card to school.

Off to the glorious world of work and carpool. Keep your fingers crossed for the great Lady Vikings as they host a home game today! Woot Woot

Yep... an entire post without a single photo... so I added the book! :)

Lights out!

me!

A Week in Review...

1. Twilight... yes, I read the books (all 4 in 9 days), waited in line to see the movie (have my opinions), but love THIS review by Annette over at GBC! She got it all correct in my eyes, so why write it over again! Thanks for letting me borrow your words, Annette!

2. Germs... yep, we all got it and they stayed with us all throughout the week. Now we are all just hacking messes!

3. Thanksgiving... it was nice! Mom and Dad came down and we had a nice quiet lunch. Chuck did all the cooking even though he was sicker than a dog!

4. Black Friday... been there done that, but we did it in moderation this year! I did get a GREAT deal on a pair of pants, and I got Chuck's Christmas present! I am so stoked! I do this though, I think it is a great idea, then I worry the entire time whether or not he will like it, is it goofy, etc! He never asks for anything, so it is hard!

5. Handmade for the Holidays... Lainey has it PEGGED with this. Go read her blog and see what fun she has in store from GBC! A great way to get those gifts taken care of without a lot of $$ in our pockets... Can you say TEACHER gifts! Great job girl!

6. Card Central... yep... my cards are done! I have made 58 of them, and once I get the list done, I will see how many more I need to do! Extremely simple this year!

7. Homemade Studio... OK, I did it again this year... had an idea for that "perfect" Christmas photo... I really like them, but for now you only get to see the extras... I want the "real" family one to show up in Christmas cards. I will post it AFTER they go out in the mail!


Here are the kids... I can't believe I got two of them!


And my 13 year old! I am still working on the color of these... but whatcha think?




Lights Out!
me