"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Time to play catch up...

Might as well put on your coziest pj's, curl up in your favorite chair, and get comfy because this is gonna be a loooong one!!! With LOTS of pictures!!!

First, I should tell you all why I have been a bit pre-occupied lately. Actually, I want to ask a favor of you all. My Mom is going to be having heart surgery the first week of October. I know in my heart she will be fine and this will make her feel so much better but I am so scared. She is having a valve replaced. And I know that surgery is super common and done 100's of times a day. But...it's my Mom. My family...my husband, parents, brother, and nephew...are my life. I don't know how to be without them. I just want us all to get through this and have my Mom feeling better! So, my favor is this. Whether you are the praying type, or the sending good thoughts type, or the warm fuzzies type, or whatever you do, could you please do it for my Mom? I would appreciate it more than I could ever express in words! Thank you!!!

So, taking a cue from my Mom, who has THE best attitude about all of this, there are things to do and places to go. This is what we have been up to in the few days since I last wrote...

First, there is this guy...
Be still my heart!!! Yep, THE man Tom Brady is back, baby, and back in a BIG way!!! Last night, for Monday Night Football, was the Pats season opener. I have no nails left! What a stressful game!!! It was not looking like it would be the Pat's night. And keep in mind Brady hasn't played for a year. But, man oh man, they got the win! And once again Brady has proven why he is STILL the BEST there is!!! Oh those last few minutes of the game...gahhhh!!!

I finally had my first one of these of the season the other day...
Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. Nonfat, no whip, please. Mmmmm!

This past Christmas (yes, last Christmas...) my brother and sister-in-law bought us this fabulous fire pit for our deck. We, uh, finally set it up the other day. Yeah, I know it is already mid-September, but honestly, I don't want to sit outside at night in the middle of the summer when it is still ridiculously humid and get eaten alive by mosquitos. I swear the little bastards lust my Mediterranean blood! So not fun! But sitting out on a cool September or October evening, wrapped in a cozy fleece blanket, sipping a hot toddy...that's what I'm talking 'bout!
Isn't it pretty?!?

We set up a cute little seating area around it with our existing ugly furniture...

We finally got the chance to get some mums!!! The Home Depot garden center had AMAZING mums this year!!! I wanted them ALL. But I behaved. I got three (for now...)
I got one of those lush deep red mums in the pumpkin planter! Love!

There is Kevin trying to look all cool and aloof and trying to pretend he is not with the crazy lady snapping pictures in the middle of the Home Depot garden center!!! Silly boy...he ought to know better by now!!!

We also brought this pretty home!!!


This past Saturday was super rainy...
Still it didn't stop us from going to Brooksby to buy some apples...
...and by "us" I mean Kevin.
(Did you really think I was gonna get wet?!)

We had to warm up with some steamy hot coffee.
And by "we" I mean Kevin.

I just wanted some Dunk's in the Patriots cup!

Bailey just wanted his plain munchkins!

I got scrappy, too! I completed this minibook about my nephew's first year of T-ball!







He loves looking at pictures of himself in my scrapbooks. 

In other crafty/scrappy news, I made a few videos showing the steps to make the Grungepaper flowers that I showed in a recent post. I broke it up in to four videos since I just use my little point and shoot to videotape stuff. Each is only about 3 minutes long. If anyone wants to see them just leave a comment with your email and I will be happy to email the links to you!

I had a nice little surprise today...a message from Cheryl at Take a Second Glantz (you really should read her blog...so much fun!) that I won a prize in her blogoversary giveaway!!! Thanks again Cheryl!!!

We have some fun fall outings planned over the next several weeks! I am not going to share yet...you will have to wait and see the pics...I am such a tease!!!

My hubs turns 40 in a couple weeks!!! 40!!! So in the midst of everything else going on I am also planning a party for him and about 40 of our nearest and dearest! Don't worry...it is not a surprise...he hates surprise parties! I am actually really looking forward to it! I think our family could use a good party!!!

I think that is all for now. :-)

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow!! Nice big post!! Love those pumpkin planters!!! Another thing we have in common...well sort of...my mom from the time my nephew was born has made him yearly scrapbooks that he looks forward to getting every Christmas! He has them from the time he was born until now...so 11 scrapbooks to date! Love the one you made of your nephew:)

The fire pit looks really nice!! And YES that game was a nail biter! Glad to see Brady back and still has it!:)

OH and I would love the links for your video's...you have my email address I think...if not let me know! :)

Anonymous said...

Best of luck to your Mom and her surgery! I hope she feels great afterwards!!! I love all your photos! You're an awesome scrapbooker. And a proud Patriots fan, too!! Woo-hoo about last night's game, huh?!??! 5 minutes....they couldn't have let us in on the surprise earlier?!?!? LOL!!!

Connie said...

WOW! You have been busy!

I'm thinking of driving all the way to Starbucks tomorrow for a Latte....

Carol said...

Will be sending your Momma and you some extra special 'mojo'!!!! For sure! I still don't know how you can drink that Dunkin's coffee!! LOL! I would love, love, love to watch the videos!!! Just to see your beautiful face and so I can learn cool shit to show my friends! I will give you all the credit, promise! Did Kevin see any of the Chiefs game Sunday?....OMG they suck!

Carol said...

Oh yeah...forgot to comment on the fire pit! Very nice!! I love mine and I only bring them out this time of year too....roast mallows with Jonathon...they are so yummy!

thatdesigngal said...

WOW, lots going on!! First and most importantly, I will throw up some prayers for your Mom! She will be just fine! We will all be praying for her!

Congrats on the blog gift!

You have such cute scrapbooks!

Glad things are going well!
Mary

Alicia said...

i love the mums in the pumpkin planter!! how CUTE!! too bad i'm a horrible gardener!! lol...and mmmmmm i love the smell of the pumpkin spice lattes! yuuummmmmm.....and holy cow, that scrapbook turned out awesome!!! so cool!!!

BJ_Mama said...

Here's a prayer, some good thoughts, and a WHOLE-LOTTA warm fuzzies for your MOM!

Your sitsta

Baba said...

I'm sending out much love to your mama and family!

Ugh! The lack of Starbucks here in Podunk is a serious enough reason for me to consider moving closer to town. Well, at least for a minute... Me want Pumpkin Spice Frappe!

I am loving your fire pit!!!!
We just made ours... I was just out there trying to stack the wood all nice to get a pic for the blog and GLU when I was ambushed by an army of fire ants! Sons-a-bitches bit the fiery piss outta me!

Sweet Baby Jesus! Kevin is lookin all kinds of HOT & SCRUMPDIDDLYUMPTIOUS!!!
Um, yeah.... those mums look nice too...
zxcvbnm,./;p-0o9i8uy6trewq cdrftgyhbnjmuygtvd34r5tr45t6y7uigb^
Sorry... had to wipe the drool off of my keyboard...

J-Man is growing up to darn fast for me, tell his folks to stop feeding him breakfast or something!
I love the scrapbook you made - I love the colors!

Tell that SEXY OLD MAN of yours that I wish him a very Happy Happy Birthday!

Jenny said...

I will be keeping your Mom in my prayers and warm fuzzies...and you, too. It is a worry when it's your own Mom! I agree! Gorgeous mums! The quarterback thing threw me for a minute....thought your husband might be taking up professional ball. ha! Glad to see you're having fun in the midst of your worries!

Carma Sez said...

Sending all sorts of positive vibes your way, especially for your mom.

You have been quite busy! I love the scrapbook you made for your nephew. You are seriously the sweetest aunt I know!!

Regarding your last post, I've been kind of blah myself lately which is why I've been posting less.

Oh, and I love the little tidbit on Cameron. I've seen photos of her before that were less than flattering and have wondered how she is in person. Now I know!

Terri Steffes said...

You HAVE been busy!! I love the scrapbook. What a wonderful thing to have.

I will have your mom in my prayers. Even the simple things can be scary!

The Old Parsonage said...

I'm with you on the heat and humidity - yuck. Give me a crisp fall day anytime. Tonight it's going dwn into the fifties and we have every window in the house open. Although I do have an apple cake in the oven to take the chill off:)

I will definitely keep your Mum and all of you in my prayers.

Lots of Love
Leann

marnie said...

You certainly made up for your absence with that post!! ;)
First off, you know Mom is in my thoughts and prayers (as well as the whole family) She is going to feel sooo much better after.
As always, your scrapbook is gorgeous. I never get tired of seeing your crafty-work.
I love the pics of your firepit..can see you guys enjoying it.
And lastly, but not leastly, Kevin is looking mighty fine. Like the facial hair!!!
Hugs to both of you and Bailey!!

Melissa Miller said...

Kristen first I just want to say THANK YOU for your sweet words of support and such encouragment you have given me now and on all my posts. You are so right. I should not be embarrassed but I was for letting it get so out of control. Sigh...I do know better and have begun the healthy eating changes this week and do feel slightly better. The medicines are still getting to me though. I know it will take more time so I must be patient. You are a sweet and giving person so thank you again.

I truly hope and pray your Mom will do very well. She is strong lady so I just KNOW she will.
I definitley know how you feel. My Dad is having major back surgery on October 1st. He is not doing well with a brand new Alzeihmers Diagnosis and prostrate cancer so needless to say we are all terrifed for him. I feel your fear my friend. We will pray hard together for both of them.

On a brighter note you mums are stunning! LOVE the warm colors.

~Blessings to you today and always, Melissa :)

Farmgirl Paints said...

Wow girl you've been busy. Love the mums. I need to get to Home Depot. That table looks great too, by the way. Have a great weekend.

Jessica said...

I am praying for you and your mom!

I love your scrapbooking :)

Michele said...

Prayers for your mom. The scrapbook for Jonathan is awesome. Great idea. My grandson loves looking at pictures too. You've given me a great idea to make him one for Christmas.

Cheryl said...

Good night, am I really almost a month behind in my blog reading?!? Remind me never to do NaBloPoMo again, LOL. Anyway, just wanted to say that I love your minibook. And thanks for the shout-out; I can't wait to see what you create with your goodies! :)

"Cottage By The Sea" said...

To say the least I'm a bit late reading this. Just going through some archives of new people I'm following. I hope your moms surgery went well. Those nudie aprons are hilarious and just want you to know that this California girl is one of the biggest New England fan around. They are the only reason I watch football!