HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

and I am tired as all get out
I am half asleep COMMITTING to completing this post for tonight.


Everyone in my household is asleep for we had a very long day. We spent Memorial Day out at my MIL's house. The weather was perfect as we spent a majority of the day outside enjoying the weather and each other. Rick and Pa Pa Erskine battled for the Grill King award for the day...

We kept calling Rick, "Barbe-Que Bobby" and I must admit...Rick is great grilling, which is one reason I love when it gets warm...he does most of the cooking on the grill...I just have to do the sides and work on the clean up crew.

Allegra spent most of the day using her chalk on the sidewalk...I tell you, that girl always has pen and pad in hand, she always wants to write or draw something.














Alexandre' spent time playing with his Uncle Ben, Rick's brother. They have a very special relationship as everyone says that Alex acts like Ben use to act when he was younger...being a Momma's boy and just the way he plays and goes about doing things. Every time that Ben and Alex are together, Alex is always climbing on him and hugging on him...I hope that they will continue to have a great relationship.








A friend of the family came by with their little dog and the twins were immediately into him. They really had a good time playing with him and even asked us for a little dog. I wanted a little dog too and Rick came home with Mac...Mac is a great watch dog and maybe...with a little persuasion, we can get a little dog next spring.







We ate, drank, watched movies, ate and drank some more...which is what holidays are all about.

On a sad note...Rick's Auntie Rochelle was also there, the one that just lost her husband. I could look in her eyes and see that she was tired and missing him as did her two sons, Christopher and SteveBo. We just have to keep them in our prayers and be there for them.

Gotta go put all of this food away that we brought home and then I am crawling in the bed with R.L. and off to dreamland

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

RELAXING SATURDAY

Woke up this morning and was not really in the mood to go anywhere or do anything

We are still down one car so I did not take Alexandre' to basketball and we did not go to my friend's little boy's birthday party. I even missed my pledge daughter's baby shower. I can not wait to get Rick's van fixed...hate being down one vehicle but very appreciative that we at least have a car.
So we totally relaxed in our pajamas all day. I do love days like this...I let the kids color, watch television and eat whatever they wanted.

Once Rick came home, we watched Alex's favorite movie, ET and then we all went to bed fairly early...
Let us see what tomorrow will bring

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Butterflies are FREE!!!

That is the theme for today

Started out waking up early this morning since Alexandre' and Allegra had to be at school in the morning as opposed to being there at our normal time (noon). Getting them up was not hard at all like I thought it would be since Rick and I had prepped them the night before letting them know that they had a "Butterfly Release Party" at school today. We went to school early and Alex and Allegra had their first cafeteria breakfast....it was nothing fancy but I think once they do attend school full time, I will be making their breakfast at home.

Here is a photo of them enjoying the cafeteria food.

After breakfast...both the morning and the afternoon class met together and we headed outside for our Butterfly release party. The kids have been preparing for this for awhile now as Ms. Graham and Mr. Phillips obtained caterpillars and over the course of time, the kids in both classes watched as the caterpillars transformed and turned into butterflies...today was the day to finally release them outside. It was a bit nippy outside so we did not plan on staying out to long. I did stay to help out with the kids and also with the official release. Once the butterflies started to come out...one just so happened to land on my fingers and Allegra was so thrilled that I was not scared...I was even able to let him crawl on her little hands for a quick moment.

Afterwards...we all went inside and the kids decorated butterfly shaped sugar cookies and boy...did they make a mess, especially my Alexandre'. All of the kids had a really great time and were ready to do it again.

Once we got home, we all took a nap.

Dinner was simple and I let the twins watch Disney channel, just for a little bit before retiring to bed for the evening.

I am off to bed myself

Hugs & Kisses

Me

Feelings..

I was off today so I pretty much took it easy. Was up early doing my never ending chore...LAUNDRY.
I did not have a great morning with Alexandre' and Allegra. I had to raise my voice, which I do not like doing. I cleaned their room and they do help me clean their room...but then the mess it all up to the point where I do not even want to go in their room...Land Mines of toys and clothes all over the place. Anyway...I dressed them for the day and Allegra can not find her gym shoes...well the ones she wanted to wear with the outfit she had on. Alex helped her and then I help and we only found one shoe and not the other and it was already noon (preschool starts at noon) So now we are late and I am getting very upset as I throw clothes and toys around trying to find her other shoe. I am also upset at Rick as I blame him for letting them go to bed the night before without picking up in their room (I worked late at Windy City Scrapbooking) so it was on his watch. Well...Allegra ended up putting on gym shoes that she did not want to wear and that causes her to cry and get whining and that causes me to raise my voice...to the point that Alex tells me to relax and take a Time Out...his exact words: "Mommy...you should just relax over in the time out area...you will feel better"...I raised my voice responding: "NO I WILL NOT...YOU ARE LATE FOR SCHOOL" and I grabbed the both of them and rushed off to school. My kids can tell when I am not happy with them and their behavior as it was very quite in the car on the ride to school. Once we pulled up...I immediately started to feel bad and apologized to them for raising my voice to them and I told them that we had to work together to keep their room in order. They said they were sorry too and told me to have a good day and hugs and kisses. I just love my little ones...they are so in touch with their feelings and mine too. I know they get that from me.
After I dropped them off, I picked up my mother and we ran errands. I love when we hang out with each other. Now that she is getting much older...our time together is so precious to me. I want to always remember her as being active and upbeat. A lot of her friends and our family memmbers are getting older and dying off and she is not getting any younger (my mother is 83 years young)

Once I picked up the twins, we went home and did the usual...snack, nap, and I started dinner.
I plan on going to bed early today as I am not feeling to well
Until next time

Hugs & Kisses
Me

An angel...

sheilded my family and I from harm today
We started out our morning regular with me getting the kids dressed and Rick driving me to work (we are down one vehicle)
While driving on the Kennedy Expressway this morning...we experienced a BLOW OUT and I mean a BLOW OUT on the drivers side front tire. Yes...we all had our seat belts on and luckily, Rick was able to keep control of the car and no one hit us as we went over to the side of the road. Of course, Alexandre' and Allegra started crying as they heard me scream as I was sitting in the passanger's side half asleep and was awaken by the loud sound of the tire BLOWING OUT.
Rick got out to survey the damage and this was the first time...in a long time I saw him cry...not the ugly cry but his eyes did water up as he exclaimed DAMN and threw his fist up in the air. The impact of the BLOW OUT did some damage to the side fender of my car...but again, none of us were hurt. Rick proceed to fix the tire using the spare and drove me to work. For the rest of the day...I worried about him getting the tire fixed and I was releived when he called me at work to tell me that he got it taken care of.

We were kinda of busy at Windy City today and I got to work with Susan today (which I have not done in a long time)
Rick and the kids picked me up and we had a late dinner...Rick is up watching the New Orleans vs. San Antonio basketball game...I hope that New Orleans wins as it would do a lot for the city.

I am up surfing the web...web shopping and planning our summer outings...travel wise. With the rising cost of gas, the Colemans may just do Chicago this summer or do a couple of mini vacations in nearby places.

I really need to start scrapping again...gotta get my mojo back

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Another Sunday...

and man am I tired...as always
Rick and I attending his uncle's funeral yesterday and we were gone ALL DAY. Alexandre', Allegra, and my mother went with us

I know that his family will heal from their loss of his Uncle Steve, it will just take time.

We did go out last night after all of the sadness, to my ship, Angela's 40th birthday party. Her sister, Dawn came in town for the festivites and it was good to see all of my sorors who I have not seen in a long time...some have not even seen the twins and I will admit that it is my fault. I do plan on getting back involved with Delta as it will always be in my heart.

We did not stay long and celebrate with Angela, Rick was drunk from drinking all day and he really was not in the mood to party...we just wanted to make an appearance...you can tell in this photo that we are tired.

Today, we just relaxed and I fixed a big dinner. The twins did their usual of playing and making a mess in every room that they played in...I need to get a maid

Off to bed now
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Hard to Believe...

That just last weekend...Rick's uncle Steven was alive and we just had his funeral services today.
We ended up taking the twins with us since my mother attended the services with us. The church had a children's area so I was able to take them with me and they played while services were going on. I was able to see the services and hear the services since they had a large window for viewing along with an audio system. I did go and peaked at the body...just a little and paid my respects to the family. Alex and Allegra were completely oblivious to the whole day as they did not ask about what was going on...and I kept it that way.
The service was nice and there were alot of people there as Steve was loved by all. It was good to see family despite the circumstances. Everyone held up well for the most part. We were with Rick's family the whole day. Here is a photo of us with Rick's mother. I was actually able to get alot of photos of Rick' s family.





We just stopped off at home to change clothes to go out to my ship Angie's 40th birthday party. Gotta go...no time to do the 2peas Blog Challenge


Hugs & Kisses
Me

WHAT"S IN THE BAG?

The All About Me Bag!
That was the theme for today as Alexandre' and Allegra had their first Show and Tell at school today. They came home with a bag and the instructions were for them to fill it with items that described them and their favorite things. Allegra wanted to take everything imaginable and Alex did not have a hard time either. I had to also list the items that they brought just in case they were to get scared and did not want to do their presentations in front of the class.
I had not been staying to volunteer for the past few Thursdays but you know I did on this day as I could not miss the twins doing their 1st presentations in front of their classmates.
Since Alexandre' is the oldest, Ms. Graham had him go first. He was not scared to present but his voice keep getting low during his presentation
Here is his presentation (this is from the typed copy that I handed it...these are his words exactly as he was practicing the night before)

My name is Alexandre’ Johari Coleman
This is my ALL ABOUT ME BAG
I have a picture of my family…my Daddy, my Mommy,

my Adonis and my twin sister Allegra…

we are 4 years old
I have my basketball…I go to basketball on Saturday mornings
I have on my basketball jersey which is my favorite
I have my crash car…it is my favorite color green
I have my COOL sunglasses
I have my Power Rangers…I have two of them but I have more at home.

I like watching Power Rangers on television
I have my ET movie…this is my favorite movie and I am not scared of ET
I have my dinosaur…I like playing with my dinosaurs with my Power Rangers

Allegra was up next and she did the same thing...that is her voice getting lower as she did her presentation...here is hers...

My name is Allegra Imari Coleman
This is my ALL ABOUT ME BAG
I have my family picture with me, Alex, Mommy, Daddy and Adonis.
I have a ballet dress because I do ballet so much
I have a heart pencil for me to draw at school…I love to draw
I have My Little Pony Christmas Tree with the little pony named CANDY GIRL

I have a Little Mermaid book…I like Little Mermaid and I want a Little Mermaid room
I have my baby Amina…She goes everywhere with me
I have Skate Girl…I may get a skate girl room…I am not sure
I have a makeup…it is so pretty, I only have yellow lip gloss left…I LOVE lip gloss
I have a puppy from The Littlest Pet shop…I got it for Christmas
I have a bracelet from McDonalds and a bracelet I made
I have on my favorite shirt…the Minnie Mouse shirt which is my favorite color PINK

So they did their presentations very well...they were not scared at all but we have to work on them keeping their voices loud enough

After school, we came home and I just let the kids play as I prepared dinner

After dinner, baths, books and bedtime for tomorrow is another day

We called Rick's mother to check on how everyone was doing as they continued to make funeral arrangements for Rick's Uncle Stevie...the funeral is this weekend, so I have to mentally prepare myself as I do not do well at funerals, especially since I had my father's 9 years ago.

2peas Blog Challenge: What are the values that you cherish even though they run counter to societal

values?

I do not think that my values run counter with society. My main value right now is my family and all things that correlate to them.

Hugs & Kisses

Me

Prayer Request...

for Rick's family as his aunt's husband passed away the day after Mother's Day. We were all together on Mother's Day at my MIL house as Rick bar-b-qued for the family. We had a great time just catching up, telling jokes, reminiscing, and the men ended up watching the basketball game. Rick's uncle Steven was there and was in rare form as always, telling jokes and being his all around nice guy self. Rick's aunt and him have been married for 33 years and they have 2 sons. I was in shocked when Rick and I got the phone call that he passed away yesterday...just the day after Mother's Day at his mother's house (he had went by there to work on her plumbing) Everyone is stunned and shocked by his death. I just had to hold onto Rick and kiss and love him because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone.

2peas Blog Challenge for today: Brainstorm 10 reasons why you need to write now

I write now so that I will not forget
I write now so that I can have some type of document to refer back to when needed
I write now so that I can reread what I have written and maybe understand how I am feeling
I write now to relieve stress
I write now so that I will remember

I could not think of 10 but I at least came up with 5

Here is a photo of the twins and I on Mother's Day
I am off to spend time with the family
Hugs & Kisses
Me

SO TIRED...

I am really tired this morning as I did not go to bed until 3am and once I feel asleep...Mr. Alexandre' Johari Coleman woke me up to let me know that he had an accident in his bed. He has urinated 3 times this week in his bed and when I ask him why he does not get up when he has to go, his reply is he is too sleepy to get up. I made him change his self and also change his bedding by himself...under my supervision. I can remember urinating in the bed until I was about 6 years old and I use to get up in the middle of night and change my sheets so that I would not get in trouble...of course my mother would find the soiled sheets in the laundry...I hope Alex will not continue to do this...not sure if I should put him back in pull ups or wake him up in the middle of the night...I have to do some research on this one and get some advice.

From the party that me and my ship Angie went to last Friday night...we had our photo taken by one of the promoters of the party/website and it was on it's NING group page...It is a very cute picture of us if I might say so myself...especially since we are both pushing 40...actually Angie will be 40 in a couple of weeks. We will be 20 years old in Delta this fall and we are planning to get together...all four of us from my line Delta Ship Sweet Renaissance, Fall 1988 Bradley University (Peoria, Illinois) Theta Epsilon Chapter...OO-OOP
Here is the photo

I was suppose to attend our Mocha Mom's Spa Day today , but I had a change of plans as Rick had to work and my mother had other plans so I did not get a chance to attend. I stayed at home doing what I do best...being Mommy. We played games (Ants in the Pants, Hi Ho Cheerio, Junior Scrabble), we watched movies ( Spider man 1 and 2, Princess Barbie) and we read books and worked on the computer. I even let them skip a nap today for I knew that I would put them down early for bed once Rick made it home from work.

Being that it was the eve before Mother's Day I did not cook...we ordered pizza for dinner. Once the kids were in the bed, Rick and I went downstairs in the basement to watch movies and just catch up. I love our time together and that we can always find things to talk about besides the kids...have to keep the marriage/relationship fresh and new.

2peas Blog Challenge....

What are your scrapping plans today?

My scrapping plans today are to Make Memories. (Smile)

Hugs & Kisses

Me

BAD BLOGGER...

That is what I have been, and believe me...I hate that I have not been blogging. I do keep a journal so I still write down my daily happenings and feelings but I am aware that I have family and friends following my blog so I apologize for being a slacker...

Okay, back to blogging and I promise that I will try to stay updated and current.
So since my last post when I was "Punked", the only thing that I have been doing is taking the twins back and forth to school, and work at Windy City. I did teach a Mother's Day Accordion Album class and I might say that the album turned out very cute. I plan on giving it to my mother for Mother's Day and I may make one for my MIL.

The twins are out of school today so we just got finished eating blueberry pancakes and sausage and they are now flipping and jumping around while I am trying to catch up on my emails and take care of things around the house. I am going to run errands with my mother a little later and then I am going to work at Windy City. It is the crop tonight so I will be working late.
Rick is well and he is so into the Playoffs this year. He is going with New Orleans...actually, I am too and I hope this young team can pull it off not to mention what it will do for the city.

Last weekend...I did something that I have not done in a LONG TIME. I hung out with my Sorors. My ship, Angie's daughter, Ashleigh, went on her Junior Prom and Angie had a little get together for Sorors to come by and see her off. I was not going to miss this as I can remember when Angie was carrying Ashleigh. Ashleigh will be a Delta no doubt as we are all she knows. After she left...we ate and drank, was merry and just caught up with each other. I do miss hanging out with my Sorors and I must admit...no matter how long I have been gone, once I come back around it is like I never left. After getting a little buzz (Malibu and Orange juice was my poison for the night), we went to a House Music Party...Now I must tell you of my love affair with House Music. Growing up in the 70's and 80's that is what I listened to...Disco and House Music...this type of music fuels my soul and just makes me happy and carefree whenever I hear it. While in high school...I dated a couple of DJ's...and in college, my college sweetheart was one of the DJ's that was used for parties and my husband is a DJ (hobby for him...he has been doing it since he was 13) so my love of music has also influenced my love life. Anyway...we went to this party and had an awesome time (so much fun that I came home at 4am) Rick was glad to see me go out since only time that I do is to scrapbook...of course he was curious as to who I danced with and such, and of course he knows he has nothing to worry about...let us just say that I still have it (smile)

Scrapbooking wise...
I have not scrapbooked really since my girls and I got back from Cassopolis Michigan...
I do plan on being able to scrapbook more since I will be cutting back on my work hours at Windy City especially once the twins start Summer Play Camp. I will have more time for myself and of course my family.


I thought that the 2PEAS Challenge was appropriate for me today...
If you could choose a different time period to live in, which would it be?

Now I would have to say the 70's...why? Because of DISCO and HOUSE MUSIC and the lifestyle (being open and free) I would say that I am a child of the 70's anyway as I was born in 1969. I would have probably been a fixture in Studio 54 and I would have gotten my roller boogie on and all of that.

Well...I am off to bed

Hugs & Kisses
Me

I have been PUNK'D

What a day for me today which actually started for me the night before.
I went to bed the night before at a decent time for I had to get up early this morning...like really early this morning to register Alexandre' and Allegra for Summer Play Camp at Kenicott Park. Yes, I have fallen into the game of sitting out early enough to get my kids into a camp where everyone wants to attend...there were only 10 slots available and I needed 2...really I needed 4 as I was signing up a couple of my friends children too.
So after waking up every hour on the hour thinking that I missed registration...I finally woke up at 3:30 in the morning and got dressed. I got to Kenicott Park at 4:30am and was #2 in line. I actually did this last year and was #2 then too...guess that coincides with my sorority line number since I was #2 on my line too. I felt relieved and very glad that I did make the decision to get up early and get out there. Some more of my girlfriends arrived too and by the time the sun came up and registration started...there were about 20 people in line waiting. I was able to register everyone who I had to register and so we are set for the summer. The twins will be in Play Camp, Monday thru Friday 9am-3pm and I will be doing the happy dance...time for ME. I will probably only work 3 days a week and the rest of the days will be time for me, to do ME...scrapbook, work out, things around the house, lunch with my friends, hang out in Borders or the library, shop, sleep...I mean, I do these things already but it is just good to have some alone time once in a while.


So I have been a bad blogger, this I know and of course...we all know the title of my Blog...Inspiring 2 Be, as I can only inspire to do better and be better...which I am trying to do. My friends who have been reading my blog asked me how I am able to post things from the past...well, I admit that I do write on my blog but then I return to edit and add photos later. Just a little FYI for you.



The 2peas Blog Challenge for today was very easy for me...
I remember when...GAS WAS UNDER $2.00
Boy do I miss those days of being able to fill up my gas tank for under $20...those days are gone, but not forgotten.

So after my morning of standing outside to register Alex and Allegra, I had to go to work at Windy City....I was dead tired...point blank.
The night was pretty busy for the most part and I was ready for the night to end. About 15 minutes before closing...a African American man came into the store with his hoodie over his head and I thought to myself..."HERE WE GO". When I approached him to see if he needed assistance, he turned around to face me and pulled his hoodie off of his head and low and behold...I heard angels singing and I was like What the F#*&$(&#@. It was Punk...from Season Two of I Love New York that was on VH1. Now I am a self proclaimed reality television lover...especially of ignorant television and I do like VH1. His real name is David O. and he is a lawyer right here in Chicago. He was looking for stickers for his nephew and niece . Now, honestly...I do prefer darker men but he was FINE AS HELL and I could not stop smiling and blushing at him. I did not ask for his autograph and I am so glad that Jen had her camera as I did ask for a photo of him and for a photo with him. He smelled so good and his presence (just by standing next to him) had me like...DANG!!!. I thought that we looked cute in our hoodies and he had a beautiful smile. Okay...I know, I know...I have my own FINE ASS MAN at home...but a girl can still look. I did wish him luck in his endeavors...I wonder if he will have his own show soon...if so, I will be watching.
Once I got home...I shared with Rick about my little visit and he teased me for the rest of the evening.
Here are the photos from my PUNK'D encounter.






Off to bed now with my HUNK
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Great Weekend...

was had by all of my Mocha Buddies.
We went to Cassopolis Michigan for the weekend for some rest, relaxation and scrapbooking. Why Cassopolis Michigan? Well my girlfriend Dontrey's family has a family home in Cassopolis...matter of fact, it is where her husband Brett is originally from and they have a home to go to when they want to get away from the city. She graciously opened up her home to us and we also went to a weekend crop at one of my other favorite scrapbooking stores in the Midwest...Pages In Time. Now Windy City Scrapbooking is of course, my all time favorite brick and mortar scrapbook store. Pages in Time is located in Granger Indiana and I had a chance to visit it back in October when I went to Scrap and Spa with my SOS group, so I was excited to go back. We had a great time cropping and shopping, wining and dining. We arrived on Friday mid morning and went to the store right away. We had lunch at a really nice restaurant near by and then started scrapbooking as we were registered to do Pages In Time Friday Night Crop. Their crops are a lot different then Windy City's crops and it was really funny how some croppers treated us. Now I will be honest and say that there are not alot of African American scrapbookers...especially in the industry (working for manufacturers and being published...this is a barrier that I hope to break one day). Well ,with that being stated, sometimes we are well received and other times...we are not and I really become disheartened when we are not received...but such is life. After the Friday night crop, we went to Dontrey's house and crashed since we had to get up early in the morning for the all day crop. We had reservations for breakfast at the same restaurant that we had lunch at the day before so we were all up at 8am, ready to eat and ready to crop. For some of us, myself, Nicole, Rae, Geri, Dontrey, and Kelly, it was not the first time that we cropped while for Shonda and Tabby...they were the virgins of the group. I think that by the day's end, Tabby was hooked while Shonda...well, I will have to wait and see if she will join us again...maybe she will to just hang out, like my other Mocha buddy Dorcas, who could not join us for the weekend. So, we cropped the day away, and again...much different from Windy City. I guess one may wonder, why do I like this store...well, it is HUGE and they have every Manufacturer that a scrapbooker could ever want...things that Christina will not get for WCS, I was able to get at PIT...it is like a warehouse.
So...I did have a little drama that caused my trip to end on a sour note. Rick called me to inform me that he was separating the twins and letting Allegra attend a sleepover at his brother's Ben's girlfriends home in Joliet. Okay...to make a long story short...my feelings...Allegra is only 4 and too young to spend the night over anyone's house that I have not been to, I was not there, Alex was very upset, we already agreed that she was not going since we were not officially invited and I was going to be out of town...his feelings...Ben was going to be there along with his daughter, He is the father and can make decisions too, I was not there, Alex will be fine as he will do something with him...So the outcome...Tabby agreed to leave that night since she had to leave early anyway the next morning, I got home at 2am, Rick and I argued that night, woke up with major attitude, Rick drove to Joliet to get Allegra, Allegra came home upset and crying, Rick and I kept arguing about being parents and the day was just MESSED UP...NO...really F@*@)*@*@*#) UP.
Really...I am still upset now that I can hardly think.

Still have to COMMIT to doing the 2peas Blog Challenge for today

What was the last good movie that you saw and why did you like it?
I ha asked Rick (a few days ago) when was the last time we even went to the movies and we had a hard time even remembering (which is bad) , but the last good movie that we saw was CASINO ROYALE since we are both James Bond lovers...we enjoyed it because of what else...the action. Now for me...the last good movie that I saw would have to be my one of my favorite movies of all time and that would be LOVE JONES as I love films about Black Love. I loved the story line and the intimate scenes were good too.

Well, I am off to bed now. I am emotionally exhausted from arguing with Rick as this was not a good day for the Coleman Crew at all

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Here are a few photos of us at Pages in Time


Dontrey

Tabby
Me

Kelly
Nicole
Shonda
Rae
Geri
Us at Pages in Time in Granger Indiana

Only Tuesday...3 more days until...

my weekend getaway with my Mocha Buddies....details to follow

Before I went to work today, I had a chance to read the 2peas Blog Challenge which was quite interesting...

With the economy like it is today, have you started to cut back with your scrap shopping?

And my answer to this is...YES.
Actually, I cut back on my scrap shopping for various reasons...main one being, I have my own little Windy City Scrapbooking in my basement...Al's Scrap Shop is what I have (Rick's little joke) I think I have more supplies then I do pictures to scrap and I have boxes and bags of scrap supplies that I have not even opened. I vaguely remember what I even have as far as papers and embellishments are concerned, which makes it bad for me as sometimes, I tend to buy duplicates. So with the economy being the way it is...makes it easy to cut back on my shopping as I have everything that I could want.
I had to teach tonight, Beyond the Basics, so I did not get home until late.
The twins were up, waiting to tell me about their day. In their preschool, they have been learning about different cultures as their classroom is very diverse. Ms. Graham requested that parents volunteer their knowledge as it relates to their countries...Alexandre' and Allegra has learned about Mexico, Norway, Italy, India, and Japan, to name a few. They were so excited about what they learned today about Japan from Moi's mother...they told me that Kinachiwa (sp?) meant Hello in Japanese (even spell check could not check it for me) and they even made vegetable sushi. They had it in the refrigerator when I got home and ran to get it to sample it with me. Well...after taking a couple of bites, they both decided that it was not to their taste...I have to admit, I had to acquire the taste for sushi myself and there is only certain ones I will eat.
Notice Allegra's face of eewwhh!!! Too funny








I am off to bed now
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Sunday the 13th...

and I am very tired as I did go out last night to my Mocha Moms Exhale that was hosted by one of my dear Mochas Tabby. We actually attended college together, pledged different sororities and have been reunited thru the sisterhood of mothers.
We wined and dined and had interesting conversation. For the most part...we had a great time, despite having a few mothers...well at least one that did not condone me speaking frankly and openly about SEX...WTF...we are all married with children...I did not use obscene words like I could have but she was offended by what little I did say and we changed the subject. Mocha Moms is not the same for me this year...I am glad that I have formed the friendships that I have and they are on so many different levels and I do value each and every one of them from those that I see and talk to regularly to those who I only see once in a while.
Here I am with a few of Mochas: Dorcas, Wendy, myself, Lisa, and Kelly


Rick let me sleep in...just for a little bit since I had to go to work today and once I got off...I did not have to cook for my dear mother did.
I just looked at the 2peas Challenge for today...
Do you find it easier to get the creative juices flowing when you are scrapping with others or alone?

I actually find it easier to get my creative juices flowing when I am alone after scrapping with others. I crop once a month with my cropping group, Scrap On Sistah and when we are together...after we catch up on each other's lives, eat, drink, and gossip (LOL), we do get pages done and someone is always doing a new technique, using a new paper line, or just doing something that will inspire me. When I am alone, I actually spend more time daydreaming of scrapping or I am organizing my scrap supplies, or I am on the computer, so it is good for me scrapbook with others. Now actually, I need to really change this as I am so behind on my scrapbooking...but that is another subject.

After dinner, I only stayed up to watch the news and 190 North (program about Chicago land and various happenings in Chicago) as I am still very tired from kicking it the night before.

Hugs & Kisses

Me

Waiting to Exhale...

Is what I am doing
I am so excited to be attending Mocha Moms Exhale tonight...I have not been to one in a long time. What is an Exhale? Well it where we get together, break bread, drink, and have great conversations ranging from "Discipline of kids" to "Investing in yourself" to "Mother-in-laws...love them or hate them" and of course my favorite..."Keeping your marriage hot" otherwise...Exhale is our definition for Momma's Nite Out. My sweetie has already made plans for him and the kids to go out to his mother's house (I love my mother-in-law) and so I am looking forward to spending time with my girlfriends.

The twins and I a relaxing day today...
Alex had basketball this morning and we went to the grocery store afterwards...unfortunately, I had to leave the shopping cart full because Allegra had a bout of diarrhea...poor baby...luckily, I got home in time before she let loose (TMI) I wanted to get her hair french braided but once we got home and got comfortable, I decided that we would stay in. They took a long nap and we baked chocolate chip cookies for treat (after their lunch of course).

2peas Blog Challenge for today...
What are your scrapping plans for today?
I guess my scrapping plans for today are to go out and make memories by spending time with my girlfriends and taking photos of course.

Once Rick got home from work, I was off duty.
I will be getting in late tonight so I will make sure to post tomorrow about my evening

Hugs and Kisses
Me

Feeling Good Friday...

Woke up this morning feeling really good...It is Friday
Rick called this morning once he got to work telling me that his probation was cut short and he now wears a orange hat...YEAH...I am so glad that he has passed his probation period and he is happy with this job...thus far.
The twins do not have school today so we are going to just relax today until it is time for me to take them to my mother's house for I have to work the crop at Windy City Scrapbooking tonight. I can not remember who I work with tonight but we usually have a good time working the crops and helping the ladies with their projects.

Allegra has become fixated on one of her stuffed animals. It is a stuffed animal that we had in their room for decoration (their room was safari themed) and it is a jaguar. Since they watch Diego (a cartoon on Nickelodeon), their is a character named Baby Jaguar and hence...Allegra has her own Baby Jaguar. This animal goes everywhere with us and she is always putting bows, barrettes and other baby doll clothes on this stuffed animal. She will let Alex play with it sometime but for the most part, Baby Jaguar belongs to Allegra

While the twins are taking a nap, I am up catching up on emails and such. I am on my favorite scrapbooking website 2peas thinking about today's blog challenge...
What do you desire (list everything)

Wow...this is a thoughtful one...so much that I had to think about it and come back to answering it. When I think of my desires there are so many and they fall into different categories. I will not list them all, I will put that in my handwritten journal but I will list my Top 5 (not in any particular order)

My desires are...

Peace of Mind

Success

Prosperity

Loving relationships

Good Health

I will have to think more about this one...maybe even make a page or two and add it to my Book of Me scrapbook. This is something I will have to ask Rick and see what he says. One thing about blog challenges...they also allow me to have interesting conversations with the hubby. I am always finding out something new with him and he gets a kick to see what my question of the day will be.

I will be getting in late tonight since I am working the crop at the store

Gotta go

Hugs and Kisses

Me

Tax Tuesday 4 Us

Yes...we are one of those....late filers for IRS taxes.
I am so glad that we have an accountant to whom we have been going to since 1999 and he is really good at what he does. He was able to get us back very good returns before we were married...once we were married, he had warned us with our income increasing and with us moving into a different tax bracket, our return would not be as good and once the twins came...he has been DA BOMB on getting us nice returns and offering us very good advice when it comes to preparing to file our taxes.
Of course I have our return spent before our taxes were even done...shame on me.
The twins went over to my mother' s house while we got them done and my mother decided that they could stay as to give Rick and I some time alone...gotta love her for that.
We went out to dinner, just to Leona's and enjoyed each other's conversation. It really amazes me that after all of these years...13 to be exact, that we still have great conversations with each other and we still share our hopes, dreams and goals with each other...which leads up to the blog challenge on 2peas today, which I found to be appropriate:
Do you have any spring projects you are excited to do and if so...what is it?
I am really excited about a couple of projects that I have for this spring...actually, I should say this summer, which I have broken down into categories...this is what I shared with Rick at dinner tonight
Self...Continue to work on my health, which means eating right and exercising more
Home....Clean out our backyard from the winter and get our back porch cleaned up so the twins can play. Our back porch is enclosed but it is not insulated so during the winter, it becomes a catch all so I just want to get it organized and maybe put some fresh paint up and just make the back porch more cozy so it can be another area for us to lounge in
Scrapbooking...Purge and organize my scrap space so I can create more both for myself and for others...I really want to explore my options in doing custom scrapbooking for others.

After dinner, we came home and both of us had email to catch up on, we watched the news, Jay Leno's monologue and were both out like lights before our heads hit the pillow.

Hugs and Kisses
Me

Relaxing Sunday...

We had a relaxing Sunday...
I was kinda hung over from going out with my Dining Divas dining group last night. We have been together since last fall and we have a blast as we try different restaurants in Chicago. We go since we are FOODIES and we also go for the cultural experience and the friendships. I am really glad that we came together. We get together every other month with a member being the host and with that...the host has to seek out a restaurant for us to experience together. We have been to alot of nice places. Well last night, we went to this place called JA GRILL...a Jamaican restaurant...and the food was really good. I had to valet park since parking was really bad (we were up North). The place had a resident DJ and he jammed the Caribbean tunes all night. I had jerk chicken and also my share of Bahama Mama drinks. We really had a great time. I did not take a camera to take photos but here is a shot of us at one of outing last year at this place up North call XO's...we went for brunch and it was FAB...I do not think that we have been to a restaurant in Chicago that was not good...Cicely hosts next and I am sure she will pick a winner (That is me...in the Fiery Red of course)
So after dining and drinking last night...I had my little hangover and Rick was a sweetheart to let me sleep in late. I actually slept until 11am and by that time...the twins were about ready to take their naps.
When they woke up...we all got dressed and went out to Rick's mother's house where she made me a nice birthday dinner...and she made me a cheesecake...I really need to get the recipe and learn how to cook the cheesecakes that she makes...they are just sinful.
All in all, my birthday weekend was really good. I got to spend it with my family and friends and that is what matters most.

Here is the 2peas blog challenge for today
How is life different for your children, then when you were growing up?
One thing for sure...technology is very different today then it was when I was growing up...everything is so gadget oriented and you really have to be tech savvy...which is why I make sure my twins spend at least 15-30 minutes on the computer everyday
There are many more resources and groups available for my children for me to research. I want my children to get a taste of everything and be well rounded...like my parents did for me, but there is so much out there, that I even get alitte overwhelmed as to what I want them to do...Alexandre', basketball, karate, cub scouts, baseball...and then Allegra, ballet, karate, gymnastics, brownies and the lists for both go on.
The one thing that is negative is the crime. Things have gotten really bad in the city of Chicago to the point that I do not want the kids to even play in the front or back yard. I do not live in a bad neighborhood by no means but the violence has escalated in the schools and in the streets. When I was growing up...the crime was not like it is today for the purchase of guns was not as easy as it is today...which is sad.
All and all...there is just more opportunities out there for my children and it is up to Rick and I to make sure that they have the very best.

Off to bed now
Hugs and Kisses
Me

Finally Friday...

and I am so glad...
The kids stayed at my mother's last night since I had a focus group to attend this morning and they were out of school.
I enjoy doing focus groups as it is a way for me to make money quick for doing something for a short amount of time. This focus group was about toilet tissue and how it feels and look (the stitching of it) and for one hour I was given $75...not bad.
After my group...I went to pick up Alex and Allegra and we just relaxed at home for the rest of the day.
Once Rick got home and with it being Friday, we ordered a pizza and watched a movie with the kids. Alex got to pick the movie and it was his favorite....ET. This has been his favorite movie since he was 3 years old. Allegra does not care for it to much but she will sit and watch it with her brother and will just leave the room or do something else on the parts that she does not care about. After seeing it for 125 times in my lifetime...I still enjoy watching it as I am watching it with my children and rediscovering the movie...over and over again.

I did get a chance to glance at the Blog Challenge on 2peas earlier:
Did you have a childhood hideout and if so...where?

I can not recall having a childhood hideout in my home for I was everywhere in the house playing or doing something. I can recall having a hideout at my mother's place of business. My parents were in the optical business where we own two optical shops...one named after me ALRAY OPTICAL and that is the one that my mother ran and the other one was A&A OPTICAL, which is the one my father ran...my family was in the Optical industry from the time I was in 2nd grade up until I was in my 3rd of college. (that is a whole other story) I can remember, at Alray Optical, my mother having this very large cabinets that had sliding doors...it is where the optical equipment would sit...there were 3 of these drawers and I use to slide the doors and hide in the cabinets. I can remember taking a pencil and writing my name inside of the cabinets. My mother got so use to me going inside of these cabinets that she put a blanket and pillow for me and I would take naps inside of the cabinet. I did this up until I was in the 4th grade and then I would use one of the cabinets to store my books and toys.

As far as the twins...Alexandre' has a hideout and that would be underneath our dining room table. He is always under there playing with his action figures and he also uses it as a hiding place when he does not want to be found and he uses it for his own time out for when he does not get his way. He has bumped his head on the table plenty of times when trying to get out. Allegra does not really have a hiding place but she always takes the big pillows from our couch and props them up and creates what she calls her CLUBHOUSE and she puts all of her baby dolls and favorite books in it and plays, until her brother comes and knocks it all down.
Wow...I just realized that I must photograph this and make a couple of scrapbook pages of this so that they can remember about this from their childhood...

Well, after the movie...we all went to bed since Alex starts basketball tomorrow morning

Hugs and Kisses
Me

Happy Birthday to ME !!!!

I am starting out by answering the Challenge for the day from 2peas

Do you try out for Design Teams?

Now I will have to answer this with a no. I have only been on one scrapbooking Design Team and that is a@ Windy City Scrapbooking and I am now honored to be the Design Team Coordinator which gives me alittle bit more responsibility..which I love. I enjoy putting kits together for members of our Design Team and seeing what creations they come up with around the store. I will do projects for the store if someone can not do it for the month or if I feel inspired to do something. This is also giving me time to try to catch up on some of my own projects.

Now in the future...I do plan on trying out for more Design Teams and even a few contests but I am happy now with what I am doing...Teaching classes and being Design Team Coordinator

So back to my BIRTHDAY
39 and counting
I had a great birthday
Rick started it off by waking me up early...in a good old fashion way...wishing me a Happy Birthday...before he went to work (BIG SMILE)
I then got up and got dressed, got Alexandre' and Allegra dressed and we had a mini photo shoot where I let Alexandre' take my picture...here is his best shot along with a shot of Alexandre' and Allegra dressed for the day.

Since today was Thursday...my volunteer day and also my birthday, I decided to get cupcakes for the class to eat as I stayed for the day.
Ms. Graham made me a Birthday Crown to wear for the day. I received the royal PRE SCHOOL treatment for the day. Regular routines for the day was followed (Library, Centers, etc.) but the class did take the time out to place me in the middle of their circle and sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me. I even had to beat on the BIRTHDAY DRUM (I had to hit the drum the same number of times as my age...one of the twins' classmates told me I was taking TOO LONG...LOL)


I decided to work on Thursday at Windy City Scrapbooking, so after school we went to my mother's house, so the kids could stay there until Rick picked them up.
Now you know that my mother is so thoughtful and always doing stuff for me and my family and so I was not that surprised when I walked into her apartment to find a nice lunch for us along with a little cake/candles. The twins had a good time putting candles in the cake...they counted each one and when they got to 24 they wanted to know where the rest was, since they knew I was 39...too funny. I let them help me blow out the candles as I made a wish for me and my family for my birthday.



Once I got to work at Windy City...I had a gift certificate waiting at the store for me to use and one of my fellow coworkers bought me cupcakes from Sweet Mandy B's (this are sinful and so good)

Once I got home...Rick had the kids in bed, had my bathwater drawn for me complete with bubble, candles and a glass of wine. He was my massage therapist for the evening and we ended our night with some more glasses of wine and my cupcakes (and him...SMILE)

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Only Wednesday

and I am ready for the weekend already.
Nothing planned special...that I know of...not sure what Rick has up his sleeve for my birthday.
I went to work today and I am even on the schedule to work tomorrow night (helping out)
I started back look at 2peas for the daily blog challenge...now when the New Year began...my word was COMMIT and I have not been as successful as I had hope but I do try daily. With that in mind...I am going to try to COMMIT on commenting on the blog challenges that are posted on http://twopeasinabucket.com

Here is the 2PEAS blog challenge for today...

The weather today makes me feel...
ready for the warmth to begin. It is not bad today but I wish that we were in the month of July with bright sunny skies and warmer temperatures that are constant. Usually weather does affect the way I feel. Of course when is it cloudy outside, I feel down in the dumps and want to stay inside but when it is sunny and warm...I want to just go, go, go. I love the outdoors and nature...especially when it is spring and summer. I feel as though we have had a bad winter this year and I am just ready for Spring officially begin not just because of the date but because of what is going on outside.

I am off to bed now since I am going to spend the day with the kids tomorrow in school.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

April Fool's Day

Happy April Fool's Day...
I am up late, after working all day at work today (I worked the morning part and taught Basics class tonight) and I am surfing the web of some of my favorite blogs to read and I found this...

What Alraynita Means

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.
You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.
You have the classic "Type A" personality.
You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.
You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.
Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.
You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.
You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.
You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.
You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in.
You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising.
You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.
You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.
You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.
You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.
You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.
You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.
You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.

Click on the link below and find out your Name's Hidden Meaning

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Now in reading this...I was very happy to see that I could type my name "Alraynita" into something and I actually received something back...especially since my name is one of a kind (made up)...some of these things are true and some I have to question as to maybe it was me in my younger days or maybe it might be me in my older days...I have already made plans to dissect this information and do a scrapbook page or pages or heck...maybe even a whole book about me...now that would be a challenge

I had a really good weekend as it was filled with scrapbooking.

Friday, March 28th

I ran errands like I normally do, after I dropped the twins off at school.
They went to stay at my mother's house since I had to work the crop at Windy City Scrapbooking and the best part of this was that they spent the night with her.

Saturday, March 29th

I GOT TO SLEEP IN LATE...I DID NOT GET UP UNTIL 10AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That was the beauty of the twins staying with my mother the night before. I came home late since I worked the crop last night and Rick left for work early this morning and I had the house to myself. Not do not get me wrong...I love my husband and children to death...but I also appreciate when I can be in the house by myself.
I did have a busy day today as I went to Kenicott Park District (where the twins use to go to preschool and where they will be going for summer camp) They were hosting a Women's Spa Day and I went to support my Mocha moms who had vending space for the event. Even though we are stay at home mothers...a lot of us have an entrepreneur spirit. I just went to see what the Spa Day was all about as there were other vendors there too...it was a SISTERS helping SISTERS kinda environment. I did not stay long since I had my SOS crop to get to.
Danielle hosted the crop and she had it RED CARPET themed in honor of awards season...very cute idea. She sent out ballots for us to vote on each other and she even had a red carpet for us to walk down and even little Oscars and give away bags...she really went all out for us. So what awards did I win? What did my fellow scrapbooking SISTAHS think of me as far as my scrapbooking abilities. I actually pick up 3 Oscars that evening in the following categories:

MOST LIKELY TO KNOW THE NAMES OF ALL PRODUCT LINES

MOST LIKELY TO SHOP REGULARLY FOR SCRAPBOOK SUPPLIES

MOST LIKELY TO FALL ASLEEP AT A CROP

Now the first two nods are almost a given...Hey, I do work and teach part time at a scrapbook store and the last nod...I plead the 5th.

Here I am with all of my Oscars

Again...we had a great time catching up with each other, getting our awards, walking the red carpet...we even gave little acceptance speeches and I was ready for the PAPARAZZI. I did not stay out late at this crop like previous crops since Danielle had to host her crop at a store so we were done by 11pm....this actually worked out in my favor since I had to get up early the next day to teach my Birthday Acrylic Album class.

Sunday, March 30th

I got to Windy City Scrapbooking to set up for my class. Four people signed up for it...two being Latosha Cherry and Latosha Mayes (from my scrapping group SOS). I am always nervous when I run a class for the first time for I do not know what to expect as far as timing and level of difficulty with the students. After the class, we do give out surveys for the students to fill out where we are rated as instructors and the content of the class is rated...might I say....my ratings were EXCELLENT, which made me very happy. Once I cleaned up everything from the class once it was over...I went home and I was pleasantly surprised by my mother having dinner already done for us. Rick admitted to me that he loves when my mother spoils us and cooks for us...especially when he knows I am tired. Spent time with family and retired to bed early, since I did have a long weekend.

So all in all my weekend was good. I worked yesterday and also today...so glad it is April 1st which means just two more days until my birthday...YEAH

Hugs & Kisses

Me

THANKFUL THURSDAY...

I haven't had the chance to post in a couple of days.
Been busy at Windy City and just catching up on some well deserved rest and relaxation and I have also been planning out my pages for my SOS crop on Saturday and trying to finish up my Birthday Acrylic Album, that I am running for the first time this Sunday. I have 4 people signed up for the class and I always get nervous when I run a class for the first time. Thoughts in my mind are...will they like the project? Will we have enough time? Have I provided enough instruction? Will they take a class with me again. I love creating classes and it is really hard coming up with ideas, tips, techniques and projects that people really want. I was very successful when I did the Holiday Acrylic Album and I hope that my Birthday Acrylic Album will do will too.
Here is alittle peek of the Birthday Acrylic Album...one good thing about my classes, I do provide a image CD so that my students can recreate the album on their own or maybe use a different theme.


I had a lot of fun creating this album and I hope that my students enjoy taking my class and as I stated before...will sign up for more of my classes.

On different note...My family was picked to do a Kentucky Fried Chicken Focus group and might I say, it was not only interesting but we had alot of fun doing it.
We had to video tape ourselves eating a regular meal prepared by me and then we had to video tap ourselves eating a KFC meal. The twins had a good time performing in front of the camera and the best thing...we received coupons to use for our meal (they even gave us extra for future meals) and we also received a HEFTY payment for our time and effort (I had to send them the taping, which I put on DVD). I love when I get to do focus groups that do not require a lot and we got to do one of the things that we love...eat and spend time together.

Off to bed now
Hugs & Kisses
Me