Inspiring 2 Be...

WOW...

2010-09-18T20:46:00.005-05:00

Is all that can be said.

Can not believe that it has been more than a year since I have published a post on my blog...

Various reasons why I neglected this blog...personal mostly, but I realize that I need this blog to relax, relate, and release.

I can not let others dictate my life...I love my life, both the good and the bad and this blog has allowed me to document all that my life entails...It is a great resource for me to recall the moments in our lives, share with family and friends as well as become a creative outlet for me whether it be with my scrapbooking, photography, or writing.

There are some posts that I have written, but have not published and I really plan on doing so.

So of course, so much has transpired since the last time I published a post.

Mostly...good things. The Coleman Crew has their health, Rick is still working along with getting back into his music, Alexandre' and Allegra are in 1st grade at an awesome school (A.N.Pritzker in Wicker Park) and I am "Inspiring 2 Be..."

I really do hope to revamp my blog...not sure of the direction I want to go with it, will it be crafty, will it be all family related, will it be all about me or a combination of all the above plus more.
What ever I decide to do with it...It has 2 Be...Inspiring that is!

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Super Bowl Sunday...

2009-02-01T09:35:00.008-06:00

and I had to work which was a bummer. Christina and I was not that busy not only did it make the day go by super slow but we both did not want to do to much of anything around the store.

Of course, like always, towards the end of the day...people decided that they wanted to come in and shop...I really do dislike when that happens...you know a store closes at a certain time and you come in just 5 minutes before they close and want to piddle around and ask questions...like the employees do not want to go home to their families...especially on a day like today.

Once we closed though, Christina let me leave right away, as I still had to rush to the grocery store to get the rest of my dinner items....the request for the night....Mexican, which is so easy, economical and quick to do.

I got home and only missed a few of the commericals. Rick filled me in while I immediately got dinner done. We had nachos and tacos and even topped it off with some ice cream for dessert. Rick and I watched the entire game...which was a great game down to the wire. We were both pulling for the Pittsburg Steelers because of the African American coach, but we also wanted the Cardinals to win because it would be their first and Kurt Warner is cool.

With Pittsburg winning, we kept kidding saying it was the year for the African American male, with us having a African American president and now...an African American coach winning the Super Bowl...watch out now!!!

Not staying up too late as I am working kinda heavy this week

Hugs & Kisses

Oh...since I did not take a photo today, my POTD will be a photo of Rick and the twins from when the Bears went to the Super Bowl and we went to his mother's for her party...needless to say they lost, but we had a great time and we looked good...

Janurary 31st, 2009

2009-01-31T22:19:00.005-06:00

Is here and I am so proud and happy to announce that I was able to take a photo a day for 31 days and post on my blog for 31 days...this is so huge for me as I am so guilty of taking on a project and not completing it.

KUDOS TO ME!!!

Today was hectic as we woke up early, took Rick to work, came home to go back to sleep, work up again and went to Alex's basketball (was 15 minutes late) and then...we had to go to Windy City Scrapbooking so I could teach a Basics class. Now normally, I do not work on Saturdays as the twins have activities on this day, but Jen needed Saturday off, last minute and I was kind enough to help her out. The twins are used to being at the store and they can last if I have movies for them to look at or at least something constructive for them to do. They brought crayons and their trouble game and I made sure to tell them that I was teaching, so they got a kick out of that.

I was suppose to have 3 students in class but ended up having 2. I kept apologizing for having my kids with me and they did not seem to mind at all...matter of fact, in the surveys that we have our students fill out, one of them made the comment on how well behaved my children were...that made me very proud.

Once we picked Rick up from work...we grabbed pizza for dinner and came home for a relaxing evening ...as Allegra calls it "Family night"

My POTD...us on a Family night...Christmas 2008 at Grandpa Rufus House...I must admit...in this photo, Allegra looks just like Rick and Alexandre' looks just like me...genes are a trip.

Off to finish up Family Nite as Rick and I will be watching a movie tonight...

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Finally Friday...

2009-01-30T12:34:00.004-06:00

the kids were out of school today so we had a relaxing day after waking up this morning. I did not have to go to work today, but I still had errands to run. I wish that I didn't have errands so we did not have to wake up this morning to take Rick to work, but such is life. My main errand was going to the grocery store, which I need to decrease my trips and start buying more in bulk and using our deep freezer more. I also need to start clipping coupons and really paying attention to the sales flyers so that I can save us more money when grocery shopping...I can remember from my days in college down at Bradley when I would clip coupons and get geeked about getting my coupons doubled at Kroger's and I was not even a housewife...I have to do better with that.

For the first time...in a long time, I decided to cook on a Friday night as we are trying keep our budget and not dine out too much. I was so into it...I even baked a cake. It was one of those confetti cakes with the sprinkles in the cake and the frosting had sprinkles too. Rick and the twins had fun licking the batter. I even caught Allegra digging in with all ten fingers and the palms of her hands.

After dinner, Rick relaxed while the kids and I played Trouble, which happened to be one of my favorite board games as a child. I am so glad that we got them this game for Christmas. We only played one round as Alex won, even though he cheated a little, Allegra came in second and I...last.

Off to bed early tonight as we have a busy Saturday...

Hugs & Kisses

So today...

2009-01-29T23:13:00.002-06:00

was cool as we did our usual...waking up at 5am to get Rick off to work.
The twins seem to be getting use to doing this as they woke up with no problem and came back home and fell asleep with no problem. Me on the other hand, have had a hard time falling back to sleep and once I do...here they come, so of course...I am tired.
I was going to stay at school with the twins today, but by me getting up sluggish, I did not get a chance to shower and such so I had to return home after dropping them off to get myself together for the day. I also wanted to catch up on my soap operas, All My Children and One Life To Live.
My mom kept the kids for us today and they are spending the night so we can give them a break from getting up early and so I can go into work tomorrow.
I did go to work tonight as well because I had a custom meeting in which I will be getting paid to create a scrapbook for someone else...which is so cool...getting paid to do something you love. This is a good one as it is with a big CEO of Allstate Insurance so I feel honored that they picked me to do their scrapbook for them.
After my custom, I went to pick up Rick and dropped him off at home as I went back to the store for a meeting that we had with Christina. She is back from CHA and we have to look at catalogs and brainstorm on ideas for the store in the upcoming months. Now with this recession thing going on...it has affected Windy City, not too bad but bad enough where we are going to have to continue to pull together to get through it all. She did order a lot of new items so I have to try to set aside a budget to get my scrapbooking shopping back on. Rick has warned me not to bring another thing in the house so I also must take that to heart as well. He knows I am a pack rat and he does tolerate it, but I have to make sure that I am more conscious of what he thinks and feels about things that I do.
Our meeting lasted longer than expected as we had a great time coming up with new ideas for the store and also oohing and aahing over all of the new merchandise. Windy City Scrapbooking will be filled to the brim again with new stuff...can not wait for it all to come in and to merchandise it all.
Here is my POTD...

Sesil, me, Melissa, and Chirstina doing a little

scrapbooking catalogue shopping for Windy City Scrapbooking

I am at home now and about to jump into the bed and hope I fall asleep fast.

5Am comes too soon...

Hugs & Kisses

Hump Day...

2009-01-28T23:10:00.006-06:00

Rolled out of bed this morning and realizing it was just the middle of the week. Got everyone dressed okay and Allegra even took some time to read to her daddy the book that I read to her and Alexandre' the night before. They both read to him, in their own versions of the book, which was too cute...of course I had to get a photo opportunity of this one (Rick looks like he is asleep but he is really up)

After I dropped Rick and the twins off, I came back home to do what...house work. I will be so glad once the weather breaks as I am staring to feel like a broken record. I do plan on starting one of my many projects really soon...I think I will start spring cleaning early so that I will not feel overwhelmed as I do every time at the beginning of spring.

I had to take the kids to work with me this afternoon once I picked them up from school and again, like last Wednesday, they were excited to go. This time...I packed them bologna and cheese sandwiches for their after school snack and made sure I had movies again along with popcorn, crayons, and coloring books.

They were cool for the first couple of hours as I would go back and check on them to make sure they were not getting into anything...and then it happened...

Hence...another POTD

The Aftermath

Alex's is the small heap & Allegra's is the larger one

A heap is a heap

I went to the back and found Alexandre' with his kiddie scissors in his hand and Allegra's little voice saying "Mommy...Alex cut my hair and his too!!!" I just stood there and looked at him with his kiddie scissors and Allegra was coloring as though nothing had happened. I went to her head to look at the damage and a little heap of hair fell into my fingertips. I looked at Alex and he holds up in his other hand a small heap of his hair. I did not know what to do initially as we were in a public place. I did not feel right spanking him as it was partially my fault since I was not there to supervise them as I have been in the past...they have been around scissors before without me policing them...maybe Alexandre' was testing his boundaries. I just reprimanded him and also Allegra for letting him cut her hair and I placed him in time out for 10 minutes...he cried the whole time as he thought I was going to spank him when we got home....Allegra even asked me to not spank him because she loved him and he was sorry...talk about little spokeswoman...she takes the cake.

Rick got a kick out of our events of the day...he agreed with me about not spanking Alexandre'...we just explained to them both that scissors only cut paper not hair and skin...I tell you, kids do not come with instruction manuals..if they did...this parenting thing would be easier for us, but you live and learn.

Hugs & Kisses

Long Day

2009-01-27T22:47:00.003-06:00

for me today.
I had an appointment today downtown so Rick and the twins dropped me off...instead of having him come back and take me to Windy City, I decided to just catch public transportation, which I have not done since the summer when the van was down before. I am just glad that it was not that cold. I think that we are so spoiled in having vehicles and the twins have only been on the CTA once and never on the EL.
Work was okay as it was me and Jen and then Cheryl came in later. Christina is still in CA, hopefully ordering cool stuff for the store.
Rick picked me up tonight as well, which I wish he did not have to do since he had to drag the kids out as I did not get off until 9pm.
I was glad that he already gave them dinner so once we got home, it was bedtime for them. Rick and I did our usual with the news and Jay Leno.
After checking my email...I was happy to see a email from my soror Lisa, whose 40th birthday party we attended just last week....she sent a photo of Rick and I at her party...hence my POTD. Here we are looking like our version of Will & Jada Smith. Whenever we go out somewhere special, we do always try to color coordinate with each other and we even try to do so with the twins as it did all start back when Adonis was little and we were dating.

Staying up a little longer today as I am checking in on some of my favorite blogs and doing some laundry tonight.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Only Monday...

2009-01-26T13:08:00.007-06:00

and I think I am ready for it to be Friday again...
Had to get up early so we could finish getting things ready for the carpet cleaners today...I will not mention how long it has been since we have had our carpet clean...let's just say it has been more than a minute.

Rick and the kids dropped me off at work and I ended up being by myself for the majority of the day as Jen had to have an emergency root canal and I hear that those are painful. There were only a few customers in and I was able to hold down the fort. I had to have a few cups of coffee to get me through. I just love Christina's machine that she brought to work...it is a glorified coffee machines as it also makes teas, lattes, hot chocolates, and such. I am not a big coffee drinker...mostly a cream drinker as I put a lot of cream and sugar in my coffee. I am going to have to look into getting more of the refills for her machine...especially if she decides to keep it at the store.

I am not sure what time Jen got to the store but when she did I was ready to sit and relax...I know it was after 4pm since I missed my Judge Mathis. I am just glad that she got her tooth fixed as she was in a alot of pain.
Rick and the twins picked me up and when we got home...I was so happily surprised to see our clean carpet. Now of course, this company that came out tried to sell us a whole unit and Rick was almost tempted to get it...but it was so over our budget...like almost $2k for a vacuum cleaner but it does so much more...Rick says that maybe we can look into getting one later or even going in with his mother and getting one as they claim that the cleaner lasts for 30 years.

So the kids are in the bed and Rick and I are about to have some couple time and watch Tyler Perry's "The Family That Preys" so I am saying good bye...

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

It's Sunday...

2009-01-25T18:51:00.004-06:00

and I do not get to stay home and lounge today with my family...BUMMER. I was originally off today but I decided to pick up a few hours at the store. Rick and the twins enjoyed a day of television and relaxation...at least they did get dressed for the day.
It was slow at the store for the most part and I predict that it will continue to be slow with the economy being the way that it is. I will just say a prayer that we will be okay.
I can not believe that we are almost at the end of the month already. I really do believe that time flies when you get older.
I did not have to worry about cooking as my mother cooked dinner for us, so I picked it up once I got off.
The twins had homework to do so we worked on it before bedtime Their project was working with "The Knee High Man" where they learned about measurements and such. They were so excited to be doing "homework". My POTD is of them doing their homework. They even reminded me to take their pictures of them doing their homework so that I could scrapbook it later.

Rick just got in from hanging out with a couple of his coworkers...they went to Hooters but he still came home hungry as he told me he only drank a few beers and they shared some wings...again, I am so glad that my mother cooked dinner.

Not staying up too late tonight...gotta hit it this week

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

So tired...

2009-01-24T16:50:00.005-06:00

as this was day 3 of waking up at 5am and taking Rick to work...but we better all suck it up as we will have to do this for a while. I guess I keep mentioning it so that I can just get acclimated to it all. So we did not go roller skating as planned this morning...I will try again in a few weeks as Alex and Allegra were too tired when I tried to get them back up this morning.

At least we made it to basketball and we were happy when a few of our old friends showed up. Klarke and Greg came along with A.J. and Lauryn...their mommies, my girls, Kay and Geri were there too and I was so glad to see them as I haven't in the New Year...we have talked but haven't hung out. It was good to just catch up with them...and nowt that A.J. and Greg are in Alex's basketball class, I will be able to see them more often.

After basketball...we ended up at our favorite Saturday spot...JEWEL...I really need to start doing my grocery shopping on better days than Saturday. I do not mind taking the kids but it is just too congested on Saturday. While we were there...we were stopped 4 different times by 4 different people making comments about my babies eye lashes...especially Alexandre's. We are always getting stopped at some point or another were women, of all ages, will make a comment about the length of his eyelashes and how pretty they are and once they see Allegra, they are blown away...and vice versa. They look at me and then make a comment about mine, but I am use to it as I have always gotten complements about my eyes and eye lashes since I was a little girl. Allegra gets to the point where she will cover her eyes while she is being pushed in the shopping cart while on the other hand, Alex loves the attention. My POTD is my darling son showing his long eyelashes...

After dinner, the twins went to bed early since they were so tired from the day's events. Rick was not to far behind. I keep telling him that he needs to start taking vitamins...especially since he is working out in the elements.
I am up playing on Facebook or Crackbook as many call it, but I do not plan on staying up long.

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Finally Friday

2009-01-23T21:31:00.004-06:00

Just the 2nd day of getting up at 5am...I do not know how Rick does it.

I was able to come back home and go back to sleep in an empty house since I dropped the kids off at my mother's after I dropped Rick off. I swear...as soon as I closed my eyes, it was time for me to get up.
I worked with Sesil today and when we work together...we have a blast...but whenever anyone works with me...it is a blast (LOL)
We had decided early to get 5 GUYS and BURGERS & FRIES for lunch/dinner, which I know I do not need but could not resist the suggestion. This place reminds me almost of Top Notch Burger on the south side...they serve a mean burger with all the trimmings to your liking.
I was pleasantly surprised when I returned from picking up our order by my dear friend Dontrey. She has also taken the Project 365 plunge and was at the store to buy supplies to help her along. I just love the fact that alot of my friends are scrapbookers like me and they actually get it....the whole life documentation thing...I do not think of myself as a scrapbooker anymore...more so like a life artist (Thanks Ali for that title)

As I became a part of Dontrey's Project 365 POTD, I decided to make her part of my POTD along with the 5 GUYS photo

After picking up Rick and the twins we went straight home...had dinner (thanks Momma) and are now, all going to bed. Can not believe it...we are all in bed before the news and Mr. Leno.
I plan on taking the kids to the Rink Fitness Factory in the morning after we get back from dropping of Rick and before Alex's basketball practice...let's see how we all are in the morning...

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

@ 5AM...

2009-01-22T21:15:00.005-06:00

I was up...ready to face the day....NOT!!!
But I have to get ready since we will be waking up at this time at least 3 days/week until the van gets fixed.

Alexandre' and Allegra was tired as all get out and so were we. I was up kinda late and Rick's group, Endangered Species performed the night before.

After we dropped Rick off, I decided to treat the twins to a McDonald's breakfast...Hot cakes and sausage, their favorite. We immediately went back to sleep and they were up a few hours later. I came back home once I dropped them off at school and caught up on emails, soap operas and of course, my favorite...LAUNDRY...which I may never catch up on.

When I ran out to pick up the twins from school...for the first time, in a long time, I noticed the icicles that hung from our roof...I do not remember paying attention to them before and so I had to take a photo of them for my photo of the day. In looking at my photo....I am amazed to how icicles are formed when they hang from the roof tops...the air is so frigid that as some snow melts the cool air freezes it as it is falling...too cool.

What is not too cool is the fact that we can not control the ice build up on our stair way...I am sure the postal carrier will be cursing us out as long as the weather is like this...no matter how much salt we put down...we still get alot of ice buildup..

I was glad to be off from work...I feel as though I am in a scrapbooking slump as I have not created anything outside of class material, in a long time...I hope to get my mojo back soon.

Not staying up late...gotta take Rick to work in the morning, drop the twins off at my moms' and off to work myself...

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

The Day After...

2009-01-21T13:28:00.007-06:00

and we are still on a high from yesterdays events.
I can not wait to hear the stories and see the photos from my family and friends who had the chance to go to Washington D.C. and experience yesterday.

I ended up having to take Rick to work as his van needs a new fuel pump...these are expensive so we are down one car, yet again. Once I came home from dropping the twins off at preschool, I did a few things around the house....I just wish I had a full day of uninterrupted housework...every time I start a project, I have to leave to go and do something else...I use to be really good at multitasking...is there a class on it as I have been failing in doing what I need to do...but I will not give up. I know I will do better because I know better...maybe this will be a mantra for me.

I had to take the twins to work with me today. I normally do not work on Wednesdays but since Christina went to California for a trade show, I was put on the schedule to help out. They were really geeked to come to work with Mommy

They have been there plenty times before but not for a long period of time...I was armed and ready.
They had McDonald's for dinner, I brought some of their favorite movies...Breakin for my break dancer Alexandre' and Shrek for Allegra...I also brought Over the Hedge just in case. I bought them new coloring books and crayons and even a small stamping set (everything was Disney Princess and Cars themed). In having all of this, they lasted for the 4 hours I was there...matter of fact, they were awesome and the night went great. I even put them to work when it was time to close.

Once we were all home, the twins stayed up for a little watching movies and Rick went to "The Darkroom" which is where is hip hop group Endangered Species performed. I was not able to attend (bummer) since we did not have baby sitting but Rick reassured me that they were going to be doing more shows and to just be ready.

Here is a photo of the group Endangered Species, from our 2nd Annual Labor Day Picnic 2008
From Left to Right: Brian aka B-Vax, Rich aka Nocturne, Eric aka Elevation, my DH Rick aka DJ Ricochet, and then there is Wayne who is a good friend to them all.

These guys still enjoy "Rockin' the MIC!!!"

The twins are now in bed and I am up catching up on my blogging and playing on Facebook...my newest addiction. I love this site and the fact that you can connect, reconnect with family and friends and talk about 6 degrees of separation...someone is always knowing someone you know and vice versa and it is a great networking tool too.
I will try to get to bed early tonight as we all have to get up at 5 am to take Rick to work

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Mr. President....Barack H. Obama

2009-01-20T22:48:00.007-06:00

Today...Barack H. Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of American... the first African American President ever.
Here is my POTD (Thanks Jen)

The day started out with Rick taking Adonis to school...we woke up to it snowing outside, but the weather did not matter to me as I only had one thing on my mind...The inauguration of Barack Obama...
When the twins got up...I started to get them dressed for school early and I did make them wear red and white along with blue jeans (being patriotic for the day) So glad that Rick did bring home a paper this morning as I am sure they would sell out as the day progressed.
I made sure to run downstairs to set the TIVO for the day's events since I had to work ALL DAY today...Rick was kinda upset again about me having to work, yet another day that was important...but I made sure to document it and to have the day recorded and all of that so that we will not forget. Here is another POTD of Rick and the twins holding up the newspaper from today...

I made sure to get to work early so that I would not miss the actually swearing in of President Obama and I was greeted by Christina. When she left for the day...she handed me a box of tissues as she was already teary eyed and told me to enjoy my day (she had only came in to do alittle work and then she was off for the day). I was able to watch the whole swearing in ceremony and I did get emotional and shedded a few tears...which leads to yet another POTD...

Now this may seem a bit much but, I am going to keep the two tissues that I took a photo of and scrapbook it as it is part of my history too.
We were pretty much dead for the rest of the day as I am sure...everyone was glued to their televisions to watch this day in American History unfold. Jen and I kept the television on in the back all day so that we could catch glimpses of the rest of the day's events.
This was a day, that I was so proud...more that normal, to be an African American...my heart was so full of joy and my mind was full of hope and dreams...for myself and my family. The best is yet to come and yes...anything that is worth having is worth fighting for...Barack has us all wanting only the best and making us be more accountable for ourselves and our actions.
Once I got home...Rick and I watched the news and of course...our Jay Leno as he was in rare form as always.
We are about to try to watch a western movie so I am getting off of this computer
TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Happy MLK Day!!!

2009-01-19T23:06:00.004-06:00

The kids are out of school, Rick is off (he went to get Adonis for the day) and I have to go to work...bummer. Rick even made a comment about Christina needing to close for the holiday.
I did not sleep very well last night...I normally don't whenever Rick is works overnight, but he has to get OT whenever he can.
When he got off, he went to get Adonis for the day. I fixed them a hearty breakfast and spent the rest of my day at Windy City. We were really busy since schools and a lot of other businesses were closed.
Once I got home...I was a little tired but I still got a boost of energy to make dinner....Nachos...a favorite of Alex's.
We let Adonis stay up just alittle bit...I can not believe, how much he has grown...He was only 18 months when he came into my life and now...he is 14, taller than me (which does not take much) and has a deep voice and all...I am making his photo that I took of him just last month during Christmas, my POTD.

This is him holding up his cash that he received for Christmas and his birthday (New Year's Eve baby)

I am so proud of him as he is a honor roll student, on the football and wrestling teams and just a great kid...I always say...even though he was not born from my womb, he is definitely in my heart and I will always love him as though he was my very own. He and I have a great relationship and I hope that it will only continue to get better.
Rick stayed up for just a little to watch the Lakers play...when actually, they ended up watching him as he nodded off a few times.
I am up...surfing online and filled with anticipation about tomorrow

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

LAZY....

2009-01-18T17:01:00.006-06:00

is what I have been all day...but can you blame me as Rick and I went out last night to help my Soror Lisa celebrate her 40th birthday...we only stayed until midnight but we both were so tired from the week's events that our lack of sleep finally caught up with us both. I did have to get up to go pick up the kids from my MIL's house but once we got home this afternoon...everyone took naps. Rick had to take an extra nap as he is planning on going to work tonight as the big CEO from his job is coming in as this Wednesday, is a big day at his job...they are voting for or against having union representation. Both Rick and I believe in the union since we both have had jobs in which we were union members.

With today being a lazy day...I did not spend much time in the kitchen...just in the bed. I did not even bother with laundry...which was kinda nice.
With the championship games today...we did spend time watching those as the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburg Steelers are slated to play in the SuperBowl in a couple of weeks...I am going with Pittsburg.

Our highlight for the day was Alexandre' and Allegra having an interesting treat after their dinner.

I let them pick out these cereal straws...which is new to me. There is so many things on the market for kids to eat that are of course bad for them and we do give them things in moderation...by us not giving them sweets a lot, we are able to use it to our advantage.

I will not be staying up late tonight...long day tomorrow

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Busy Saturday...

2009-01-17T10:37:00.005-06:00

Woke up this morning...tired from working late at the crop last night but was ready to face the day.
We ended up not going to Alexandre's basketball class...instead...we went roller skating. The twins were invited to attend my girlfriend's daughter's 5th birthday party at the Lynnwood Roller Rink...the same place that the movie "Roll, Bounce" was made starring Little Bow Wow a few years ago. Let's just say that we all need lessons. Now the twins have been skating before at a roller rink, last year for another birthday party...and we did buy them kiddie skates to skate around in so it was not totally unfamiliar territory. Allegra was the cautious one...staying on the carpet for the most part and Alexandre'...well, after a few falls, bumps, and even a few tears got the hang of it. Here are a few photos from our day of rollerskating...

Alex holding his rental skates...he wants us to buy him some black ones with wheels that light up.

Allegra on the carpet after falling a few times...she wants white skates with pink pom-poms

The twins with the birthday girl Ms. Ashley

So now, I am in the process of finding somewhere for me to take them to go and take a few lessons...stay tuned for that endeavor.
I took them to my MIL afterwards since Rick and I had plans to celebrate my Soror's 40th birthday party. It has been a while since we have been out together...at least out to a club. Lisa's party was slated to play House Music all night long...which is what we all grew up on and we were not disappointed. We got there kinda early as to avoid finding parking and to make sure that we ate (she had a great buffet) and then the libations flowed and the music was pumped. We did not dance as Rick was tired from working a 12 hour shift prior to us going and he has to work a 12 hour shift tomorrow, so we just relaxed and enjoyed the music and each other. So glad to have an evening out to ourselves...and might I add...we looked good...(I wish my arm was a little longer to take this photo or a little taller...cut Rick off just alittle...OOPS)

The Colemans...So Fresh...So Clean

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

It's the weekend Baby....

2009-01-16T23:12:00.004-06:00

and to start it off right...the twins and I stayed in our pajamas ALL DAY.

Rick had to take my car to work this morning so we were officially stuck in the house for the day...and it felt good. It reminded me how it use to be when the twins were younger and we would stay in the house and do activities inside...which is what we did today. Of course they colored, and I let them do some work on the computer...they love working on this one website called http://www.starfall.com/ . It is a great resource for teaching children phonics and getting them ready for reading. We also contined to work on our CLEAN ROOM project as we are purging toys and other things that we no longer need or are using. Rick and I talked about getting the twins bunk beds maybe by the summer so we have to start purging. We also plan on putting them in their own rooms in a couple of years...if not sooner, time will tell.
I wish I could have stayed in my pajamas all day but I had to go in to work the crop tonight at Windy City Scrapbooking. I was late going in since Rick had my car and had a union meeting after work but it was okay. A group of African American scrapppers was there, celebrating their one year anniversary of being together as a group. It is good to see AA scrapppers as there are not alot of us and I love to see what other groups are doing. I have been with my group, Scrap On Sistah for about 4 1/2 years as I started scrapping when the twins turned 6 months...Scrapbooking was a better route for me to deal with my post partum depression of giving birth to twins and also with dealing with the issues that I had with my body (being ripped and having to have reconstructive surgery) ...I am so glad that I found the hobby of Scrapbooking and now...it is my passion.

At work tonight... Jen and I focused on cleaning up the aftermath of inventory...pulling down all the post it notes. I do not care if I do not see or write on another post it note in my life...at least this year...Hence my POTD...me and the post it notes, and there were more that was already thrown away.

I am off to bed now since we have a long day planned for tomorrow.

Hugs & Kisses

Me

BRRRRRRRR!!!!!

2009-01-15T23:06:00.007-06:00

Is all that I can say for today.
I am still chill to the bone from being out today in double digits below zero weather... WTF is another thing that I can say for today...This weather is for the birds.
I did not take the twins to school today...they had a Mommy cold day, but we did have to go out anyway as they had their 5 year checkup appointment at the doctor's office...Dr. Laura Mikhail. I am so glad that with Rick changing jobs last year, we were able to get Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO again and now we are back with our original pediatrician. She was so glad to see them and they remembered her. The twins have been seeing Dr. Mikhail since birth as she came to see them right after they were born as she had only been with her practice for 3 months prior to seeing them so we are like her first patients.

They received a clean bill of health...they are the same height and Allegra weighs 3 lbs more than Alexandre'. They only had to get one shot (good for me)...Allegra balled like a baby before the shot was even administered and Alex was a trooper and did not cry at all.

My mother went to the doctor's office with us and I am glad that she did...with the weather being so frigid, she was a big help to me getting the kids in and out of the car and into the doctor's office. Her car wouldn't start today so she spent the day with us.
Rick came home from work today frozen like a ice cube...his heat stopped working in his van on his way home from work...he spent a hour trying to fix it and we are just going to hope and pray that it is because of the below zero temperature that is making his heat not work.
He had rehearsal tonight with his hip-hop group as they are getting ready for a comeback performance next week...I will report on that next week as I am glad for him and the group as a whole for getting back together and just having fun with the music and performing like they use to do back in the day (before marriages and kids) Music is Rick's creative outlet just like scrapbooking is mine. I haven't really had a chance to scrapbook in the New Year for myself...just a couple of layouts for my Create L.O.V.E. class but at least I still have some pages done (I will post photos of them on another blog post next week as I hope to have some more layouts to show)
Dinner was leftovers and we are all off to bed early tonight.
Again...I can not believe this weather...Check out this photo that I got from my girl Jen showing just how cold it was today...

Warm Hugs & Kisses
Me

Here we SNOW again...

2009-01-14T08:33:00.006-06:00

Okay...I am so over it all...all of this FREAKING SNOW and COLD.
I got up this morning prepared for the below zero temperatures to find out that it was accompanied by a few inches of snow.
The twins went to my mother's house for the day and they missed school because we did not want her trying to take them to school in this bad weather and if this nonsense continues...I will keep them out for the rest of the week.
I got to work late this morning but was charged up to continue with getting to the matters at hand...inventory.
We did not have much help today as we did yesterday but we still got a lot accomplished.I am tired tonight as I worked 10 hours for the past 2 days...I am so glad that I am off tomorrow.
I am off to bed early tonight...

For those wondering what does inventory look like at a scrapbook store...Behold my POTD...I have a couple of shots to share...

What are the post it notes...that is the actual count of the merchandise. After we hand count each item, we put a post it note with the actual number and then we check the numbers against what it is in the computer...not hard but tedious.

I got home at a decent hour...enough to see the kids off to bed and spend time with Rick.
I am so looking forward to July now...
Hugs & Kisses
Me

The Count is ON!!!!

2009-01-13T08:32:00.004-06:00

I woke up kinda late this morning since Rick and I stayed up late watching "Real Chance of Love" on VH1 as it was the last episode. I did not agree with whom Real picked but hey...it is reality television and since Chance did not pick anyone...you know there is going to be another show...for them both. We also stayed up and watched Rick's new favorite reality show..."Split Ends"...he can not believe that he is addicted to that show himself and it is kinda hilarious...I must do a scrapbook page documenting how we both love reality shows...just like we use to be into smutty talk shows when we first started dating 14 years ago...

So I did not get to work at 9am as I planned...more like 10am and the counting was in full force when I got there. Spending the day at Windy City was cool as it gave us time to not only get to the job at hand but also to bond with each other...especially after losing Susan last November. We would even make comments every now and then as to what she would be doing if she were there or what she would be saying to us. We were even surprised later on that night by a visit from her husband Chris and their little boy Evan. Initially, I was hesitant as I had not seen him since the memorial service but I have talked with him but to see him and Evan...it just pulls at my heart and hurts me so bad...what do you say? He looked so sad and exhausted and Evan was his perky self...full of life and spunk...just like his mother. They came to visit and to help out with inventory...can you believe that? Chris would have come to help out anyway if Susan was still alive and just to have him there with Evan just made us all feel her even more.

My POTD is with Mr. Evan Dallas...son of my beloved sister/friend Susan Dallas...

She has no idea, how much she impacted my life and how much I valued our friendship and loved her...She will be missed, but not forgotten....

I am off to bed now...kids were already sleep when I got home and Rick just stayed up for a little...one more day of inventory...hopefully, we can get it done

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Oh no...not again

2009-01-12T23:04:00.005-06:00

More snow in "The CHI"...but what else can a Chicagoan expect.
A typical Monday for me as I worked at the scrapbook store and Rick had full reign of the kids. He told me that he actually enjoys being the parent in charge on Mondays and Tuesdays...gives him time to bond with the twins and see what my job really entails. He does have it pretty easy though for the most part...I get them dressed and fed in the morning before I leave for Windy City and I do Allegra's hair if it not in french braids...which I need to call my girl Dorcas and have her braid it up for me. So Rick just has to take them back and forth to school and keep them entertained once they get home from school...until I get home and we still have dinner together on the days that I work.
We were kinda busy today at the store as we let our customers know that we were going to be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week for inventory. Today was the last day of our "Don't make us count it " pre-inventory sale and alot of people did take advantage of it. I was even surprised to see a Soror of mine come in to cash in on the savings. It was good to see her and it just reminded me of how much I need to become active again...I do plan to...before the summer.
Once the store closed...we were greeted at the door with more snow. I made the comment to Jen as to how I had to get home to put my cup out to collect my snow to eat and she made sure to take my photo, with her camera to use for her POTD and I said..."HECK...let this be my POTD too!!!" So here I am...enjoying Chicago's snow...remember...I only eat snow that is fresh and fluffy...now that would be a great title for a scrapbooking page...FRESH & FLUFFY.

When I got home...the kids were dressed in pajamas and ready for dinner. Rich was in "Tickle Monster" mode as I warmed up leftovers so that kept the kids occupied.Once the twins were in bed...Rick and I stayed up to watch our Jay Leno and we were tripping as Jay Melendez lost his bet with Kevin Eubanks and had to shave his head (since Philadelphia Eagles beat NY Giants) and they actually shaved his head during the show...hilarious. I am off to bed now as I have to get up early...tomorrow is the 1st day of inventory.

Good Night

Hugs & Kisses

Me

Curly Head Cutie...

2009-01-11T19:29:00.005-06:00

Hence my POTD...I am back to having curly/wavy hair again

I did enjoy having my hair straight for the holidays and I will be doing it again in a few days. I think I am going to keep it straight in the winter months and go back curly in the summer months...we will have to wait and see. I did it one time myself and it was not that bad doing it...I need to get into learning how to blow dry my hair again and using the ceramic flat irons...practice, practice, practice.

Today was a cool day as I taught classes ALL DAY at Windy City Scrapbooking. I started out with teaching Beyond Basics in which I had 2 students and then I taught my CREATE L.O.V.E. club class in which I had 3 students...I really do enjoy teaching scrapbooking to others...as I have mentioned in past blog posts. I also enjoy the friendships that I have made and maintained with a lot of my students...they have become more than students to me...they have become part of the Windy City family...especially since I do tend to share a lot about my personal life in my classes...which is what scrapbooking is all about...sharing our stories.

I was really tired once I was through for the day. Before I got home, I went to see my mother as she was having one of her bad days. I wonder will she have to come and live with Rick and I. That is something that we will have to start looking into as I do not want to put her in a nursing home...time will tell.
Rick was suppose to go into work tonight but they ended up not needed him so we plan on relaxing for the rest of the evening once the kids are in bed.
I have a busy week ahead of me as we will start inventory at Windy City this week...I hope we get alot done or at least partially done.

Here's to looking at you :)

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Snowy Saturday...

2009-01-10T20:08:00.006-06:00

is all I can say...
When Rick left for work this morning...waking me up in our favorite way (a simple kiss), he let me know that it was snowing and to be prepared.
It snowed all day and today was Alex's first Saturday of basketball (classes resumed after Christmas break) We had told him about it the night before so surely...I had to take him.
He did good and there were a few new children signed up. He is still the youngest one on his team and there are even two girls now. Allegra mentioned wanting to play but immediately changed her mind when I asked her if she really wanted to. She brought her crayons and coloring books to keep her busy while Alex played. After class, and once we went back outside...the snow had picked up, visibility was close to zero and one of my windshield wiper blades were jacked up...of course it had to be the one on the driver's side. It took us about an hour to get home but we did get home safely. I decided to stop at the grocery store to stock up on groceries and it was a mad house. Once we got home and got the groceries put away, we went outside. Alex and Allegra had a ball in the snow while I shoveled the snow. Now usually...this is Rick's job, but I decided to help a brother out and shovel it for him...especially since he had a long day at work.
Hot cocoa with marshmallows was the treat for the day after being out in the snow and I did not have them take a nap.
Rick was very surprised at my shoveling expertise and also that dinner was ready...I was surprised at myself too.
I am not staying up late tonight since I have to work tomorrow...actually, I will be teaching

Here is my POTD...Alexandre'and Allegra in the snow. I do not know how many snow angels they made or how many snowballs they threw at me and at each other but the looks on their faces let me know that they had a great time this afternoon

Hugs & Kisses
Me

TGIF

2009-01-09T22:42:00.005-06:00

and it is the weekend baby...
Woke up this morning to snow...not as much as expected but some none the less. I originally was going to go to the show with my girls but at the last minute, I decided to go into to work at Windy City Scrapbooking as the help was needed as we prepare for Inventory next week...I also need to go in to prepare for my classes on Sunday as I have people signed up for both classes. I took the twins to my mother's house for the day and she was so happy to see them as she had breakfast waiting for them...their favorite, grits, bacon, eggs and homemade biscuits. I did not stay for breakfast as I was rushing to beat whatever type of traffic I was up against...it was not too bad since kids were out of school for the day.
It was not to busy at the store today which it made it easier for us to get alot accomplished. I was suppose to work the crop tonight but since no one signed up, we ended up canceling. Alot of the girls I work with decided to come to the store anyway to hang out and crop so it ended up being a staff crop. I did not bring anything to really work on but I did pull papers to design for my class, so at least that part is done. We ended up ordering burgers from a new joint down the street call 5 guys and fries (or is it burgers?)...anyway...we ended up ordering out and just hanging out. Jen brought her Project 365 kit that she ordered online and it was good to finally see it as there is so much hoopla surrounding this challenge in the scrapbooking world. I was glad to see it so now I have some type of idea as to how I am going to put my project together as I go along. Here are some photos, to be considered as my POTD that relates to Project 365...the group photo is Cheryl, Sesil, Jen and Melissa...part of my WCS scrapping crew.

We have been really getting closer with the passing of Susan. I really do miss that girl and sometimes, I can not believe that she is gone...but her spirit is at WCS.
I did not stay long since Rick and I did originally had plans to hang out once the kids were in bed. This is his first Friday of not DJaying in Gary and he says he misses it but at the same time...it is allowing him to get his rest since he does have to work the next morning. He is just going to DJ once a month now in Gary...I am sure that he will find something else...he always does. We are both firm believers to the old saying...as one door closes, another one opens. With the weather being bad tonight, he was really glad with staying home. I did stop off to get him dinner since I did not cook. Once I got home, the twins were already in bed and Rick was half asleep.
I do not plan on staying up too long...one addiction that I have picked up lately is FACEBOOK...I will have to elaborate on this addiction on another post...so I am off to surf on FACEBOOK and my 1st addiction
...2Peas!!!

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Tackle Thursday...

2009-01-08T13:41:00.006-06:00

is what I need to do as the weekend is just around the corner.
The first full week of 2009 has past and I do feel a sense of accomplishment as the baby steps that I have taken to do more and be more, has been great.
Just posting on this blog for a full 7 days (now 8) is huge for me and taking my photo a day is really something and I find myself really looking forward to doing it.
I hope to look back on this...years from now and just go "WOW"...is that what I/we did in 2009...Project 365 is really a great concept and anyone who is reading my blog should try to incorporate it into their lives.

On a personal note...spending quality time with Rick and the twins for the past few months, has made a big difference where I have been focusing on prioritizing my time better...making time for me and making time for them.
Now sometime...I can find this to be difficult because my mind is constantly going...I could be doing one thing, and then I am thinking about doing another, and another, and another...I will say that I am good at multitasking but sometimes, I am not got at following through with all of my tasks to completion...for example, LAUNDRY....Hence my POTD (Photo Of The Day)

Believe it or not... I love to do laundry...I love the smell of fresh laundry, love to fold (only when fresh from the dryer) and put away... but I can never seem to get to end of our numerous piles. Our basement looks like it it full of clothing land minds right now...could it be that there are 4 people in this household and I will never be caught up? or could it be that when I start, I start on something else and forget about what is in the washer and dryer? I say YES to both of my theories. Like earlier today...I had a load in the washer, a load in the dryer and a load on our bed ready for me to fold and put away and I had to go and pick up the twins from preschool and at the same time, I was on the computer...can you say PRIORITIZE!!! I know I should have got off the computer and do the laundry... I will get it together...hopefully sooner than later.

The twins have not taken naps in two days but on the flip side, they have been going to be by 8:30. Maybe I will continue to eliminate the nap and put them to bed early...We will have to wait and see.
Once Rick got home, we both decided to make quality time with each twin. Rick and Alex has this 'Avenger', 'Justice League' cartoon thing going on between them where they have been watching these movies that Rick has been getting from Blockbuster and I just know that Rick is reliving his childhood days as he is still into the "Superhero" movies. While they had their Daddy/son bonding time, Allegra and I was not to be out done as we had our Mommy/daughter time. She helped me finish dinner and then we watched one of her favorite movies, "Tinkerbell". Now this movie...was so cute and I even got a little teary-eyed towards the end...NO, it is not a sad movie but I was feeling emotional all about seeing my little girl getting so excited about fairies and she was telling me the story and just listening to her and hearing her voice made me just marvel at her and all that she is...My little girl. I was also thinking about how Disney just has this magical effect on people...from their theme parks to their movies and such and I just got a little misty eyed. Afterwards, I painted Allegra's toenails a pretty pink...which I have only done a handful of times and this just made her night. She could not wait to run and show her Daddy and brother. One thing about the Coleman men...they really know how to make us Coleman ladies feel like princesses as they both told Allegra how pretty her toes where and Alex even gave her a big hug before bed time telling her she was his "Best Sister" and kissing her on her cheeks. I really do hope that they will always have a loving relationship.

I do not plan on staying up too late as I have errands to run tomorrow with the twins and we have to get up early

Hugs & Kisses
Me

And on the 7th Day...

2009-01-07T19:30:00.004-06:00

I rested...totally, for the most part.

I made this long list of things to do today, since I am off for the next few days and the only thing that I accomplished was partially cleaning the kitchen, and cooking dinner. There is always tomorrow.

I have to get the twins some snow pants. I can not believe that I have not taken the time to pick up some with living in Chicago...the first thing they wanted to do this afternoon as I took them to school was fall in the snow and when I picked them up...their pants were alittle wet from playing outside. They get to go outside everyday at preschool, if the weather isn't below zero, so I will be on the hunt for some snow pants
Besides taking the twins to school, I rested and got caught up on emails and such. I pulled out the crock pot for dinner which required minimum work (which I like)
I made homemade chicken soup...just used some chicken pieces (w/o the skin), seasoning salt, pepper, lipton onion soup mix, frozen mixed vegetables and potatoes...I let it cook, stirring ever so often and BAM!!! Done...gotta love crock pot cooking.
Speaking of cooking, I came across a great recipe blog that I must share...very inspirational for those of us who want to add some variation in our cooking. I know I am always looking for different meals and such to cook, so I am going to try some of her recipes. Check it out at
http://www.fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/

Rick will be home a little late tonight because he has a union meeting to attend. Unfortunately, he has been working without a union at his job and he has been very instrumental in trying to make it happen where he is at. I have been calling him Norma Rae for the past few weeks...I really do hope that everything will work out fine at his job and he will continue to play an important role with the formation of a union there.
I am so behind on my MUST SEE T.V. and you know what...that is cool with me as I have been spending more time with Rick and the twins. I have also cut my computer usage time in half as that was also interfering with time with the family and also taking me away from doing things around the house...I also say there is not enough time in the day, but as Rick has told me recently...prioritizing and time management will get it done.
With that piece of advice, I am done with my post for the day and also with uploading my photo for the day.
Hey...doesn't the saying go that a habit is formed in 7 days and here I am on my 7th day of posting on my blog and uploading a photo to my blog...
I am proud of ME

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Today was...

2009-01-06T19:51:00.004-06:00

another day...

Another late night last night as Rick and I watched Ving Rhames in "Saving God"...the movie as okay, not what we expected. It was a Christian movie with a lot of messages in it and let's just say that afterwards...I was sniffling and wiping away my tears and Rick made his usual "WOW" comment.
I woke up this morning...of course tired as all get out...maybe I should start taking vitamins? A sign of age? Maybe so, maybe no. Anywhoo, after laying the kids clothes out for the day, which I forgot to do the night before, I left the house and went to visit my mother before I had to start work at Windy City this morning. She looked good, and was moving around well. She already told me that she was looking forward to watching the twins on Friday...Rick and I decided that we would not use her to much since the twins are getting a bit too much for her to handle in her old age...we will just go for once a week but no more than twice a week.
Work was okay...kinda slow, which is understandable with the economy and such. I taught a Basics class and closed with my girl Cheryl. I am glad that I am off for the next couple of days as I am sure that the household is glad that I am off.
I was pleasantly surprised when I got home to the kids being in their pajamas and fed already...and there was a plate waiting for me too. We did our usually of putting the kids to bed, news and Jay Leno's monologue and we stayed up late again...watching VH1's Real Chance at Love...both of us like to watch ignorant T.V....matter of fact, when we were dating back in the day (13 years ago), when we were not together, we would be on the phone watching talk shows together and tripping on the panel...whether it was Jerry Springer, Jenny Jones, Carnie Wilson, or Maury Povich, we were up watching it and engaged in it. I can not wait to see who Real and Chance pick next Monday.
I woke up to finish posting on the blog since I could not upload my photo of the day earlier and finally, blogger cooperated with me
My photo of today relates to what happened the most of the day in Chicago....SNOW. It was the soft kind which made cleaning off the car okay. I have a confession to make which will be put in my "All About Me" book...one of my habits...which is a bad one is I love to eat fresh fallen snow. Now I know that it is not good for you especially since it accumulates dirt and stuff as it falls, but when it is fresh, I can't help but scoop some up and eat it. I have yet to let the kids catch me doing it and Rick always teases me when it snows telling me that I am going to get a sore throat. When I was younger, I can remember my father telling me to stop but my mother telling me that she did it too as a child. She even suggested that I put out a cup on the porch to catch some just for me to eat...with a spoon...this is something she use to do when she was young too. Eating fresh fallen snow is one of my little quirks...maybe I should have taken a photo of me doing that (LOL)

TTFN
Back to bed
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Back to the Bump & the Grind...

2009-01-05T22:41:00.005-06:00

Mondays...gotta love them...Right?

I rolled out of bed this morning around 7am tired from the night before...Rick and I stayed up late last night watching a movie called "The Secret" with David Duchovny. It was very good and thought provoking...a must see, straight to DVD type of movie. Had me thinking about it when I woke up this morning so that let's me know that it was good. I woke up early to make sure I had everything laid out for the kids for school today as it was their first day back in 2009.

After I got them dressed and fed, I got dressed so that I could go to Windy City for the day. We had a good day for the most part, as we are still having our big pre-inventory sale and the phone was ringing off the hook as people were calling in to sign up for classes and for crops.

Once I got off...I came home and got dinner ready...nothing spectacular but filling for the family
When I work on Mondays...I like when they wait for me to eat dinner...since Tuesdays are my late nights, Rick is on his own for dinner in which he does just fine...sometimes (LOL)

He has been teasing me about my visitor that has invaded me life...so has my kids as they ask what it is...I am just like...WTF? What might it be you ask?

Cute right? NOT. I am not a teenager in high school...it can not be from lack of , because I get plenty and I cleanse my face twice a day...so WTF am I doing with this big ass zit that hurts like hell on the side of my face.

I have to get rid of this little visitor, especially since I do not have my monthly visitor

I am sitting up here now with some toothpaste on it (which helps in drying it up) and big ass rollers in my hair (still hanging on to the straight hair) about to watch "Saving God" starring Ving Rhames with Rick...he is just cracking up at me daring me to post this photo of me...Heck...why not. This is me and this ZIT has been messing me ALL FREAKING DAY!!! Every time someone interacted with me, I just felt them looking at it...even when they were on the phone with me. I hope that it will be gone tomorrow.

Well it is movie time
TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

LAZY SUNDAY...

2009-01-04T19:15:00.003-06:00

and it was wonderful...

I only went out once, this morning to run to the grocery store since I forgot we ran out of eggs and bread...for the rest of the day, we were in pajamas all day.

Homemade french toast was on the menu for breakfast this morning and my little Alex almost ate 2 slices, I do not know where he puts it. Rick was in 7th heaven since it has been a long time since I have made french toast.

I think that the twins are finally caught up on their sleep so they should be all good for school tomorrow. They really had a great vacation as they stayed up late almost every night and just played, watched movies and spent time with family and friends.

For the most part today...we didn't do a thing besides watch football all day as it was Wild Card Weekend.
Here is my photo for today...

WOW...this photo came out great (to me) as I took it off the television...as Rick says..." That's that HD BABY!!!"

Even though the Chicago Bears are not in the playoffs, I still enjoy watching football. Not sure of who I am going for in the Super Bowl, as already, one of my teams got knocked off (Atlanta Falcons). I do enjoy Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers...so we will have to see come next weekend.

I have been procrastinating taking the Christmas tree down...I am doing it TONIGHT!!! I have to for our sanity.

Rick is with his Endangered Species group this evening, working on music and setting goals for themselves as a group. I am glad that he is trying to get back into producing...especially since the gig out in Gary, Indiana is going to go to once a month now...he needs to have his outlet of his music and I can definitely respect, understand and honor that as I need my outlet of scrapbooking and now, my Project 365 Challenge along with other things that I have on my plate.
I had a dear friend remind me of how I was a "social butterfly" before the marriage and kid thing...matter of fact, Rick has mentioned this to me as well and I know I want to get back into doing the things that made me...ME!!! Hence my word for 2009.

I am cooking a late dinner tonight and will putting the twins down a little early since school resumes tomorrow. I am working 3 days this week which is cool as I have a lot to do around the house. I also plan on starting to reorganize my scrap space along with tackling a closet or two.

TTFN
Hugs and Kisses
Me

Okay...so tomorrow,

2009-01-03T21:43:00.007-06:00

is when I will officially begin...WHY??????????

Hence my main photo from today...and here is another one...

Thanks to Ms. Jen, one of my fellow scrapbooking buddies and coworkers at WCS. She brought me some homemade chocolate chip cookies. So I will start, tomorrow.

Rick woke me up early this morning with a kiss as he went back to work today. Sometimes, I have trouble falling back to sleep, but this morning, I did not. Once I woke up for the day, I remembered that the twins were over to my MIL's, since I had to work at Windy City.
We were really busy today as people are taking advantage of our "Don't make us count it pre-inventory sale".
When I got off, I made the long drive to the South Suburbs to get the twins. They had a good time with Grandma Dot and Auntie Rochelle as they spent most of the day shopping the after the holiday sales. It was like Christmas all over for them as they both brought home bags of clothes and toys and she was even kind enough to think of me too. I could not have asked for a better MIL.
For dinner, pizza was the request by Rick and we watched Beethoven's Big Break. We had the twins go to bed early since they still need to catch up on their sleep. Once they were in the bed...Rick had another request...An Egg Nog Milkshake. I think he has a sweeter tooth than me. I was glad that he wanted one to get rid of the rest of the egg nog and some of the ice cream in the house. We are about to watch the rest of the Indianapolis vs. San Diego playoff football game as it goes into overtime.

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

End of another Holiday Season

2009-01-02T16:10:00.002-06:00

Well it is January 2, 2009 and it is the end of another Holiday Season in the Coleman household.
I am starting off today's post with my photo for my Project 365 challenge. I took a photo of the Christmas tree one last time before we take it down this Sunday. Our tree did look good this year and even though I did not go all out and out on Christmas decorations as planned, the house still looked nice.
Rick went back to work this morning and the kids and I stayed home in our pj's and relaxed...well, not entirely as I made them clean up their rooms, and I did my favorite household chore...LAUNDRY.
I spent a little time on the computer with my newest addiction...FaceBook. I love the fact that I can connect with new friends and reconnect with old ones and just see what my friends are doing and such.
The twins will be going over to my MIL's house tonight to spend the night so that I can get a little me time and Rick is Djaying tonight...so I will be solo tonight. The reason why the twins are going to my MIL's house is so that I can go to work tomorrow...this will be my last Saturday for awhile since Alexandre' starts basketball next Saturday and we wanted to give my mother a break from watching them...especially since we just found out that her niece had to have emergency open heart surgery on New Year's Eve and she is going to see her and her family...I tell you, my mother will be 84 in March and she just keeps on being Florence Nightengale, but she tells me, that serving others, keeps her young.
Scrap related...I started to design for my Create Love class this month and also for my Love Acrylic Album class, both I wish to be very successful and a good number of people sign up for.
I do not plan on staying up late tonight since I have to be up in early in the morning, then again...who knows...I might scrapbook alittle tonight or start with one of my many organizing projects...the main one being...CLOSETS!!!!
I need to reorganize my closet, Rick's closet, the twins' closet, amd our laundry/tolietry closet along with two other closets in the house...maybe I will start with one of those...

Hugs & Kisses
Me

HAPPY NEW YEAR...2009!!!

2009-01-01T21:26:00.005-06:00

I have been blessed to bring in another year.
This year will be special as I will be turning 40 years old and I am learning to embrace this concept (turning 40) as a lot of people have not even had the chance to live that long.

I have also picked my word for the new year to focus on for myself which in turn will benefit my family...my word...REBIRTH.
I wanted to go with the prefix RE- but since it is not a word, I had to really think about what I wanted to accomplish this year...and that is how the word REBIRTH came about.

I had to go and look up the true definition of REBIRTH in the dictionary and here is what it states:
REBIRTH: A second or new birth; reincarnation; a renaissance; resurgence; revival.
This seems so fitting for me and what I want to accomplish in the upcoming year

REBIRTH of me...Alraynita Sabrina Maria McCray-Coleman
I want a REBIRTH of all of my relationships with GOD, myself, my husband, my children, my family and my friends
I want a REBIRTH of my commitments both previous and those upcoming
I want to just RENEW, REDISCOVER and REALIZE all the wonderful things that this world has to offer and my place it in.

There are also goals that I will be setting for myself in 2009 (personal and scrapbooking related) and there are goals that Rick will also be setting for himself. We also will be setting goals for our marriage and for our family. We have so much to look forward to, individually, as a couple and as a family.

I have taken on another task called PROJECT 365 which will have me document my life in photos...actually, I have to take one photo/day as it relates to my life. One of my Scrap On Sistahs told our group about it and I am up for this challenge...especially since I love to take photos.
So I start today with my first photo which actually is not from today but from last night as we brought in the NEW YEAR as a family...Yes, Alex and Allegra partied with us. Actually, for the past 5 years, we have always brought the New Year in with Alex and Allegra.
At the last minute, Rick's mother decided to use the family's vacant apartment to give a New Year's Eve party and so Rick and I sent texts out to our friends like crazy...now the party was not the typical Rick and Al party of the past (before the twins) but we had a great time. So great that we did not get home until 4am (do not call DCFS on us)
A lot of our friends did show up and we brought 2009 in with a BANG.

For today...we were complete BUMS.
Rick's cousin Nicole spent the night with us and this afternoon, yes this afternoon is when we all woke up. I cooked New Year's breakfast for lunch and Rick took his cousin home...once he returned, we all took naps and we did not wake up again until almost 8pm.
After New Year's dinner...more relaxation was in order.
Rick returns to work tomorrow and I am off so we will resume our regular bump and grind.

I plan on posting on my blog...daily and also sharing photos from my Project 365 Challenge and I will also post past entries that I am going to finally take the time to complete and upload photos to, so there will be posts from 2008 popping up every now and then. I have found that my family, friends and fans (wow...I have fans) do read my blog so I need to really refocus and recommit to getting it to what I want...A place to journal, share, and just reflect on my life and every aspect of it.
Happy 2009 everyone...

Hugs & Kisses
Me

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

2008-05-25T23:51:00.009-05:00

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

2008-05-24T13:37:00.001-05:00

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!!!

2008-05-23T18:43:00.001-05:00

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

Feelings..

2008-05-21T23:31:00.001-05:00

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...

2008-05-19T12:06:00.000-05:00

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...

2008-05-18T12:03:00.000-05:00

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...

2008-05-17T22:11:00.000-05:00

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?

2008-05-15T23:16:00.000-05:00

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

Prayer Request...

2008-05-13T23:07:00.003-05:00

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...

2008-05-10T10:06:00.000-05:00

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

BAD BLOGGER...

2008-05-09T11:19:00.001-05:00

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

2008-04-28T23:20:00.001-05:00

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...

2008-04-20T23:43:00.000-05:00

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...

2008-04-15T23:22:00.001-05:00

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...

2008-04-13T23:06:00.000-05:00

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

Waiting to Exhale...

2008-04-12T16:26:00.000-05:00

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...

2008-04-11T15:49:00.000-05:00

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

Tax Tuesday 4 Us

2008-04-08T23:47:00.001-05:00

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...

2008-04-06T17:16:00.001-05:00

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...

2008-04-04T22:46:00.000-05:00

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 !!!!

2008-04-03T22:54:00.000-05:00

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

2008-04-02T22:53:00.001-05:00

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

2008-04-01T22:52:00.000-05:00

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

THANKFUL THURSDAY...

2008-03-27T00:58:00.000-05:00

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

EASTER 2008

2008-03-23T15:15:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter from the Coleman Crew!!!

We did not go to church this morning as we had originally planned with my mother...and I really feel bad about that. She ended up not wanting to go so we did not go either.
Started out the morning slowly as I made a big breakfast for the Coleman Crew...Eggs, grits, biscuits, sausage, fresh fruit and orange juice and after I cleaned up the kitchen from breakfast, I immediately started my Easter Dinner. I did not do anything big...Cornish Hens, dressing, greens (actually my mother made these and I just took them out the freezer), homemade mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce...almost like Thanksgiving.
While I was whipping all of this up...I also started to boil eggs so that Alexandre' and Allegra could do their Easter Eggs. After they were ready, we set everything out for decorating with the dyes and even some stickers. We also made cookies for the Easter bunny and set everything our for him...the twins think that the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus are good buddies and just like Santa, the Easter Bunny bears gifts to children. I had them lay down for their naps and just like last year...while they were asleep, I decorated and filled up their Easter Baskets with goodies and little toys. Rick helped out too and he enjoyed helping me since he missed all the fun last year (he was in the ATL)
Now I did take photos today of our happenings, but I did it with an instant camera so these photos are from last year... we did the same thing this year as last year so I see I am now setting a few traditions with my family for the holidays...

The kids were happy with their Easter Baskets and we just relaxed for the rest of the day. We talked to all of the grandparents over the phone and wished them a good day.
After dinner, I cleaned up the kitchen, got the kids ready for bed and went to bed myself
Happy Easter
Hugs & Kisses
Me

83 years young

2008-03-22T23:38:00.000-05:00

Today was my dear mother's birthday and she made 83 years old today.
Rick had to work today so the kids and I went by her house and took her out to breakfast. Usually Allegra just wants toast and sausage but since this particular restaurant had Mickey Mouse pancakes she just had to try them. Allegra has never been a "sweet eating" baby like Alexandre'...but after today...she has changed. My baby girl ate all of her Mickey Mouse pancakes. Alex ate all of his, of course, along with my mother's pancakes...I do not know where he puts it all with his skinny self...actually, both Alex and Allegra are thin which is okay with me. They are on target and they wear the age in clothes(4t, 4 and some 5t)
We gave Grandma Nita her homemade cards along with a bouquet of flowers...and we just ran errands with her for the rest of the day. I decided to scratch the Easter outfits and just let them wear outfits that they had already that still had tags on them.
Once we were done with Grandma for the day, we went back home for naps and just relaxed for the rest of the day until Daddy came home. I almost started to let the twins do their Easter eggs but decided to wait until tomorrow. Last year for Easter, we went to Skinner Park and the twins participated in their first Easter Egg Hunt...it was too funny but they did get alot of eggs and they even won an Easter basket that day. The photos below are from last year when we went to Skinner Park for their Easter Extravaganza. My kids love saying CHEESE for the camera.

I am going to bed early for I have to get up tomorrow early to get everyone dressed for Easter...yes, clothes are already laid out but I need some beauty rest

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Finally...A day of rest and relaxation

2008-03-20T19:53:00.000-05:00

That was need by all of us
We stayed in our pajamas and relaxed all day for the most part
We did go out just for a little bit with my mother as she wanted to buy the twins something for Easter. I really did not want her to make a fuss about it so we did not find anything today...which was okay with me. My mother bought the twins outfits last year for Easter. I think that is what she likes to do...buy their holiday outfits, whether it be for Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving...whatever.

What a difference a year makes as Rick was in Atlanta training for a new job with CSX railroad. He was away from us for a month and a half, came back and worked at CSX for about 2 months and then he quit. I wanted to strangle him but I had to remain steadfast and have faith and believe in him. It took him almost 4 months to find another job, which he only took for the health insurance and then he worked that job for about 3 months and then another month past before he found Progress Rail, which is where he works now. It is a division of Catepillar (based in Peoria) and he seems to really happy with this job...he says there is alot of room for growth and he is looking at moving up within this company. I am just glad that he has something steady and somthing that he likes in the railroad industry and we can get back on track.

Once we came back from trying to find the twins something to wear for Easter...we took baths and put on another pair of pajamas. Shame on us... but it felt so good. Rick ended up working overtime at work so by the time he got home the twins were asleep. I had mentioned to Rick that I did not mind if we did not get the twins new Easter clothes for we waited to late and everything was picked over...as always, he has left it up to me to decide about their attire.

Here is a photo of them from last Easter in their Easter best...I did a great job of coordinating their outfits, which is something that I always try to do.

Now today marks the first day of spring and I will be glad when we can get consistent with the weather.
I plan on attending the Mocha Mom's meeting tomorrow and probably hang out with my buddies.
Off to bed now

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Day 3 of Spring Break...

2008-03-19T23:16:00.000-05:00

and we spent the ENTIRE day at a new kiddie place called MONKEY ISLAND and had a BLAST...of course I do not have any photos from the day but Alex and Allegra had a really good time

I NEED A NEW CAMERA...so glad my birthday is coming up soon...I really hope I will get one for my birthday

Monkey Island is a great place for kids to go and let off alot of energy (there are alot of bouncy houses and an large play scape area) and a place where mommies can hang out and catch up which is what I did with my Mocha buddies. Alex and Allegra was so excited to see all of their friends there and so was I...that is to see my friends. I only saw Alex and Allegra when the wanted to go to the restroom and I had to make them stop playing to come and eat a snack. We got to Monkey Island at noon and we did not leave until almost 6pm. Rick could not believe that we were there that long. Once I got home I immediately started dinner and was able to feed the twins, give baths and they were out like a light by 8:30pm. I love days like this. Rick and I stayed up to watch the news and Jay Leno...of course he went to sleep shortly afterwards and I am still up on the computer

I am off from Windy City until the next Monday so I will be totally relaxing and enjoying time with my family, catching up with laundry and I might even scrapbook a page or two or maybe I will continue with the reorganization of my scrap space or maybe I will just surf the web...anyway...it will be cool to just hang out for a few days without an agenda. My mother's 83rd birthday is this weekend along with Easter Sunday. We do not have anything extra special planned as all she wants us to do is attend church services with her and just spend time with the twins. It is so hard to shop for my mother for she has everything so time spent together is all that she really wants. I am going to stay up for a while and surf the computer and look at some of my favorite blogs. Eventually I will start posting some of my work for all to see...I want to learn how to scan and stitch as opposed to taking a photo of my work...I hope to learn how to do this really soon.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

In a few more days...

2008-03-15T23:08:00.000-05:00

I will be off and I truly deserve it...

I always say that I will not know how to act if I had to go and work a real job and raise Alex and Allegra, take care of the household, and all of the other stuff. I will admit that it has been truly a blessing to be able to stay at home with Alex and Allegra for the past 4 1/2 years. Rick is truly "DA MAN" for making it happen for us and taking care of us...especially when times were hard when he wasn't working.

So I worked today but I was also fortunate to take a class earlier today with one of my favorite scrapping celebrities...Melodee Langworthy. I was so glad when Susan told me that we were going to have her teach during the weekend of CKU and her classes are awesome. She made the weekend a getaway to Chicago for her family. I created an Easter Themed album that I plan on using last year's Easter photos that I have not done anything with. This way, they will already be in a mini album...I will still do a scrapbook page too.

I am really tired from today so I will be off to bed as I work tomorrow...again...Rick is "DA MAN"

Hugs & Kisses

Me

IN THE MEANTIME...

2008-03-14T13:03:00.000-05:00

I have been so busy these past few days...CKU came to the Chicago land area and I have been living at Windy City. For those of you who do not know, CKU stands for Creating Keepsakes University and it is where scrapbookers come from all over the world to take classes with scrapbooking celebrities, meet up with their scrapbooking buddies, shop and crop until they drop and just have a great time with fellow scrapbookers.
I was not able to attend as a student...that will happen for me one day but I was able to go to the meet and greet that CKU had for its students with Susan as we represented Windy City Scrapbooking. We ran into some die hard scrapbookers...customers of Windy City and also met other people who have heard about the store through word of mouth. My fellow SOS sister Latosha Cherry was able to attend and I had the pleasure of meeting Ali Edwards and Jessica Sprague. We actually drove them to the store on Wednesday night and we were so excited to have them. Ali started calling me her 'Political Partner' as she is a supporter of Obama. She told me that she had the pleasure of meeting him and was a fan of his. It was really cool having her in the store...she is so down to earth. Jessica is a sweetheart too. They are both so creative and have really done alot in the scrapbooking industry. Here are some photos that we took with them in the store.

Now I also had the sheer pleasure of meeting another famous person during CKU weekend....I was totally blown away to see Iyanla Vanzant at the CKU Meet & Greet. Susan had mentioned seeing another African American at the event and I was very curious to see who she was talking about...especially since there are not alot of African American scrapbookers. I did not see her initially but then she walked up to me and I was elated to meet her and all of that. I gave her all the information about Windy City Scrapbooking and even my own personal contact information. She did end up visiting Windy City Scrapbooking...twice and she is a scrap shopaholic just like the rest of us...I would love to scrapbook with her one day. I hope to hear from her one day and maybe we can do some great things for African Americans in relation to scrapbooking...hence...In The Meantime...
Rick and the twins are doing fine...missing me as I have been working alot of hours this week with the store being open until 11pm. My mother has been really helpful with keeping Alexandre' and Allegra until Rick gets. Only a few more days and things will be back to normal.
I worked the crop tonight so I am off to bed for tomorrow will be long
Hugs & Kisses
Me

MOTIVATION...

2008-03-11T23:47:00.000-05:00

Is what I need

Is it the weather that has me down...not wanting to do to much of anything, even though we have a warm up over the next couple of days
Is it that I want to do so much but there is not enough hours in the day for me to spend with my husband, my children, my family, my friends, or even myself
Whatever it is...I need to get out of this rut
I have a big week ahead of me so I need to get it together
Not much to post today...I am tired and going to bed earlier than usual

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Spring Ahead...

2008-03-09T08:14:00.001-05:00

So Daylight Savings Time happened overnight and I am feeling it already as I am up and sleepy.
I am not up because of the twins, since they already woke up to go to the bathroom, I am not up because of Richard, since he already woke up too to go to the bathroom and watch a little ESPN (sports fanatic),
I am up cause I am a crazy lady...and I want to go into work early today. Actually, all week I will be working, every day, since CKU is coming into town and the store will have extended hours and I need to pick up some extra hours, especially since I only work 2 days last week
So this crazy lady will be a working fool this week.
I will be back...stay tuned.

Today was a good day at work and everyone is excited about CKU coming to Chicago. We had our staff meeting after the store closed just to update everyone. I did not stay and scrapbook after the meeting like I had originally planned to. Rick and his brother had a networking event to attend so I had to hurry home so they could leave. I really love the relationship that Rick has with his brother. When I first met Rick, they were not that close, even though they were close growing up...but now...they are inseparable...they are 2 years apart with Rick being the oldest, and the twins are CRAZY about their Uncle Ben.
Once I got home Rick had already fed the kids and had them ready for bed so I am off to relax for the rest of the night.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

IT'S THE WEEKEND BABY...STRIKE!!!!

2008-03-08T10:16:00.000-06:00

So glad that it is Saturday

The twins did not have school yesterday so we hung out and ran errands (bank, grocery store, etc).
We even went to go and visit Grandpa Rufus at his school since we did not get by there for his birthday on Thursday. They are so crazy about him. The school that he is the principal at is one of my schools of choice for the twins...it McDade Classical school. I do like the fact that it is a classical school but I do not like the fact that it only goes to 6th grade and it is not diverse where as Murray (where they are now) is diverse which outweighs the fact that it only goes to 6th grade and even though it is not a classical school, they still have a rigourous curriculum. One thing that I have to keep in mind when finding a school for the twins is the level and amount of homework that they will be given because that will entail me assisting them and teaching them at home. I also have concern with them being seperated (different schools)...I do not mind if they are in different classrooms...so I do have a lot to consider when going through the school enrollemnt process.
After going to Rufus's school, we went ran a couple of errands and came home for lunch and nap. I love the fact that the twins still take a nap...it makes eveyone feel better afterwards and it give me a couple of hours to do house chores, relax, watch my soap operas, computer time or just zone out.
Since it was Friday...we ordered pizza for dinner and watched Alex and Allegra's all time favorite movie...Toy Story.
We went to bed early since we had a full day schedule for Saturday

So today...we woke up at a decent hour and just relaxed until it was time to go to my fellow Scrap On Sistah's son's birthday party. For T.C.'s party, Alexandre' and Allegra had the opportunity to bowl for the first time. They were so excited as Alex had his shoes off ready for the bowling shoes before I even went to get the shoes. At first Allegra was alittle aprehensive about bowling but once she saw her brother doing it...she was interested. They both bowled two games and even got a couple of strikes (bumper bowling) So remember...I do not have camera still but one of my Scrap On Sistah's let me use her camera so I do have a few shots of them bowling.
Rick was at work and I really hate that he missed out on them bowling...but like he says, that is why I am with them to expose them to different things and I just have to keep him updated as to things they say and do...hence scrapbooking and taking photos. I am glad that the kids enjoyed bowling...this will be something we can do as a family as they get older. Believe it or not...bowling is one thing that Rick and I have not done as a couple...period. We will have to make sure to make this a family outing.
By the time we made it home from the party, Rick was home from work. I fixed an easy dinner of hot dogs and fries and gave the twins baths and they were in the bed and fast asleep by 8pm. Rick and I stayed up and watched Eddie Murphy's Life and we both fell asleep on the couch...just like an old couple.

Hugs and Kisses
Me

Terrific Thursday

2008-03-07T00:52:00.000-06:00

Since today was Thursday, it was my volunteer day. I really do enjoy spending that time in Alex and Allegra's preschool class. It give me an opportunity to not only bond with them more but to see and learn what is being taught to my children so that I may know what to supplement. Do I see homeschooling in my future? Possibly...especially if I do not get them into the school of our choice (public school) and with the rising cost of tuition in the private and catholic schools, I just might.
I really wanted to try to go and see my FIL today for his birthday. Rufus is such a sweet man and I want the kids to spend more time with him. Rick is not as close to his father as his mother so I am the one who keeps more in contact with him. I will make sure to go and see him tomorrow since the kids are out of school tomorrow
After school, I took the kids to my mother's so I could go to work.
I came straight home after getting off from work and went straight to bed since Rick had the kids in bed already

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Great Wednesday...

2008-03-05T23:46:00.000-06:00

I had a great Wednesday...despite being tired.
The kids went back to school today as they were ready to go back to school, but they wanted to go on another field trip like they did the day before
They really had a long weekend as they were off the weekend, celebrated Dad's 40th and then had Monday, the 3rd off for Pulaski Day, then had the 4th off but really went on a field trip. The field trip was a lot of fun as I did sign up to chaperone, which made Alex and Allegra happy. We went to the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier. Both the morning class and the afternoon class went. A presentation was given to both classes, seperately and we was able to explore the museum on our own after the presentations...as long as we met at the scheduled time for the bus. Our class went into the BIG BACKYARD where the children learned creatures that were in backyards. Alex and Allegra was initially interested but their attention span grew short, as did the other kids, and they pretty much wanted to play as opposed to sitting down and listening to a speaker. They did try to make the presentation interactive and they even got the parents involved. After the presentation, the children made butterfly wings with pillowcases and paint, which ended up being really cute. I REALLY HATED THAT I DID NOT HAVE MY CAMERA...we have been to the Chicago Children's Museum, many times before but this was Alex and Allegra's first time going with their preschool class. After being in the BIG BACKYARD, we then went to the Dinosaur exhibit where the kids could pretend to be dinosaur researchers and dig for dinosaur bones. The next stop was the Pretend Town, where the kids could pretend to be everything from a bus driver, to a grocery store clerk to a mechanic. A great time was had by all. Once we returned to school, I took my tired babies home where they immediately fell asleep in the car and once we got inside the house, they were out. Rick was at home waiting for us and I just relaxed and started dinner early as I had to teach a class that night at Windy City Scrapbooking. Of course with me being gone for so many days, new product was in for me to oogle and google over, which I did. The class went well and once I got home...I past out myself

Hugs & Kisses
Me

What a 40th Birthday...

2008-03-03T22:26:00.000-06:00

That Rick had yesterday...
We ended up going over to his mother's house where she fixed one of his favorite dinners...chicken fettuccine in Alfredo sauce, fried chicken wings, spaghetti, salad, broccoli with cheese sauce, garlic bread...really, she made two of his favorites and something for everyone. My mother came with us to his mother's house. Rick' brother (Ben)was there with his daughter (Ashley, who is 6), along with his mother (Dot), his stepfather (Erskine), his stepfather's daughter (Alexis, who is 12), his aunt (Rochelle), his cousin (Steve) and his new girlfriend (she seems very nice, can not remember her name) was all there along with my stepson, Adonis, and the twins. We had a great time as we talked about everything from the election to when I was pregnant with the twins, to when Rick was a baby to recipes...Rick's family is really fun loving and so easy to get along with and talk to. We also sang "Happy Birthday" to the old man and he not only had a birthday cake, but his mother made his favorite cake...German Chocolate (YUCK to me). We also played Wii for the first time and I am so ready to get this gaming system. You get a real workout playing this game and the twins were so excited...ga-ga, goo-goo excited about playing Wii. So of course, Rick stated that we will look into getting this gaming system...like we really need anymore since we have PlayStation I and II and we do not even play with it.
It was really good seeing Adonis over the weekend as Rick picked him up on Friday night. He is really growing up. I was a little disappointed when I saw him because this 13 year old young man, has BOTH OF HIS EARS PIERCED...now of course, as soon as I saw this, I made him remove them IMMEDIATELY. I remember him telling me that he wanted them pierced and that his mother was going to let him do it and I remember telling him that he will not be allowed to wear his earrings in our home...so we both came through with our statements. I really do not know why his mother allowed him to do such but she and I are TOTALLY different...like night and day. I do not know what Rick saw in her, but things happen. Adonis is smart young man...typical teenager (13)...so far, he is not that bad...he has made the honor roll a few times but his mouth does get him in trouble. I have been around him since he was 18 months old, and when Rick and I got married, not only was he the ring bearer, but I also said vows to him and we had a family ceremony where he was involved...my relationship with him has been great so far and I pray that as he gets older, I only want what is best for him. I have already told him that even though he was not born from me, I love him as my own...I just hope that we will also have a good relationship...regardless if I disapprove of the way his mother does things at times. (That is another story within itself as yes...I have experienced Baby Mama Drama)
Rick...bless his heart...was just happy with being with his family for his 40th birthday. I did take photos but I just used one of those disposable photos and I have yet to get the photos put on a disc, but I will share a photo of Rick...looking like an OLD MAN and having a little taste :)
Happy Birthday Sweetie

Hugs & Kisses
Me

HAPPY MARCH 1ST!!!

2008-03-01T20:21:00.001-06:00

Didn't do to much today but recover from last night.
I worked at Windy City Scrapbooking and there was a crop on top of a Leap Year sale where everthing that was regularly priced was 29% off. I was glad to sleep in for the most part. Of course Rick was away at work once I woke up and the twins kept themselves entertained with playing in their room until I got out of the bed. I was suppose to get up early and go register Alexandre' for basketball for the next session with Chicago Park District but I had lucked up and was able to register him on line in the begining of the week so we just stayed at home for the rest of the day. We played games, read books, watched movies and I even got a little scrapbooking done...only one page, but I still accomplished something.
As the new month rolls in, I have been thinking about my word for the year...COMMITT.
Still working on it and trying to apply it to my daily life. It is really hard, especially since I have made this public knowledge and it is just a challenge to try to keep up with for I am being held accountable. Again, I just have to try harder.
Tomorrow is my husband's birthday...his 40th. I did not get him anything for I really did not know what to get him and we promised that we would not exchange gifts this year for we are planning a big family vacation this year.
Off to bed now for we have a busy day tomorrow

Hugs & Kisses
Me

LIFE IS ONE BIG PARTY...

2008-02-28T23:23:00.000-06:00

And Alex and Allegra had their fill of parties today...me too!

First...they had a Pajama Party at Preschool today since it was Mr. Philips birthday
All of the kids came dressed up in their favorite pajamas and they also had to bring along their favorite toy. Alexandre' already knew that he wanted to wear his Spider man Pajamas along with his Spider man underwear, Spider man house shoes, and his Spider man stuffed "action figure"...of course we say this for him instead of "doll"
Allegra on the other hand, was a force to be reckoned with. She wanted to bring her Tweety bird stuffed doll but was upset since she did not have any Tweety bird pajamas or slippers...now since she has just started this Tweety bird fascination, I have not had the time or even thought about getting these things since I thought she was still in the Dora/Princess phase. After a little negotiating and making a Pinky Princess Promise (that is another story) that I would find some Tweety Bird pajamas, little Miss Allegra settled on wearing her Dora pajamas, Dora underwear, Dora slippers, and Dora stuffed doll. Since we are still in the dead of winter, I had them wear their pajamas under their school clothes. The kids were so excited to have on their pajamas for the day and to bring their favorite thing to sleep with. As it was Thursday...I stayed to volunteer to help out in the class room. So I did go and buy a Walgreen's one time use camera...this will be my option for a while. Not the greatest of photos but at least I am getting some shots...

So along with the pajama party, the kids also had a pancake party since it was Mr. Philips, the assistant teacher's birthday. Ms. Graham had it all together as she has the recipe written out on a big piece of construction paper and she had all of the ingredients. The children took turns adding the ingredients as they made the batter for the pancakes and they also took turns stirring the batter. Another mother, Marie stayed to help out too and she was on pancake turning duty, as Ms. Graham even had a electric skillet. Now not only did the class have a pajama party, and a pancake party, but they also had library day (all of this in a 2 1/2 hour time period) and we accomplished all of this.

So once their day at school was over with, I dropped them off at my mother's house.
We were pleasantly surprised by another party...a TEA PARTY. My mother had promised Allegra that she would give her a tea party and she picked this day to do it. I was too cute as my mother had her best China dishes and the twins drank tea and ate cut up oranges and tea cookies. My mother even bought me a couple of Walgreen's cameras to use since she knew that I broke my camera...gotta love her for that. I stayed for a little while at my mother's with that twins and had tea...Allegra was so happy with her tea party and Alex was busy eating the tea cookies. I had them spend the night at my mother's house that night because I had a focus group to attend the next morning. I also had to work the crop on Leap Day so Rick has to pick up the twins once he gets off from work. This evening will also be a relaxing evening for Rick and I, since the twins will be at my mother's...gotta love her for that too.
Here are a couple of photos from the Tea Party

I was totally tired once I returned home from dropping them off. I took a buubble bath and relaxed watching television with Rick for the rest of the evening

Hugs & Kisses
Me

I MISS MY CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-02-27T23:18:00.001-06:00

I really do...
Now that I do not have my camera anymore, I realize how much I really depended upon it.
The past couple of days have been the norm...nothing too exciting.
I hate that I will not have my camera tomorrow. The twins are having a pajama/pancake party at school tomorrow. I will be staying as it is my day to volunteer. I will have to make sure to at least journal about the day without taking photos....BUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am not to much worried about Rick's birthday weekend for I know his mother has a camera and I will be able to use it while I am over there.
I have laid out Dora pajamas and accesories for Allegra and Spiderman for Alexandre'.
They already asked me if I was wearing pajamas with them but I do not think that I will.
I am very excited to be teaching a private class next Wednesday, so I have been preparing for that. I really do hope that they enjoy making the project that I am working on now...I plan to be able to post photos of it soon.

Off to bed

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Manic Monday...

2008-02-25T23:17:00.000-06:00

Where I wish it was really Saturday...

I woke up early, as always and I successfully was able to register Alexandre' for his basketball class online. With it being a Chicago Park District program, it is always hard to register online for they only have a few slots available and if you do not get in online, you have to go the Park District that you are interested in and register for the program you want. I was lucky and got him in. He really enjoys basketball and I am just glad that I did it. He has been going as soon as he turned 3years old and he is good for his ripe old age of 4. Here is a photo of him at his first class last year...
Alexandre' is great at dribbling the ball and he plays defense very well. I plan on keeping him in this program until he turns 6 so that he may learn the fundamentals and then we will look for something more advance which equals to something that is more costly.

I still need to get Allegra situated with her Ballet classes...she really enjoys doing it...not sure if she just likes to wear the pink tutu and all of the accessories...that is one reason why we have not invested alot into classes. We want to make sure that they are going to really like doing the activities before investing alot of money...kiddie classes can get really expensive, especially when you have twins, and everyone does not offer the "Two-for" deal. So I just have to be sure.
Here is Allegra at her first ballet class last year...
Allegra does enjoy doing any type of dance and she loves to perform around the house already. I really want to put her into Mayfair Academy or something along those lines...just want to be sure before we invest in it.

I dropped the twins off at school today and went to Windy City. We were pretty busy for the most part. I realized that I forgot to set our TIVO to record "A Raisin In The Sun" so I had to call Rick to ask him to do it for me. I also want him to put it on DVD as I am sure that this movie will be one to add to our collection of African American movies. Once I got home, the twins were up for me to read to them and say prayers and of course...I am staying up late.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Today was

2008-02-24T23:12:00.000-06:00

an ordinary Sunday for me

No matter what time I go to bed the night before (2am)...I always manage to get up at 7am without the assistance of an alarm clock.

Woke up...did a couple of loads of clothes before the rest of my household got up. Of course Allegra was the first to rise...She can stay up all night and wake up early just like me.

We had our usual DIVA/PRINCESS conversation...I tell you, that little girl cracks me up with her little dainty self. We are DIVAS forever and we are always doing the PRINCESS PINKY PROMISE...she is my Girly Girl and I would not change her one bit ...even though she can be over the top. Rick says she is a MINI ME...I beg to differ as she reminds me of my mother and how dainty she is.
I fixed a quick Sunday breakfast for everyone before heading off to work at Windy City. Work was normal as always...and I am glad that I finally go the Design Team packets completed and available for everyone to pick up. I really want to concentrate of updating layouts and projects around the store...I have so many ideas but not enough time...story of my life.
I finally emptied out all the photos on my camera card and put it away. Rick told me to save up and we will invest in a better camera and to not even send it in for repair.
Here are the last few shots that I took last week during the party at Brookfield Zoo...

I was happy that my mother cooked for me as I was not in the mood to cook dinner and I was actually kinda of tired. Once I got home, I warmed up dinner for everyone and we all went to bed early.

Hugs & Kisses

Happy Birthday Daddy

2008-02-23T01:24:00.000-06:00

My daddy would have been 78 years old tomorrow, February 23rd, if he was still here with us.

I always say that he would have been so in love with Alexandre and Allegra and they would be spoiled rotten...just like their Mommy.

I have made sure that they know about GRANDPA AL. They always say a prayer for him every night before they go to sleep. I still can not believe that he is not here with my physically even though I know he is always in my heart. I also can not believe that it has almost been 10 years since his death..this year will be the 9th year.

This is one person that I have yet to make a scrapbook page about. I still get very emotional when I think of him and of our relationship. I have some photos of he and I together along with my mother...not many but at least I do have some. I need to scan them and make a book about him...that is one scrapbooking and personal goal that I will set for myself.

I wondered why I was feeling alittle depressed and feeling like I really wanted and needed my daddy...because he birthday was approaching. I always get this way near his birthday, father's day and holidays. There are still many things in our house that I have purposefully kept to remind me of him. I was truly a DADDY'S GIRL.

Nothing else to recap or anything as I am just feeling alittle down.

I miss you Daddy...

Hugs & Kisses
Me

THE BEST MOMMY...

2008-02-21T22:48:00.000-06:00

Is what my Allegra said to me tonight as she ate her dinner...out of the blue

Her exact words were:

"Mommy, you think of everything and do everything for us...Mommy, you are the best Mommy...right Alex?"

and his reply was, as he ate his corn on the cob:

" Yes, but Mommy, I do not like butter on my corn cob"

I was deeply touch but those comments made by my babies tonight...I hope they will always feel this way about Rick and I...especially when they get older. I want them to be as close to us as Rick and I are to our parents.

Today was an interesting day. I woke up early as to make sure that their clothes were ironed for the day and we would be ready to leave out early for I had a leadership meeting for my Mocha Moms group. Let us just say that dealing with a group of mommies can be really interesting...we not only deal with the everyday stress of being the perfect wife/mommy we also have to deal with working mommies vs. sahm and secure mommies with those who are not secure and so forth. Actually, I feel that within any social group, one has to be secure with themselves in not only who they are but what they have and don't have and not feel intimidated by that. They also should be able to function well within that group, without any insecurities. I for one know that I do not have this problem for whatever group I may be a part of, I am secure and with that I am a very active person. I also feel as though this goes with a person's personality and I feel as thought I am an extrovert and pretty much a go getter. I took Alex and Allegra with me for the 1st half of the meeting but had to drop them off at school. I was suppose to stay to volunteer today as it was SOUP DAY where the kids were asked to bring a vegetable to put into their soup they were making. Here is the moment where I really hate that my camera is still broken and I have not even taken any steps to see about getting it repaired, so I do not have any pictures of their class cooking project...bummer. After I dropped them off, I went back to the meeting to try to resolve some of the issues that were at hand...sad to say, in my own opinion...there was not a resolution. I can only pray for the best for the whole organization.

Once we got home...we all took naps. I am glad to be off from Windy City for the next 3 days so of course...I can CLEAN HOUSE...in which we all function better when the house is clean.

After waking up, I started dinner and that is when my Allegra said those comments above that just made my heart melt. Allegra is a child that is really in touch with her feelings...Alex is too as they both always tell me they love me so much and that I make them happy...I guess they get that from me as I am always hugging on them and telling them how much I love them and so forth. When Rick got home, we caught up on events of the day...I tell you...my husband is really something else. We have been in a serious HONEYMOON phase and I am LOVING IT and HIM. I am not sure if I should attribute this to him turning 40 in another week or what but I have been blown away by him for the past few days...I guess all couples go through this.

Here are a couple of photos of us in 2006 for his 38th birthday...We spent the weekend downtown at the Chicago Hilton Towers for the Chicago Bears Fan Convention...courtesy of yours truly and had a great time as we met some of the Chicago Bears players, went to Dave and Busters and played games like we were in Las Vegas, went to a comedy show, went to a party where they played house music, and had a family dinner at his mother's.

This year for his 40th, so far I don't have too much planned as he just started his new job and going out of town is out of the question. He already told me that he wanted to keep things low key and just spend it with family. He will definitely get that wish as his mother has already planned for us to come out to her home and we all have dinner with family and I may call some of his friends and invite them over as well.
Well, this "BEST MOMMY" is headed off to bed.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Accidents Happen...

2008-02-20T23:24:00.001-06:00

and I am glad that eveyone is okay...

First, I broke my camera a few days ago and I am totally devasted, it can be replaced...Accident #1

Second, Alexandre' had an accident in the bed last night. We were doing good without the pullups at night but I know he will do better...Accident #2

Third, I was almost in an accident tonight, while driving home from work. I would not have been directly involved. If I would not have responded accordingly, I would have been that innocent car on the side that would have suffered from the initial crash...I was on the Dan Ryan where all the splits happen with Dan Ryan, Lake Shore Drive, I-55, and 18th Street. Someone decided they did not want to be getting off at 18th street on the right and tried to move all the way over to the left...without even looking behind them. Well, the crash happened on my right hand side, right in between the front passenger door and the back passenger side. I was really lucky...Accident #3

I was kinda shaken up by the accident...and I happened to be on the phone with Darvi when it happened (with my ear piece)...just glad that I was not hurt and I did not stop to see about the others.

I kinda jumped all over the place on this post but the day was normal as I dropped off and picked up the twins and they went to my mother's. She went out earlier in the day to go and get her hair done...my mother loves to still look FLY and she will be 83 next month.
Work was okay at Windy City as I tried to finish getting Design Team packets together, and there was a Quickutz meeting. All in all, it was a good day.
Again...I am glad to be here and glad that I was not in that accident. I have been in a few in my life time but nothing terrible where people died or had to be hospitalized.

Going to bed early tonight

Hugs & Kisses
Me

I feel...

2008-02-19T23:51:00.000-06:00

so BLUE without my camera...

I have not even contacted Olympus to see what can be done if anything to fix my camera that I broke over the past weekend...

Oops, that is right...I have not posted in a while (what else is new) so I need to back track...

Friday, February 15th...
A regular Friday...I did not get up in time to attend my Mocha Mom's meeting...hate that I missed it since I missed the one in the beginning of the month...I will be so glad when this weather breaks because I really think that it has me in the dumps.

Did the regular drop off and pick up but I did not have to work at Windy City so that made it a great Friday night with my family.

I cooked tacos for dinner, which is Alex's favorite and I think it is a great way to get the twins to eat lettuce and tomatoes without having to bribe them. We ended up watching "Zoom", which is a Disney movie, with the kids and once they went to bed, Rick and I just watched the news and I stayed up a little to lurk on the computer...reading others blogs.

Saturday, February 16th...
We did not go to basketball this Saturday...it is really hard for me to get up early on Saturday mornings...this winter, I have to get a jump start since Alex has not been attending regularly as he should...I am glad that it is just a Chicago Park District program but we still need to have him attend since he really enjoys it and I also have to get baby girl Allegra back into ballet.

We did have to get dressed to attend my girlfriend/scrapping buddy LaTosha Mayes son's 3rd Birthday Bash at Brookfield Zoo and might I add...we had an awesome time...only thing...HERE IS WHERE I BROKE MY CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We started the party day by attending the dolphin show, where I was able to take a few pictures. We walked past the bears, both brown and polar, where I took a few more pictures. We went to the Children's Play Zoo and this is where my tragedy unfolded. There was an area for children to decorate hearts and you know that my Allegra, the artist, had to stop here and create...Alex did too. After being there for a while, we decided to leave but not without washing hands since they were using glue. As I was helping Allegra dry her hands and bent down to pick up her fallen paper towel...my camera dropped out of my bag...I immediately picked it up and checked it...it was okay. We continued through the play area and Alex wanted to go and pet a guinea pig and a hamster...I was surprised that he was not scared...Allegra was not feeling this. After petting the animals...I had to take them to the restroom to wash hands again and to use the restroom...Alex was having a hard time pulling his pants up and in bending down again...my camera fell again, but this time...a little piece went flying somewhere and this time...it was truly broken as my lens would not even open anymore...so I was bummed for the rest of the party on the inside but I had to maintain my composure on the outside. We went to the Monkey house to see the various monkeys and apes and then we had to go back to the party room for the rest of the festivities. It was a really nice party as both the children and the adults had a sit down buffet...we ate on white table clothes...used china and silverware and had servers. We had bread with butter, a fresh tossed salad, baked pasta, chicken fingers, french fries, and pizza. The kids were entertained by a face painter (which Alex had a full Spiderman face and Allegra had a full butterfly face...no pictures for me) and also a person dressed up as Venom, who played games with the kids. The adults were able to sit back and enjoy each other's company...especially if you did not have a young child to attend to. I love that Alex and Allegra are independent children and I do not have to make a fuss over them...for the most part. We stayed for the whole party and I may have paid for it in the end for the twins were really cranky towards the end since they did not have a nap. I had to tease LaTosha and asked her where we were cruising too when her son Elias, turned 5...she really outdid herself and I know everyone had a great time.

So...while driving home, I realized that this was suppose to be date night with Rick and I was truly tired myself, but I was going to suck it up and get ready as Rick and I needed some alone time.....Well...it did not truly happen. My mother, who was suppose to watch the twins was not feeling up to par and when I told Rick before he came home from work...he was kinda glad for he shared with me that he was tired too. When he got home...he brought my Valentine's Day gift home...a lovely card, some chocolate and the movie, "Why Did I Get Married" by Tyler Perry and for himself..."Transformers". Once we put the twins to bed...we got comfortable and looked at both movies...and then reminded each other of the reasons "Why We Got Married"...at least one the reasons (devilish grin here)

Sunday, February 17th...
I worked at Windy City where as I taught a Basics class in the morning and stayed for the remainder of the day. I got the call from my mother that I love getting on Sundays..."Come and pick up your dinner...I cooked for you guys"...My mommy still spoils me, and I LOVE IT!

Monday, February 18th...
Twins did not have school for Washington's Birthday and I had an appointment downtown to go to before I went to work at the store. It went well and I went to Windy City. Regular day at the store as we are just continuing to make room for the new and even still doing inventory. Once I got home the twins were still up for they were waiting for me to come and read to them and say their prayers with them.

Tuesday, February 19th...
This was Rick's day to drop off and pick up as I just had to make sure I laid their clothes out and I made sure to braid Allegra's hair tight so that Rick would not have to deal with hair. I worked during the day and I had to teach once I got off. I do not mind teaching after my shift at work...It actually works well for me...especially on Tuesdays.

I had a great class as it was 5 people and they all seemed to enjoy learning about scrapbooking and the whole process. I was even flattered when one of the young ladies who took my class complemented me on my blog and that she was a reader of my blog...that really made my day. I do truly write for myself as not to forget what goes on in the COLEMAN CRIB...but I have found that my MIL and FIL read my blog to keep up with us and I really do want my blog to eventually bring out my creativity.

So there...the demise and fall of my camera along with our recap. I really feel lost without it especially since I tend to take at least one photo a day. I hope to replace my camera REALLY SOON!!!

Real quick...I can not wait for the twins to be able to enjoy the sun...come on June (This is Alex and Allegra June 2007)

Hugs & Kisses

HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY...

2008-02-14T23:39:00.001-06:00

I had a great Valentine's Day
I wanted to originally get up early to go and visit Grandpa Rufus at his school so that he could see the twins but we started off the day slow as always...I am so glad that I laid out their clothes the night before and I had everything out for Alexandre' and Allegra to do their cards for their classmates.
Alex had Spiderman themed Valentine's cards and Allegra had Disney Princess...so appropriate for them. Since I forgot to find out the correct spelling of the children's names in their class, I made the "To" part of the cards generic by saying YOU and the "From" part had the twins names. The little kit had sticker hearts which was great for them to be a part of the creating process. I would have had them actually create cards from scratch but I did not have enough time.

Allegra was so fast in sticking her hearts on that she ended up having to help Alexandre' as he is not as crazy about stickers as she is.

While we were doing the cards...we had a surprise visit from my mother. She had gotten out early to drop off her Valentine's to us. She brought me a half dozen beautiful pink roses along with a card with money in it and she gave the twins a card each with money and some peppermint. I will tell you...Our total of $7.00 came in handy for the day...I actually put the money in their piggy banks so that we could go to Borders at the end of the month...we have been saving up loose change that we find and I told them that we could go and buy a couple of new books after saving up for a couple of months. We are close to $18.00 so far.
She stayed over for a few minutes to give Alex and Allegra hugs and kisses to go along with her cards then she had to leave to go and visit a sick friend...she truly adores her grand babies and they adore her.

This was my volunteer day at the school and so I stayed and helped out for the day. All of the parents brought some type of card or little treat and so I helped pass those out...they actually went into the children's mailboxes so that they could get them after class...some parents did not follow directions as Ms. Graham, their teacher, asked for us not to bring candy but some did anyway. She wanted to focus on what it meant to be a good friend showing love and respect for one another and so that was her subject for the day. One parent,who was snack mom brought Valentine's Day cupcakes, which was great for them...a few kids,including my own, tried to eat snack twice. I helped the kids as some wanted to paint for the day, read books, or play blocks and Lego's. Thursdays are also Library Day and so we also went there to listen to a story and to check out books. While in the library, I received a little Valentine's card from one of the students that attended the school which I thought was very thoughtful of the little girl. My kids actually bring home two books/week as they bring a book home from the school's library on Thursday and they bring a book home from the preschool library on Friday and believe me...we read those books on top of the ones I have been collecting for them every day. I actually enjoy reading to the twins as they really get a kick out of me changing my voice for the characters and how I even do sound effects. Here are a couple of photos from preschool...one of Allegra and her friend Peyton enjoying cupcakes and the other is of Alexandre' and his friends Julian and D'Avanni playing with Lego's.

Once we got home from school, I pulled a June Cleaver move and made heart shaped grilled cheese sandwiches and gave the twins hot chocolate for lunch. Afterwards, I had the twins take some quiet time in their room while I prepared a Valentine's Day dinner. One of Rick's favorites...Broiled Steak (seasoned by me and cooked to perfection), baked potato, along with broccoli with cheese, tossed salad and garlic bread. Rick came home to the house smelling good...he had actually stopped off and brought the kids candy. He just gave me a wink since we knew our Valentine's would be over the weekend. He immediately took a shower and got comfortable as we sat down and had a nice dinner. I stayed up just a little bit as I wanted to spend time with MY MAN...I hope everyone had a pleasant Valentine's Day as I did

Lotsa
Hugs & Kisses
Me

So Exhausted...

2008-02-13T23:16:00.001-06:00

Is all I can say
I am utterly exhausted...
I have had trouble sleeping over the past few days...going to bed at 2am and getting up at 6am or 7am...not because of the Rick because he has been off these past couple of days and the twins have not had school in the past couple of days so I have had a bad case of insomnia and the worst part is I have not been productive in doing anything like cleaning or rearranging anything...just up on the computer checking out scrapbooking blogs/websites/galleries or flipping television channels.
Maybe it has to do with me working 3 days in a row in this will be my last day. I guess working 4 days and being off 3 days like Rick is not bad at all and besides...it is doing what I love to do. I just need to take the time our to make it more profitable for me. I have to come up with more class ideas, maybe get into the tutoring and doing custom work.
So for the past couple of days I have had to work at Windy City Scrapbooking and I have been catching up on my TIVOed shows...Grey's, Desperate Housewives, All My Children and One Life to Live...matter of fact, I had a focus group this morning about OLTL. Focus groups have been a great way for me to make extra money. I start doing them when the twins were about 6 months and have been doing them ever since. I really love it when they overbook a group and they send you home with pay still...those are the best. Well I did not get sent home because I was one of the only African American ladies and I am sure that they wanted my thoughts on the show. I do love soap operas but I just wish they would have more African American characters...I remember when there was an all African American cast with one soap opera but that show did not last too long. But none the less...I enjoy my shows and I have been catching up on them.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I did not get Rick a gift or a card. We agreed not to exchange gifts or anything for we are going to celebrate over the weekend...for Rick, all I have to do is wear something sexy and put on some lipstick...he is so visual which makes it easy for me as I like to do that for him. So I am going to have to go in my drawer of naughty and pick out something he has not seen in a while for I know it will not be on for long.
I am going to bed early tonight since I am so sleepy and I have to get up early in the morning so the twins can get their Valentine's day cards together for their classmates.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Baby It's Cold Outside...

2008-02-10T23:21:00.000-06:00

Too cold for me and again...I am going to move somewhere warmer (this is something that I always say each and every year that I am in Chicago during the winter season)
I had a good weekend, for the most part. Here is my recap:

Friday, February 8th
Regular Friday as I took the twins to school and picked them up. They went to my mother's house after school since I was scheduled to work the crop at Windy City. I enjoy working the crops at the store for it gives me a chance to interact with other scrapbookers and help them create their pages...it is also a great time to do work in the store whether it be receiving new product and rearranging sections, which can be a challenge sometimes. Christina and Susan are still in Anaheim purchasing new product for the store. I am glad they both got to attend the show and I am glad that they trust us to take care of Windy City. While they are gone...we decided to have a little sale to help move product to make room for the new and I hope it goes well for the store.
Rick picked up the twins and took them to his mother's house for the night. She actually asked to keep them overnight for she wanted to take them to a McDonald's grand opening celebration by her house on Saturday. I spoke to the twins a couple of times while I was working the crop and they were really excited about being over Grandma Dot's house...especially since she had company over and were letting them pretty much get away with anything.
Rick stayed up until I got home from the crop...I think he is still spooked about me being held up last year too and he is more protective then ever. We stayed up just alittle chit chatting but fell asleep.

Saturday, February 9th
Rick woke me up to kiss me goodbye as he headed off to work...he told me to enjoy my day to myself.
Oh my goodness...I have the house to myself...no hubby, no kids...but I have pain...alot of pain. I hate when my cycle comes...it really knocks me out. I spent the majority of my morning in the bed...flipping channels, not kiddie channels, grown up channels...I even watched a few videos on BET. I received a phone call from my dear MIL letting me know that my kids wanted to come home...WHAT???????
This could not be. I was suppose to have a relaxing Saturday to myself...no hubby, no kids...well...when she took them to the McDonald's grand opening, there were McDonaldland characters there and let us just say that my kids did not take to the Hamburgular to well. She told me she would try to soothe them so they could stay. Let us just say, that at 2pm, I was awaken by the voice of my daughter outside laughing...yes the joke was on me as my MIL brought them back home. They were telling me that they missed me and wanted me...gotta love that and they even made me get well cards and brought me a couple of pairs of pajamas (from my MIL)She told me that she really felt bad since she really wanted to spend time with them...oh she should not worry for she will get her chance again. She claimed that they were sleepy since they went to bed the night before at midnight and they had not had their nap...so as soon as she left...we all took naps. I was in so much pain that I pretty much let the twins have run of the house once we woke up from our nap.
Rick was surprised to see the twins home early as I did not call him to tell him how my day to myself was shortened. I guess I should feel loved since I know some kids love being away from their parents.
For the rest of the evening, I was pretty much a bum since I knew I had to be at work the next day and I just needed to try to relieve myself of my cramps. Rick ended up taking over and cooking dinner...gotta love him

Sunday, February 10th...
So as stated before...Baby, it's COLD OUTSIDE!!!
I had to work at Windy City and I really thought that it was going to be slow due to the weather...boy was I wrong. Deanna and I was busy the whole day where I really did not get a chance to sit down...great for the store, bad for me. I started to feel alittle better as the day went on and boy was I glad when my mother called me to come and pick up dinner. I love when I work and dinner is prepared for us where I do not have to even think about what to cook.
Since the twins are off from school for the next couple of days...we let them stay up late.
Plans are for me to work those two days they are off and Rick will do Daddy Duty.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Playing Catch Up...

2008-02-07T23:11:00.000-06:00

Is the story of my life so far this year
Good intentions...I just have to focus on following through.
Here is my recap...

Friday, February 1st...
This was Rick's official first day at work at his new job as he was off yesterday. He went in at 6am and I was up with him as I prepared his lunch. He is used to working 12 hour days for he use to do it when he was with General Motors/EMD. I really miss him working there but I know he will only get better in his craft where ever he is. I had origianlly planned on attending my Mocha Mom's meeting this morning but the weather has really put a dent in things and the twins woke up kinda late and we just had a lazy morning. This was also my first day of not wanting them to take them to school...hoping and praying for a SNOW DAY since we got so much snow. I called the school and of course, Murray was opened. I even called my girlfriend Geri, whose son is in the morning preschool class and she told me she had just dropped him off...so striving for perfect attendance, I got us all dressed and made my way through. I had to carry the twins to the car since the snow was so high. They really got a kick out of that. After I got them to school, I went back home as I have been trying to reorganize our basement. I would like to start having company over more often but I have to purge of the clutter that has grown over the past few months. They say cluttered space=cluttered mind and I do believe that...that is probably one reason why I can not stay focused and get motivated to scrapbook...too much clutter. After I picked up the kids, I let them play in the snow for alittle bit and they had a ball...we came home, had hot cocoa and graham crakers and took naps (yes I did feel entitled to one too after trudging through all of that snow.)

Once Rick made it home, I made dinner and got everyone in bed at a decent hour. I was glad to do so and I ended up hanging out with a few of my dearest friends from my Mocha Moms group. We had a blast as we sat around and drank wine, ate Chinese food and caught up with each other. We talked about everything from our kids, discipline issues, MILs, and even did some questions about our different levels of friendships and things that we wanted for ourselves...I really enjoyed myself and I really needed some good girlfriend time. Everytime that we get together we always have a great time. I love the fact that not only do our children have relationships with each other, we do to and I value all of them and I hope that they will continue to grow as we grow as mothers and as our children grow.

Kay, Geri, Nicole, Shonda, and Dorcas

Dorcas, Me, Tabby, Rae, and Kay

I had so much fun that my decent hour of getting home and in bed was 3am. Rick just rolled over and kissed me said "Good Luck tomorrow"...so yes, I would be solo with the twins tomorrow since he had to work all day...lucky me...I wonder how I will do on just few hours of sleep and we had a full day planned for Saturday.

Saturday, February 2nd...
I was a walking zombie...
I already knew, when I laid in the bed at 3am that Alexandre' would miss basketball practice...I am also glad that I put the kids clothes out along with mine the night before. I was so tired that I do not even remember Rick kissing me goodbye once he left for work.
Alex and Allegra were up and ready to go...I just knew that I had to get them dressed and ready for we were going to have lunch with friends at Leona's and going to see Lyle, Lyle Crocodile on the North Side of Chicago...lunch was at 11:30 and we had to be done and at the theatre by 1pm. So I did make it to Leona's on time and the twins and I along with Kelly and her daughter Claire, Nicole and her son Avery, Radiah and her son Spencer and daughter Ryan enjoyed a nice lunch at Leona's. Nicole even brought the book so that she could have a little story time before our meals came...it did not work for the kids were too excited to see each other but I do love that she tried. After eating, we hurried to get to the theatre on time. I must admit...despite the two bathroom breaks that I had to do with both Alex and Allegra for only a one hour play...it was really cute and I do look forward to another outing like it. I can not remember my parents taking me to plays as a young child and I am glad that I am able to expose the twins to outings like this. After the play, we met with the cast and even got a couple of autographs. Since we were interferring with nap time, Alexandre' started to get a little whiny where he did not want to take pictures with the cast but I was able to get few shots...

Alex and Allegra on stage

Claire, Spencer, Baby Ryan, Allegra, Alex and Avery

Allegra, Baby Ryan, Avery and Claire with cast from Lyle, Lyle Crocodile

Once we got home...we CRASHED and BURNED ...I think we slept for about 3 hours, just a little bit before Rick came home from work. We had dinner and just relaxed for the rest of the evening.

Sunday, February 3rd...
Was a LAZY DAY...since I was off, Rick was off and the kids were acting off, we all stayed in our pajamas and relaxed ALL DAY. The television was on in every room as everyone watched what they wanted. The kids watch Noggin all day as they played games, Spiderman, Barbie, read books and colored...Rick watch ESPN and all of the sports channels and I watched alot of Food Network along with HGTV, SoapNet and VH1...I just flipped channels. I really enjoy days like this where we do not have an agenda to follow or a place to go. We had a nice dinner of the kids favorite...spaghetti with side salad and garlic bread and for deseret, strawberry ice cream. I stayed up kinda of late as I read emails and checked out some of my favorite scrapbooking websites and blogs. I really need to stop being on the computer so much and get to creating...I plan on really soon as I have a few projects to complete...especially for design team. Even though I am design team coordinator, I still have to step up whenever one of the members on the team can not complete a project in any given month.

Monday, February 4th...
I got the kids ready for school and dropped them off. Since Rick was off today he will do pick up and Daddy duty. He hates when I tell him what to do with the kids, like what to feed them or what they should wear, etc...I am glad that he is an active father with the twins for I know alot of fathers who are not hands on with their own kids...such is not the case in the Coleman household.
I worked at Windy City today and the buzz is CHA as Christina and Susan are preparing for their trip to Anaheim, CA for this big event. They will be placing orders for all of the latest and greatest being released in the scrapbooking industry. I really wish that I could attend this one as it is usually bigger than the one in the summer here in Chicago...I am grateful that I am able to attend the one in Chicaago...one day I will have to make it to CA. Once I get off from work, I am going to have to jump in the bed and fall asleep quickly for I am working on Super Tuesday with the Primary election. I have been fortunate to be asked to be a supervisor for the exit poll interviewers. I have actually worked as an exit poll interviewer for the past two big elections and the company that hires me out, Edison Media contacted me to do it again but this time as a supervisor. I was glad to do it as I feel as though this a very important election and I am also glad that I did early voting so that I may work for Edison Media on Super Tuesday.

Tuesday, February 5th...
SUPER TUESDAY!!!
I had the pleasure of being a supervisor of those who did the Exit Polls...this is just some freelance work that I have been doing with this company called Edison Media Research and they contacted me to work for them again this year. I was a supervisor as opposed to being an acutal exit poll interviewer. I just had to visit a couple of locations to make sure that the interviewers were stationed properly and that they had enough supplies and if they needed anything. I was great being a part of history as people really ROCKED THE VOTE. I am glad that I did my voting early enough..this is really going to be a tough race for the Democratic Nomination. I traveled that day from the south side all the way to the south suburbs and my man...Obama, seemed to be the favorite. Once I got home, Rick and I were glued to the television as Obama was the winner in Illinois. I am so glad to see history being made...my father would have gotten a kick out of this and he would be right there with Obama and his campaign helping out. When I was younger, both of my parents were VERY involved in politics in our ward...always doing somthing for an alderman or attending some type of black tie function.

Wednesday, February 6th...
I hate that I missed getting my ashes today as it was Ash Wednesday...other than that, the day was routine as I took the twins to school, picked them up and took them to my mother's to spend the night as I went off to work at Windy City. This was the first day for Christina and Susan to be gone from the store as they traveled to Anaheim CA for CHA...a trade show. They will be gone for week and I will be at the store to help out more.

Thrusday, February 7th...
I had an important meeting to attend this morning but it ended up being rescheduled due to the weather. I went to pick up Alex and Allegra from my mother's and take them to school. This also marked the first day of my volunteering at their school where I have decided to volunteer on Thursdays. This will be good so that I can go to the library with them as Thursdays are their library days and I just want to be an active parent where ever they attend school. After school, we went home and just played a few games, read and practiced phonics and printing letters. Once Rick got home I finished cooking and we all retired to bed...I really wanted to scrapbook, but our bed was calling me...my friend will be visiting soon and I was starting to feel it. I am going to do what my friends have suggested and start taking Aleve earlier so that I will can bear the pain more of my cramps.

Hugs & Kisses
Me

COMMIT...COMMIT...COMMIT...

2008-01-31T20:26:00.000-06:00

oh is so hard to do
just have to try harder
at least I can COMMIT to continue to try to COMMIT
Here is my recap for this past week...
January 26th Saturday...Rick took Alexandre' to basketball practice while Allegra and I went to the grocery store. We only picked up a few things and Allegra was so excited to have "girl diva time" and for Alex to have "boy cool time" with Rick. She is so entertaining with her conversations. Once we were done, we met the guys back at the house and the twins and I just relaxed for the day while Rick went to Dyer Indiana to help his father move into his new home. Once he came back, he told me that I would absolutely love the new house that his dad moved into and he could even imagine us living in a home that big...with a scraproom for me (how sweet of him...we spent the evening watching television once the kids went off to bed.
January 27th Sunday...I had to work at Windy City Scrapbooking. The day turned out to be very busy...again, I love helping scrapbookers and on this day we seemed to have a lot of newbies come into the store...feeling overwhelmed and looking like they had been displaced into the world of scrapbooking. I even had the pleasure of seeing one of my students from my Beyond Basic class come in and buy some cool stuff. I love when my former students come back into the store and shop with confidence, that is one of the many benefits of taking classes. After the store closed, I conducted my second Design Team meeting. So I have been Design Team Coordinator going on 6 months and I LOVE IT...love putting kits together and love the outcome of the projects that the team members come up with. Only thing we really need to work on is turning in projects on time (I am guilty of this too) as it just helps the store out better...helps to move scrapbooking products, both old and new to make room for more new, especially since Christina and Susan are getting ready to attend CHA in Anaheim in a few days
January 28th Monday...Rick continued training with his new job. I reprised my role of SAHM today, as I dropped off and picked up at school today. Before I dropped the twins off, I picked my mother up so her and I could hang out for a little bit. She came with me to Alex and Allegra's school. She went with us to their class room and she met their teacher. She was glad to see that the twins were in a diverse classroom, as I stated before, they are the minority and I really like that as I want them to have relationships and interact with people from all races. Speaking of races, after we dropped them off, my mother and I took advantage of early voting and we went to go and vote. The line was kinda of long but it did move quickly and it only took us a total of 20 minutes to vote. I did vote for Barack Obama and I pray and hope he wins...I would love to see what he will do for our country. I am glad that I am alive to see history being made and I hope that he will be the first African American President. I dropped my mother off at home after running a few more errands. She has to see about going to a family members funeral this weekend as she has to travel to Evansville Indiana. I went to get the twins and once we were at home, we took a nap. I have not been feeling to good. My condition from after I delivered the twins is starting to come back again. For those who may not know...I suffer from fecal incontinence...not pretty for a healthy 38 year old with no prior medical problems. I had to have surgery 6 months after the twins delivery to try and fix my condition...I had an sphincterplasty and was told afterwards that I may have to have another one a few years down the road...I think my time has come. The condition makes me unaware of when I have to go and I will just go on myself...I always experience leakage from the back...I know this is gross but it is what I am dealing with now...I do get down from it as it is embrassing and I know that it has taken its toll on me and Rick (especially him and what he has been through with me and this condition) I am grateful that this condition is not life threatening...just life altering and things could be worse...like having to wear a colospy bag or something. Well, I do tend to get down and depressed about it at times and this was one of those days. I was suppose to go out with my Dining Divas this night but I did not feel like bringing on my little ray of sunshine to the group. I have to make sure to make it next time for I love my Dining Diva group...the group has opened my eyes and my tummy to alot of yummy resturants in the Chicagoland area...can not wait until our next gathering.
January 29th Tuesday...Rick worked today and again I dropped and picked up. Before I dropped the twins off, we had to go to the store since I was snack mom for today. We went to Jewel and I let each child pick out what they wanted to take for their class...two kids, two seperate snacks. Alex picked vanilla wafers and Allegra picked out cheese nips...I ended up getting two boxes of each. We do not have to bring drinks so that is what I took. Since I had to work at Windy City tonight, the twins stayed at my mother's and waited for Rick to pick them up. I was glad that she sent dinner (like she always does) for them so Rick did not have to worry about what to fix for dinner. I worked at Windy City and we just continued with the task of inventory. Yes we are still doing inventory and it is a hassle. The weather was bad as we had a little snow storm come through. I was kinda scared to drive home in the winter storm since visibilty was not good...I took my time and made it home safely. I was not surprised that Alex and Allegra were still up at 10pm. We really need to do better with their sleep schedule. I read them a few books, they said their prayers and off to bed. I really do think that Rick lets them stay up until I get home so I can do the bedtime routine. He does it too but of course...Mommy does it better. I stayed up to wash a few loads of laundry. It is so cold in our basement that I did not stay down there long. I was going to light a fire in our fireplace but did not feel like it. I was in bed by midnight.
January 30th Wednesday...the twins were originally suppose to be off today for report card pick up but they ended up having school. When I dropped them off, Ms. Graham, their preschool teacher handed me 2 envelopes. She explained to me that they were just progress reports and that Alex and Allegra would get report cards in June. Since she had only had them in her class for 3 weeks, she did not have enough to give a formal report card. I waited until I got home to read the report. I was pleased at both reports given. Alexandre' is adjusting well to his class and the routine as he follows directions well. He is a great helper and he has learned to put things away before bringing out something else. He enjoys doing the calendar and weather for the day and he enjoys playing with playdoh and reading. He needs to work on interacting with his peers and learning how to deal with not getting his way. Allegra is also adjusting well to her class and to the class routine. She takes part in the morning dance and she enjoys independent reading and storytime. She immediately goes to the art area daily and she is very detailed in her drawings. She also needs to learn how to deal with not getting her way. Ms. Graham is glad to have both in her class and she is looking forward to them doing well in her class. So I was pleased by this and I will have to continue working with them at home on the computer, worksheets, reading, etc. I also have to work with them on how to accept things not going their way...yeah, wish me luck with that. I was going to take them to my mother's since I had to work but Rick surprised me by getting off early. So his schedule is this...He is off on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays he will work on Wednesdays, 11:00-7pm and on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 6am-6pm....and they do call overtime so he will more than likely be going in on one of his off days...especially since we have to play catch up. I tell you...last year was not a good year for finacially but we did survive. Rick only worked a total of 6 months out of 12 and we were able to maintain...it was a struggle, still is but we are doing it. He is off tomorrow and will start his schedule on Febuary 1st.
When I got off, I stopped by my mother's house for she cooked dinner for us. I will just save it for tomorrow so I will not have to cook.
January 31st Thursday...I got up early to lay the kids clothes out for today since Rick was on Daddy Duty with picking up and dropping off. I worked this morning at the store with Sesil...love working with her. We caught up on alot since she has been gone from the store for a month (vacation with family) The snow started up again and I was really surprised by the customers that still came into the store, despite the weather. Our day was normal and I left around 4:30 since I knew the weather and traffic would be bad. I also had to stop off at the store again to pick up a few things for Rick to take for his lunch and a few things for the house. Alex and Allegra was asleep when I came home which I did not like (especially now since it is 11:23 pm and they are both up playing in their room, saying that they can not go to sleep...hence these photos:

Once I got home tonight, I immediately warmed up dinner that my mother cooked the night before (thank goodness) and we had dinner. I let the kids play while Rick started getting his gear together for tomorrow morning. I worry about him being out in the elements, working on train engines...but he loves doing that type of work.
So here it is, almost midnight, my kids are still up and I have to make Rick's lunch for tomorrow. I better get off of this computer so I can do my little chores before I go to bed.
I am still working on my blog challenges from 2PEAS and on my scrapping...Continue to stay tuned.
Hugs & Kisses
Me.

TGIF...

2008-01-25T23:48:00.000-06:00

Rick got off to work okay this morning...I love the fact that he has been home at night for the past few nights...I am so praying that they put him on days so that he can be at home with me at night...we both sleep better when we are in the same bed.
My mother came over to watch the twins (no school) while I went to Windy City. We were busy for the most part since Chicago Public School were out and Christina gives teacher's a discount. It was also crop night...glad that I was not working the crop for I wanted to get home early since it started to snow.
When I came home...I was pleasantly surprised (as if I did not already know)by a clean front room and kitchen and dinner (baked pork chops, red beans & rice, greens and cornbread along with fresh lemonade)...Rick was laid out on the couch and the twins were running and jumping around on 10. My mother is the BEST...I do not what I would do without her and here I am, almost 39 years old and she still spoils me.
Rick and I stayed and talked while Alex and Allegra played. Once I put them in bed, Rick follow as he is getting up tomorrow to help his father and his stepmother move. They are moving to a BIG OLE' house in Dyer Indiana and my FIL wanted to use Rick's van. The kids and I will be going to Alex's basketball class and run a few errands. I am craving out some scrapping time but it will be to get organize...I am going to commit to organize tomorrow and I am going to commit to completing some of the Blog challenges on 2PEAS...
Stay Tuned

Hugs & Kisses
Me

P.S. Allegra is still up...here it is midnight and she comes running into our office to see if I am still on the computer and she wants for me to take a picture of her painting that she did at school yesterday and post it

Here you go...

Good Morning...

2008-01-24T10:07:00.001-06:00

So I did not wake as early as I wanted too...up late last night with Rick ;).(devilish grin)
So I am up now...trying to get things together so that I may go pick up the twins from my mother's house and begin our day.
I already know that once I drop them off, I am going to Borders to use up my gift card...not all on myself, but a majority on me. I love the fact that my children also have a love of books as I do so I have to be sure to get them a few new books.
After I drop them off at my mother's today...I am off to Windy City. It was good to get back to work yesterday since I was gone for a while...my schedule will be changing since Rick is starting his new job. I will be glad once I know what his shift will be so I can set my schedule.
Gotta go...will be back later on

So I did not go to Borders like I had originally planned...I had to run home to make a couple of important phone calls so that I can make a few appointments for next week. Once I was home, I also watched All My Children and One Life to Live. I got back to the twins school to get them and dropped them off at my mother's. Rick was able to pick them up and they came home with him. I love the fact that my mother is around to keep them for us (they have only stayed with her and my MIL) but I do not want to burn her out with watching them...especially since she is watching them on Friday since they do not have school and I am working at the store.
Once I got to work, I almost immediately started getting packets ready for our Design Team. I love being our Design Team Coordinator and I love when the team gets excited about new product...that in turn will get customers excited too. It has been a challenge so far making sure to please everyone (from Christina to the DT members) and I have taken on the challenge head on...we just have to get better at our turn around time and this month...it is really bad since we had inventory...I am asking the DT members to still turn in their projects on the 1st and on the 7th...I only wish for the best. I ended up having to take a pack since one of our members asked to sit out this month so I have to get my creative juices flowing to design something great...I will be sure to post photos of completed projects more often. I was even asked about my scrap space, which I will post soon too. I will give a before and after since it looks like a storm, hurricane and tornado hit it.
I will be so glad once we get out of the this cold snap...I am so ready for spring.
I stayed up late once I got home as I had a case of insomnia and watched old episodes of SOUL FOOD on BETJ...I loved that show and hated that they were taken off the air...but I still enjoy watching the reruns.
Until tomorrow

Hugs & Kisses
Me

Today...

2008-01-23T22:59:00.000-06:00

Rick started orientation at yet...another job. This one will be paying him more (which is good)... he will be back in the locomotive industry (which is good)...we will Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO again (which is good)...he will work 4 days on and 3 days off (which is good)....he will work 12 hours shifts(which is okay...I think?), the only drawback right now, since he just started is that we are not sure of his 12 hour shift...will it be the day morning shift 6am-6pm (which is good) or 6pm-6am (which is bad) and we are not sure if his days will be set or if they will rotate...time will tell. He did interview with another railroad last Thursday and he says that is the job he wants...if they call him. I just want him to be happy...that is what matters to me. As far as my schedule is concerned...it is up in the air right now until he gets his shift and what not...stayed tuned for that.
I dropped the kids off today at school, and I almost stayed to volunteer but decided not to since another parent stayed. I volunteered yesterday for the first time in Alex and Allegra's preschool. I did not get a chance to take pictures since the day was kinda busy and it was my first time. I had to prep the kids to let them know that I was going to be in their class and that I wanted them to behave like always. For the most part, the day went very well. Ms. Graham (their teacher) had me cutting out laminated paper dolls from different countries along with little outfits to go with them...I will have to invest in some fine tip scissors for Ms. Graham. At the end of the day, Alex and Allegra both had mini meltdowns because they did not get the role of the big bad wolf for a little dance routine the kids were doing. They both cried to me and I tried to console them. We were able to calm Allegra down with the promise of her getting to play the part the next time, but Alexandre' contined on with his crying and all was wrong with the world for him until we got to the grocery store...I knew that purchasing some hot chocolate with marshmellows would brighten his day. My volunteer day was good and I can not wait to do it again. So after I dropped the kids off at school today, I left my car parked by the school and walked a couple of blocks down to Borders Book Store. I have a gift certificate from my dear FIL that has been burning a hole in my wallet since he gave it to me for Christmas. I went in and browsed around the magazines, children's books, African American fictions, cook books and even pregnancy books (yes...I want to have more children). I grabbed a couple of home decorating magazines and headed up to the cafe and looked through the magazines for ideas...I seriously plan on doing some redecorating this spring. I treated myself to a strawberry smoothie with whipped cream and received a coupon to use on my next book purchase. I picked up the next series of the Brainquest Cards for the twins and was going to use my coupon until I noticed that it could not be used until tomorrow so I just had them put the cards on hold for me. I already made plans in my head to visit Borders again tomorrow so I will get them then with my gift card and I may even treat myself to a few decorating magazines. I walked back to the twins school and just enjoyed the cool crisp air and also the snow fall. I let the twins play in the snow for a little bit before being dropped off at my mother's house and they had a ball. Alex called himself throwing snowballs at me while Allegra just ran around laughing and trying to taste the snowflakes...she kept saying that the snow was sweet and tasted like butter...silly girl.

When I dropped them off at my mother's she had told them they could have hot chocolate so they were eager to go to her house.
I went back to work at Windy City...after being away for 5 days and everything pretty much looked the same. We are still doing inventory so the store looks alittle chaotic and sparse. I have been looking at the sneak peaks for CHA and can not wait for Christina and Susan to go to Anaheim so that we may get some new merchandise in for the store. I worked on Design Team packets for they are overdue for being given out, due to inventory and me taking additional days off with my back injury. We had a few customers in the store so the time went by quickly. My mother called me to let me know that the twins could spend the night and when I got home, Rick informed me that he will not be going back to his old job, that they were going to pay him for the his remaining days without him going in but he is to come one day next week. So kiss, kiss, hug, hug and I let him get some rest since the twins are not here and I wanted to spend time on the computer and watch television.
Tomorrow, I plan on doing a few loads of laundry and pick up in the twins room before I go and get them ready for school at my mother's. I told her I would come around 10am. I have also made plans to visit Borders again.

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

What a difference...

2008-01-21T21:53:00.000-06:00

that a week makes.

I have not blogged since last week and I tell you I wish I would have since alot has happened and I have to try to remember it now.
This is the main reason why I decided to start a blog in the first place....so that I had a point of reference when trying to recall what has happened to the Coleman Crew and to also help me with my scrapbooking.

So since last Sunday...let me see

Monday, January 14th:
The second week of school started. I woke up early to get Alex and Allegra dressed as I went to work and Rick was on drop off and pick up duty. Since he does not work on Sunday nights, I can work during the day and get home early to be with him and the kids. The only thing that has been happening at work is getting ready for D-day on January 16th and I am NOT looking forward to this task. Once I got home I fixed dinner and we watched our favorite program this season...American Gladiators. Once I got the twins to bed, I actually went to bed early.

Tuesday, January 15th:
I had a late start so that I may drop the twins off at school. We started out our morning at 9am and I think that I will do things with them before school. We read a few books and listened to some of Music Together CDs. Those CDs really brought back memories of going to Music Together Classes with Ms. Irene. We were fortunate enough to attend for almost 2 years and I must admit that Alex and Allegra really enjoyed it as much as I did. Once I put the CDs on, they were able to remember alot of the songs and even did some of the movements with them too. It just amazed me that they were able to recall the songs and movements from the songs. I dropped them off at school and went to Windy City. While I was going to work, Rick had called me with good news. He was granted an interview with E&J Railroad but the only problem was that it was going to be on Thursday, a day that I was to be at work at 1pm since he is on pick up but I immediately called my mother and she said she would help by letting them spend the night. I would just have to make arrangements for a later start on that day and luckily, one of my coworkers, was able to help me out (Thanks Melissa). Once I got home, surprisingly, the twins were fast asleep and I did the same after checking a few emails.

Wednesday, January 16th:
D-Day for me...or for us working at Windy City Scrapbooking. We had inventory that day and boy was it a day. I got there at 1pm after spending the morning with Alex and Allegra and once I got there, I wanted to turn back around. I know that this has to be done but it is just so long and detailed. After 9 hours of counting, checking and double counting, I called it a night. I hope that the counts come out right as we did not finish at all but I think we made a good dent. I was glad that we had volunteers come and help us out...I really do not know if we could have done it without them.

Thursday, January 17th:
I was dropped off and picked up today as Rick went to his interview. I hope that he does well as he has been on two so far this month. Even though he is working now...he is not getting paid enough...at least what we are use to and he is working overnights...the working overnights would not be as bad if he was getting paid what we are use to...I really just want him to be happy at what he is doing. After I picked up Alex and Allegra, I dropped them off at my mother's and went to Windy City. I taught Beyond the Basics which turned out very well. I love teaching people about scrapbooking and I really love having them learn more tips and techniques that will allow them to take their scrapbooking to the next level. Once I got home, Rick was up getting ready for work...he felt as though his interview went well and so we will have to wait and see. I went to bed right after he left for work since I knew I had to get up early to pick up Alex and Allegra from my mother's house since I had made plans to attend the first Mocha Moms' meeting for 2008. New year with a new executive board...should be good.

Friday, January 18th:
Boy was it freezing cold this morning that even I was taken aback and I was told it was going to get colder. I made sure to pack long johns for the kids to wear out. Once I got to my mother's the kids were in a great mood, especially once I told them we were going to the Mocha Mom's meeting.
I got there a few minutes late but still had enough time to introduce myself and hear a few more introductions of new and old members. I am historian this year along with a fellow Mocha Mom LaShanda. I have had the pleasure of being on several committees and also being Co Chair on a couple of committees, such as Hospitality and Cocoa Cubs. I plan on being on Cocoa Cubs again this year along with Social and maybe another one...I do love my Mocha Moms group as they have truly been a blessing and have helped me with being a mother and especially being a SAHM (Stay At Home Mother) of Color...I have gotten so much advice, love and support from this group of women, not to mention the friendships I have formed not only for myself but for my family too...these are friendships that I truly value and hope will last a lifetime. I had to leave the meeting a little early so I could go drop off the twins at school. I met up with a few of my Mocha buddies and we had lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, "Dixie Kitchen" so I had the treat of fried catfish, red beans and rice and greens along with johnny cakes and peach ice tea for lunch...I was so full when I went to pick up the twins from school and I felt alittle bad as I gave them lunch meat,crackers, and juice for their after school snack...I will be sure to take them there soon. I made the mistake of letting them take a late nap for I wanted to take them to my FIL school, McDade Classical school at which he is the principal for an event they were having that night. He even called me to see if we were still coming and I told him "YES' for I had made plans to attend. They were having guest authors come and read stories to the kids and they wanted the kids to come in their pajamas. So of course I had their clothes all laid out and matchy, matchy as Alex was to wear his Thomas the Tank pajamas with matching house shoes and Allegra was to wear her Dora pajamas with matching house shoes. The twins had a different plan than me...when I went to wake them up, all HELL broke lose as they whined and cried that they were sleepy, they did not care who there were going to see, who was wearing pajamas...I could not even bribe them with suckers to eat in the car on the way there (bad mommy...hey but I knew I needed a sugar rush for them if they were to stay up)...so I had the displeasure of calling Rufus back and letting him know that we were not coming. He understood and we just made plans to see him next weekend. We ended our evening early as I knew we had to wake up early for Alex's basketball class.

Saturday, January 19th:

Okay...so the weather was TERRIBLE...too cold but I was able to get both kids dressed and out of the house for Alex's basketball practice. So he is in "advanced" Bitty Basketball this year, since he has been in basketball for a full year now. Class actually started last Saturday on the 12th but we did not get up in a great mood so I did not even bother to try to get them dressed. This morning was a challenge getting Alexandre' dressed for he hates to wear long johns, under shirts, and socks that come up to his knees...we have been having knockdown drag out arguments about his clothing. So this particular morning, I guess I was in a "Big Sister" mood from back in my college days. Alex insisted that he did not want to wear anything warm and that he wanted to wear shorts and he went on whining and crying....so I went to the front door and opened it and let him stand outside for about 2 seconds before he turned around to me and said..."Mommy, it would be a good idea to wear those things there" as he pointed to the undergarments that I had laid out and he close the door and came back in the house. It seems as though he is a show me type of child and so to avoid us debating this was a good route for us...I guess letting him make the final decision based upon his own observation worked (and yes he is only 4 years old). So practice was fine and once we left, we came back home and started to clean up their room. I really need to get some more storage for their toys as the toys, books, and games are truly taking over. I do plan on investing in some pieces from IKEA once we get a chance to make the drive and I also wanted to try to get a few more storage bins for the basement as we will start using that space again come spring (it gets kinda cold in the winter in the basement and I do not always feel like lighting our fireplace down there) After cleaning up...it was nap time for everyone except for Rick. He was fortunate enough to be contacted for a DJaying gig for a friend and had to pack up the van and get his music together. I can really appreciate his love for music as he has been able to benefit from it by DJaying and he plays all genres of music.
I really wanted to attend the Teacher Open House at Windy City Scrapbooking so that I could let the public know about classes that I have coming up for the 1st quarter at the store, but I was unable to make it due to my family obligations...I heard that it went well and a few people asked about me...I hope that they will sign up for one of my classes . Once I woke up from our family nap, I had to start getting ready for my SOS CROP which was at Darvi's house. She had a SCHOOL DAZE crop where she wanted us to bring out our Greek wear (for those of us who pledged a sorority) and/or apparel from the colleges/universities that we attended. Now being that I was pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. 20 years ago, I had to make a little trip to the Greek store to get some gear. I was able to get a cute t-shirt to wear for the evening. Of course I wanted everything that I saw and I vowed to return to the store to get some new gear since I will be turning 20 years old in November this year...hard to believe that I was only 19 when I pledged and as I remember all that I went through and have experienced as a DELTA...I would not change a thing. As soon as I can, I plan on being active again as I have not been since I I found out I was carrying Alex and Allegra.
So after dropping them off at my mother's I went to my crop and was quite productive...I did 4 layouts, well actually 2, 2 page spreads which was good for me considering that we spent the night talking away about our college experiences, pledge stories (that we could tell) and just caught up with each other. So I found myself home at 4:18am and my husband was laid out DRUNK. He woke up trying to have conversation with me among other things but he was out of it, so we fell asleep...quickly.
Here are a few pictures from our SCHOOL DAZE crop...in my Scrap On Sistah group, there are a total of 3 Deltas (myself, Lisa, and Nicole), 2 AKA's ( the two Toshas), 2 Sigma Gamma Rhos(Darvi and Kay), and 3 Independents (Rae, Nashonne, and Danielle).. which makes up our dynamic group. At this crop we even had a few guests...Christina who just went over into Sigma Gamma Rho land and Darvi's sister Kim...who really needs to be on Last Comic Standing or Who's got jokes or something...she had us cracking up the whole night.

Sunday, January 20th:
I took the day off for I knew that I would be exhausted from the crop the night before. I woke up after only a few hours of sleep to pick up Alex and Allegra from my mother's and when I did...it hit me. MY ACHING BACK. I wish that Rick was the cause of it (devilish smile here) but I have a history of having herniated discs and my back started to ache. I was able to go and get the kids but once I came back home...my HELL started. I spent the entire day in the bed not being able to do anything for myself that involved walking...I literally had to crawl the bathroom one time (Rick had ran out the house for a second)...the kids were on the floor with me trying to help me. Rick even had to assist me in taking care of myself after I went to the bathroom a few times for the pain was just unbearable that I could not even wipe myself. I was taking everything I could put my hands on but nothing was working. Rick ordered pizza for dinner and we pretty much let the kids do whatever as he tended to me for the majority of the day. I was truly frustrated and upset as everything that I wanted to do on this day, went to the wayside, but I knew that I needed to rest in order to get my back in order. I have had MRI's in the past and I have 3 herniated discs and they just do that at any time. I can not predict when it happens nor can I for see when it is going to happen...I try to manage the pain with bed rest, over the counter medications (I will be getting some prescription pills soon, with my physical being a couple of weeks away) and some exercises that I learned from when I was going to therapy for my back. Rick and my mother feels as though this was my body's way of telling me to slow down and I guess maybe the cold may have attributed to it...who knows but it had me flat out. I just spent the rest of the day trying to rest up for I was to work on Monday...for the holiday. I was really miserable and even cried a few times because of the pain. Allegra claimed to have a back ache too since I did...I was up all night and the pain pills that I was taking gave me NO relief....terrible night.

Monday, January 21st:

I ended up calling Christina very early in the morning for when I woke up...I still could not move without experiencing pain and I could not see myself being fully functioning at Windy City. I hate having to do that but I know that my health is more important and I am glad that she agreed with me. So I spent the day just trying to rest and get better. I had Rick run out and get some Aleve and I tried it along with the Tylenol and I started to feel alittle relief. I was finally out of the bed around noon and able to spend time with my family. Rick was up playing music and the kids were acting like they were putting on a concert with their play microphones and instruments. Then Alexandre's started dancing and even tried to call himself break dancing...Rick immediately went to our selection of DVDs downstairs and came upstairs with the original DVD, "BREAKIN" with "Shabba Doo" Quinones and "Boogalo Shrimp" Chambers...now this was a movie from my past as I grew up in the beginning stages of hip/hop and rap music and break dancing. Alexandre' and Allegra watched the whole movie and once Alex grabbed the DVD case and started staring at it and even took it to bed with him when he took his nap, I knew I had to prepare myself for a marathon of this movie for a while. Our day remained quiet for the rest of the evening as we just ate leftover pizza for Rick and I both agreed for me not to do anything that would aggravate my back...so I continued to rest. I also wanted to make sure that I was better since I was going to be volunteering for the first time at Alex and Allegra's school tomorrow. We all took warm baths for the evening and went to bed kinda early for our day tomorrow would be long.

Scrapbook related:

I still have not forgotten my word nor my commitment to do the challenges on 2peas...I just have to play catch up, which I plan on doing this weekend...Stay tuned

TTFN

Hugs and Kisses

Weekend Recap...

2008-01-13T20:22:00.000-06:00

All and all...we had a great weekend.
I worked on Friday night and helped the store get ready for its Bag Sale...and when I got home...the whole family was up. Sometimes I do not mind the twins staying up late but for some reason, I felt as though Rick should have had them in the bed...especially since we were to get up early the next morning for Alexandre' first day at basketball and Allegra's first day at ballet. So they did not fall asleep until almost 11:30 and with that being said, they missed there first days of their classes. I am not to worried about it since we did not pay that much at all...they are through the Chicago Park District and the fees are little of nothing...we figured at this age, see if they have a true interest in it and if so, when they get older, then we will invest the big bucks. Alexandre' will be starting Advanced Bitty Basketball...yes he is really good, for a 4 year old, especially at dribbling and keeping the ball under his control. Allegra will be starting her Ballet class with her old Kenicott school teacher Miss Keisha and she just adores her. When they woke up on Saturday morning, they were still sleepy and cranky so I had them go back to sleep and we just missed the first days...I will be sure that they will not miss next week.
We laid around in our pajamas until it was time to go to my girlfriend's daughter's birthday party. Her name is Ashley and she turned 4. We went to Mokena to a place called JUMP ZONE and that is what my babies did...jumped until they were in the zone. This place has HUGE bouncy houses and slides for the kids of all ages and yes...I even joined in on the jumping fun in one of the bouncy houses with Alexandre'...I almost past out but it was fun. My children had their first taste of SLURPEES. First they shared one and then we all had one on our way home. Since Rick worked overtime on Saturday night...it was just me and the kids. After the party, I went to visit my mother in law for a little bit, had dinner with her...she treated us to Chinese food and then we went home. I do not like coming home late at night, since the incident a few months ago and so I made sure to be watchful as I got the kids out of the car...I have been told that it will still take me a while to feel comfortable in my surroundings...again, I do not live in fear, just in faith.
Once we got home, I gave those little munchkins nice warm bubble baths and put them in the bed. I later went to sleep as well.
I wanted to make a big breakfast when Rick came home Sunday morning but was too tired to do so...so the family settled for oatmeal, toast, juice and milk. I worked today as it was the last day of the Bag Sale. I am glad that I planned my dinner before I left so all I had to do was make a phone call for Rick to put things in the oven so that by the time I made it home, dinner was almost done.
At work, we were busy and I had the pleasure, as always, meeting fellow seasoned scrapbookers and also helping out the newbies.
Once I was home, I finished with dinner (Steak, mac and cheese, green beans and garlic bread) and since Alex and Allegra ate their dinner so well, without me having to make them, we made cookies for dessert (just the break and bake ones)
So as stated before... all in all, our weekend was good...Good food, good time with family and friends and good fun.

Here are few pictures to recap our weekend at Jump Zone...a photo opportunity with the birthday girl and the twins first time eating a SLURPEE (you see why I ended up getting them their own once it was time to go home)

TTFN
Hugs and Kisses
Me

3rd day of school..

2008-01-09T10:13:00.000-06:00

So we are going into the 3rd day of school and so far, so good.
On Monday, January 7th, Alexandre' and Allegra started a new chapter in their young lives as they started at Phillip Murray Language Academy in Hyde Park. This was a preschool that I applied to last year so that they could go this past fall. We did not get in for the fall but I received a phone call before the holidays saying that there was a spot for Alexandre'...well, I had to go take both of them in to ask for two spots and luckily now both of them are in Murray. I really debated about this over and over since they would be starting in the middle of the school year and the shorter time in class but I continued to pray on it and seek advice from my family and friends and decided to give it a try. Since it is a public school, if we are not pleased, we do have the option of taking them out...but as stated earlier, so far, so good.

So my recap of that first day...
They were really excited about going to school and talked about it all the way as I drove to school. I tried to keep their enthusiasm up and engaged in their conversation about school, having a new teacher...Ms. Graham, and meeting new friends. Everything was going well, until we walked up to the front door of the school and the 4th graders came barreling out the door for recess. This shocked both of them as they both just stood there in fear of the BIG KIDS. Alex immediately looked at me and grabbed my hand, asking me to stay with him. I tried to reassure him but I could tell that his attitude changed. We went inside and waited with the other preschoolers and parents. Allegra was fine as she walked and tried to play with the other kids but Alex stayed by my side. Once inside, we went into the cubbie area and they were so thrilled to find their names and put their coats and belongings in their cubbie holes. Allegra ran off with the other children towards Ms. Graham but my Alex, started with his pouting and whining saying he wanted to go with me. The teacher's assistant, Mr. Philips reassured me and told me to go ahead as he led Alex with the other children. As I left, I heard him scream my name and of course it tugged at me but I felt he was in good hands and they could call me if things got out of hand. I did stick around for a while and did not hear him crying. I was told by another parent that Ms. Graham had him in her lap and Allegra was next to them and they were just talking quietly...so I went ahead and left. Rick went with me to pick them up and we did have a bad report...Alex did start crying again and he was kicking and throwing things. I was VERY SURPRISED to hear this as he does not even do this at home. Rick immediately snatched Alex up and went out the classroom and got down eye level and talked to him. I apologized to Ms. Graham and just prayed for a better tomorrow. She was fine with it but once we got home...I explained to Alex that his behavior was not acceptable and how he had to apologize and not do it again. When we went to school the following day, the first thing that Alex did without me having to remind his was go and apologize to Ms. Graham ( Proud mommy moment #1). I left them there and went and ran a couple of errands. When I went to pick them up, I decided to let them play in the playground for a little bit...the weather was not as warm as it was on the day before but it was okay temperature wise. Afterwards we went home and relaxed.

I went back to work today at Windy City and boy was I amazed. We are getting ready for a big sale this weekend...getting rid of old not only to make room for new (trade show coming up in February) but also to help us with our inventory process next week. I was just busy helping prepare for the sale this weekend. Saw alot of things that would be good to get too. I have been so good with my shopping for scrap supplies...believe me, I do not need anything else...at this time.

Here are a few photos from Alex and Allegra's first day...I wanted to get more but with Alex crying and such, I did not get everything that I wanted to but I am sure, as I volunteer and spend more time at Murray with the twins, I will get my fill of photo opportunities.

Enjoy

TTFN
Hugs & Kisses
Me

Is it really January 6th???

2008-01-06T20:20:00.000-06:00

Because it feels like it is April or May 6th.
The weather is unseasonably warm and it suppose to get even warmer tomorrow...kinda makes you think about global warming...
This week was pretty busy for me as I found myself working every single day since the New Year...trying to help the hubby out, since he was off on vacation. Now things will slack up for me as the twins start BIG KIDS SCHOOL tomorrow. This has been a very hard decision for us as in attending Kenicott they were in school 9am-1pm (and now they extended it to 3pm) and now with attending CPS preschool for all, they will only go 12pm-2:30pm. A VERY BIG difference in time but within those 2 1/2 hours, they will get alittle bit more curriculum and at least they will be in for sure next fall where as I will not have to worry about the application process for pre-school.
I will be off for the next couple of days so I can finally put take down our Christmas decorations and catch up on the never ending loads of laundry.

I also hope to start cleaning up my scrap area. My dear friend Susan was brave enough to post a picture of a section of her scrap room on Windy City's Scrapbooking blog and I must commend her for doing that.
In reference to my word for the year, here are some words of encouragement from Ali...

"Now that many of you have chosen a word for the year, what will you do to keep it in mind throughout the year? It can be very simple or complex, a craft/scrapbooking project or a simple reminder in your planner or on your bulletin board. Some sort of visual reminder is a great way to add a bit of focus to your word.

Here's a couple ideas for honoring your word this year:

• Go through some magazines looking for your word or themes/phrases/etc that relate to your word. Cut them out and collage them together as a visual reminder. This could grow and expand throughout the year.
• Commission or locate a piece of jewelry that features your word. I am ordering a necklace with "vitality" from Lisa Leonard. Love this as a daily visual reminder.
• Print out a word card (see photo above) and place it where you will see it everyday (a bathroom mirror or refrigerator or bulletin board are all front and center).
• Create a canvas that introduces your word. Dump some paint right on there and go for it.
• Start a journal to document thoughts, feelings, experiences you have with your word over the course of the year. This could be a visual journal or just focus on the words. Your journal could be as simple as a Word document on your computer."
So here is another thing that I really want to accomplish this year...already, am I putting too much on my plate
But once I COMMIT to being a more organized person, this will be easy for me

So I want to start back in the blog challenges from 2PEAS and in doing so, I am going to go backwards to the first challenge of the year...

Blog Challenge from 1/1/08:

How did you celebrate/bring in the New Year?

I was with my family on New Year's Eve...the day started out with the twins getting their yearly doctor's exam complete with shots and having their blood drawn, we went to a few craft stores in Orland Park (window shopping) and we went grocery shopping and to McDonald's. Once we were home, we all got cozy in our pajamas, took a few pictures (they are posted in my blog already). The twins went to bed early and Rick and I watched television and tried to remember our past New Year's together.

So I laid the twins clothes out for their first day and I am ready for them to start a new chapter in their young lives. I want my babies back...I was really feeling it since I went to get Alexandre' some overnight pull-ups as he is still wetting the bed at night. I tried a new brand this time, Pampers (I usually get Huggies), but I bought the Pamper's brand since the overnight ones had Spiderman on them as opposed to Toy Story and since Alex is a Spiderman fanatic, I thought that maybe he would not urinate on him as opposed to Woody and Buzz Lightyear...WOW...listen at me as I reason around some cartoon characters

Well...I am off to bed now as morning will soon come and I want to be refreshed for tomorrow as I have to get up early and drop of medical records just to be sure everything is ready for the twins at Murray and I also have to go and get them a few supplies like paper towels, hand wipes, glue stick, markers, tissue, etc.

TTFN

Hugs & Kisses

Bitter Cold...

2008-01-02T22:33:00.000-06:00

was today...

I could not believe how cold it was today and of course, evertime that it gets this cold in Chicago, I always vow that I am going to move...Right.

I went to work today and had a little car trouble where as Rick had to come to the store with the twins to see about my car. I drove all the way to Windy City with NO HEAT and then the temperature light popped on and the car stopped on me as soon as I got in front of the store...luckily, it was only that my coolant was low and so Rick was able to fix it with no problem. So glad that he was able to come right away and it was good to have the twins come to the store to hang out with me for a while. Alex was a little whiny when it was time to go. I do not like when he gets that way but I know that he just misses being with me. It was kinda of busy at the store today as people were coming in starting to redeem their gift certificates. I am really thinking about joining the Quickutz Club at the store...they call themselves the Quickutz QT's and they do get alot of perks of being in the club for a small membership fee.

Shifting gears...

I have been thinking about my word for the 2008 and since I have COMMIT as my word, I am ready to do just that COMMIT...so here we go
I will resolve to COMMIT and also enjoy the journey as I do so
In looking at the definition of COMMIT I picked one of the 12 definitions that I felt was a good match for me
COMMIT: to pledge or engage oneself
I want to commit myself in my relationship with GOD
I want to commit myself in all of my relationships (husband, children, family, friends and of course with myself)
I want to commit to a healthier lifestyle
I want to commit to a better ME all together.

Happy New Year To Me
Hugs & Kisses
Me

HAPPY NEW YEAR....2008

2008-01-01T20:24:00.000-06:00

This is a photo of Rick and I on Christmas Eve...I thought it was a cute picture and we were actually toasting to the New Year that night...we were getting the festivities started early.
So the New Year came in and I am so grateful to be blessed to see it.
A lot of things happened both good and bad and 2007 and I know that all it does is make me stronger and wiser for myself and my family.
We had a good New Year...especially since we have been in our pajamas ALL DAY LONG.
Yesterday, on New Year's Eve we had a long day.
I was able to make an appointment to take the twins to their new doctor located in Evergreen Park. Since we have Blue Cross/Blue Shield HMO as opposed to PPO we had to switch physicians. We picked Dr. Linn Roberts for their pediatrician and the experience was nice until it came time to give shots. The twins each received 4 shots to follow up with their vaccinations from last year plus they had to get 2 vials of blood drawn. Allegra was screaming bloody murder even before the nurse administered the shots and Alex was crying due to Allegra crying. I had to hold both of them down for their shots and blood drawing. I felt so bad to see them in pain but I also had to crack up when I heard Alex say..."Excuse me Miss Lady, could you please not do that to me?" (he was referring to getting shots like his sister...even the nurse had to stop and laugh and she said that his comment was for the books...he even went further to say..."Mommy, could you take the shots for me and Allegra?" I would if I could. I am glad that I gave them Tylenol before going...(thanks Nicole for advising me to do so) Here is a photo of my babies at the doctor's office waiting to be examined

Once we left the doctor's office...we headed out to Orland Park. I filled up my gas tank and we went to Jewel's to get a few groceries before the New Year. We then headed over to a few crafting stores just to past the time away. When we passed by the golden arches the twins went into an uproar so I gave in and since they were such troopers in getting their shots, I treated them to McDonald's. Chicken Nuggets is not the favorite anymore...they are getting into cheeseburgers and they both can eat a whole one. It started to snow alittle bit on the way home and I thought that Alex and Allegra would fall asleep on the drive home but they surprised me and did not. They stayed up with me as we sang songs and talked about going to the "big school" all the way home. Rick helped me bring the groceries in and

once we all got settled in, fatigue set in. I think that I was more tired than Alex and Allegra. I really wanted to go out to my friend's house for New Year's but as it reached 7pm, I knew that the Colemans would celebrate the New Year's at home. We called Adonis to wish him a Happy 13th Birthday. I was kinda of upset as we just found out on this day that his mother was giving him a bowling birthday party. We would have attended to support him on his birthday and so that Alex and Allegra could see him. I really do not care for Adonis' mother for I feel as though she makes things difficult after all of these years for no reason...I guess it is to make her feel good. She is only hurting Adonis. I can not believe he is now 13 years old. I first met him when he was 18 months old, and now he is in his teens. Hopefully we will get him before school starts back up next week.

I made Alex and Allegra chicken nuggets along with salad, spaghetti and applesauce (great New Year's eve dinner) and Rick and I ate Popcorn shrimp with spaghetti and a salad. I let the twins stay up until 10pm. Rick and I watched the end of BET top 100 videos and flipped channels between BET and MTV for the east coast countdown. Once it was Chicago's turn...we turned to Channel 7 and watch the countdown. After a few kisses, we found ourselves trying to remember our New Year's eve celebration from years past. Our first New Year's which was 94 going into 95, we spent on the telephone talking all night, I was engaged to someone else and his son was being born (long story) and since 2003, we have been right at 7445 with Alex and Allegra. Rick even jokingly said that he was so glad that I started scrapbooking just for the reason of trying to remember. There are still a couple of years that we can not remember but once one of us do...I will be sure to document it. We stayed up a little bit longer flipping channels.

New Year's Day...a day of rest and relaxation for all of us. I cooked breakfast and just relaxed the rest of the day. My mother, bless her heart...came by to see us and brought over dinner. She was on her way to see about a friend of hers who fell in her home. She is going to be staying with her overnight. I tell you, my mother is a true Florence Nightingale as she is always looking after someone else. Once she left...the twins and I took a nap and did not wake up until a little after 5pm. While the kids were playing, Rick and I got into a conversation as to what we wanted for our family for 2008. Peace and Prosperity along with Upward Mobility and Stability is what summed up our conversation. I always enjoy talking with him about our goals for ourselves and our family as a whole. I even shared with him about my word for the year and he feels challenged to have a word for the year along with me. I started to warm up New Year's eve dinner when we were surprised again and this time it was by my MIL. She came in and all of sudden, started to break down crying...at first I thought something happened either to her husband or with her husband (she is remarried) but she just stated that she was feeling blue...it has been one year since the death of her mother and she just found herself really missing her. I can totally relate as I get alittle emotional around the holidays for I miss my daddy. I really wish he was here to enjoy Alex and Allegra...I know he is looking down on us and I always say that he is my guardian angel. After dinner, the twins watched their favorite movie this holiday season "Space Jam" and they are still up now watching "Toy Story".

I go to work tomorrow and so does Rick, tomorrow night....so it is back to the bump and grind.

I will make sure to post tomorrow as I continue to think about my word for 2008 and now that Rick is joining me, it should be fun. I have also challenged readers of the Windy City Scrapbooking Blog to join in...I can not wait to see what others wish to have as their word for the year. I have to make sure to check Ali Edwards blog before I go to bed to see what she is writing about.

Good night

Happy New Year

Hugs & Kisses

Me

Here are a couple of more photos from our New Year Eve's....Enjoy!!!