A to Z

A to Z

Swiped from Jennifer since she is el Preggers like me and tons of fun!

a. area code: 216

b. bed size: queen, which is more than enough room for me since Klint works nights!

c. chore you hate: dishes 

d. dog’s name: Spooky Doo (she looks like a creeped out Scooby Doo) 

e. essential “start of the day” item: bagel with butter and cream cheese 

f. favorite color: sunshine yellow

g. gold or silver: silver (I am allergic to gold)

h. height: 4'10''- no I am not a Little Person and no I don't need a Booster Seat to drive!

i. instruments you play: clarinet and piano 

j. job: home daycare provider, dance teacher, Etsy artist, graphic designer, and Usborne book rep! (Yes, I really do all those jobs every week!) 

k. kids: Gabby (almost 6), Amelia (almost 3), and Miss M due 12/2/10 

l. living arrangements: renting an awesome little house a few blocks from the lake!

m. mom’s name: Lucifer

n. nickname: I don't think any of my nicknames are appropriate for this PG-rated forum!!!

o. overnight hospital stay: C-sections only I think!

p. pet peeve: wet jeans, wet bottoms of pants, not wiping off the tables and counters, ruffled slipcover, the list goes on! 

q. quote from movie: "Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it is marching across your face!) Truvy from Steel Magnolias

r. righty or lefty: Righty

s. siblings: too complicated to try to explain

t. time you wake up: usually between 6:30 and 7 thanks to Miss M kicking my bladder

u. underwear: yep, got some on!

v. vegetables you dislike: cauliflower aka veggie brains

w. ways or reasons you are late: that is a rare thing... I run the house like a tight ship!

x. x-rays: lots and lots 

y. yummy food you make: taco dip, lasagna, fruit salsa 

z. zoo animals you like: monkeys and polar bears!

Good Friday Was Oh So Good!

Not being Christian always makes holidays a little interesting around here. My good friend Joan, who is a very devout Catholic, asked me what we did to celebrate Easter since it obviously means something different for us. Joan is cool like that, never judgmental and when she asks me stuff about my set of beliefs I can be 100% honest because I know that she will NEVER look down on my choices. That is why she is my soul sister... she just gets it.

Anyhow, I digress... I told Joan that we view Easter as a celebration of Spring. Of course we still give the girls Easter baskets with a bit of candy, but I am also including some gardening items like seeds, shovels, and little clay pots. We dyed Easter eggs tonight with Koolaid because all the birds are getting ready to lay eggs, we eat Peeps bunnies because bunnies come out in the Spring... make sense?

Today was Good Friday and even though it had no religious significance to us, it was a VERY good day! It was over 80 outside... a feat for good ol' Cleveland, the beach was packed, and we did a lot of fun things. We started out by taking the dog shopping at the mall (to Moochie & Co) where she got tons and tons of attention. After a nice lunch at Chipotle Gabby and I made some Pom Pom Flowers... look how cute they turned out!

Then we headed off to the beach, YAY!!!! Here are some pics of the girls having lots of fun...

(I do not dress her.... that is all her own doing, lol!)

(AJ hates being wet so was pretty naked by the end of the trip... and she also thinks she is a bird!)

Finally, after dinner I got some cute pictures of the girls that really capture their personalities...

I am pretty sure AJ was a pirate in a past life, she has the scowl down!

Sweet huh? Lol, that is a common look for my lil one.

Gabby on the other hand just loved life today and was sooooo good, yay!

So that was my Good Friday! Was your Friday good too?

What a party!

We needed a night out and boy oh boy did we get one!

My awesome friend Joan headed up this very swanky fundraiser for her daughter's private school and asked me to do the graphics. Little did I know what this would entail.... 

About $1,400 worth of design work later I had the pleasure of seeing my work EVERYWHERE, and it felt awesome! I (almost) forgot that I was up until 2am the other night finishing the program graphics and adding last minute auctions and ads.

There was serious drinkage, very tasty food, costumes everywhere, gambling, auctions, did I mention all the booze consumed? And LOTS of trouble caused by yours truly, hubby, and friends!! There was a photo booth that captured a bit of the debauchery....

And check out my girl Autumn here... her hotness stole the show (and cost all the men there a pretty penny!)

It was a great night! We had a room at the hotel so there was no worries about the consumption.... and most importantly it was a much needed night off!

Whew! Now back to our Regularly Scheduled Program!

How is everyone doing tonight? I am so ready for that lovely warm weather to come back, how about you? Although the storm that we had last night was a whopper and I loved every moment of it.

So I am fascinated by swaps and such, especially ones that are a little quirky and fun. One of the blogs that I read regularly, Givers Log, is always full of really neat ideas... like this awesome little Water Bottle 13 oz. or Less mini swap that she did.

Basically, you just take a plastic water bottle, cut a door in the side (where the label would fit over), jam in lots of cute goodness, make sure it weighs less than 13 oz., and mail it off to a friend! How adorably cute and easy is that??

I love little things like bookplates, pens or colored pencils, stickers, chocolate, and small little trinkets. I think that this is a lovely little swap theme for someone to do. Maybe I will try it out with a friend who lives far away first and then maybe host something like this here. What do you think? Not only do you get a nice surprise in the mail, but since it is 13 oz or less, it is cheap to recycled mail too!!! Look at all that her friend sent her... who knew so much could fit in a little bottle?

Fun at the Apple Store

Isn't playing around at the Apple Store so much fun?!

A Night at the Movies

We went to Crocker Park last night to see the Bee Movie out on the lawn. Let me tell you, there is nothing better than hanging out with friends, in your pj's, in a ritzy public shopping area! It was sooooo much fun! AJ actually sat and watched the whole movie, which is shocking in itself since it was from 9-11pm... waaaaayyyy past bedtime! Gabby and her good friend Emily got to spend some time together, and Joan and I got some adult conversation in. Yay!! Every Thursday Crocker Park has this so if anyone is in the mood for a free movie outside, that is the place to go. Next week is Top Gun and the week after is Mary Poppins, which we will be attending for sure. =)

THE List 1.2

I really want to try this spaghetti and meatball recipe... sounds sooooo yummy! (@ Shel Terrific)

This apron pattern is so easy and pretty, I can't wait to use some strawberry fabric for it for AJ! (@ Sew Liberated)

My kids are going to love decorating and then playing with this genius SandSac- eco-friendly, crafty, and foldable! What more could you ask for? (@ Mesko Associates)

I NEED this completely adorable modern Chinese nursery rhyme poster for AJ's room...now! (@ Grace Hester Designs)

MMMmmmmm.... I have never made strawberry jam, but this may get me motivated. (@ Intimate Weddings)

I think my girls would love to make these cute little friendship dolls... lovely! (@ 5 Orange Potatoes)

Now, why didn't I think of this? I make cut out sandwiches all the time for the kids! (@ This Little Project)

Nothing is better than getting a good sale, and these yard sale tips rock my little bargaining world! (@ A Nesting Place)

THE List 1.1

Round pancakes are soooo yesterday! How about a pirate ship? ARRRRR! (@ Filth Wizardry)

I can't wait to try out this homemade hand scrub for myself.... sounds sooooo fresh and citrusy! (@ Craftzine)

Who has tons of cash laying around in this economy? Try these cute cheap date night ideas! (@ Small Notebook)

As if I didn't need any more ideas for cutting up pillowcases... cute apron anyone? (@ Betz White)

This pineapple chicken sounds soooo yummy... try it and let me know how it is! (@ Home-Ec 101)

I think that the kids will get a kick out of these DIY poster paints (@ Pepper Paints)

Don't feel like heading down to the pool? Try these cute and cheap sponge balls instead! (@ Betz White)

Watch out rainy days, I may actually have something to battle you now... (@ The Mother Load)

This decorated tape is so cute...so many things I feel the need to tape up now with it! (@ Ichiban Kan) (Pssssst....check out the adorable Bento supplies while you are there!)

THE List 1.0

So I have been trying to figure out how to share all the wonderful things that I find on the web with all my lovely readers. Obviously I don't want to bombard you all with my blogginess... but there is so much fun here, how can I NOT share? LOL! So here is my solution. A simple list, complete with links, maybe a pic of two..... go on, you know you want to see what I found!!

I am dying to try out this wiggly watermelon recipe with all the kids! (@ Gourmet Mom-On-The Go)

Making your own homemade cleaners have never been so easy thanks to this post (@ Jolly Mom)

Need some new traditions for your family? Here are some great starters! (@ Simple Mom)

I think that this Bento Birthday Bash is going to be Gabby's theme this year...love it! (@ Secret Agent Josephine)

All my kids will be making this adorable Blackberry/iPhone craft for Father's Day...lovely (@ No Time for Flashcards)

With a street called Blossom Park how can I not make these beautiful flower pot house numbers? (@ Evangeline's Vine)

And finally, you all know my obsession with birds and fabric... well these decoupaged windows would fit in perfectly with my fabric flock perfectly. (@ Oh Dee Doh)

So what do you think of the list??

A list of random Connie-ness

1. I love cold, crisp sweater weather. If it got only up to 70 all year I would be thrilled.
2. I can't stand the bottom of my jeans being wet...kind of a challenge when you are only 4'10''.
3. I have a new found interest in tap... loved it awhile ago and am soooo loving it again.
4. I am mystified by technology....really, if it weren't for the hubby I would be at the mercy of hired Geeks.
5. I really love making my Etsy customers happy with my creations. Passing this on to your friends in the biggest compliment you can give me.
6. I am thrilled Klint has an interest in Buddhism and even reminds me of some of the teachings I have forgotten. It is nice to be able to talk about some of the principles with someone close to me.
7. Despite my rough beginnings I really do believe in happily ever afters and hope my prince charming does too!

Free Movie Thursdays at Regal Cinemas!

Need something frugal and fun to do on Thursdays? Well grab you sweatshirt because you know movie theaters are chilly! Regal Cinemas are presenting a summer of free movies for the whole family every Thursday. Yay! With movie ticket prices are sky high, this is a dream come true for me and my little movie fans. Just click here to see what is showing in a theater near you and away you go, simple as that! I love the fact that there are two movie choices, one that is G rated and one that is PG for the older kids. So what are you going to go see?

Gimme Your Stuff!!!

I have come across two different websites this past week with really interesting concepts. One is called Gimme Your Stuff.

It is basically a cultural exchange where you put together a package of items that are unique to your area, it can be food items, clothing items, anything really. And then you send it to someone in another part of the world who will send something similar to you. It is fascinating to me and I love looking at all the pics of swaps that have gone on. Once we move and I get my life in order I am going to definitely do this!

I think even a regional swap between bloggers is cool. Being originally from the Buffalo, NY area there are a couple things I can think of right off that are unique to that area- Frank's Red Hot Sauce, Aunt Rosie's Loganberry drink, buffalo wings... I will have to get some feedback for some Cleveland ideas! But I would love to see what is unique to other areas of the US, what brands are common, what magazines everyone reads, etc. This is maybe something I will do here, once we are organized again in my house.

Here is what I would send:
Malley's Chocolate - fabulous local chocolate!!!
CD of Rock and Roll music, true American tunes!
some bath and body stuffs
American design magazine or fashion magazine
some cute fabric
and of course some Buckeyes since Ohio is the Buckeye state! (for those who don't know a Buckeye is a chunk of peanut butter wrapped in chocolate-yum!)
and anything else that the swapper is interested in!

Anyone else find this so interesting?? If you are reading this from outside the US and want to try a swap with me then let me know... could be lots of fun!!!

Eat This, Not That Thursday

Here ya go all my margarita-loving friends, the awful truth!
(Now you know to ask the bartender to make you a fresh one!)

And what is better that a nice hot plate of Chinese food to go along with your Margarita-induced buzz?
Well don't pick P.F. Chang's Pork Lo Mein... it is the worst for you!
Go with some nice Moo Goo Gai Pan!
See the dirty details below...

And above all....
stay away from the local Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood
where all the cats are disappearing! =)

(that picture just makes me giggle every time I see it!!)

Ok, one more for now!

I couldn't resist.
I love shoes, I love the rain, and I love rain boots
since my pet peeve is getting the bottom of my pants wet!
I hope that this makes you smile! =)

Don't forget to scroll a bit farther down to yesterday's post where my other calendars are!
(here are the other sizes!)

Presenting.... Desktop Calendar Wallpapers!!!

I love having a pretty desktop wallpaper but prefer to change the look every month or so. Inspired by some graphic design magazines I decided to create some pretty papers for all my readers. Please let me know what you think since this is something I want to continue every month! Click here for all the wallpapers in different sizes!

I love the colors of Easter, the pinks, yellows, and greens.

When I think of spring this was the design that came to mind.

It is more scrapbooky in nature and suits the crafter in me!

Most people think of rain when they think of April.
For me it is all about the rain boots, puddles, and cute umbrellas.
But April is also magical, for after the rain comes the color and the flowers.

This is my favorite of the three designs.
It is both modern and fun, a simple note from May to April.
There is nothing better than getting a nice postcard from a friend!!!

What do you think of when you think of April and Spring??