Happy New Year!!!

Wow can it really be so. Can 2009 be here in less than 24 hours?? Seriously. That is just insane. Can you believe that 20 years ago I was getting ready to graduate high school!! eek! and as 2008 closes and 2009 begins...I am getting ready to get MY baby ready to graduate high school. Man where does the time go.

a little recap of 2008.

It was a very busy and crazy year.

• Kayla turned 18
• Shawn turned 15
• Both of my kids are in High School
• Shawn failed the Math CRCT which was a shock to us all but he recovered, retook it, and is now in Advanced Math in High School (struggling a lot but I am still proud of him)
• Kayla got her first job working as a Summer Camp Counselor. It's a shame she can't seem to find another job that is full time
• I had several more pages published...with Somerset and Scrapbooking & Beyond
• I made the Gutter Girlz Design Team and my term with IAmAScrapaholic Design Team came to a close. Still working strong with Serendipitykits!
• I had surgery in the Summer. It was a scary time because I worried about cancer, with things going on in my body that shouldn't...but once it was all over and done it was the best thing I have done
• Kayla began the process of having her tooth implant. It will be a long road but the worst is behind us and soon she will have a gorgeous smile again without worrying about retainers
• We spent way to much money on senior pictures that turned out FANTASTIC and reminded me just how beautiful Kayla is (that is when she isn't being a typical 18 year old pain in my tush)
• I helped my Aunt Ramona paint and paint and paint my nanny's house which is being remodeled. It is fun but at the same time sad
• We spent a week in Gatlinburg for our family vacation BUT...this was the first time we weren't a complete family. Kayla stayed home for the very first time and did not go with us
• EPHS made it to the state playoffs again. Way to go EPHS
• the Raider Brigade did wonderful in their marching competition season. It was bitter sweet watching Kayla this year knowing that this would once again be the last time I got to "be" at competitions.
• My neice Rachael had a beautiful boy, Landon, in October. He is a wonderful addition to the Thackston family
• I have continued to hound and work on the Thackston genealogy tree. I have made lots of wonderful connects and made huge leaps in finding information and pictures. It's really been a fun ride that I don't want to end.
• We redone our bathroom...well...partially...it will continue into 2009 =(
• Shawn received his learners permit. eek...two teenage drivers in the house. This is a problem
• we actually thought about buying land over at the Lake..where the old trailor park used to be. I hope that it works out that we can. I would love to have a little part of my families land. But the cards just have to fall just right.
• Shawn was the mascot for the EPHS football team. He was hilarious in that uniform. Even made it on the front cover of the school magazine.

Well that is all I can think of this morning that jumps out at me as milestones from this past year. I know this next year will be FULL of adventures. We start the application process for colleges. Kayla graduates in June. She turns 19. I plan on becoming a submitting fool to magazines and Design Teams. oh my it will be a busy year indeed! Hope you will join me for the ride =)

Gutter Girlz sneak peak

It was fun and amazing working on my first Gutter Girlz prompt and I couldn't wait to share it with you! The prompt consisted of the Dixie Chicks song "Not ready to make nice", Still Hurting and sewing or pins. I used the pins for the flower stems. I have had a hard December this year thinking about my Nanny so what an inspiration this prompt was to get my feelings on paper. Head on over to the Gutter and check out the other layouts. They simply ROCK!

Antique Stores...

will wear you out! Mom and my sister came by and picked me up this morning at 9:30 and we hit some antique stores. Well...actually only two...but it was 6 hours worth. I am bushed! But I found some things which is always a good thing. I bought another Fairy light to go with the three I got for Christmas from my mom and Rachel. Here they are. Aren't they unique and pretty.

And I thought I would post a few pictures from Christmas day. Here we have our lovely, wild and crazy, Shawn and his big brother (my step son) Steven. They wrestled forever!

And last but not least Kayla....holding my new great nephew Landon...looking just a little too comfortable with the baby holding. She can wait several, SEVERAL, years before she needs one of these. Even if he is the cutest thing ever!

Happy Day After Christmas

love this continuation of my days off! Hit Target early this morning...along with about 100 other mad, crazy women who didn't mind running you over with their shopping carts. I did NOT have the patience to stay. We bought Kayla's game that disappeared into this huge black hole of a house. And found some blue ornaments for my tree next year. Then we headed to AT&T to get my phone ALL SET UP! and I might add I am LOVING it! PLEASE....if you would like to stay in touch with me send me your phone number and email add and I will load it into my phone because YES...I splurged and got the internet package so I can be online ALL THE TIME>....wohooo! What was Billy thinking...lol!

We ended Christmas wonderfully. My parents came over and my mom decided that she was going to give me what I will be collecting for the rest of my life...lol. She has started me a collection of antique fairy glass. It is very unique...which I love...and so many pretty colors. She got me a blue one...and a white one. My sister gave me a pink one. So yes I have been on ebay looking for more. and we are going to some antique stores tomorrow. Maybe I will find a few. Now to just find a place to put them all. HA. I need a bigger house so I can collect more stuff!

They loved their presents. I am pretty sure my mom is held up in her office using the genealogy books I got her and will be all weekend! Billy, Shawn and daddy have set off to the deer camp for the weekend.

And to top off the evening, my fantastic SIL, neice, brand new great nephew Landon and my husbands brother Randy...came over for the evening. Let me share with you the COOLEST, fun gift my SIL gave me. Shot glasses! A BUNCH of them. and I mean a bunch. And from everywhere. I was able to mark off 3 more from my list which is just way cool and exciting. I found them all a nice home last night in my shot glass collection! That was a cool gift.

So today....I finished the evening heading to Michaels to buy yet MORE stuff for next year. And Kayla and I went to the grocery store so that I don't have to go out again. Now I have taken down all the decorations with the exception of my newly put entertainment center decorations...and just await for Billy to get home and take down the tree. I would try but that sucker is a bugger. so I will wait.

I have some hot chocolate...some whip cream...and am not worrying about losing weight until January 1! lol! well that isn't totally true...but a cup of hot chocolate can't be that bad right?

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone.

We began this morning with something that I love more than anything else...my son running into our room and crawling into bed with us. He has done that since he was a baby. He drags his stocking in with him and sets there and goes thru it. So we have no choice but to get up. Then Kayla came sleep eyed into the room, crawled into bed, and opened hers. Then Billy and I opened ours. It was fun and I was really shocked with everything that Billy bought for me. He even bought me and Kayla mani's and pedi's so that we could go together.

this year was a little different as Santa didn't leave a pile of stuff in the floor for the kids. But instead I had Shawn pull out all the presents underneath the tree and hand them out. Last he saw this big black thing under the tree...his guitar. He was super excited. But Kayla kept looking and looking cause she didn't see what she had wanted. Little did she know I had it wrapped up and the last gift she would open.

the kids had fun opening everything. They both got lots of clothes. Shawn got his guitar and an Xbox game. Kayla gave him this thing that hangs in the door so that he can do pull ups. Kayla got clothes, a Senior 09 sweatshirt, Shawn got her a CD and she finally opened what she really wanted...her Nintendo DS and a game. Billy got flannel shirts and then I got my present. The family bought me my Blackberry Curve 8210. Although I could whip them for spending that much money on it. the sad thing is I lost 2 presents. I had bought Kayla Mario cart to go with her DS and Billy some Tshirts but I can't find them. They vanished.

Now we are waiting for my parents to get here...oh wait...I hear them pulling up now..gotta run!

Merry Christmas EVE!!!

I love Christmas Eve. The anticipation of the kids waking up in the morning. I just love it. I loved it because we always gathered at my grandmothers house for dinner and then to open presents. Even though I love Christmas Eve I am sad today because we will not be having our traditional Nanny's gathering. Everyone was to busy. A tradition that I have been apart of for 37 years. But this evening I swore to myself we would start a new one. Billy, the kids and I are going to maybe play a game and we will watch Jeff Dunhams Christmas special...laugh...and just enjoy being together. Get the kids to bed and then make their stockings. We actually aren't doing any Santa wrapping gifts this year...another odd change to tradition. But I have all their presents except two already under the tree.

Today I am going to finish cleaning...maybe head out to Khols so I can return a pair of jeans. I have to make a grocery store run for some milk and chips.

I hope everyone reading this has a very Merry Christmas or a Happy Holiday. You are each very dear to me!

Only 4 more day

I'm getting excited. just 4 more days until Christmas morning. I am only working Monday and Tuesday of this week so it will be a good week :)

We are not having our family get together on christmas eve which sad for me. This will be the first time in 37 years, that I have been alive, that we are not having our get together. It breaks my heart actually. But I told my husband and kids that we will gather at the house...play games...and watch a movie and just start our own, new, Christmas Eve tradition. I really miss my nanny this year..its harder this year..and not having our family get together just makes it even harder missiner her..but I know it will be okay. Deep down I know it will. I went over to her house yesterday to see how they were coming. My aunt started renovating it after she passed away. It is beautiful. My gosh if my cousin wasn't moving in there I would buy this house. Hardwood floors thru out. Beautiful lighting. the walls are so pretty (I helped paint about 30% of them), the front door is gorgeous...solid oak. My nanny would be so happy I really believe she would be.

On a different note...I'm feeling some better. Not as bad on the chest pain but just feels like someone has beat me in the chest. Hurts to breathe deep. But no sharp pains as I was having last week. BP is still higher than I would like. Still gave gained some weight which I hate. We want have any results from the blood work until Monday or Tuesday. I sure hope its not an ulcer.

Hubby is going "Christmas" shopping this morning. I know he is trying to find me something which I told him not too. But he doesn't like me not having something under the tree. Me on the other hand...I love watching everyone else open their gifts so I don't really want anything. Oh well. I think I am losing that battle.

Only 4 more days...woohoo

I'm over it!

simply over it. I am tired of not feeling well.
Last night I scared my self silly waking up to intense chest pains, sweats and nausea...I just knew it was something bad. Today it feels like someone has punched me in the chest. My BP was 148/100 at the drs a bit ago. HELLO HIGH! not good considering it was just 112/78 last week huh.

Dr. took a tube of blood to send off to see if I have an ulcer??? EKG was okay. I'm tired. And I just need some relaxing sleep or a day of just nothing. Why can't I get a prescription for that.

Just hanging on...

barely.
Had a quick last minute gift I was asked to make today. So had to get home and get it done. Kayla had her 3 week oral surgery appointment. Things are healing up nicely. We want discuss the retainer and what he wants to do with that. yuck. We go back in a month and I hope in the mean time we can get her retainer in or try to get to the orthodontist and get a new one before all these lovely teeth start shifting around.

tomorrow I have my check up on this crud I have. Still feel yuck but not as bad as last week. I just wish it would all go away. But then again when the temps go from 20 to 70 in a week....everyone is sick in some form or fashion.

Counting down til Christmas and I have a few gift cards to get still. A few things that Shawn wants to wrap that needs to get done. Still so much to do. Clean the house. Scrap. Clean the house. Scrap some more...giggle.

Sunday at the Thackston's

It's Sunday....and the whole house is quiet. Kayla is buried in her room. Shawn is off making duck tape animals and boxing gloves. Billy is feely yuck on the couch. And I am still pretty congested, yuck, and "attempting" to bake. Scary sight I tell ya. Already thrown away one batch of something or another because really.....I had no idea what it turned into...lol



On a great note...and YEAH I can scream it...I am a Gutter Girlz!!!! WOOHOOO. Thank you ladies for this opportunity. This will be so much fun! Check out the Gutter Blog and give some prompts a try. They really are fun and inspirational.....and really get you scrapping. I can't wait. This is going to be loads of fun!

Back from the dr again

yep took another visit to the dr and one antibiotic shot and one steroid shot later...I have a sinus infection, fluid on the ear and just a nasty upper respitory yuck. So I have antibiotics, steroids and a decongestant. At the same time Kayla was at the oral surgeon because her implant area was inflammed and swollen so she came home with more antibotics and prescription mouthwash...anyone else want some meds??? Will ship you off to the dr.

this weeks happenings...

Well...I am sick AGAIN! went to the dr today but he says he feels it is just allergies. What in the world would spark allergies in DECEMBER? Okay....will go with the flow here. He game me sinus medication which is not covered under my insurance...which cost $150...which I didn't fill...and I just got some Claritin and will give that a try. I have fluid on my ear which is driving me crazy but no infections just yet. If this doesn't clear up he wants me to see an ENT for a culture since I was just sick a month ago. yuck. Go away cooties please.

Nothing seems to be helping though...still can't breathe. sigh. Oh and I learned a valuable lesson last night. NEVER...and I repeat NEVER...take Sudafed before you go to bed. yeah. I could of scrapped all night long. I didn't go to bed until 3 am and had to get up at 5. What a lovely day!

I haven't felt much up to doing anything. I have a layout on my desk that I have been working on for 4 days now. Just don't feel up to working on it. Spent wayyyyy to much money at Target the last few days. Did I mention...way to much!

Still so much left to do. Tomorrow is Billy's birthday. He will be 48! I am hoping that a lady will have for me a very special cake for him! Should be very special since it is going to cost a pretty penny...but I think it will be super cute. Then Thursday is my friend Dorothy's birthday. Friday I guess Billy and I will go out for our birthday's together before the kids have a coniption fit that I haven't been taken out to eat yet. And Saturday we have a party to go to. Sunday...I think I will work on making plates of sweets for work and Billy's work. We will see I guess. I am not that great on making cookies and such. Can't believe the kids only have 2 weeks left of school. Shawn has 4....yes FOUR...major tests just in one class in 2 weeks. Did I mention he is already failing the class with a 47! Stress I tell ya...these kids are killing me with stress.

Okay....lots to do...house to clean. etc. etc.

Update time I guess

What a week it has been. Very busy that is for sure. Kayla got a good report at the oral surgeons office. We go back in another 2 weeks. Her retainer still doesn't fit. But we will wait about 3 more months before the next step of the surgery.

We attended the parade yesterday. Kayla was holding the EPHS band banner. We really embarressed her which was funny. Then we went to the Christmas in the Woods campout where it preceeded to be 27 degrees! It was F'n cold that is for sure. When I got home 30 minutes later my toes were solid red and hurt really bad! I don't know how the boys are sleeping in that stuff. They will be home some time today and I can pretty much guess shawn will be sick soon. I was just there 5 hours and my throat hurts so bad this morning along with my sinuses! He is running for Senior Patrol Leader again today. I really hope he gets it again.

Here is my layout with the December kit for Serendipitykits. I loved this kit with all the red sparkles. I have another project to upload on the blog and then I need to get busy on another layout. I've just been trying to find the perfect pictures to go with this paper.

can you believe the year is winding down? I can't. Just 18 more days until christmas. WOW.

My Aunt Ramona bought a Rosemary tree to plant at my nanny's headstone this year. So that I can decorate it for Christmas. We will take care of that today along with 50 zillion errands I need to get done.

I'm still here...

I'm still here...I promise. Just buried in Dr appointments, work, online games, parades, campouts, 500 word essays, flippin Algebra/Geometry/martian designed math problems...and some layout projects.
I will resurface soon...or if you don't see me soon please come looking for me

Made it thru the holiday

wow...finally. Back to work and the regularly scheduled programs! Sometimes holidays just get you way off kilter. All I pretty much did for 3 whole days is play Vampire Wars and Mob Wars on facebook. Pitiful huh!
I did get one layout done =) about time right!

Today was an easy day. Ship the kids to school and I go to work for just 6 hours =) I had a drs appointment at the dermatologist. She froze a spot on my face, which I might add hurts like hell right now, and then gave me some retina-a for these brown spots that have appeared over the last year. I know...it could be worse...but they seriously bother me. I want even take a good picture of myself because of them. So anyway....once this spot blisters and peals I can use the other stuff and see what happens. Now if they could just take care of these foot long, inch wide, stretch marks I have...I will be doing good.

Tomorrow it is off to the dentist for regular check up and wednesday is Kayla's post op visit to see how she is doing. Hopefully all is going as planned.

Okay back to the games for a bit before I gotta get some serious work done!