Round Up Time! June 2010

1. What books/magazines did I read this month?
Two books: The Queen's Handmaiden, Around the World in 80 Days. Magazines: Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks Etc, Relevant.

2. What movies/TV shows/plays/ect did I watch this month?
The Red Baron, Season 1 of Merlin, Iron Man, Season 1 of Bones, one episode of season 2 of The Tudors, and the pilot for LOST.

3. What fun things did I do with my family/friends this month?
Went to watch the Majors team in playoffs, went to lunch with the Cressman family afterwards. We spent 5 days at the end of the month volunteering at the Little League fields during the 9-10 yr. old tournaments. It was a lot of hard work, a lot of fun, and very tiring :) Mid-month Uncle Todd and Max came to Orlando for a convention. We were able to squeeze in an afternoon of pizza and mini-golf.

Chad and J also had the experience of a lifetime a couple weeks ago when they were invited to go deep sea fishing with some of our baseball friends. They had some amazing fish tales to tell when they got back that night!


4. What gifts did I give/receive?
Father's Day was low key - just a card and an afternoon together. I sent out several birthday and anniversary cards this month.

5. What special or unusual purchases did I make this month?
I went thrifting: purple dress, galoshes, camera bag. I also treated myself to the new Skillet CD.

6. What illnesses or health concerns did I have this month?
We're all doing pretty well. J smashed his left index finger in a door. He will definitely be losing the nail. Hopefully it's not too sore next week for his All Star tournaments! He also hasn't had that growth spurt yet. I know it's coming, though. He started complaining about his knee hurting...

7. What were my accomplishments?
Marathon training is in full swing! The kids are almost finished with all their school work for the year.

8. What were my disappointments?
Due to the week of tournaments, my training schedule is off. I missed the last week because we were out so late (and bone weary) that I just could not get up in the mornings to walk.

9. How did I do on my goals?
Posting to my blog everyday has been a challenge, between the virus on my computer and waiting to borrow one of the kids' computers, and the crazy schedules we've been keeping, blogging has taken a back seat. I still have the marathon in my sights and I'm still working on my various photography projects.

10. Anything else noteworthy? Yes! On June 15, 2010 J got the call he's be working towards for 2 1/2 years: The All Stars call! J made the All Stars team this year. Way to go buddy! We're so proud of you :)

Round Up Time! - May 2010

It's that time again. Another month has flown right on by. Here's the scoop:

1. What books/magazines did I read this month?

I read two fiction books: A Murderous Glaze and Hugh and Bess. It took quite some time to get through the first one, but I flew through the second book. Historical books are so much easier for me to enjoy! As far as non-fiction goes, I've read bits and pieces of Homesteading as well as numerous mexican cookbooks and craft/knitting books. The usual suspects when it comes to magazines, but I did get a new one this month: Creative Knitting. I don't know if I'm going to keep this one. It didn't seem to have too many projects I'd like to undertake.

2. What TV shows/movies/plays did I watch this month?
The usual, though most of my shows have ended and are only running sporadic reruns. I did get the discs from season one of Eureka. That was funny and I plan on watching the rest of the seasons. Movies: Independence Day, Julie and Julia, The Sum of All Fears, Avatar, Blindside, Karate Kid 2, Honey I Blew up the Kid, Sweet Home Alabama, Daybreakers, Sherlock Holmes, Up, Star Trek; the Voyage Home, A League of their Own. I guess we've watched a lot of movies lately since our TV shows are finished.

3. What fun things did I do with my family/friends this month?
Our friends from Texas came to visit for a week and we stayed in the condo with them for a few days. We had fun walking around Downtown Disney and spent lots of time together at the pool! Chad and I have gone on a date almost every Friday morning this month. During vacation week we actually got to play a round of disc golf. J went with us because it had been such a long time since we'd played.

"Monkey see, Monkey do"

4. What gifts did I give/receive this month?
J went to a birthday party this month and he gave his friend (what else?) a baseball bat/ball set... made by Nerf! The ball has this patch on it that helps you make it curve. They had so much fun. And now J wants one for himself :) J and I both received a certificate from J's baseball coach at the end of the season. J for completing his first year in Majors and me for being the scorebook keeper.

5. What special or unusual purchases did I make this month?
I bought myself a cheap pair of tennis shoes. And K immediately tried to steal them...again. She won't give back my purple shoes, so I'm guarding these new ones very carefully!

6. What illnesses/health concerns did I have this month?
None, really. I'm a little concerned with J's diet lately. He seems to be putting on some weight despite being very active. I hope that means a growth spurt is on the way.

7. What were my accomplishments this month?
I finally got the artwork for my online craft store finished. I signed up for a store on shophandmade.org and I made three sets of napkin rings. I have a few more items to finish before I'll post anything though. I want to have a few more options for potential customers to look through.


8. What were my disappointments this month?
I didn't walk much this month and I can feel the difference. I am determined to knuckle down and get back on it though. The offical training schedule starts in a couple weeks! eek!

9. How did I do on my goals this month?
It's 50/50. I didn't walk much, but I got a lot done on the crafting front. I didn't take any photo challenges, but I've been close to getting my pictures every day. I didn't blog every single day, but I did blog most days.

10. Anything else noteworthy for the month?
Chad's work has been on again off again. We're still trying to make plans to move back up north soon. The kids have made a lot of friends this last year (we have too) and that is making things difficult.

Round-Up - April 2010

ROUND UP TIME!

1. What Magazines/Books did I read this month? Oh, lets see...lots of crafting/knitting/cooking type books, nothing cover-to-cover. I haven't read anything really, not even my magazines. I did get the latest Cloth, Paper, Scissors, and I glanced through the latest Creating Keepsakes as well as Scrapbooks, etc.. I got the new Relevant but I haven't read it yet. I did pick up a stack of fun fiction books to read and I'm about half way through one. I chose some "crafty" mysteries.

2. What TV shows/movies/plays did I watch this month? NCIS, Project Runway, Shear Genius, and Chad found an old series through Netflix called Prison Break that we've been watching almost non-stop. I started to watch Confessions of a Shop-aholic, but Chad came home and switched it to the Prison Break show. I also watched National Treasure and NT2 this month...again :)

3. What fun things did I do with my family/friends this month? We went to Universal Studios for a little bit. I tried out the Spiderman ride, now it's different. It still made me sick. We also went mini-golfing for J's birthday. And we spent lots and lots of time down at the baseball fields.

4. What gifts did I give/recieve this month?  April is J's birthday so of course we got him some fun stuff: a new watch, and some nerf toys.

5. What special or unusual purchases did I make this month?  I bought some candy melts to make cake pops for J's baseball team. Totally new experience there. I bought some fat quarters for the first time in about a year to make some napkin rings for my web store...if I ever get it off the ground!

6. What illnesses/health concerns did I have this month?  I'm getting healthier, though I still crave sweets. I'm a bit concerned with J's health - he doesn't eat fruits/veggies very often. I found a cookbook at the library with some great ideas for sneaking fruits and veggies into everyday foods. As soon as I can I'll be trying some of these out. K is still getting taller and skinnier. I wonder when she'll stop?

7. What were my accomplishments this month? I joined the "Week in the Life" project with Ali Edwards, and I've edited all my photos! I've been walking, despite the increasing heat. I also, finally, finished that sweater wrap. It only took 4 tries to get it right :)

8. What were my dissapointments this month? hmm...not enough chocolate? :)

9. How did I do on my goals this month? Been walking, been taking plenty of pictures, still trying to figure out my webstore deal-e-o. A bit of regression in eating healthy - I actually ate fried food at the baseball field. :(  It tasted really good, but I paid for it later - oh, the pains!

10. Anything else noteworthy for the month? Nope. Pretty much ho-hum.

Round-Up - February 2010

It's Round-Up time again. The days are moving much too swiftly. All this blogging and taking pictures for the Project 365 really helps me stay focused and appreciate what goes on around me every day. I'm glad I took the challenge!

What books/magazines did I read this month?

I only managed 2 fiction books: Our Lady of Pain and The Looking Glass Wars. I read Relevant, Group, and Scrapbooks, etc. this month as far as magazines go. I've been reading several craftbooks and many, many knitting patterns :)

What movies, TV shows, plays, etc did I watch this month?

TV: Leverage, White Collar, NCIS, Project Runway, Shear Genius

Movies: The Spy Next Door, The Day After Tomorrow, Replacements, Armegeddon

What fun things did I do with my family this month?

We took a trip up to Blue Springs State Park to see the manatees!

And we did lots of baking and goody making!

brownies! pancakes! jello! cookies! yum!

What gifts did I give or receive this month?

Well, this month I celebrated my 39th birthday. I received several books in the mail from my SIL and my MIL. My mom gave me a gift certificate to Shutterfly, and my kids gave me some handmade cards and special job coupons. To celebrate we went to a movie (The Spy Next Door) and my husband told me to buy a new paper trimmer. I've needed one forever and I still haven't bought one yet - researching!

What special or unusual purchases did I make this month?

I bought some muslin to make up a dress pattern and I bought a new statement ring :)

What health concerns did I have this month?

We've been pretty healthy. A few bouts with the sinuses since the weather can't make up its mind if it wants to be hot or cold. J got that nasty sliver during our manatee trip that cost some $$$ and 7 days of meds.

What were my accomplishments?

I lost 4 pounds! Got in a few more training days. Went to the YMCA a couple times (need to do that more!)

What were my disappointments?

Not enough training days in! The weather just isn't cooperating :(

An acquaintance placed an order for dreads and has not paid yet :(

How did I do on my goals this month?

I have posted to my blog every day but one (the trip to see the manatees) and I have taken pictures everyday for Project 365. I have been working on the Journaling Me project a couple times a week. I'm getting better at drinking coffee - this month I've had 2 Mocha Cappuccinos!

Anything else noteworthy?

J used his savings (and a little of ours) to buy a new baseball bat - the new B3! He was super excited to be the very first Little League player to get one - so cute. K has been doing some shopping and she bought her very first shirt with buttons! I'm not kidding - very first button down shirt at age 13.

Round-Up - January 2010

Another great idea, brought to us by Katie the Scrapbook Lady

1. What books/magazines/other did I read this month? According to my 2010 Reading list I've finished 3 books this month: the last 2 Twilight Saga books and The Time Traveler's Wife. But I also have read dozens of knitting and crafting books. I just don't add them to the reading list if I don't read them cover-to-cover! I have 5 magazines I read all the time: Cloth, Paper, Scissors, Scrapbooks Etc., Creating Keepsakes, Taste of Home Healthy Cooking, and Relevant.

2. What movies/TV shows/ plays, etc. did I watch this month? I always watch NCIS! I've also watched Launch My Line, Project Runway, Leverage, White Collar, Bones and the occasional What Not to Wear. I've only watched a few movies - one of them was Happy Gilmore, because J thought it was funny. And I've watched some of my go-to movies: National Treasure, Independence Day and The Mummy.

3. What fun things did I do with my family/friends this month? Most of our family time has been spent at the baseball field, getting the concession stand ready for the season and getting some extra practice time in for J and some of his friends. We did pop into Downtown Disney once, on a cold, windy day. :/

4. What gifts did I give/receive this month? We sent Uncle Todd a package to celebrate his 40th birthday. We found a hunting T-shirt and sent a bunch of funny cards stuffed with balloons, gum, and a ton of birthday party confetti. We also received some of our Christmas gifts from my mom and sister in the mail. That's fun.

5. What special or unusual purchases did I make this month? The only special purchase was for Uncle Todd's birthday. The most unusual purchase in Jan. was 4 tanks of LP to heat the RV! Unheard of!

6. What illnesses or health concerns did I have this month? Everyone has been healthy. No issues with the H1N1 virus. We've been drinking our daily mug of hot OJ to keep the sniffles away :)

7. What were my accomplishments this month? I nailed down my goals for the year and got Chad to work with me for the family goals. I'm learning to drink coffee (just for Chad) and I've got a good start on several goals already. My biggest achievement has been posting to my blog every single day!

8. What were my dissapointments this month? My biggest dissapointment was the weather! I haven't been able to walk everyday to train for my marathon. I only managed a few days and the air was so cold I had to stop because I didn't want to get sick. The marathon I want to participate in is in November so I know I've time to train. It's just frustrating. I'm thinking about a YMCA membership since the weather is still ick.

9. How did I do on my goals this month? Excellent, for the most part! See #7&8 above

10. Anything else noteworthy this month?  Chad has been doing a phenomenal job at work. He's at the top. Battling with another guy for the #1 position. And he made bonus level! Yay! One of our family goals is to pay off debt and those bonuses are going to help a whole lot!

I did my round-up!