A Bad Blogger I have been!

I have to opologize for not keeping up with my blog. This year has felt so hectic at school, I'm not sure what my deal is. I have definitely been able to find time to read my favorite blogs and shop with some of my favorite etsy shops but can't keep my own going...must be my priorities huh?...lol.

April made these darling posies for me, aren't they the cutest! And I love this card cozy that Shelly made for me, I actually use it to hold a small notepad and calendar for meetings at school. April & Shelly are both talented gals, you need to check out their etsy shops when you get a chance!

Has anyone ever heard of a Twinkie Cake? I hadn't so when I ran across this easy dessert, I just had to try it out. I made it yesterday and everyone seemed to like it so I will definitely make it AGAIN!

Back in January, we here hit with a major ice storm here in NE Oklahoma...we were without power for 11 days! I thought I was going to go nuts. This photo below was of my parents' house, the pole itself fell on their house. I have never seen so many branches and limbs that fell off of the trees around here. May I add, that I am still picking up branches in our yard as we speak.

It's hard to tell in this picture but this is actually the road to our house. The trees and branches were so heavy with ice that they just folded into the road, a nice neighbor had to use a chainsaw to clear the limbs out.

So needless to say, once the power got restored...I was so appreciative to be able to flip the light switch and have it come on!

It has been snowing here today, where in the world is spring!!!

Karen~

We Survived the First Week Back

Tomorrow will be the beginning of week two for me and Tyler. We survived our first few days of school last week. It hasn't been too bad, just feeling a little tired since we aren't quite used to our school schedule yet but we will get there (I hope). I should be in bed as we speak but in a little while I'll hit the hay.

I read blogs everyday that talk about what funnies their kids are doing or what milestone they have reached and I enjoy reading them all. This week I had to drop Tyler off at high school for the first time and I bawled like a baby on my way to school. I know, I'm a big baby...I admit it. One reason it has been more difficult for me is because he has went to the same school where I work since he started preschool. I have been at school where he played ballgames, was in school plays, participated in 4-H projects or just came to my room and raided my gum stash and drank my tea and all of the sudden...that is all over!! (sad face). But you know, his first few days were fine...I was the only one having the problem so I will work on just sucking it up...lol.

The weather has been so mild here the last few days and it actually rained today. I hope it stays kind of mild since Tyler will start after school football practice on Tuesday and I think they will have about a 2 1/2 - 3 hour practice, man...do I dread that for those boys.

I have added a few things in my etsy shop in the last week so you might want to check those out if you have time. This past week was really busy so you would think I would have a few more exciting things to talk about...lol.

Enjoy your Monday everyone!!!

The time has come...

for me to go back to school! Yes, I know some of you are saying "wah"! I can't believe the summer has flown by so quickly. I have to report tomorrow at 9:00 but our kids don't start until Wed., the 6th. I don't mind going back but getting back into the routine will take me a few weeks. I am going to feel like a semi truck has run over me...lol. I know you guys will be sympathetic...right???

Sorry I haven't posted this past week. I went to school a few days to get my room ready then went shopping again to finish up some last minute things...then poof, the week was gone plus the weekend!

I did get a few new things in my etsy shop, if you have time...go by and check it out! Thanks to Shelly for adding me to the treasury she submitted on etsy.

Have a great week everyone!

Karen~

Are we ready for high school yet?

Well, I think we have everything completed so my son can begin high school in a few weeks. We've had orientations, enrollment, filled out forms multiple times and physicals this past week. So, finally...maybe that's it for a while.

Has it been hot where you are?

It's been 99 and 100 degrees here in Oklahoma and the heat index even higher. I like summer but not the humidity and so hot that you can even think about being outside from around noon til 4:00 or so...but what am I saying, that's just how it's going to be for a while.

I completely dislike winter and cold weather but fall doesn't even sound like a bad word about right now...lol.

I would like to thank Shelly for saying such nice things about me and plugging my little etsy shop. She is a great girl and has wonderful goodies in her shop, lemon tree studio. Thank you Shelly!

Here are a few new things in my shop, a cute little owl cut from felt with big button eyes!

Finally completed this paper bag album, it would be great for alot of different occasions.

And this little embellished tag!

I Blogged How Long Ago???

I can't believe it's been over a week since I posted here, but time does fly...doesn't it!!

Okay, I did get my dryer fixed...maybe I already posted that, I guess I should blog more often and I can keep up with what I have said...lol.

We got Tyler enrolled in high school last week and we got all the teachers we wanted.

BTW: We got there for enrollment and waited our turn in line at 8:50 am, enrollment wasn't starting til 12:00...can you tell we were determined to get there early so we could get the teachers we wanted...*smiles*. Of course, you hear from others who you should take for this or that. Tyler's goal was to take teachers/classes that were going to be possibly easier than others...lol. My goal is for him to take teachers who are willing to work with the students and parents. Being a teacher, I am going to go to parent/teacher conferences, email, and just keep in contact with Tyler's teachers and his progress. Just being a freshman at a new school will be overwhelming in lots of ways for him but I know he will do fine...I am just going to do my part and keep up with things at the high school. It will be probably more of an adjustment for me, Tyler has been at the same school as me since preschool...I am going to miss having him there with me. I know, I'm being a baby...can't help it!...lol.

We did go shopping for school clothes also last week, did I tell you guys how much fun it is shopping with a 15 yr old?!...lol. Nah, it wasn't too bad...we weren't going to get everything, just a few things on our list so he did find 3 pairs of shorts. We will have to go another time later but at least we got a little accomplished. I know some of you guys are saying, school clothes...but Tyler will start school Aug. 7th. Poor me, I start back Aug. 4th!!!

Look at this cute little pincushion I made. I have seen some like this on etsy and wanted to make one for myself! Too CUTE!

Here are a few things I put in my etsy shop. A gift card holder and some felt embellishments.

I hope everyone has a great Monday!

Karen~

Raining AGAIN!

I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday!

It has been rainy and kind of gloomy here today and since I have stayed in most of the day, I should have gotten more accomplished. I have done a ton of laundry it seems like and the washer is still going. I wanted to be more crafty today but didn't do much of that either. But I did get out all of my paper stash that I had scattered here, there, everywhere and have attempted to organize it. Lately I have bought alot of paper but didn't take the time to put it away...I hate it when I do that but funny I continue to do it...lol.

Okay, I bought an ice cream maker...now ask me if I have a recipe, NO! I want to use it on the 4th but I better find a recipe to test out before then. Anytime I have tried a new recipe on my family and friends, it tends to not turn out...don't you hate that?! Hey, if any of you guys have a recipe that you want to share with me...share away, please! Here is another QVC purchase! A silicone baking sheet. I don't have any experience with this type of material but I am anxious to try it out. It's amazing how it just doesn't melt in the oven or it's not supposed to anyway...lol...I may find out differently. Jade had to get her cute little self in the photo. If I wanted to take her pic, she wouldn't have cooperated with me. I think I may try out the dog treat recipe that Shelly shared with us on this new baking sheet.
More supplies! Watercolor pencils!

I haven't used these in the past but so far they seem easy to work with. The lady at the store demonstrated how they worked and the differences in the pencils compared to the markers. I went with the pencils this time. Below is a photo of some tags I made using the watercolor pencils. It's kind of like coloring when we were kids, fun!

These are in my etsy shop!
You all will have to check out the Lemon Tree Studio at etsy, Shelly has some really CUTE things!

Well, it looks like the sun may try to come out for a whole few minutes before it's time to set again. I hope everyone has a great Sunday!!!

Karen~

Cats can be sooo entertaining!

Today, Tyler and I couldn't resist buying this crinkle activity tunnel for the kittens at my mom's while we were at Petco. (Okay, has anyone else noticed it always smells in Petco...it's the ferrets...isn't it?)

Anyway, I knew once the kittens got used to the noise the tunnels makes that they would be in hog heaven...and shazam, they were running back and forth having a great time. We just sat and laughed at them, they are so funny and cute. The tunnel was a big hit and will help entertain them from time to time. We should have gotten one of these for our cat Jade but you never know what she will like. She likes things on her terms, it would be like if she thought we wanted her to play with it she wouldn't...lol and would probably wait and play with it while we were gone.
I have to put in a plug for the modern pet, an etsy store. I have ordered this dog deodorizer in the past and I ordered another one tonight for our dog Sissy. She has a bad habit of finding something disgusting in the yard to roll in at times and this stuff took care of the nasty odor. I was so excited to find it and will continue to use Funky Dog Organic Deodorizer...I better stock up because I caught Sissy rolling on a dead frog at my mom's (sorry, nasty!).
I also went to Hobby Lobby today and got lots of paper that was 50%, hooray!

Hope everyone has a great Friday!

Karen~

Where did May go????

I cannot believe the month of May is gone already! We have been out of school since May 14th and the summer is running at warp speed, darn it!...I know, I'm whining...lol.

Below is a picture of Sissy checking out a turtle she found in the yard. She is wanting to be brave but she isn't quite sure what it is so she is kind of keeping her distance.After I moved the turtle and his head popped inside his shell, Sissy did get a little closer look. Once we left the turtle alone, it didn't take him long to get the heck out of dodge.The weather was pretty nasty here til about noon so I made a few things for my etsy shop. Below are a few of the things I listed today.

We begin another basketball camp tomorrow, grades 5th-8th. I will be the concession queen again...lol. These older kids won't be too bad, but what am I saying. I was noticing that the weather was calling for 90's and humid, of course it is...we have NO AC in the gym so it will be nice and sticky! YUCK!!! Everyone have a great Monday!

Karen~

Okay, better late than never...

we finally got the portable basketball put together. We started it about 5 days ago but got busy with some things and didn't finish it. It was a little harder than I thought it was going to be but aren't they always. The directions never say that you will need 3 or 4 people to help hold this and that and I only had one part left...lol...I really did have one left over but I don't have a clue where it goes. I told Tyler that I hope it doesn't come tumbling down.Tyler making a goofy face at me. He's just glad we got it put together so he can shoot some hoops. I think he was impressed that he and I could assemble it by ourselves.
Here's another card I made and put in my etsy shop. I think it turned out cute!
And another one.
Tomorrow is the last day of basketball camp for the little guys (1st-4th grades). Talk about tiring, I was chasing kids all over that gym...lol. I know why the parents sent them to camp now, they were ready for a little break. Everyone have a happy Friday!

Karen~

Good Things...

like fresh strawberries. We have quite a few strawberry patches in this area, so if you like berries...you can eat them til your hearts content. They are in season around a month or so. Does anyone use Philosophy's Amazing Grace? I do, I love it! This was a gift from a friend for my birthday that was earlier in the month. I forgot all about it til I found it in the trunk of my car. Great fragrance!
Here are a few cards that I made a few days ago and put in my etsy shop. I love the dog and cat, too cute!

Well, I made it through the first day of basketball camp. Man, it was hot and humid. Our gym does not have AC, so it was a little muggy but the kids seem to make it just fine. It was just the adults that looked hot and sweaty...lol. My feet are killing me but just two more days and it is over until next week when we have another one. Surely my feet will be more used to it by then.

Have a great Thursday!

Karen~

What a Week!

This week has been a busy one, run here and there. We survived our trip to Dallas with 19 8th grade kids. They seemed to have a good time and we know how difficult it can be to please 14 year olds at times. Talk about hot in Texas, I think they said it was a record high on Monday and believe me...it felt like it. We got back last night from Dallas and today had to go pick up my dad at the airport. He has been in Alaska for about 2 months filling in as principal til the end of the school year. Man, was he ready to come home. He couldn't believe how green everything was here in Oklahoma but he had left here during spring break and things were just starting to green up a little. This will tell you how glad he was to be home, he made some statement like...he was looking forward to weedeating...lol. We are all glad to have him home, especially my mom and the grandkids.

Look what I got in the mail today, these are so adorable! I bought them from Cutie Goodie's Etsy Shop. I am going to have to buy more because I can imagine all kinds of projects for these cuties!

HOORAY for David Cook, winner of American Idol. Okay, can you tell I am a little excited about him winning?!!!

Everyone have a great Friday!!

Karen~