Stamping & Scrapping with Jen

A Snapshot in Time: Things That Make Me Happy

I know it is Thanksgiving, and most people are thinking about what they are thankful for, but I was out running errands today in the midst of the holiday madness and I started to think about the things that really make me happy.  So they aren't necessarily things I am thankful for (although they could be), but taking it one step further, I was really trying to figure out the things that make me truly happy.

I also agreed (to myself) that I had to be honest and remember that this is a snapshot in time, so these are just the things that happen to make me happy right now.  There are no right or wrong answers; nothing that I felt like I HAD to put on the list because it was the "right" thing to do; and nothing that I put on the list that wasn't honest.  I'm thinking about doing this every year around Thanksgiving and look at how the list stays the same and how it changes.

I even thought it could make a good scrapbook page.

So, here are some of the things on my list.  They are in no particular order, because I think happiness doesn't come in any particular order.  It is a work in progress and I might work on it throughout the weekend, and come up with the final list by Sunday.  I'm not going to make it be a set number of things - it is what it is.  So some years there may be a lot of things that make me happy and some years maybe the list will be short.  So here are a few:

• friends, friends, friends, and friends
• drinking good wine (which is better with friends)
• running (also better with friends) :)
• being an American
• when my kids are asleep
• the ability to travel and get away when I need to
• a husband that lets me get away when I need to
• doing things for others
• a successful event
• a personal best
• knowing my mom & dad are proud of me
• hearing my kids sing, God Bless the USA or any other patriotic song
  
• good report cards
• hopping on a plane or train to go see friends & family - it keeps the world a little smaller

I am sure there are more, but these are the ones that came to mind so far.  I guess some are similar and so many involve my friends, but to me it's the people in your life that make your life worthwhile, so I suppose that is why they appear so often in the list.

What are the things that make you happy???

 

Tears of Joy

I made it through today's graduation ceremony, which was really an adorable little sing-along and art show.  Oh, and a slideshow where I totally lost it.  I don't even know why I was crying - tears of joy, I guess.  And maybe because it all seems to go so fast.  Too fast.

But the whole program was very cute.  I will miss the school and I will miss the teachers and I'll miss the other kids and moms.  But luckily, thanks to Facebook, I'll be able to keep in touch with many of them, and some will even continue on to elementary school with Erin.

Here is a shot of Jeff & me with the happy graduate (or should I say goofy graduate). (If you look closely you can see my weepy red eyes.)

Now we are on to the elementary school for the spring open house.  No rest for the weary!!
 

A Busy Sunday!

Well I survived today!!  My 10k this morning was TOUGH!  It was hot, sunny, and humid.  And it wasn't supposed to be.  But I plowed through it, and reached my initial goal of just running the whole thing without stopping to walk.  I've run over 6 miles before, but never in a race, and never in that much heat.  My second goal was to try & break the one hour mark.  I didn't quite make it (but my friend Nancy did!!), but it was still a respectable pace, with room for improvement.

And as soon as it was over, we were on our way back home, and it was on to the dance recital.  Both girls did a great job; in fact the whole recital was great.  I was really proud of my girls and all the other girls that were there, especially the ones I know!

Here are a few pics from today.  Look for them on a scrapbook page sometime soon!!

 

 

Happy 8th Birthday Emily!!!

Today my (not so) little girl turns 8!!  I can't believe it!!

Here are a few pictures of her from today.  Can you guess one of the things I'll be scrapbooking next weekend??

 

 

The End of the Weekend

My mom LOVES to have our pictures taken.  In fact, it now makes all of our holiday gatherings about 2 hours longer than it otherwise would, but we do it anyway, and I think we all really like having all the different shots.  Normally Valentine's Day is NOT one of the occasions where the camera comes out, but yesterday was different.  My mom got a new frame and wanted to put a picture of just her & my dad and us three girls. (I am the favorite daughter by the way - just ask them!!!  By them I mean my parents.  My sisters will lie to you and tell you that they are the favorite, but don't believe them!!!)

Here was my favorite out of the ones on my camera.  Here it is first, then I cropped it, then I made it sepia, since that's how my mom wants to get the photo printed.

 

I think I need to go back to Photoshop and get rid of that glare on the photo behind my sister's head.  Anyone know how to do that??  I am really a Photoshop novice, and everything takes me forever.

So do you think we sisters look alike????  Who do you think is the oldest??

Thanks for hanging in there and celebrating my long birthday weekend with me.  I'll be back to more samples tomorrow!!!  I think I need to start thinking about SPRING!!!

Happy Valentine's Day - And My Birthday Celebration Continues!!!

Our dinner last night was delicious!  We went to Attilio's in Denville, NJ.  If you need a local Morris County place to eat, this is a good pick!  They even have a gluten free menu and it was so yummy!!!

Here is a shot of our whole group.

Since it's rare that all the Peel brothers & sisters get to spend time together, we decided to leave all the grandkids with the grandparents overnight & go out on the town!!  We went to the Office in Morristown with all the 21 year-olds!!!  It was a lot of fun - and we should really do it more often!!!

Here we are!! (I should photoshop those two people out of the background, huh?)

When Jeff went to pick up the girls this morning at his parents house, I put out all their Valentine presents.  Here is Jeff's (isn't he a lucky guy?).

Yesterday while Jeff & the girls were at ice-skating lessons, I made some gluten-free  Valentine chocolate-covered pretzels.  This was (and still is I suppose) one of my most FAVORITE things in life.  The only problem now is that if I want them, I have to make them myself.  So that is exactly what I did!! Here is a close up!!  Mmmmm - they are so yummy - I totally licked the bowl with the pretzels as I was making them!!!

Okay, on to more birthday festivities today!!  I'm heading up to my mom & dad's for birthday dinner and gluten free birthday cake!!!

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Shongum Birthday Celebration

Here we are at our little neighborhood get together.  See the table?  I really did have them make a card!!!  It was a fun night - and a great way to kick-off my birthday weekend!!  Also notice all the glasses - we had some fun beverages too!!!  Thanks for coming everyone!!!

More to come tomorrow!!

Birthday Weekend

It's my birthday weekend, and I don't have any stamping events planned (well, not really), but just lots of get-togethers and celebrations!!  Tonight a few neighborhood friends are coming over.  We used to get together every month and play bunco, but that kind of petered out, but we decided we still like to get together.  (We are lots of fun!!)  So we have a whole schedule planned out this year, and I picked February to host and instead of bunco, I thought I would teach all my neighbors to stamp a card.   Of course we'll be making Valentines and that will be  followed by a few drinks and some yummy snacks.  (All while we watch the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, of course!!) This is the only stamping I have planned.  Recognized this card?  I posted it a few weeks ago, but I thought I'd refresh your memory.  I think a lot of husbands (or maybe kids) in my neighborhood may be getting this card this year.

Then Saturday night I was trying to get two other high school friends - Chris & Cristy and their families to come down for dinner, drinks, and hanging out, but they both already had plans.  So instead, we are going out to dinner with Jeff's parents and his brothers & their families.

Then on Sunday, my real birthday, we're going to my parents for dinner.  My sister Becky's birthday was Wednesday so my mom always tried to get us all together for a birthday dinner.  Since it's so tough to go out to dinner for my birthday (which is one of the very few things I really don't like!!), I thought the idea of having dinner with my family was a much better alternative.  Otherwise I just end up disappointed.

Then Monday is a day off for the kids and Jeff, so I think we're going to try & do something  as a family.  Of course he is leaving for California on Tuesday (barring the snowstorm that is supposedly coming).

So, stay tuned for photos of my fun weekend!!

A Crop for Me!!

Just a quick post today!!  Because today I am spending the day cropping for me!!  Well, actually I am vending at the crop, too, but I am looking forward to spending sometime scrapping for myself!!  Can you guess what I'm going to work on????  :)  I can't tell you because I promised I wouldn't talk about it (well, I didn't really promise did I??)

Anyway, maybe sometime next week I'll have some new scrapbook pages to show you!!!

See you tomorrow!

More From Phoenix

I'm leaving tonight to go back to freezing cold NJ, but I wanted to post some pictures of some hiking we did here in Arizona.  For one reason, I want to share how beautiful it is here in AZ, and for another, I want to remind myself when I get back that it really is warm SOMEWHERE in the country, because I know I will be freezing once I get back.  And for one more reason, these pictures just make me smile - they'll always remind me of a great weekend with great old friends!!  And someday soon, I hope to scrapbook these!!

Squaw Peak

on Bell Rock, Sedona

Great times with great friends - does life get any better????