Time to move forward

So, I've left the last post up for a while on purpose. A little tribute, if you will, to the old man. I gotta say, it is definitely quiet around here without him right under our feet. But as they say, there is a season for everything.... and it is time for me to move forward.

This week we celebrated Valentine's Day! My mom's birthday is also Valentine's Day, so growing up, it wasn't really about Valentine's for us, but celebrating Mom's birthday. This year was a 'biggie' for her - 60. Yes, my beautiful, youthful mom turned 60 Thursday. And she's had quite a difficult time with it! Most anyone that sees a picture of her can't believe she would have a problem, as she looks so great. But anyone that actually knows her, understands. So let's just leave it at that. Here is a photo of her from the wedding (with Brooks, Ben and me). Doesn't she look fab???

We threw her a surprise party on Friday the 8th at Jeff Ruby's. It was so good, I can't even describe it! And we totally got her! She had no idea, and the first words out of her mouth were "if I had known there was going to be a party for me I would have worn something different. I need to go home and change!" That's my mom!

Ben and I had a lovely dinner at Bonefish. At the eleventh hour I finished his gift! I had received a heart-shaped chipboard box with heart-shaped 3-ring mini album inside from my Scrapologie kit that I knew would be perfect for Valentine's Day! Inspired tremendously by Ranjini's project peeks (and please check out her blog link to the right), I started the box about 3 weeks ago. I made my mom a small album for her birthday, and had to switch gears mid-project, and was only able to get back to work on his gift just this week. Nothing like having a deadline to get me in super-motion!

I also helped out with Peyton's Valentine's party at school, and I raced to be there on time. While I waited for two of the girls to dance at school, I managed to make a punched heart art piece inspired by AliE's blog. It was last-minute, but I like how it turned out so much I am planning to make one for spring, fall and Christmas.

Here are some photos of the projects...

I am really loving mini-albums lately. There is just something immensely satisfying to me to have a completed project. I've made 4 or 5 since last summer, and I have several ideas swimming in my head, not to mention 5 more album projects in the works. If only I could scrap all day everyday!

Despite being so 'into' the mini-albums, I have completed 2 regular layouts this month as well.... one is of Madelyn with Max - such adorable photos! - and the other is of the kittens. I had wanted to do a tribute to the old man cat, but realized the photo I wanted is at my office. So I did these other two instead.

I am also considering another online photography course. The 2nd phase of BPS's 4 Experts is about kicking your photography skills up a notch, with composition being a main focus. I am certainly not a whiz in my Photoshop skills, but I do think I know enough to get alot out of her class in spite of that fact. Since taking the online basic photography class last summer, I do know how to use the Manual settings, I am just not sure what settings to use for different situations. I think this class addresses that. The $250 price tag is the only things that has me hesitating. That and our travel schedule for April and May. It seems we are gone quite a bit for those two months.

I am enjoying my renewed scrapping mojo lately! I am incredibly motivated, but have been super busy. I did some major (belated) cleaning, so I should hopefully have time next week for playing with my scrap stuff. I also need to start the scrapbook I am making for Cathie for her anniversary this summer. Whew! Lots to keep me busy, that's for sure.

Better go GET BUSY!

Ode to the Old Man Cat

August 1992 - January 29, 2008

You lived a good, long, happy life my friend. You were the cutest furball I ever had seen when I found you at the Westport Road Animal Care Society... I just had to take you home with me. You and Max were instant buds -- his herding instinct keeping you safe in that loft apartment we had! I must say I have never since seen a cat/dog couple quite like the two of you. You just loved each other to pieces. I know that since he'd been gone, you had not been the same. You missed that old Maxer!

What can I say but thank you? Thank you for laying on my swollen pregnant belly and purring. Thank you for being such a good sport when a 2 year old pulled your tail. Thank you for accepting two rotten kittens into your territory when you were old enough to demand better! (But between you and me, I'm pretty sure they gave you a little extra oomph these last two years...)

You were a big, proud tom cat. Taking you to the vet wasn't pleasant, and you let me know loud and clear your displeasure at having to go every year, right up til the end old buddy. It was hard watching you walk around in obvious distress this last month. I just wasn't sure what to do. Doc and Sarah were wonderful to us, and we made the right decision for you.

I am quite certain that you are somewhere right now frolickin' with that Max, and you may have already found a warm spot in the sunshine, and have curled up together to take a little afternoon snooze. The two of you are absolutely resting in peace after all our years together. And you both deserve it so much.

I love you buddy. I will miss you. The girls will miss you. The kittens will miss you. Ben will miss you. We'll have tears for sure, but we have wonderful memories to last the rest of our lifetimes. Sleep well, sweet kitty....

A honeymoon there will be...

OK! So I am terribly excited, as we finally booked our honeymoon trip!


We decided to go to the Sandals Royal Bahamian, after comparing the Sandals there and in Antigua. For alot of various reasons, we chose the Royal Bahamian! It is truly beautiful and offers alot of different activities, as well as quiet, secluded areas - in which we are staying.


We are in the Royal Village, in a Honeymoon Villa Suite! We have butler service, which means we are already choosing different things to customize our trip for us. There is also a private island that a ferry whisks you away to....


We are very excited, and can't wait to go! We leave April 5 and return April 12. That is the girls' spring break, which is the only time I can go away for a full week. We shall have tons of wonderful photos to share when we get home!



You can check out the resort by clicking on this link:

http://www.sandals.com/main/bahamian/ba-details.cfm

In other news, I am working on cleaning out the scrap room - yes, again! It seems it's a never-ending chore. With all my beloved Scrapologie kits, I could technically toss out every thing else down there and still have enough to scrap for two years. Speaking of Scrapologie, she is having a Special Valentine kit going on sale any day now. I just hope it isn't so crazy expensive that I decide I can't get any of them (I think she will have 3 this month)... but wait! The honeymoon trip is all-inclusive, which means it's already ALL paid for! Woohoo! New Scrapologie goodness coming my way!


What else? Kaelyn is in heavy practice for the dance competition she goes to with Walden's Dance Team next weekend. We will be in Lexington on the 26th for that. She is truly enjoying dance team and is doing quite well for her first year.


We have several other travels planned for the next 6 months: a visit to Atlanta, a wedding in Kansas City, and the Boulder run out in CO with Ben's brother Bob. I am a little nervous about that one, as that is the last of the St. Clair family for me to meet. But I know it will all go just fine!


Thanks to all of you that are reading, and for those of you who leave comments! I actually figure I'm mostly talking to myself here! I did figure out how to add pictures to a post... However, I can't add pictures of the resort because they cannot be saved as files... So, click on the link to check it out! Meanwhile I will work on adding some recent photos to the next post!

Uber productivity

I must give myself a pat on the back! I was uBEr productive yesterday! Yes! I chose productivity over laziness, and it felt awesome! The highlights:

1. Grocery
2. Post Office
3. Bank
4. Made pediatrician appts. for Peyton and Madelyn (who is WAY overdue)
5. Called the vet to update them on the old man cat
6. Target, and I only bought the 4 things I went in for - MAJOR pat on the back for that one
7. A light lunch at Great Harvest - yummy
8. A little work that came my way for the Cone, Girl Scouts and the auction

I'm just saying, that is an uber productive day.

So I slept in this morning, and I'm going to get a quick shower and head to the studio. I'd like to do some reorganizing, I have a swap box together, plus I have two people that I want to send some happy scrappy mail to.... I am grinning just thinking about that one!

I am going to BE scrappy. I am going to BE happy with all that I've already accomplished this week and it's only Wednesday!

Happy Hump Day! Toodles!

A new week

So here we are, on Tuesday, with everyone and most everything "back to normal." Yes, the girls are back to school and Ben is back to work. I am hanging out enjoying the QUIETUDE. Ah. I've missed you, silence!

Today is a day that can go one of two ways.... I could be extremely busy (and productive) or extremely NOT. I have a list of things that I need to do: mail thank you notes (I should really get this done), grocery shop, make doctors' appts., shop for a project I've agreed to do for someone else.... Plus a few dozen other things, like get my license updated and go get a new Social Security card in my new name. But I kinda just want to BE....

Which brings me to my word for the year 2008. I love the idea of choosing a theme word, but it's hard to sum it all up in ONE word. Even a BIG word. But I think BE is going to get it done for me. I chose it because I want to BE in this moment right here, BE healthy, BE scrappy, BE a good wife, BE a good mom, BE ME. I thought about choosing DO, as in get it done, but that didn't convey the idea that I want to enjoy this, this LIFE, MOMENT, REALITY, that I have this instant before POOF! it's gone. There it went. DO, in some ways, just emphasizes the production of something, rather than simply having the moment. Living the moment. Being in the reality that is yours.

So! BE it is! I think I might dabble in a canvas (gasp! as if I need to take on any other projects!) to hang up that incorporates my word. I am feeling rather creative these days, but TIME has been elusive. I must quit feeling like I have to watch football every weekend with my husband! But I do love him, love BEING with him, and I like football too. But there are other things I could do.... Other moments in which I could BE! Ha! I like that!

I should BE in the shower now. The weather is crazy - like upper 60s, low 70s! I should run the errands while it's not sub-zero outside, and still dry. I'm sure rain is moving our way... how can you have such lovely temps without rain in January? You can't! It is quite windy, but that's a tradeoff I'm willing to make for light jacket weather.

Oh, and I also need to learn how to add pictures to my post.... Anyone reading (LOL! As if...) that might have that knowledge should feel free to share it in a comment! Thanks in advance!

Have a beautiful day! Toodles!

Here is the first blog post for our family blog! It's taken several months to get things even close to being semi-ready! But it's 2008 and there is nothing wrong with the blog not being 100% perfect. Ben will have to get on here and play around with all the elements we can add, but until then, a family picture will have to do...

The purpose of this blog will be to keep curious family and friends updated on a regular basis about the goings on of the St. Clair/Butcher/Bray household. That is a mouthful! But a happy mouthful to say the least!

Perhaps I should, as an introduction, explain the title of the blog, no? Well, Ben and I have pretty much concluded that we were just plain lucky to have met. I have always said when talking about 'us' that I am so lucky to have him, to which the inevitable "well, he's lucky too!" is the reply. Yes, I am lucky to have him, and he is lucky to have me (and vice-versa).... thus, lucky me, lucky you. I think it is the perfect sentiment for all happy couples. You are lucky to have each other!

It makes perfect sense to us, and blog titles are difficult to come up with these days, as there are so very many out there!

So Spencer and the girls are still on their holiday breaks. The girls return Monday (1-7) and Spencer is back in Oxford by 1-15. He will begin the second semester of his junior year, and he moves into the fraternity house. My, what a change that will be for him! We are planning at least one if not two trips down this spring - to help him get organized and just to enjoy spending time together. He is still going strong with his girlfriend Sarah... she's truly a lovely young woman! She is graduating this spring, and waiting to hear from nursing programs to see where she'll land next.

Kaelyn is off in Vail, CO enjoying the slopes with her grampy, uncle and cousin. Peyton will be going on the next trip out and trying out the skis for the first time. She is excited to go, but is happily enjoying the new Polly Pockets she received for Christmas. Madelyn has been quite a helper to me these last few days: she loves to clean and asked me if it was ok if she cleaned the bathrooms yesterday. Why, certainly, that would be fine.... !!! As a reward, Ben is going to take her for a pedicure tomorrow.

As for me, I finally got all the Christmas decorations put away yesterday. I am sometimes regretful for not putting more out, but then as I'm putting them away I wonder why I put out so much!?! The house is fully clean, laundry isn't piled too high, and we finally opened all the wedding gifts. Thank yous will be next on the list of "to-do's"...

Ben is enjoying his second long weekend in a row. He has worked on lots of little house projects, and I believe he is at Lowe's right this instant procuring something very important to finishing one or more of said projects!

This is quite a long post, but it's our first, and it's our blog.... so that's ok! I'm not even sure anyone will ever read this! I will next work on attempting to figure out how to add links to other blogs....