Grapevine...and more

Well, my trip to Grapevine was great.  Aside from work, I got to spend a little bit of time strolling through Downtown Grapevine.  It is a neat area with lots of great little shops and restuarants. 

 I snapped a few pictures of things that I think I might want to copy!  I love all of the "subway" art.

Sunday was a long day at work, with appointments all day long.  Yes, I really do have to work when I travel, I just don't take pictures of that part!  Traditionally, on Monday, at the major conferences that I go to, the lunch entertainment is sponsored by Broadway.  This year's show was great, featuring numbers from Sister Act, Mary Poppins, Ghost, Priscilla, and as seen below, Spiderman.

 The Peanut got to see the Texas Cousins one afternoon.  We met at LegoLand at Grapevine Mills.  The kids had a good time, but the adults agree that it was too pricey for what they have.  They have a couple of rides, a playland and a very cool room with lego sculptures of famous Dallas buildings. 

Probably the high point.... no DEFINITELY the high point of the trip was the event at Texas Stadium.  Yep, that is me with Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys.  Not sure what he was trying to say with his hand, but it was pretty exciting to meet him.

Of course, being at Texas Stadium was reason enough to take silly pictures.  I won't bore you with many, but this is one of the fun ones with my friends Amanda and Bennjin.

The last day of the conference had a lunch event sponsored by Nashville.  They brought in Phil Vassar who put on a fantastic show and made Nashville proud!

The final night was an Alice and Wonderland themed event.  We all dressed up as different characters.  I was the White Rabbit.  We had a great time at the event, but were ready to get home!

It was a great trip with lots of fun with friends and some time with family, and of course, some hard work.  As great as it is to go, nothing beats coming home!

Until next time,

Frances

What a Trip!!

It's been almost a year since I have blogged and I am committed to being more regular this year.  I think it is a great outlet for me to share my thoughts and feelings and document what I am doing with my time!  This year, I want to share my travels, projects, and weight loss.  Last year, I had a goal to lose 75lbs.  I successfully lost 50 and hope to lose another 75 this year.  I'll post tips, recipes and news about that.

This year has started off with a bang.  I am at my first convention of the year in Grapevine, Texas.  Since StepGirl lives here, I was able to bring the Peanut with me.

She was very excited about the flight and going to see what mom does when she travels.  I took her with me to the Convention Center on Saturday.

The Peanut had a great time hanging out and meeting with mom's friends.

It was a great time, showing my little one what the conferences I go to are like.  She is spending the rest of the week with StepGirl while I work.  More to come later.

Frances

Quick Valentine Treats

I saw a cute idea on a blog yesterday, so the Peanut and I decided it would be fun to do them for her classes... to accompany her Justin Bieber valentines, of course!

First we gather all of the materials for our chocolate dipped marshmellows.

 The Peanut started putting toothpicks in the strawberry marshmellows, so we could dip them in the chocolate.  She is clearly concentrating!

 Now begins the sequence... dip in chocolate, cover in sprinkles.... repeat.

 Don't they look yummy!!

 After the chocolate cooled, she took out the toothpicks and replaced them with these cute valentine picks.

 We also did some with a conversation heart stuck to the chocolate.

 The final package... with a couple of extra coversation hearts and ribbon.

 She is proud of her work and excited to go to school tomorrow!

After we were done, the door bell rang and these were delivered...

Hubby did good!  Love them.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day. 

Until next time,

Frances

It's Almost Valentine's Day!

Well, so much for blogging more often in 2011.  The year started and just got away from me.  Between travel, work and SNOW DAYS, I haven't been able to keep my head above water for the first 45 days of the year.  We have had a ridiculous amount of snow this winter, and remember, I live in the South.  My kids have only had 1 full week of school without any snow days all year!  This week, they went for 2 half days and were off the rest of the week.  That can really put a wrinkle in a mama's plans. 

So, here is a recap of the year so far, based on my goals from Jan 1.  We are eating somewhat better, but still have a long way to go.  It is so hard to eat and cook with healthier and organic foods, not to mention that it is very expensive, but we are doing better.  I am trying to plan meals in advance and buy only what we need, so we don't throw away so much food.  It is very easy for me to decide that we should just order pizza, but I am trying to get that under control.

I have had some health issues that I am working out before starting an exercise program.  Hopefully, I will be able to address that soon. 

The chores for the girls are a work in progress.  They are doing better, partly because we have had so much time at home.  I am going to keep on them, for my sanity and to continue to teach them responsibilities!

My biggest project has been to begin the craft room clean up/reorganization.  Here are the before pictures.... brace yourselves...

Now, don't misunderstand, this mess didn't happen overnight!  This space is shared with my kids and is 1/2 of the playroom.  So....while the kids were away one weekend, I went in and had my first run of the "re-do."  Here is the result...

There is still a lot of work that I want to do, but at least now I know where everything is. I'd like to build or buy some more shelving... and I need to have a "scrapbook yardsale." Honestly, I have more than I could every use. I'll get to that one day!

I also traveled in January to Philadelphia for a week.  It was a great trip and somewhere that I haven't been before.  One of the best parts of my job is that I have good friends to travel with...

With my BFF at the Liberty Bell

Independence Hall is getting a facelift.

Me and two of my best traveling girls!



YUM... Philly Cheesesteak on the grill.


Oh... I also made this

And this... still needs something to hang it with... but that will come soon.





 So... what's next??  Well, between now and the end of the month, I will go to Detroit and Atlanta, prepare for Valentine's Day, continue to make decisions about the future of my career, and hopefully find time to make something pretty! 

Until next time...



And a little reminder from Nature... God is never far away!

Happy New Year!!

Wow, I have been a terrible blogger.  Life got in the way and I gave up with my blog, though I enjoyed it. 

I have been on vacation for the last two weeks and have had a chance to catch up on all of the blogs that I follow, not to mention taking some time to organize my house a little bit.  I cleaned out my laundry room, cleaned and organized the pantry (and threw away two bags of stuff!), went through the dresser and part of the closet.  I am going to get my house in order in 2011!!

I've read lots of blogs about the top 10 projects of 2010.  I don't have that to share this year, but hope I will next year.  Instead, I am going to share my top 10 "to-do" list for 2011.  Hopefully, "to-do list" will be more attainable than a "resolution"!!

1.  Eat better and feed my family healthier food.
2.  Exercise and get in better shape.  I'd like to lose 75lbs this year... won't be easy, but I am going to give it my best shot!
3.  Make my kids REALLY do their chores!  (Hey, I am trying to teach them some responsibility and I need the help!)
4.  Finish my laundry room re-do by building a platform for the washer and dryer.  I am too cheap to buy the stand from the company, so I am going to build my own.  I also need to move the washer and dryer around, so I no longer have to unload the washer over the washer door.  It might seem like nothing, but it is a pain in the neck!
5.  Learn to put my clean clothes away... ALL THE TIME!!
6.  Continue with my greeting cards for the florist in town.  Nice way to make a few extra dollars.
7.  Focus on the future of my careers.  Options are out there, I just need to think and plan.
8.  Continue stengthening my relationship with God and be a good role model for my kids.
9.  Catch up, or at least put a dent in, my scrapbooking!
10. Spend more quality time with my family
11. Build some quality friendships.
12. Make stuff with all of the craft supplies that I have already bought.
13. Organize my craft room... and keep it organized.

No, these are in no particular order, and once I got started I could have gone on and on, but thought it better to stop at 13.  Who knows, maybe I will blow myself out of the water and really achieve and surpass this list.  Hey, I can dream big!

Hope you will stick with me in 2011.  I'll need help and support from my friends.  I'm going to work on so many different areas and hope to make 2011 the best year ever.

Blessing to you all!

Frances

I'm Back

Wow!  It's been a long time since I have posted.  I have been to Branson, MO, Washington DC and on a cruise to Key West, FL and Cozumel, Mexico since I last posted.  It's been a wild and crazy summer.

First, I went to a conference in Branson.  It was a great trip with good friends!  Branson isn't my choice for a vacation location, but it is always better with friends. 

One of the great things with the conference that I attended is that they do something to give back to the suppliers.  This year, they took us out for an afternoon on Table Rock Lake in pontoon boats.  We had a great time.  The picture is of my good friends Brad and Wayne.

They next trip that I made was to Washington DC with the family.  We had a great time!  We visited several museums, monuments and even got to see some family. 

It was SO hot, but we had a good time!!  We visited hubby's God-daughter, took a river taxi to Alexandria and visited Arlington National Cemetery.  The Big One and the Peanut were great sports in the heat.  The Peanut thought that the Changing of the Guards was a really cool experience.  Now... to plan the next family vacation.

Then, last but not least, step-girl and I took a cruise with some of the girls from her golf team and their mothers.  We had a great time visiting Key West and Cozumel.  Pictures to follow.  Let it be know that we were the champions of TV Tune Show Trivia!!

All that being said, I have also started a Premier Designs Jewelry businesss.  I had my first home show last night and made $160 in 3 hours!!  YIPPEE!!  No time for any new crafts or projects, but maybe after the summer is over, i will have time for a little crafting!!  I miss my projects!

Until next time,

Frances