Sometimes.....

.....you just have to make your own rainbows!

1. Happy Easter, 2. Goodbye Easter, 3. suck up! :), 4. Points in a Sea of Color, 5. bookshelf spectrum, revisited, 6. A Vibrant Glow, 7. Pick A Color....Any Color, 8. A Rainbow of Fruity Flavor, 9. When I'm sleeping, I slow down my breathing...Living in dreams, dreams that come true...thinking of the color blue... ZZZzzzzzz..., 10. Colorful Rainbow Balloons 114/365, 11. Like a circle in a spiral, a wheel within a wheel...., 12. in a dream..., 13. Flower Power, 14. Firework Blue, 15. Running ahead of oneself, 16. fruit salad, 17. Daisy on Blue.., 18. tulips, 19. http://flickr.com/photos/89461400@N00/439868604/, 20. make a Stop, 21. RainBoW BigFooT, 22. Bright and funky pair of sock monkeys, 23. star dust and rainbows. 156:365, 24. Happy Girls Under a Rainbow

Ever had one of those weeks......

• Where you don't feel great.....an ear infection pretty much has my left ear plugged, so I feel really run down and like I'm speaking inside a tin can. Makes it really fun to teach.
• Where you have worked really hard for something and it just didn't turn out like you had hoped. So you question all the time and energy you invested into it in the first place. I really hate second-guessing my decisions. Such a waste of mental energy.
• Where the big issues at work that seemed to have been taken care of weeks ago all raise their ugly heads again....all at the same time, mind you.
• Where you feel as if you are stretched so thin in so many different places that you're failing miserably at everything you do.
• Where you just feel like you can't get enough sleep.
• Where you try to shake your funk, but you can't seem to, no matter how hard you try.
• Where you just ache for spring and grass between your toes.
• Where all of your winter clothes seem blah and you just want to break out the summer clothes and wear them....and stay in flip-flops until next December.
• Where you know you're kind of in pity party mode, but you want to stay there just a little longer?

OK, so that is my state of mind right now. I think I'm really just ready for spring break! My spring break begins next Thursday, so just a few more days. Thank the Lord that He gives us the daily gift of a new morning and a new beginning and new mercies each and every single day. I think I really need it!

We're Back!

The kids had Friday off school for mid-winter break, and Matt was going to a football clinic....so, after work on Thursday, we headed north to the Cadillac area to spend a few days with my parents. We arrived Thursday night just in time to have a snack and settle into cozy beds. My mom is very good about the little details like colorful quilts and cozy nightlights in the bedrooms, so it always feels so cozy and warm and welcoming.

On Friday, we slept in a bit and then spent most of the day playing out in the snow and napping a bit and just have a relaxing day. My sister, Kendra, and her husband, Dan, came in the late afternoon. The kids helped Grandma make Bubble-Up pizza for dinner....Yum! It is always fun to watch my kids work on a project with their grandparents....so much love goes into teaching and guiding and creating, this time with very delicious results! After dinner, we started playing a game called Rummy Royal. We used to play this growing up (for chips, of course, not for cash!) and I have not played it in a really, really long time. As usual, we had lots of fun and fierce competition and laughs!

After the games, the kids decided they wanted to go home with Aunt Haley to spend the night. So off they went to her bachelorette pad, leaving me with a quiet night and morning to sleep in! The kids had so much fun sleeping over, going out for breakfast, taking a walk to frozen Lake Cadillac to walk on the ice and see the snowmobiles and icefishing shanties....they really didn't even want to come home. We then made the trip back to GR and are getting settled in for the night. It's funny how just a day or two away from routine can be refreshing for the soul. Now, off to bed....my one ear is completely plugged--I've never had a ear infection but I'm thinking that's what it is--so I hope to be able to hear again by morning. Otherwise, I may be forced to head to the doctor for some good antibiotics....I prefer divine intervention and healing, quite frankly! But I'm not holding my breath on that one!

Evolution of "I Love You."

Today was a bittersweet day for me. We were driving along, and my son told me that he loved me. He does this quite often just out of the blue...he is just thoughtful that way. But what got to me was how he said it.

For the longest time, when Hayden first started talking, he would say "Ah-Ba-Boo" which was "I love you"....it was just the cutest thing, and I can still hear his little voice in my mind and heart saying it. I hope I never forget how that sounded.

Then, as he got to be three, he started saying "I wub you." He had a lot of trouble enunciating his L's, so this became the endearing way that he told us he loved us. So sweet. "I wub you, Mommy."

Today was the first time he clearly said, "I LOVE you." His L was perfect, no "wubs" about it. It made me stop in my tracks. Look in the rear-view mirror at his precious smiling face.

My baby is growing up. He is growing and mastering and becoming his own little man.

It made me think about the fact that while his words have changed and gotten more mature and more perfected, the heart behind his words has always been the same.

I love you, too, Little Guy. And I wub you, and Ah-Ba-Boo. More and more every day.

Welcome International Readers!

Over the past week, I have been so EXCITED to see my international readership grow. It was one of my goals of 2008 to expand Table Scrap readership into all continents, though I was really uncertain whether there would be people scrapping in Antarctia (wouldn't all the adhesive freeze solid? LOL!).

As you can see from the world map tracker, I have had hits from some amazing places including hits from Europe, South America, and Asia, 2 new continents for me! And there have also been additions from New Zeeland, as well as additional areas in Australia and North America....and one fellow American from the beautiful state of Hawaii!

So a special Table Scraps WELCOME to you all!

Now, how do I get the word to Africa??!!

A New Week.

So where did this weekend actually go? It seems as if it was just Friday morning.....and now it's somehow Monday.....I really needed a few more days in there. It is always nice to travel and have a change of routine, but the coming back to work part is always a bit hairy...catching up and returning messages and catching up on grading....hopefully, by the end of this week, I"ll be caught up and on tops of things again.

Speaking of time passing quickly....where is February going? Wasn't it just Christmas? As I have gotten older, I have become more and more aware of how important it is to embrace each and every moment as a gift, for it slips very quickly by.

Well, the Round 3 design team search project is submitted...now the waiting begins. Regardless of the outcome, I really was pushed creatively and genuinely love what I was able to create through these challenges.

I'll share more close-ups of the projects as I am able......I basically demonstrated some innovative uses of an artists' painting supply.....it was lots of fun to push myself to find creative uses of this medium.

In other news.....we had a partial flooding of our basement yesterday in the big thaw. My husband was gone when I noticed it, so I waded out into the 8 inches of standing water in our backyard and attempted to dig a trench. Yeah, right. Thankfully, we were able to divert the water to the back field, so now we are just waiting for the carpet to dry.....no water in my scrap room, THANK GOODNESS....so all is good.

It is starting to snow again here....snow warnings for today and tomorrow. The water that melted in the spring-like conditions yesterday is now frozen into ice. Spring, we need you! I'm trying to savor winter, but enough is enough.....

Happy Monday!

Saturday To-Do.

Last night brought "Daddy-Daughter" and "Mommy-Son" dates. Matt and Kennedy headed off to a Griffins' hockey game with some of the dads/girls from her Brownie's troup. They had a GREAT time and even got to see a hat trick.....I don't know what that is, but Matt was all excited that Kennedy got to see one....can you tell that hockey isn't one of my preferred sports??!!

Hayden and I headed to the mall for his favorite dinner--chicken and rice from the Chinese restaurant at the food court--and a viewing of "Alvin and the Chipmunks." I must admit that I was DREADING this movie, as I anticipated lots of squeaky voices and overdramatic humor; but I was pleasantly surprised....it was really cute and funny and endearing. Now Hayden has the cutest "I'm the LOVE MACHINE" impersonation....what a Ricko Suave!

This morning, I sent Matt and the kids off to Uncle Fred's for a day of sledding and ice skating and snow fun. I am sorry to miss it, but also grateful that I will get concentrated, uniterrupted time today to work on Round 3 of the design team competition. The project is due tomorrow, and I have to develop and demonstrate a "unique technique".....I already know what I'm going to do, so today is all about getting the project down, taking photos of all the steps and readying it to be sent tomorrow. I'm sure I'll be able to share the project next week, but suffice it to safe that my palette is looking very colorful and textureful at the moment.

Do something creative today....and enjoy the sunshine!

Valentine's Collage.

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We all enjoyed a great DAy of Love yesterday.......highlights included in the collage were:

The joy the kids experienced in making and giving Valentine's to all of their friends;

Receiving a beautiful set of Valentine's ATCs;

Baking heart-shaped mini-cakes for Kennedy's classroom;

Fun parties in each of the kids' classrooms;

Watching the kids enjoying opening Valentine cards from their friends...especially the ones with a little treat or tattoo attached; this brought back so many fond memories of my own grade-school Valentine's parties...so fun.

Fun heart-art;

Decorating and EATING the mini-cakes....LOTS of sugar and sprinkles and frosting goodness;

Mailboxes full of treats and sweet sentiments;

Valentine cards--with 2-dollar-bills--from Grandma and Grandpa;

A gorgeous rose bouquet hand-delivered by my sweetie;

My little guy in his "My Mommy Loves Me" shirt (do you think they make these in adult sizes? I would love to send him off to college with one of these in a few years!);

My new bright red cell phone....thanks, Honey, I love it;

New friends from Build-A-Bear....I thought this was a unique idea for Valentine's Day, but A M
ILLION other families had the same idea last night, and we were all packed into the tiny Build-A-Bear store....but it was still a blast;

I love this man;

Valentine chocolates for everyone.

What a great day...my son just kept asking "How many days for another Valentine's Day?" and thought 365 days was WAY TOO LONG to wait for another one.

Valentine's Day Eve.

Snowy and icy roads brought a 2-hour delay for us today, so it was nice to sleep in until 8:30 and enjoy some family time wrestling on our bed before we had to greet the day outside. After Kennedy was off for her shortened school day, Hayden and I picked up some groceries for tomorrow's parties.

Tonight, we are busy creating and signing our Valentine's cards....fun, but I had forgotten how tricky it can be to help a 4-year-old stay attentive long enough to write his name 25 times. As I am blogging, we are on card #13, of 25, so the end is in sight. The kids are so excited to be making cards for their friends and anxious for their parties tomorrow.

Today, I worked on a few Valentine's projects. When I got the mail, I received the Valentine's Day ATC swap cards that I was involved in. They turned out very fun and festive....lots of red and pink and hearts and glitter and flowers and creative love. They look so nice strung across the door way to our front living room.

As soon as the kids are done with their cards and tucked in with a story, I need to get to work baking 30 mini-heart-shaped cakes for Kennedy's party tomorrow. I will post photos tomorrow...the kids are decorating them with frosting and candies, so they should be yummy and fun.

Tomorrow night will bring dinner out as a family, followed by a trip to Build-a-Bear so the kids can make a new fluffy Valentine friend. Now, I wonder what I'm going to do for Matt for Valentine's Day....any creative last-minute ideas?

Home, Sweet, Home.

I love travelling.....seeing new places......trying new foods......experiencing new cultures and traditions. I love talking to people from around the country and the world. It expands my understanding of what it means to be human.
















But, more than that..... I love coming home.....seeing my 2 kids running toward me as I came off the plane.....feeling my husband's arms around me and lips on mine........"Mommy, I missed you so much" coupled with lots of excited hugs.....there's truly no place like home.

Friday in the Big Easy.

My last full day here in New Orleans was just........just so enjoyable. Relaxing. Warm and sunny. I started by hopping on the street car and taking it all the way across town to an area called Uptown. We wove through a place called the Garden District, which consisted of large plantation homes with beautiful green gardens. It was funny to see many of the trees lining the streets still garbed in beads from the Mardis Gras parades......it was almost like seeing a Christmas tree....so pretty and colorful. In Uptown, I had breakfast at a little diner that consisted of 20 seats at a counter, that's it. I had a very yummy pecan waffle and some delicious chicory coffee (I really like this stuff!).

After walking around Uptown galleries a bit, I decided to spend time at one of my very favorite places in the world.....the zoo! When Matt and I had visited New Orleans 8 years ago, we really enjoyed the zoo. Today was such a gorgeous day.....it felt SO GOOD to have the warm sun on my face.....this photo is totally for my friend, Julie, because I'm bringing some sunshine back to her! Highlights of the zoo included getting to "pet" an elephant, seeing some very large Louisiana alligators, and some very lively monkeys and sea lions. Seeing all of the kids and families at the zoo made me REALLY miss my family, however, so it's a good thing I am headed home tomorrow.

Tonight, I spent some time shopping for some souvenirs for the kids and enjoying the River Walk. I had a light dinner at a place called Brennan's which is world-famous for its bananas foster. I had a crab crepe, which was superb, coupled with a fresh salad and the most yummy french bread I have ever eaten in my life. And then....the bananas foster.....basically brown sugar melted with butter...used to saute the bananas into a sweet sticky sauce....and served over vanilla bean ice cream. It was so delicious......we used to make "fried bananas" camping as we grew up....but this was heavenly. I then sauntered down Bourbon Street on my way home.....New Orleans seems to be kicking into weekend gear, because the party crowds of Tuesday seem to be reconvening.

I have my bags all packed and a reservation for a jazz brunch in the morning. My flight leaves here around 2:00, which will put me back into Grand Rapids a little after 9 pm tomorrow night. I will be sad to leave the sun to return to the snow....but hey, spring is right around the corner in Michigan.....right? Right?

Beautiful Music.

I enjoyed another wonderful day in New Orleans.....today seemed to be all about the music. After my business meetings, I headed out to meet my graduate school advisor and some other colleagues for an MSU reception. It is always nice to catch up with people you may only see once per year, especially over hors d'oeuvres including alligator and andouille. I then enjoyed a nice dinner of fresh crab au gratin at Mulate's, a famous cajun restaurant that has the most delightful house band. I enjoyed my dinner and a slice of pecan pie with a hot cup of creamy chicory coffee, while watching this precious elderly couple swing each other around the dance floor. It was so beautiful.....they were smiling and gazing at each other the whole time, and they just knew how to anticipate each other's moves....they worked together perfectly. I smiled and teared up at this picture of love and rhythm....I don't know their story, but you could almost read it in how they held and moved with each other. It was almost mesmerizing. I can only pray that Matt and I are still dancing and holding each other and knowing each other so well when we reach the elderly years.

After the cab ride back to my hotel, I discovered a very cool and funky jazz band playing outside the hotel. And let me tell you.....this ain't no high school marching band! These boys could play and sing and entertain....all for whatever loose dollar the crowd would throw into their cardboard box. And there was the sweetest little homeless woman who was smiling and dancing and pinching every man's rear end when they walked up to put a dollar in the box....talk about joy in one's circumstances! Of course, I think she had a little "liquid help" in her to help the joy along, but nevertheless......It was a very fun and relaxing evening. Tomorrow brings my last day of sessions, and I'm also going to do a little souvenir shopping for the kids and check out the historic garden district. Night.

Inspirational New Orleans.

Thank the Good Lord, Mardis Gras is over and I'm experiencing a very different New Orleans today. After checking in at the conference, catching up with my graduate school advisor, and attending a few sessions, I headed for the historic French Market area of the city. On the way, I snapped some photos of things that inspired me. This was the February listing of jazz musicians scheduled to play at the House of Blues....I wonder how long it took to write all of that out? Amazing.



And then all of the historic architecture with all of the iron work and old brick walls and scrolling....fabulous. I browsed through several street artist displays. This is one that I though was really beautiful....over-priced, but then again, who can put a price on art!
















I then spent the rest of the morning at an outdoor table at the historic Cafe Dumond, enjoying a hot plate of yummy beignets, which are a french dough pastry covered in powered sugar. So delicious. Coupled with a spectacular cup of chicory coffee, and a beautifully talented jazz violinist playing a delightful blend of jazz and hymns, and it was a totally relaxing experience. Much needed and highly therapeutic after the craze of yesterday! Ahhhhh.....this is the spirit of New Orleans that Matt and I enjoyed 8 years again when we visited!





Now, I am settling in for a late-afternoon nap before going out for dinner. I'm hoping for some more fresh seafood and some crisp fresh veggies.....and maybe a fresh slice of Louisiana pecan pie for dessert!

New Orleans Day Two.

Good Morning, Big Easy! Last night, the sights and sounds of Mardis Gras continued late, late into the night. After I showered, I hit the New Orleans cafe for a wonderful dinner of a fresh garden salad with delicious homemade vinegarette, followed by a New Orleans fresh shrimp medly of rice with 4 kinds of fresh Gulf Shrimp. Very delicious. I then walked around a bit before retiring, as I was very tired from a day of travel. I am just not into this scene, and this would not be my ideal concept for a vacation. Nevertheless, it has been interesting to see it firsthand.

These photos give you a little idea of what Mardi Gras is all about but, to by truthful, you just can't adequately describe it unless you are here! I haven't taken as many photos as I expected yet, because I just didn't feel safe having my expensive camera out in this crowd....lots of people who looked like they just might want to snatch a nice camera if they got the chance. It is definitely a cacophony of stimulation for all the senses:

• Smells--The first thing that hit me were the smells. Think a huge carnival times 1,000! There are vendors selling food on every corner, so you have the smells of sausages and caramel corn and fried foods. Combine that with the heavy smell of alcohol and pot....yep, it's all done out in the open here. Most of the storefronts have huge tables selling open alcohol of all shapes and sizes. And while there are lots of police standing around, they look past all of the obviously young young (we're talking tweens, here) kids drinking. Add to this the smell of humidity and human sweat and a bit of vomit thrown in.....the smells of Mardis Gras.
• Sights--Can you say colorful? About half of the people are garbed in colorful costumes, some very classy but alot of them very scanty and, shall we say, slutty? I've never seen so many fish net hose with butt cheeks hanging out in my life. Even the dogs and the babies are dressed to party. Colorful sequined masks, crazy hats....and then the beads! All of the floats in the parades throw thousands of strands of beads......all different colors and shapes....and some of them throwtoys and carnival prizes, too. People from all different countries and ethnicities and walks of life......Definitely lots of visual stuff going on......
• Sounds--Blaring music, honking horns, huge crowds of people screaming......police car sirens, DJs yelling out of their sound systems from many storefronts.....people speaking very diverse languages and lots of black/Ebonic English with a southern twist.......that's what it sounds like.
• Tastes--Quite frankly, I really didn't get a taste of Mardis Gras in terms of the vendor food and alcohol.....just not my style. But lots of people were partaking in large amounts...I'll just stick to my Gulf shrimp!
  
  One of the things that really struck me was the GARBAGE.....this photo gives you a bit of the effect, but it was everywhere.....piles and piles of used food items, half-eaten items, broken beads.....it almost made me sick. And then, later in the afternoon, when the alcohol really started flowing, there were pools of spilled beer and so many beer cans and bottles.....this must be job security for the garbage men all year long, that's all I can say.
  
• Last night, I had been sleeping for about an hour and was startled awake by huge noise.....apparently, at midnight (which marks the end of Fat Tuesday and the beginning of Lent) there is a huge countdown followed by sirens, blaring music and shouting....this went on for a good 10 minutes......it is what I imagine Times Square must sound like when the big ball drops on New Years Eve. I watched a bit of it from my window......wow, these people enjoy their parties.

Today, it seems much calmer. Lent has begun and I'm sure that plenty of New Orleans are lying low to nurse their 10-day party hangover. Many of the businesses are closed today and tomorrow....kind of like a recovery period, I guess.

So, that is a little about my Mardis Gras experience......I have about 100 strings of beads to take home to the kids, including some strings given to me by my new friends, the Marlos......more about them in the next post. I'm off to Cafe Du Monde for a fresh cup of coffee and some yummy New Orleans beignets.......more to come.

Experiencing Mardis Gras.

Well, I'm here. I arrived here in New Orleans at about 12:30 today and, let me tell you, it has been nothing but adventure so far. Whatever you have in your mind that you think Mardis Gras would be like, magnify it by 10 and then you might come close. But I am too tired to describe it right now, so you'll have to check back in throughout the week. I already have several stories to share, including my own little Mardis Gras miracle. Good night and until tomorrow....Beads, anyone?

Not So Super.

Here is a sneak peek of the project that has consumed most of my weekend. I finished it last night about midnight and then developed a killer headache that is just now subsiding. I woke up this morning (Sunday) with a headache and nausea that kept me down for most of today. That is a bummer any day, but it was especially hard today.

First, it is Super Bowl Sunday which is an important day for any football coaching family. We had plans to attend a party at some friends' house; so, my family went off without me and i stayed here to try to get caught up on laundry.

Second, I am leaving for a business trip to New Orleans on Tuesday. That means that I have to have all the laundry done, the week's clothes for both kids layed out (if i want them to go to school matching, that is!) and.....because my mother-in-law is coming to help with the kids while I am gone.....a thorough cleaning. I am stressed to the max, which hasn't helped the headache, and is probably the cause for the headache in the first place.

I just checked the weather in New Orleans and it is supposed to be in the 70's all week. I am excited to go. Matt and I went for a week 8 years ago, before the hurricanes, so I am interested to see the contrasts. And, given that it is the last week of Mardis Gras, I am very interested to see New Orleans in the midst of what it is notorious for. I plan to post each day over my trip, so you can live Mardis Gras vicariously through me.....though I don't plan to go anywhere near Bourbon Street, I can tell you that much!

I am not even watching the Super Bowl. I'm just not in the mood. But I do hope that the Patriots win, and I'm sure I'll read all the highlights in the paper tomorrow. Sounds like a Super Bowl Grinch, huh?? Off to fold the towels.......

Exhausted.

I spent most of today finishing my project that I just sent off to its recipient. I don't know that i have every worked so hard and long and intensely on a project in my life. On the one hand, I am sapped. On the other, i am pleased with what I produced and quite inspired to keep creating. And now, I am off to bed. Good night!

Friday...Waiting for Snow.

I was awake at 4;30 this morning. Wide awake. I knew that we were expecting big snow for today, so I went to bed wondering whether we would have another snow day. Wondering whether we needed to worry about finishing the homework packet that is always due on Friday. Excited to finish the project I'm working on.

THANKFUL that my husband found the last hamster in the living room last night....safe and sound. And now SECURE back in its cage. Now I don't have to worry about little critters showing up at unexpected times and in unexpected places. At least for the time being.

In other hamster news, in the midst of all the adventure of the hamsters MIA....my son, Hayden, brought his hamster to me. Dead. Yep, he lasted a whole 5 weeks. He asked me to bring the hamster back to life...don't you love the blind and innocent faith of children? So that launched some important discussions about life and death. "Do hamsters go to heaven?" "Will we have hamsters in heaven, Mommy. "No, honey, animals like Climber do not have souls that go to heaven.' But, Mommy, will we have other hamsters in heaven?" I think so, Sweet Girl. I think Jesus would like hamsters, don't you?

In the plan for the weekend.....we are throwing a dinner for our football coaches team tonight. We love to encourage comaraderie in our staff both on and off the field, so this is about just sharing a meal and enjoying fellowship. My special creative project that i have been feverishly working on is due tomorrow, so that will be a large part of today and tomorrow. I don't know whether I can give more details or post photos quite yet, but I will share it when I can. We are also getting our new mini-van today--yes, we have joined the ranks of the mini-van-driving families....but NO, I am NOT a soccer mom....and I just hope and pray that my kids stick with softball and basketball and football and martial arts.....anything but soccer! Sunday brings church and a SuperBowl party at one of our friends' homes....Go Patriots!