I hate insurance. Any and all insurance. It's a scam. Just had to get that off my chest!

I had a wonderful day today - I got to spend more than 3 hours talking to and shooting photos of my brother and his fiancee, Kim. She is everything I could hope for for him. They have similar senses of humor which is a little bit scary! They brought me along to check out a potential site for their wedding - I'm honored they want my opinions on something as important as their wedding plans. They suffered amiably through an outdoor photo shoot on the beach in New England in January with no coats! We laughed sooo much - it made my heart happy spending time with them.

The next cover of GQ...I don't think so! This is my youngest brother, Charles, during his solo section of the Engagement photo shoot today. He thinks he looks like "Nick Lachey." Ugh! This photo cracks me up though, so I had to post it. 

Remember how excited I was a few months ago to be accepted onto 2 Design Teams? Well, I resigned from one of them today. The owner so was disorganized and uncommunicative, I just couldn't take it anymore. I'm bummed though - I wish it hadn't come to that. I tried to address my concerns but got no response, so I guess it really was time to move on.

I'm so glad I still have Scraptalk!! I love being a Pink Lady and can't wait to see Deb's Scrap Scoop from CHA!!

My nativity is still up.

Esme has a cold. Yesterday she was soooo good-natured and sweet about everything - I felt soo bad for her because she obviously felt miserable but she had such a good attitude. Today made up for that. She was MISERABLE. The only thing that has made her happy all day was seeing Jenn L, the scrapbooking manager at AC Moore. They have a very close relationship. Esme sees Jenn more than she seems my mom!!

So when Ethan gets home, I'm going to hide for a while. I'm coming down to the cave and I'm going to continue organizing my scrapbooking supplies. It gives me a chance to fondle my paper so it's actually pretty fun. Plus I can watch a Seinfeld rerun - ahhh simple pleasures.

This Saturday something very exciting is going to happen - I'm going to be taking my youngest brother's engagement photos! I'm taking them at Avery Point in Groton - what a wonderful setting! I can't wait to pose them and take great shots. Plus I'm finally meeting Jill, his future sister-in-law, who both he and his fiancee say I will love.

I love this new photo of my girl! 

Things I'm Thinking About Today:

I hate American Idol. It makes me want to cry for the people who don't make it, or who get publicly voted off after all the work and passion they put into their songs.

Esme said today, "I love you the most, Mommy. And Greyson and Pekoe and Daddy." It was so sweet. I always ask her who loves her and since she has such a long list, I usually have to say, okay, but who loves you the most? I say Daddy and Mommy but she adds the kitties too.

I hate the new morning TV line up. I used to like to relax and possibly watch at sitcome in the morning and now it's all court shows and games shows. Boring! I miss the days Stephanie and I used to both watch Roseanne reruns. Or hey at least give me Frasier. I can't take that Judege Mathis. I can't wait for Spring so I can spend my mornings digging in the dirt instead of stuck inside!

I need to do more scrapbooking. And I need to get faster at it. I don't know what's wrong with me - I used to do 4 or even 5 pages on a good night and now it seems like if I do more than one it's a miracle. I don't know why I'm so slow, but I need to pick up the pace!

There was a rumor on NSBR today that Two Peas was going to close. I believe it was unfounded, but I had to think - would it be such a bad thing for me if it did? I'm a bit too caught up in the pea-world I think. If I didn't visit Two Peas I could probably cut my online time back by two thirds or so.

In 2 short weeks I will have health insurance. Thank goodness! We haven't been without it since 1999 and it's been a bit scary these last 2 and a half months. I've really been trying to make my prescriptions last. Plus it seems like little kids need to go to the doctor frequently. Thankfully we'll have insurance by Esme's 3 year checkup.

OMG did I just say Esme's 3 year check up?!?! My baby is going to be 3 in 2 months and 6 days. Aye aye aye. I can't believe how fast the last year went. I'm considering a fairy themed party. Why? Because I have an adorable fairy themed costume for Esme. Anyone who doesn't want to be a fairy can be a pirate.
Esme's party means there will be Jera's party too, and not too long after that, Dylan's parties. Their birthdays are all within 45 days of each other's.

I'm tired of my nativity being up. It's the only strictly Christmas decoration left up. I'm taking it down tomorrow.

While working on my MMM entry last year I was bitten by the contest bug so now I'm working on my HOF entry. With the deadline so quickly approaching, I'm not sure if I'll quite make it or not, but I am really putting my all into my layouts. I'm worried that my layouts are to stylistically similar, and that I'm just plain not good enough.

Being chosen as a Pink Lady last year really gave me a big confidence boost. The other women on that team are sooo talented, I am so proud to be one of them. I wish when I sat down to scrap I felt more free to just go with it and try anything, as some of them seem to. I guess tonight when I sit down to work, I should try to leave my sbing inhibitions behind.

Another thing that gave me a big boost of confidence was something Stephanie said. I was griping about my lack of sbing abilities and she said she wouldn't be encouraging me to try out for HOF, to try to be published, etc. if she didn't feel I really was good enough. If anyone knows scrapbooking, it's Stephanie, so if Stephanie thinks my pages are good enough, I feel like they must be at least pretty okay.

Anyway I'm going to keep plugging along toward this entry. I'm going to the teacher store this afternoon to get Esme some paint cups, but with the secret motivation to try to draw some inspiration from the fun supplies they carry there. Plus because I'm a sub I get a 10% discount, and that never hurts. If anyone with a critical eye reads this and is interested in helping a struggling scrapper out with some constructive critcism, email me and I'll send you a link to my top secret pages!!

I've been tagged by Cat!!

4 Jobs You Have Had in Your Life:

1. Substitute Teacher
2. Administrative Assistant the the District Manager at a large bank
3. Cashier at a car dealership
4. Receptionist at a answering service

4 Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:

1. The Godfather
   
2. Love Actually
   
3. The Joy Luck Club
   
4. The Princess Bride
   

4 Places You Have Lived:

1. Norwich, CT
   
2. Ware, MA
   
3. Groton, CT
   
4. Bozrah, CT
   

4 TV Shows You Love to Watch:

1. The Apprentice
   
2. 24
3. ER
4. All My Children
   

4 Places You Have Been on Vacation:

1. Cape Cod
   
2. Misquamicit
3. Chicago
   
4. North Carolina
   

4 Websites You Visit Daily:

1. Scraptalk
2. Two Peas In A Bucket
3. Pink Martini Designs
   
4. Freecycle
   

4 of Your Favorite Foods:

1. Mashed Potatoes
   
2. Prime Rib
   
3. Tacos
4. Pizza
   

4 Places You Would Rather Be Right Now:

1. Paris
2. the beach
   
3. New York City
   
4. Lisa's house
   

4 Bloggers You are Tagging:

1. Stephanie

2. Kellie

3. Hillary

4. Linda

I just came across this photo I'd forgotten I'd taken one night as I was leaving Clare's house...I really like it. 

I currently have my fifth cold since September. I'm starting to wonder if something is wrong with me!! I got this one from Ethan and it's the nastiest of the ones I've had. My mom suggested I start taking a vitamin every day.

Esme had her first sleepover Saturday night and we all survived! I was sooo happy to see her little face when we went to pick her up! She had a great time and was perfectly well adjusted. I'm very glad that she is able to go stay at other people's homes, but it's a little bittersweet that she doesn't miss us AT ALL when she's gone.

I have the post-Christmas blues!! I had such a wonderful time with my family and friends, especially Ethan and Esme, that I can't believe I have to wait a year to do it again. Esme and I did a ton of Christmas activities this year and I loved seeing how excited she was. Because of her age, no two Christmases will be the same and I wish I could go back and relive this one!

I've been purging my scrapbooking paper, which is a task that was LONG overdue. I purged it a couple months ago but wasn't really honest with myself about what I am really going to use. Last week I gave the pile from my first pass to Hillary and it made her so happy I was inspired to give her some more. My new pile is probably double the size of the first, and I really feel what I'm left with is paper I'd actually enjoy using.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! It's a little early, but Esme already had her celebration today. The Children's Museum and Carousel have a First Night celebration for children and she had a blast. She had her face painted, rode the carousel, played in the museum, and even got to meet Mayor Mike who gave her these cool glasses!

I just had to post this photo of two of my favorite people - Stephanie and Ethan. I took this picture and I think it's hilarious. Ethan and Stephanie actually have a lot in common - they're both music lovers with exhaustive collections, they both have social anxiety, and they both have great senses of humor, which is one of the reasons I love both their company. 

This modest house in the Taftville section of Norwich is where my life began, somewhere between July 31st and August 1st 1974.  

I'm working on a Sweetwater album for my Scraptalk assignment this month and the theme is My Hometown. I went to Norwich on Tuesday and took a bunch of photos for it and now I'm feeling all nostalgic. This beautiful building is the City Hall! 

Questions from Stephanie's Blog....

Hot Chocolate or Egg Nog? Hot Chocolate. Chocolate always gets preference.

Does Santa wrap the presents or just set them under the tree? Santa only fills stockings in our house.

Colored or white lights on the tree/house? White outside, colored inside.

Do you hang mistletoe? Of course - the more smooches the better.

When do you decorate? Usually not at least until 12/15, and we keep decorating until 12/24. 8-)

What is your favorite holiday dish? Turkey!

Favorite Holiday memory as a child? When both sides of my family all went to my Aunt Beulah's house for Christmas. I was really lucky to have grandmothers who were friends - I got to have my whole family together for most holidays.

Favorite Holiday memory as an adult? Esme realizing that she should be excited that Christmas is coming!

How and when did you learn the truth about Santa? First grade, when a classmate told me there was no Santa. I wasn't shocked though.

Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve? Esme opens gifts from her Nonna on Christmas Eve, but other than that, no.

What kind of cookies do you set out for Santa on Christmas Eve? This year, Alfajores, Chai Shortbreads, Two Bit Wonders, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Sugar Kisses, White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal, Cafe Latte Bars, Eggnog cookies, Chocolate Spritz cookies, Marmalade Morsels, and Granola Butterscotch.

Snow! Love it or hate it? When Esme sees it and her face lights up, I love it. The rest of the time I'm just tired of it.

Can you ice skate? I've never tried.

.Do you remember your favorite gift? My favorite doll - My Friend Jenny.

What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? Ethan & Esme

What’s your favorite holiday dessert? Chocolate Dream pie.

What’s your favorite holiday tradition? watching It's a Wonderful Life with Ethan

What type of tree? Artificial all the way.

Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving.

What is your favorite Christmas Carol? Go Tell it on the Mountain

Candy Canes-- great for decorating and dipping in cocoa.

at Yankee Candle.... 

This Santa is on my nice list! Esme had an absolutely miserable Santa experience on Saturday, and I was worried she wouldn't want any part of him anymore. But Tuesday Donna and I took her up to Yankee Candle Factory, where the REAL Santa visits with boys and girls. This man is wonderful. He took the time to really pay attention to her and talk about her favorite subject - Elmo. There's a photo of her with him on our family blog.

Esme got to see Santa at Yankee Candle on Tuesday. She had been very excited about seeing him but got shy when we got within a few feet of him. Luckily he knew the key to her heart - a conversation about Elmo!