I'm RICH...

No, I didn't win the lottery....No, I didn't rob a bank....No, I didn't come up with the cure for cancer....but Yes, I am rich.

For a day that had it's ups & downs...it was a great day. I have had the fixings for chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies for a while, but haven't gotten around to actually baking them. Well, tonight was the night. Everyone was home and in the house, chores and running done by 7:30...a rare event in our household lately. I had put beef stew in the crock pot before work, so dinner was ready.

So as I'm mixing up my dough my daughter stopped in the kitchen to chat about her new friends and her exciting evening at the mall. My son also popped in and out to rattle off a thought or two. Meanwhile, hubby fired up the amp and started playing his guitar, figuring out new songs, stuff like that. There was no TV distracting our attention away from the family.

At one point hubby calls us in to watch an old video on youtube of Ted Nugent (one of his favorites). As we're watching I realize what a nice evening it is. We're all together!!! Enjoying being together!!! Sharing our passions, stories, days events, even dancing around the kitchen to daddy's playing. For that, I am Rich!! My children are truly a gift from God, but then again isn't everything. I was blessed to find my husband who has the same committment to our marriage as I. Mom, is a true gift. She taught me how to be strong, but tender at the same time, how to love unconditionally. Mark has an amazing gift of strength and quiet faith, and his intelligence in not only books but life is incredible.

I could go down the list of my riches, but I think you get the idea. Have you measured your wealth today? Not your bank account...but your everyday blessings and riches.

By the way, the cookies all turned out great. I'm not sure how long they'll last. Here's a couple of pictures...I know now you want one, huh? Should I put the coffee on? hehe

Crafty time...

I have been working a lot lately with W-2s, quarterlies, etc...both at work and with my own clients. So after I finished one of my clients year end paperwork (still have 2 to go) I decided to spend some time crafting. My Mom gave me 2 nestabilities sets and I really wanted to try them.

I love coffee! I don't think it's so much the taste, unless your talking about a Cafe' Mocha, as it is what it symbolizes. When you grab a cup of coffee it's usually an excuse to relax, if only for a moment or two. My girlfriend, Tammi, and I used to enjoy coffee in the morning when our kids were little, while we'd catch up on the gossip and gripe about our hubby's. I think my favorite time is in the morning of what you know is going to be a hot summer day but the air is just cool enough to sit outside, read the morning paper and sip a cup 'o java. On the card I used my square nestabilities and my house mouse stamp. Don't you just love those little guys? Too bad they weren't so loveable in real life!

Hard to believe Valentine's Day is almost here. I had some striped paper in my scrap box that seemed to say Valentines's. When I was a little girl I used to cut out hearts and snowflakes...they were my favorites...ooops forgot about the paper chains. [Didn't you love those paper chains Mom?!] I used the Loads of Love stamp set from SU. I just colored both images with my Prisma penciles I got for Christmas. I'm not a fancy scrapper/card maker...but then again I'm not a fancy person.

Thanks for stoppin' by my blog. I hope you and your family are feeling well and surviving the financial crunch our beloved country is in. God Bless!!

Another facet to my world...

Some of you know I like to scrapbook but not all of you know I am a Creative Memories consultant. I know my "hat rack" is pretty full, huh? I enjoy scrapping (or crapbooking as my husband affectionately calls it). I'm a simple scrapper who believes in letting the pictures tell the story. Not that I don't believe in journaling...that's a very important part of the story. Especially when you use your own handwriting, no computers. Isn't it an amazing and special thing to see an old recipe from a Grandparent or relative who passed away and it's written in their own script?!

My office shares it's space with my craft room. If I didn't have to take care of my family and go to work I'm pretty sure I could go into my office and not come out for a week and still have things to do. I have lots of paper, stickers, albums, etc... Well "collecting" is half the fun ya know. So anytime you wanna come sit and scrap with a cup of java and a piece of chocolate (chocolate is a requirement of scrapping!) come on over.

I've been a consultant for about 5 years. If your curious what CM is you can check out my web-site at http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/carolynfranjko I've met some great friends through scrapbooking...and shared a ton of laughs. But I'm certain I know the best part of scrapbooking. It's looking through them. Jonathan is currently sitting on the floor looking back though them remarking how cute he was when he was little...he's not conceited is he? I love refreshing my memory and stepping back in time.

A blog you must see...

A couple of years ago we were graced by God with new friends. In this amazing, passionate and zany family was a son from another land. A German foreign exchange student who instantly captures your heart when you meet him. Because he "get's" life. He sees the world differently than we do. When he experiences something new, he absorbs every moment...from carving pumpkins for the first time, to wind surfing, to visiting Venezuela. He sees beauty where we would pass judgement. He has recorded some of his travels on his blog, I invite you to take a look. He really is someone who loves life...all of it!

Now that's country...

As many of you know I am all country. I will never be a city chick. I love the crickets in the summer, the smell of honeysuckle, the rooster crowing in the morning and country music. I grew up listening to Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette and, of course, Dolly Parton. I love the old bluegrass as well as the new "rock" flavored country. I definately am a "redneck woman".

During the holidays there was an Overstock commercial that started with a lady singing a twangy "if not for you" with a bunch of friends and family gathered around. I loved when that commercial came on.

A few days back my daughter said I had to come listen to this new song called "Cheater, Cheater". I was instantly hooked! So I started looking around on-line and came upon their audition tape for CMT's So you think you can Duet. Wow!! I was blown away.

Their names are Joey & Rory. I invite you to take a listen on http://www.youtube.com/ You may just become a country music fan...at the very least you will be a Joey & Rory fan!!!

Woo Hoo...let it snow...

I have always said if it has to be cold...it better snow. Today it finally did! We've had several inches, probably around 7 so far. We're supposed to get a couple more overnight. The roads are very bad, but passable. I had to go get supplies for the barn. After breakfast we "suited up" and headed out to plow driveways, haul firewood and take care of the animals. I love these days!!! (to bad there aren't more...but I guess that's what makes them special) All of the neighbors were out too. So while Frank and Morgan plowed with the tractor and Jon cleaned the bunny cage and gave her fresh bedding I took care of the horses and chickens. Poor Romeo (my brown horse) was covered in snow...though he didn't seem to mind. The only thing he doesn't like is when the snow (especially wet snow like today) builds up on the bottom of his hooves. I chip them off while he eats his chow. Fortunately Meg's don't build up because her feet are more challenging to mess with.

Josie dog loves when it snows...granted she's sleeping soundly under the table now...tuckered out from her adventure. She hops and scoops the snow with her bottom jaw as she trods behind me. I fear this will be our last year with her so it was great to see her enjoy the weather. When Frank drags the kids behind the 4-wheeler Josie likes to chase along side them biting (in a playful manner of course) at the sled. We used to set her in the sled with us and let her sled ride...she loved it. One year we went down south sledding (huge hills) and she would chase us all the way down and run all the way back up. After a couple of hours she was whining at the truck and we let her in and she slept on the floor the whole way home.

Jon and I hauled wood to the house and garage. It's a pain in the butt, but worth it when it's toasty in the house. When we were done I saw my neighbors (and dear friends) Tammi & Guido shoveling their drive so I headed over. It doesn't feel like work when your chatting and laughing while you shovel. And besides it's cheaper than a gym membership!!

By the time we were done my hair was frozen with ice sliding down and I was soaked thru and thru. I know Mom...where's my hat...you know I don't like hats, they make my forhead itch. But I did have my earmuffs on! The outside was obviously from the snow and the inside was from sweating! That one-piece carhart sure does it's job!! The only time I was a little cold was when my first pair of gloves got saturated with water, but nothing that a fresh pair didn't fix.

I hope you take the time to enjoy the weather today...wether it's warm, cold, raining, snowing or the sun is shining! God Bless!!

Creativity comes in many forms...

I don't have a picture (thank goodness) to go with this post...but I'm sure the visual you conjur up with surfice. My kids will be the first to tell you I'm a pretty strict parent. But strict in the ways it matters...I think. I've taught them to be respectful and know their boundaries. Not that they don't test those boundaries...every single, hair pulling day!! I never sat in a restuarant while my kids ran around disrupting other patrons. I DO NOT tollerate disrespect. My teenage daughter has modesty and my young son wears a belt on his pants around his waist.

I try to teach by example. I heard an interesting quote the other day...kids learn more by what is caught than what is taught. And basically they learn more by what we (and the people around us) do than what we preach. My badonkadonk doesn't hang out (not that anyone would want it to), we sit down to dinner as a family almost every night and we end every day with a hug and an "I Love You".

However, when the kids do get out of line I have come up with a remedy that puts them right back in line. It's soooo effective and I don't lay a hand on them or raise my voice. And it's really effective in public. drumroll please I cluck!! Yes, you read that right. I begin to strut, with hands tucked under my armpits (like wings) and I begin to cluck like a hen laying an egg. I'm quiet at first, but if they keep it up I get louder. You never saw two kids straighten up so fast. I love it!!

If anyone would like to share their creative "discipline" ideas I would love to hear them.

Happy New Year...

I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year's Eve! My husbands band played out and it was a good time...all be it odd...there wasn't the usual energy and elation that comes along with the stroke of midnight. After seeing the pics of my kids New Year's I think they had the best time of all!!!

Most years they go to my Mom's when we play out but this year they wanted to stay home. They bought noise makers, hats, balloons and sparkling juice. When we got home (with 10 people in tow) you couldn't tell there had been a party going on...which scares me a bit :)

They even got the dog into the spirit (poor Josie). After Jon tuckered out Morgan went to work with the balloons making her own chandelier. In real life it's VERY cool, the noise makers are the center with ribbon hanging down and the balloons were fastened together...complete with hanging ribbon (I should go check my ribbon stash, huh?).

The year 2008 was a mixture of highs and lows for my family. I certainly hope 2009 has more highs!! My biggest wish for 2009 is improved health. My step-dad is battling cancer, my husband's back is getting worse instead of better and my precious Josie is going to be 12. Not that improved wealth wouldn't be welcome.

Blessings to each and everyone of you for inner peace and whatever you wish for. Happy New Year!!!