8 things: Pinterest

I started pinning a couple of months ago (you can check out my pins here ) and I am having such fun with it. Here are 8 reasons why:

1.) Sharing - It is a great place to share things. For example - my sister and I have a mutual board that we can both post to so that we can show each other things.

2.) Inspiration - Wow! So many new things to try. I love being surrounded by artists - you all make me want to make things.

3.) Laughs - hilarious things. Some things I think but would never have the nerve to say :)

4.) Friends - seeing things that inspire my friends helps me to feel closer to them. Love that I can follow my friends.

5.) Storage - a great place to keep things like recipes that I want to try (and I have actually tried several things I have pinned!)

6.) Endless - you will never run out of interesting things to see. Since you can pin most anything on the Internet there is always something new.

7.) Beauty - such beautiful images to see. A virtual fest for the eyes.

8.) Fun - quick and easy. If I have a few minutes to kill, I can pop over to pinterest and get inspired.

If you haven't gotten sucked into pinterest yet - I highly recommend it! :)

8 Things about 8 Things

8 Things I like about 8 things :)

1.) I like lists. Simple as that - I have always been a list maker and this just falls right into place for me.

2.)I like that it is 8. I would expect 5 or 10 and I am glad it is an unusual 8.

3.) It brings focus to your writing. Not to little not to much - just right.

4.)Scheduled - I like knowing what I will be posting each week on Thursdays. Guess I like structure :)

5.)It gets me thinking and that is always a good thing.

6.)I enjoy reading the 8 Things that my friends who participate write.

7.)I plan to use many of the posts as a part of my scrapbook pages.

8.)The sky is the limit! You really can write 8 things about anything. Look - I just did it! :)

Want to join in? Check it out here.

8 Things: About The Olympics

I am a big fan of the Olympics. I especially love the winter Olympics and am anxiously awaiting the opening ceremonies! So for today's 8 Things I am going to share some reasons that I love the Olympics.

1.) Pride - I always feel pride during the games. Pride in my country - yes - but also pride in all the athletes from every country and pride in the ability of all of us to cheer on others.

2.) Drive and Determination - knowing the kind of dedication and drive it takes to be an athlete of that caliber is just mind boggling to me. To be honest - it always makes me feel lazy. It also always makes me believe in dreams.

3.) Competition - gotta love a little good old fashion competition!

4.) Foreign lands - love, love, love learning little bits and pieces about the host countries and in most cases wish I was right there! (I am really excited it will be so close this year and in a country I love!)

5.) Unity - when I watch the games I feel a sense of unity with the rest of the world. How wonderful that people from all countries are gathered together in this one thing.

6.) Biographies - I am a sucker for biographies and really enjoy the short pieces when they feature an athlete and you learn a little more about them.

7.) Spectacle - yes- I like the oh and ah - the sappy commercials, the build up, the after game interviews, everything!

8.) Family Time - my whole family watches the Olympics together. It is something we all agree on, all enjoy and it is wonderful family fun!

How about you? Are you a fan?

8 Things: Thanksgiving

For this Thursday, Thanksgiving day, I couldn't resist an 8 things I am thankful for today.

1.) Family - it is so nice to have our family gathered together here in our home. It is hard when you move away from family so twice as nice to have them here.

2.) Traditions - like fun rules. They give everything order and a starting point but are flexible and you can start a new one whenever you want.

3.) Food - enjoying dishes that we only make a couple times a year. YUM!

4.) Telephone - so glad we are able to talk with those we love that can't be here.

5.) Games - love playing board and cards games and am looking forward to some lively ones this afternoon.

6.) Weather - we have fantastic weather in Virginia - it is still fall here and just a beautiful, sunny, 60 degree day.

7.) Christmas music - yep - we start listening to it this weekend and I love it!

8.) Decorations - our house is all decked out and it look and feels so festive.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving my friends!

8 Things: Why at 11pm?

It is 11 pm and I have not posted my 8 Things yet today. Oh I thought about posting - I just never forced myself to sit down and do it. So tonight I thought I would look at the 8 things (reasons) it didn't happen until now.

1.) My mood. Lets just say I was not at my finest today.
2.) Busy work. Lots and lots of phone calls and follow up phone calls.
3.) The rain. Which is partly to blame for #1.
4.) Physical pain. I have been having problems with my vision and my jaw which is giving me a killer headache. (Which is partly to blame for #1)
5.) Homework. The kids needed some extra help tonight and that ate up a good chunk of the afternoon.
6.) Overwhelmed. I have let myself become overwhelmed with my to-do list and thus I am not accomplishing much of it. (Which is partly to blame for #1 - see a pattern here?!)
7.) Good TV. I decided to watch Fast Forward and Grey's instead of being on the computer.
8.) Not wanting to share the yuck. I hate putting negative energy out there so I put off writing my 8 Things but it is 11 and I need to go to bed so it is what it is.

I have loved doing the 8 things and wanted to stay on track. Hoping for something better next week :)

8 Things: On My Nightstand

It is the second day in a row of rain here in Richmond. It's dark, gloomy, wet and a chilly 47 degrees right now all of which makes me want to crawl back into bed with a good book! For today's 8 Things I am going to tell you what is on my night stand.

1.) A Lamp - I love my lamp. I found it at Restoration Hardware about 6 years ago and I really liked it so my Dad got one for each side of the bed for us for Christmas that year.
2.) A Clock - I have had this same clock since I was in college - hey it still works so why change it?
3.) The Clapper - well not really a clapper but that is what I call it. I had always joked that I wanted the clapper to turn off my lights so I wouldn't have to lean out of the bed. Well last summer Don's mom got me this auto switch that sits on the corner of my night stand. Perfect!
4.) Water - you will always find a bottle of water on my night stand. I don't drink it very often but just in case.
5.) Lotion - I always keep some lotion there and put it on most nights before bed.
6.) Books - currently there are 4 in the stack.
7.) Bird - I have a little bronze bird statue that my Mom got me last spring break - it sits on top of my "to read" pile of books.
8.)Magazines - I have two there now - Scrapbooks Etc and Good Housekeeping.

8 Things: House details

I was thinking about all the things I still want to do around our house to make it more like our home. When you move into a new house there is a lot to be done to make it "yours" and we are still working on that but there are some little details that I am loving and I thought I would share them today.

1.) My stove - See the layout above. It is so much better then any stove I have ever had and for someone that enjoys cooking that is important!
2.) My scrap space - 1st that fact that I have one at all is great but mine is over the top with potential! It is a large room with a slanted roof and large window. I am looking forward to the day I get some paint on these walls and some fun artwork.
3.) Trees - I can't tell you how much having trees in our yard makes a difference to me. I can still see houses but it is so much better seeing them through the trees. I feel like I have a bit of nature right here. I love that the squirrels and birds have a home and that they visit our yard often.
4.) My kitchen back splash - it is one of the things in the house that I got to pick out. I love the slate and the fact that it is strips instead of squares and that it is different from other things I have seen. (You can see a peak of it in the layout above)
5.) The mud room - having a room off the garage that has no other purpose then to toss shoes, backpacks and coats is awesome. It is good to have a dropping off stop when you walk in the door!
6.) Copper accents - I really like the copper accents on the exterior of our house. I have always liked the way that looked and I am happy we have some of our own now.
7.) Odd shaped windows - I really like the window in my laundry room and off the little bathroom - they are unique shapes and I love how they let the light in with style.
8.) Stair rail - I like the mixture of wood and wrought iron in our stair rail - it adds a nice texture to both our loft and our family room.

8 Things: Halloween

Since Halloween is almost upon us, I thought it would be fun to list the things I love about Halloween for this weeks 8 Things.

1.) The time of year. I love all things fall and Halloween is right smack in the middle of it.
2.) Pumpkins - love, love, love pumpkins! It is just so festive to see pumpkins all over the neighborhood!
3.) Costumes - it is always fun to help the kids think up what they can be for Halloween then to go on the hunt for everything they need to dress up
4.) Decorating the house - any chance to mix things up a bit and get in the spirit! We go for more of a fall look then a spooky one around here :)
5.) Pumpkin goodies - pumpkin seeds, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, etc...Yum!
6.) Adventure - I love seeing my kids go out with adventure in their eyes and a smile on their face.
7.) Little visitors - so much fun seeing all the kids at my door (especially the littlest ones!)
8.) Candy - sitting with the kids while they dump out the goods and show me all the "loot" then sampling a few of my favorites (heath bars and twix)

Hope you enjoy Halloween this year :)

8 Things: Favorite Movies

For today's 8 things, I am going to share my 8 all-time favorite movies. I love each of these movies for different reasons but one thing is true for all - they are the ones I could watch over and over again :) So in no particular order, here are my favorites:

1.) Forrest Gump - What's not to love? To me this is the perfect movie - it follows someone through their lives so you are not left to wonder what happens, it is rich with history, has a fantastic soundtrack, characters that you really love, and it pulls you through every emotion that exists. Perfect I tell you!
2.) Grease - Ramma lamma lamma ka dingity ding da dong! So fun! I think am pretty sure I could recite every line and sing every song from this movie. I saw it when I was 12 and fell in love. Still love it to this day.
3.) Gone With The Wind - :Sigh: Everything a movie should be. Love, love, love it!
4.) It's a Wonderful Life - Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a viewing of this movie. It holds a message that we all could use a reminder of - we are important and we change the world for the better everyday. It gives me the warm fuzzies Just thinking about it! :)
5.) Far & Away - This movie was not as epic or acclaimed as the rest on my list but it still ranks up there for me. I love the historical aspect of this movie - I am fascinated with the time it takes place plus a sweet love story always helps :)
6.) Sound of Music - Oh the music! The beautiful scenery! Those children! The history! That love story! Magnificent!
7.) Fried Green Tomatoes - The name alone would make it a favorite but they backed up that name with a winner of a movie.
8.) Steel Magnolias - The connections between characters can't be beat in this movie. I cry every single time I watch it.

What are your favorite movies?

8 Things: About Abbie

Abbie taken Sept 2009 while mini-golfing

Today is Abbie's eleventh birthday. How can my sweet baby girl be 11? I am so lucky and blessed to have a daughter like Abbie! For my 8 things Wednesday I thought it would be a great time to share 8 Things I love about Abbie :)

1.) She is driven. She sets a goal and goes after it - whether it is saving money or playing soccer - she works hard to get the job done.

2.) She is beautiful. Of course, I can not help but look at her through a mothers eyes but everyday I catch a glimpse of beauty in her.

3.) She is silly. She is not afraid to let loose and joke around - giggle and have fun.

4.) She is an animal lover. She loves animals of all kinds and I am so proud that she is taking the steps to volunteer at our local shelter.

5.) She is smart. Amazingly so - it is such a comfort to always hear good reports about Abbie when I hear from teachers.

6.) She is caring. She is always willing to lead a hand - she makes efforts to help the environment, her classmates, her family and her friends.

7.) She is changing. Each new day she seems to change in subtle ways as she reaches toward the teen years. It is amazing to watch it happen.

8.) She is a mama's girl. From the time she was born Abbie and I have had a special bond - she has always reached for me first and I am more then happy to have my arms wide open to welcome her.

Happy Birthday Baby - I love you so very much!

8 Things: About College

This week I have been thinking about the past - college in particular. I attended and graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida and I loved every minute of it. It was a large university with over 40 thousand students and we affectionately called it USF - University of Sun and Fun. As you will read on, I am sure you will glean the fact that the academic part of college was - well - not to important to me. I did what I had to do and no more. I did however put lots of effort into living a fun life! :) So for this week, 8 things I loved about College.

1.) Friends & Boyfriends - I was surrounded with a great group of girls and guys, with so many people around there is always someone available and ready to hang out. There is never a shortage of people in and around a college that are in the same place in life as you. A smorgasbord of social outlets if you will :)
2.) Staying up late and Sleeping in - This was the perfect schedule for me the night owl! We wouldn't even think about going to bed until past 1 am and rarely got up before 11 am. Many times we wouldn't even start getting ready to go out until 9:30 pm - another world from my life today that is for sure!
3.) Night Classes - I learned early (my first year when I failed my one and only 8 am class) that morning was not going to work for me. (See #2) So I started taking night classes. The great thing for me was they met only once a week 5 pm to 8 pm for the same amount of credits as the day classes that met 3 times a week. Giving me all day and all night after 8:30 for fun! (See #1)
4.) My VW Bug Convertible - this little red car was so cute, dependable and cheap. (It cost nearly nothing to fill it up.) My friends loved to pile in with the top down and head for the beach, a party or a park.
5.) Living in the Sun - moving from Chicago to Florida was a shock to the system - in a good way. I loved calling home and hearing it was snowing when I had on shorts. I loved not owning a coat and being able to run out the door as is. I loved the casual, laid back attitude and dress of everyone that lived there. I loved the blue skies, the heat, the palms, the flowers and yes the sun!
6.) Hobbies - I had time - sure I could have studied more but instead I filled my extra time with hobbies. I learned to cross stitch and loved creating things while we watched TV in the afternoons plus buying every thread color known to man. I also learn to love antiques! Several of my friends and I would just go browse around the shops to see what treasures we could find. It started off because we didn't have much money and it was a cheap way to get some things but quickly became a love of mine.
7.) Bars - Yep, I said it. The drinking age when I moved to Florida had just been raised from 18 to 21 but since I was already 18 when it changed I was grandfathered in and was still allowed to drink. The drinking wasn't the important part for me it was being able to get into the bars and party with my friends. So. Much. Fun. We danced, we laughed, we ate oysters and wings, we flirted, we gossiped, we sang, and sometimes we cried.
8.) Freedom - to decide when to clean, when to sleep, when to study, when to party, when to eat...I did not always make the wisest choices of how to spend my time but even that taught me something about living with the consequences of your decisions. Being 18 - 22 was awesome for me - very few real responsibilities and a whole barrel full of fun!

What to play? Join in here.

8 Things: Meals I would love to have again!

It is no secret that I love food. I really enjoy trying new flavor combinations and foods from all different cultures and areas. I have eaten so many wonderful, yummy things over the years but today I am going to list 8 meals that I would love to eat again.

1.) Fresh Salmon from Vancouver, Canada. I enjoyed this meal in 1990 at a fairly fancy restaurant in Canada. I was attending a conference for work in Seattle, WA and 5 coworkers and I made the trip over the border and enjoyed a fabulous evening. The Salmon was out of this world and like nothing I have had since.

2.) Morning After Pancakes from Texas. In 1996, Don and I took a trip to San Antonio, TX. While there we drove up into the hills and stopped at a little out of the way bakery for breakfast. I ordered their speciality "Morning After Pancakes" Oh my! Apparently they crumble up the danish from the day before into the battery and let me tell you it was fantastic - with or without syrup. YUM!

3.) Garlic Soup & Warm Crusty Bread from Austria. While driving through the mountains in 1999 we stopped in a little village and had lunch at a pub type restaurant. We sat at a charming little table that had a magnificent view while we enjoyed the best soup I have ever had. A perfect blend of flavors then add to that warm crusty bread - close to heaven I tell you!

4.) Potato Pierogi from St. Michael's church in Merrillville, Indiana. Made from scratch by the older polish church ladies, served on paper plates, and dripping with butter in the church basement surrounded by families young and old. So melt in your mouth, stick to your ribs, warm your soul good.

5.) Scallops from Narragansett, Rhode Island. While vacationing we had dinner at a little dive that was located right where the fishing boats come in. Newspaper covered tables, food served in red baskets, prices dirt cheap, seafood right from the boat. We sampled lots of yummy seafood that night including lobster, crab and various fish - all very good - but the scallops - oh the scallops. So smooth and buttery- not tough or chewy at all and the perfect flavor.

6.) Garlic Chicken & Thai Beef Salad - Thai Spice in Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha would be the last place I would expect to find good Thai food but it is there! We ordered take out from Thai Spice every other Friday and they knew us and knew our tastes (we like it HOT!) and it was fantastic. I miss it - a lot. Let's just say my mouth is actually watering as I write this. Sad, I know.

7.) Fire Roasted Vegetables & Garlic - Bistro 110 Chicago, Illinois. Although there are many tempting things on the menu, no matter how many times I go I have to order the Roasted Vegetables. Love the taste and the beautiful colors of the food. The garlic? Oh just think about it...baked until it is soft and buttery served whole by the head with warm bread and butter. You stink for days but it is well worth it.

8.) Greek Olives and Stew at the Flame in Santorini, Greece. Another little place Don and I discovered on our travels - a hike to get there but oh so worth it. The view of the Aegean Sea was spectacular and the food was glorious. A whole bowl of Greek olives and a stew that I can't even name - filled with all sorts of veggies and lots of potatoes with some kind of tomato base. So stinkin' good.

Not even hungry right now but boy do I want to eat!

Join in and share your 8 things today here.

8 Things: About Jr. High School

Having two children in middle school has me reminiscing about what it was like when I was in middle school (we called it jr. high and went for grades 7,8 and 9) I honestly *loved* the three years I spent at Peirce Jr. High School in Merrillville, Indiana. It was much more about being social for me then about academics! So today for my 8 things, I have made a list of the things I look back fondly on about jr. high.

1.) Friends - I was all about my friends at this age. I loved going to school because it meant I got to be with my friends all day long and after school I spent all night long talking on the phone with them. Weekends? More time to spend with friends. I had a great "group" of friends and they were my whole world.

2.) Boys - yep - we talked about them, dreamed about them, flirted with them, sighed over them, cried over them, and laughed about them.

3.) Pom-poms - I loved belonging to a group, going to practices (again with my friends), and best of all going to football games - so. much. fun.

4.) Lunch - that strange combination of social hour and meal time. We ate the weirdest things - tater tots dipped in butter being a favorite of our table. I spent the time gossiping and making plans for the weekend - oh and the food fights - yes they occurred like in the movies - someone would turn the lights off and madness would ensue until a teacher got to the lights. The girls and I would usually hit the deck under the tables while the boys let loose with the food.

5.) Age - this was a great age to be - old enough to have some independence but young enough to not have many responsibilities.

6.) Belonging - it was a time of great security for me. I belonged. I knew my place in the social network and I had a clear definition of who I was. There was something very comforting about that.

7.) Communication - notes, notes, notes. Because we had no computers or cell phones then we actually wrote each other hand written notes and passed them in between classes. It was not uncommon to be handed several notes by different friends between classes. Then I would write back during the next class and so on. Amazing how much writing we did!

8.)Symbols - long before the LOL's of today my friends and I had all kinds of symbols and written ways to convey a message to each other. A few: BBB = blackberry brandy (which we tried once and thought we were cool so we wrote it on out notes) CTB = Cindy the Bitch (a girl I didn't like in school - we each had one) CTF = Craig the fox (one boy I had a crush on) etc...

Go here to join in on "8 things"!

8 Things: Lee Currie

Ok - here I am, joining in on something Lee found here. I am a list maker - plain and simple - if it is not on the list it doesn't get done. So this fits right in with my love of lists :)

Since Lee has not only introduced me to this idea but so many others I thought it would be fun to have Lee featured in my very first 8 things post.

So here you go - in no particular order - 8 things I love about Lee:

1.) She writes in an interesting and entertaining way that I love.
2.) She is an awesome photographer - She uses interesting angles and perspectives.
3.) She is a fantastic Mom. Love her "mama-tude" and the way she parents her children.
4.) Commonality - I love that the more I get to know her the more I find in common with her.
5.) She is generous - with her time, her emotions, her creativity, her resources and her home.
6.) She is strong in what she believes - not a wishy-washy, non committal bone in her body.
7.) She is real - she is not perfect and doesn't pretend to be.
8.) She is always seeking, learning, and thinking about who she is and what is next.

Thanks for your friendship Lee! It makes my world a nicer place :)