Christmas is Coming!



No, I'm really not that excited about it, but it's December 1st and I might as well accept it.

I contributed a sample card to pagemaps. I decided to make it a Christmas card. Here is the link to the site. http://www.pagemaps.com/ It is featured in the December card mapss and the newsletter.





Maybe I'll get ambitious and make one for everyone on my list!

I got a call from someone who might be interested in renting the house. Keeping my fingers crossed......

I plan on putting up Christmas decks today. Need to take down the fall ones outside. I still have the scarecrow and pumpkins!

Bill is out of town again, helping out his Mom for extra $.

I've decided to start my own portrait business on the side. I had my first paying job, a large family portrait. I am going to put together a website and make cards and flyers. I'm loving my new flash, it works great for indoor photography.


(this site compresses my photos and they don't look very crisp - I suppose I need to figure out how to size them correctly for this blog)

Jumping Rope
Originally uploaded by wishymom.

Two weeks ago the weather was beautiful. Now it is cold and grey! Katie said my depression gets worse in the winter months. I love this photo collage of Emily jumping rope. It makes me smile.

Went to Emily's parent/teacher conference last night. She is doing well. Mr. Karas thinks she is capable of getting A's with a little extra effort. He says she is very bright. She seems to be getting a little better at staying focused in class and getting her work done. I hope it stays like that!

Three Months Later........

Wow! I can't beleive it's been almost three months since I posted here. I've never been much of a writer.

Summer is over and fall has arrived, in fact it's flying by fast. The weather is already forecasting snow flurries (YUCK!) and the stores are filled with Christmas stuff (Bah Humbug!).

Emily celebrated her 9th Birthday on Septemer 1st!

Katie went to the Homecoming Formal with her new boyfriend Christian:
I did put up some fall decorations:

Our kitty Dior is getting so big:

Emily wanted to dress as something scary this year ~Here's a couple Halloween photos:

We still haven't sold the old house and the temporary renters will most likely be moving out at the end of this month. Money is tight and both Bill and I are stressed! Bill is working for his Mom on weekends and volunteering for extra things at work. Currently he's in Detroit doing extra inspections. He hopes to be back home Wed night. He even volunteered to go out to California to work on fire claims, but they must have had enough volunteers for now because they didn't contact him. I'm secretly glad because he would have been gone for the entire month of November, including Thanksgiving.

I applied for some higher paying jobs, but only had one interview and didn't get that job. It's getting frustrating! I've been somewhat depressed, but I'm trying hard not to be.

Well I Survived My 40th Birthday

Not that I was actually dreading it or anything, it just seemed weird to be turning 40. I grew up with young parents and was married and moved out of the house before they even turned 40, so to me 40 always seemed a bit old (even though now I realize that is silly). I don't feel old at all!

I really have been bad keeping up with blogging. Need to make an effort to try harder at this.

Here's a quick update using photos of course:

My sister Carrie and her children came to visit us in early July. We had a great time and I am so glad that they came. We don't see eachother enough!

Amanda bought her first new car.

Amanda brought home a kitten.

Katie turned 15.

Bill's dad rode on a B-17

We went to Bill's family reunion (until this year, previously held on Labor Day Weekend)

NASCAR Fan (But NOT a Redneck!!!)

There was a time when I thought NASCAR was just for rednecks and I actually used to make fun of it (sort of). But then I became friends with some people who really enjoyed NASCAR and I started to watch races on TV every now and then with them. Then when I married Bill who is a NASCAR fan, I watched even more. I started to learn the names of the drivers and the numbers of their cars. I still make fun of them a little bit. I mean NASCAR is the only TV event where the announcers actually have southern accents. It's also pretty funny when the drivers are interviewed they always remember to mention their sponsor's name(s) and if it's a beverage they take a drink of that beverage on camera with the label facing the camera.

I think you don't really become a true NASCAR fan until you actually attend a race. My first race was at Bristol, and it happened to be record cold temperatures. Bill and I went with friends Deanna and Randy. It was a long drive and the cold weather was NOT fun, but it was all worth it. Bristol is such an experience! We had a few driver spottings while walking around the track before the race.....

Kasey Kahne and Ray Everham
Deanna's favorite driver Carl Edwards
This is the view from our seats (about five rows from the top!!!)



I would love to go to Bristol again for the night race that they do towards the end of the season.

The second race I ever attended was on my 39th birthday last summer- The Brickyard in Indianapolis. This time the weather was incredibly HOT! Bill had broke his foot last summer and was on crutches and couldn't come along, so I took my sister-in-law Joy with me. We again went with Deanna and Randy and they brought their two kids along. It must have been 100 degrees + in the stands and we were in the direct sun the whole time. I had to go down underneath the stands a few times because I was so hot I thought I might pass out!
The track at Indy is really long and you can't see the whole track like you can at Bristol which is a very short track. I have no desire to go to the brickyard again after experiencing it once.

My most recent race was last month at Michigan. Deanna's husband Randy couldn't go with her so I took his place. We went with Carrie and Brandon and Tom and Jennifer. We tailgated in the parking lot before the race, which was fun. It was hot again, but not quite as hot as the Brickyard last summer. I got sunburned because I sweated off all my sunscreen.

Here's a photo of me with my favorite drive Ryan Newman from South Bend (OK, well it's just a life size cardboard cutout of him)

The Michigan track is smaller, not quite like Bristol, but we could still see the whole track from out seats. This time I brought along my Nikon with my zoom lens and was able to get some decent photos.

Ryan Newman started in the 4th position, but right away had a tire problem and then was involved in a wreck so he didn't finish with a good position. I also like Kasey Kahne - we were right across from his pit and I got a few good photos of his pit stops. Deanna got her wish and Karl Edwards won the race. I was able to get a shot of his trademark backflip with my zoom lens (not the greatest because we were really far away!) So I am offially a NASCAR fan now and not ashamed to admit it.

AN EVENT FILLED WEEK

Mom and Dad arrived on Saturday afternoon for the week long visit. As promised, Dad brought me the lantern he made and he even installed it in my front yard. I LOVE it! The spot he chose looks great!

On Sunday we went to a garden center. It's a good thing they drove, because Dad bought a plant and a rock!

Monday evening we drove out to the dunes to watch the sunset.

Mom and Dad collected some more rocks to take back to their water garden at home.

On Wednesday morning I took Mom and Dad to Ogden Gardens. It was hot and humid that day, but we had a nice time.

On Thursday, Mom, Dad, Bill and I drove up to Michigan and visited 5 wineries. We tasted and bought several different wines. The last one we went to before lunch was Round Barn, where they actually had a round barn. Of course I had to go to that one just for the photo ops! :)

Amanda's High School Graduation Ceremony was on Friday night. It was really great to have my parents there!

Don't they look too young to have an 18 year old granddaughter?

We had Amanda's open house on Saturday. Mom and Dad left around 3:00 pm to head back to North Carolina.

VALPARAISO PROM

Click to view larger
Colorful Group
Originally uploaded by wishymom.

Valparaiso's Prom was last night. Amanda and friends looked great. I love all the bright colors that the girls wore. The girls spent the night here at our house and they went to Six Flags Great America today. I know they are having a blast. Makes me almost want to be young again!

The Wedding

Me & Bill

Kim -The Chicken Dancing Bride

Amanda and Katie @ Reception

Chuck and Kim's wedding and reception was so much FUN! We had such a blast at the reception. I think it was the most fun wedding reception I have ever been too! I spent most of Sunday recovering!!! I was sore from all the dancing I did for 3 days!

Jumping on the Google "your name needs" Bandwagon

OK, so I gave it a try. I Googled "Stephanie Needs" Here are some of the most interesting things that turned up and my response comments:

Stephanie needs cash-fast-but times are tough, and soon she's forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family. ... Ugh! Been there, done that!

Stephanie needs some help Look at those pants! Should have stayed on the sidewalk! Drunk party girls! Hee Hee a girls gotta have fun!

Stephanie needs a strong manly shoulder to lean on (preferably an alpha one) ...umm OK!

Stephanie needs to stay focused on managing her resources. That’s for sure!

Stephanie needs help. Yes, with dishes, laundry and general household cleaning!

Stephanie needs information; she has a "good friend" or relative at a particular government agency or company who can get it for her. ... I do??? What's their name?

Stephanie needs some cash. Yes, so I’m not forced to resort to asking family!

Stephanie needs a dog if she's not blind. ... Huh?

Stephanie needs Rhinoplasty. Hmmm, I always thought my nose looks just fine!

Stephanie needs an ab lounger." ... Well, yes I probably could use one of those!

Stephanie needs to wear black, or a jacket. Why? Because I’m fat? That’s what the ab lounger will help with!

Stephanie needs. a scarf. Maybe Becca can knit one for me?

Stephanie needs to seek some serious professional help. Considering I’m wasting my time doing this, instead of laundry, I must!


PS: I recently realized that Google is now a verb.

Portage Senior Prom

Senior Prom Portage
Originally uploaded by wishymom.

Amanda went with Steve to his Senior Prom on Friday. These are some photos I took of them before they left. I think she looked really great in the green dress. She had her hair highlighted to and it looked really nice. The weather was perfect for outdoor portraits! These were taken in our yard.

Last Minute Prom Dress!!!

Amanda had picked out a dress for Prom and was trying to order it from the internet. Well, she had several problems and when the second site she tried to order from didn't ship it out right away due to us having a new address (not the same as her debit card address) she started to panic. This Friday is Steve's Prom at Portage High School. So yesterday, she talked me into driving her to Peaches, a dress shop in Chicago. It's all the way out by Midway Airport! We went right after work. Good thing they are open till 9:00 pm. I made good time getting there and we didn't have a problem finding it. She had gone earlier this week with her girlfriend and friend's mom. Driving back home was another story since I decided to take a different way and go through the city (dumb move).

The shop had TONS of beautiful prom dresses!!! She found the one she had wanted to order, but I talked her into trying on some other bright colored ones too. The one she originally wanted was brown (ick). After trying on several, she narrowed it down to 2 lime green dresses that she liked. The store looks up your school to see if anyone else has purchased the dress. Since she is going to both Portage Prom and Valpo prom again this year, they looked up both and one of the dresses she had picked was already purchased by someone at Valpo! So that made the decision for her. I like the one she ended up getting best anyway. It looks fantastic on her. It's a great color and is flattering to her tall thin figure. Here's the one she bought.

Catching up Finally

We finally have Internet at the new house, but here I am posting this while I am at work! I have been sick since last Thursday night and haven't got much done. I had a bad sore throat and cold. I stayed home sick on Monday, but came back to work yesterday even though I have conjunctivitis pretty bad in my right eye now. I am feeling a little better and finally caught up on some of the laundry last night. Bill thinks he caught it and is feeling sick today - GREAT, now we'll never get anything done!

Steve and Amanda went to the Fireman's ball on Saturday, so I made myself take some photos of them. Amanda has worn that dress before to another dance, but since I paid for it and it was expensive, I was glad to see her wear it again! :)

Here is a cute shot I took of Katie and Emily on St. Patrick's day:

I added some more to my portrait blog too (see links - portraits on location)

Let's see other things to note:

• We still don't have the old house on the market yet, because although I love my husband dearly, I am beginning to think he is the biggest procrastinator ever!!!
• I still have about 5 or 6 boxes left to unpack and still need to help Emily organize her room.
• I joined weight watchers at work and so far have lost 7 lbs!!! (Hooray finally some good news)
• We are going to drop trying to get custody of Hope. The Michigan Friend of the Court recommended she stay with her Mom in Texas (long story actually)
• I have a magnolia tree in my back yard that is starting to bloom and I can't wait to see it in full bloom - it should be beautiful! Lots of other great stuff coming up in the garden too!
• I have started feeding birds in the yard and it's fun to watch them out of the kitchen window.
• Amanda got a tattoo - eek! (photos on flickr)
• Brian is being a huge jerk about helping pay for Amanda's college so I am going to have to go through my attorney to make sure he pays his fair share!
• Emily played her guitar at Open Mike Night at Front Porch Music last week. She played two songs and was accompanied by Carolyn her guitar teacher. She was a natural and didn't seem nervous at all!

I will try to post more regularly on here.