SWAP FRIEND-ZY!!!

I have been told (by a forum buddy of mine) that I am in the midst of a SWAP frenzy! I believe I am! LOL! Swaps are great fun & HIGHLY addictive! You can meet some of the nicest people by doing a SWAP!

This month alone I have done a Secret Pal swap, a Happiness swap, a Spooky Thyme swap, Two different Fall swaps, & two personal swap I am doing with a prim buddies of mine! LOL! I have learned so much about these women & have had so much fun creating prim little gifts for these fabulous people! It puts a smile on my face when I get that primtastic box in the mail! Something that, they too, have made or taken their time to find that "perfect" gift for me!!!

I have posted some pictures of things I have made & received from swaps this month! The little antique child's chair & goodies & the scarcrow box filled with sweet annie & cutting board were a swap gift from my terrific friend Lori (TheBlackCrow) & the "Bee" sampler & gifts were from my prim buddy Tricia (Hillcresthome)! We could ALL use an extra dose of HAPPINESS in our lives so what are you waiting for.....GET BUSY...and find you a swap partner!!

FAIR FOOD!

I AM NOT SURE WHAT IT IS ABOUT FAIR FOOD THAT MAKES PEOPLE COME OUT OF THE WOOD WORKS TO EAT IT?! IS IT THE SMELL? THE TASTE? CERTAINLY IT IS NOT THE COST FOR IT IS OUTRAGEOUS!?

WHATEVER IT MAY BE....WHEN MY LITTLE TOWN HAS OUR LOCAL FAIR THE STREETS ARE LINED WITH PEOPLE SHOVELING TASTY TIDBITS INTO THEIR MOUTHS!!

MY SON & I SHARED A FUNNEL CAKE & A LEMON SHAKEUP TONIGHT!! WE PAID $8 TO MAKE OURSELVES SICK TO OUR STOMACHS & WILL STILL BE BACK FOR MORE TOMORROW AFTER THE BIG PARADE! :)

I JUST WISH A STREETS COULD BE THIS CROWDED ALL THE YEAR THROUGH! IT'S NICE TO SEE EVERYONE DOWNTOWN WITH THEIR FAMILIES HAVING A GOOD TIME! :) JUST LIKE THE GOOD 'OL DAYS!

WELL, NO MATTER IF IT'S THE THRILL OF THE CARNIVAL RIDES OR THE TASTE OF THE FAIR FOOD .....GET TO YOUR LOCAL FAIR AND MAKE SOME MEMORIES WITH YOUR KIDS!

SO, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR....GET BUSY!!

SPORTS!

My Father is a coach and has been for 35 years! My sister and I were always playing a sport and my Dad was always gone to a game or practice. We had a very busy household! Now I am the parent and we have three children and they are all involved in SPORTS! Our daughter is a cheerleader & track/cross country runner, our oldest son is involved in baseball, football, track, basketball and enjoys playing tennis during his "free" time. Our youngest child plays soccer, baseball, & basketball.

It seems like we are constantly on the move to a ball diamond or gym! Sometimes I find myself frustrated and tired but last Saturday my daughter cheered and my son played a Jr. Pro Fball game at the SIU college stadium, McAndrew Stadium. It is one of the last games that will ever be played at this stadium. They have built a new stadium and are tearing this one down. It was exciting for our cildren to be on this big field where so many fantastic memories have been made! It was also a sad moment because we knew this would be our last visit to this stadium. This stadium had gotten too old!

Which reminded me that one day our children will have gotten too old to play sports and we won't be running after them much longer! So, treasure all those moments spent watching your children on those feilds, courts or diamonds because soon it will be their last. Treasure the time that you are traveling with them in the van to this practice or that game because just for a few moments they are locked in the car with you and you have "special" time to talk and share stories.

So, what are you waiting for? GET BUSY!

Grandparent's Day!

Yesterday was Grandparent's Day....so today at my son's school we had Grandparent's Night! It is an Open House where Grandparents can visit with their grandkids' teachers. This is such an important event to my youngest son! He was super excited to show his Grammy the card he had made for her!

Grandparent's are such VERY special people! I know that we would be lost at my house without the help of my Mother. She helps me SO much with my 3 children & the tons of running we do!

Don't let these holidays go by without telling the ones that mean so much to you how you truly feel. Grandparent's DO NOT require fancy gifts...a hand drawn card made my Mom laugh & cry! :)

So, what are you waiting for....GET BUSY! :)

Fall Decorating!

It is that time of year again! The air is cooler, the nights are shorter, the farmers are in the fields, friday night football games & my kids are CrAvInG chili!!!!! It can only mean one thing....FALL! Ofcourse this puts me in the mood for Fall decorating! :) I have drug out the Indian corn, Pumpkins, Gourds, Corn Stalks & Dried Sunflowers and decorated my entire home & yard!! If you do not decoratae for Fall you are missing one of the greatest seasons for decorating ever made! There are sooooo many wonderful natural elements that you can use to make just the perfect display. It looks just beautiful with all of the fantastic colors & it's CHEAP!! So get BUSY and decorate!! It is sure to bring a sMiLe to your face! :)