brrr.

lots has been happening. life is always full of happy and sad things all at once.

i have had a bunch of pages picked up to be published and a very nice honor to be bestowed upon me. my grandmother is passing and probably won't be here tomorrow. i'm going to miss her but ready to let her go.

i'll be back later to share. in the mean time, I did post at the WIP site today about a new skill of mine that my mother thinks is hilarious. She's afraid I'll try to start cooking next. Who knows - crazier things have happened!

we leave Sunday for Cruise. my family needs a vacation and it is going to be so wonderful to be there with my parents, aunt and uncle. goodbye cold. hello sunshine.

i am here.

surviving the holidays. turning 40. enjoying my kids. assembling toys. working. taking down the tree. planning for a new year. preparing to lose someone very important to me.

my grandmother Margaret Maike is 91 and a half. she has been hospitalized since December 2nd due to kidney failure. she was transferred to a hospice unit today. i know it is her time, but it is never easy to see someone you love go into such a quick and painful decline. i'm going to miss her so much.

i'll be back later. when things are better and back to the regular crazy life I lead.

getting ready

I can't believe the holiday is only 10 days away! The boys are so excited for Santa this year. We have been busy getting the house ready and going to some special events in preparation of Christmas. Emmitt has his first holiday program at school on Monday and is so proud that his family is coming to watch. Max has his holiday band concert on Thursday. The 8th Grade band dresses formal for the event. Cooper doesn't have a concert this year in 1st grade. He is looking forward to Friday, the last day before Winter Break. Our family gets to "babysit" Squeakers the class guinea pig. He wants another pet and has been begging for a hamster. (no way. period.) Hopefully watching Squeakers will buy me some time.
The boys made this Gingerbread House from a kit purchased at Costco. The house was already assembled. Just frost and decorate! Easy and fun.

The lovely tree in our empty living room - the only safe room away from Frank.

Lime green and purple were my holiday theme colors this year.

Our trip to Country Lights at Lake Farmpark.

The boys made wood toys at the workshop. Cooper a tank and Emmitt a pirate ship.

They loved their first trip on the Polar Express too. They actually believed they were on their way to the North Pole.

I can't wait to make pages for all of these great family moments.

Laina

i made it

working through Black Friday and the rest of the weekend at the mall. it was pretty crazy but at least we don't have doorbusters (literally) at our store.

thanksgiving was nice blur as always. dinner at my mom and dad's. she's the cook - not me. steve and i are feeling very thankful this holiday season. 95 people in the IT department at AmTrust were laid off yesterday, luckily not Steve. times are bad if you work for a bank.

here are my WorkInProgress layouts for December. Once again, Trish takes me out of my comfort zone in pattern paper and I totally enjoy the results.

Historic Cleveland

Looking for the perfect gift for that hard to shop for person? (Like my father in law!) Then check out this beautiful new book from Turner Publishing. The book is filled with hundreds of images of historic Cleveland. The book begins with some of the first known photos of Cleveland and spans through the post World War II era. Looking through the book gives you glimpses of some familiar downtown sites that are still standing today. I would definitely recommend this to anyone on your list who has an appreciation for the history and architecture of Cleveland.