Brag Book - May 07

Credits

December 07 Roundup

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?

Not one book did I read this month. Still no time! I don't think I read any magazines either except for Creating Keepsakes magazine. I tend to read them and then rip out the pages for future pages but do I ever go back and look at the torn pages? No! I don't know why I even bother!

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?

MOVIE DITZ MOMENT: I wasted my time and rented Basic Instinct 2. I'm a real ditz. I got this movie confused with another (Fatal Attraction). Now, my husband won't let me rent any more movies. Only joking. I don't know how I got the two movies confused. I kept telling my husband boy she looks so different from part 1. I thought she had curly hair. Then my husband said to describe the 1st movie and yes, I sure did have the wrong movie. I remembered the bathtub scene and the bunny on the stove. My husband immediately said, "You got the wrong movie." No wonder why I didn't like it.

TV Shows: Well, we started to watch "Life" reruns. We have 2 more episodes to watch which we will be watching tonight of season 1. We are really enjoying it. You can download the episodes at the link I provided above.

My husband had me watch the pilot of Dexter on Show Time. He watched the first season without me and said it was very good show. It is sort of like Nip Tuck and Six Feet Under that we both watched. I'm sure I will probably be watching the rest of the season since there is nothing left to watch on tv because of the writers strike.

What special days did I celebrate and how?

We celebrated Hanukkah. It came and went so fast. We bought the kids so many gifts that they still haven't opened up everything. It got too overwhelming for them. We went to the synagogue for one of the nights and saw them light the big menorah. We also went on our drive and see the lights one night. We found a really cool house that had lights that blinked to the music which was quite amazing. We celebrated Christmas day briefly at my sisters house. Unfortunately, my kids had gotten sick so only Naomi went with us to my sisters. We got to eat and run. We didn't get to stay for dessert because my mom had to still eat.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?

We gave the kids their own computers. Yes, 3 of them. My husband got a good deal. They are learning to use the mouse and they like the PBS Kids website for games. They also got new desks, some games for their leapster, some board games, dolls and cars.

I got from my husband a Canon Digital Rebel, a GPS system and a digital frame that I still need to learn how to use. I love my new camera though. I used to have the Canon EOS Rebel SLR camera. I loved it but my husband wanted us to go digital so he gave me these point and shoot things and for 3 years I used them but I so missed my Rebel. Now, I can use my lenses again. Plus the photos come out so much better than a point and shoot. Stay tuned for some great photography in the coming months.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

We had double ear infections on Christmas Day. I saw the doctor for my yearly check up and she said she thinks I am suffering from anxiety or depression. She gave me some medication that I can't drive with so I haven't taken any of it. I am usually on the go so I can't take medication that will confine me to my house. I guess I will just have to deal with my anxiety the best I can.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?

We went for our yearly drive around the neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights on all the houses. My mom came with us. We saw a house that had lights that went with the music. My kids would say it was "AMAZING".

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?

I participated in 2 cookie exchanges this month. One for MOPS and one for MOMs Club. I made Ricotta Cookies and Sour Cream Sugar Cookies. Both were really yummy. I also tried a new recipe (meatloaf) made in the microwave by Loonyhiker. Thanks Loonyhiker for coming to my rescue one night this week when I came across that horrible question "WHAT'S FOR DINNER."

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

My husband got my parents a GPS system for their car. I thought it was a bit unusual but that's what my mom wanted for the holidays.

What were this month's disappointments?

We didn't get to spend the entire holiday with the family because the kids were sick.

What were my accomplishments this month?

I completed over 500 scrapbook pages for the year. I have to recalculate Dec but last I checked it was over 500! My goal was 400 for the year so I way passed my goal for the year. I also had 3 books printed of my digital pages. One for each child for the year 2007. I started a brag book for 2007 and am halfway down with it. Can't wait to have these small pages printed up.

Anything else noteworthy to record?

Backup your digital pictures to cd/dvd and upload them to an online site or two for an extra backup. Send the links to the online albums to friends and family.

Choose photos (or digital layouts) to be printed out and get that done while you are thinking about it.

Make sure your scrapbooking area is cleaned up and organized. Put away new purchases (or organize your hard drive if you are a digi scrapper)

Look over the calendar for the coming month and make note of upcoming events you will want to capture for your scrapbooks.

Get those December memories rounded up!

Recapping 2007

Mon 12/31 Blog Prompt

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Hard to believe we are at the end of another year already. Did your year go as you planned? How about a highlight of your resolutions and/or special events?

Events that happened in 2007:

Tragedy: I lost my cat the night before Halloween. He had chocked on a pretzel bag that the kids left around from their trick or treating. He was only 11 years old. He would always hide when the kids were awake and once they went to bed he would come out and look for attention. I feel so bad that I wasn't home when he died. It was the first night that we all slept over my sister's house. My husband was home and found him on the stairs not breathing. It was too late to save him. If you ask the kids where Rocky went. They will tell you, "He went to the Rainbow Bridge". I will never forget you my "Pooh Bear".

Sept: The kids started preschool. They go 2 days a week for 1/2 day. While they are in school I managed to get a job doing accounting. I applied for a gym instructor but after reviewing my resume I was called for the accounting position. So do I get a break from the kids? I do but I am working. I do not have any free time to myself. My working pays for part of their schooling. It's amazing how expensive preschool is. It wouldn't be bad if we had only one child to send but times that by 3! Yikes! My entire pay goes to their school. Now, the preschool wants next years deposit by Jan 8. I don't know if we will be able to add another day to their schedule as that would be another $200 per month. They will be 4 next year and I'm sure they will need the additional schooling to help them prepare for kindergarten but will we have the additional funds? Right now we are still living paycheck to paycheck. No savings. I can always pray that God will provide for us.


I've been dealing with a bit of anxiety and depression. My patience is run thin. I get very angry often. I don't enjoy being with the kids as they make me so frustrated. Could it be that I feel this way because I'm raising them literally alone? My husband works 24/7. Most days he comes home from work and is there just to put them to bed meanwhile I struggled all day with them. If you have only one toddler and are reading this try to think of how it could be with 3 toddlers. They no longer nap so I don't get any break from all the whining and fighting. Try to keep them busy all day it's hard. Most days I just want to run away or lock myself in my laundry room just for some piece and quite. I look forward to bedtime because that's when I can actually sit down and relax and it's quite. The only thing that helps is my scrapbooking. I have completed over 500 pages this year. I look forward to making my pages. It's my therapy for making it through each day. If I didn't have my scrapping I don't think I would be here today.

Illnesses: We have had a couple of ear infections, sinus infections, pneumonia and stomach viruses come to our house this winter. Right now the kids are on antibiotics for double ear infections. Can't wait till winter is over.

The kids were involved in the YMCA. This past summer they took a class "Introduction to Sports". They learned baseball, soccer and basketball. I think Justin is left handed as he did so good in baseball but was hitting lefty. Victoria seemed to like soccer and Naomi liked basketball. In Sept I signed the girls up for dance class. They are taking tap and ballet. Unfortunately, after Victoria got very sick with pneumonia in November she stopped wanting to attend dance. She's missed 2 classes while sick and then when she returned she didn't go into class because she had to go potty. The 3rd class she was in the bathroom the entire 45 minutes. Then the 4th week she had a tantrum and didn't want to go in the class room. Same thing happened on week 5. So I will be dropping her out of dance. Naomi continues to like it and so she will continue to go. I'm hoping to get them all in another class maybe gymnastics in the spring.

I continue to be very active in the MOMS Club and again joined MOPs. I did switch my chapter of MOPs I was attending because I knew the leader at the new MOPs location. The kids seem to enjoy going and I like the ladies there better. When the kids got really sick around Thanksgiving MOPs came to my rescue with home cooked meals. It was amazing. Thank you all who thought of us at that hard time this year.

New changes for 2008. Well, I joined the gym. It opens in January. The gym offers free babysitting for 2 hours. I hope that going to the gym would help me to release some stress and enjoy the kids more.

Hoping 2008 is better than 2007.

Brag Book - June 07

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CT - Karla's North Pole Cookies

I had the honor of working with Karla's new kit called North Pole Cookies. Right now it is on sale at 60% off so hurry as I don't know when the sale will end. You can purchase this kit here.

Here's my layouts using the kit.

More Brag Book Pages

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Time-Travel

On the twenty eighth day of December I will time-travel back to 1987 the year I met my husband. I wouldn't change that part of my life but I would change the education decision I made back then. I was in my senior year of high school at that time. One day my teacher had a guest speaker from Cittone Institute on court reporting. They said it was a 2 year school and that you would make a lot of money. They made it sound way too good to be true. So I signed up.

Facts they didn't include in their demonstration:
1. It would take 5 years with no summers off.
2. You had to practice 24/7 in order to get your speed up to 225 words per minute. I did graduate and did reach that speed but it took me 5 years.
3. You had to take state tests in order to work which cost money to take. It was very expensive and frustrating each time I took a state exam. I failed 4 times. I was always an honor student so this was very challenging and disappointing.
4. You would have to travel the 5 boroughs of NY City. I like to be stable and use a routine. The one time I did an internship I got lost on the subway and was very scared.
5. You did not make any money doing your internship. You had to sit in with other reporters and not get paid for weeks maybe months before they give you a job.

If I would have known all that when I signed up I would have gone to college. I didn't want to go to college for a long time. Turns out I studied to become a court reporter for 5 years. I wound up working at a law firm being a secretary using my skills that I learned while lawyers dictated letters.

About a year or so ago I finally sold my steno machine. It was just in my garage collecting dust and I hated seeing it. It just reminded me of my first internship when I got lost on the subway and was so scared. That's the day I told my husband and my parents that I will not be doing this field of work.

To this day I regret my decision of studying to become a court reporter and I should have gone to college for a teaching degree. I think I would have been a good teacher.

4 x 6 Album

For a challenge at Nuts4Digital they are doing brag books. Size is 4 x 6. I decided to join in and do a page for each month of 2007. Tonight I did 4 pages for the challenge. The title page, Oct, Nov and Dec. I'm working backwards.




Credits for the above pages can be found here.

CT - Mountain Retreat and Freebie

Here is the kit I am working on for the month of December. It is called Mountain Retreat by Burkhart Scrapzone Designs. You can find it here.

Here is a layout I did for my daughter Victoria's album. Of course, I carry my camera all over. Each child got a page for their album and it was scrapped differently.


Last but not least here is the Freebie quick page I made for you. Click on image for download. Happy Holidays and please leave me some love if you download. Thanks.

Another Kit I Made

Here's another kit I made. I made this for another challenge. If you want to get this kit you need to participate in the challenge. You can find the challenge here. The theme of the challenge is all occasion. So I went with a birthday theme. I learned some new techniques: stitching, charms and slide mounts. They are all included in this kit. Hope you come and join us in the challenge.

Something You Don't Know About Me

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Squirrel in our Yard

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Elf'd and Thank you

Thank you Loonyhiker for coming to my rescue for dinner tonight. I made the meatloaf recipe you sent me. It was really good. Thanks for helping me out. Along with the meatloaf I made creamed corn, cheesy potatoes and for dessert I made lemon squares. The recipes for the side dishes and dessert can all be found here under Christmas Dinner. I'm not fond of lemon but this is definitely a great dessert and I will be making it again.


Check it out my kids were Elf'd

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1513074219

Happy Holidays.

My Kids were Elf'd

Check it out

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1513074219

Happy Holidays.

What's for Dinner? UGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The question, "What's for Dinner?" is said in my house every night. As a matter of fact, it is said many times. Some days I have a plan and will say what we are having but there are many many nights where I am frantically trying to decide what to make. At 4 pm each day I try to make dinner so we can eat by 5 pm.

I have a ton of cook books and recipes torn out of magazines that I'd like to try. I also tend to search the web for recipes. Most of the time I am missing an ingredient and that makes it frustrating. After making the new recipe, 80% of the time the new recipe is awful. I have only a handful of recipes that I'd make another time. If it's yucky why make it again? It's annoying to cook for an hour or more to not enjoy the meal. Tonight was one of those nights! I made a chicken cheese muffin dish. I got the recipe from foodnetwork.

My family is very picky as well. My husband won't eat anything with mushrooms. Nor will he eat any veggies. Pasta is a problem as well because he likes to stay away from carbs. All his meals has to have some type of meat. However, I'm limited to chicken or beef. No seafood. No pork. Me, personally I could live without the meat and live on pasta.

As for my children. I have one that likes to eat meat and one that likes veggies and then one that eats everything. There aren't that many recipes that they all eat.

So if you made it this far please if you have a recipe that you make a couple times a year please send it my way. I so need help in the cooking department. I could use chicken, beef, pasta and side dishes. Please e-mail them to me at scrapaddict13 at yahoo dot com. Thanks.

Another Kit I Made & Freebie

I made another kit for SNL. December's theme is Crystal Blue Winter. I participate in SNL every month. You design a kit and share it with others and you receive whatever they make in return. If you participate you can receive this kit for free. Check out the rules here.


Here is the freebie quick page that I made using my kit above. This quick page is free for everyone who comes to my blog. Enjoy and leave me some love. To get the quick page click here.

Oh No! Not Again!

I had another scare tonight. I brought Diamonds to the vet for her yearly check up. Well, I was putting it off and putting it off. She was supposed to go back in Sept I think but we just didn't have the money to bring her. Then after Rocky's death I put her on my top list of things to do have her checked out.

Since Rocky's death on Halloween Diamonds has been very vocal and loving. She follows me all over the house. She even sits on my computer or behind my computer when I am using it. The doctor said that she has lost some weight and is probably depressed because of losing her brother.

The vet then tries to look in her mouth. Diamonds does not like this so she is hissing and showing her teeth non stop. The doctor says, "Is that saliva or is there something in her mouth?" I'm like "WHAT?" She then says, "I see something in her mouth." I then tell her about Rocky and how he had passed away by chocking on a plastic bag. Well, she tells me that she can't possible see what's in her mouth and that in order to do so she would have to give her some sedation to calm her down. So I went home without Diamonds. I felt like throwing up the entire way home. I walk in the house crying.

Finally the doctor calls and says that the foreign object that was caught on her tooth was some sort of plastic. We do not know what this object is nor do we know if she had swallowed any. She's okay and is now home. Glad the doctor found this before she did actually swallow it.

Never a dull moment at my house.

I've Been Tagged!

I was tagged by RubyMoon and check this out she has the same middle name as me (Lynn).

Tag Rules:

1 . The players must use the letters from their middle name , as facts that are relevant in your life . If you do not have a middle name , you can make one up . Or one which you would have liked .

2. When you are tagged you need to do a blogpost , containing your own middle name and the game facts .

3. At the end of your blogpost , you need to tag a person for every letter of your middle name .As well as leaving them a comment , to let them know you have tagged them

L-Loving! NOT! I haven't been in the loving mood lately. Actually everything has been making me mad. I'm like a volcano who erupts all day long. The kids are just driving me crazy. Every time I get something cleaned or my heart rate returns to normal they upset me again by doing something else that makes a mess or doesn't listen when I ask them to do something. It's really frustrating raising these kids almost on my own.

Y-Young. Well, you could say I am young as I'm in my 30's. Late thirties though. Maybe I'm approaching middle age! I do think that the triplets have aged me a bit though as I'm starting to see gray hair. I so need to get my hair done to hide those. I'm thinking of joining the gym as I so need to get moving again.

N-Nuts. Or the correct word would be crazy. They (the kids) are driving me nuts. I swear if I don't get some time away from them I'm really going to lose it. Maybe I just need to relax. But how? They are constantly asking for things. I feel like I'm a maid or a waitress. And the whining. Please God help me with the whining and fighting.

N-Nasty. That's right! I have been so on the edge lately. My daughter keeps telling me, "Mommy, I'm sorry for making you mad." Everything they do has been making my blood pressure rise. I used to have patience but have lost it somewhere. My daughter even told my mom that she thinks that I hate her and wants to live with her. She's only 3 years old and already thinks this. I so need to go to bed earlier so I can deal with them better.

I'm tagging the following people:
L - Loonyhiker
Y - I don't know anyone with Y so I'm going to tag a W. Wolfsub
N - Nicole
N - Nicnac724

Venting!

Credits: Warm Relations by Theta. It can be found at www.deco-pages.com
Fonts: VTKS Easy Way,Times New Roman & Birch Std

I wanted to scrap tonight but my computer is giving me some memory problems. That's right, my hard drive is full again! I need to stop downloading scrapbooking kits. So now after crashing while making my layout I am now burning a disk and backing up on my external harddrive which takes forever to do. Can you tell I'm annoyed?

Well, it's not only my computer that is irritating me. I have been a bit edgy lately about everything. Let's write about my day! Naomi kept me up half the night as she was coughing. Then at 6 am both girls came into my room saying, "It's light out mommy." They both jumped into my bed. I had maybe 3 hours of sleep. From 6 am to 7 am I tried to sleep but with each girl on either side of me and one coughing up a storm it was impossible.

After my shower and breakfast the kids played some games and puzzles. I tried to get them to use a game and then clean up. Put it away and then take out another game. Well, I go to the bathroom and I tell you I was only gone for 5 minutes tops. I came back to my kitchen and saw my floor covered with pieces from every game they own scattered all over. Well, that's the layout I was working on when my computer crashed! I so need to higher their games to a higher level in my laundry room. Yes, there is a child safety lock on the door but apparently with triplets one always manages to outwit the safety. So now they are able to get into my laundry room.

My sink has piled up with dishes as I ran out of dish detergent. My mom was supposed to come by and bring me some but she cancelled on me again. It is literally impossible to just run out to the store for one item with triplets. If only I could leave them in the car but putting shoes on, hats, gloves, coats and then strapping them in the car to get one item is such a pain in the butt! So my dishes pile up!

Now, not only does my dishes pile up but my laundry does as well. I tell you I finally catch up with all the clothes and the next day the pile gets high again. I run out of baskets and draw space. These kids have way too many clothes.

We went to a neighborhood train cake decorating party. I bought only 1 cake figuring they would share it. There was 6 different pieces to the cake so they each could have 2 pieces to decorate. Of course, they fought over this as they fight over everything. Santa came and they got a little gift (stickers and bubbles). The kids were afraid of Santa and Tori grabbed hold of my leg and wouldn't let go. I got no photos of this as my camera just doesn't take very close up shots. If I stand far away I can get close up but if you are right in my face the camera just won't focus correctly and let me take a photo.

Justin went with Daddy to Walmart to get his reward for being potty trained. 2 down and 1 to go. He came back with a race track and cars that if you shake them they race. He was so excited to get a new toy. Of course, the girls were jealous and wanted to play his toy but Justin said "No". I am very proud of my son.

Well, I must go delete my files now and make room so I can finish my layout.

Broken Watch - Time Stopped! NOT!

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CT Enable - Hanukkah by Deb Ammerman

You can find this kit by Deb Ammerman called Hanukkah here. Here's my layout using her kit for Day 1 of Hanukkah.

Winter - Annoyance

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Hanukkah Decorating

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Potty Training - A Blessing or a Curse?

This potty training business is a pain in the butt! We are doing great when we are home but going out is torture. Two of them are deathly afraid of public bathrooms. They kick and scream on the top of their lungs. I had to carry them kicking and screaming into the stall with me on numerous occasions this week. They can't possibly stay outside by themselves. Then I get aggravated and start screaming at them to shut up!

Why is it when we get to the store the first place they want to go is the potty? I'll be in the middle of food shopping and then I have to rush to the bathroom which mind you is way across the other side of the store. Then we get there and the 2 start their tantrums. Only one will actually go. Never mind going to the store for a short trip. It will not happen! Expect to spend 1/2 hour in the bathroom.

The other day the girls had dance class. Well, I spent the entire 1/2 hour in the bathroom with Victoria. She had to do number 2. She did go but then missed her dance class. She didn't want to go in during the middle of the class.

Then at my sister-in-law's house Victoria refused to use the potty. We asked her a million times if she had to go and she said no. At one point we carried her into the bathroom while she screamed bloody murder. Then she wound up peeing in her pants. Not once, but twice! Victoria was doing it a while back but I didn't force it. Now, I think I missed her calling!

Justin has been doing really well. He's been dry for a week now. He's starting to use other potties too. He is getting a reward very soon for doing so good. He even wakes up in the middle of the night and goes on the potty. Now, the girls do not. They are all in night time pull ups at night.

Naomi continues to be good. She's fully trained but goes to the bathroom often.

Tell you the truth, I'd much rather have them in diapers. It was a lot easier as changes were scheduled. Please pray I make it through this potty training phase.

First Snow

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November Round Up

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?

Okay, now don't laugh. I am reading a technical book. That's right you read that correctly. My husband just laughs and says, "He has never met anyone who reads a tech book from cover to cover." What am I reading? I'm reading a book called "Digital & Hybrid Scrapbooking & Card Making" by Patty Debowski. My friend Katie the Scrapbook Lady posted on her blog about this book and I just had to have it. I was so hesitant about purchasing it because I thought I knew a lot about photoshop elements but hey, I wanted to learn more. I am so glad I purchased this book. It's a great tool and I have already learned some new short cuts and now I'm using the photoshop organizer to organize all my scrapbooking digital elements.

Magazines - I ordered Digital Scrapbook magazine, renewed my creative keepsakes magazine and ordered Family Fun.

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?

For the first time in 4 years I actually skipped a whole week of Days of Our Lives! Okay, are you still standing or did you just pass out? I tivo the show so I normally watch it when the kids go to bed but after I had 5 shows sitting there and my tivo wasn't taping more shows I deleted the entire week. I just got stressed and ran out of time for me! Okay, I'm really mad I did this because I did miss John's funeral and whatever happened at the college I missed with Stephanie. I also missed the divorce of Sammy and Lucas. I did catch the wedding to EJ and Belle's wedding to Shawn. It's not like me to miss an episode.


I rented "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" with Adam Sandler and Kevin James. It was an okay movie. I thought it would be funnier though. I really like Adam Sandler movies. My husband said not to watch it as it wasn't that great and he was right. I didn't laugh at all. I don't know if that is because I have been stressed out and or suffering from depression. I haven't had a good laugh in a very long time.









My husband rented from netflix The OH in Ohio. He said I would enjoy this movie. I think he was trying to tell me something. It's about a woman who marries her high school sweetheart and never had an orgasm. Then she goes to sex clinics and learns how to pleasure herself. Okay, I hope I didn't offend anyone. This is a movie that children cannot watch. The funny thing is Danny DeVito plays a role in this movie. It certainly is a weird part for him to play.

What special days did I celebrate and how?

NO MORE DIAPERS for Naomi. Since she has been in diapers for over a week her Daddy took her to Walmart and she was allowed to pick out a toy for her success. She picked out a baby doll. Of course, it was the most expensive doll there was. She got a disney doll called Belle. It came with a tea set and she moves her arm and she says a couple of phrases. She's not a very comfy doll. She is very hard and her legs are stiff and Naomi can't get her to sit by herself so she's always asking me to help her sit. This doll was $50! YIKES! She's not even soft. Of course, Naomi wouldn't leave the store without her though. And she sleeps with her every night. Once the other two are trained they too will be rewarded for their efforts.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?

I finally bit the bullet and listed some things on freecycle. We have so much junk from the triplets that everything took over the garage and now both cars can't fit! So my goal is to get rid of all this crap so I can get the car back into the garage. It's getting cold outside and I hate getting in the car in the rain and cold.

Best gift received would have to be my new Canon Digital Rebel XT. My Sony Cyber-shot camera wasn't working properly. I was getting dark and or white photos in doors. We will be getting that camera fixed because my Canon Digital Rebel is quite heavy and cannot be taken to amusement parks and things like that. I am very happy with my new camera. I had the Canon EOS Rebel S that took regular film not digital and I loved it. So much so that I took a photography class in the local college before the children were born and received an A. I loved my camera but my husband wanted me to go digital so he got me point and shoot cameras that I was using. But they are so not like the Rebel. The best part about the new camera is I can use all my old lenses again. Way cool! Stay tuned for some great photos.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

November was horrible. First Justin and Victoria complained of ear pain. I took them both to the doctor. Justin had an ear infection yet Victoria they said had only a cold and we had to wait it out. Justin got antibiotics. Meanwhile, Victoria continued to cough and had runny noses. Then Naomi started screaming a couple of days later that her ear was hurting so again we went to the doctor with her and Victoria as she was still not feeling herself. Naomi did have an ear infection. Victoria they said she had just a cold and again she was sent home without any medication. Naomi received antibiotics. Then Victoria started to get worse. Her fevers weren't going down. She was laying on the cough lethargically for a couple of days. She was still coughing and green stuff was coming out of her nose. Yuck. She even vomited a couple of times and was not eating. This was on Saturday. Doctor said to switch from tylenol to motrin to try to get her fever to go down and if that didn't work to come in first thing Monday morning. So there we were Monday morning. Victoria wound up with an ear infection and pneumonia. She was put on antibiotics and in just one day she was back to her old self. Meanwhile, when all this was happening I too developed a sinus infection and my husband too had a bad cough. Both of us were put on antibiotics. While we were sick my friends from MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) sent over food for us to eat. I am very thankful for that as we were so out of it for 2 weeks. Thank you guys. They made us meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, carrots, strawberry pie, baked ziti, pasta dish with olives and cookies. Wish they were around when I first had the triplets as the meals would have helped so much back 3 years ago. We are all back to normal. Knock on wood!

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?

I hosted the MOMS Club Annual Thanksgiving Feast. It was a lot of fun. The best part was that they had 2 people set up and 2 people clean up so I actually didn't have to do anything.

We also hosted Thanksgiving for our family. Unfortunately, my sister-in-law didn't attend and my grandfather was ill so he didn't attend. My grandmother, my parents, my in-laws and my sister and brother-in-law were here.

I taught a class (scrapbooking) at my friend Lucrecia's house. It was our 2nd meeting. Unfortunately, only 2 people showed up. They didn't even call to say that they weren't coming. It's very disappointing when you have no shows. At least they prepaid for their supplies. There was only one person who didn't pay and I still have their supplies.

I also did my first craft fair selling cards that I had made. Unfortunately, that didn't go very well. I sold only 14 cards =( I certainly am not a good sales person. I did wind up buying some Creative Memories (new adhesive), pampered chef (new items that I didn't have) I'm very addicted to their products as I've been to many many parties. I also ordered from Discovery Toys some new games for the kids. They are so into playing games now.

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?

I did not try any new restaurants this month. I did try some new recipes for thanksgiving. I made this cranberry relish. Only my dad liked it. So I probably will not make that again. I also made my very own pecan pie. I made it from scratch along with the crust. It came out really good.

I'm still struggling with the question "What's for Dinner". I just cannot get my act together. If only I had time to preplan everything. Why does dinner stress me out so much? I always wait till the last moment and then I am frantically trying to get dinner on the table. I have been using Menus for moms more and more. It really helps most nights.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

I didn't purchase this in November but I did prepurchase books at memory makers a month or so ago. I finally uploaded my layouts and ordered books for each kid for 2007. Since I went digital I haven't printed any of my layouts until now. I haven't yet received my books so I can't recommend them quite yet. Last year I used shutterbug and was pleased with the book.

What were this month's disappointments?

Only 2 people showing up at my scrapbooking class.

Only selling 14 cards at a craft fair.

Many potty accidents.

Getting in trouble for posting e-mails in MOMS Club about cookie exchange and scrapbooking club. Can you believe they are only allowed one night out a month!

What were my accomplishments this month?

Getting my 2007 layouts printed in a book. Nothing like waiting till the last moment to print all your pages up. Well, actually I didn't print everything up but I did print most of my layouts for my children.

Finally put things up on freecycle.

My husband made me a wall unit for my laundry room. I didn't think he'd get it done as it takes him forever to just change a light bulb but he did do it in like 2 days so I'm very thankful it wasn't a project he wouldn't complete. I organized my laundry room and got rid of a ton of things both in the garbage and had a garage sale.

All 3 in undies. NO MORE DIAPERS.

Anything else noteworthy to record?

Backup your digital pictures to cd/dvd and upload them to an online site or two for an extra backup. Send the links to the online albums to friends and family.

Choose photos (or digital layouts) to be printed out and get that done while you are thinking about it.

Make sure your scrapbooking area is cleaned up and organized. Put away new purchases (or organize your hard drive if you are a digi scrapper)

Look over the calendar for the coming month and make note of upcoming events you will want to capture for your scrapbooks.

Personality Test

Your score on this personality test was 55%

Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

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I don't actually know what the number stands for. Well, they are right because yes I am constantly the center of attention. No, I do not like to be that way. I'd much rather hide and not be seen but hey, I have triplets and whenever we go anywhere, we stand out. It's been 3 years and I still get comments especially if my kids are fighting and not getting along. But now that my son is a bit taller they think my girls are twins and my son is older. Of course, I never lie when they ask. Most of the time I think that maybe I should just lie so I don't get more comments. Just the other day someone asked me if they were twins and I said, "No, they are triplets" and then they said, "Born all at the same time?" Like what? Don't they know that triplets are born at the same time? Like what kind of silly question is that?

I don't know how much I can cheer anyone up as lately I haven't been in the best of moods. I don't know if I'm suffering from depression or not. I just have been very down. My kids are even starting to ask me, "Mommy, are you happy?" What do you say to a 3 year old when they ask that question. I am trying to teach them not to lie so, of course, I tell them, "No Mommy is not happy at this time." Another question they ask often is "Mommy are you mad?" Of course, this is always asked after they do something bad. Like spill milk on the floor, crumbled up play- doah in the carpet and then they walk on it tracking it throughout the house, or when they pee on the floor when they know that they should use the potty. The list goes on and on. Calgon take me away! I so am looking forward to a weekend alone! At least I have one planned in Feb for my birthday. A weekend to scrap. Should be fun.