Puzzled...

Why in the World...

...was Stephanie so HAPPY yesterday?!?

I know...two posts in the same day...what has come over me!?!

Well...actually...there is a "list" of reasons! :)

1. The homecoming banner (decision was made to do class "banners" this year instead of floats) is done...she has been responsible for coordinating this, getting materials, etc. and she was, let's just say, a little "stressed" about it on Tuesday.

 

Note: Can't "show" the finished banner yet...top secret until judging tonight! :)

2. Dress up day at school was "purple day"...one of her fav colors (she had dressed up as "Jamaica" the day before for "J day")!

3. She finished her book ("Till We Have Faces")...barely...for AP English and got it turned in on time...and was able to get a quick nap after school!

4. Her SAT scores were available online...she was afraid to look (she decided to retake the test last month and was worried she might score lower than the first time)...she actually scored 110 points higher!!! Way to go Steph! :)

5. The Powder Puff game was played at school...Seniors vs. Juniors...a new homecoming tradition for SCA! What a blast! Steph sang the National Anthem before the game and then made a "tackle" during the game (the announcer commented...she can sing the anthem AND play defense...lol)!

 

 

One of the highlights of the game was definitely the "cheerleaders"...not only did the guys practice all week, they even did halftime routines...very impressive...and hysterical! :)

Unforturnately the Junior girls beat the Seniors but I think everyone had so much fun they didn't care...and the Seniors had the "Dippin Dots" party after the game anyway!

6. She had tickets to the MIDNIGHT showing of High School Musical 3 and went with a big group of friends! Came home on cloud nine...LOVED it...and can't wait to go again! :)

 

SO thankful! :)

Where in the World...

...is Alexia Stamas (updated)?!?

Thought I'd bring everyone up to speed since my post a while back that she and her friends had made their first trip to the Italian Coast (Cinque Terra).

The next weekend they headed north...made a quick stop in Verona on the way to Germany...

Her next stop was Munich for Oktoberfest...

 

 

Yikes...looks like she had a little "too" much fun! :) Many of her friends from the other programs (Switzerland, Germany, etc.) all met up there! First time seeing everyone in a long time!

Next stop was Austria...for the Sound of Music tour...

 

 

 

Then there was a weekend where they stayed in Florence and a bunch of friends from Lausanne came to visit...

 

 

The next weekend, she was off to Budapest, Hungary...

 

 

 

Then she went on something called an "Education Field Trip" to Sicily...

 

 

 

 

 

While they were there, they "climbed" Mt. Etna (the largest active volcano in Europe)... 

 

 

 

Today she is off to Milan...

Then...I can't remember the order, but I think she is going to Barcelona for "fall break" (excuse me...why do they need a break?!? Have they had class yet?!? lol) and then Switzerland...will keep you posted on the next "update". Can't wait to see her passport! :)

Miss you my "little" Lexi...can't wait till you come home for Christmas!

A List of Ways to Keep...

...college memories alive!

1. Visit campus on a fall day...the most beautiful time of year at Michigan State!

 

 

 

2. Walk around campus on a football Saturday and eat the free donuts and apple cider left out at the Student Bookstore by QD (Quality Dairy)...I could taste it without even putting it in my mouth!

 

 

3. Eat at a restaurant/bar on Grand River that hasn't changed much over the years!

 

4. Wear everything green and white you have in the closet (and buy a bunch more to wear later)! And don't forget to put your "game face" on!

 

 

 

5. Hang out with Sparty! (or as Steph's new T-Shirt says..."Sparty On!")

 

 

6. Listen to the fight song played by the band a million times! The video I took of this didn't turn out great, but I have included a link below. There is also a nice long version on You Tube you can watch if you want! lol BTW...favorite part of the fight song now is when the entire student section yells "see their team is WEAK (instead of weakening)"! :)

Download oct08_msu_057.avi

7. Go to a football game filled to capacity (about 75K) and sit near the student section!

 

8. Watch team "choke" in a big game (ugh)! :) Still was totally fun being there!

 

 

Kind of fun to think I have a child who is considering going to the same college Jim and I graduated from. I know Lexi will be lobbying hard for her to go to Pepperdine (one of the other schools she is interested in) though so she isn't completely outnumbered in the family! lol

 

Perfect weekend! :)

A List of Reasons Why...

...I would stay up until 2am when I have to be at the airport at 5 in the morning for a work trip to LA. Actually there is just ONE! :) It was seeing the expression on Stephanie's face and listening to her jump around and scream with excitement after she got to meet Will (and every other dancer) after the So You Think You Can Dance Tour concert! lol

It was pretty cool that Grandma was a trooper and hung out with us till the bitter end (the girls wanted to meet and get autographs from every dancer...and they were successful)...which meant we got to be the first to wish her Happy Birthday at midnight! :) Love you mom!

The concert was great...three hours of amazing performances! I posted the rest of my photos on Facebook so come be my friend there if you want to see them! :) I need to get to bed! lol

A Tagged List...

...courtesy of friend Tena who sent me the instructions below:

A) People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs & replace any question that they dislike with a new question.

B)Tag 8 people to do this quiz.

So here is my list:

1.How many songs are on your iPod?  I don't have an iPod. I was using Steph's old one for a while...then hers broke and she needed it again! :)   

2. What music would you want played at your funeral? Word Of God Speak by Mercy Me

3.What magazines do you have subscriptions to? Fitness, Scrapbooks Etc, Today's Christian Woman, Photoshop User, Prevention, and Rolling Stone (got this one free somehow...lol)

4. What is your favorite scent? Jaipur Saphir (Boucheron)

5. If you had a million dollars that you could only spend on yourself, what would you do with it? Build the "library room" in my house and travel.

6. What is your theme song?  Don't really have one...but I admire Stephanie's theme song "Set The World On Fire" by Britt Nicole.

7. Do you trust easily? Probably TOO easily but glad that's how I am.

8. Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think? I usually think before I act...but can be impulsive too!

9.Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days? Was talking on the phone with Steph the other night when I was out of town for work...she was having a tough week and missed having mom around...made me sad that I wasn't there to hug her.

10. Do you have a good body-image? This is something that I struggled with for a long time in my life...I do feel like I have a much better attitude about it now...and I am healthier and stronger because of that!

11. Is being tagged fun? Yes...I love doing lists like this...and reading other's lists!

12. How do you spend your social networking (Facebook, etc.) time?  Checking out my girls' photos...keeping in touch with friends...using applications like the book list...and playing games like PuzzleBee and Yahtzee! :)

13. What have you been seriously addicted to lately? Working out, Starbucks Iced Green Tea, my Blackberry, and reading.

14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is? My best friend...we have shared so much together...I don't know what I would do without her in my life!

15. What’s the last song that got stuck in your head? "Alexia" by Stephanie :)

16.What’s your favorite item of clothing? Comfy socks...I even wear them to bed which drives Jim crazy! lol

17. Do you think Rice Crispies are yummy? Don't really like them with milk but LOVE Rice Krispie treats...especially the homemade version!

18. What would you do if you saw $100 lying on the ground? Try to see if I could find out who it belonged to.

19. What items could you not go without during the day? Prayer and see #13

20. What should you be doing right now? Getting caught up on my work "To Do" list!

B)Tag 8 people to do this quiz.

So here is my list:

1.How many songs are on your iPod?  I don't have an iPod. I was using Steph's old one for a while...then hers broke and she needed it again! :)   

2. What music would you want played at your funeral? Word Of God Speak by Mercy Me

3.What magazines do you have subscriptions to? Fitness, Scrapbooks Etc, Today's Christian Woman, Photoshop User, Prevention, and Rolling Stone (got this one free somehow...lol)

4. What is your favorite scent? Jaipur Saphir (Boucheron)

5. If you had a million dollars that you could only spend on yourself, what would you do with it? Build the "library room" in my house and travel.

6. What is your theme song?  Don't really have one...but I admire Stephanie's theme song "Set The World On Fire" by Britt Nicole.

7. Do you trust easily? Probably TOO easily but glad that's how I am.

8. Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think? I usually think before I act...but can be impulsive too!

9.Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days? Was talking on the phone with Steph the other night when I was out of town for work...she was having a tough week and missed having mom around...made me sad that I wasn't there to hug her.

10. Do you have a good body-image? This is something that I struggled with for a long time in my life...I do feel like I have a much better attitude about it now...and I am healthier and stronger because of that!

11. Is being tagged fun? Yes...I love doing lists like this...and reading other's lists!

12. How do you spend your social networking (Facebook, etc.) time?  Checking out my girls' photos...keeping in touch with friends...using applications like the book list...and playing games like PuzzleBee and Yahtzee! :)

13. What have you been seriously addicted to lately? Working out, Starbucks Iced Green Tea, my Blackberry, and reading.

14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is? My best friend...we have shared so much together...I don't know what I would do without her in my life!

15. What’s the last song that got stuck in your head? "Alexia" by Stephanie :)

16.What’s your favorite item of clothing? Comfy socks...I even wear them to bed which drives Jim crazy! lol

17. Do you think Rice Crispies are yummy? Don't really like them with milk but LOVE Rice Krispie treats...especially the homemade version!

18. What would you do if you saw $100 lying on the ground? Try to see if I could find out who it belonged to.

19. What items could you not go without during the day? Prayer and see #13

20. What should you be doing right now? Getting caught up on my work "To Do" list!

The "Be Stong" List...

...of weight training machines I use at the gym...and the typical order in which I use them (although I do try to switch things up now and then).

• Lat Pulldown
• Leg Press
• Ab/Adductor
• Glute
• Leg Curl
• Leg Extension
• Seated Calf
• Rear Delt/Pec Fly
• Incline Press
• Vertical Chest Press
• Lateral Raise
• Mid Row
• Bicep Curl
• Seated Dip
• Tricep Extension
• Rotary Torso
• Abdominal
• Low Back

One set of 12-15 reps on each about three times a week. Typically use selectorized machines but have started to branch out into the free weight area! :) Can't believe that a year ago I wasn't strength training at all...and could barely use some of the machines at the minimum weight setting!

Reading the following book is what set me straight about the huge importance of building and maintaining muscle...

Going to be taking on a new role at Nautilus where I work with the two authors of this book on a regular basis! Amazing how things work out (haha...pardon the pun)!

On another note...I should start the "Where in the world is Alexia Stamas?" list! Just had a quick Skype session with her and she is off to Germany for Octoberfest in a few hours (wait...isn't it still September?!?). Last weekend, she and four of her girlfriends took a train (in the middle of the night just to make mom nervous...lol...just kidding) to Cinque Terra...a beautiful area on the Italian coast. See pics below!

Be safe Lex! And the rest of you...Be Strong! :)

A List for Lexi...

...of the things I wanted to say to her before she left for Italy and didn't get the chance!

I actually wrote this list the day she left. She was supposed to meet up with her group about 12:30 at LAX...I had scheduled my flight back from Phoenix about that same time somehow thinking that would work! Hello?!?! Wasn't counting the 2 hours in advance for security that I needed to be there. Anyway...to make a long story short. The "significant" send off I had envisioned in my head (me offereing sound advice like "be careful on the streets", "beware of cute Italian boys", etc.) didn't happen. We were on the rental car shuttle...I got dropped off at my terminal first and basically got to give her a quick hug before being thrown off with my bag! And then she was gone. As I was waiting to check in, I was thinking to myself, "Is there a way to possibly take a cab over to the International Terminal and still get back before my flight takes off?" No time...basically walked right onto the plane after I got through security. The good news?!? I had somehow gotten bumped to first class. Actually...that probably wasn't such good news. It meant that since I boarded first, every person on the plane walked by and got to see me sitting there with tears streaming down my face! I pulled out the US Airways magazine under the guise of doing a crossword puzzle (really the plan was to hide behind it). I starting leafing through starting at the back (usually where the puzzles reside) and stopped when I saw the route maps. I drew a little heart around Italy on the map and decided to write the things that I had wanted to say to Alexia on that page. I shared this with my class at Creative Escape (the list is now in my album), but she hasn't had an opportunity to see it so I'm posting it here for her! :)

9.2.08

Alexia I pray...

• you don't have to pay extra for your bags!
• you have a safe flight
• you sit next to someone fun that you can talk to on the way
• God works out all the details of roommates, etc.
• you get lots of opportunities to speak Italian so you will learn it fluently
• you get to travel to lots of exciting places with friends
• you will touch others like you so obviously have on the Malibu campus
• you will be happy...not homesick
• you will post lots of photos on Facebook so I can "share" in your adventures
• you will always know how much I love you and how proud I am of you!

Miss you tons sweetie...and love you even more! :)

Stephanie's List...

...of all the movies she and her friend Victoria want to watch this year!

Editor's Note: Didn't realize she was a "list girl" too! She showed me this list on her computer this morning! Love that!!! :) Love how she has them all categorized too! Thanks for letting me share it Steph!

HORROR/SUSPENSE

1. The Shawshank Redemption

2. The Hand that Rocks the Cradle

3. Crash

4. Along Came A Spider

5. Kiss the Girls

6. Double Jeopardy

7. Fight Club

8. Jawbreaker

9. Minority Report

10. Murder By Numbers

11. When A Stranger Calls

12. Scream

13. Derailed

14. I Know What You Did Last Summer

15. Final Destination I II III

16. I Am Legend

17. Misery

18. Pan's Labyrinth

19. Joy Ride

WAR

1. Schindler's List

2. Gladiator

3. Hotel Rwanda

4. Saving Private Ryan

5. The Patriot

6. U-571

7. United97

8. Pearl Harbor

ACTION

1. Donnie Darko

2. Back to the Future I II III

3. The Bourne Identity

4. The Bourne Supremacy

5. The Bourne Ultimatum

6. Catch Me If You Can

7. A Beautiful Mind

8. American Gangster

9. Top Gun

10. Batman Begins

CHICK FLICKS

1. Clueless

2. Prime

3. The Breakfast Club

4. Sixteen Candles

5. The Holiday

6. Sleepless In Seattle

7. Heartbreakers

8. Coyote Ugly

9. Juno

10. Pretty Woman

11. Spanglish

12. She's the Man

13. Pride & Prejudice

14. Sister Act

15. Raise Your Voice

16. 10 Things I Hate About You

DRAMA

1. Forrest Gump

2. I Am Sam

3. Pleasantville

4. The Princess Bride

5. Thirteen

6. The Pursuit of Happyness

7. Dead Poet's Society

COMEDY

1. Hot Rod

2. Ferris Bueller's Day Off

3. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

4. Liar Liar

5. Zoolander

6. Accepted

MUSICALS

1. Moulin Rouge

2. Rent

3. Hairspray

DANCE

1. Stomp The Yard

2. Dirty Dancing

3. Save the Last Dance

4. Center Stage

5. Honey

DISNEY

1. Alice In Wonderland

2. The Aristocats

3. The Rescuers Down Under

4. The Little Mermaid

5. Lion King

6. The Fox and the Hound

7. Oliver & Company

8. Aladdin

9. Pocahontas

10. Beauty & the Beast

11. Hercules

12. Mulan

13. Tarzan

14. Enchanted

15. The Goofy Movie

16. The Lizzie McGuire Movie

17. Hocus Pocus

18. Susie Q

19. Wish Upon A Star

20. The Paper Brigade

21. Under Wrapsy

22. My Date With the President's Daughter

23. You Lucky Dog

24. Brink!

25. Halloweentown

26. Smart House

27. Genius

28. Don't Look Under The Bed

29. The Color of Friendship

30. Alley Cats Strike

31. Rip Girls

32. Miracle In Lane 2

33. Phantom of the Megaplex

34. Motocrossed

35. Double Teamed

36. Get A Clue

37. Gotta Kick It Up!

38. High School Musical I II

39. Camp Rock

40. Ratatouille

Um...did anyone else do the math? That is 114 movies...there are about 8 months left in their senior year...so we are talking about 14 movies a month...3 to 4 a week. Last time I checked, her schedule is pretty jam packed with homework (like lots of Shakespeare reading for AP English), basketball, voice, piano, and guitar lessons, Acts of Love, Student Government, college apps, football games, and more! Guess I should be anticipating a couple of "movie marathon" weekends during the year! :) Can I be included when you watch "Honey", "Pursuit of Happyness", "Spanglish", and the "Bourne" series? 

A Photo List...

...of a few things that made me happy this week! Note that based on orientation of these photos (three 4x6 horizontal and two 4x6 vertical), they will easily fit into one of the pages in my album! :) Another page done!

Why did these things make me happy???

-Noticed this note Lexi left in her room for us for the first time.

-Kim gave me this amazing keepsake digital scrapbook she made of our Paris adventure from last spring! You are so talented friend!

-Jim helped with Steph's first "Senior Lunch"!

-Got to have breakfast with buddies Tena, Kim and Cori! :)

   

I've Been Inspired Again...

...by the Creative Escape Yahoo group! :)

I have heard from a number of them since the event telling me that their group has decided to do a "list swap" to help them finish their albums! Love that! One of the "extras" from my class was a list of more ideas for "lists" (haha), which they plan to use.

One of the things I also heard throughout the weekend of the event was that people were sad I don't get the time to update my blog as frequently as I used to! Then it hit me...going to take my own advice and tackle that lists of "lists" myself right here! Decided to start with a big one (partly cause it is already done...used it on a layout in friend Tena's book titled "Lifelines")...the "bucket list" so to speak.

101 Things I Want To Do Before I Die:

A help start a church A see stephanie cured of diabetes and celiac disease A witness the high school graduations of my girls A travel to greece A go on a mission trip A hike the grand canyon A hold newborn grandchildren in my arms A attend an olympic event or ceremony A see alexia or stephanie’s name in the credits for a tv show or movie A have a significant impact on the lives of others A read the Bible all the way through more than once A capture the moment in an award winning photograph A serve God with all my heart A visit every state in the US A witness the birth of a child A throw a dart into a map and travel where it lands A attend a film premiere A learn how to speak greek A see the aurora borealis A meet a u.s. president A travel to israel and walk the via dolorosa A visit spain with jim A host a television show A take alexia on a trip to australia A save someone’s life A listen to a song sung by stephanie played on the radio A stand on the international date line A own a wine cellar A watch jim walk alexia and stephanie down the aisle at their weddings A write a best seller A sleep on the beach A create a line of scrapbooking products A have a personal library room in my home A be an extra in a movie A re-connect with someone from my childhood A see my girls graduate from college A compile all my favorite recipes in a family cookbook A build my dream scraproom A leave a legacy for my children with scrapbooks A swim with dolphins A give a large donation to charity A see a play on broadway A cause someone who is feeling hopeless to smile A witness a miracle A pass down family traditions A buy a home on lake michigan A take up a hobby with jim A see my children achieve their dreams A witness the eruption of old faithful at yellowstone A study abroad A take my grandchildren to disneyland A teach sunday school for 25 years or more A be a contestant on a game show A meet point of grace A create a new board game A publish my sunday school curriculum A attend a world championship playoff game for any sport with jim A ride in a hot air balloon A record everyday moments of my family’s life with photographs A see each of the seven wonders of the world A watch 4th of july fireworks from a boat on a lake or ocean A live a healthier lifestyle...be strong A read The Secret Garden aloud to one of my grandchildren A God’s will A watch the sunrise from a beach on the atlantic ocean A visit a winery in tuscany A win a major award for something i achieved A take a road trip along the pacific coast highway A learn to successfully grow a fruit and vegetable garden A score a hole in one playing golf A be known as someone who loved and served others A visit site of calvary A ride the fastest or tallest rollercoaster in the world A raise God fearing children A help homeless children A walk across the mackinac bridge A finish a new york times sunday crossword puzzle A thank my parents in some meaningful way for all they have done for me A celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary with jim A teach at a CKU A learn how to play the piano A stay in the best suite in a five star hotel A go snow skiing someplace outside of the u.s. A have my scrapbooking work published A share my faith boldly A own a bed & breakfast A rent a cabin on a lake for the summer A inherit my grandma’s sewing supplies A tryout for a tv show like the amazing race A experience holy pascha in greece A visit switzerland A spend an entire day at a spa being pampered A own a photography studio like shandon’s A visit atlantis with the girls A go sailing in an exotic location A honor my husband A stay at the grand hotel on mackinac island A create meaningful memories for my family A fly in a private jet A organize a family reunion A strengthen my prayer life A

Also...for those of you looking for the order of pages I did in my album for CE I am attaching photos below. Still have LOTS of pages to add of course...which is why I love those Bazzill albums! :)

 

 

 

The patterned paper is all Scenic Route...totally LOVE their stuff too! :)