what i did with some of my birthday money...

well, i spent it all on my of course!

here are some of the highlights...

a regular cardigan that turns into...

way funky cardi!

(this is from sears!)

notice the cute yellow shoes! i got this cardi from pennys.

(yes-i must have a thing for cardigans)

shoes! white from target and animal from di (originally from payless, and unworn!)

cool butt bracelet from pennys.

and there is more to come!

don't  you love shopping with me?!

question of the week...

my little garden has things that are growing back from last year!

yea-less work for me!

here is my problem...

i know this is a strawberry plant.

but i cant tell if these are garlic or onions.

(because last year i planted both and have NO IDEA which are which)

and the same for these.

oh-and here is my 'helper' nate.

(yes-all the plants are fine even after he helped.)

so if you have any idea what i'm growing, please let me know!

nope i havent died...

just been working!

(let me say, my job as an aide at my kids school doesn't sound all that exciting but i LOVE IT!)

and actually got rid of my strep in early january!

so what have i been doing...

other than NOT blogging about all my craftiness and money saving-ness.

i turned 40!

and had a super surprise party where is totally didn't see it coming!

i have shopped.

i have started oil painting.

i HAVEN'T gotten pregnant.

i figured out that my nook can download FREE music from the library (thanks summer)!

so, see i have been busy.

and neglectful.

please forgive me.

i will post more and i swear it will be full of all the fun that you expect from the thrifty ba!

(thanks for sticking with me! especially dawn-kate's mom-i know i let you down!)

(this is a photo from my surprise party, taken by 'aunt peg' (aka amber!))

and yes, that is a crown on my head!

im a steelers fan!

(that is nicole, her dad (the terrible fan) stacey and me!)

Stiller Fight Song (from the 1970s)

Da-Da-Da-Da-Ta-Da - Charge!
We're from the town with that great football team,
We cheer the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Chuck Noll and all his friends are all on the field.
Go out and get them Steelers.

Bradshaw, and Rocky, and Franco and Lynn,
We love you Pittsburgh Steelers.
It's been many years in coming,
just keep that Steelers machinery humming

Defense, Defense, make them scramble, intercept that ball.
Defense, Defense, keeps the Steelers always best of all!
Mean Joe, Mean Joe, do your thing against the other team,
You start from year to year, we're so glad you play here,

Now join with me, and sing the Steelers cheer-er-ER!

We're from the town with that great football team,
We cheer the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Winning's a habit, not only a dream,
Go out and get them Steelers!

Gerela's Gorrilas are here for the show,
and so is Franco's Army,
It's been many years in coming,
just keep that Steelers machinery humming.

Offense, Offense, take that football whole way up the field!
Offense, Offense, let's score and score and never ever yield!
Franco, Franco, can you believe we have a running game?
The Steelers are so great, and so hard to overrate,

Good things, will come, to those who work and wait.
Charge!

my first portraits!

i decided that i needed to paint portraits of my boys.

of course, with no real training, i did the best i could.

here is parker.

here he is in oil paint.

i even got his eye colors right!

nathan

nathan after paint.

i think i captured his attitude nicely!

i think nates turned out better. but i love them both!

i am my own biggest fan!

i found this for only $4 at d.i. and i had to have it.

of course, i don't really have a place for it except the floor of the piano room.

suggestions?

it is about 18" by 12"

(no, it doesn't fit on the shelves above my fire place. bummer)

still bragging...

with some extra christmas money, i headed to kohls.

because, as you know, it is my second home.

(and some days, my first.)

all i have to says is that this vest was $60 and it was marked down to $12

holy crap i love it!

i wore it to church and felt HOT!

(are you allowed to feel like that at church?)

and yes, chris is still tired about me bragging.