Sorry it has been so long

Hello everyone! I am sorry it has taken me so long to update my blog. I have been busy at my new job at the Doodle and with all the back to school "stuff". It seems like most every day and night are filled with something- work, grocery shopping, school functions, football games, Skype-ing Jessica, etc.
Not only do I love my job, I have been in a creating kinda mood. Since June I have made more than 20 layouts and projects and I have done more creating for myself than I have for about 6 years! FABU for me!
September is going to be a crazy busy month. I am heading to the MOA (Mall of America) next week for Scrapfest. Fun stuff going on there, classes and make and takes. Oh and I am in a MALL. Helllloooo, awesome. Then immediately following we are off to UWF for parents weekend. Than means lets take Jessica out shopping and make sure she is stocked up through Thanksgiving- LOL.
I hope this catches you up with my crazy life. I miss all of you and wish you would make a trip across the bay to visit. As a matter of fact, our friend Cheryl Mezzetti is teaching a class at the Doodle at the very end of this month. Sign ups just started today. I know Cheryl would love to see all her TSS and cruise friends. The Pumpkin/Fall book is wicked cute, I am taking class for my Oregon photos (October's big vacation). 727-827-4911 is the Doodle's # to sign up. Cost is $32.00.

Getting ready for school

I spent the day shopping with Jessica and Kimmie for back to school stuff. It is amazing the STUFF everyone needs. Kimmie is easy, she is a jean and t-shirt kinda girl and still has lots of clothes that fit from last year. But Jessica, phew! This girl is like the bottomless pit of NEED. Today's bankroll included a shower caddy, new straightener, 3 pairs of jeans, two new shirts, a jacket, and a few textbooks online. Not too mention the trip I am about to make to Walgreens for her first aid stuff. Let's not talk about how much it cost. Let's just say it took a Klondike bar to take the pain away! (Oh, she lost a hundred bucks in cash and got a speeding ticket this week- NOT her week at all)
It is so worth the craziness though. My girl is going to college!

Feeling a little Rusty!

Rusty Pickle that is. I have always loved their classes and products (just not their shipping and customer service! LOL). Mr. Pickle will be at the Doodle this coming Friday. Even though his company, Rusty Pickle, is no longer producing new lines, he is still out and about teaching classes. I am thinking about taking the wicked cool Rustic Journey 2 Travel tag album Friday at 2pm. Any of you brave enough to come with me. I have lots of travel photos to put in this book! He is also teaching a neat tropical album at 6pm that has a pop up tiki hut (pina colada optional).
Give the Doodle a call if this makes you want to take a class.

Tonight, I am an Indians fan...

and you should be too (unless your Jeannie). It is SUPER important that the Indians beat the Yankees tonight. The boys of Brooklyn will be coming to the Trop this weekend and the Rays can possibly take over the AL East if the cosmic pinballs feel like lining up for me again.
Since the Rays won this afternoon (went to game this afternoon, it was fun) and swept the Tigers, we just need a little help from the Cleveland Indians to bring us closer to the top of the AL East.
So keep those fingers crossed for the Indians and GO RAYS!

Oh what a night!

Sometimes all the cosmic pinballs line up and I have one of those special nights. This was one of those nights. For some reason I bought ONE ticket to tonights game and went to watch my favorite player, Matt Garza, pitch for the Rays. Little did I know that by the end of the eighth inning I would have seen a grand slam, a homerun and a possible no hitter from "my boy". By the end of the ninth, the Rays were mobbing Garza on the mound and he had done it! The Rays first no hitter EVER!
I love it when all is right in the universe and I get to be a part of something very special.
It's almost midnight and I am watching the "highlights" on ESPN. I almost don't want to sleep. It would be a shame if this was only a dream. OUCH! Pinched myself, it's true!

"Field" Research

I told Brad I was going out to do some "field" research tonight. Since I am not a scientist, he asked what kind of "field" research and I told him it was "Tropicana Field" research! Brad is working tonight, Kimmie is going to dinner with a friend so I am going to watch Matt Garza pitch.
GO RAYS!

Freaky Foto!

I had some fun with the Picasa photo software. Originally, this photo was yellow and wierd looking. Now, it's just wierd looking! I did not see that there were two faces of Kimmie in one photo until I took out the color and retinted the photo. Loving the editing capability. Still working on figuring out some of the other parts of the program. This photo is from 2006, cheer competition at USF Sundome.

Figured out Skype today!

I am so excited! I made my first video chat with Jessica this afternoon. Skype is way cool, I can talk to her and see her all from my laptop. We both have built in webcams and it was so much easier than I thought it would be. I feel much better knowing I can see her when she is at college. Two clicks and there she is!
How did I ever live without technology? Oh yeah, I did very well without it all. But it's way more fun with it.

Wow! What a productive week. I love my new job at the "Doodle". I saw lots of friends this week, put out bunches of product, made my August card class samples, made a New York layout using Mamarazzi from BoBunny and I still have the weekend off. I also had lunch with Lexi and Barb at the Tea Room in Ybor. Great tea, we had peach/apricot and Pomegranate/Rosehip teas with lots of lovely sandwiches and scones.
I got to sit with Scarlet from EK today. Kristen and I ordered new product (YUMMY!). All right, just a little bit but I love everything we got. Wait until you see the new K and Company. Scarlet also told me about a photo editing software download called Picasa. Pretty sure I have been living under a rock for this one. Going to work on a few photos tonight for a layout or two at the Doodle. I LOVE MY NEW JOB! Did I mention that? I have been making samples with my own photos on them. Amazing for me I must say. Love all the one pagers, they are for Kimmie's book(s) when she graduates. I've still got two years for that project,thank goodness.
Off to make the grocery list. I made a grocery list in my word processor based on the aisles at the Britton Plaza Publix. Love it! I put the Bogo's on the top and fill out the rest by aisle or department. I guess I should also mention I got a new laptop too, and CABLE! Yes, I finally caved and got Fios. For those of you who don't know, I am not really a TV girl. I just got a TV a few months ago so I could watch Glee. Then I went and did the unspeakable, I just got cable after not having it for 16 years. Now I can WATCH the Rays instead of listening on the radio. Love it, love it, love it- Go Rays! The Flintstones just met The Jetsons at The Bateman house!

Welcome to the new blog

I can't wait to share all the happenings, events, and hopefully few crisis moments of the Bateman family. Lots upcoming, new job at the "Doodle", Jessica leaves for college in August and Kimmie starts her Junior year at Robinson. Stay tuned for updates and uploads. So glad you are here.