More Crafting

Okay, I'm blogging again, but I have to show you this little craft I did awhile back! At work, we gave the kids a project to decorate a wooden picture frame. Well, I couldn't resist and decided to make one for myself as well. I just glued some scrapbooking paper and ribbon and....TahDa!!! Doesn't it look super cute? If I was to do this with my own money, it would probably cost me all of 3 dollars! Isn't that amazing!? I am thinking about making a couple more for Gregg's man/computer room. But I won't make them this girly! What do you think?

Super Busy

Hi! :)

Well, I decided to post because I have a feeling this upcoming week is going to be one stressful tornado. Would you like to hear what's going to happen?

[Monday] Sociology Exam, Paper Due, Homework, and Work

[Tuesday] Gynocology Appointment, and Work

[Wednesday] Abnormal Psycology Exam and work FRG Fundraiser

[Thursday] Zumba and Work

[Friday-Saturday] 17.5 Work Shift (Lock-In)

So today, I have been prepping! I decided to cut some fresh fruit and work on Jericho's (or should I say Dana) wipe container. I think it turned out super cute! I tried to look for more mature dinosaurs, but this is the best one I could find that did not have a white background. White will end up looking dirty.

I forgot the blueberries in this one...oh well, it still tasted good!

I hope you like it Dana and Jericho!

Anyways, other than that nothing else going on around here. I have been doing some major cleaning around the house which I am pretty proud of. Oh, I have also been putting together the house accents I bought in Memphis up. Once I have everything somewhat together, I will share. Until next time, later!

P.S. Say some prayers that I make it through next week!

"I'm Coming Home"

Here are the pictures as promised! I had the chance to go back to the states a couple weeks back during everyone's Spring Break. I had so much fun relaxing with family, and getting a much needed shopping spree out of the way. But most of all, I was able to get away from the stress I was building up here in Italy. And what better way to get rid of stress...Hang with the Fam!

Airport. When I first saw the bunch!

Melissa

Mom
Dad

Katie

Uh oh...Where is Sarah?


This is a random picture I didn't know was being taken. We were at the Outlet Malls in Tunica, Mississippi.

I love my Daddy! Here we are chilling out Sam's Club. We were there to purchase items for the party.

Party Time!

Lunch with Mom. Who said Donuts aren't for Lunch?

Sushi Night with the Sisters!

Tuesday's List: Favorite Snack

Happy Tuesday Everyone! I hope everyone's day is off to the right start! To let everyone know, I am back in Italy, but I will give you guy's the details of my trip when I get the pictures from my sister which she promised to get them to me soon. Now, before I jump into my Tuesday's List, I want everyone to jump over to the creator of Tuesday's List blog, Love From Texas, and check her out.

Now, here is mine:

{1} Mixed Fresh Fruit

This is my my all time favorite snack hands down! I usually don't like to just one piece of fruit. I would prefer all different kinds cut up and mixed together. I wish I could have this snack more often, but sometimes I don't have the time to cut...sad, I know. In the summer, I plan on cutting lots of fruit to always have on hand. I usually like to mix pineapple, strawberries, kiwi, and blueberries together. This is one I have to go mmhhmmm....

{2} Quaker's Apple Cinnamon

I got hooked on these about a month ago, and I just can't stop myself from eating them. Everytime I see the bag, it ends up in my hands with quakers in my mouth...Good thing they are healthy!! I don't like any of the other flavors, but I know my family loves the cheddar and ranch one. So, everyone go pick up a bag and try them..[Jeez, I sound like a commercial]


{3} Caprese Salad
This is one of those snacks I have pulled from my Italian country. Ever since the first time I tried Caprese, I have been making it so much. Anytime I start making this, Gregg likes to come up behind me and start eating it to where there is only one left for me to have..[Boo!] Its super easy:
Go to the grocery store and buy some fresh Tomatoes, Spinach leaves (optional), and Fresh Mozzerella [Gregg likes to call it "Water Cheese" because its cheese that sits in water to stay fresh] The one sad thing about the states is...Fresh Mozzerella is way more expensive there than in Italy. So, that is going to be a bummer for me when I move back.
Anyways, cut the tomatoes and cheese like the picture below and arrange leaves however you would like, and then drizzle EVOO on top. YUM YUM, and this is healthy too!


{4} Chips and Salsa
Okay, so this isn't exactly healthy, but I sure do love my chips and salsa. This is one thing that gets me in trouble because once I start, I can't stop. Now that Gregg is gone on deployment, I try not to keep any of these two things in the house so I won't be tempted. [Boo! on Sodium and Carbs]

{5} French Bread, Salami, and Cheese
This is a Metaxas Favorite. Every now and then we treat ourselves to this delicious snack. We all just sit around the table cutting slices of bread, salami, and cheese. If Dad is home, we usually have Blue Cheese out which I eat, but don't love. My favorite cheese is Asiago cheese...Man, Can I go to the winery and get some cheese now? Too bad its my bedtime.

Tuesday's List: Bucket List

Everyone needs to jump over to Jessica's Blog, and join in on Tuesday's List. It is a fun weekly activity that spices up our posts, and lets us learn a little more about each other. So, if you are looking for fun, talking about yourself (which all us bloggers do), and are OCD, then Tuesday's List is for you!

YAY; it's Tuesday's List, and I am right on track today! We are doing Bucket List's this week, and it really made me think. What do I want to do before my life is over? And once things started rolling in, I realized I play a lot of things pretty safe. I need to get out of my comfort zone, and experience more things. All the things I am listing today are things I have never done before, but would like to do before my time is over.

So, here it goes:

1. Take a cooking class preferably Italian

2. Learn to make Sushi with my husband

3. Go to Greece and visit my family there

4. Go to Barcelona, Spain and have some margaritas

5. Go to Las Vegas and gamble

6. Go to Las Vegas and get remarried to my husband

7. Have kids with my husband Gregg

8. Have some kind of crafty business on the side (working on it, new item coming soon)

9. Have a fancy dinner party for 8 so I can use my fancy kitchen stuff

10. Do something crazy like get another piercing or TINY tattoo

11. Own my own wine cellar in the house

12. Keep a plant alive for more than 3 months

13. Run through a field of daisies

14. Ride on the back of a motorcyle, preferably a harley

15. See the Northern Lights

16. Learn another language and apeak it fluently

17. Learn how to dance either the Tango, Salsa, or Waltz

18. Go to Music Fest in Memphis at least once

19. Go to a Dallas Cowboys Game at the new stadium in Arlington, TX

20. Go to an orchestra concert

21. Make a really cool piece of art

22. Buy an original piece of art

23. Donate Blood

24. Set up a REAL Retirement Savings Plan

25. Do 200 situps with no problem

26. Visit a National Park

27. Have Gregg and I own our own house

28. Volunteer somewhere, doesn't matter where

29. Get my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology

30. Own my own Psychology practice for adolescents

Those are a lot of one's I could think of right off the top of my head. As I read other blogger's Bucket List's I will probably add to mine. I hope this list get others to think about what they would like to do in their lifetime.

Family, Friends, and Fun

Man oh Man; I feel like everytime I get on here, I feel like I am so behind, and have to catch up on so many things.

This is what has been going on with me [and Gregg] since the last time I posted. I have gotten a lot of myto-do list accomplished, and that was a big step for me due to my schedule with work and school. Here is my to-do list:

• Get Jack Cleaned and Given a Haircut
  
• Go to the Doctor for Allergy Medicine
• Set up My Gyno Appointment..UGH!
• Set up My Appointments to Take Final Exam
• File 2009 Federal Taxes
• Clean the House
• Do Laundry
• Fill Out 2010-2011 FAFSA Application
• Register for Next Session Classes
• Write Sociology Paper
• Write Abnormal Psychology Paper

See? I have done a lot! And, then last Friday after work, I had to come home and pack my bags, get Jack settled for my two week trip home to Memphis, Tennessee. By the time I finished getting ready for my trip, I only had an hour left until I needed to start my journey. I left the house at 03:30 to catch the 04:00 in the morning shuttle to the airport. Once I got to the airport, I got on my plane to head to the awful Paris airport. I was not looking forward to going to that airport again, and boy did they make it a pain. I had to go through 3 different security checks just to get on the plane [Jeez!]. Then from Paris, I went to Atlanta where I went through Immigration with flying colors. I happen to love the Atlanta airport! Then it was off to Memphis where I flew in at about 20:50. I was very very tired, but stayed up with the family for a couple hours giving out gifts, and catching up. It took a while for my jet lag to pass, but it finally did.

During this past week, I have spent as much of my time relaxing with family, and shopping! I have spent so much on shopping than I have ever before. BUT, all the things I got for myself [and Gregg] were very much needed. I got a lot of new summer outfits, kitchen items, and tennis shoes. And, Gregg got new shoes [thank God..finally], video games, and still searching for that new hat. I was also able to surprise a lot of friends this week that didn't know I was coming into town, and they were shocked! This Saturday, we got some of the family together for dinner, and it was nice to sit with everyone in a casual environment. Now, I am just trying to catch up on some school work, and prepare for the second week of my trip. All in all, this was a much deserved trip, and about time I crossed the big ocean.

Gregg is doing well; lately, he has been very busy. He is still in school, and I am very proud of the grades he has right now because he has been working hard. He is already 3 months into the deployment, and has 9 more to go. The countdown is definitely on, and we both can't wait until the year is over with.

I know I did miss out on last Tuesday's List and I apologize. I got a little caught up with family, and the jet lag took over my body. Hopefully, I will be able to get on this Tuesday and have some fun again! Until next time, later.

P.S. I got my hair cut and colored. Will post pictures soon...they are on my sister's camera, and I have to wait until I recieve them. Not to be full of myself or anything, but I look pretty darn cute! HeHe

Tuesday's List: What's In Your Purse?

*[First off, I realized there were so many grammatical errors in my last post that I am super embarressed! It is definitely worse than most. I guess that is what Midterms will do to you though]*

But now, its on to Tuesday's List! My favorite part of the week, and I have a total of an hour and fifteen minutes until my Tuesday is over! So, I hope I can make it!

This is the purse I am carrying these days, and I am not sure if I am loving it or not. Funny story; does everyone remember my Valentine's Day post? Well, as you could tell, I was drinking. I went through all of Venice without buying a single purse from the "towel guys," until I was just getting ready to leave. I was definitely a bit under the influence of alcohol just about to cross the bridge to get to the train station when one guy totally caught my eye with purses. Oh, he knew to wait until night time when everyone is getting ready to leave. Well, I really didn't know what I was buying, but I did know I did one hell of a bargain. He started out with 60 euro, and somehow I had him give it to me for 20 euro. I think being tipsy gets me into the whole bargain game thing, and thats mainly the reason why I bought it.

Anyways, back to what's in there?

{1} Plain Jane Black Clutch Wallet

I think I have had this same wallet for about four years now, and I can't bring myself to buy a new one. I love this thing because it is so skinny, and I can choose to just bring it into the store without the purse. Also, I would still look classy with just that. The only downfall about it, it does not have a coin pocket. Therefore, change just rolls around the bottom of my purse until I decide to do a clean out, and then into the money jar it goes.

{2} Vera Bradley Key Chain Wallet

I use this dandy little thing for work purposes. My sister gave it to me for Christmas, and it has been put to great use. It carries my work CAC card so I can sign onto my computer, my certified cards (Food Handlers, CPR, and First Aid), 3 keys to get into work, and my whistle to get the kids attention.

{3} Work Nametag

If I don't keep my nametag in my purse, I am bond to forget it somewhere. I can not go to work without it!

{4} Italian Cell Phone

Yes, everyone of us has there cell phone in their purse. That is a must! If I do not have my cell phone, I feel naked. I also don't like driving without it here in Italy because if anything happens, I don't know enough Italian to talk to a civilian living here. So, I will have to call a friend.

{5} Lip Gloss, Chapstick, and Eye Drops

Yes, I carry both. I have to have my lip gloss to get my sassy look, and since my lips are always chapped, I have to have my chapstick. My eyes also get really dry here, so I am always using them.

{6} Headphones

I keep headphones in my purse for those just in case moments. I need them when I go to the gym in order to listen to the T.V.'s they have there, the radio hooked up on the machines, or of someone wants me to listen to a song on their Ipod. I hate using other people's headphones, I guess its a pet peeve.

{7} Digital Camera

I bring this every where I go because you never know when you are going to find a good kodak moment. Expecially here in Italy!

{8} Passports and Soggiorno

I have these in my purse today because of the place I was going. If I am going anywhere away from the Vicenza city, I have to take my Passport and Soggiorno just in case something happens. It has all the information I need to give the Carabineri's proof I am stationed here with my husband due to military purposes.

{9} Sanitary Products

I always have some..never fails! I am always prepared! This is probably TMI, but I also keep an extra pair of panties in my sanitary pocket just in case I start and didn't realize it until I bleed through my panties.

{10} Oh, and can't forget Keys!

I need my house and car keys if I tend on getting into either one. lol.

Other Odd Items Thrown In there:

Usually I also throw reciepts in there along with pens, lists, ponytails, loose change, and mail I get from my mailbox on post.



Well, there is my list, and I loved every bit! And, I still have about 45 minutes left of my Tuesday to enjoy! Goodnight everyone.