It's been a year...

It's been a year since I blogged anything at all.  It's not that I haven't thought about it but it seemed I just couldn't bring myself to actually sit down and do it.  SO much has happened over this last year...I have a new job, we had to move, my husband went back to school, he is also working hard to get his business up and going, my brother got married, my sister had a baby, my other brother moved out to California...I just haven't seemed to be able to make the time to blog about any of it and my creative mojo seems to have gone on vacation.  I am embarrassed to say that I started a gift for a close friend about this time LAST year and it still remains unfinished...how terrible is that?!  It was supposed to be a birthday gift...hoping I can get off my butt and finish it for her this year.

I recently finished a scrapbook layout which then finally prompted me to get my new craft space organized so that I can use it and try to get some of those creative juices flowing...and maybe blog again a little bit...even if it is just for me and no one else.

SO if there is anyone out there still reading this blog...then cross your fingers for me!  And if not, then I will just cross my fingers for myself! ;)

a NEW {attitude}

So, I have been trying to write this post for about a week.  I start, then I stop...start, then stop.  I had this whole long post and when I went back to read it, it was more like a pity party.  UGH.  Suffice it to say, things have been really tough since just after Thanksgiving...I have been struggling with just trying to be thankful for my blessings, despite feeling like everything is falling down around me.  I am going to spare you all the sob story because when it comes down to it, I know there are others who are struggling even more than I am right now.

I wasn't going to bother with a WORD for 2012 but then one day, after crying to my BFF for a bit and then cruising Pinterest, my word just kind of found me and so my word for 2012 is {ATTITUDE}  And to help myself remember to focus on being positive I printed a couple of items I had pinned, framed them and put them on my bathroom counter to remind me every morning and every night...

I think my favorite is that stubborn looking little girl (art by Mary Engelbriet)...pretty sure if I asked my mom she would say that is exactly what I looked like growing up! ;)

I did manage to do a few Christmas projects...one being an EPIC fail and the others, well I somehow managed to lose all my "before" pictures and so I just never got around to posting anything.  Lame, I know.  Seems kind of late to post any Christmas stuff now though, don't ya think?

2012 is going hold a lot of changes for my family with my little sister having her first baby and my little brother getting married, plus my little family of 4 will be downsizing this summer.  I expect there will be lots of opportunity for being creative which will hopefully help me keep my sanity throughout all of it.

One of my creative projects this year is to participate in the 52 Photos challenge.  I confess, I started it last year but ended up only stickiing with it for a few weeks.  I am determined to complete the challenge this year though.  The first week's theme was NEW and so my picture is of my determination to have a NEW {attitude}.

Anyone else playing along with the 52 Photos...or do you have a WORD for 2012?  Would love see your pics or hear what YOUR word might be.

I Never...

I put a couple of projects on hold in order to get some scrapbooking in for The House of Paper this week.  It has been a little bit since I really sat down to scrap and with all the new stuff that has been coming into The House lately I couldn't wait to play with all the new yumminess.  The challenge for the Interior Designer's this week was to finish the sentence,  "I Never..."

SO, this is how I decided to finish it...

I NEVER THOUGHT OF MYSELF AS A TRUCK KIND OF GIRL...

Please tell me I am not the only one who has recently become addicted to the show Top Gear on The History Channel?  These guys are SO funny together and even both of my kiddos enjoy watching so we actually have something we can all watch together as a family, which I absolutely LOVE.  I never really gave a "you-know-what" about cars in the past but this show has definitely given me a whole new perspective...and any truck that actually has a LOUD button is for ME!  HA!



I NEVER TIRE OF YOUR SWEET SMILES...

Those are my sweet babies...9 years ago!  HOLY SMOKES...how did THAT happen?  They were so sweet and loving to each other back then...loved being together.  THESE days...yeahhhhhhhh...not so much!  LOL!

I recently finished a super quick and easy Halloween wreath...promise to share it SOON!  I have just been super busy trying to get things together for the annual Witch's Ball I host with my BFF...this is our 3rd year and every year we get just a little bit bigger!  LOL!  Can't wait to share the costume I am making too!  Halloween is totally my favorite holiday!

Trying times

This isn't a crafty or creative post today...although I do have a few things to share in the next couple of days.  Today is more personal if anyone is reading you may feel free to just ignore me (although really, you are free to ignore me and my posts everyday!  LOL!)

I love being a mother. It is not an easy job sometimes but the rewards far outweigh the hard times. I have been blessed with two beautiful, smart, kind, loving and wonderfully healthy children…and a boy and a girl at that. As most any mother could attest…sometimes the love you feel for your kids is just indescribable – there are no words that really do it justice.

Last night though was, by far, the most challenging moment I have had as a mother so far. More so than all the sleepless nights and Terrible Two tantrums combined. I so desperately wanted to call in sick to work today because I am simply exhausted in every way possible…mentally, emotionally and even physically. My daughter really put me to the test last night and unfortunately I feel as though I failed miserably.

When it comes to kids testing their limits I tend to think of the younger years since that seems to be when most kiddos are seeing how far they can go. My Diva Darling is 10 years old right now and definitely seeing just how far she can push. Hunky Hubby is always telling me that the Diva and I butt heads because we are so much alike, and I guess I can see that.

I do my best to keep my cool and walk away when I need to. Last night though, she wouldn’t let me walk away. She kept pushing and pushing, and I finally lost my temper and really yelled at her. I said things that I just shouldn’t have said. Please don’t judge me too harshly as I am so ashamed to even admit that. I was finally able to get her to stop and just go to her room and I went to mine and we both bawled our eyes out. I felt like the worst mother in the world for losing my cool like that. It was such a terrible feeling and I am still in tears about it today.

When Hunky Hubby got home he was able to talk to both of us and he was very supportive of me reminding me that I am only human and that when someone continually pushes and pushes it is inevitable that you will break at some point…I just felt I should have been stronger. Once things finally calmed down, her and I both apologized to each other and this morning was hugs and kisses as usual when I dropped her off for school but I am struggling with the beginnings of a migraine and unbelievable feelings of guilt for yelling like I did.

I am not and never will be the best mom in the world but I sure as hell want to be the best mom I can be to both of my kids…but last night, I definitely was not. I have to give my own mom credit for not killing me now that I think back on some of the smart mouth things I said and some of the stupid things I did growing up. I am afraid of the teenage years right now….ugh, just thinking about it makes my migraine worse.

She did write me a very sweet letter promising to never behave like that again…however I tend to think of that as a pie crust promise, as Mary Poppins would say…easily made, easily broken. I am praying and holding out hope however that we will both learn from last night and that we will be able to work together and better handle things in the future. I am sure I am not the only one who has ever had a night like that as a parent…but right now, it sure feels like it.

In the words of Anne Shirley..."Today is a new day...with no mistakes in it."  So today I will "Just keep swimming..." and repeating those words in my head.

  

Happy September!

Happy September 1st!

Happy Fall Ya’ll!!

I {HEART} Fall…unfortunately, living in Florida we don’t really get much in the way of Fall...but it can still be a fun time of year. This time of year definitely makes me miss living in Seattle…being able to see the leaves change color, taking the kids to a REAL pumpkin patch…*sigh*…I do SO miss those times. I can remember as a young girl I swore I never wanted to move away from Florida…then I fell in love and moved to Minnepolis…then we made our way to Chicago…and then Seattle. I was so excited to finally make our way back to Florida again but…there are those times when I REALLY miss having 4 REAL seasons and Seattle was truly a beautiful place to live…despite that earthquake in 2001 (talk about scary! YIKES!)

In honor of September 1st, I have decided to turn over a new leaf (and yes, that pun was TOTALLY intentional!) More and more I find myself letting things fall to the wayside and making excuses for myself…and then eventually I just feel bad and disappointed in myself. I want to change that. I NEED to change that. And today seems like as good a day to start as any.  Yes, I work full-time, yes I am a wife and yes I am blessed with 2 beautiful children...but that doesn't mean I don't have time for ME...right?!

I am taking part in Shimelle’s Learn Something New Every Day class again this year. I started last year but basically gave up on myself. I am giving it another shot this year and I am hopeful that it will help me get back on track all around. I am excited too because I have a buddy for the class this year. She is in the UK – how cool is that? I am super excited to have someone keeping me on track and hopefully I can do the same for her and I love that I just might get a new friend as well.

I love scrapbooking and being creative and writing on my blog (even if not a lot of people are reading it – I am okay with that…I just love that I can share if I want too.) but I fuss about being what I consider “on time” or perfect and then end up not following through because I haven’t met one of my own stupid limitations. I am the only one holding myself back. (HEY, maybe that is my lesson learned today?!)

Since as Shimelle says, today is The First Day of School, I thought I would share this layout of me coming back from my very first day of 1st grade…

Do you see me?  I am that crazy one running like the wind and surrounded by that halo of bling! ;)  You see that gal next to me in those marvelous maroon pants and off white t-shirt...that is my friend Christie and can I just tell you that I am still friends with her...how cool is that?  Gonna see her tomorrow night in fact for our Floppy Hats and Stilettos Book Club meeting! (say THAT 3 times fast!)


HAPPY SEPTEMBER and HAPPY FALL! :)
 

I am scrapbooking this weekend!

I haven't posted much to my blog lately for fear of giving away the big surprise party my siblings and I were hosting for my mom's 60th birthday.  My mom is damn near IMPOSSIBLE to surprise!  I mean, SERIOUSLY impossible to surprise.

I am THRILLED to report though that we were able to pull it off and she admitted that for only the second time in her life, she was truly surprised!  WOOT! WOOT!  I am excited to share a few projects that I worked on for her party...as well as finally post my mirror turned chalkboard project that has recently become my nemesis!

For now though, I am scrapbooking and just enjoying a little creative time during a weekend where I do not have to BE anywhere or DO anything in particular...and it feels SO great!

One of my scrapbooking heros, Shimelle, is hosting a Proud To Scrapbook weekend on her blog so I am happily taking part.  I completed this layout based upon a sketch she had posted.  I was lucky enough to be able to go see Katy Perry in concert when she was here in June.  She really put on a hell of a show and it was a fantastic Girls Night Out!

My husband surprised me today by purchasing tickets to see Duran Duran in October...I am looking forward to it!  And we are thinking about taking the kiddos to see Weird Al Yankovic as well.  Have you been to any good concerts recently?

:: Wedding Wishes ::

I confess, I have not really be IN to all the Royal Wedding Hype.  I have not been following the news in regards to all the upcoming festivities and the guest list.  I was not up bright and early to watch the cermony -- I can barely get up to go work!  LOL!

I did however check out the videos online and I must say that Kate looked absolutely stunning in her dress which I thought was so beautiful and elegant -- much the way she seems to come across as well.  Prince William and Prince Harry both looked dashing in their uniforms.

The thing that struck me the most though as I was watching was the absence of Princess Diana.  She loved her boys SO much and I can only imagine how proud she would be of both her sons and especially Prince William on his wedding day.  I would imagine it was quite tough for Prince William not having her there and my heart truly goes out to him.  I very much remember the day of Princess Diana's wedding.

Even though I am not into all the hype, I do, VERY MUCH, wish both Prince William and now Princess Kate ALL THE VERY BEST in the world.  I pray they will have the fairy tale Happily Ever After that Princess Diana never had.

Happy Wedding Day William and Kate :)

And can I just add how much I love the little attendent there in the left corner of the picture with her hands over her ears!  LOL!

Self Portraits in My Kitchen

So, do you remember the post I shared from Family Ever After?  Things have been so busy and crazy lately that I kept putting off taking my self portraits.  I really wanted my kitchen to be all cleaned up, wanted to have a cute little outfit on, makeup done, hair did....but alas, the stars just were not going to align in order for that to happen. 

So, the other day I was scrapbooking on the bar in my kitchen (because despite the fact that I have a great little corner of our home office to scrap in, it is currently in CHAOS and so I moved my creativity elsewhere for now) I was remembering that I still had not taken the self portraits.  My hair was twisted up in a clip, I have no makeup on, and *gasp* my kitchen was slightly messy BUT, I just decided to go for it.  I did grab my favorite kitchen apron though. 

Here ya go...for your viewing pleasure...please be kind ;)


I am only as strong as the coffee I drink and the hairspray I use :)

Thinking about what I should make for dinner?



See...I really was scrapbooking :)



Just don't tell anyone about the dirty dishes on the counter ;)



WHEW!  I am exhausted now!  LOL!

 

Put your best foot forward...

Remember my post where I showed you the cutest shoes ever...and confessed that I have a thing for shoes?  Well, I also have this friend, Amanda and she has a thing for taking pictures of her feet.  So for the last couple of weeks, we have been exchanging pictures of our feet!  LOL!  Yes, I suppose some would say we have issues...but at least we are having fun! 

I actually sent her this one today...

I love my little bag there too...picked that up some time ago from Michaels...couldn't resist the apron that matched  -- so that's in my kitchen ;)

A couple of other recent feet pics...

So WHY am I sharing my feet with you? 

Well, in my blog hopping, I came across this post from Lisa at My Life - Perfectly Imperfect and knowing Amanda like I do, I knew I had to share it with her.

Amanda and I are both scrapbookers...she is one of my FlaminGals (that's a story for another day...) and we met through The House of Paper.  Anyway, it was after I shared the mini album with her that we began exchanging pics...then we both thought doing a mini album like Lisa's would be fun...AND having someone else playing along at the same time would make it even more fun...SO for the whole month of April, we are both planning to take daily pictures of our feet...yep, I warned you we have issues.

Anyone else have similar issues? We would love to have you join us and play along!

A Thankful Thursday

So, I am pretty sure it is safe to say I have become addicted to blog hopping…some days it is what gets through my work day – just don’t tell my boss! ;)


You know, I was a stay-at-home mom for 9 years…why oh WHY were there not blogs then?! Thank goodness for scrapbooking and message boards – some days that was my only adult conversation…especially when my husband was traveling.

Anyhoo---I digress.

I was blog hopping this morning, in between working – don’t worry, I get my job done. I noticed someone had a post titled “Thankful Thursday”. Given my Wishful Thinking yesterday and overall BAD MOOD I have had for the last couple of weeks, I thought MAYBE I should give it a try today…despite what I said yesterday about it sometimes being TOO HARD to focus on the positive. It IS a woman’s prerogative to change her mind…am I right?

During my “Morning Coffee Drive” with my BFF yesterday, she quoted something her mom quotes to her…”As You Think, So Shall You Become” Turns out that quote is actually from Bruce Lee. (I think my Hunk would be so proud of me right now;) )

Life just sucks sometimes…and there really isn’t much you can do about it. Things don’t always turn out the way you plan, no matter how hard you work or try. You can’t change the past. Things could always be worse.

So…today, I am doing my best to pull myself up and out of the dumps…no sense bringing everyone around me down as well. I WILL focus on the positive and I WILL be thankful.

I am thankful for my BFF, Gina. Seriously don’t know what I would do without her. I love that she is honest with me and keeps it real. Most of the time she is on my side but she will tell me when she thinks I am wrong. We don’t agree on everything but we do agree on mutual respect. She has been in my life for over 30 years now…I think that is pretty amazing!

I am thankful for my Hunky Husband. Together almost 17 years and this April we will celebrate 13 years of marriage. He loves me despite my mood swings, nagging and that I sometimes let the negative things in life get to me. He’s not always the most compassionate of men but he is generous and at the end of the day he is there for me. Lately, I don’t really think I have been there for him though…will have to work on that one.

I am thankful for my job. It is nothing fancy, kind of sucks sometimes – even sucks the life right out of me sometimes. BUT despite the fact that it does not pay a lot, it does help pay some of the bills and puts food on the table. Given the state of things these days, that is pretty good.

I am thankful for scrapbooking. Scrapbooking helps me keep my sanity some days. It has also helped me to focus on the simple and important things in life and it has also blessed me with some amazing friendships.

I am thankful for my friends. I have a wonderful core group of friends, all of whom I know I can count on anytime I needed them. I hope they know they could count on me as well. Maybe I should do a better job of making SURE they know that.

I am thankful for my 2 beautiful, HEALTHY and amazing kids. (You know, just typing that out brings tears to my eyes.) Sometimes I look at them and still find it hard to believe they are mine. I actually carried them for 9 months. It is truly amazing the things our bodies can do, don’t you think? My children truly are my greatest accomplishment and every day I am so proud to be their mother…even on the day they make me cRaZy, test my patience, stomp their feet, pout because I asked them to do something – well, you know what I mean! LOL! Every night though, I check on them before I go to sleep and no matter WHAT might have happened during that day, I fall in love with them all over again…even at 11 and 9 years old…they take my breath away.

I am thankful for my faith in God. I don’t always turn to Him when I should but knowing He is there makes things just a little more bearable at times.

Wow, this post is getting longer than I expected and I still have more on my Thankful List...guess I will save them for next Thursday.

Hmmmm…I think I have just become a great big sappy mess sitting at my desk now! LOL! But there are worse things, right? Thanks for letting me share…feeling a little bit better already.

What is one thing you are thankful for this Thursday?

( – if you actually read it all, I am thankful to you for THAT! LOL!)

A not so great start...

So, here's hoping your New Year is starting out better than mine. 

Not only did I have to go back to work on Monday but then yesterday I woke up with a yucky stomach bug -- and that's putting it nicely! ;)  I started feeling better late in the afternoon and figured I could putz around and slowly put the Christmas stuff away and then I wouldn't feel like my whole day was wasted.  I have to say, I made pretty darn good progress and was feeling pretty good about it...and then as I was walking in the garage, carrying a big rubbermaid bin to put on the shelf, I sliced my finger.  AAH!  I felt it happen but actually figured it was just a scrape since it didn't hurt initially....then I saw the blood...and left a trail from the garage to the kitchen sink.  Of course it was just me and my Diva Darling home since Daddy and Stevie were out at soccer practice.  God bless my baby girl though, she didn't even flinch...came to check on me then grabbed the windex and paper towels to clean up the blood and then got me the first aid kit.  As much as she can make me crazy, she really comes through for her mommy <3 

Needless to say, once the initial shock wore off, the pain set in.  GOOD GRACIOUS!  It is pretty deep and right on my knuckle...of my index finger...of my right hand...and yep, I am right-handed.  FANtastic!  (Thankfully, I think I can get away without having stitches!) It is all bruised and swollen and I can hardly bend it which has made writing at the office today quite tricky...it is my "mouse-clicking" finger though and  I couldn't even use it when I pulled the hairspray out this morning!  It is amazing how difficult little things we take for granted can be when you lose the simple mobility of one finger...there's a couple other things I could tell you about but that might end up being a little TMI! ;)

Not sure how my scrapbooking and creating is going to go know that I am slightly handicapped -- or would it be fingercapped?!  Crossing my fingers (don't worry, I am crossing the ones on my left hand!) that it will heal quickly and not hamper too many things.  My Diva Darling finished her science project last night so I am free to get back to creating!  Anxious to get my Gratitude Journal put together :)

And speaking of creating...if you are a scrapbooker with a lot of stash (seriously, if you are a scrapbooker without a huge stash, I would love to know your secret!) come on over to The House of Paper for the January Use Your Stash Challenge...who wouldn't love to win a gift certificate to The House of Paper Store so you can add MORE to your stash?!