Livin' the Dream...

Life's Abundant Blessings Abound... if not through hardwork, if not through courage & strength, then at the VERY least through faith. In everything...give thanks! Think about that. What does it mean to you?

To my dearest Superheroes, Of all the many things in this life that I am committed to teaching you, the following are some of the finer points to take note of... ************** Don't let a day go by without doing something for someone else. It's as easy as holding the door for someone. It makes them happy and makes you happy too. Invite the new kid to sit with you on the bus or eat with you at lunch. Be creative! You grew up with a mom wielding a glue gun and a dad who constructed creations out of sheetmetal and wood. Be passionate about your job. You don't have to keep the same one the rest of your life, but like what you do. We all have to do the grunt work sometimes. It doesn't matter how educated you are or how much money you have. Be active in your own life. Don't let it pass you by. Dumb actions early in life can alter your ability to get the job you'd like in the future. Go on vacation with your family at least once a year. Families ...

Its a new year and time for new resolutions! Every year I list my year's resolutions on a small piece of paper and I keep it in my purse. Believe it or not...I tend to look at it more this way. I list short-long-term goals that mean something to me. Of course eating healthy is always on there but this year I think I might try a little something more to add to that. Perhaps an article of clothing or shoes or something to work for, you know. At any rate, I don't make a super long list of stuff I want that I prolly won't achieve cause then what good is that? My list tends to be ongoing sorta. I make the inital list and then tend to add to it throughout the year a bit. Nothing earth shattering, just tweak it a little here or there. For example: this year, eating clean is on my list. Has been in years past but last year I really did pretty good at it for 4 months and then failed considerably the last 3months of the year. But I learned something (isn't that the goal of ...

I'm Conflicted. Here's a story: We visited the Hubby's uncle AGAIN yesterday afternoon (Go Beavs) and there appears to be some sort of miracle...here is a man who has pretty much been bed-ridden for the past 6 weeks due to liver failure and apparently has enough wits about him one week ago to call 911 cause he "just didn't feel good", then blacks out just as he hears the paramedic telling his partner that "this one's a goner", he's transported to the nearest hospital to deal with his condition (2 hours away), is stabilized and undergoes surgery to "see what's up", his Dr's & nurses all agree that he is a goner, inform the family and then we all wait. 1 week later, yesterday, his Dr's can't even explain it...he is better! He needs physical therapy to learn how to walk again, he weighs 100lbs, his liver is still pretty much shot but he is awake, sitting up and has his color back! NOW...here's my confliction...

...that this is soooo true!  Every. Last. Word. OF. IT! Now, I am not saying that I am perfect...not by any means (nobody is); but I can honestly say that I have performed several of these "manifesto's" in my life and seeing this only makes me all the more happy. For example, if I don't like a job...I quit. I understand that this may sound really bad. Rather childish really. But know this: I usually over analyize the job before quitting it and again over analyize the new job I am moving to. Clearly...I need to add that one manifesto from this list to my own bucket list "stop over analyizing"...LOL. I get lost often...and most often it is for just the reason of finding myself again. I highly suggest trying it. I agree that EVERY. EMOTION. IS. BEAUTIFUL. Please do not belittle the emotion that I may be having at any given moment by telling me that I am over-reacting or "over-analyzing" the situation that has allowed me the emotion. Make sen...

Well now...isn't this cute I like the bucket pictured here.  While I LOVE it for decore for April showers I think it would be great for May using the same concept but adding Flowers to the bucket.  And maybe a smaller cloud or no cloud.  I'll let you know what we do. And then there's this jar specifically containing graham crackers and marshmallows. We actually have something similar in our kitchen for the boys to munch on. I am just pleased to see that someone else out there is using it but for a party.  Too cute! Pictures and Ideas from Jenny at Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line

I admit it...I am fascinated with Kimora Lee Simmons. It's not so much her look, style or celebrity-"ness" (however all are rather cool) but more about her success in branding herself.   Clothing, skincare and jewlery lines beginning with the better known Baby-Phat line are all lines rather out of my reach BUT I applaud her for all her hard work and efforts toward the goal of world domination. LOL. Really, if you listen to what the woman has to tell...any woman entrepreneur would walk away with the inspiration necessary to create her own brand ~ whatever that may be. I also like her bangs. And you see that tatoo on her foot there...I want mine there too.  Not what she has but in the same spot. Then there is this: I was given this little book by a former coworker. At the time, I kinda took it as if HE was trying to tell me something; now I actually appreciate the guide. I think every girl should own one. so, just a couple things running through my head th...

I have in my arsenal of "stuff" two wire baskets. Not flimsy ones, but heavy duty ones. I think I got them in the Bath section of Target a couple years ago...totes for college bound kids to take their stuff to the showers and then no water collects in the bottom of them, you know. I bought them for the intention of using as Easter baskets. I know, rather unconventional and cold really. But I knew I could dress them up and the whole purpose was to use them every year, so I needed something strong and that wouldn't "outgrow" the boys...big plans to use them even when they are 18. Turns out, I used them 3 times last year...last Easter, and on each of the boys' birthdays (I like to decorate the family room with paper streamers and a happy birthday banner~thank you Debbie~the night before their special day so that they are super surprised in the morning; as well as leave a basket filled with some small gifts outside their bedroom door). Well, the baskets wor...

I drive a black 2000 Cadillac Escalade. Not because I want to, but because my hubby wants me to. Before that we had a really nice Suburban: I miss that car. HE misses that car... A lot! Now hubby wants me to consider selling the Escalade to buy me a new car. Sure thing...I'm really not attached. Whatca thinkin 'bout buying me?  (she say with high hopes) THIS: a 1962 Impala Stationwagon After the laughing subsided and little talk about changing the color (or changing the color of my hair, whichever was cheaper), I got to thinking... I really could be the "COOL" mom on the carpool circuit.  LOL

and considering my new job (or lack thereof) I would find it most amazing to somehow someway stumble upon one of these: If you think you know my boys or my life...think again.  It really should be recorded DAILY for all to see. Really...I can't make this stuff up! Just puttin it out there.

It is now the year Twenty-Eleven. This shall be the year for changes. Real, tangible changes. Having joined the "unemployed" club in December 2010, January marks the reality of that and how it really affects my family, my home, my security. I have had some time to let it "sink in" so to speak, the resentment I have had about it seems to have subsided and instead I am looking at it as an opportunity to be at home with my boys and to start to really HEAL my little family of all the pain and hurt that has been so prevelant in the past 4 years.  Yes...I said FOUR YEARS! I say goodbye to my bi-weekly therapist appointments (better known as lunch dates), and go it on my own. I say goodbye to the security of what was once daily routine and hello to the unfamiliar charting of new waters. I know I won't sink...not in me to do that.  Swimming shall become my new favorite sport, no longer will I be worried about how to keep my head above the water. With that said, I am ...

...and just like that the blessed event is done!  All the preparing, all the fuss, all the worry for buying just the right gift, done. Finito. Some reason my heart is left standing here feeling as though I am missing something, all the work leading up to the day is over in just a blink of the eye...my heart wants the season to last. It's ok though. Worth hearing my sweets little voices as they gaze with awe at the presents Santa brought to them and the look in their eyes as it somehow "clicked" with them the whole Santa thing. Precious. We tried something very different this year. I have been shopping for Christmas since July, just a little something here and a little something there. It made all the difference to our little family. We were able to celebrate the season in the true meaning it was meant to be celebrated. No worry, no fuss, no stress and lots of drives to see Chrsitmas Lights, baking just for the joy of it and crafts to be made with no timeline to be don...

My boys were sick this past week, Austin lasted almost a full week without actually coming down with the flu and when he did it was thankfully just a little 24hr thingy; but Trent was sick for 5 full days! Poor baby, why is it that the littlest of them acts the toughest but always seems to fall the hardest. They were so helpless and I tried so hard to keep their spirits up the best I could; a few times I was frustrated beyond that Trent was sick for what seemed like an eternity. Just when we thought he was on the mend he would relapse once again. He may very well be my little man with a bit of a sensitive tummy but make no mistake, he makes it clear that his will to feel better is strong. Such a little hero! With all that unfolded this past week, there were some humorous moments tangled in all the emotions, I got to thinking about how thankful I am for the good health my family does have. Some are not so lucky. As sad and infuriating as it is to be down with a cold or the nasty flu,...

I may not have many "followers" in the reality of blog world, I don't post that often, it's understood.  I have a family unit that I work hard at building into a much stronger structure of love, health and understanding; and this takes a lot of my time.  Not to say that I don't enjoy it. If you would be so kind to got to my "imaginary friend's" blog today and read THIS entry. She says it well. And believe it or not, she covers pretty much what my mind has been pondering on these past weeks. Don't judge a book by its' cover. Don't judge a person without knowing their context. Simple. Life Lesson.

I have been trying for sooooo long to create the PERFECT countdown calendar for both Christmas/Advent and birthdays. I just have way tooooo many ideas and can't seem to to commit to just one that I can use for BOTH holidays. Well, gracias a la Pottery Barn for this little gem of an idea: Ok, so maybe it isn't so "little" but the Hubs is helping me to recreate my own and I cannot wait to wrap a few little presents and decorate a few of the little cubbies for Christmas. Don't even get me started on the awesomeness this will be on MY wall for birthdays.  Now, I realize it may not be the most functional since I do not intend to keep it up all year long...just in time to countdown four "holidays in my house" months out of the year.  I don't care.  This is just what I was dreaming about (just didn't know it until I saw it) and the hubs and I are creating it TOGETHER...and really, isn't that the most special part of it?  I think so.

It used to be that Costco was the 100-dollar store (actually it still is) but now Target has far surpassed that title. Why o why is it that I cannot just “run-in-real-quick-like” to pick up something as functional as diapers without leaving with a bunch of crap that I think are needed. Well, in my defense, a majority of the time they are items that are needed; I just hadn’t planned for them on that particular trip. I think since I purchase more items for the boys than anyone else (namely myself); I am better able to “okay” the trip. And the pattern in which I shop at the place…I try actually consciously to mix it up every time, but it never fails…I still end up hitting the same stops in the store. This is my usual plan (or not even planned) attack, especially since I am on limited time as I make this stop on my lunch hour-OFTEN. I walk in the doors, head directly for diapers but on the way there I make a pass through the clothing (as it is on my right and on my left is little girls—don...

Time away, has been long but good. I have a lot on my plate this month. The themed party that I was working on came to fruition and better yet, it required nothing more than my creation of some invitations and mental planning for my “friend”; which was heaven sent as I did not have the appropriate funds to create/purchase/ship much to Georgia. Whew! I am still diligently working on launching a little site for “Celebrate the Date!”--more to come on that, just in time for the fall. In the meantime, I want one of these  but I can’t decide though if I want it in purple or orange I really really like the orange, but the purple would hide the dirt better I bet. I noticed these last year while purusing some sites and liked the original boxy one, in red of course, but it was too “plain” so to speak. Now, I love the addition to the list with the little rosette-of-sorts, and the colors! A bit pricey, but hey I don’t carry a coach like most…in which case it may be less expensive…I ...

Look forward to an upcoming post on some creations I have been working on.  Nothing big, just some fun for anyone who wants to share in my love for paper greeting and stuff like that. I am also planning an Oscar themed birthday party for someone.  Well, actually if my prototypes and ideas are a success I will be so blessed to plan the event.  Wish me pennies from heaven!  ;-)

A couple of weeks ago we had a visit from the Dish man, aka the cable repair man. We have satellite and apparently some trees found it necessary to grow into the path of our latitude and longitude broadband. We lost all viewing pleasure of the more critical channels in our home…Nick Jr. and Cartoon Network. LOL We were told the technician would be out to our home anytime between 8am and 1pm. Great! Stuck inside all day essentially, playing the waiting game. Much to our surprise the phone rings at 8:15am. It’s the Dish Lady’s voice informing us that the “Dish” man would be at our home in less than 20 minutes! WooHoo! William shows up and knows just what to do to fix the problem and is done in about 20minutes flat! Nice! He was a nice man, Genuine. Warm and Fuzzy. I couldn’t help but feel like he looked like someone I knew though, but I just couldn’t place it. William continued to walk in and out of our living room passing through the kitchen each time. Not really a problem, but we were ...

Reconnaissance: active seeking to determine a foe's intentions by collecting and gathering information about an enemy's composition and capabilities along with pertinent environmental conditions, via direct observation, usually by scouts or military intelligence soldiers especially trained in critical surveillance. I found a Hot Wheels car at the bottom of my toilet, a pacifier in the fish tank, the frosting licked off of 3 cupcakes that were sitting on the kitchen counter and dinosaur stickers plastered all over the face of the oven door. None of these items were in any of those places prior to my getting in the shower this morning. Granted, my shower may have gone 5minutes longer than the usual 4minutes total time; but seriously? Since the eldest punk was still peacefully sleeping, my keen senses of process of elimination lead me to blame the youngest punk. I left him lying peacefully on my big bed watching The Dinosaur Train, trusting that he would stay put in that same ...