Livin' the Dream...

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,...