adheringwords

Sweets 'n Treats for Santa

2011-11-14T08:16:00.001-06:00

It has been such a busy weekend, that I never posted about being featured

at Groopdealz.com again!

I love this design, so simple and fun!

Don't miss out...today is the last day to get this for $3

Have a great Monday!

Spooky's Magic Shop on Groopdealz

2011-10-03T09:07:00.000-05:00

I am so excited....

I am being featured this morning over at Groopdealz.

You should check it out!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday!

Parking at The 36th Avenue

2011-09-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

I can not believe it....I am so excited to be blogging today over at

The 36th Avenue,

stop by and check out Desiree's blog...

Rumor has it that there are some awesome giveaways going on over there as well!!

Hmm, where is he?

2011-09-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Silence, not a good thing with a busy 17 month old little man in the house.

Hallway bathroom door open. Shower curtain pulled back. Toilet seat up.

Toilet paper on the floor. Cabinet open under the sink.

Blankie sticking out.

Yeah, there he is. I wouldn't trade him for anything! Love him to pieces!

A thumb's up!

2011-09-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

This little man is not so little and he is so much fun! My aunt is here visiting from Scotland and she brought candy with her for us! Some for Mike and I....and lots just for the kids! After lunch each day I let the kids have a piece or two. The one that Preston really likes is called Jelly Babies...

When I ashed him if it was good, I laughed when he gave me a thumbs up, I had never seen him do it before. So naturally I had to get the camera and give him another piece so I could get a picture.

I think he likes it!

The first day, twice!

2011-09-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

We had our first day of school last week, actually we did the first day twice! Tuesday morning was the real first morning of preschool with Mrs. Maegan, however mommy turned the alarm off after working until 2am. So our morning was rushed to say the least. Thursday morning we had a second go at it...and we were successful!

She got in the shower, let me wash her hair and then do her hair...all with no fight! Then to the kitchen we went, I tried to talk her into french toast...she was adamant about wanting cold cereal. She put her apron on, to not get her new outfit dirty.

And out to the car we went....I tried to get a couple good pictures outside, she wasn't having it! "Mom, we are going to be late", is all I kept hearing. I finally got one smile out of her....

Jordan is loving school, and I love that she loves it!

May we NEVER Forget...

2011-09-11T16:35:00.001-05:00

A "NEW" Treasure

2011-09-08T22:55:00.000-05:00

Over Labor Day weekend, I found myself some "new" treasures. My husband doesn't agree, he sees it as junk and more "to do" projects in the garage....which means we are still parking on the driveway.

I have really been wanting shelving units or some form of "organizational" something or other for my office....and I have found them. I got 2 matching 7', solid wood book shelves for FREE. One of them had been dropped and was broken, but I knew it could be fixed...and Mike did it for me!

1. We laid it face down and removed the staples, they were not very cooperative and kept breaking. Then we carefully removed the back and we Mike pulled out all of the broken staple pieces.

2. I then held the sides together while Mike nailed them back into place. Now the test...are the shelves level? Yep! We stood it up and put in a couple shelves....

all is good! YEAH!

Mike headed to bed at this point, and I

3. Sanded the edges of the backing where the staples had been and cleaned it.

4. Then I painted it a flat black.

5. I am in love with the quatrefoil pattern, so I created it and cut it out in vinyl, then I applied it to the backing. LOVE it!!

Now, I am NOT a huge fan of mixing black and brown. I would normally paint the entire unit, my cousin Ian even called me out on it last night when he saw it put back together. I am striving for a very cohesive feeling in my office, and there is another piece of furniture that I don't want to paint and it will match the stained wood....there really was thought behind mixing the two.

This is it finished, I need to still do the other one, and once I do I will get a better picture. My office is to little to get a really good picture of it where it is sitting for the moment...I just wanted to share!

I am thrilled with the way it turned out! And I really don't think that the black and brown look that bad together...here!

I am partying here

Pin It

A Quick Lesson

2011-09-05T08:00:00.002-05:00

Just recently one of my dearest friends was offered a promotion with her company that actually moved her here from LA....darn! I hope Texas is good to her, I would be sad to see her go back to LA! We were chatting and I was telling her that I had broken my small camera and really wanted to buy something new and bigger. Without hesitation she offered her Nikon for me to play with, to see what it really is that I want, and I am here to tell you that I don't want to give it back!

While at the park with Amy, she helped me figure out things about the camera. She was also kind enough to give me pointers on subject matter....we used Buzz Lightyear!

My favorite is the last one....I think I might be learning a little something!

The Park with Liam and Owen

2011-09-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

I am LOVING this whole template thing....loving it! I so badly needed something in my life to be simplified, and so far this is defiantly working!

This week we ventured out in the 200* weather here in Texas, to meet Amy and the boys at a splash pad. Due to a water ban, that had gone into effect that morning, we found the splash to to be void of water. There was going to be no splashing that day or any other until next season...so on to the park.

Preston and Owen chilled in their strollers while Jordan and Liam played. After a short while it was decided that a snack was needed. The crackers and juice pouches were enjoyed by all. I loved watching Jordan and Liam interact, and I found it so endearing that she was hanging on his every word!

I love the small chubby hands and toes!

A New Lamp Lineup

2011-08-31T08:00:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite places to shop for both home and work is Lowe's. During my weekly trip, this past week, some new items caught my eye. They have a new display of lamps...cute lamps and shades, that are actually affordable.

These two shades were my favorite....I am thinking that I might need the blue one for our bedroom!

They have several cute lamps....but I love these green and blue ones!

My shopping partners were actually in a good mood that day as well, and this is not always the case. I can't wait for the awkward 3yr old smile to be real again! I sure love my babies!!

Commitment & Templates

2011-08-29T08:00:00.001-05:00

I am trying very hard to simplify my life. As many of you can relate, I feel like I am being pulled in 1,000,000 different directions everyday. I often feel like life is out of control...that it controls me, but I want to put the reins on it as much as possible.

I have decided that one of the reasons I have stopped blogging is that I don't have the time to do a cute layout of pictures for every post....and pictures are really the best part, I think! So, when I decided to join in the fun over at The 36th Avenue, things had to change here.

I find my inspiration everywhere, life is full of it! However, I often feel very inspired by Amy, she is my cousins sweet wife and she is amazing! Ian has recently made her some templates for photos on her blog....I know lots of you have already done it, but I joined the template world this weekend. I made my self several, and I am so excited to use them! Here are just 2 of the many that I did...

a NEW challenge

2011-08-26T00:41:00.002-05:00

So, I am taking on a new challenge, one that I have wanted to do for a while...I am going to start blogging again! I am going to remember the reasons that I started blogging...the people and things that I love, not just work! I need to do things that I want to do again, and I found the push that I needed...

A New Home....

2011-05-04T06:00:00.001-05:00

I am so excited about my new home at The Shoppes at Brownstone Village and wanted to share a few snap shots with everyone out there.

I have inherited my Oma's love of crafting and creating, I wish that I could share this with her. The coffee table in this picture belonged to her...I love having it in my space.

This is the amazing oak pedestal table that Mike and I found in the trash pile on a curb...on our way to buy the one that I found on Craig's List. 

I need to give a huge shout out to my sweetheart, this would not have come together so smoothly without him. He hung the pegboard, that was from my display walls for shows, and then framed it for me. Love Him!

I still have a few touches to take care of, and I really need to get busy making stuff to keep it stocked. As usual I have too many irons in the fire!

New Items

2011-05-03T23:58:00.000-05:00

With it being Teacher Appreciation Week, I did a couple new things for my booth...

With one closing, another opens...

2011-05-03T23:51:00.001-05:00

When did this happen? When did he get so big? 

I haven't posted about him turning one yet because I think I am in denial. I vividly remember a year ago standing (I should have been on the couch, I was on bed rest) in our bathroom sobbing that I was ready to have him...and then later that evening sobbing in the shower because my dr had called and we were going to meet him for an emergency c-section. Along with having our little man I also had my tubes tied, it was a medical decision, but I never thought it would effect me the way it has. 

On his birthday, a year later...probably down to an exact minute or two, I found myself sobbing in our bathroom again. All of a sudden I was am having second thoughts. I know that we prayerfully made the right decision for me medically, but I am having a really hard time with this chapter of my life to come to a close. I will never again feel the sweet movement of life growing, hear a first cry or hold my new born again.

However, I am truly enjoying the opening of a new chapter in Preston's little life. He is such a sweet, gentle spirit. The Lord knew what he was doing when he sent us this little guy. 

We had his party at my parents house, and I will post those pictures later...but here is one. He ate SO much cake. I was sure he was going to be sick...but he never was.

Gosh, I sure love him!

$20 for $10 deal

2011-04-25T12:42:00.000-05:00

I am SO excited! Today is a big day for us, we are being featured on Our Hometown Deal, a new website based here in the metroplex. Check it out! Share it with your friends!

Changing....

2011-04-14T11:56:00.002-05:00

Things are ever changing...and I will admit I normally don't really like change. However, these are good changes. We have moved into a new spot in the Brownstone, and I am LOVING our new space. I will post pictures soon, promise!

And there are even more changes coming in July, as we will be moving into The Plaid Peacock.

sharing some creative time

2011-03-07T16:49:00.001-06:00

 While Preston was sleeping, I decided to take my work to the kitchen table and hang out with this cutie as she was creating her own little masterpiece.

While working on this one she said, "Mom, this one is for Sarah, and she is going to love it!" I think this piece is going to find it's way to Milwaukee to her big sister.

winner, winner

2011-03-05T23:25:00.000-06:00

And we have a winner for the St. Patrick's Day design...

Amberlynn

 and then as promised...the first 5 that became friends on Facebook, get this guy.

And those ladies are...

Emily(8:13), Natalie(8:32), Glenda(8:37), Tracey & Janlyn(8:47)

a new giveaway....

2011-03-01T16:07:00.003-06:00

It has been a long time since there has been a giveaway here...and I am excited to have a new one.

This giveaway is for St. Patrick's Day.

The vinyl will fit perfectly on an 11x14 frame, you could also apply it directly to the wall or any other flat surface for the holiday, removing afterward.

 So, here are the details for entering to win...

1 entry, become a fan on our facebook page, and leave us a comment on the status about this giveaway to let us know you are a new fan.
1 entry, follow our blog for the first time, and leave a comment on this post to let us know that you are going to be following our craziness.

You can do 1 or both, to increase your chances.

The vinyl for this little guy will be going to the first 5 people, that become fan on facebook.

This giveaway will close at 11:59am on March 4, 2011. Winners will be announced on Saturday March 5, 2011. This giveaway is for the vinyl only and does not include the frame or the plate shown in the pictures.

"Luck, Love and Laughter" has been moved

2011-02-03T00:33:00.009-06:00

Ladies are you feeling lucky this Valentines? Here at Brownstone we wish you much luck, love and laughter this Valentines Day! We have just the event to pass on a little fun and good fortune as you prepare your Valentines gift list.

Join us for Smooch-aritas, sweet treats and scratch offs! We will be handing out Texas Lottery scratch off tickets at Brownstone Too. (Brownstone Too is located to the west of Brownstone. It is limited to the first 75 people and it is one per person.) Once you receive your scratch off ticket, it is as easy as 1, 2,3.

1. Scratch off your lotto ticket
2. If your lotto ticket is a winner, show it to the front desk at Brownstone and we will MATCH YOUR WINNINGS WITH A BROWNSTONE GIFT CERTIFICATE. That's right! You can win up to $1,000 on your lotto ticket and then get a gift certificate to Brownstone for $1,000!
3. Sip, sample and shop for all the gifts on your Valentine's list!

So I ask you again ladies...are you feeling lucky this Valentines?

Spring Fling

2011-01-22T10:38:00.005-06:00

This past November I had the opportunity to be a part of the first fall show, The Experience, put on by Funky Finds and it was a blast. It was the best, well put together show that I have been a part of. The staff was fun, vendors were friendly and so creative...and the music made me want to get up and dance. So, naturally I am excited about being a part of the spring show. Here is the info...

Getting back in the grove

2011-01-22T00:48:00.005-06:00

So much has changed since the last time I was here...blogging. I think about it often, but haven't been taking the time to do it...obviously! However, I am getting back in the grove. Things are changing daily...at home, with work, with the kids and I am learning to take it a day at a time, it has been hard adjusting to have 2 little ones...but oh, how they bring a smile to my lips!

The last time I blogged my baby was six weeks old...
not any more! He is 9 months now and his
big sister has turned 3.

Work has changed a ton...I no longer have a partner, and I am loving working alone again. I took a big step and have a retail spot in an amazing boutique mall in Arlington. I will admit, it intimidates me a little bit, but I went to a vendor meeting on Monday night and I came home with a new found excitement for work...I am a part of something that I think is incredible.
I was so busy during the holidays that I didn't post my mantle scapes like I normally do, so here are some of my favorite vinyl things from the holidays.

And last...but not least,
we had family pictures done just before Christmas by
Grey Key Photography and I LOVE them!!
Love, love them...these are my 2 favorites!

I love that pulling his socks off was captured...it is his favorite past time, and the look on his face is priceless...she loves to love on her little brother and after a while you can tell he is over it.

I am blessed...in many ways.

Stay tuned...there are more changes coming on the blog and websites. Fun giveaways and shows are just around the corner!

May Winner....

2010-05-13T16:13:00.002-05:00

So, Monica did this awesome Mother's Day giveaway and I forgot to post the winner. I am so sorry. I am feeling so good again, better than I remember feeling in the last couple years, that I have spent very little time on the computer.

So our May winner is comment #6...

Erica @ the Clark Family

May Giveaway!

2010-05-04T12:04:00.001-05:00

Here is our May Giveaway, in honor of mother's.

It is a floating frame, with a beautiful saying,

that sums up life for all of us mothers.

Excuse This Home

Some homes try to hide the fact
That children shelter there.
Ours boasts of it quite openly,
The signs are everywhere.
For smears are on the windows,
Little smudges on the door.
I should apologize I guess,
For the toys strewn on the floor.
But I sat down with the children,
We played and laughed and read.
And if the doorbell doesn’t shine,
Their eyes will shine instead.
For when at times I’m forced to choose
The one job or the other.
I want to be a homemaker
But first I’ll be a mother.

To enter for this giveaway, simply leave us a comment.

Giveaway closes May 10th @ midnight, cst and the winner will be posted on May 11th.

My Little Guy

2010-04-24T15:50:00.003-05:00

Well, we never made it to Friday. I had an emergency c-section late on Thursday night, after a call from my doctor telling me to meet him at the hospital. I was terrified...I thought that I had another 13 hrs to emotionally prepare for the c-section. I could not have done this without Mike. It is amazing how the same person can make you so angry and at other times so calm. When he sat down beside me he touched my hair and smoothed it from my forehead, for the first time that night I wasn't afraid. Everything went well, the barrier went up at 9:38pm and I was looking at my little guy at 10:02pm.

So, these are my kids...wow, how funny that sounds. I think that they look a lot alike, they have the same little button nose and lips. Jordan is being a big helper, most of the time. I try to include her in everything...which can really be a pain. Mike left Thursday, for South Dakota to work for a month....crazy! I hope to have the 3 of us in a routine by the time be comes home.

The picture of Preston in the middle was taken by Ian @

Ian J Williams Photography

April Winner and a C-section

2010-04-15T12:40:00.003-05:00

WOW...it has been a crazy couple of weeks. I have been on bed rest, which I think has actually made me feel worse...or at least like I have been run over. I spent all day yesterday at the hospital again having a NST and all kinds of blood work...which just gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling....not! Today is kind of a bitter-sweet day, it is the last day that I will ever be pregnant. After today I will never feel the movement of a baby or sit and watch my belly move. My body and pregnancy do not get along, by any stretch of the imagination, so this is it for us. We will have 2 that are ours together, but a total of 4. So, tomorrow morning I am scheduled for a c-section....which is a little scary, but I am ready to hold this big guy in my arms.

With all the happenings of yesterday I never posted the April winner....so, on to that!

Our {April Giveaway} was the vinyl hopscotch board, and

our lucky winner was comment #7...

BREEANA

Don't forget to check in May for our Mother's Day Giveaway that Monica is putting together. It will be the first Tuesday, which is May 4th.

April Giveaway...Vinyl Hopscotch

2010-04-07T15:04:00.001-05:00

I missed our April Giveaway day....I was put on strict bed rest for the rest of pregnancy, which I am hoping is only until next Friday. Anyone who knows me well, can tell you that I have had a really bad attitude about it...and I have been feeling really sorry for myself. However, I do want him to arrive safely and with no major complications. I just have so much to still get done....but on the other hand, are we really ever 100% ready...I know I'm not.

So, on to our April Giveaway.....Vinyl Hopscotch,
inspired by my forward thinking cousin, Amy.

This game board is fun for people of all ages. When I had it on my floor, it surprised me how many adults played..and taught the little kids that were around how to do it. I also had no idea that there were so many songs that people sing while playing it.

Rules for this Giveaway...

For 1 entry - leave us a comment telling us

what your favorite childhood game was

For a 2nd entry - become a follower for the first time

Make sure to add a comment for each entry, and please leave your email address.

Giveaway ends on April 13th, at 11:59pm cst, and the winner will be posted on the 14th.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T10:30:00.002-05:00

Friday Follow

2010-04-02T10:15:00.002-05:00

So, I am going to try something new today...Friday Follow: A Celebration of Followers. I love to blog hop, hop and hop some more. I am thinking that more things would get done around here if I stayed off the computer, but I love blogs and all the creativity out there.

So here it is....hop away!

A New, Fun Wreath

2010-04-02T09:49:00.008-05:00

Along with redoing my mantle, I made a new wreath for my front door...and I am loving the way it turned out. I am really feeling the love right now for the eggs and birds. Out of all the Easter projects I have done over the last couple of weeks...this one is by far my favorite.

I am linked to:
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge

Spring Has Sprung @ Fun to Craft
New Friend Friday @ The Creative Girl
Weekend Wrap-Up @ Tatertots and Jello
Be Inspired @ Room to Inspire
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple

Easter Mantle

2010-04-02T09:05:00.005-05:00

So, I have been really enjoying changing out my mantle and the decorations for the different holidays so far this year. Having a 2 year old, who is into everything, this is really the only place that she can't touch ...yet! I found lots of inspiration here, here and here. There are always more but I forget to bookmark them, and then can't find them again.

So, here it is...my Easter mantle...

I am linking to:

Ready Set Vignette Party @ The Stories of A to Z
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge

Friend Making Monday

2010-03-22T18:05:00.005-05:00

@ {aefilkins}

1. Favorite things about Spring:

I love the warmer weather and everything starting to turn green,

and the chirping of the birds is a nice sound after the quiet of winter.

2. What I'm doing for Spring Break:

Nesting...literally, I am going to have a baby boy 4 weeks from tomorrow.

3. Favorite Spring flower:

Tulips, I think there is no prettier flower in the spring.

Especially when we lived in WI and they came up through the snow.

4. Do you have a garden?

I don't right now, but I have the spot. It needs to be tilled and planted.

5. If so, what do you grow.

I want to grow fresh veggies...like yellow squash and golden tomatoes.

6. Do you do Spring cleaning?

Yes, it goes hand in hand with that "nesting" thing right now.

I have been working on closets, and organizing my "couponing finds" a little better.

7. What is your weather *really* like right now?

Saturday in snowed and was so cold, today is it nice and Sunny!

They say here in Texas, "that if you don't like the weather,

wait 10 minutes because it will change!"

8. Snapped any weather related photos lately? Share one with us!

Nope...sorry!

9. What's your favorite thing to do on a sunny afternoon?

To clean, be outside, take my little girl to the park. However, right now going to the park is a "daddy activity". She asks all day long when daddy will be home to go to the park?

10. Favorite TV show right now?

We like American Idol and Human Target, and as of tonight Dancing with the Stars.

My Sister's Wedding Announcement

2010-03-19T11:52:00.005-05:00

I had my first real chance to do a wedding announcement. My little sister is getting married next month, and asked me to do her announcements. I was so excited at the opportunity. She showed me something that she liked and I went to work.

#1 is a 6"x9" layout

#2 is a 4"x8" layout

#3 is a wrap around mailing label

#4 is a gift registry card insert

#5 is a thank you card

So, this is what I came up with for her. I gave her 2 different options for the announcement. She picked the first one, the 6"x9". Then I created her a wrap around label for the envelopes, which I think are pretty cute. Then she wanted some kind of insert for her registry, so I created her something using the same concept from mailing label.

I don't think that she ever reads our blog, so I hope that I am safe doing this. I really like when things match, or have a matching theme. With Mike having been off work for the last 5 weeks, I was worried about what we were going to get her for her wedding...you can't really get much on a workman's comp budget. So, I created her the thank you card, and I will also make her small wrap around labels that match the big ones.

I am linked to:
New Friend Friday @ The Girl Creative
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello
Making the World Cuter Monday @ Making the World Cuter
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Yesterday was a BEAUTIFUL day!

2010-03-19T11:24:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, after being home since 2/08/10 from a work injury, Mike was back in the truck! Yeah! And then to make a great day even better, my favorite grocery store finally opened in our area.

If any of you live near an Aldi's and have never given them a chance...you should think about it. I started shopping there in Wisconsin, after Mike and I were married. I took a good thing for granted. When we moved from there my grocery bill tripled. I have been waiting since last fall, when I first heard they were coming here, for them to open. I was a little nervous that their prices would have jumped over the 3 years since we left WI, and they did, but only by pennies!

My St. Patrick's Day Mantle

2010-03-14T21:45:00.005-05:00

In continuing with one of my New Years goals, I gave my mantle a St. Patrick's mini make over. I plan on doing this for each holiday and season. I started with this print, it has a ton of history. It is an Irish Linen print that my dad got while serving his mission in Ireland. The frame that it is in, is a frame made out of barn wood, that he and my Opa made together. This picture has been in my parents home for as long as I can remember. A couple years ago my dad was going to throw it out, and I couldn't bare the thought. It has since hung in my home, even though it is nothing like anything else I own. While it has hung above my mantle, I have toyed with the idea of staining it darker...I finally did it, and I love it!

My next little project were these Goodwill finds...I painted them black for a new look, but I ended up only using one of them right now.

This urn was also a Goodwill find, I am really loving Goodwill these days. And the balls were an attempt to make my own decorative balls. I saw the idea on a blog, but can't remember where. I think hers were much cuter! And the green serving tray was from the target bargain section, I just added the vinyl lettering to it.

So, for St. Patrick's day, this is how it came together. But as I stepped back, it was still missing something...so I added the vinyl lettering saying.

Ahh...that's it! Now, I am happy with it!

I linked up to...
Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up
The Girl Creative
Between Naps on the Porch
DIY day @ A Soft Place to Land
Trash to Treasure @ Reinvented
Room to Inspire

March Door Decal Winner

2010-03-11T18:33:00.002-06:00

So, we have some door decals that need to have a home and a door for then to be on. I should have done this yesterday, but I had to much on my plate to get to it. So, with that being said, we need to announce our winner.

And the lucky girl is Stacy,

comment #12

Thanks to all of you who commented,

check back on Tuesday April 6th for our fun April giveaway,

I think that you all will like it.

March Giveaway

2010-03-02T23:41:00.001-06:00

It is late in the day...but it is still Tuesday. Not just any Tuesday, but the first Tuesday of the month! That means a GIVEAWAY...

We are giving away 3 front door decals, and here they are...

These can all be yours, just simply leave us a comment.

My baby is growing up...

2010-02-24T11:50:00.002-06:00

Jordan is quickly approaching 3, and we have never really had pictures done of just her. Natasha at Sweet Lime Photograhpy took pictures of her last week, and I couldn't be happier. She sent me an email this morning to tell me that they were edited and that some of the images were posted on her blog and website.

Here is the story board she posted on her blog...

When I saw these this morning I just started to sob...when did she get so big? When did my emotions get so out of whack? Maybe it is the pregnancy, or the trials that Mike being hurt is bringing our way...regardless of what brought the tears on I love these pictures.

Check out Sweet Lime Photography and her blog!

A little Valentine's love...

2010-02-18T10:39:00.002-06:00

So, Valentine's has come and gone, but I wanted to share a few things anyway. I have boxes of decorations that are somewhere in the garage from my single days and when we were first married. Then moving back to Texas when I was 6.5 months pregnant, we rented an apartment and had a baby...the decorations were forgotten. Now that we are in a house again, I have made it my goal to make old things new and have new decorations for each holiday and season...without breaking the bank. I have recently discovered that I really like Goodwill for decorating, but that is a whole other post...or 10.

I started this year off with creating for Valentine's Day. I have never really been a Valentine's Day type of gal, and have never decorated for it, not even after meeting Mike. He did ask me to marry him on Valentine's Day, at Cave Point in the frigid Wisconsin weather. (If you take a look at these pictures, imagine a few feet of snow and amazing ice cycles with the water still spraying up as it hits the wall. I wish I had taken pictures, it really is breath taking to see it like that.)

We always go out for a nice dinner and I always get flowers, this year was different with his accident. I got to spoil him, and made him this darling 6 pack of his favorite snacks for him to enjoy while he has been laid up. I found my inspiration for it here, on this cute blog. I loved all of the topiaries made of flowers, so I made one for my front door...and I LOVE it! Then I saw the subway art here, on this crafty blog. I spun a twist on it and used vinyl to make a floating frame, but then ended up adding the rose covered paper so I could use it on an easel. And the cute letters that spell LOVE, my dear friend made them and then brought them to me the day after the firemen had to break in to my house.

Mike's leg...

2010-02-15T22:47:00.006-06:00

Mike hurt his leg at work last Monday. We have seen 2 different workman comp doctor's in the last week. The first one on Monday, told him to stay off of it and keep it above the heart as much as possible. The second one on Wednesday, told him to ditch a crutch and start walking on it, to put weight on it and to use one crutch like a cane. We followed both directives, but I am not so sure that that was the best thing to do. There is now a large amount of swelling in the ankle not to mention a huge amount of blood pooling there.

He ran out of pain medication on Thursday morning, and they would not refill it for him because both doctors were out of the office on Friday. The only way to get it refilled was to go sit and wait to see another wc doctor, and we had just received 14" of snow. So he tried to be tuff, but bless his heart he was in so much pain all weekend, IBP and Tylenol just don't help the pain.

So, this morning it was off to sit and wait again at the wc clinic. He got to see the original doctor, who once again showed great concern and ordered a MRI. He stated that he feels the first x-rays were inconclusive. Now we are playing the waiting game. We have to wait for wc to approve him getting a MRI. At least the doctor gave him more pain medication, so Mike is a little more comfortable tonight.

He was suppose to go back to work tomorrow, working in the office. But he can't...he would have to climb stairs in order to get into the office. He is trying to be a good sport, but really wants to be at work. On the upside of all of the craziness...Jordan is loving having her daddy home all day.

Do you ever...

2010-02-12T13:04:00.002-06:00

Do you ever have so much going on in your life that something has to give? If you are answering "No", you are a lucky woman. I find myself with so much to do these days, that blogging has taken the back burner. I take the pictures of things that I feel are blog worthy...like the firemen breaking into my home, the crafts that I have been doing and Mike's leg since his accident. But when it comes to posting I just can't find the time these days. I do however find the time to stay up to date on the blogs that I follow, and I continually ask myself...what do the homes of these women look like? Maybe like mine during craft show season?

Well, during craft show season this past year I was blessed with meeting Monica. She also has a passion for vinyl, and used to do it from her home, with the machines that I so badly want. She has recently sold her equipment....DARN! But we are going to team up together anyway...YEAH! She spent a day with me at the Arlington Peddler Show this past November, and it was the greatest. She is so knowledgeable. Having never worked on my program she was able to show me new things, that make life so much easier....like targets! It was so nice to work with her. I loved that I could get up and walk around leaving my booth in her hands.

We met up at Ikea last week, I was expressing to her the need to get my website and blog out there...with the baby coming and not knowing how I feel about the coming craft show season, I am feeling the need for changes. She offered to blog a couple days a week, can I just say that she is heaven sent. We are going to team up on other things so why not the blog as well?

So, giveaways will be happening again on the first Tuesdays, and we are tossing around the idea of a few other new things to add. Plus we will be blogging about us, our families, crafts and the things that make us who we are! I hope you enjoy the changes!

2 Late Giveaways...

2010-01-04T18:01:00.001-06:00

Goodness, how time flies! December was a crazy month, something had to be put on hold...and it ended up being my blog. I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and New Year! I have many pictures to share. I worked until the 22nd of December, and then took some much needed days off to spend with family and friends. I am so excited for the New Year and what it might bring.

I have an amazing giveaway for tomorrow to start the New Year off with a bang. It was inspired 100% by Amy, who is truelly a forward thinker. I can't wait to see what you think of it. But before we can do that I need to post the giveaways from December that I was too busy with orders to do...sorry!

The winner of the Noel/Happy Holidays wall word

and the $35 gift certificate is....

SARAH

And the winner of the Laundry wall word

and $45 gift certificate is...

ANGELA

Winner, Winner....

2009-12-08T10:19:00.001-06:00

And the first winner is Erin!

She gets a $25 gift certificate and a 'tis the season wall word!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2009-12-08 16:16:00 UTC

"Surfing" Santa

2009-12-07T14:24:00.000-06:00

It has been a really long time since we did anything together as a family on a Saturday. I have been doing craft shows and Mike is usually working. This past Saturday we were all home, so we went to my favorite place for lunch...Costa Vida! Love it! While we were there, Santa was there as well....but not just any Santa, a "surfing" Santa! Jordan loved him, and his beard.

Laundry and a Giveaway

2009-12-03T10:27:00.001-06:00

While I have been working on this new blog, many things in

my home have been ignored. The one the has been ignored the most,

it the laundry. Laundry is one of those things that I hate to do,

but I do love the smell of laundry and sleeping on clean sheets.

So, today I am not adding a holiday wall word to the giveaway.

I am adding a wall word that represents what I am going to be doing with my day!

This wall word is 9"x30", and if you are the winner of this giveaway,
you will get this along with

a Gift Certificate for $45, redeemable at AdheringWords.com

And the rules for today are...

2 entry - subscribe, and leave a comment
2 extra entry - become a follower,

for the first time and then leave a comment
2 extra entries - grab our button, and leave a link in your comment

Please make sure that if your blog is private, that you leave me an email address.
This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 9th @ midnight cst

It is fixed!

2009-12-03T00:09:00.001-06:00

WooHoo! It is fixed, comments are visible! Thank you Ian and April!
Now I can go to bed...

2009-12-02T18:49:00.001-06:00

So we are having HUGE issues with blogger....stay tuned!

Snow and another Giveaway!

2009-12-02T14:54:00.005-06:00

What a crazy, busy day! I woke up to snow! I live in Texas, not Wisconsin anymore! I don't want snow! Although it was fun to see Jordan see it. She was so excited! She kept saying, "WOW, outside mommy, outside please?" When we finally did go outside, she slipped and fell. She was a trooper and went back for more!

On to the giveaways!
Today's wall word is Noel in white with a Happy Holidays overlay in green.

And the Gift Certificate if for $35!

And here are today's rules for entries....

2 entry - subscribe, and leave a comment
2 extra entry - become a follower, and then leave a comment
2 extra entries - grab our button, and leave a link in your comment

Please make sure that if your blog is private, that you leave me an email address.
This giveaway ends Tuesday, December 8th @ midnight cst

Reasons to Celebrate!

2009-12-01T09:43:00.004-06:00

WOW! It is finally here, today is the day! It is time to celebrate, for many reasons! I am launching my new blog today. I can check several things off the "to do" list. I have almost all my Christmas shopping done! The list could go on, and Christmas is in 24 days! Yeah, it is going to be fun this year, I can't wait to see Jordan's face!

I know all of you can relate to...remembering being little and thinking that summer would never come. And now that I am an adult, I find wishing that time would slow down, that there were more hours in the day... to snuggle my little 2 year old, that grew up over night and hates being loved on. {sniffle}

And now... on to the fun stuff! What are your reasons for celebrating? I can give you 5, starting today! Let's call it the "5 Early Days of Christmas". Fir the next 5 days I will be giving away a gift certificate to AdheringWords.com, along with a seasonal wall word.

Today's wall word is approximately 5"x15". It is red and the ornament has a mirror/chrome overlay, to make it extra shiny!

Today's gift certificate if for $25!

And here are today's rules for entries....

1 entry - subscribe, and leave a comment
1 extra entry - become a follower, and then leave a comment
2 extra entries - grab our button, and leave a link in your comment

Please make sure that if your blog is private, that you leave me an email address.
This giveaway ends Monday, December 7th @ midnight cst