pass on the love....Silhouette SD giveaways.....

So I follow lots of crafty blogs.... because I am an addict, and I love them. Ack! Anyway, if you are familiar with the Silhouette SD machine, a handful of bloggers are having a giveaway right now... so go now and try to win, I sure am!!! I've been wanting to put an old Irish blessing on one of my walls for forever, but don't want to pay $80 for it!!

Silhouette America

Go check out My Repurposed Life who is giving one away! Also browse her blog for cool tutorials like this one, on how to print on fabric!!

Other fabulous blogs having giveaways!!

thediyshowoff.blogspot.com

sugarpopribbons.blogspot.com

vintagerevivals.blogspot.com

creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com

 

My Sweet Savannah

Amazon, how dare you....

tempt me with such cool things!

Items currently in my Wish List.....

Metal Star Lantern

White Gazebo Birdcage

Peach Blossom Paper Lantern

House Blessings Book

Floating Picture Frames

Seagrass Baskets

Cast Iron Art Stand

Candle Wall Adornment

And here are some things I have already purchased....

Seraphim Shelf Sitter

Vintage Victorian Postcards

(from vintagescrapbox on Etsy)

Custom Photo Block Sign

(from lonestaraccessories on Etsy)

Vintage Spartus Clock

(from UpstairsAttic on Etsy)

I am sure it seems like a total mash up of Vintage/Victorian things lol, I can't wait for everything to be done and I can post pictures of everything!!!

Day 10, my first love

Discuss your first love and first kiss.

Well let's tackle the easier of the two. My first kiss... my first actual kiss to a boy not in my family was a family friend, we were playing hide-and-go-seek, we were 8 years old and we were hiding together in a closet. Terrible, I know. Thankfully we were good kids, and we were only 8, so it was just an innocent peck. I didn't kiss a boy again until I had one of my first boyfriends when I was 15. Even then, that was nothing to shout about. I didn't even see it coming.

My first love, the first person I felt I really loved was a boyfriend in high school. At the time I thought I would marry him, we were together a couple years. But, we are very different people, then and now, and I am glad that it didn't work out between us. We have very different lives, different ideals and beliefs, and we have both found happiness and love with our spouses and children.

What you think love is when you are 15 years old is quite different from what you find love to be as an adult. Thankfully I married a man who embodies the characteristics of love that I need (most of the time ;o)...)

Day 9 - How I envision my future...

How I hope my future will be like..

I could list several material or tangible things I would like to have, or have accomplished in the future. But when it comes down to it, I just want to continue to be happy in the future. I hope that Terry and I continue to enjoy and build our marriage in a loving home. I hope that as my children grow into adults that we can always have healthy relationships. I hope that my kids know that they can always come to me, and talk to me about anything... even when they think I will be upset; because we will always love them and accept them no matter what. I hope that they always realize their potential and that they grow into self assured young people. I hope to live long enough to see grandchildren, and retire with my husband.

No matter where I am or what happens down the road, I hope for those things <3

Cheeseburger Pie!

This old Betty Crocker recipe has been one of my favorites since I was a kid... in fact, my mom still makes it when we make a trip to visit them!

picture from BettyCrocker.com

 

Ingredients

 

1	lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1	large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1/2	teaspoon salt
1	cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1/2	cup Original Bisquick® mix
1	cup milk
2	eggs

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray.
2. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in salt. Spread in pie plate. Sprinkle with cheese.
3. In small bowl, stir remaining ingredients with fork or wire whisk until blended. Pour into pie plate.
4. Bake about 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. 

 

Days 7 & 8

Day 7: My zodiac sign and do I think it fits my personality

My zodiac sign is Virgo but I don't follow this type of thing at all so I can't say if it fits my personality or not :o)

Day 8: A moment you felt most satisfied with your life

Oh I think that has to be summed up in a few moments, but mostly those moments when you get to hold your children for the first time. It's a very surreal moment, when they place that tiny, warm baby on you and you get to stare at their little face for hours. It's just love. . . I wish I had all 4 pictures on this computer to share, but here are a couple....Ethan and Amber's birth days!

Day 6 : 30 interesting facts about ME

Well, I am skipping to day 6. The kids and I have all been sick the last several days, and not only have I not felt like blogging, but I don't have the energy to play catch up. So there ya go ;o)

30 facts about me... but I can't guarantee that they are interesting....

1. I do not have a passport
2. I've never been to the east coast
3. I don't like to watch tv, but I do enjoy movies and the show Fringe
4. There are foods I don't like simply because of their texture
5. I took 4 years of Spanish in high school and don't remember much of it
6. I met my husband when I was 13
7. I am constantly thinking of ideas for books I'd like to write, and never so much as jot them down
8. I became a mommy when I was 19 and it's the best thing I ever did
9. I never learned to sew and I really want to, I want to quilt
10. I feel like I have completely wasted my artistic talent
11. I love crafting but rarely have time
12. I want to retire by the beach
13. I'd love to surrogate one day
14. I have an obsession with youtube makeup tutorials
15. I almost ALWAYS sneeze twice
16. I have always wanted to learn to play the piano
17. I can't wink
18. I am terrified of playing any sport where a ball may come flying at my face
19. I've never been to a concert
20. I am considerably computer literate, but HATE my touch screen phone
21. I love to sing
22. I'm impulsive
23. If I wasn't going to be a nurse, I'd have gone into psychology
24. My favorite color is brown... really
25. I love anything vintage or antique
26. I'm afraid of snakes
27. I hate dancing... unless it's with my daughter
28. I love almost all kinds of music, my family has always been very musical
29. I just recently had my hair colored for the first time
30. I believe I was a race car driver in another life

Day 3!

Here is the link to the 30 day blog challenge if you're interested in doing it too! (click HERE !!)

Day 3 - Your views on drugs and alcohol

I've never been big into alcohol, not even when I turned 21. I was pregnant when I was 21 anyway LOL. I am not opposed to having a drink, but I can't say that I even have one drink a month. It's just not something that my husband and I are really into.

The only drugs I've ever had besides antibiotics prescribed by my doctor, are cigarettes. Quite the rebel, I know. But my "smoking" phase was very short, and only social.

Those things being said, I believe that some things are okay in moderation... like alcohol. I think drugs are a slippery slope. I know that's a pretty controversial topic. For the marijuana users out there, I know they don't believe that it's a gateway drug (a drug that just leads you to using other types of stronger drugs). For myself, I don't believe that alcohol or drugs could add anything to my life. I may enjoy a beer or a mixed drink occasionally... but I certainly don't need it. And there are plenty of other things in life that make me happy, and I would seek professional therapy before I used drugs or alcohol to cope with anything. I have friends that use drugs, and though I hold no ill will or judgment, it just isn't my thing. I wish only healthy bodies and minds for everybody and hope for the abusers out there, that they can find the strength to get help. <3

Day 2 - Where I'd like to be in 10 years

Day 2 of the 30 day Blog Challenge!!

Where I'd like to be in 10 years...

Well, I should expect that I will be done with school and have been a RN for at least a few years. That would be really nice. Especially if I could be in the Labor and Delivery department by then. I'd also like to have moved back to California by then, enjoying the warm sunshine (that the Pacific NW does NOT have enough of!!) I'd like to have a house big enough for all my kids AND guests to come stay with us. And I would like to have had a ceremony to renew our vows where we can actually have all of our family come out, and get the nice dress and the whole shebang!

Wow, in 10 years, my oldest will be 19 years old. Crap!

California.... knows how to partay... California....

Escape the Madness!

I have four little monkies in my house. Three of those monkies are boys. For other moms of boys, you know how exciting that can be sometimes! Exciting! (Do you hear the quasi-sarcasm?) The lightsaber duels and wrestling matches, bloody noses, bruises, jumping off of furniture...fart jokes or throwing and kicking balls in the house. It's an endless battle. Really. If you're lucky enough to have a calm moment, you'll probably step on a Lego anyway.

My last little princess monkey just turned two... so although I adore her, she's two.

Dear husband and I work opposite shifts, and I am Manager of day shift. At 7:30 am, everybody is up... breakfast, getting dressed. By 8:30 am, the three boys are dropped off at school. Amber and I come back home and have breakfast, watch some Dora the Explorer, check email, Facebook, homework (yes, my homework!) and maybe do some laundry and talk about how "cute" and "funny" Amber is. At 11:20 we pick Nathan up from Kindergarten, and come back home and have lunch. Then Amber takes a nap (and sometimes mommy snoozes on the couch). 2:30 pm, we pick up the other boys from school, and come home so that mommy can get ready for work. Dad picks up night shift at 3:30.

But then, the light at the end of the tunnel! Here's my break: work. LOL Anyone else relate? It really is my break of the mommy madness. I do occasionally get a late dinner after work with my coworker friends. Otherwise, my breaks have to consist of short spurts of time I find to blog or spy on Facebook, make a phone call to my sister, a text to my best friend. You know, until you hear "Mommy!!!"... 

But man, I love my life... and I love my kids <3

30 Day Blog Challenge!

Perfect! 

I think I can manage to blog about these things once a day...
Day 1 - Relationship Status

MARRIED!!!  Terry and I have been married for 5 years, and we've been together for about 8 1/2 years. Although we met waaayyyy back when we were high school kids LOL... hey, 1996 feels like a LONG time ago!! We've been pretty attached ever since, albeit many bumps (or a few hills) in the road, I think we get better each year that passes. He's funny, an awesome provider, a great dad and a good listener. He may not always understand my psyche, but that's alright. I sure do love him.

2002

2010

Catching up!

So it's been almost a year, and this poor blog is so unloved! Thanks to Rachel for encouraging me to give it some attention. I'll probably post a few blogs to catch up on past subjects I brought up, and then maybe visit here a couple times a week....errr... month???

First off, I totally ditched the Primal Diet. Couldn't do it. I am not waving off any scientific research or facts about what grains do to our bodies or how our bodies may process them. However, I am not happy NOT eating grains. Among other things in the list of what may kill me, I'm just not that worried about grains. I could deprive myself of toast, a sandwich, a bowl of cereal, a spaghetti dinner or a piece of pie, and still be diagnosed with cancer or get hit by a car any time. So why make myself unhappy by not eating things that I literally find joy in. What can I say, I love food, and I'm an emotional eater.

However, I did start Weight Watchers in November of 2010, and I have lost 17 pounds. YAY!! My husband started the WW program just after New Years, so progress photos to come... we're feeling really good!

Secondly, all the house projects we wanted to do last year did not get done, so that is our mission this year. We plan to repaint the entire interior, replace the carpet in all the bedrooms, lay down laminate wood floors in the living and dining rooms, refinish the kitchen cabinets, get some new furniture and redecorate! Whew! I'm excited!

Race for the Cure and the Susan G. Komen 3-Day is coming up this Fall, and Rachel and I are talking about planning a trip to do one together, which would be lots of fun!

 That's all for now! <3

Relay for Life

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in the Fall of 2007. Thank God, she is still here with us today, fully recovered! We are so proud of her! No one doubted her strength, though I am sure it's been tested, I love my mommy :) She is now working for the American Cancer Society down in southern California. Cancer affects everyone, so please join a great cause and Relay for Life!! This is an event that my mom is planning down their area, and my sister is heading up a team. You can form your own team, or join an existing one, but it sounds like a ton of fun! I am sad that the only one in my area I would be able to attend is on my son's birthday, so I won't be joining this year. But I am really looking forward to Race for the Cure in September...

Spring Time!!

Well, my week of vacation is finally coming to end, tomorrow is Sunday :( But, it was really a fantastic week with my family, even though my husband still had to work. It was so nice to feel like a normal family not having to go to work at night. We were also blessed with beautiful weather, so the kids and I were able to play outside a lot! Ethan even learned to ride his bike sans training wheels, and he's already cruisin' like a pro. It's made me even more anxious for our California vacation in July. I can't wait to see my family and the sun and heat and the beach... Disneyland!! :)

So, updates... I did give up on the primal diet after a handful of weeks. I stopped any progress as far as weight loss after a couple weeks and I got discouraged. I still would like to pick it back up and see what I can do to be successful with it. I figure it's worth trying since it really is just always in the back of my mind, and no diet ever stays in the back of my mind, ha ha!

I did get all of my FUN pretty things for Amber's Victorian style room I just need to take pictures of them. My best friend Rachel is currently working on her cute project for Amber's room and she sent me a sneak peek picture last week, I can't wait to get it!

Summer is SOOOO close, the air is pollen filled and sun shining, flowers blooming, can you feel it?! I really can't wait for the kids to be out of school.

Hope you all are enjoying your spring!!!!

Already hitting a stall...

I am at the end of week two of eating primally. I lost six pounds in the first 4 or 5 days, and have lost nothing since then. I am starting to get irritated, eating no grains with no result is a little maddening. I find it hard to keep going when I feel like there is no point, but for now I am pushing on with it. We'll see what happens.

It's almost spring break and next month I have a week off of work. Man am I ready for that! It will be nice to see my husband for a week. It's getting so, so old to never see him and never get any alone time. I am ready to move to California. He keeps saying he has absolutely no interest but I think we'd have more opportunities there. Not that we don't have support here. We love our family here. But, everyone here is so busy with their own stuff... it's just not how I imagined my kids growing up I guess. Everyone says that California life moves fast... Oregon is really no different honestly. Growing up, my sister, brother and I spent all of our extra time at my grandparents house. We could walk over there any time we wanted to play and hang out. We spent the weekends over there. I miss waking up Saturday mornings at my grandparents and hearing my grandma flip through the newspaper in the living room with the TV on and eating breakfast.

Oh well, it's Friday!! Gotta love the weekends.

Here we go... primal

I had dinner with my friend, Debi, on Friday night after work. I had not seen her for a few months, and she looks fantastic!! She and her husband are pretty darn good in my opinion about eating organic, eating well and exercising. I very much admire them. She informed me that they had started a new diet, the Primal Diet, about two months ago. Two months! I still can't get over how great she looks.

Shortly after the new year, my husband and I decided that we needed to start eating better and taking care of ourselves, and we did great... for a few weeks. Man, once you cheat a couple times, it is so hard to get back on track.

I have spent the weekend researching going primal, and I am taking the plunge! The main concept is that you cut out grains altogether, and even cut way back (or out) on dairy. Agriculture did not exist in the time of our primal ancestors, and so the belief is that our genes are not any different now than they were then, so we are not designed to digest grains or dairy.

I love me some bread and pasta. I am worried about how much I will crave not having a sandwich with bread, or ravioli or a cookie or a cracker even. Not that I will never have a cookie again, but I really want to be committed to changing the way I eat. I have already had the notion for quite some time that my body does not metabolize grain carbohydrates well anyway, I have just never had the intention of giving them up.

So, after having read a ton of articles and information on Mark's Daily Apple, I feel confident that there is plenty to eat while cutting out grains. Lots, and I mean lots, of veggies, meat, eggs, good fats... nuts, seeds, etc. and fruit (berries). It really makes a lot of sense to me, so I am excited to see what happens.

I am the heaviest right now that I have ever been, except that I have lost about five pounds so far already before the Primal Diet that I will start tomorrow. The picture isn't a great one of me, because obviously I avoid pictures at all costs. But it is at Thanksgiving. Just a frame of reference because hopefully in a few months I will have a much better one to post!! :)

Renovations and Whimsy

I have had this blog set up, even the background, for such a long time and have done nothing with it! I decided I should probably make use of it. Especially since our lives seem to be getting busier and busier as the kids get older.

This spring (which is right around the corner!) we will be ripping out the carpet in the living and dining rooms, and possibly Amber's room, and putting down new flooring. We are super excited about that! We'll be buying a new corner sofa and rocking chair shortly, and painting every single room in the house. I am NOT excited about the amount of work involved in all of these projects, but I am really looking forward to it all being finished.

I had originally planned to decorate Amber's room in fairies, because, if you know me, you know I am a sucker for them. I have changed my mind however to do a tea garden theme. Yes I know that antique and vintage is another love of mine, but it will grow with her better than the fairies I think. And it's been a fun preoccupation for me lately while we are getting ready to do a lot of hard work! I ordered a bunch of pretty little things for her room from Garden Party Teas and I should be getting most of them tomorrow. I got the white lace parasol today, yay! If you have a little girl that would love a tea party for a birthday, they have a ton of cute stuff and their prices are super cheap! I will be posting pictures of all the projects I'm sure as they are coming along. In the meantime, Victorian Trading Company is also keeping me preoccupied, if I only had infinite money to spend. The picture of the roses I have posted are rose light covers that they sell which I would love to drape over the top of a window treatment or something but I am bummed that they haven't been available for a while on their site. There are several other things I love, hmmm.


Anyway, we are currently just plugging away, working too many hours and not sleeping enough. I will be deciding on my school plans very soon, and my plate will be back to overflowing. Our trip to southern California in July can't come soon enough! Bring on the sunshine!