Amelioration

If we build it...

2013-06-11T15:42:00.002-05:00

I'm assuming our friends will come.

I'm trying to convince my husband to build this:

Srsly. I want this in my backyard. I don't think it would be all that difficult. We already have a nice little firepit, very much like the one in the picture. Swings would just make it EPIC!

I'm thinking this could be built so we could easily move it if we just wanted to sit in chairs.

We build a fire and have friends over or just sit around it ourselves several nights a week. We love spending summer nights with a cold beer and a warm fire.

What is your favorite way to spend summer evenings?

I snagged this picture from Pinterest.

Ain't Nobody Got Time For Dat!

2013-05-14T09:05:00.000-05:00

May is a stupid busy month for us.

In May we have:

3 Friend birthdays

4 Family birthdays

Mothers Day

My parents wedding anniversary

Our closest friends anniversary

OUR wedding anniversary

This year, my brother in law is getting married two days before our anniversary

Friends visiting from out of state

Our oldest is graduating from high school

And my husbands yearly camping trip with the guys is this month.

AND the youngest is playing softball again, so all that is peppered with practices and games.

Seriously. Can I get a break?!

Mah Sissys!

2013-04-11T08:58:00.002-05:00

Apparently, yesterday was National Sibling Day. Who knew!?

I might be a day late, but I'll never miss an opportunity to celebrate these two amazing women. They aren't just my sisters, they are my best friends.

I'd never have made it though these last few years if it weren't for them.

I'm the chunky one on the left.

Recipe Swap!

2013-04-10T00:50:00.003-05:00

Several people have asked me about how I make my smoothies. Obviously, they are doing nothing to improve my memory, because I keep forgetting to message people with the recipe (I'm SO sorry!) I change it up a little depending on what fruit is on sale or what I have on hand.

I've always been terrible about eating fruit and vegetables. I seriously have the taste buds of a 10 year old. I love bread, pasta, cheese and sweets. I only like potatoes, green beans and corn as far as vegetables go and will only eat bananas, and granny smith apples for fruit. So this smoothie thing has really helped me get those in. I feel a difference in my energy level and see a difference in my skin and hair. Who knew!?

Here's what I'm currently doing:

1 1/2 cups spinach
1/2 cup kale
1/2 cup cherries
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup pineapple
1/4 cup raspberries
1 Granny Smith apple
1 banana
2 tsp flax seed meal
1 Tbs coconut oil
1 1/2 cups of ice
1 1/4 cups of water (sometimes I used flavored water, like Propel)

Throw all that in the blender on chop until the fruit pieces are chopped, then run it again on the frozen drink setting.

It makes two really big smoothies. I have one in the morning and usually one for a snack later in the day.

Keep in mind, I'm not drinking this because it tastes great. It's not horrible, but it's not great either. I know I'm getting in all my fruit and vegetable servings, and that is what matters to me. I've lost 35 lbs so far. THAT is what matters to me.

Almost forgot to add that it's 2 WW points a serving. The only points come from the coconut oil. Also, if you are counting points, you can't juice the fruit. It has to be the whole fruit. AND when you enter it into etools, you have to enter everything individually. The recipe builder doesn't assume that you are using whole fruit and will count points like it's juice.

Let's recipe swap! Tell me your favorite low point smoothie recipe.

Small Towns, Small Minds

2013-04-05T10:23:00.000-05:00

This town is small. About 25K people.

We have a 24 hour Wal-Mart and a couple of gas stations that stay open all night.

We have a community college and are big enough to support somewhere around 15 chinese restaurants. I lost count on the antique stores a long time ago.

5 elementary schools, one middle school, one junior high and one high school.

What we aren't big enough to support is open minded people, culture and thought provocation.

Seriously.

I just read this article in our local paper and I'm angry.

http://www.sedaliademocrat.com/news/article_493aeb98-9dad-11e2-9e6d-0019bb30f31a.html

A group of people are trying (unsuccessfully, thank GAWD) to stop The Vagina Monologues from coming to our small community theater.

They didn't manage to stop it, but they did manage to mandate that all proceeds to go to CASA, the local women's shelter. Now that, I think is a brilliant idea. I don't have any problem with that.

What I do have a problem with is the woman quote in the article saying the proceeds are "Blood Money" and that they play is "filthy, lewd and degrading to all people". Apparently, this woman doesn't have a vagina. And if she does, nothing has ever happened to it. Nothing. No exams, no births, no sex, she's never had a period and definitely not an orgasm.

Of course, all of the above HAS happened to her vagina. We just can't talk about it. No one can know that these things go on in the world. We can't teach our children that sometimes, bad things happen to vaginas. And sometimes, really, really good things happen to them. How awful would it be if our daughters learned to believe that their bodies are not shameful. Can you imagine!?

I'm taking my daughters.

Sweep the Leg!

2013-03-27T08:22:00.000-05:00

My sis and I have been best friends most of our lives. Since we're all grown up now, we are even closer.

We hang out a lot. We are always looking for new things to do. For instance, Sis bought us a Groupon not long ago for a painting class. Not just any painting class. A class where you paint a picture while gettin' your drink on. That's right, booze and art! Is that not badass?! We haven't scheduled it yet but I'm super excited! I'll be sure to post a pic of my drunken painting.

A couple of weeks ago we decided we'd check out a local bar that was having MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fights. Yep, barely clad men beating the absolute crap out of each other. I gotta tell ya, I was thrilled to be hanging out with Sis but not so sure I was going to enjoy the actual fighting part. I've never been into boxing or wrestling. Never understood the point.

And to be perfectly honest, I've always considered this kind of thing to be a little white trashy. Being white trashy is something I've tried to avoid my entire adult life. I kind of grew up that way, guess I should just embrace my roots--but that's a different blog post.

Anywho...

Imagine my surprise when it all started and I FREAKIN LOVED IT. That shit is FUN!

When the guys come out, I would just kind of pick one to cheer for. You can just tell which ones are stronger, have more presence and discipline.

We had ringside VIP seats with a super close up view of all the sweat and tears! Let me tell ya, there were TEARS. Grown men crying over the loss of their title. We saw all kinds of Karate Kid shit! Spinning kick things, choke holds, arm bars! I didn't even know what that WAS until now! One guy got choked out. No, srsly. He was struggling and trying to get out of the hold, then his whole body just relaxed-out cold!

The next fight is two months away. We already bought tickets.

Little Dude.....Wordless Wednesday

2013-03-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

550503_4457546834978_863146037_n, a photo by angelnet_inc on Flickr.

Go Away!

2013-03-21T09:06:00.002-05:00

I get super excited when I see that someone has posted a comment on here. Like seriously excited. Really just more excited that is warranted. I lose my mind.

SOMEONEGIVESASHITWHATIHAVETOSAY! OMGJUMPFORJOYMUSTREADNOW!

--Grab phone and/or sprint for the office--

Yeah. That kind of excited.

I even tell Hubs. Like he cares.

Me: BAAABEE! Someone commented on my blog!! OMG! Lemme read it to you!

Hubs: Great.

Me: I posted about [insert topic here]. I asked a bunch of questions to try to get people talking, you know-draw people in-start a conversation. If people can identify then they will come back! I've met so many other bloggers! There are some seriously funny people out there! And smart!

Hubs: Did you, now?

Me: Yes! I said blah, blah, blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah
blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah
blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah. And they said they agreed with me! One person even said blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah
blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah!

Hubs: Mmmhmm....

Knowing how excited I get, it is sort of understandable how EFFING CRUSHED I am when I get a notice that there is a new comment, only to find that it's some ahole anonymous spammer.

It seriously crushes a tiny part of my SOUL.

The spammers have found me. I'm getting more comments that are total bullshit than real ones. And it's slowly killing me.

I haven't figured out exactly how to turn off anonymous commenting without turning off all commenting or having a captcha, which I really, really do not want to do.

You know, who the hell do these guys think they are?! Do they really think people are going to read their half ass attempt at English and think "I better click that link! I've been looking for a legitimate way to enlarge my penis for a long time now!"

Bastards.

Stop breakin' my heart and STAY OFF MAH BLOG!

Image snagged from Google Images.

30 Seconds, that's all it takes....Wordless Wednesday

2013-03-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

No, seriously. Thirty. Seconds. Little Dude is FAST!

Postive Thinking and Your Significant Other: An (as yet) Unnamed Blogging Project

2013-03-14T08:57:00.001-05:00

My best friend and I talk about everything. Most often we hold nothing back. Especially when it comes to speaking our minds about our husbands. We ~~bitch~~ talk about them all the time. All. The. Time.

Boys do such stupid shit. And when they do, how do you NOT need to tell someone about it. Anyone who will listen, really.

A girl has to get it off her chest, you know? When we all get together, that's what we do. We play a rousing game of "Who's Hubs Is The Bigger Asshole?" And we know, without a doubt that we are each going to be sporting that crown. Who wouldn't want to hear about my husbands overly loved video games, or the way he NEVER does ANY housework, or the extreme procrastination with the handyman work around this house or his ridiculous friends that refuse to grow up, or the latest fart joke.

Before I go any further, I should throw in a paragraph about how much I love my husband. I effin' love that man. He has stood beside me though some harsh shit. In the span of one year, we managed to pull though more nasty than most couples have to take on in their entire lives. And while he did blink, he didn't run. He's got my back and I know it.

Anywho...

Recently, I began to think on our discussions in a different light. You see, my BFF Christie, told me once a long, long time ago that her husband does not, in fact, bitch about her. To anyone. Now, it's not that I didn't believe her, but I just kind of thought that this couldn't really be the case. No one doesn't bitch about their spouse. Right? I mean, I've never heard him bitch about her, but I'm her best friend-he's not gonna unload to ME.

Then I had the occasion to spend the day with my husbands best friend. Actually, he's a very good friend of mine as well. And during conversation he said the same thing about MY husband. He doesn't bitch about me. Like at all.

Wha?

Seriously? Never?

Nope, he said. Not once.

Keep in mind, over the last couple of years Hubs has had more than enough cause to vent about my crazy. More than most husbands, I'd say. And the fact that he doesn't just blew my mind a little.

This revelation coupled with Christie's husbands facts, leads me to believe that there is truth to this. The guys are not bitching about us. I don't get it, but I do believe it.

After much discussion, Christie and I have decided to team up on a project.

We are going to speak (or type) aloud one positive about our husbands every day. Once a week, we will blog about a positive. We think this just might do some good in our marriages. Dwelling on the negative is never the way to go.

Please keep in mind that there will be days. Days when I just can't keep it inside. When the anger gets the best of me and I let loose like a screaming banshee sent straight from hell with the sole purpose of tongue lashing his stupid ever-lovin' stupidity. Seriously folks, sometimes there is a lot of it. Boys are stupid.

Christie is kicking around the idea of posting her daily positive on the Facebooks. Personally, I'm not gonna go that far. I mean, I don't need the added stress of trying to get his overly bloated head though the door at the end of the day. (That does not count as bitching. It doesn't.) I love my husband, but blowing rainbows up his ass on a public forum just goes against my personality. (Not that Christie is blowing rainbows....she's a very sincere person. Just saying it feels like that to this cynic.)

Chime in here. Tell me one positive about your significant other. Want to join in? Post a link to your rainbows in a comment!

Images snagged from Google Images. Above paragraph counts as Positive for today.

Another Semi-Wordless Wednesday

2013-03-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

This cracked me right up!

Heroes some in all shapes and sizes!

2013-03-07T08:39:00.000-06:00

Click on the pic to enlarge it.

I intended to post this yesterday, you know...Wordless Wednesday post...but that didn't happen.

So here is a semi-Wordless Thursday post.

This woman might just be my new hero.

Losing weight isn't so different from religion.

2013-03-05T11:35:00.000-06:00

As determined to lose the extra weight and get healthy as I am, everyone has bad weeks. This has been one of them. Last week as just bad in general, which naturally lends itself to falling off the wagon.

We had a huge snow and ice storm. The weight of the snow caused our neighbors tree to lose limbs and those limbs just happened to fall right on our power lines. So from Monday to Thursday we were stuck in a hotel. Which means eating out. Now, I could have behaved myself. Weight Watchers has enough built in flexibility to allow you to stay on plan while dining in nearly any restaurant. But did I? Nope.

Two weeks in a row our Weight Watchers meeting has been cancelled because of the weather. TWO WEEKS! These meetings are seriously essential.

Once you "cheat" it is very hard to stop. When eating healthy (at least, for me) I tend to stop craving bad food. I don't want candy, or cake and I enjoy not being overly full. But it's like crack. Once you have it, you can't get enough. It's like overeating is hard wired in my brain. I just go and go until I'm sick. There is no off switch.

We've been back at home since Friday morning and I'm still working on correcting myself. After dinner last night I was walking around the house feeling bloated and nasty and angry with myself, when it occurred to me that I feel a little sorry for Elaine, my Weight Watchers leader.

She's like a friggin' priest! She takes confessions all the time.

Forgive me Elaine, for I have overeaten.

It's been 6 days since I last exercised.

I have strayed outside my points allotment.

This week I made a hotel breakfast bar my bitch. Twice.

I indulged in birthday cake, ate butter laden beer bread and snacked on chips with chili and cheese.

I ate ice cream with abandon. I added chocolate syrup.

I snacked after midnight. On Chex Mix.

I imbibed many alcoholic beverages.

Pepsi hath temped me and won.

The thing is that we all know that we are responsible for our own behavior. Elaine knows this, but she dutifully listens to us, pats us on the back and murmurs encouraging words. She tells us that we know what we did wrong and to pick ourselves up and do better next week. She prods us into exercise and reminds us that we are in this place to make ourselves healthier.

When members have a good week, she rewards us with hugs and smiles and cheers. And even stickers. Let me tell you what--a Weight Watchers bravo sticker makes me happier than a kindergartner!

So this week, I intend to get one. I'm back on track and plan to stay there. I drank my smoothie yesterday and again this morning.

Weather permitting, I'm going to walk tomorrow. I'll just have to dodge the snow drifts and bundle up. As for today, I'll get my Activity Points cleaning house like a mad woman.

Images snagged from Google Images.

In the NU!

2013-02-25T22:36:00.000-06:00

Like so many women, I've struggled with body image most of my adolescent and adult life. At 36, I've only recently begun to realize that my body IS the norm and isn't a reason to be shy or embarrassed.

I could go into a long monologue about societal pressures to be thin, the pressure on young girls to be perfect and the ultra-thin models on television and in magazines, but I won't.

In the past, every time I would start seeing someone new-it was 'lights out'-if you know what I mean. Even being with Hubs for going on a decade, early in our relationship and even fairly recently there have been times when I was uneasy about him seeing or looking at my body. Typing that out, it just sounds plain silly. Obviously he loves me just as I am. But I didn't love me just as I am (or was). And that makes all the difference.

Maybe it's age, or the free time I have for self reflection and awareness. Maybe it's the fact that I've finally decided to be healthy, not just 'skinny' or 'thinner'.

I have stretch marks, rolls, and others things often viewed by society as imperfections. This does not mean that I am not beautiful or that my body isn't sexy. It is.

Luscious curves punctuated by striking tattoos. (If I do say so myself! )

I've shed 30 pounds in my process thus far. This time, it's an effort to feel good. To be healthy, not be skinny. It's not about what anyone else thinks, it's all about me. It's about eating right, and moving freely. It's about longevity and fitness. It's a slow moving goal, as it should be and I still have a way to go. Another 40 pounds to be exact. Or, when I feel the best I can feel. In the past, losing weight has been all about what other perceive as being a normal weight or about fitting in. This time it's sticking with me because it's about myself. About fruits and vegetables, about clear skin and about feeling strong! I feel strong inside, why shouldn't I be strong outside?

You know those times when the universe seems to be speaking just to you? I had one of those today when I came across this photo.

Isn't is striking?!

Intrigued, I followed the link. This photo, and many others like it, are from The Nu Project.

The Nu Project is a photography campaign created by Matt Blum and his wife. The two of them travel the world photographing women in the nude. These are real women folks. Like me. And, I'm guessing-you. These photographs are artfully done with the intent of showing what truly beautiful women look like. Race, weight, age...none of these things are taken into account. This couple is on a mission to show off the real beauty in real women. Almost none of the participants have any modeling experience.

Any woman can apply to be part of their project. If you are interested, click HERE to fill out the form. Please DO NOT send them nude photos.

This amazing couple has very recently reached their goal on KickStarter, and will be publishing a book soon. I can not wait to see it!

Here's what I'm thinking: When I'm there. When I'm at my personal best, when I've ran a 5K again, when I feel that I am where I need to be, when apples taste better than cookies--I want to do this. As the ultimate reward for myself.

I gotta say, more than one of the photographs had me sitting back in my chair and just staring. I look like that! And that photo is AMAZING. Such stunning photos and yet she has stretch marks, like me. Rolls, like me. Sagging skin from pregnancy or weight loss or whatever, JUST LIKE ME!

Whacha think?

Would you do it? Tell me about you, your body and your efforts to feel good. Check out the website and tell me your favorite photos. Do any of these women remind you of yourself?

It's gettin' HAWT in here!

2013-02-23T01:01:00.000-06:00

So I was playing around on Facebook the other day and came across a quote that another friend had 'liked'. I sat and stared it for a sec, reread it and then realized I had totally fallen in love with it.

I quickly reposted it on my own wall, where a handful of friends immediately began drooling, and then I began to think.

What can I do with this thing? How can I put it into my home (probably my bedroom) and have it look as super sexy hawt as the quote is, yet be appropriate for our family dwelling?

Let me tell you, it's gonna get ya. Right in the sexy, sexy feels.

I don't know where it came from. As of this minute I haven't bothered to Google the author, but I will. I want to see what else he's got out there and whether or not it's from a book, movie. Maybe find out what his inspiration might have been for such awesomeness to be spoken.

“The conversation between your fingers and someone else’s skin. This is the most important discussion you can ever have.”
—Iain Thomas

Now tell me that isn't HAWT. What am I gonna do with this thing!?

It's sexy. Passionate. It's impulsive yet slow and thought out. It's first lust and old love. Lingering and fading. It's married want and just met rushed. It's a secret affair and still manages to be a tender lasting marriage.

Gimme your thoughts, ideas and tell me how much you love it! What would you do with it? How would you approach a project like this?

I am SO blogging this!

2013-02-13T12:18:00.000-06:00

I swear, I say this all the time. Things happen is regular old daily life I think to myself, "I'm SO blogging about this!". And then I don't.

I neglect my want (need even) to use this creative outlet for the good of my brain and for the general entertainment of those select few who actually follow my sparsely updated corner of the Internet.

I'd like to say that I'll be posting everyday from now on, but you guys know me too well for that. I would like to say that I'll be attempting to carve out the time to post on a regular basis.

I seem to have found myself in a state of unemployment once again. I posted long, long ago about losing my job. Thanks to some nasty budget cuts, my nearly decade long career was cut short. At the time, it was bitter sweet. With a grand baby about to invade our humble abode, it seemed like something of a blessing as I knew home is where I was needed most at that time.

After a year of staying home I realized I just was not cut out for it. I found myself a part time job. After two months I was let go. At first I was devastated, for about a day. The boss said I just wasn't a good fit for the company. Turns out, he was right. I dreaded going to work, was stressed out and being on-call 24/7 disagreed with me even more than staying home.

Once again, I have more than ample time on my hands to key in my thoughts and opinions on everything under the sun and I seriously plan to do so.

I know, you've heard that before.

This time, there are no excuses.

I want to tell you about my newest run at Weight Watchers and help keep myself accountable. I'm going to do some product reviews, tell you about Little Dude, and probably do a lot of bitching, pissing and moaning. I'll let you know how my job search is going and post pictures of the decorating and crafting I once again have time for. I'll be putting my Etsy shop in vacation mode, taking inventory and reopening-so I'll tell you about that process too. I plan to brag on my kids and gripe about Hubs. You might even hear about my pets or how unemployment has apparently given me the title of Errand Bitch.

Want to hear about my political views? Well, you're gonna.

I don't know how many followers I actually have, but I hope that more and more of you will stick around.

Let's start this off right meow! How many of you are unemployed, have lost a job or started over in your career? How did it change you? For the good or bad?

Story time. GO!

Image snagged from Google Images

Show Me Teh Money!

2012-11-13T11:01:00.000-06:00

I've been deep cleaning around here. As per my earlier post, I'm working on getting off mah ass and deep cleaning seems to be a good (and very needed) way to do that. OH SO MUCH.

I've been collecting some of Little Dude's things that we don't need anymore. Bassinet, bathtub, etc. and listing them on a Facebook group for people in my area.

One of the things I listed was a Playschool activity table. It's used, but all the pieces are there and it's in good shape. New, it was almost $50. I listed it for $7. Great bargain if you ask me. Am I right?

Here's the thing, a woman just commented and said she wants it, but has to ask her husband if she can spend the money. I just kind of stared at the screen for a sec.

Now, gawd knows Hubs and I have had our share of challenges-but even now that I'm staying at home, no job and only a little bit of unemployment for my own money-I would never have to ask him to spend $7. I, for damn sure wouldn't be admitting that on friggin' FACEBOOK. Am I alone in this? Does anyone else find it odd? I know I shouldn't judge others relationships, and honestly I don't feel like I'm judging I guess. I'm just perplexed. It's not a concept I understand. I'm a pretty big feminist. I like knowing that I can take care of myself. My needs for my spouse are emotional ones, not physical in that I can run my household, do small home repairs, pay my bills, fix and check certain things on my own car, open jars and balance my own checkbook. I pride myself on my independence. I was a single mom for ten years. If Hubs ever demanded that I check with him before spending that little money, I don't know what I would do.

I don't know that lady from Adam. So maybe I'm way off base. I gotta say though, it really bothered me to see that. Obviously, I don't know their story. But that doesn't keep me from being a little angered and disturbed with only the small bit of information I have.

So how do you guys work with money? Do you have a set amount that you have to talk about? For example, if it's over $50 you talk about it first? Is your 'limit' higher or lower?

Images from Google images.

Super Mom? Not so much...GIVEAWAY!

2012-11-08T10:25:00.000-06:00

I know you are all wondering where I've been--again. Lemme tell ya:

I've been trying to work on this whole "Stay At Home Mom" thing.

It's not going well.

It's been nearly a year since I lost my job and I'm still not used to this whole, tons-of-time-on-my-hands thing. I had big plans at first. BIG PLANS. Big plans, I tell ya! For instance, I was just sure that my house would be magazine cover worthy all the time. All day, everyday.

I was also positive that my crafty to-do list would be nearly empty and I'd be making up shit to craft by now.

I was fairly confident that I'd have dinner on the table when the Hubs walked in and that it wouldn't be Hamburger Helper.

I had myself convinced that Little Dude would be walking and talking early because I would have so much time to work with him. Ok, this one is true. He is walking and talking. He's 10 months old and he's been walking for a couple of weeks and he says 3 or 4 words. So small victory there.

Is he not seriously just ridiculous cute? He is that stinkin' happy all the time. All day, every single day. It's awesome!

Anywho, what I have learned is that I had a whole lot of self wrapped up in my career. It's been so long since I looked at myself as anything but a working mom that I kind of crashed. Not even kind of, let's be honest--I lost it for a bit.

I've been working though a total identity crisis.

So much of who I thought I was has been wrapped up in being a working mom, a woman in a mans IT world, a former single mom who kicked her way through college and then suddenly I didn't feel like I was those things anymore.

I'm telling you, I kind of hit a rock, not like total rock bottom--but a place where I felt immobilized. Like I didn't have the strength or energy to do anything. I got out of bed, took the kids to school and came back home to my bed. Some days I was sleeping until noon. My house has never been more dirty and I haven't felt like doing anything crafty in a very long time. Honestly, I still don't.

But I've come to the place where I realize I HAVE to get off my ass.

I've started applying for jobs again.

I'm up, coffee in hand with a 5 hour energy in my belly.

If that's what it takes every single day, then that's what I have to do. I have to get back to where I feel like me again. I need that place where I'm proud of me, where I obsess about my house looking perfect ((Cause I'm tellin' you what...this place is downright nasty at the moment)), a place where my craft room is organized and I actually give a shit about my Etsy shop again.

I'm telling you what--I have a new found HUGE respect for stay at home moms. This crap blows me. You guys work hard. When you have a boss, an office or cubicle it's easy to define yourself by it. It's easy to meet deadlines imposed by other people. But when you are making your own deadlines and make yourself stick to them, crap gets hard! I didn't realize I had so little self discipline.

But I'm on my way back. Blogging again is one way I'm going to prove that to myself and to others.
I LOVE blogging, but it's one of those things that I'd lost in the past several months.

I'm on the upswing. I'm gonna get on top of this. And you are going to help me! Here's how:

I'm going to force myself to keep up with this blog and force myself to be crafty!

I'm going to give one of you a handmade wire crochet bracelet and matching wire wrap ring!

Enter using the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you reading it? Are you blushing?!

2012-05-21T10:47:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I started hearing about this crazy book called 50 Shades of Gray. I wasn't sure what to think. Then I started talking to my girlfriends, who had all read it! THEN I get online to do a little shopping and find that Edenfantasys has a couple of new items inspired by the book! No, I'm not kidding. I'm totally serious. And crazy excited!

Now, let me say that I have the book. I have not started reading it. I just finished up another book last night and am planning to begin 50 Shades of Gray tonight.

Let me show you some of the inspirational items Edenfantasys has to offer. ((And just let me say, seeing these I REALLY can't wait to start reading! ) I'm going to let these pictures speak for themselves. Click each one for more info or to purchase.

Riding Crop. Yeah, that's what we're starting out with. You know it's only gettin' better from here....

I want this.

Massage. Candle. Ummm...hmmm....

Oh. Goodness.

Check out the site for more inspiration! I wasn't kidding when I said it only gets better! I want to hear from those of you who are reading or have read the book! Is it all they say it is? More? No spoilers please!

Don't forget that there is a free gift of your choosing with every single Edenfantasys order! Also, check out EdenCafe' for their weekly giveaway!

Sexy Grandma!

2012-04-18T12:04:00.000-05:00

Growing up, we lived about 3 miles from our grandma. My sisters and I spent a lot of time at Grandmas' house. One of our favorite things about spending the night with Grandma was her extensive collection of soft, silky, and now we realize-sexy night gowns. Grandma had two huge drawers full of colorful, lacy gowns that we were allowed to dig through to choose one to sleep in. This is my favorite. Grandma gave it to me several years ago.

Now that I am an adult, I understand that these gowns were probably an integral part of keeping my grandparents marriage fresh and alive. While some people may think it's gross to think of your grandmother as a sexy woman. I don't. Grandma has always taken great pride in the way she looks, still does! She has always taken care of herself and stayed active. I remember my grandparents kissing every morning and every evening. Grandpa putting his arm around Grandma and his hand on her back as they made their way through a crowd. Even after decades of marriage they were very in love.

I hope that someday I will have a granddaughter that loves digging though my collection.

My go-to place for adding to my collection is EdenFantasys. I have several of their gowns, robes and lingerie sets and have yet to be disappointed. Neither has Hubs. *wink-wink* When he and I have been together 30+ years, I hope he still looks at me like Grandpa looked at Grandma.

My latest purchase was this super cute black robe and babydoll. The robe is a great summer robe. I wear it around the house nearly every evening. This is a perfect time of year for it. The windows are open allowing a wonderful breeze to blow through the house and the silky feeling is luxurious. I feel beautiful and sexy just padding around the house. When my package arrived ((always discrete packaging! My mailman has no idea what he's carrying around!)), I was pleasantly surprised to find that newest addition to my collection came with it's own matching silky padded hanger.

I gotta tell ya, as long as I have been and EdenFantasys customer, I still literally gasp at their prices sometimes. I'm not even joking! Amazing prices, a huge range of sizes and great little unexpected extras are most definitely reasons to stay an EdenFantasys customer!

Right now EdenFantasys has an awesome spring clearance sale going on. I will sooo be taking advantage of this!

Don't forget, when placing your order to choose your free gift! EdenFantays always includes your choice of free gift with each and every purchase!

Like EdenFantasys on Facebook for even more savings!

With the exception of this purple gown, all others pictured were purchased by me from EdenFantasys.

EdenFantasys, an online retailer of sex toys, provided me with a gift card in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.

Projects and Pictures

2012-03-27T21:23:00.000-05:00

Since I have a metric crap-ton of time on my hands now-a-days, I've been finishing some projects I started and never completed along with some others that were on my mental to-do list.

For instance, getting my bedroom mostly decorated. I'm totally in love with the way it's turning out. I still need to do something to the wall the bed is on, but I can't decide what. Also I am looking for the perfect reading chair to go in the corner under the You Are sign. I have a chair that would work, but it needs to be reupholstered and I'm a chicken shit. Maybe someday.

Which, by the way-I made myself. Yep. I saw something like it at a hobby store. Hobby Lobby or Michaels or maybe even Gordmans....and decided I could do it myself for cheap. Free actually. Made out of leftover plywood from when Hubs and I built the degu cage.

I so heart my little frame gallery. I've been collecting cool old picture frames forever just to do something like this with them. (( Fun Fact: The silver frames were painted with Hubs' high dollar auto wheel paint back when we were not doing so well. It's super sparkly and perfect. I am good at passive aggressive. ))

The lamps were white. I spray painted them silver and added shades I found at Wal-mart. The night stands are end tables I have had for somewhere around 10 years. I spray painted them and then stenciled and hand painted the tops. I'm thinking about building drawers to go under them. They need something to make them not look so naked. ((Fun Fact: See the little purple box under the table? Read about that here.))

These little robe hangers were purchased. I saw the idea somewhere-I don't remember where-and when I went looking for the old glass door knobs I was floored by how friggin' expensive they were! I bought the three of them for less than I would have paid for one door knob.

Excuse the mess in my garage. I haven't gotten to hang this yet because it is still drying. This beauty has been like a year in the making. Seriously. Maybe more like two years. I've been working on it when the mood strikes me and when I make a decision on what to do with it. My old boss gave me a brand new interior door that he wasn't going to use. I used it as a canvas. I heart it. Lots. I wish the picture was better so you could see the details. I'll post better ones when I get it to it's designated wall.

I found these candle holders at Salvation Army. I painted them the same blue as the night stands. I think they need a little something but I'm not sure what. Really I think the whole grouping needs a little something, but whatever it is lacking-I don't have yet. I'm sure I'll find it at a garage sale or thrift store when I least expect it.

And there's more!

I made these fantastic curtains for the living room with the help of this fabulous tutorial from The DIY Showoff. The minute I saw her tutorial I fell head over heels in love with them. I've been planning to tackle this project for months. Mine don't look quite as good as hers, but I still I really love the way they turned out. I think I am going to get another drop cloth and make a second set. I think they need to be fuller. My windows are bigger than I thought and I think they need more curtain coverage. The tutorial uses Robert Frost poems, but I decided to use our wedding vows. Hubs and I wrote our own vows, so it really adds a personal touch.

Hubs bought me some new power tools! A drill, skill saw, sander, brad gun with air compressor....I've been in crafty heaven. The first thing I sawed, drilled and sanded and braded were these little shelves for my kitty. She has her own wall to climb on. She loves being up high. Now maybe she will stop climbing the clothes in my closet in order to get up on the top shelf.

As a side note, two of our kittys had to go live on the farm with my parents. They started being jealous little a-holes when we brought Little Dude home. The oldest one began crapping behind the couch. I couldn't take it anymore.

I finally got this little grouping on the wall. I bought this at the local discount store for $3. Yep, three whole dollars for all 9 pieces. I like it for now.

Several months ago, I won a giveaway of a gift certificate to Dali Decals. I spent it on these super cute little flowers for my bathroom.

I have a ton of other projects in my head and in the works. My next project is a string globe pendant lamp. AND I recently procured a whole stack of old wooden pallets so I can get to work on my shelves. AND I need to come up with something for a headboard. We just bought the above pictured bed but now I need a headboard on my uber comfy pillow toppy memory foamy goodness. After the lamp and probably before the headboard, are the throw pillows for the bedroom and the living room.

For now I'll leave you with an updated pic of Little Dude!

Lock Me Up!

2012-02-07T10:05:00.001-06:00

Last year was crazy.

I'm talkin', rubber-room, give-me-meds-and-put-me-to-bed crazy.

I was getting to a point where I was thinking "Exactly WTF did I do to deserve all this??"

Things are much more calm now.

Not so long ago I realized that I hadn't told you guys about the icing on my 2010 cake.

So you know about my grandbaby.

Good GAWD he is cute and awesome. SO very, very Awesome.

And you know about my oldest moving out.

[insert sigh here] Things are not much better on that front, I'll fill ya in on that a bit later.

And you know about my near divorce.

Like, pens in hand ready to sign on the dotted line, near divorce. We decided to give it another shot at the last minute. Everything is going very well on that front. We are getting along better than we have in years. It helps that Little Dude has his Poppy wrapped around his tiny finger. :P

But did I tell you that I lost my job?

Yeah, no...not joking. Unreal, huh?

The company cut my position. After nearly 10 years in the same office, for the first time since I was-I dunno...12?--I don't have a job. Scary shit folks.

And the perfect icing to an already wonderful, stress-free year. Am I right?!

There is an upside. Believe it or not.

I got a fairly nice severance package that is allowing me to stay home with Little Dude for awhile. Not forever, but for now. In about a month I will have to start hitting the job search. I've already got some fantastic leads and being in the IT industry for so long I have a huge network of colleagues to call upon. It helps that Hubs in the same industry and he knows people too.

It also helps to know that his company would give me a job in the event that we were looking at living in a refrigerator box or something.

I've never been a stay-at-home type. I gotta say, I'm kind of liking it. I'm crazy thankful for this time with Little Dude (and his momma).

So for now, I'm doing some side work on neighbors computers and things of that sort. This is my opportunity to catch up on all the crafty projects that I've put off, deep clean the house, read a ton (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and Hunger Games so far), play with the baby and try to figure out this whole extreme couponing thing (I think I'm just not organized enough for this crap. I'm totally into saving money, but I haven't the faintest how to go about organizing and sale finding).

I gotta say, it is harder to keep motivated than I thought. I had big plans for all this free time (after the initial panic wore off). Some days I don't get out of my PJs. Others, I'm up with the sun and working my butt off on the house or big projects. Ok, that's a lie. Not exactly working my butt off since I've managed to put on 30 lbs....but you know what I mean!

If you have any tips on staying at home, gimme!

GIVEAWAY* Win a Kindle Keyboard 3G + 3 Ebooks!

2012-01-22T23:35:00.000-06:00

You guys know how I freakin' LOVE to read. I ADORE my Kindle, even though it's first gen-practically a dinasour, I use it every single day. Now I have the chance to pass on both of these loves to one lucky reader!

The Mommy Bunch, along with myself and several other awesome blogs and bloggers have joined forces to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a Kindle Keyboard 3G! Yes, I am serious!

All you have to do is complete the rafflecopter entry form below. Easy-peasy!

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! In addition to winning the Kindle you will also receive three free ebooks!

Spellbound By Fire by: Lavinia Thompson

Admit It, You’re Crazy! Quirks, Idiosyncrasies, and Irrational Behavior by: Judy Reiser

Super Blogga: 70 Plus Tips To Take Your Blog from Zero To Hero by Missy Diaz

There are TONS of ways to enter. Do one, or do them all...it's up to you. BUT--if you complete each required entry AND each optional entry you will receive an additional 25 entries!

This giveaway will run from January 23rd to Febuary 6th.

Please stop by some of the fantastic bloggers that have helped make this giveaway possible!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Valentine's Day!

2012-01-20T19:01:00.000-06:00

Valentine's day is coming up very soon. Since Hubs and I are are still in the making up process I thought something racy might be in order. :D

I checked out Edenfantasys to see what I could find.

The selection is amazing! There are tons of super cute, racy and simply beautiful lingere to choose from. No matter what your tastes, or your partners tastes, Edenfantasys will have something to make your evening! Their prices are crazy reasonable too!

I chose the Black Lace Panel Gown with G-String, which is also avaliable in red:

Since I look exactly like this model, I didn't see a reason to post an actual pic of myself.

Ok, seriously though--Eden has an amazing selection of sizes as well as styles. If you are a big girl like me, don't worry--you are covered (or not-as the case may be).

I picked up A Touch Of Honey to compliment our evening too. I'm crazy exctied about this stuff. I've always wanted to try it, but never have.

While I was placing my order I added a couple of things to my Edenfantasys wish list.

This robe and babydoll are on my list and are just another example of the great lingere selection:

Wish lists are a great way to bookmark your favorite items for another time or send your partner to Edenfantasys to check out your list. My list has bath and body items, sex toys, lingere and even a couple of books!

Right now Eden is having a special, so on top of the great items I ordered I received a free Xtreme pack bullet vibe with a remote control. AND, as always, a free gift. This time a chose an EdenFantasys t-shirt.

Head over now and take a look, right now many of the lingere items are up to 30% off!

I'm Done. Stick A Pin In Me.

2012-01-18T12:14:00.000-06:00

I've know about this Pinterest thing for awhile. Never got into it. I didn't get it. All my friends are on there, but hey...I'm too cool for that. I got an invite months ago, and accepted it of course. I mean, who doesn't love being part of a secret society-not matter what the topic, right?

Well yesterday I was blogging around and read this post by MaryMac over at Pajamas and Coffee.

Wait. What? Pinterest is cool? I better check this thing out one more time.

Lemme tell ya, I'm sorry I did. Cause now my house will go uncleaned. My cats will go unfed. Hell, my kids and Hubs might go unfed or *gasp* have to fend for themselves.

Cause I'm addicted.

I need another vice like I need a hole in the head.

Folks, this site is stupid. I dunno who thought this up, but they deserve a Nobel Peace Prize or something.

I'm just starting out, but I've already got boards for stuff I want to do to my house, crap I wanna cook for dinner and shit I like to use for relaxation.

For instance, I'm already searching the internet and local resources for wooden pallets. Yep. Pallets. I'm gonna make shelves for my office/craft room. Who the hell thought of that? Another genius I suppose.

There are lamps made from old books-gotta make those for my bedroom. Hand embroidered wall hangings-gotta make that for Z's room. Key hooks decorated with book pages-that's for the entry.

GAH!

I'm gleaning so much inspiration from this ridiculous site that I won't have another spare minute in my life.

Just when I finally have time to sit on my ass, along come good ideas. Damn it.

I'm off to make some cutesy crafty stuff.

Go ahead and follow me. You know you want to.