These Moments of Mine

New Home

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:59:00 +0000

I am so excited because as I write this Southtown Creative is designing a brand spanking new WordPress blog for me!! Once the migration is complete I will be eliminating the Google Friend Connect widget from my blog so if you'll like to continue reading you'll have to follow my feed in your favorite reader.

Here I'll make it easy for you ;)

And if you are wondering why I'm making the switch, I'll let ou know as soon as I'm in my "new home".

Valentine Wreath

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:06:00 +0000

I love yarn wreaths, they are so easy to make and so pretty. This is my Valentine wreath.

My original intention was to create an argyle design around the wreath but I didn't like the way it turned out. For my second go round I made a bunch of felt flowers.

Then I hot glued them to my wreath. I really like the look of the stacked flowers.

If you'd like to learn how to make felt flowers there are a lot great tutorials online already, like this one or this one.

Linking to these great parties!

Tuesday's Treasury

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:26:00 +0000

Title: True Love

I'm pretty sure no explanation is needed.

Click here to enjoy this treasury live.

Beyond the Mess

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:30:00 +0000

It's more than just a mess. Look closer.

It's a tea party with friends.

It's attention to detail.

It's not just toys scattered around on the floor.

It's a well designed infrastructure.

It's excitement.

It's a vision carried out to fruition.

So at the end of the day when the kids are in bed, I like to look over the "mess", to see what their imaginations brought to life that day. Then instead of getting frustrated at the chaos, I smile at their creativity.

DVD Organization {And Kind of a Tutorial}

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:05:00 +0000

I may be addicted to organizing. This was bothering me big time the other day.

Ew.

I've been wanting to get some baskets to stow away the DVD's but I was presented with dos problemos.

1. Baskets are kind of expensive.
2. Baskets scratch furniture.

Problem one was solved when I found out I won a $50 Amex gift card from The Handmade Home! You should definitaly hop on over, there is a TON of inspiration.

So off to Target I went in search of the perfect basket. I even measured the length and depth of the shelves first! I only tell you that because I am impressed with myself for not just winging it.

I found these.

Perfect for our black bookcase, one problem though as I said before, baskets scratch furniture.

So this is where the kind of tutorial comes in.

I wanted these baskets so after I left Target I went to Michael's to pick up black crafters felt. No need to buy the good stuff.

Once I got home I ignored the fact that the kids wanted dinner and started on my little project. (Do you know how long Goldfish crackers can get kids off your back? At least an hour.) I cut the felt pieces to the size of the baskets and then used hot glue to stick them to the bottom.

And that's all she wrote folks.

I loaded the baskets with the DVD's and placed them back on the shelf, they slide in like buttah.

Now instead of staring at this.

I get to admire this.

Kind of gives you goose bumps doesn't it?

Linking to these parties!

Tuesday's Treasury

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:23:00 +0000

Title: Read Between the Lines

Click here to enjoy this treasury live.

Date Night and a Reality Check

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:17:00 +0000

Last night Michael and I went out for our January date. The plan was for beer and nachos.

Obviously plans change. We ended up at Chipotle for burritos instead. I've never been, now I'm their newest fan. It really didn't matter to me where we went as long as it was just us.

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Reality Check Time! For who? My dearest husband. :) For the record I completely support him, love him, stand behind him but . . . he needs a bit of a reality check. I can do a lot but I can't do it all!

Choose wisely.

If P. Diddy Can Do It Why Can't I?

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:07:00 +0000

I went all P. Diddy on you and changed my Etsy shop name.

Out with the old.

In with the new.

I was never 100% happy with the original name but couldn't really think up another. I've been toying with the new name for a month or two and this past weekend made the official change.

Now it feels right.

Oh and as of May, P. Diddy is no longer, he is now Swag. I'm not goin' that far.

Why I Weight Myself Every Day

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:21:00 +0000

I know I'm not supposed to step on the scale every day. I'm not supposed to do a lot of things.

But I do anyway. And if that was really me on that scale I wouldn't be writing this.

Anyway on to the why . . .

Every morning after I finish getting ready and before I get dressed I weigh myself because if I'm down from the day before it is motivation to keep on going. If I'm up from the day before it's like a kick in the butt to be even healthier than the day before.

Simple as that.

Obstacles

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:56:00 +0000

This week my husband started his M.S. in Engineering with Penn State's online program. To say he is stressed out is an understatement.

He has been studying every night and thankfully his father can help him. Because you know, differential equations, everybody knows about that.

Michael told me he isn't sleeping well because he is so stressed about this class. I'm not sure how to help except to just support him and let him know how much I believe in him. If you want it Michael, go get it. Don't for one minute second guess yourself because in two years I'll be filling my camera's memory stick with pictures of you in your cap and gown.

We've accomplished so much already, make this no exception.

Love you,

Tuesday's Treasury

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Title: Soft

Click here to enjoy this treasury live.

Enough

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:48:00 +0000

Have you ever just had enough? Enough of the noise, enough of the stuff, enough of yourself?

I've had enough of feeling trapped inside this body, of being embarrassed to see people I haven't seen in forever and know they are thinking, "what happened to her?". I'll tell you what happened. I've been happy and comfortable and sedentary and of course I've been eating. Oh how I love food but . . . I have got to learn once and for all to make better choices.

I've joined Weight Watchers. I am a Lifetime failure and the only one I have to blame is myself.

I've never been so bold to announce to the world (yeah I know the "world" isn't reading this but they could) that I have decided to change my life, to eat better, to commit to my future and my health. That's the plan, I've done it before so I know it's possible. I know I can do it.

Enough is enough, I'm ready for a change.

Miss Audrey Grace

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:55:00 +0000

Happy birthday little Miss Audrey Grace. What a fabulous third year of life you have had.

You are nothing short of amazing.

On My Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:12:00 +0000

. . . . 1 . . . . I am thinking about painting my front door black. My husband has no knowledge of this. I live in kind of a cookie cutter neighborhood and every door is white. Maybe I'll even go crazy and add a knocker.

. . . . 2 . . . . I can not wrap my mind around the fact that Audrey will be 3 on Sunday. THREE. She was just that tiny little baby yesterday!

. . . . 3 . . . . Love this, I saw this on Pinterst and thought, yup that's totally me. Michael and I decided to start exercising, we cleaned up the basement, set up the exercise machines, and set the alarm clock for 5 a.m. Tuesday morning. It went off, we laughed and pressed snooze. Yeah so far that's how that is going.

. . . . 4 . . . . Oh how I miss my boy. It's been two months and life is just not the same without him.

. . . . 5 . . . . Have you seen these adorable boy shorts underwear for toddler girls? Puh-lease!!! They are so darn cute, I had to pick up a pack for Audrey yesterday. Oh my goodness, adorable doesn't even begin to describe . . .(Fruit of the Loom).

Really?

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:57:00 +0000

The other day I was gracious enough (he,he) to tell you all about a pretty awesome giveaway.

Well guess what?

I am still in shock and I am soooooo excited! Thank you so much to Silhouette America for sponsoring the giveaway and to Gail at My Repurposed Life for hosting. I can not wait to get this baby in the mail!

Oh and if you are totally jealous (which you should be) you can still buy one of your own at a discount. Just hop on over to My Repurposed Life for the promo code!

Tuesday's Treasury

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Title: It Floats

Click here to enjoy this treasury live.

40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:40:00 +0000

Over the past couple of weeks I have been de-cluttering and purging and it feels sooooo good! I thought I was done until I read my friend Leigh's Reader Challange: 40 Bags in 40 Days post on her awesome blog, Spoiled but Not Rotten. I am in! Bring on the clutter, it's all going to the curb!

What I've gotten done so far.

1. Christmas decor - 1bag
2. The junk drawer - 1 bag

3. The pantry - 1 bag

4. Kitchen bookcase - 1 bag

5. Basement - 10 bags!

6. My Etsy shop closet - 1 bag

7. Main linen closet - 1 bag

8. Kids linen closet - 1 bag

9. Kids' books - 2 boxes
10. Play room (I don't anticipate it staying like this for long) - 11 bags!

11. Family room - 0 bags, just organized

12. Game closet - 1 box
13. Daniel's closet - 1 bag
14. Jillian and Audrey's closet - 2 bags

15.The medicine cabinet - 1 bag

16. Baby clothes - 2 bags
17. Baby gear 2 car seats, bassinet, 1 box toys
18. Magazines - 1 bag

I am so excited with what I have accomplished so far! Here's my list of what I still want to purge/organize.

19. ~~Front hall closet~~- 1/2 bag
20. Laundry closet
21. Truck
22. ~~Van~~ - 0 bags, just a couple of handfuls of garbage
23. ~~Dining room hutch~~ - 1/2 bag
24. Kids' bathroom cabinet
25. Kids' bath toys
26. Michael's bathroom cabinet
27. Shirley's bathroom cabinet
28. Michael's nightstand
29. Shirley's nightstand
30. Food storage containers
~~31. DVD's~~ - 3 Scratched DVD's
~~32. Coat closet~~ - 1 bag
33. Cleaning products
34. Spice cabinet
~~35. Water bottle cabinet~~ - 3 leaky travel mugs
36. Half bathroom cabinet
37. Jillian's nightstand
38. Daniel's nightstand
39. Playroom media cabinet
40. Michael's clothes
41. Shirley's clothes

What am I thinking????? Not sure I can get it done in the next 40 days but I am definitely going to try.

Who's with me???

Wrap it Up

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:02:00 +0000

2011 wasn't perfect but it was pretty darn close. Here's a tiny part of my year wrapped up in an Instagram photo collage.

Wow. It's amazing how much history is made in a single year.

Starting at the top and going across:
Pics 1,2,3 Haddam Neck Fair
Pic 4 Eating dinner at D'Angelo's after hurricane Irene because we lost power
Pic 5 Handsome Stanley before he was sick
Pic 6 Late night sewing session
Pics 7&8 At Daniel's football practice
Pic 9 Enjoying home grown tomatoes
Pic 10 Local cemetary
Pic 11 Daniel relaxing in our yard
Pic 12 My new shop stamp
Pic 13 Two left feet at Dairy Queen
Pic 14 Sharing orange juice at breakfast
Pic 15 My brother's wedding day
Pic 16 Our church
Pic 17 At Grandma and Grandpa's beach
Pic 18 Jillian at the dentist
Pic 19 Praying for my Stanley
Pic 20 Stanley's last day on Earth :(
Pic 21Shopping at CVS
Pic 22 Sharing a sundae with Daddy
Pic 23 Hydrangea on Martha's Vineyard
Pic 24 Edgartown Fourth of July parade
Pic 25 At church service
Pic 26 My teddy bear :)
Pic 27 Healthy Stanley on the way home from Vermont
Pic 28 Daniel getting his Echo Cardiogram (all is well)
Pic 29 "Playing" Monopoly in Vermont
Pic 30 Playing Battleship in Vermont
Pic 31 Lunch at Bill's Seafood
Pic 32 Early morning cartoons
Pic 33 My vintage typewriter score
Pic 34 Haddam Neck Fair
Pic 35 Ice cream on the beach
Pic 36 Homegrown cucumbers

Who Wants a New CAMEO?!

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:19:00 +0000

Amazingly enough Silhouette America is giving away their new CAMEO at several amazing blogs!

Want to win one for yourself? Go visit these fabulous ladies and enter to win!!

Little Miss Momma
Oopsey Daisy
MG Party ImpressionsCraftaholics Anonymous
Infarrantly Creative
CREATE:
I Heart Nap Time
Crap I've Made
Today's Creative Blog
Lil Blue BooWhipper Berry
IHeart Organizing
Brown Paper Packages
Sugar Doodle
Eighteen25
My Repurposed Life
Skip to My Lou
Tatertots & Jello
Shanty2Chic
Better After
The Idea Room
Tip Junkie
Sew Dang Cute
House of Hepworths
All Things Thrifty My Baking Addiction

Oh my gosh what are you still doing here? Go enter!

2011 Roundup!

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:33:00 +0000

I've decided to roundup 2011 two ways - Your Favorites vs. My Favorites. Since I am a gracious host, I'll roundup yours first.

Favorite Reader Projects
Number 10
Give Thanks Garland

Number 9
Hang it Straight

Number 8
A Summer Laundry List

Number 7
For the Love of a Mudroom

Number 6
Colorful Fall Decor

Number 5
Burlap Memo Board

Number 4
Motivational Art

Number 3
Thankful

Number 2
Wasted Space to Reading Nook

Number 1
Travelin' Crayon Case

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My Favorite Projects

Number 10
Front Door Kite

Number 9
A Date a Month

Number 8
Raised Garden Bed (oops, never posted this one!)

Number 7
Valentine Kissing Balls

Number 6
Wax Heart Garland

Number 5
Motivational Art (Yes I love this one as much as you.)

Number 4
Mommy Made Slip 'n Slide

Number 3
Colorful Fall Wreath

Number 2
Jillian's Fifth Birthday Party

Number 1
Wood Disc Ornaments

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And of course there are my favorite moments with my family.

I have so many great memories of 2011, too many to review in one little blog post. So here's to another wonderful year full of promise, excitement and opportunity!

Linking to these fabulous parties!

You Pick, I'll Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

This year Michael and I decided not to buy presents for each other (although he totally cheated and bought me an awesome new camera bag). So I decided to create a gift that I have seen around blogland.

I created 12 date coupons, one for each month of 2012.

Each month Michael gets to pick a date and I'll take care of the details.

I think the date cards came out kind of neat.

The complete list of dates include a day at Six Flags, a trip to the casino, beer and nachos, a romantic dinner, a sporting event, a night of comedy, a museum outing, boating, dinner at a wine vineyard, a movie, a picnic, and bowling.

I can't wait to see what he picks for our first date of January!

Linking to these fabulous parties!

Christmas Morning

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:23:00 +0000

My home looks quite peaceful in this photograph, doesn't it? Well looks can be deceiving. Right around the corner are three children just dying to check out the presents under our Christmas tree.

Audrey is totally into presents this year and not just the sound the wrapping paper makes when you crunch it into a ball.

Jillian said Santa makes better pom-poms than Mama. Whatevahhhhhh.

Daniel couldn't get over his gift from Michael and I. He is hooked on Words with friends, we've got a tied up game going on right now.

And the fun's not over until the stockings are emptied.

I hope you all had as wonderful a Christmas as we did!

Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:58:00 +0000

Ohhhhh, I love me some cuties in Christmas p.j.'s!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Sprint 3-Day Sale (12/12-12/14)

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:00:00 +0000

This post brought to you by Sprint. All opinions are 100% mine.

There are only 13 days until Christmas and I am wondering how many of you still haven't finished your shopping. Need a little help coming up with great gift ideas? How about an Android powered EVO 4G device from Sprint?

For three days only starting today until Wednesday you can get a great holiday deal on Android powered EVO 4G or EVO Shift devices! They are everything you want in a phone and more. For example the HTC EVO 4G has a large 4.3 inch screen, dual cameras, a 32GB MicroSD card slot and wicked fast web speeds. You can also use it as a mobile hotspot for up to 8 of your Wi-Fi devices. That. Is. Cool.

During this 3-day sale you can get Android™ powered EVO 4G devices for FREE but only on Sprint. And during this awesome three day sale, they will also waive activation for new lines of service and ship for free!

So there you have it, a gift idea for that hard to buy for person on your list. Problem solved. You are quite welcome but hurry up, because although there are still 13 days until Christmas, this deal ends on Wednesday!

Inspired by Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Shirley) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Winter storm Alfred brought down a lot of trees in our area and when my husband went to help his Dad clean up I asked him to bring home some discs from the trunk of a small tree. Today I used them to make ornaments for my children.

Michael used a chainsaw to cut the disks and then sanded them and drilled a hole through each one.

I used stamps for the reindeer, names and year.

I simply twisted some wired berries through the hole along with a ribbon.

And as a result ended up with these lovely, nature inspired ornaments.

Linking up to these great parties!