So.. I met my neighbor

Not exactly the way I would have liked either. This past week I have had trouble sleeping at night. This morning I woke up around 6 and decided I was going to do something useful since I couldn't fall back to sleep. I swept the floors and mopped the upstairs and downstairs and then threw in some laundry. I noticed Joseph was still up so we Skyped for a bit. It kinda felt like a wave of sleep passed over me but I had to bring Hayden to school. Ok.. so 2 min drive and then 2 min back meant I could go back to sleep in like 5 min.

I load the kids in the truck and start backing out of the driveway. Keep in mind it's pretty dark and I feel as if I'm sleepwalking at this point. I hear a BOOM when I get to the road. Thinking I may have just hit a snowdrift I keep backing up (not sure what my logic of this was). After hearing a second BOOM I decided maybe I should actually get out of the truck to see what I hit. I get out of the truck (hair is a mess and I'm in pjs) and realize I ran over not 1 but 2 of my neighbors trash cans...that were full... of trash.... The first few words that popped into my head (or maybe I said them out loud, I cant remember, I'm still asleep) I can't repeat. So I thought maybe I could pick it up real fast and hope I didn't bust his trash cans. But then I quickly realize that not only did he not use bags in his trash cans so there is individual trash EVERYWHERE, but he is standing 4 feet away in shock. This is where I am completely humiliated and apologize profusely. He said it was alright and started picking up the trash. Of course I go to help and he shoos me off.

I have actually been meaning to meet him since they moved in recently, but I'm sure I am now dubbed 'The crazy lady who can't drive and runs over trashcans'... My fail for the day :(

In good news I started my art journaling again today. My goal is to do 2 pages a day.

Oh!! And 1 month down for Josephs deployment!!! :D

xoxo

Oh hai!

Wow, so the last time I published a blog was in May.. of last year. So many things have been going on in my life. Let's see where to start... I decided in May I was going to take a break from blogging as well as my shop, just for the summer. That way I could spend more time with my family and friends. Well our little town in Minot was flooded and I mean FLOODED.  I'm sure a lot of you saw it on the news. A lot of people lost their homes and businesses were shut down for months. We had water issues as well. Anything we drank had to be boiled or drank from a bottle. It was tough, but we were one of the fortunate ones.

In July I got the itch to get a new car. I was tired of driving the "mommy mobile" (ford escape) and wanted to go back to my roots with a Hemi. I found a private buyer and got a GORGEOUS 2006 Charger SRT8. It was garage kept and had super low miles. We drove across the state to pick it up. I added some flowmasters and cold air intake (I sound like such a guy now). It's my baby who has to be kept in the garage all winter because snow + car = not moving. So that was a little birthday present to myself.

After the summer I was sure to start blogging again in September... that didn't happen. I was enjoying family time way too much to give that up. I ended up selling my DSLR camera and getting a coolpix. I didn't use the camera at all to it's capabilities and it was just too much to carry around with me everywhere.

Somewhere in October I managed to finally complete my Momiji collection with all the dolls I didn't have. I now have every doll and a Momiji sanctuary of sorts in my craft room. When I'm having a rough day I like to go down there and it makes me smile :)

I started modeling a lot more. I found a niche for it. It gives me so much confidence. I have another shoot coming up this month, I'm modeling for a jewelery business :) I'll post pics!

At the beginning of December Joseph got a phone call saying he had to deploy in less than 24 hours. Yea... 24 hours. We were pretty upset because it was such short notice, but he is supposed to be back in April. Christmas was pretty lonely, but we did get to Skype with him for a little bit.

I'm not sure why I picked today to blog, maybe out of pure boredom. I am also not sure which direction I'll be taking this blog in 2012. Maybe less crafty and more about my life and things happening, a more personal touch :) I'll always have the same name though!

If you stuck around through my long hiatus, thank you!!!

xoxo 

Peanut Butter Jelly Time!

While I was in bed Joseph took a cute video of Kaylee eating her sandwhich. Of course she is always camera ready and constantly posing. I don't think she has figured out the whole video thing yet. This video cracks me up!!!

B2

Randoms

The last few weeks has been great... BBQ'ing with friends, getting tipsy and karaoking.. and yes, I apologize now to Joseph, Debbie and Logan because their ears are probably still bleeding. I am a HORRIBLE singer and I learned that singing on the top of your lungs doesn't help you sing better, it just makes your hoarse and you lose a little respect... LOL.. I do rock Baby Got Back though, that's one song I know all the lyrics too and can get down with!

Some things that make me sad... Remember that tiger queen bathing suit that I posted? Yea, well apparently when they say it instantly adds 2 cup sizes, they ARE NOT lieing. There is no way a size C needs another 2 sizes. It looked like someone cemented 2 bowling balls to my chest. I have never felt a bathing suit weigh as much as this one. Had to have at least 3 pounds of padding in those suckers!! I fixed this problem pretty swiftly though. I got on Victoria's Secret and bought 4 bathing suits to try on. I got them yesterday and FINALLY found one that I loved. The other 3 were swiftly returned. Here is the winner...

something else that kind of saddens me is that I have not been in my craft room in MONTHS. I haven't created a thing. Of course I walk through it to get to my laundry room, omg did I mention  my washer and dryer are amazeballs? I pretend things are dirty just to use them. I even learned a new way of folding to fit everything better in drawers. I am now committed to laundry. no joke. anywho... so I haven't created anything in a long time. I am feeling some creative juices flowing and I'm going to try my hand at collage painting. We redid Kaylee's toddler room forest style and wanted to make a few things to hang in there. I'll post pics of her room when those are finished. Gives me something to look forward too.

Things I'm proud of lately.. Kaylee is finally sleeping in her bed by herself. When Joseph was on swings I went through the whole putting her in her bed constantly until she got the hint. She has to sleep with Max and has a touch lamp but it works perfectly. I finally get alone time with Joseph and Modern Family is now an interrupted enjoyment. P.S Modern Family is the best mokumentary out there. You have to watch it!!!!

Something else I'm proud of, I have been getting my spending more under control. I have walked out of Victoria's Secret 2 times in the past month without spending a dime!! Because of good behavior I've been awarded to a free pass for their Semi-Annual sale on June 12th. You better bet your ass that's the only thing scheduled in my phones calendar right now.

Also, I have been off of coffee and Starbucks since the 1st. I am still going strong and I am SO VERY proud of myself. This is the longest I have gone in forever without it. I feel better and accomplished.

Something I'm loving right now. My new Blackberry Torch. We just signed a contract with AT&T and got to upgrade our phones. It was a choice between the IPhone or the Torch and after looking at both I went with the Torch. The only reason I was going to go with the IPhone is because they had white, after seeing they had a white Torch I was SOLD. I LOVE it. I am a Blackberry girl all the way. Of course the hubby went with the IPhone and that's fine. When I need my Angry Birds fix I have somewhere to go :)

Something new I'm trying, Oxy-Elite. It's an appetite suppressant and gives you a little energy. Let's just say I'll be at my goal weight in a few pounds and I have no problem prancing around in my bikini now. Now if they could just invent something that makes stretch marks disappear.... hmmmmmm

Something annoying right now.. I got a cold sore on my lip last Thursday and I've been stuck in my home since (minus karaoke night of course) I can't tell you how much it bums me out. I have NEVER had one before and it hurt like the dickens. I think I got it from the massive amount of sun that I've been taking in. My body isn't used to this much sun :(

Things that make me feel beautiful, I had a salon appointment and went with a deeper red. It's gorgeous!!! and of course got some waxing done. After hubby's playful joke (what a meanie) of me having a 'stache' I had it removed in half a second flat. My Hair Stylist/amazingness/friend moved salons and not only is it cheaper, but it's much more relaxed where she's at now. I love you Chelsea!!!

Things that I miss, Val and Phi. I miss you girls so much. Just had to give a shout out to my BF. I'm jealous your in FL with all the sun :)

OK I'm off, until next time...

B2

Tiger Queen

I did something I haven't done in 6 years...

I bought a bathing suit!! I finally have the confidence to wear something fierce and maybe a little sexy. Well, in my backyard at least lol. The pattern is called Tiger Queen and you can get it here.

It's a little crazy but that's how I've been lately

:)

Gone Fishin'

This past weekend we went fishing with our friends Logan, Debbie and their daughter Ali. We headed to Lake Darling and after no luck catching any fishies, we made an impromptu trip to Lake Metigoshi which is about an hour and a half away. We still didn't catch anything but it was a fun road trip :)

Here are some pictures I took at Lake Darling.

Kaylee

This is the "We wanted to fish at the other spot" look.....

Pretty sun hitting the lake

Debs :)

Of course I had to take a picture of my feet

Ali and Kaylee

My Haybear

Hope all the mommies out there had a great Mother's Day.

How did you celebrate?

Withdrawals

So today marks day 4 of no coffee, can you say withdrawals?? I decided on the 1st of May I was quitting because I was dependent on it WAY too much and it was making me fat. After seeing how many calories my little cup of happiness was bringing in and almost dieing of shock I knew what I had to do. Not to mention my little addiction got expensive. I tallied up how much I was spending, and going to Starbucks approx 4 days a week ran me over $100 a month! WOW! (and that's not including gas). That is a lot of money I could be saving or spending on other frivolous things. That's not including the coffee I make at home either. I knew it was getting crazy when I was making 45min round-trips just for Starbucks. Now, this being said.... I will miss my Venti Java Chip with extra chip and extra shots of coffee... oh and no whip (I'm healthy because I get no whip right?!)

Your probably asking yourself, "why is she quitting cold turkey? She could just make it at home and it would be less calories AND be cheaper".. Well, I have tried this before and it's just not the same. I always end up at Starbucks like a child sneaking a cookie. So it's all or nothing for this gal.

Also, I will always remember the trips my friends made for me just so I could get my "fix". I love you Val and Debbie. Your sacrifices never went unnoticed.

So I guess this is my goodbye blog to coffee for now... at least until I can get that extra ring of fat that appeared around my waist to go away thanks to the extra chip I insist on ordering every time... or I become rich...

Your forever in my heart Java Chip!

I can do this right?

right?

Crazy but True

So... I've been gone for like... a month? Well, not really gone, I've still been reading blogs but haven't been posting my own. Why you ask? I guess because I was starting to feel it was the same post but a different day. I noticed when I started incorporating my shop into my blog I became more.... reserved. The crazy outlandish part of my personality didn't come out in my posts at all. I wanted to look more business appropriate. Well, taking this break made me realize there is no reason to be so "reserved" and I will be the crazy, random, through good times and bad redhead I am. So, prepare yourselves.. it may get a little different over on my side of the block. Don't worry I'm not getting all NSFW on you :)

So what has been going on the past month? Let's see....

-I helped pack a best friend and watched her leave Minot to move to Miami... very very sad times, I miss you Val and Phi!! Our Starbucks, Taco Bell and mall trips were always EPIC!!

-Lots of girls nights.. lots of margaritas and lots of crazy!!! Never let a drunk guy take your photo.. it will be very blurry...

-I realized I can NOT listen to Cee-Lo Green in front of my daughter anymore. Nothing more than a "OMG did she just say what I think she just said??" moment...

-Blizzards, sunburns and then another winter storm.. no kidding...

-An amazing Easter with friends... Can I just say packing 220 Easter eggs is a lot easier then hiding 220 Easter eggs....

- I held a snake for the first time EVER. The neighborhood kids favorite past time is collecting garter snakes and then putting them in a bucket... Hayden was holding one so I was feeling pretty ballsy and held one too. Wanna see the bucket?? 

- I daydreamed about a new front load washer and dryer and literally the next day my washer broke... So... we got new Whirlpool front loaders.. Ummm hello 5.0 cu feet?? YES!!! Goodbye money!

- I am so grateful for all the amazing friends in my life. Can't choose your family but the friends I have are my family :) 

-Still waiting on Kaylee's bedroom set and she still is scared of sleeping by herself. We finally got her in her bed but we have to fall asleep in there and then sneak out. booooo!

- Bought 2 new Coach bags and wallet... Impulse buys... still feeling kinda guilty for those :( But they are ohhhhh so pretty right?

-Was told by several people I need my own reality show... Why is this?? hehe 

-Kaylee had her first Starbucks- no coffee of course.. can you tell she liked it? She now says "Starbucks Chockey Pleassssseeeee" every-time we go.. What have I started???

I'll be honest, I feel like I have been so free since I haven't posted. I felt all I did was sit around and think of new things to blog about.. Now, when I blog it will be when I have time and not because I spent forever brainstorming what is or isn't "blog-worthy". I'm sure some of you will learn a lot of new things about me as I post. I'll be posting more about my struggles and crazy happenings around here.

Sigh...

[source]

The past few weeks have been crazy here. I can not express in words how tired I am. My days have been full of Starbucks, Weeds (already on Season 3) and Nurse Jackie. Did I mention the couch and a huge comforter? Kaylee has all of a sudden become terrified of her room or her bed at night. Even after putting her crib to the lowest setting and it coming up to her chin when she stands, she can still monkey her way over it. We have tried everything from lights, to reading to her, to sleeping on the floor until she falls asleep. Nothing works! At 3 am every night we hear a crash and then a scream and then little feet running into our room. I read online (you know, because online is like.. always right and all) that it could be a phase. We decided to just start all over and treat it like a big girl thing. We are selling her crib and dresser and went and bought her a big girl room set up and a gate for her door so we can lock her in (oops did I say that?) Its on back-order until May but we get the twin mattresses on Friday so we can work with her on it for a few weeks before going a little higher. I'll take pictures once we have it all set up. I'm hoping all the big girl room will make her want to stay in! We shall see. At least we don't have to worry about her getting hurt getting out of the bed anymore. Also... I may have failed to mention my son taught her how to hunt zombies... and now she runs around with his Nerf shotgun saying "pow pow zombies". She has no clue what a zombie is (not yet at least) but I'm guessing Hayden may have described it in enough detail to scare the bejesuses out of her... Hoping it's not related to her "room terrors".

Off to do some custom orders.. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

xoxo

P.S It's snowing ... Feel bad for me? hehe

Easter Badges in Shop!

Only 1 set available!! Go, Go, Go!!

Also, I decided to make the cactus a regular badge. It was too cute not too!! :)

Click Here!!

xoxo

Today...

I made some Easter badges!! A good customer of mine asked for them by special request! Sooooo I decided to only make 2 sets of them. I'll be listing the other set within the next 24 hours :)

Also, I made some cute badges for her daughter for a trip they are going on.

Cute Cute!

xoxo

Uhhhhh....

So yea... While most of you are enjoying your nice spring weather.. and wearing shorts and flip-flops, I am currently snowed in. We had a huge blizzard last night that will continue on to today. For the moment it has taken a nap and whilst doing so I had my hubby go take a few pics. I had this GENIUS plan to strategically park all the cars in the driveway thinking (because I am so innovative) that the snow would blow right over the top of them. Fantastic thought right? WRONG!!!!! Now all 3... truck, SUV and car have to be dug out and along with that there is several feet of snow in random places from falling in between cars etc... Lesson Learned!! I guess that's what I get for laughing last night and saying "I'll be drinking coffee and watching neighbors shovel while mine is free and clear because I'm a GENIUS!" HAHA nice..

Oh and special thank you to the snow plow that made a wall of snow at the end of our driveway.

Oh, and sorry about your car Val.... I'll dig it one day....hehe

Also I would like to say that this is the longest break I've had from blogging. I have been taking care of my little one who got pneumonia again for the second time and been decluttering like mad. Hopefully I'll be back with a vengeance and blogging every day. We shall see!!! I have lots to catch up on :)

xoxo

I'm Alive...

[source]

This week I've been super busy with a complete house de-clutter/cleaning. I went a little crazy trying to get rid of things we don't need anymore. I sold a ton of it on the local yard sale FB page and made over $500!!! YAY!!! I love the feeling I get when I see more space and less crap around the house! ha! Besides cleaning my hubby took off this week for a stay-cation. All we've been doing is lounging around the house, cuddling, watching movies and stuffing our faces. Best kind of vacation right?

Last night I invested in Photoshop Elements and I'm still in the process of trying to learn it. I tried to get some photo effects from some cute sites and can't figure out how to put them into my Photoshop. It's driving me nuts!! I keep getting errors... BOOOOO! So this weekend I will be immersed in lots of reading and begging my photoshop friends to helllpppp me! I hope everyone has a super fantabulous great weekend!!

xoxo

New Badge Line

I got a really neat custom order a few weeks back and had to share! A customer of mine had a great idea for reward badges for accomplishing chores. So after she told me what 14 accomplishments I sent her sketches and got started. Here are just a few of the badges I made for her son :)

Packing a backpack

Comes with a removable book

Tying shoes

Packing a suitcase

Making a bed, complete with poofy pillow

Washing clothes

Big Boy underwear

Cleaning up toys, toys are removable too

I had so much fun making these badges. Taking on new challenges keeps me inspired and happy :)

xoxo