Well, how nice!

Everything she wants........

2012-01-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

There are so many things that I want to do.

I really want to find a full time position in a school - a school with a family feeling, a school that welcomes me and helps me grow as a teacher, a school that I can contribute to as well, a school that my personality fits. Just a place for me. I don't have one - I mean, I have a temporary one that I love so much, but I want a permanent one. It's not really so much to ask for, is it? A place you belong. I had no idea that it would be so hard to find a job when I went back to school. I had no idea that we would move away from my school connections and I would invest time in other schools and that time wouldn't get my anywhere. It's depressing. It makes things hard. Hard on me personally because I'm not fulfilling my purpose, hard on my family because I'm not making enough money, just hard all the way around.

I really want to be a better homemaker, wife and mom. Everything gets done but not necessarily the way I would like for it to get done. In my head, I'm much more organized. I just can't manage to make it happen in real life. There are tons of things that just need to go away - trash, donate, etc - and I can't make it happen. For lots of reasons. I know I have room to improve on the wife and mom front. Lots of room. I don't know where to start.

I really want to be more creative. There's tons of things I want to make - as gifts, for our home, etc. but it doesn't happen. I'm not very good at balancing time. I'm trying to step away from the computer and get my hands dirty in my crafting supplies, but then I'm neglecting my family or the laundry or something. Making things makes me feel better. I think because when I complete what I've made, I see results. There are lots of other areas in my life that I don't get to see results in - so it's hard for me.

I really want to feel like I've accomplished something in life.

I don't always feel that way.

I'm not having a pity party - just thinking about life and how it works. I know I'm not the only one that thinks these things out and wonders........... but that doesn't make it any easier.

Well, that's it from me - just things on my mind I wanted to get out!!
Lisa

My word for 2012

2012-01-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

For a couple of years now, I've attempted to come up with a word to live by, to live out - through the year. Most of the time, I keep it in my mind until about February and it disappears along with all the other resolutions.

This year, I'm attempting it again and trying to be more deliberate! Not just think about it for a few weeks - but make plans for it all year long.

My word for 2012 is present. No, I don't want a bunch of presents (although that would be nice) but I want to BE present. See, we all get in that crazy busy life rush. Thinking of what we need from the store, texting a friend, emailing someone and watching our favorite television show - all while our kids are doing their thing, our spouse is doing his thing and none of us are aware of each other. We aren't really present in each others lives. Cole will come in to chat about Power Rangers and I'm trying to read some blogs, or watch television. I'm not present in the conversation. Jason's talking about his job and again, I'm doing something - cooking, folding clothes, playing Bejeweled - not present in the conversation. There are so many ways we can be present and not really be paying attention to what's going on. I don't want to just show up. I want people to know I'm here.

That falls to me - I need to be certain to make my presence known. In my life, my families life, my job.

So, my goal this year is to BE PRESENT.

I've already tried to make a good start. I've got a cute little wallpaper on my phone that says 'present' - just a reminder. I've started organizing my scrap space so I can document our lives again. I barely scrapbooked last year and that's so so sad to me. I love it - I love when Jason and Cole want to look at the things I've done. I love when Cole asks to see his scrapbooks. I want to document our lives for the future, but I must be present now to write down those things that are important, that we want to remember - take those pictures. I didn't take nearly enough pictures last year. There are so many things undocumented. I'm going to do Project Life this year, as well. I want to be sure to remember all those little things.

A few other things I've been working on are just around the house stuff - things that will make the day to day flow more easily. That doesn't make a giant change in our lives, but it helps. I don't want to spend all my off time cleaning house - I don't want to be present in the laundry - I want to be with my family.

So, I'm trying - once again - a little differently so maybe I'll get a different result!

Here's hoping,
Lisa

Have I mentioned cancer sucks lately?

2012-01-05T20:24:00.000-07:00

Well, it does. Back in August Cole had his check up at St. Jude - all was well, it was an easy visit. We were told we were on our last 6 month check up and now he only has MRI's once a year. Such a relief. We were able to get out a little and do a few things while we were there. We went to hang out at The Target House one night for an event they were having. We just really wanted to see what had changed there - we lived there for five months, so it was our home. Cole loves to go back and check it all out. Many things had changed - rooms updated, playgrounds updated - they always take care of the families there!!

We were standing in line to meet the Target Team drivers (Nascar, Indy car) and Jason started talking to a family in front of us. Their sweet boy had Cole's scar. He looked to be about Cole's age at diagnosis. His name is Justin. He wouldn't talk to us or Cole but we knew that was normal for the situation. He wanted to go back to the room because it was loud. His dad held him the whole time we were there. It was all so familiar. We talked for a long time, made it through the line, took our pictures with the racing guys and then talked a bit more. We swapped email and CaringBridge sites and chatted a little about what things we be like later. They were excited to see that Cole was fine - walking, talking - interested in most normal little boy things. We talked about how hard it is when it's all over, how hard it is to leave your new family and return home. How hard it is so leave the comforts of St. Jude - the people that know exactly what boat your in. The people who know how you can't sleep at night and worry over every cough, every time they can't go to the bathroom, every test, every bite they can't eat - all of it. We talked about how nice it will be to sleep in your own bed, and how you'd sleep all night again. I remember Justin's dad looking at Jason like those were all such magical words. We were both moved to tell them it was all going to be okay.

It's not okay.

Justin finished treatment and was released to go home in November. They had a great Thanksgiving. They began homeschooling and things were going well. Christmas was coming and they were doing fine. Justin was excited!! Then they didn't update their page for a week. When they updated, they had just found out that he had two tumors in his brain - not in the same location as the previous tumor. It was back. At the time, Justin wouldn't talk to them, he was very sick. He couldn't focus on anyone. He wasn't himself at all and it looked really bad. I've been praying that things would change. That he'd get a miracle. Yes, a miracle. They happen - they really do.

They had discussed surgery with the surgeon in Memphis. After talking it through, they decided against it and returned home. Hospice came and set everything up to keep him comfortable.

Things started to change once again. Justin started playing, reaching for people, giving kisses. He's still not talking, but able to focus and play Mario!! They decided to rescan, to see if anything had changed. The tumors were full of blood on the first scan, so I think, since he seemed to be improving, they thought the bleeding had stopped. My thoughts were maybe the tumors weren't as bad once the bleeding stopped. I was praying for a miracle. Praying the tumors would just be gone. Stranger things have happened.

I have been stalking their site since yesterday morning. Checking my phone during class to see if there had been an update. Nothing.

Finally this afternoon, I got my email notification. Sadly, there are no changes. Justin's mom feels like they've just been given this opportunity to spend this time with him. Happy time when he's feeling okay and knows who they are and that they love him. I just cannot imagine how hard this is.

If you have the time, please pray for them. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kristietollett

I really can't imagine what they are going through. I wish I had words of wisdom, well, no I don't - I don't want any wisdom in dealing with what they are dealing with. But I wish I had words of comfort. That's what we thought we were giving them in August. We thought things really would be okay. I hate that they aren't.

We only spent a short amount of time with them and don't really know them, but still - my heart is breaking. You can read their site to see how things are going. He's getting a wish tomorrow from Make-a-Wish. He deserves so much more than that.

We are so so so very blessed!!!
Lisa

My favorite time of the year!

2011-12-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

This time of year is always about new things, new beginnings and then focusing on all that's happened. There are usually shows on about the best movies, songs, artists, etc - I thought I'd make a list of my favorite movies over the years. Yes, boring for you to read, I'm sure - but maybe you'll see something here that you'd like to watch and it'll give you something to do one cold wintery night when there's nothing on television!!

The 80's were a good time for movies!! I've picked movies that I remember either watching at my Nanny's (she had cable and a VCR!) or going to the movies to see.

1980 - Nine to Five

1982 - ET
1983 - War Games
1984 - a very good year - Footloose, Ghostbusters, Karate Kid, Purple Rain (even though I got grounded for watching it)
1985 - Back to the Future, Rocky 4, The Breakfast Club, White Knights, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Real Genius
1986 - Top Gun, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Stand By Me, Short Circuit, Pretty in Pink
1987 - Fatal Attraction, Dirty Dancing, Manniquin, Secret of my Success
1988 - Rain Man, Cocktail, Beetlejuice, Young Guns, Bull Durham, Tequila Sunrise, Hair Spray
1989 - Look Who's Talking, Steel Magnolias, Field of Dreams, Turner and Hooch, Christmas Vacation

The 90's were almost as good as the 80's.

1990 - Home Alone, Ghost, Flatliners, Pump up the Volume
1991 - Silence of the Lambs, Sleeping with the Enemy, Back Draft
1992 - A Few Good Men, The Bodyguard, A League of their Own, Scent of a Woman
1993 - Groundhog Day
1994 - Forrest Gump, The Santa Clause, Speed, The Mask, Little Women, When a Man Loves a Woman, Blown Away
1995 - American President, A Walk in the Clouds
1996 - Independence Day, Twister, Jerry McGuire, One Fine Day
1997 - Titanic, Best Friend's Wedding, Austin Powers
1998 - You've Got Mail, Step Mom, The Wedding Singer
1999 - Big Daddy, She's All That, Varsity Blues

I've realized I like a lot of cheesy movies!!

2000 - The Grinch, What Women Want, The Perfect Storm, Gone in 60 Seconds, Bring It On, Coyote Ugly
2001 - Harry Potter, Oceans Eleven, Save the Last Dance, The Wedding Planner, Serendipity
2002 - Sweet Home Alabama, Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Harry Potter
2003 - Pirates of the Caribbean, How to Loose a Guy in Ten Days, Harry Potter
2004 - Harry Potter, The Polar Express, National Treasure
2005 - Narnia, Harry Potter, Wedding Crashers, Walk the Line
2006 - Pirates 2, Cars, The Break Up, Step Up
2007 - Pirates 3, Transformers, Harry Potter, National Treasure 2, Knocked Up, Hairspray,
2008 - The Dark Knight, Four Christmases
2009 - Harry Potter, New Moon, The Proposal, The Ugly Truth
2010 - Eclipse, Harry Potter, Toy Story 3

So - that's a lot of Harry Potter up there!! But, dang - those movies are outstanding!!

2011 - Harry Potter (again), Cars 2 (really loved seeing this), Friends with Benefits

There's a-whole-nother list of movies I haven't seen in 2011 that I'd like to see. But really, do you need to know all that? Probably not! My Netflix queue is awfully full!

~Lisa

A Foyer Makeover

2011-12-30T06:37:00.002-07:00

Our foyer is boring. There's a little desk and a lamp and sometimes a rocking chair (it's been relocated since the Christmas decor came out). We don't really use the front door all that much. We go in and out through the garage. But thanks to Pinterest - I've found a ton of things I want to do. I've got boards for lots of make overs - kitchen, laundry room, bedroom, bathroom. Here are a few ideas I have for our Foyer.

My dad has an old pallet that I plan to turn into this:

This project comes from this website!

And I would like to turn Cole's old baby dresser into this:

This project can be seen here.

The plan is to paint the main wall of the foyer a darker brown than the rest of the living room and then I'm going to paint the wall at the end of the hallway the same darker brown. So, once that wall is taken care of, I'd like to do this:

You can see this project here!

Now, if I could just get the paint out and a few paint brushes - I'll be off to a good start!! Soon, I think, soon!!

~Lisa

Wait! I have a blog? I completely forgot!!

2011-12-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I haven't blogged since the end of September. What the heck? So, I thought I'd recap the last three months, since I'm sure the world out there is just empty with knowing every little thing I've been doing!!

So, in my last post I mentioned that I was tutoring through March. No changes there. That's still the plan. There's a maternity leave that needs to be filled and hopefully I'll get to do that, as well. There have been some changes in the state's school employee benefits - several employees have been forced into retirement. While that's terrible for them - it really is - it will open up positions for those of us still waiting to have our own classroom. I'm just hoping this next school year will be the year for me. I love my job now, but it's not permanent and it's not full time. I love what I'm doing with the kids!! Just have to keep praying it turns into full time and permanent at some point!!

October was uneventful. Cole picked a Halloween costume and then decided he didn't want to Trick or Treat - no surprises there though. He's never been a fan of Halloween and the whole Trick or Treating process.

November was pretty busy. I had a little but of time off from school and worked extra hours at the mall. My Christmas job was really fun - worked with great people and just had fun the entire time!! We did a few fun things though - here's a few photos:

Matt Nathanson concert at WorkPlay. It was FABULOUS!! I'd been waiting to see him in concert since April - so excited I get to actually meet him after the show. He was really nice - very thankful to us all for coming out to the show. Shook hands with the guys, hugged the girls - still a little giddy!!!

Thanksgiving was spent in Mississippi at Jason's grandma's house. We got a family shot in front of the pond.

We got to see this sweet girl, too!! My niece is really really really adorable!!

December has been really busy, too. Lots of hours at the Christmas store which meant lots of personalized ornaments! We spent a week in Walt Disney World. As always, that's a blast. We had a great time and got back just in time to run around like crazy and enjoy Christmas.

We attended A Highland Christmas, which was fabulous - the candle lighting at the end is always my favorite - brings tears to my eyes. We spent Christmas Eve at my mom's with the whole family. Tons of little girls giggling and running around this year - it was great. Christmas day started with Santa leaving Cole way too many goodies - as usual. We've spent this week opening all the boxes, putting in batteries and trying to beat video games!! We are headed to Mobile this weekend for Christmas with the Tanners. So, it's still Christmas for us!!

School starts back January 4th. I'm ready to get back to my room. Since I have three more months, I want to spend a little more time getting my room looking good - it's more like a room with tons of left over stuff from other places and furniture that's falling apart. I would love to have the money to do really fun things in my room, but just don't have it. I've done the best I can with what I've got though and that's what counts. I'll be working on Math for the next little while - I can't wait - teaching Math is really one of the most enjoyable subjects to teach to me.

I'm also working on cleaning out the guest room - again!! January always seems like the time to clean out and move on. I have neglected my scrapbooking all year really, so I'm planning on getting back to that this next year. I'm planning on spending the next few weeks just thinking about what 2012 should be for me, my family and what goals I want to achieve!!

I hope the beginning of the year brings you joy and happiness and you can accomplish all the thing you want in 2012!!

~LISA

The Burlap Craze

2011-09-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

If you've been on Etsy lately and looked for burlap door hangers - you've seen the burlap craze! I've seen tons on Pinterest, too. I did a tutorial for the CSI Project featuring a 'knock off' burlap project a few weeks ago showing how I made mine, BUT someone left some nasty comments about copying the daughter product. This world of crafting is crazy huh? I mean, I'm just a girl from a small town and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to single handedly (is that even a word) take down this girls business. The comments were pretty much telling me how wrong it was that I would, not only, copy the item but then tell other people how to make it. So, I'm not going to tell you how to make it.

But I am going to show you what I made and I think that's okay!

First, I made a football to celebrate football season.

I also did this one for fall for my mom's birthday.

And the back can be used for Halloween!

I've already sketched out a dozen ideas to make as gifts for Christmas, Teacher gifts and baby showers. I'm actually doing one right now to match my cousin's baby's room and another to hang in our window on our next trip to Disney! Any guesses on what that one looks like?

Here's a couple more:

I can't wait to do a few more - if only my paint would dry faster!!
Lisa

Catching up

2011-09-29T15:06:00.000-07:00

I've been neglecting my blog again!! Not that anyone noticed though. You may be wondering what I've been up to - or maybe not. Well, I'll tell you either way! Many of you know I've been trying to find a teaching position for the last four years. Each school year starts and I'm sad again that I don't have my own classroom. There are about 700 applicants for each job I've applied for. There are a lot of 'me' out there and how do you stand out in 700 people.

UGH

So, this school year began and I continued to look for a job in the teaching field and branched out to just find a job. Any job. Well, not any job - but a decent job. I have a friend who runs the Christmas shop in the local mall. So, I talked with her and BAM - got a job. It didn't start right away but I'll take it. I loved working retail at Christmas when I was wrapping gifts. I didn't like it as much working at a craft store - too crazy. I was really excited about the plans.

Then I found out there was an opening at Cole's school.
Then I got an interview.
Then I found out there was a full time position and a tutoring position, too.
Then I was subbing and the principal found me in the hall.

I didn't get the full time position but I did get a tutoring position. Now I have more jobs than I need. Typical, right?

Well, at first it was just for a month, then we've been extended 6 more weeks. There are two of us tutoring for now. I found out yesterday that they want me to stay on through the ARMT testing, which I believe is in March.

I'm a wee bit excited. A million things went through my head instantly. First, I need more clothes. Second, I need more goodies in my treat basket. And third, OH MY GOSH I'M ALMOST A TEACHER!!! It's a big deal to be in the school every day, helping the kids, earning a paycheck - a consistent schedule.

So, now I won't be working like crazy at the Christmas shop, but I'll still work a little - it'll be too much fun not to! And hopefully my wardrobe will increase a bit soon and I'll get out some things from storage that I can use in my room. I don't really have my own classroom, but I'll be sharing with another teacher. I'm hoping she'll be okay with me putting some stuff up - it's just a little plain to me. I can't wait!!!!

I'm also going to paint a cute little pencil on burlap and put my name, that I can hang in the room - in my corner!!

Off to plan some math lessons!!
Lisa

Stranger things have happened

2011-07-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

An idea just popped in my head tonight while I was playing on the computer. I thought sharing strange things with you would be entertaining. So here it goes:

Strangest item in my Netflix queue: Pee's Playhouse Season 1 Disc 1
Strangest song on my phone: You've Got a Friend in Me, Randy Newman
Strangest CD in my collection: Dangerous Toys
Strangest movie in my VHS collection: Two of a Kind (a lovely film with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John)
or maybe the Jennie Garth exercise video
Strangest movie I've ever seen at the theater: My Own Private Idaho (pretty sure we got up and left)
Strangest thing I've received as a gift: a mexican ash tray (i have never smoked - sorry Rick)
Strangest thing Jason has ever received as a gift: a hunting vest (he doesn't hunt)
Strangest thing Cole has ever received as a gift: an air horn (it's still in the packaging and he has an extreme problem with loud noises)
Strangest thing I've blogged about: 30 things I need to pack for Nashville (really? yes, really)
Strangest thing I've given as a gift: that big mouth bass you hang on the wall that sings (again, sorry Rick)

That's all I can think of that is slightly strange.
Lisa

Got a little scrapping done last month!

2011-07-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how long it's been since I posted a layout - much less more than one! I know I haven't posted any layouts this year! That's shameful. I had two opportunities in June to scrapbook away from home. I know it sounds strange, but I do better scrapping away from home. I'm a little more organized and having a dedicated amount of time motivates me to really get going and accomplish something.

So, here are the recent layouts - not all recent pictures, but ......

My sweet niece - this was in February of this year when they came for a visit!

We always do a photo here, right outside Pooh's Corner in Downtown Disney.

Cole and Micheal dressed as Buzz and Woody for Halloween. We did a Trunk or Treat at a nearby church and got a few good photos while we were there!

Niece again - Ashlyn has beautiful blue eyes. Her mom, dad and brother all have really blue eyes, too - so it looks like they are here to stay!

We love going to the McWane Science Center. It's always fun! I know these things are probably full of germs - but it was too fun stinking our face in! This was from a trip in December!

I love Matt Nathanson and his new release is Faster - the title for this page comes from that song. I loved this picture of us taken at Cole's birthday party in February!

Terribly crooked picture! I love Mary Poppins and this was the first time I've had a picture with her at Disney! It was a great character breakfast!

Cole was Good Citizen in November. So proud of him!

Cole is a huge McDonald's fan and would love nothing more than to travel the world and check out all the Most Unique McDonald's. We've been to two - there are 8 more on the list! This is a picture from the one in Orlando - Cole running through the 'mother of all mazes'!!

Not a huge fan of this paper, but felt like I should use it. This was from last August. He's about to move up - again!!

This was from my sister-in-law's wedding reception. Cole enjoyed himself, to say the least!

I've been planning this layout forever - I just wanted to document all the things we call him! We've already added another nickname - not sure if there's room on this layout for another one, though!

Pinewood Derby for this past year in Cub Scouts. We had a pretty cool car - Perry the Platypus.

And the cutest niece ever - again - this was from June when we visited Mobile. She was a happy little thing!!

I did this for a challenge at NoelMignon.com back in the winter. This was taken Christmas. I love the picture because that was my favorite shirt!!! It's too big now though so it's been turned into ruffles on a scarf for the fall!

Shew - that's all for today. I've just realized we're more than half the way through the year and I've blogged terribly this year. Not very consistent, not nearly often enough. Must start working on that!!!

Thanks for reading, and looking!
Lisa

Fourth of July fun and more Silhouette projects

2011-07-06T09:41:00.001-07:00

Hello out there!! I've been a busy little crafter lately. I have a few things I wanted to share today - with a few more coming later in the week!!

First, I've been wanting to make some subway art with all our 'home' addresses listed. When Cole was going through his surgery/radiation/chemo - he always whined that he just wanted to go home - to the REAL home sweet home. So we started referring to everything as a different home. The 'hospital home sweet home' was the hospital in Mobile. The 'Ronald McDonald House home sweet home' was in Memphis, as well as the 'Target home sweet home'. It helped Cole a little I think to know that every where we had to stay was really HOME if we were all together. So, on our subway art I included the street for the Ronald McDonald House (Alabama Avenue) and Target House (Poplar Avenue). So here's the finished project:

This is propped up on the end of the bar separating the kitchen from the den. The kitchen has that terrible pink formica - so I'm trying to overpower it with lots of pops of red. You can see more red here:

I love my serving tray - just added our name to it last week. And that clock - oh I love my clock!! I found this at a thrift store years ago for fifty cents. It was a Hello Kitty clock. I had decorated it and had it on display at Scrap Etc. for a while, then it came home to sit in my window sill. It was right in the sun and had started to fade. I got out the black spray paint, took it all apart and painted it, added houndstooth paper to the inside and there you have it! I love it!!

Ok - on the the fourth!! We had all of my mom's family over and cooked out. I wanted a few things outside to welcome our guests - so this is what I did:

I added ribbon to my wreath to dress it up for the holiday - I love the look of corker bows but have never needed them since Cole isn't much of a hair bow wearer and I'm a bit too old for them! I saw something similar to this and just thought it was a great use of ribbon!

I saw this done on Pinterest and thought it would be cute. I used poster board, cut out a star and the filled my sifter with flower. The only bad thing is the poster board isn't quite sturdy enough - I would just use cardboard next time. It was really too hot to do more than this, but I had planned on lining the entire sidewalk and driveway - but it was hot!!!

Jason has some scrap wood for a few different projects, so I added some paint and paper and made some firecrackers!! I just thought this urn would be the perfect place to toss them - it's right next to the front door. Sadly, right before placing these in the pot - Jason removed the giant Easter Egg that had been sitting there since early April - pathetic huh? I just kept forgetting to take it in!!

Now, the fourth of July decorations are still out and probably will be for a few more days at least. We have family coming in this weekend, so why not leave it up??

Hope you had a fun filled fourth (say that five times fast) and enjoyed some time with friends and family, as well!

We've been keeping pretty busy this summer - so hopefully I'll be back soon with more tales of craftiness!!
I'm linking up here:

Lisa

Oh my Pinterest

2011-06-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

I know I'm late to the show and tons of people have been pinning for a while - but better late than never. I love it! Currently, I have 26 boards and 501 pins. I can see this getting out of hand.

Here's my favorite pins:

Love this look - the shoes, the shirt - all of it!

Making this soon - very soon!

Need to do this too, have to dig through my playing card stash!

Bought the knit fabric for this today!!!

And I'm so making this on a tshirt for Cole - too stinking funny!!!

ok - no more time to blog - must pin more!!

and if you want to follow me - http://pinterest.com/itsjustlisa/

later!!

Another Silhouette project

2011-06-07T05:53:00.000-07:00

I made this tshirt last week and love it - haven't worn it yet, but I will wear it soon!!

And today I'm going to tackle labeling my canisters. I've had the same canisters for 11 years now. They are classic - just white and silver. I love them. A few years ago I added a strip of red ribbon around each one with sticky dots and I'm just tired of looking at them that way. I'm going to add a label to each one and I think that will look much better in my kitchen. Now, I just have to remember to actually keep sugar in the sugar and flour in the flour!!

I'll post them as soon as I'm done. Can't wait to see what else I can make. I have a million other ideas!! Here's a few:

Can't wait to make all of that fun stuff!

Lisa

Meal Planning Monday

2011-06-06T12:55:00.000-07:00

I'm not really one to plan a menu for the week, but after spending some time at Food Gawker I've been wanting to kick it up a notch and make some different dishes. I have a little more time now that schools out and I'm not subbing (or working part time) so dinner prep isn't as terrible of a task!!

This is what's planned for this week:

Monday - Chicken tenders, creamy chicken rice and lima beans with crescent rolls (this sounds like I'll be slaving away all day, but the chicken is Tyson, the rice is Knorr and the beans come out of a can!

Tuesday - Buffalo Chicken Sliders with potato wedges. We had a friend in Mobile who made potato wedges that were so good. You bake a potato in the microwave for about 5 minutes, then slice them, like potato chips, but 1/2 an inch thick. You lay them on a cookie sheet, top with a pat of butter and some shredded cheese and bacon bits (which I just realized I forgot at the store!).

Wednesday - Chicken Parmesan and garlic bread - don't get excited - it's just a frozen meal you toss in a skillet.

Thursday - Santa Fe chicken wraps with mexican rice. I take chicken strips (you know the kind for fajitas) and cook them with Philidelphia Cooking Cream Santa Fe mix - it's so good!!

Friday - Ham and cheese loaf with pasta salad. The ham and cheese loaf is crazy good. You take a pizza dough (I usually use thick crust, but I'm trying thin this time) smooth it out on a cookie sheet and layer ham across the whole crust, top with shredded cheese that you mix with a little mayo. You sort of split the dough into thirds long ways, fold one third over the middle, then fold the other third over. Flip it over so the seam is on the bottom, and coat with a slightly beaten egg, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and cut a few slits into the top. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. It's so yummy. I also add feta cheese and pepperoni to the pasta salad - yum!!

So, now I'm hungry!!! I made these last week and the week before - so yummy!! And these Saturday - wowsers they were so good!! So, go check out that site - amazing recipes - pages of pretty pictures of food - click on a picture to find the recipe and be prepared to spend a few hours!!

And now I wonder if my menu with stick!!

I'll let you know!
Lisa

Busy little bee

2011-06-04T06:26:00.001-07:00

So, I finally got a Silhouette. And nothing in my home is safe from it's craftiness!! NOTHING!! :D

My first project was simple:

I took a canvas, painted it a pale pink, cut out Birthday Girl, the butterfly and cake and Mod-Podged it to the canvas. Added some photo corners and it's done. The purpose was to give my sister-in-law something she could display at each of Ashlyn's birthday parties, and in her bedroom with her birthday picture.

Then I did this for the birthday girl:

Terribly blurry picture - she is a little cupcake!!

Next, I moved on to this:

This the my bathroom wall - the wall behind the door, so you only see it when you go in and shut the door - but it was so blank and lonely. I added these and just need a word to go in that blank space. Any suggestions?

Now, I needed a little Roll Tide in my dining room so I came up with this:

We recently moved dining room furniture around, again. Our main living area is two huge rooms - both long and not too wide. When you walk in the front door, there's a living room and what appears to be a dining room. Then straight ahead you walk into the den area, with a kitchen. So the kitchen is sort of open into the den. Before Christmas last year we decided we needed to rearrange to have room for Christmas trees. Yes, I said trees - we had three! Anyway, I really like the new arrangement, Jason and Cole did not. First it meant Cole lost his den, or play area. Second, the dining room table was right in the same room with the kitchen - which made sense to me, but only to me! We decided to move it all back recently, but by doing that, it threw off all my decor that was on the bakers rack in the new dining room/old den. Oh the stress!!! So, in an attempt to make it all work out - I bought new valances for the dining area and kept the decor. We're big Bama fans here so we had all our cool Bama collectibles/memorabilia on the bakers rack. Now, with the change of a few accessories, we are good to go. I felt the need to switch some things up and add to a few other things. I really wanted something cute to set on my cedar chest in that area and this is what I ended up with:

And then I took down a few things off the wall, painted them black and hung them back up. This got a makeover, too - thanks to the Silhouette!

My plate rack was green with green plates, after a coat or twelve of spray paint and new plates from Target, we had a fresh new look. I loved the doily banner and the home sweet home was perfect. I'm still learning with the Silhouette - learning I need to be more patient and I really need transfer paper, too!! That middle plate took two tries to get it right!! Crazy stuff!

Anyway, that's what I've been doing lately - what about you?

linking up here:

Teacher Appreciation

2011-05-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I always say I'm going to get better at this whole blogging thing and then life happens and I fail! I've been subbing like crazy lately but the school year is winding down now and I only have three days lined up for the remaining weeks. Kind of glad for a little break though because I need to get on the ball with some end of the year teacher gifts. Our school didn't really do anything for Teacher Appreciation because the week we would have celebrated, our area was recovering from the tornadoes that blew through the previous week. So, I'm putting my creative energy into end of the year teacher gifts instead.

Cole has a great teacher this year. I always love to make things for his teachers at the end of the year. He requires a little more 'teaching' than the 'normal' child so I like to go a little beyond the typical gift. Here's a link to last year's gift. Two other moms went in with me for that so it was a lot!! This year, I'm on my own but I'm still shooting for the same type of gift.

One of these:

And you can see how to make this here!!
And then one of these:

I found directions for this last year here.
Cole also has a Special Ed teacher that works for him and then an Occupational Therapist, too. In the last few years I just have run out of time when it comes to making something for them. I feel bad that they've been neglected since they are so important to his education, too. So, this year, I'm planning on making them something, too. Here's the idea for them - you can see the directions here:

This is a girl's emergency clutch. The inside has small Ziplock bags sewn in and you put all your little supplies in the bags.

I love this idea. I'm thinking I want one for me to use for my jewelry when we go out of town. I usually throw everything in a little hinge top jewelry box that a necklace came in. If I take bracelets or necklaces, it's a tangled mess, so I'm thinking it would be a better solution to use one of these.

Oh, wait - I'm planning teacher gifts, not stuff for me!! So, I think I'll fill it up with a little pack of gum, some bandages, shout wipes, and germx wipes. Then I'll attach a little tag with suggestions - the blog that posted the tutorial had great suggestions for the bags (medicine, tweezers, nail file, spare house key, etc).

Here are some other ideas that I really love, but probably won't have time to get to this year - but I'll keep them in mind for gifts next year!!

This one is really cute - directions here:

And I totally forgot I bookmarked this one - I may have to do this for this year, too!! I love these!

And this is too cute - a free printable - too bad I don't have colored ink right now!!

Wow - too many options, too little time. But now that I have a Silhouette, it's much easier to get cool things like these done!! Can't wait to get them all finished up next week before the end of the year parties at school!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

lisa

Welcome wreath tutorial

2011-05-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to post this for a while, but have had no internet due to the storms that came through Alabama last week. Storms isn't really a strong enough word - but I'll leave my thoughts on that for another time!

I'm a big fan of decorating but hate to change things each season. I just took down the Easter decorations yesterday!! I hate the idea of changing what's on my front door every month or so. Actually, I love the idea, but just can't seem to actually do it. So, I thought it would be fun to make something that I could easily change each month, season or special occasion. Here it is:

Here's what you need:

A wreath
piece of scrap wood
sand paper
paint (chalk board and color of your choice)
ribbon
chalk
drill and drill bit
two dowels
patience (I hate waiting for paint to dry)
misc. items to change it out as the times change - (burlap, paint, letter stickers, ribbon)

I started with these supplies:

I very carefully measured out where I wanted my holes - and marked the spots with a pen and then went outside to drill. And by 'very carefully' I mean, I eyeballed it and used a piece of ribbon that was laying around!!

Next I drilled two holes. I don't have a fancy work place to do any drilling. I just go out on my front porch, hold the wood down with my feet and drill over the edge of a step. It works for me, but does tend to make a mess.

See, two holes!!

Next, I sanded the edges just to smooth it all out.

Next, I spray painted with my chalkboard paint. I did several coats, as this type of wood just soaked up the paint.

Once it was dry, I gave it a day and then chalked it up and wiped it clean. It was ready to go.

I picked a mid sized grapevine wreath, grabbed my ribbon and chalkboard plaque and got to work.

Cut two pieces of ribbon - I didn't measure, just cut about 18 inches each. I found that a satin ribbon worked better here - I got a tighter knot and prettier bow. Simply thread your ribbon through one spot on the wreath, through the back and back around to the front, double knot it and thread one piece of ribbon through the hole in the plaque and then tie a simple bow.

Now, pick your next spot and thread the second piece of ribbon through, double knot and thread through second hole and finish with a bow.

Now your plaque is attached and you could just simply hang it up, write a message and be good to go.But if you want to personalize it more, keep reading!!

I decided to attach two dowels (which I quickly spray painted with my favorite Krylon Ocean Breeze Blue. You could pick a more neutral color, but this is my current fave, so I went with it!!) I simply applied hot glue to the bottom of each dowel and stuck it in behind the chalkboard plaque. Then added a bit more hot glue to the top part of the dowels to attach to the wreath. You can see in the photo that I didn't hot glue at the very top of the dowels - that's so you have some room to wrap your ribbon around the top.

Now, I can change out my decorations easily by tying on a different item between the two dowels. For my wreath right now, I painted a little bunny face on a piece of burlap. I stitched a second piece of burlap to the back (starting at the bottom, going around the ears and stopping about an inch from the first stitch) and stuffed the bunny head with some cotton batting and finished off the bottom with a few more stitches. I used the hot glue gun to attach the little bunny head to some ribbon (about 3 yards long) and then tied the ribbon on to my two dowels.

Here's the Easter/Spring wreath:

Here's another idea to hang from the dowels - a little Welcome sign! We have friends that we hang out with most weekends - this would be a fun way to great them next time they come over.

The options are endless! You could cut out some flowers from the burlap, add some paint, or leave them plain and attach them to some ribbon and hang it up!! I could string up some ornaments at Christmas or snowflakes would be cute, too. Birthday banners would be great, too. Looks like I need to whip up some more things and have them ready to go for every occasion! I love that I can leave the same wreath up all the time and just add one little item to the top to dress it up.

Thanks for checking out my tutorial!! If you make one - come back and leave me a link!! I'd love to see your version!

Lisa

Want to see my new favorite accessory for my house?

2011-04-25T04:46:00.000-07:00

Go check out The CSI Project today and you'll see how to make this:

My post will be up later today - so check it out!! So honored that the CSI Girls share my tutorial on their site!!

Thanks for checking in and Happy Monday!!
Lisa

A little Easter fun

2011-04-13T05:57:00.001-07:00

Wow - two days in a row - wonder how long I can keep this up!

I mentioned yesterday that I had a fun project to show - it's nothing spectacular, but I had fun making it and wanted to share. I've seen a million fabulous ideas on blogs for Easter decorating. I have a storage container full of stuff, but for some reason I just couldn't bring myself to pull out all the same old things again. I picked a few favorite pieces and then starting thinking of what I could come up with that was 'new' to me.

I really love banners and garland and I have the perfect spot to hang them - in our entry way from the foyer to the dining room, which currently is more like the toy room. At any given time, you'll find Power Rangers or a Bat Mobile under the table and possibly Winnie the Pooh hanging out on top of the table. Anyway, I love the idea of hanging something in that doorway to greet me each day.

I went through the massive amount of plastic eggs and picked out eggs with a hole in each end, all the same size and then grabbed my new favorite spray paint - Krylon Blue Ocean Breeze - and got busy. I spray painted all the eggs with a few coats (and found a million other things to paint but that's for another day). So once they were all dry (I'm so impatient) I strung them together. I wasn't crazy about the end result. I cut the string and started over, grabbing a bowl of cotton balls. Yes, cotton balls! I just thought the idea of Easter eggs and bunny tails together would be cute - so I restrung them.

I saw someone post about colored doilies and I went out and found some of my own. I decided to make a little doily banner to go along with my eggs. Here's the end result:

And a close up of my eggs:

I love that the eggs are all the same color and I really think the bunny tails are fun!!

Thanks for looking. More projects coming up soon!!

Linking up to:

Lisa

Where has the time gone?

2011-04-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

I just realized it's April (well, I didn't just realize that exactly) and I've only blogged ten times this year. That is just sad!! I'm going to work on the blog a little and make sure I'm a more regular blogger.

It's warm out today, sunny, beautiful weather. Would be great for walking around the track, or spray painting a project that's in the works, or working on my tan. But, I'm not doing any of those things today. Well, the day isn't over yet so there may be some spray painting later.

I have been a subbing fool lately. I subbed every day but three since February 2nd (not counting Spring Break of course). There's tons of things at home I've been neglecting. I've barely put anything cute out for Easter. There are several little things I wanted to make but only one of those have actually been completed. A few birthday gifts have been in the works, too - but again, not completed yet. I've been thinking about organization and spring cleaning!!

On today's list - cleaning the craft table off so I can start a few more things that will hopefully be completed, cleaning up all the clutter that's collected around the house, trying to get Cole's toys contained to less space and eating a warm cinnamon roll right out of the oven. That's not really on the list, but I'm still going to do it.

Later this week, I have a sewing date with a friend, we have a concert Friday night - can't wait for that. Our favorite college football team is playing their spring practice game Saturday. While this shouldn't be a big deal, it is and there will be about 100,000 people there - Roll Tide. They are going to unveil a new statue of our coach, too. Should be a fun day.

So, off to get things done. We're having company spend the night after the game, so I must get things in order. I'm thinking that means I need to get off the computer and get to work on cleaning up! I promise I'll be back with a few crafty things this week. CSI Project will have a challenge up that I've played along with so come back!!!

Lisa

A great, cheap idea

2011-03-25T18:29:00.000-07:00

So - did you see my tutorial at The CSI Project?
Here it is and I'm SO SO SO excited that they shared my tutorial with their readers!!

Today, I want to show you how to make this cute calendar.

Here's what you need:

4 pieces of scrapbook paper ($2.00)

adhesive (dry and/or spray) - on hand

Exacto knife - on hand

Popsicle stick or craft stick - on hand

buttons or flowers, brads, scrap cardboard - any kind of embellishments really - on hand

and this cool thing: ($1.00)

I found this at the Dollar Tree in the teacher/classroom area. I thought it was a really good base to use for this calendar idea I've had for a while now.

Here are the steps I took:

1. Take the board apart by using scissors to pop the silver back off. 2. Decide where you want your holes to go and cut them out. (I just increased one of the existing holes and cut a new one in the spot I wanted)

Next, you want to trace the back circle on the paper you want as your background and cut it out. Then you want to sand the side you are attaching the paper to since it's sort of shiny, to make sure the adhesive really sticks! Then spray your adhesive and attach your paper.

Next, you want to follow the same steps for the top circle. After you trace, cut, and adhere, you'll want to cut out the holes you added. I did this from the back and then flipped it over to make sure I trimmed it enough. Oh, see that hole down there - go ahead and use your knife and poke the hole through the paper. You can do that on both circles.

Now I used a circle template to trace my circle needed for my days of the week. This part can be a bit tricky. You want to make sure your circle will fit in between the two holes you've cut. I traced the circle and cut it out (you can use a bowl or anything round). Find the center and poke a hole through the paper. I used the silver pieces and put everything back together to make sure it all lined up right. (Back circle, paper circle and top circle) While it was all together, I traced the shape of my long skinny hole for my days of the week. I did ten spots, just trace one, slide the circle and trace the next. You could print the words and glue them on paper, but I just wrote them myself. After you trace them, take it all apart again and glue or write your days of the week. Then erase your pencil lines.

Now, we need to attach a popsicle stick or craft stick. The one I had was a weird one with this circle on one end, so I just made it work. You'll want to put adhesive on one side and attach it to the BACK of the days of the week circle. You'll use this to spin your days, so I let it overlap the circle. I used a scrap of paper to cover the large circle on the end, just for an added touch of color. If you are using a regular craft stick, you could use a flower or buttons on the end to make it stand out. I did play around with it a bit to make sure that no matter which day we were on, the popsicle stick wouldn't block the number of the date.

Next, stack it all together and add the silver pieces we popped off earlier. At this point, I wrote in my numbers. I just started with 1st, and turned until you could no longer see the print and did the 2nd. My 31 numbers fit just fine!! Now, we are ready to decorate.

I wanted to have a spot to change out a photo and the month. I attached two photo corners and added a picture. For the photo corners, you can just cut triangles and adhere them so you can still tuck a picture under the corners, or just attach a picture you really love and don't worry about changing it out. Next, I found a cardboard bookplate and covered it with paper. If you don't have one, you can draw it out on cardboard and cut it out. Then cover it with paper.I attached the bookplate with some brads.

Once I had everything attached, I decided the small silver piece that held everything together wasn't big enough to me. I used a giant brad instead. The small piece held it all together, but sort of got lost on that polka dotted paper, so the brad is a bit better to me. Then it was time to personalize even more. I used a strip of paper to make a flower, then dug around through my stash to find a few more things. This is really the part where you add your own touches - so whatever you have or like is fair game!!

And here's the finished product again:

My total cost was really just the $1 plus tax.

The paper was in my stash, but if you are making one to match a specific room, or as a gift, you may want to buy just the right paper. I had the buttons and flowers in my stash as well. The spray adhesive was purchased for another project so I had it on hand. You could still use a regular dry adhesive, or even a double stick tape. I'm all about using what I have on hand and not spending too much on my projects, especially if they are just for me!

This would be really cute as a teachers gift. You know they always get the themed gifts but this would be nice for them to hang by their desk - just for them. You could also use it as a countdown to an event. Instead of the month inside the bookplate, you could put VACATION, BIRTHDAY, etc. and then 'days until' inside the day of the week spot, and just use the same numbers for the days.

Thanks for checking out my tutorial!! I hope you find it an easy thing to make for yourself!!

Lisa

When old songs should be new again

2011-03-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

I'm not a huge fan of the remake. I like it if you just simply do it the way it was originally intended. If you redo it and change it all up and there's no trace of the original - well, forget it. There are songs from 'way back' that should still be out there - either someone needs to do it again, or there needs to be a revival of those good songs.

Forever Young by Bob Dylan is one of those. I love the lyrics, but honestly, I'm not a Bob Dylan fan - and I prefer the Wyclef version from the Pepsi commercial. I just can't listen to Bob.

Another one that I just love the lyrics to - I'll Stand By You. I love The Pretenders version and Carrie Underwood did it a few years ago for American Idol. Her's is great, too. The lyrics are just so great - something I want Cole to know about me and his dad!!

Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
'Cause I've seen the dark side too

When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothin' you confess, could make me love you less

I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

So, if you're mad, get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now

Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you

When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
'Cause even if you're wrong

I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you

And when, when the night falls on you, baby
You're feelin' all alone
You won't be on your own

I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you

I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Yeah

Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you
No, no, no, no, no
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you

And really, who doesn't want to know that someone will stand by them? I want a picture of the three of us an I want to scrapbook these lyrics for him to read one day and actually understand. I know he knows we're on his side and he knows how much we love him but there will be a day when he may need to really understand that we'll always stand by him!!

Just thinking out loud today!!
lisa

Goodbye to Nine!

2011-02-10T07:12:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day Cole will be nine. Tomorrow is the big day - his 10th birthday!! I thought I'd just write about his nine year old year.

The big stuff:

Growing - you've been growing like a weed. I love that you don't mind that stupid growth hormone shot every night. You just take it like a big kid!!

Activities - you are still a Cub Scout and you love it most of the time. You like the kids and you like going to the meetings. I love that you have stuck with this - longer than anything else!! I'm proud of you for that!

Learning - you are learning so much. School is really hard for you, but you try. You've learned short cuts and ways to figure out math a little quicker and that's a good thing! You are trucking right along on multiplication, too and that makes me happy.

Reading - you still won't read independently but you'll read with me and still want me to read to you. My Weird School Daze are favorites. Along with Nate the Great, once in a while. Your favorite book at school is about the planets - you know lots of planet facts and that surprised me.

Playing - you still love to play with your toys - piles of toys everywhere actually. Toy Story 3 is your favorite, still. Buzz and Woody are everywhere!!! You are big into chain reactions! You got a PS3 for Christmas and have been plugging away at beating some games!!

What you like to watch - still the same old cartoons, but more iCarly, more Phineas and Ferb and lately, you've wanted to watch the Power Rangers. You love Winter Wipeout now and will watch American Idol with me once in a while, too.

Music - still a huge fan. You love your Paper Jams instruments and love to listen to your Brad Paisley cd in your room and sing along. (Never mind that you are singing 'Alcohol')

Friends - you still don't have a best buddy in your class. You still really like Alison and Zoey and you miss Madison, since she moved to another school. You and Micheal are really good buds now. You both are so much alike. I love that he's your friend. He's roughing you up a bit, too - wrestling around a little, etc - I like it!!

Your personality - well, it hasn't changed much - you are still that same sweet kid. You've discovered a few more ways to get around doing what you are supposed to do. You are stubborn. You don't always follow directions the first time or the second, but we are working on that. You tend to wear your heart on your sleeve. I hope you toughen up a bit in this next year. I don't want to see you so sensitive all that time. I don't want little things to hurt you!!

I'm hoping that you'll continue to develop some good friendships and continue to try harder and harder at school. I hope that you find more things you are interested in. I hope that you become physically stronger, too. I hope you continue to love going to church, too.

I just can't wait to see what the TENTH year brings. I'm sure we'll have our share of frustrations as you become even more stubborn. I'm sure we'll still have some sweet moments where you still tell me you love me and hug me, even in front of other people. I know those moments are sure to end one day. I'm just hoping it's not anytime soon!!

I love you sweet boy!! More than the stars in the sky...................

Mom

6 years cancer free!!!

2011-01-31T06:44:00.000-07:00

Today's the day. Cole is 6 years cancer free today. Here's a link to last years post about what all we went through leading up to Cole's surgery - Happy 5 Years Cancer Free

I'm so thankful that Cole is well. Right now (I actually typed this Sunday night - the night before our big anniversary) he's playing Toy Story 3 on the PS3 and enjoying just being a kid. We're sitting around - Jason on his phone, me on the computer. Like it's a regular old night.

Six years ago there was nothing regular about this night. I don't remember exactly what happened the night before. I remember we had lots of visitors that day and the next morning. I remember how great our nurses were - they were so sweet to Cole and us. I remember the hospital gave us a room - a large room, one with three hospital beds in it. We had space to wait and spread out with all the family. We'd outgrown the waiting room the first night.

I remember having crayons and paper with us - for Cole - but I know I sat in the floor in the room while we waited to hear about surgery and I colored pictures for Cole - to cheer him up. I remember being sick to my stomach. I remember not really eating anything. I remember a lot of silence. Just sitting and waiting.

When we got to go back to see Cole after surgery - he just wanted Jason (which was usual during the hospital time for some reason). I remember his eyes weren't really able to focus at all. He couldn't move much at all. When they got him settled in PICU we knew he was struggling. He couldn't turn his head to the left. His left side was really weak. The left side of his face almost paralyzed. It was rough.

He still wanted to hear his favorite cartoon - Blue's Clues - even though he couldn't turn his head in that direction to see the TV. I remember us trying to move him later and him crying so bad. I'm thinking he must have had the worst crick in his neck ever known to man. Poor baby. We laughed several times because all my mom ever really said was 'bless his heart'. That's just about all you could say, really.

His sweet personality was back in no time though. He was a bit grumpy from time to time - thanks to the steroids and pain, I'm sure. It was such a long ordeal - it felt like we were in the hospital for years. It was really just 9 days. They sent us home the Sunday after his surgery. He did okay Monday but had a fever Tuesday. Wednesday morning (Ash Wednesday) he was burning up. We ended up back in the ER bright and early that morning. Cole had a fever around 105 when we got there. They did a lumbar puncture without even sedating him. He didn't even flinch a tiny bit. He was so very sick.

We ended up back in the hospital for about two weeks. He had a serious infection and had to receive heavy duty antibiotics. It's funny now - when we watch House we hear all these drug names - chemo drugs and stuff - we know too many of them by Cole's experience.

The time in the hospital was really long - filled with questions and no answers. I'm so thankful we ended up in Memphis at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

They helped save his life.

They took the burden of his care off our shoulders and just said 'we've got this' and they did!

We head back in a little less than three weeks for his 6 year check up. Usually this is really long with loads of testing. We've finally reached the point where all the tests aren't necessary for their research. So, it's not too bad of a check up. I'll still be nervous, even though I know he's okay. I'll still worry until Dr. Gajjar gives me the thumbs up. After 6 years, that stress hasn't gotten much better.

But, today (ok - tomorrow) he's happy, healthy, a little spoiled and all ours!!! I'm so proud of him!!

lisa

Valentine's stuff

2011-01-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

I spent a little bit of time today making my home all 'valentiney'. I know that's not a word, but ya know........

Anyway, I have this fabulous room divider that came from a hospital - back before curtains were hung from the ceiling. I love it. I got a wild hair in the late 90's and painted sunflowers on one side. Thank goodness I didn't do both sides!!! So this is the 'good' side - sans sunflowers!!

I have four different layouts hanging on it and usually switch them out pretty often. Right now the ones hanging are either in the valentiney colors, or about love, or from Valentine's Day. I made a little heart garland to hang across the screen, too!

Here's a close up of last years Valentine's layout and a shot of the garland.

Here's a few other things:

I need to move that picture over a bit, don't I?

Cardboard, giant cupcake wrappers, a glue gun and a glittery word! Love it!

Lighting wasn't as good as I thought - here's a little letter, a candle, a little ruffly tree and there's a little mailbox, too!

That ^^ up there - is my favorite thing. Took a whole roll of crepe paper practically and a small styrofoam ball with some ribbon. I would like to make a million of these!!

And then I played around and took a picture of myself:

Not great, but ya know................

Linking up:

Thanks for looking!

Lisa

Baby you're a STAR Volume 3

2011-01-22T07:00:00.002-07:00

I totally have dropped the ball on sharing my 'stars' from the previous week. I think I just 'starred' so many things through the holidays that I just couldn't remember to share them here.

So, I'm back at it. Here's this past week's STARS!!

These little boxes are so so cute. I'm not sure I would fill them with real fortune cookies, but maybe some paper cookies with cute fortunes inside!! This was posted by eighteen25 and you can find the details HERE!

Isn't this fantastic? I love it. Also posted over at eighteen25 and details are on this post. These aren't just regular hearts - it's little photo strips. I love love love it. My printer is out of ink though, so if I manage to make this - it'll just be paper strips. Wonder if I can find film really cheap and use a few strips of film? hmmm...

OH How I love this!! I would love to make it for Valentines, but also think it would be cute to do a countdown to a birthday. Still kicking that idea around in my head. Cole's b'day is right before Valentine's Day so I'm wondering if I can combine the two somehow - some kind of countdown with a special treat on his b'day then continue counting down to the 14th?? I don't know - any suggestions??

Here's the original post from Infarrantly Creative - if you don't follow her, you should - her blog is fabulous!!

And I really want to do Subway Art in a massive way. I love this Valentine Subway Art. She's also done Halloween, too. Go over to Tatertots and Jello and check out all the awesome stuff. I really love her blog and 'star' her a ton!!! Details on the above is here.

That's it for the past week. Can you see a trend? Valentine's is one of my favorite holidays. Not sure why since Jason isn't really big on it - another made up holiday so people have to buy stuff. But I love the idea of telling people you love them. Who's not happy to hear that??

So, hope you are getting ready to share the love!!

Lisa

Being introspective

2011-01-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

I had a quick thought last night, something I'd been thinking about for a week or so. Something that frustrated me to no end. Something I have a hard time dealing with. I typed my Facebook status and was over the allowed amount of characters. Facebook sent me to a NOTE instead - so I typed away and had this long post about this and then Facebook lost it before it could post. I was bummed.

I'm trying again and just blogging it instead. And it's long - just so you know!!

I tend to get frustrated with people easily if they are just takers, always taking from you and never giving, never helping you when you reach out to them. I get frustrated when people can't see the good in their lives, only the bad. I get aggravated when people dwell in the bad parts, soak up all the sadness and bad things and take advantage of their situation. I get really sad when people can't see how lucky they are.

I had a conversation with someone at work yesterday about movies and books and just what she's been reading lately and really enjoying. We were talking about The Pursuit of Happyness. She read the book and said it was great. It's on my list now. One of the things pointed out in the book was how you choose your own happyness. (yes I know I'm spelling it wrong, but that's how it's spelled for the movie!!)

YOU CHOOSE YOUR OWN HAPPINESS!!

You do it. You have the ability to make a choice, based on the knowledge you have (however little or large that knowledge is). Normally, no one holds a gun to your head while you choose between being in a good mood or a bad mood. Or when you decide how to treat someone. Or when you decide how to be treated. Or when you decide to take advantage of your situation instead of rising above it and learning from it.

I really want to remember that I choose to be happy. I shouldn't let someone steal my happiness and sour a good mood. But, let's face it - it happens, probably a lot more than we want it to. For the most part, even if I don't feel well, have a headache, am tired - whatever - I'm a happy person.

I'm happy with what I have in my life. Sure, I'd like more. A dishwasher that works. A full size oven with a better stove top than I have. Less spider webs in my garage. A different car. The list is never ending. But here's the thing: none of those things would really make me happier (less dishpan hands though). I'm responsible for that. I'm responsible for my life.

Too many people blame other things for their life - well that happened, so I'm this way or if things were different for me, I'd be different. Here's the thing - no matter your situation, can't we make the best of it?

Six years ago this month, our world was turned upside down. Cole was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. WHAT? We didn't even know which way was up for a while. We were down and sad and worried and scared and all that stuff. BUT, we had this little amazing three year old and we couldn't let him down. We had to still play and make him smile and let him know how fabulous he was. It wasn't fake either. We didn't just pretend to be happy in front of him and then be terrible as soon as he was out of the room. We just found the best in each day, each moment - not knowing what would be the end result. Would he be ok? Would we be ok? I will never forget those feelings. I remember wondering if he would know us the same way - I mean, seriously, they are cutting into his brain and taking something out. Would he still be able to function? We just didn't know. We had tons of questions with few answers. We just made the best of what we had though. We decorated his hospital room. We brought toys to him from home. We made sure he had his favorite Krispy Kreme donuts all the time. We kept him happy. Making him happy, kept us happy.

The entire time we went through his treatments, we stayed positive. There were certainly days where we were sitting in the cafe at the hospital, waiting for him to finish his radiation. I would be worried, sad, watching the clock so we didn't miss the page that he was waking up. Another mom would see me, know it was hard, hug me and tell me it was all going to be okay!! But honestly, those days were few and far between. Most days, we were happy. As weird as it sounds, those days in Memphis, away from home, away from family, away from our life - were some of the best days of our lives. Why? Because our focus was just on Cole. We had the ability to just take all that was in us and use it to make him happy. We were all happy. We didn't dwell in it. And let's face it, your kid having cancer is a pretty good reason for you to check out of life. Check out of being happy. Check out of caring for others. Check INTO a pity party to end all pity parties. Check INTO being the victim.

That's not who I am.

Sure, we all get in that mood, but I try as hard as I can to not live there for very long.

There are people I know that take from others and never give. They cover up their real feelings with their fake, happy attitude. But when those walls come down, they aren't happy. That seems to take so much effort. Being fake. Pretending.

Why not put that much effort into being happy. Try just as hard to actually BE happy instead of pretending to be happy.

We make the choices in life. God would be much more pleased if we were all happy. He doesn't want us to be sad and wallow in our own self pity. That's not His plan for us. I give Him all the credit for carrying us through that journey with Cole. It wasn't us at all. It was HIM all the way. I leaned on Him. I didn't expect for Him to take the job and do it so well. I didn't even think I was worthy of Him doing that for me. I was wrong.

I'm not special though. Neither is anyone else in the world. We are all here together. We are all here, making choices. Make sure YOU choose happiness. And don't be a taker - give to people - it'll make you happy.

As much as I like to give and do for others, I've just realized that there are some people who don't appreciate what you give, it's not enough, it's not good enough, it's not just exactly what they need. They don't see your heart in it, even though it's there. There are some who will take until you have nothing else to give. They'll empty you but never offer to add a little to you. They'll never think that you are worthy of them giving to. There are times I think 'well, I'm done giving to you then'. But, I know I'm not. I may not bend over backwards, but I'll keep giving. I'll keep giving and keep hoping that those people that take and take and take will wake up one day and realize how much better it is to give. I don't give of my time, or ideas, or whatever, just to be paid back either. I don't look at what's in it for me. I hate that!!!! I just do it. I over commit. I offer too much. Sure, I'd like a Thank You occasionally. But, it's not always there. It's rarely there in some places.

That's okay because someone thanking me isn't going to make me happy or not happy.
Someone giving back to me, helping me just because makes me happy, sure - but in the end, it's all up to me.

Buying all the things I want, or buying things just because someone else has it and I NEED it, too - that's not going to make me happy.

I'm just simply choosing it!!

That's all!!

Happy!!
Living life as fully as I can - or at least as fully as I feel is necessary for me and my family.
It works.
It fits.

We're happy!

lisa

It's no where near spring but......

2011-01-17T19:48:00.004-07:00

I feel as though I've been spring cleaning lately. Last week, I finally took the plunge into the guestroom/scraproom/laundry-station/everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-room. It's been a disaster for a while. I can't really remember how it started. I haven't done much creating this year for myself or our home. I did lots of showers (baby and bridal) and a wedding and lots of gifts, but nothing just for me and for FUN. I think I just got so tired of making things (I procrastinate so I'm usually in a time crunch) that the room became just a dumping ground of sorts. Thankfully, we've had no sleep over guests who needed the room.

Anyway, I just got tired of it.

So, last week I started really cleaning out and up and all that jazz. We were pretty much shut down for several days due to an ice storm. What better time than then to jump in and get going? I found several projects that I had started and failed to finish, several I had gathered supplies for and failed to start, and some things I must have just given up on!!

Here's the start of one project:

This cereal is seriously delicious but sadly, no longer on my current diet plan. I ate it for a while - I saved the boxes. The weren't your typical cereal box - they were harder cardboard - similar to what baby formula comes in and had cute lids, too. I thought they would be the perfect size containers to hold sheets of stickers - letter stickers, to be more specific. I covered four of them in just plain craft paper, added a patterned paper trim to the top and filled them up!! I then covered another container, made out of the same material, the same way. They all coordinate so nicely. I opened a Crystal Light container today and those folks must have caught on to the fact that craft girls like to cover their containers with paper because the plastic wrapper just slides right off. No scrapping of labels or anything.

I also had a few boxes laying around that I had for shipping. I cut one in half and made two magazine holders. I covered them in the same manner as the cereal boxes and now have a complete set. The bad news is I used all my patterned paper, so no more matching containers. I'll have to come up with something else!!

Here's a look at the sticker holders and a pencil cup:

and here are the magazine holders - not perfect, but free:

a close up, just because:

Now here's the rest of my organization - none of this worked before in the set up I had. Now, I love it!!

In the closet - these drawers have things organized by colors, haven't labeled yet, but I will (remember I'm a procrastinator):

These are almost all full of punches - one basket is sewing supplies, one is scissors, one is adhesive - the rest: punches!!

Fabric, tissue paper and vinyl:

I have two of these and they were full of mismatched chipboard, plastic, etc - letters. I never dug through them, so I dumped them in the trash. Drastic? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely!! I need something specific to put in the other.

This is what happens when your supplies are organized:

You can be creative again!!
Awwwwwwwwwwww.

Linking up to this:

Lisa

Just a little love going on

2011-01-15T08:26:00.001-07:00

I love to make crafty things for holidays. For some reason this past year, I didn't make anything Christmasy. So, I feel like I have to kick it up a notch for Valentine's Day. So, here's the first thing I came up with:

I have an abundance of Bingo Cards by Jenni Bowlin. I have a really hard time using them. I LOVE them and don't want to cut them up!! Crazy, right? So I pulled out my stash of cards and found the MINE and LOVE and then added the LUCKY in the middle. LUCKY seemed to fit appropriately. I mean, if you have a great love, you are pretty lucky, right? I am, for certain!!

Anyway, I have recently gone through all my scrap stuff and reorganized, so it was really easy to open my drawer of red things, black things and white and pick out what I needed. Here's a close up of each card:

Just simple and sweet. The first card has a J for my husband. The middle card looks like it has an envelope attached, but it's actually the bottom of a red paper bag. And the last tag has the top of the bag with a tag poking out listing all the things we need to remember to do (like love, snuggle, hug and kiss - all 'love' words), topped with a heart doily - those just scream old fashioned Valentine's to me. I remember always gluing one on red paper in elementary school, adding the to: and from: and taking it home to show mom and dad.

I made this last year and I think it's one of my favorite things ever!!! I'm a really 'letter sticker snob'. I love Thickers the most, and all the cardstock letter stickers, too. I wasn't really willing to give up a whole set of alphabets for this project, though. I was going through the Valentine stuff at WalMart and found these glittery letters and they were perfect. I used Thickers for the i, o and u - so they would stand out a bit more. I love how it turned out.

I have both projects, along with three recent favorite layouts, hung on my old room divider. It was my great aunts and it was used in hospitals way back in the day - to divide the rooms. I LOVE IT!!

Thanks for looking!!
Lisa

oh yes - linking up to:

Happy New Year - a few days late

2011-01-04T18:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. We headed to Mobile and had a little late Christmas with Jason's family. The rain was horrible on the way there, but by the time we were ready to get out again it had cleared up and cooled off. The rest of the weekend was nice - cold, but nice.

I've been thinking about my word for 2011 (FOCUS) and how I need to apply it to me life. What specifically I want to really focus on. How I'm going to tackle focusing!! I have lots of things I feel are issues for me that I need to focus on dealing with - making peace with a few things, just plan getting over some things. We all have issues, right?

Anyway, we are back in the swing of things here - school, work and homework and chores. I really dislike Tuesday's and Thursday's. I don't mind the work part of the day - it's the 40-45 minute drive to work and getting home at 6 or later. It's the dishes in the sink, the laundry that's not finished, the homework, the dinner that needs to be cooked. UGH. It's hard. I need to focus on a better way to tackle those things. My parents help Cole with homework, so that's not always an issue - but the household chores are!! I need to get a system down and make it work for me - and I need to work at it. Focusing on my home and keeping it in order is important to me.

Things would be better if I was teaching - in my own classroom - I'd be home earlier most of the time. Work would be consistent, and it isn't always now. Our income would change and I would feel like my contribution to our household would be appreciated more. Plus, I would be doing what I feel I'm here to do. Why do I have no confidence in myself though? Why am I not running after that job? About two months ago, I heard this at church - "I want you to get out there and walk -- better yet, run! -- on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off down some path that goes nowhere." (Ephesians 4:1 MSG)

I don't think I'm sitting on my hands, but I'm not running. Not really even walking at a brisk pace. I did run. I ran a lot - I put faith in my efforts and they didn't pan out. I felt defeated, so I guess I stopped running. I need to focus on that - I need to run after what I want, what I need and feel like I'm meant to do. Maybe that focus should be on Cole and teaching his as much as I can at home. Helping his as much as I can. Maybe I was running in the wrong direction? I don't know.

In 2007, I lost almost 50 pounds - that's roughly a seven year old boy. That's a lot of weight. In 2008, we went to Disney World and enjoyed the dining plan. I gained a little back. In 2009 I thought I could eat whatever I wanted again. I gained a little more back. In 2010 I had a beautiful bridesmaids dress to get into. I lost 20 pounds and finally reached my original goal from 2007. Then Disney World happened again. A few pounds creeped back into my life. This year I'm focusing on a new goal. I'll reach it, too. In 2012, I'm not going to have to focus on this again because I won't let ice cream rule my life!! :D

See, I have so much to focus on and this is just about half of what I've been thinking about! Only half!! WOW. I need to focus on focusing and get my priorities in order. This week I will focus on making a list. A list of what I want to focus on. Then a list of how I plan to tackle those things.

Who knows what will happen next week. I just hope I can keep my focus!!!

Lisa

My word.

2010-12-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about my word for 2011. This made me think about my word for 2010. HALF-FULL didn't get very far in 2010. Sure, I still look at things at half full instead of half empty. I even took several opportunities early on in 2010 to remind different people around me at different times that the situation they looked at so negatively was really a half-full kind of thing.

But that's about as far as it went.

So, my attempt was actually half empty I guess.

Hmmmm....

It would seem as though I lacked focus with this little project. Maybe I should have spent more time trying to make more things in my life half-full. I should have kept it in sight - the whole idea of being half-full.

But I really didn't focus on it.

I read this post during lunch today. Amy really connected with her first word - and accomplished so much. She focused on what she wanted and found a way to go after it.

That's what I need to do.

Then I saw this post and actually laughed out loud (not just a lol) because Lucy doesn't even remember her word from last year. Sounds like me!!

I need to focus on new things. Focus on my word. Focus on making lasting connections. Focus on taking care of everyone around me a little better. Focus on taking care of me and my stuff, issues, whatever.

My word is going to be FOCUS!!!

I can think of a million ways it's important. Focus on the job search (start running after it again). Focus on my home and making it the best home it can be. Focus on the friendships that are important to me and nurture them - focus on making them last!! Focus on God - this should have been listed first.

I didn't really put a lot of work into figuring this out. As I was reading Amy's blog post about her first word, I was thinking - see if I just focus on my walking again, maybe I could lose more weight without doing the whole Atkins diet again. And then I began thinking about how I could have really focused on my word in 2010 and really made some changes. The common thread in all my thoughts were all about the focus. Lacking focus.

I lack.

My focus is really half empty. I know what to focus on - I just don't make it a priority. I need to do that.

My brother made me this really cool journal for Christmas. The binding is hand stitched and it's so cool. I love that he made it but I hate that we didn't have the time for him to show me how to do it myself! I would love to learn. That's something I could really focus on. I plan to use this journal to write out some of the things I need to focus on, the things I need to really work at. Maybe that will keep my on track!!

Do you pick a word?

You should!!

lisa

Honey We're Home giveway

2010-12-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

Another chance to enter to win - here - Honey We're Home. She's giving away a Silhouette machine, which you guys know I would love love love to win!!

So glad there's another chance to win!!

Lisa

Another chance to win a Silhouette

2010-12-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

So - here's another chance to win.

Check out this blog - Familylicious. She's giving away a Silhouette machine. Go read her info about it and enter to win!!

Here's why I would love to win:

First, the machine is just cool - there are so many things I could do with it. I'm on a budget - let's face it, so many of us are, whether we want to be or not. So, when it comes to birthdays and holidays it's hard to buy fabulous gifts and I make tons - so this would give me so many more options - glass etching and vinyl alone would be fabulous. Cole's birthday is just around the corner and he'll be TEN so that's HUGE!! So, I would love to be able to make his birthday party a little more special by using this machine for decor, tshirts, goodies - etc!! I would probably end up neglecting the laundry and dishes while I use this machine, but hey - you gotta do what you gotta do, right??

Thanks to Familylicious for the chance to win!!

lisa

A fantastic giveaway you should know about

2010-12-27T06:58:00.000-07:00

Remember to check the previous entry to see if you won one of my giveaways!!

And then read all this and enter to win this giveaway, too!! I just found this fabulous blog - Brown Paper Packages!! She's doing a Silhouette giveaway on her blog. Click on her blog title and it will take you right there!! There are a few things you have to do to enter for a chance to win. Go try - and if you win, will you share with me? :D

Lisa

Winners Winners Winners

2010-12-23T06:32:00.000-07:00

Are you ready? I'm picking winners!!! So, if you see your name below, please email me at lisatanner (at) charter (dot) net. List your prize as your subject. I'll get all the necessary info to you asap!!

First we have the winner for the photo session from E.Bailey Photography.

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2010-12-23 13:15:31 UTC

And number 7 is:

Paige said... I subscribed to E. Bailey's photography blog..(at least I think I did) Not sure if I did it right!


Second we have the winner of the $45 gift certificate to Signs by Andrea.

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2010-12-23 13:19:23 UTC

And number 18 is:

HoweverAlthough said... I liked her on Facebook, too. ;) Thanks for turning me on to her site.


Third we have the winner of the Hot Glue Gun Helpers.

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2010-12-23 13:22:17 UTC

And number 13 is:


annachinlai said.. I entered Lucy's, Gretchen's, and Britney's giveaways.


Fourth prize winner of the photo session with Jenney McAnnally photography is:

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2010-12-23 13:24:48 UTC

And number 8 is:

Kay said... This would be an AWESOME win!!!! Love Jenney's work! :) Merry Christmas




So - winners, email me and I'll give you the info you need to claim your prizes, or I'll let you know what info I need from you to get your prize in the mail to you (after Christmas, of course).

I also received something else to give away late yesterday and since the giveaways were already done, I'll pick one of the winners to receive each of these little bonus giveaways:

Here's some info about the DVD:

Actress, Rochelle Balin has taught yoga and been a personal trainer on and off for forty years. Having taught at fitness hotspots on both coasts, Rochelle opened her own private studio, BalinYoga in 1997, in order to implement her own process based on the breath that emphasizes maximum benefits for minimal efforts. Rochelle believes that her process can benefit everyone, so she teaches the same flexibility and aspirational empowerment to students in the juvenile detention facilities of South Central pro-bono, that she teaches to her celebrity clients, and even those confined to a wheelchair.

And what's the deal with that Twitten? Well, it's really cute!!

For frigid University of Pennsylvania football games in the mid-sixties, Connie Kaiserman knit her first Twitten for Steve Robinson so they could hold hands during those tense fourth downs. Several decades and professions later Connie met Jennifer Isaacson who has spent a lifetime sourcing materials all over the world and designing everything from textiles to furniture. Together they launched the Twitten line.

The Twitten is like a giant mitten but for two hands!! You can hold hands with your sweetie (whether that's your hubby/wife or child) and both your hands stay warm!! So stinkin' cute!!

Ok - thanks a ton for playing along!!
And if you are a winner - email me!!

Merry Christmas!
lisa

The last giveaway!!

2010-12-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

Make sure you go back and enter all the other giveaways!!

Here's today's giveaway:

A free private photosession with Jenney McAnnally!!

Jenney McAnnally is a school teacher turned stay at home mom turned professional photographer. She loves being with children and capturing their true personality in a photograph. The playfulness of childhood should be enjoyed and remembered and a location shoot with JMP is the perfect way to do that. She offers prints of all sizes as well as specialty products like storyboards, proof books and sets, gallery wrapped canvases, custom Holiday cards and baby announcements. To record memories for your family call Jenney at 205-369-8424 or email her at jenneymc@gmail.com.

Leave a comment here and one lucky person will win a FREE private photosession with Jenney McAnnally Photography. {Free session must take place in the Birmingham metro area before 6/30/2011 with a limit of four subjects.}

For an extra entry, go to the JMP blog and become a follower. You can also "like" the JMP page on Facebook for another entry. Be sure to post separate comments for each entry. =)

Thanks for playing along - and comment away!! :D

I'll draw all the winners on December 23rd and then post winners ASAP!!

Lisa

Today's Giveaway

2010-12-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!! I' ve picked a winner from the second giveaway!! I did the Random Number thing - but have no clue how to copy the screen and paste it here - so I just copied and pasted - and this is what we've got:

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 7 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Nothing fancy - but the winner is Brandi, who emailed me her comments. Thanks for playing along!!

Now, today's giveaway is from the company Plaid. If you've been crafting for any time, you've heard of Plaid. If you watch DIY Network, you've probably seen these two:

They are from Creative Juice on the DIY Network. They are really crafty and come up with tons of fabulous projects, which they showcase on the show. These two have created a really cool product:

The Hot Glue Gun Helpers are perfect tools to help you with your hot gluing projects. The kit comes with a Craft Mat (which glue and paint will peel right off of), Finger Caps (like those things you use when flipping through tons of pages), Tweezers, a Paddle, and a Press Wand. All these tools are completely safe to use with your hot glue gun!!

I've been working on these:

The one above, I'm making for my cousin for Christmas. I gave another to a friend who just needed a pick-her-up. I gave one to Cole's teacher for Christmas. And I kept one for myself!! A few more gifts are in the works, too. Most of this project, I just used paint and Mod Podge (which I'm completely out of now - ugh). But, I wanted to personalize each one a bit and add some buttons, flowers, etc. So, in comes the hot glue gun. Now, the gun I'm using is a low-temp, super cheap glue gun - but seriously, it doesn't matter how fancy your glue gun is - it's still really hot glue when you accidentally touch the glue with your finger!! OUCH!!

I plugged in my glue gun, let it heat up and got ready to attach my fabric rosettes.

I already attached my background (which is just tissue paper that's Mod Podged into place) so I glued on my clip with 9001 High-Strength Adhesive. Since the clip is what gets used the most - I wanted a really strong bond. Then I placed my rosettes where I wanted them and hot glued them in place.

The cool thing about Hot Glue Gun Helpers is that pink mat underneath - you can lay your gun down on it and it won't stick, or melt it, or anything!! I used the little finger cap on my first finger and pressed the flowers down with that - I didn't think the glue would actually ooze through and burn me, but, I've been burned before - so I wanted to be extra careful!!

So in the end - I love love love this photo display stand. I hope my cousin likes it, too. She's a huge Bama fan (like us) and has two beautiful daughters, so I'm sure she'll have a photo to stick on here!!

So, now on to the giveaway - took me long enough, huh? This is what you need to do:

1) leave me a comment telling me what you last used your glue gun for

2) go visit all my friends blogs and leave comments on their giveaways

3) tell me what your fave giveaway has been so far (including all the giveaways you'll find below)

And don't forget to comment to win the other giveaways here and on my friends blogs!

Gretchen McElveen
Christine Ousley
Brittney Smith
Shelley Burkett
Lucy Farmer

Thanks for playing along!!

Oh, and here's mine photo display - I love it:

Lisa

A wonderful giveaway today!!

2010-12-18T06:58:00.000-07:00

Remember, the last giveaway is still open - go here to comment. And the previous giveaway is closed, but I had some one email me instead of comment, so I've got to do a little tweaking to draw a winner so that I include their 'comments' as well!!

This giveaway is so great!! I love these signs:

I could seriously come up with one for every single room in my house!! I think my favorite is the one in the middle, with the monogram and last name. Love that idea!!

So, here's what you can win:

A $45 gift certificate to Signs by Andrea!!

Now here's what you have to do to play along:

1) go visit Signs by Andrea and browse around.
2) come back here and leave me a comment telling me what sign you would pick, and what it would say.
3) go to Facebook and LIKE Signs by Andrea and come back here and tell me you did it

That's it - super easy and quick and YOU could be the winner!!

Thanks for playing along - don't forget to check out the other giveaways:

Gretchen McElveen
Christine Ousley
Brittney Smith
Shelley Burkett
Lucy Farmer

Have a wonderful day!!

12 Days Giveaway 3 - it's a good one!!

2010-12-15T06:00:00.001-07:00

This giveaway is fabulous!! You will really want to win!!

It's a Gift Certificate for a regular session with $25 print credit ($100 value) from E. Bailey Photography. Session must take place in the Birmingham area before December 2011.

Elizabeth Bailey is a photographer who specializes in newborn, children, and family portraiture in the Birmingham, AL area. She is available for on location and studio sessions. She blends traditional and contemporary posing, by taking cues from the personality of each child. She wants each session to be fun and enjoyable for everyone involved. You will enjoy a gallery full of carefully edited images that are a reflection of your child's true personality. Elizabeth offers a variety of print options, as well as albums, storyboards, custom cards, gallery wrapped canvases, and digital collections.

You can check out her photography blog here and her website here.

Now, for entries - this is what you need to do:

1) comment here and tell me where you would want a photo session done (your favorite spot around town, in her studio, etc)

2) go to E. Bailey's Photography Facebook page and 'LIKE' it, comment here letting me know you did.

3) go to E. Bailey's Photography blog and follow - do this by browsing through the photos and then scrolling down to the very bottom on the page, comment here to let me know you did.

4) follow this blog through Google Friends, or let me know you already follow.

Thanks for playing along with my giveaways! Don't forget to check out everyone else to see what they are giving away!!

Gretchen McElveen
Christine Ousley
Brittney Smith
Shelley Burkett
Lucy Farmer

And check my previous giveaway - there's still time to enter - you have until the end of today!!

lisa

My December Album - catch up part 2

2010-12-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

December 10th - no photo, but I saved our tickets to Harry Potter and plan to journal about that!
December 11th - we did so much this day - Christmas Parade in the morning and McWane Center in the afternoon. So, I'm doing a little collage to include in the album! Okay, several collages:

December 12th - we really wanted to watch Mickey's Christmas Carol, but missed it on ABC Family. We found it on You Tube and hooked the laptop up to the TV so we could watch it.

Glad I'm keeping up with photos since I haven't touched my album yet!!
Lisa

12 Days Giveaway 2

2010-12-12T20:15:00.001-07:00

Congrats to Linh for winning the first giveaway. I'm ready to giveaway a bit more now. Remember my post about these:

Well, they are my favorite Christmas decoration (besides my trees). I love them. Would you like to love your very own? You can!! This giveaway is just for the picks - not the vase and ornaments. You'll get a mix of three different picks that you can giveaway, or display in your home!! Since this is a Christmas item, I will draw on the 15th and post the winner. You've got two days to email me and then if you are really local - I'll try to meet you, or get them in the mail to you!!

Here's what you have to do:

1) Follow my blog - you can do that over there on the right >>>>>> through Google Friends. Then leave me a comment telling me you are following me - or if you are already following, let me know that, too!
2) Leave me a comment about your favorite Christmas decoration - from now or the past.
3) Facebook about the giveaway with a link to this blog post and let me know you've done it by commenting here (you can friend me, too - if we aren't already friends - search for me "Lisa Niolon Tanner")

Now - go get busy!! And then make sure you go check out all the other blogs, too!! I've seen some great giveaways posted!!

Gretchen McElveen
Christine Ousley
Brittney Smith
Shelley Burkett

Lucy Farmer

Thanks!!
Lisa

Winner Winner for Giveaway 1

2010-12-12T16:01:00.000-07:00

I think the other girls playing along with the 12 Days of Giveaways aren't announcing winners until it's all over. Would you rather know now or wait until the 12 days are over? Hmmm............ If you are like me, you don't want to wait. So, I think I'll just go ahead and pick a winner and tell you!!

So, I have ten comments and I asked Cole to pick a number between 1 and 10. He said 11. We are working on math skills. I asked him to pick again. He picked 12. Oh, the frustration I feel with a kid that has had radiation to his little brain and doesn't really comprehend things!! So, then I said pick a number and listed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. He picked 2.

That means:

Linh C. said...
Red, please. I'll have to choose one of my Alabama-fan neighbors to give this to if I win. :)

Linh - email me at lisatanner at charter dot net and tell me if you want me to mail it to you, or meet you somewhere!! And sorry it's Bama and not LSU!! :D

Thanks for playing along!! Next giveaway coming later this evening.

lisa

This one is for you Bama Fans! Giveaway 1!

2010-12-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for some giveaways? I am later jumping on the giveaways with my friends, so I probably won't have 12 - but I'll do as many as I can - and hopefully you'll like what I've picked for my Favorite things!!

Okay, Bama fans - I know we didn't have a stellar end to our season - but, hey - a fan is still a fan, no matter what our final record is, right?? We have our dining room dedicated to our Alabama collectibles. We have lots of things and love them all. But, I have a few favorites - one being my glittery A on the top of my tree and my smaller A's that are snuggled into the branches on my Alabama Tree. I even have a few small glittery A's as ornaments. It's my favorite Christmas tree we have up - I just love the colors!!

So, here's what you can win today:

This A is super cute just sitting propped up against your other Alabama collectibles, or nestled into your tree, like mine. I also have one glued onto a wreath on my front door - and I love it. You can also give it to your favorite Alabama fan for Christmas.

I have it in Silver or Red - so leave a comment telling me which you would rather have, Silver or Red (that's one entry) and go down the side bar over there >>>>>>>>>> and follow me. Leave me a comment telling me you are following me, or you are already following me through Google Friends (that's the second entry). That's two entries!! Woo hoo!! and Roll Tide!

Make sure you go check out all the other blogs, too!!

Gretchen McElveen
Christine Ousley
Brittney Smith
Shelley Burkett

Lucy Farmer

Next giveaway coming Sunday - and there's more glitter coming your way!! I'll announce the winner for this one on Sunday, as well!!

Lisa

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!!

2010-12-10T07:24:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone!! A few of my friends are giving away some of their favorite things. Don't you want to win some stuff??

I'm going to giveaway a few things, too!! So - here are some things you need to do:

Follow Main Street Memories on Facebook.
Follow Price Punch on Facebook
Follow Southern Accents on Facebook

Follow me via Google Friends - you can click down there on the sidebar!!

And don't forget to check out some of my favorite friends 12 Days of Giveaways!! There's so much more!
Gretchen McElveen
Christine Ousley
Brittney Smith
Shelley Burkett

Lucy Farmer

I'll be back later today with a giveaway!!

Lisa

My December Album - catch up

2010-12-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

I know all of you aren't totally interested in my day to day details for December, but posting it here will help me keep it straight!!

Now, all of my pictures are uploaded to the computer. I've made a few collages, so I can have more than one picture on a page. Sadly, though - there are no pictures of me and Jason yet in the album - but hopefully that'll happen soon!! Anyway - here's the first week or so of my album - in photos only since I haven't managed to work on the album itself at all!!

December 1st is our pile of books under one of our trees - Cole gets to pick one each night to unwrap and read!

December 2nd - photographed two of our new ornaments (the top two), one of my faves (the 'Hope' St. Jude Ornament) and then my reflection in the purple light bulb ornament just for fun.

December 3rd, Cole's elf, Jingle, went a little nuts and rolled the kitchen!! Cole freaked out a bit!

And another for December 3rd. It was too cold to go outside to take this one - so there's a bit of a glare since I snapped it through the door. These snowflakes hang from our deck and you can see them from the main road behind our house - love the skyline in the background.

December 4th - Just snapped a few of Cole hanging out by the tree. This is the Bama tree and where Cole finds all his books to open each night, on our countdown to Christmas.

December 5th we made a run through Krispy Kreme for yummy treats.

And I started the stack of things that need to be wrapped:

December 6th - Cole loves all the Christmas stuffed animals we have. He loves playing with them each year. So I asked him to sit on the couch and then I piled up all the animals all around him. He loved posing!!

But, even more - he loved kicking out of them when I was finished.

December 7th - Cole was chosen as Good Citizen for November. He was honored at a little ceremony at school and received a certificate and a ribbon. He was excited to be picked, but bummed he had to miss PE to get his award!! Crazy kid!

December 8th - didn't take a single picture. Didn't have a chance at all to think about my album. So, I'll cheat a little and use this one:

And December 9th - I'm glad I thought about taking this morning - Jingle, just chillin'

So there you have it. I can't wait to get my album together and make it look presentable!! Maybe I'll get to it this weekend???

lisa

The Front Door!

2010-12-07T17:10:00.000-07:00

Finally finished up our front porch for Christmas. Last Christmas, my mom and I saw really cool giant presents at Disney. They were just plywood boxes decorated as presents. So, this year, my dad had some boxes made for us. They got painted and then 'bowed' and stacked and here you have it:

I would really like a big bow on that bottom box, but it was so so so so sooooooooooooooo cold today, I gave up on it!! Too cold to be outside for very long! I think I got brain freeze from just being outside a short time!

I'm linking up to CSI Project!!

Baby you're a STAR Volumn 2

2010-12-04T17:05:00.000-07:00

Hi out there in cyber world. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. We're just here. We've been really busy lately, it seems. I'm actually feeling pretty bad today - I was okay to begin with, but after noon I started to feel really tired and had a headache. Now, I'm just sort of blah with a low grade fever. Hopefully, it's just that I'm tired and not coming down with the flu. That would be terrible.

My uncle is in the hospital and very sick. He's been undergoing treatment for lung cancer, but now has kidney failure. Dialysis is too hard on him, so there isn't really anything else they can do for him. We're just hanging out at the hospital a lot and praying. Well, I'm not hanging out now since I feel blah. No need to take extra germs there.

I haven't had much time on the computer this week to just browse around and look at pretty stuff, but I did manage to STAR a few things.

This first item came from UCreate and the original link can be found HERE. This is really a cute idea, but the real reason I gave it a star was for the directions on how to make the little bow - super cute and easy!!

Have you seen these powdered donut snowmen? They are so cute!! I would love to make some but am not sure I'll get around to them.

And then my favorite star of the week came from UCreate. I feel as though must of my stars come from UCreate or Tatertots and Jello. Anyway, this one came from a feature on UCreate showing Shanty 2 Chic's fun little gift idea:

I absolutely love this. I've already purchased the wood and Jason's cut it into 11 inch pieces for me. I'm hoping to get the other pieces Monday so I can get to work. This will take care of a few people on my Christmas list!!

This star is super cute and I would love to make some! This comes from a feature of Today's Creative Blog and it's a cupcake in a jar. A CUPCAKE - IN A JAR!!! Love this idea almost more than the pie in a jar, which is pretty cute, too!

If you are a paper crafter, you've probably been to this blog, too - Heidi Swapp. Well, I saw these and wish I had the time to make them, too:

Okay - I think that's enough STARS for today, especially since I feel rather crappy right now.

Off to rest a bit!
lisa

My December Album

2010-12-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

I made this album last year and never managed to take the first picture specifically for this album. So, this year - I'm on it. I will have an album by the end of the month that documents our 25 days leading up to the big finale on Christmas Day!!

Here's the cover:

I'll come back and show each page when it's complete but here's a rundown of what I've photographed so far:

December 1st - the wrapped books under the Bama Tree. We're unwrapping a book every night and reading it before bed. They are all Christmas or winter themed. It's been a fun way to countdown so far. Cole enjoys it, but knows that he's bound to get to a few books he 'isn't a fan of'!! We'll see how that goes.

December 2nd I took several pictures of our new ornaments (from our Disney trip in October) and a few of my very favorite ornaments, too.

December 3rd, I plan to take a picture when it's dark of our snowflakes that are hanging on the deck. You can see them from the main road behind our house and some of our friends have commented on how great they look from the road - I love seeing them as I turn on the road - twinkling through the trees!!

I haven't taken any pictures of US yet for our album, but we'll have time - I really want to include how we decorate so I'm thinking about many little collages for a few days - just to highlight our favorite things around the house!!

Thanks for looking. How do you document your December?

lisa

My ruffle trees

2010-11-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

Remember my post about making ruffle trees? Well, I said I would post mine, but haven't done it yet - so here ya go:

These are in the living room - on our end table. One is out of burlap, with spools for the tree trunk and the other is brown knit with a candle stick tree trunk! The bottom one is just the green oxford with another spool trunk - this one still has thread on it - all the spools were my Granny's!

This one is in my bathroom, on a cake stand that I've been using to display stuff. It's brown knit and green oxford (from a shirt Jason was tossing out).

The little silver tree in the middle is from Walgreens - it was 99 cents!! Score!

Alright - that's all I've got today. I'm about to head to the store and then off to sit in pick up line at school - in the rain!! Boo rain!

lisa

FInally picked a Christmas Card

2010-11-27T15:55:00.001-07:00

Starlight Snowflakes Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Baby you're a STAR

2010-11-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be fun to share the things I gave a gold star to this past week. Gold star? Y'all must think I'm crazy. But, if you have Google Reader set up with all your favorite blogs, you understand. You can 'star' something you like, Google Reader keeps them all together and you can quickly go through what you liked and revisit the idea! I thought it would be fun to start sharing the things I found star worthy. I'll post the link to the original post and then share my favorite image!

So, here's what I 'starred' this past week or so. First, we have Vintage Rudolph, which was posted on Hostess with the Mostess. I love the bright green and red here. I tend to be a little bi-polar when it comes to decorating - I love soft muted colors, but at Christmas I love bold and bright stuff!! I love the corker bow napkin ring here and think it would be super cute to make into an ornament - a whole ball of curly grosgrain! There are a million other things I liked for that post though - go check it out and pick your favorite!

Next up, I have a Tatertots and Jello post and you may seem that blog here more and more - I love the things she shares!! This post is titled Pier 1 Decorating. And this is too stinkin' cute:

I really love the silver mixed with the red here - the red is a super bright burst of color mixed in with the white and silver!

And I really want to make this cute Pom Pom Scarf. It's really cute and brought to you by UCreate, although the original post is from here - Life through the Lens.

Remember the post about the ruffle trees - oh wait, I never shared mine - well, here some of the inspiration. Shanty2Chic made adorable ruffle trees. I love them! The ruffle tree is adorable but the little rosette tree is adorable, too!

Here's another adorable idea from The Inspired Room, How to Make a Jingle Bell Jar. I'm going to be making these soon - I promise!

Here's another from Tatertots and Jello. I love this wreath so very much!

The great thing about Tatertots and Jello is she does link parties - I love that. I just got lost in her links and end up with tons of ideas!!

And here's something I want to try to make myself - and soon! This was shared at JBS Inspiration Blog.

I'll be back next Saturday with more fun stuff!

Lisa

Thankful I'm not shopping this morning

2010-11-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm thankful I got to stay in. I would be more thankful if I'd been able to sleep in, too - but alas, I'm awake and have been for quite some time.

What I'm really thankful for is that I don't work in retail anymore. There may be a time in the future where I'll be back to retail, but hopefully not. I worked last year on the day after Thanksgiving and hated it. We weren't super crowded or anything and honestly, the craziness of it all is a bit fun, but the getting up so stinkin' early is the part I hate. I usually don't sleep well the night before - in anticipation I guess, or worry that I'll over sleep!! Then about the time I really get to sleep, it's time to get up.

I'm just thankful that I've found a job, that's not as close to home as I would like, but it's a paycheck and I actually enjoy what I do. It's not the teaching job I'm still hoping for, but it's not retail!!

I know this is a really lame thankful post - but honestly, I've worked retail for so long and spent so much time in stores on the day after Thanksgiving - it's really a blessing when I get to NOT be on the other side of the counter.

And as a bonus, I'm super thankful that my friend Brandi added a few things from my shopping list to her list since she hit Walmart and Target last night/this morning!! So grateful for that!!

Have a happy black Friday and Iron Bowl Day - Roll Tide Roll!

lisa

Thanksgiving full of thankfullness

2010-11-25T05:57:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm the most thankful for what I have. I'm thankful to have a husband and son still snuggled in the bed sleeping. I'm thankful to have a roof over our head where we all gather and enjoy each others company. I'm thankful that we're all here, together!!

I'm so very thankful that we always seem to have enough. Enough to get us through. Enough to keep us secure. Enough to share. Enough to love. Just enough. No, we don't have tons of things and there's always something else we want (like more toys, a bigger TV, a Silhouette machine) but we have enough of what we need and that's what counts.

So, today here's to having enough and being together. In the end, that's all that really matters to me. I happy home, with the three of us together, having just enough!!!

Lisa

On the fourth day of thankfulness.............

2010-11-24T08:44:00.000-07:00

Well, it's day four of the week and I have tons to do. Food to prepare for tomorrow, sweets to bake, messes to clean, laundry to do. I'd like to say I'm thankful for that, but let's face it - no one is really thankful for laundry. I mean, yes, we're thankful we have family that makes dirty laundry, but the actually laundry - no - no one loves that.

I am thankful, however, that I get to spend the day today preparing for tomorrow. I'm thankful that we get to spend a day with family. I'm a little sad that we won't get to see my side of the family, but I'll survive. We are heading to spend the day with Jason's side. Lots of good food and family is always a good thing, right? I can't wait to see everyone.

I'm very thankful to have family in my life. I can't imagine what it's like to not have a support system, to not have siblings or parents around. I'm very very thankful for the family Jason and I have together. There's nothing better!!

Lisa

Thankful for the high road.

2010-11-23T19:14:00.000-07:00

Seems like a crazy thing to be thankful for, right? Well, I am thankful for it. See, today I was reminded of two different situations where I needed to take the high road - and have. Later I was thinking about how frustrating it is that I have to. Why can't the person that let me down take the high road? Then I wouldn't have been let down. Why can't the person that takes advantage of me take the high road? That's just life I guess. Now, nothing major has happened, I was just thinking today, that's all. Lots of spare time at work today lead to deep thinking, I guess.

Anyway - back to the high road. There are so many times in life where I feel like I'm taking the high road. I'm NOT telling someone what I really think because it may hurt their feelings. I'm NOT telling someone that I'm doing things my way, because it's about me. I'm NOT simply living my life all for me.

I do make tons of mistakes. I don't do thinks I should and I do things I shouldn't. And at the end of each day, God's taken the high road with me. He's not mad at me for making a bad choice, or letting him down. He's forgiving me every day for anything I may do that's not 'high road' material. Over and over. Every minute, every hour of every day. Why don't I do that? Why is it hard for me to let go of a grudge, or not be hurt or bothered by someone? He's not. He loves me anyway.

Wow, that's something I need to work on and am really thankful for - God's always taking the high road with me - so I should do the same!!

lisa

A second dose of thankfulness

2010-11-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

Today's thankful is about friends. I have some really great friends. I have friends who have been around for a long long time and listen to me whine and moan and groan about whatever is going on in my life. I have friends who totally understand where I'm coming from with all the stress of not having my dream job, always being on the 'top' of a list that never seems to exist. Friends who I have things in common with and don't get to see a ton, but when we get together, it's like we never missed a beat.

We even have new friends that I'm really thankful for. Our kids are alike, the wives are alike, the husbands are alike. It's great. We have so much in common we should have already met! It's great.

Life isn't the same without friends. I'm thankful for mine!!

lisa

A week of Thankfuls

2010-11-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

Over on Facebook, there are tons of people posting things they are thankful for each day, for the month of November. I did it last year, but didn't this year for no other reason than I was too lazy to think of something for each day. So, I decided that since I am still thankful for so much, I would blog about those things this whole week. I'm thankful all year long, not just this month, or this week. Maybe I should focus a little more on remembering those things all year, not just in November.

The list is long, of course. The usual things are there, too: good health, a job, a roof over our heads. Same old stuff, right? Well, there's so much more to be thankful for - the little things in life are huge sometimes.

Today's 'thankful' is all about Cole. First, I'm so thankful that God blessed me with the chance to be a mom to this sweet kid. I always thought I just wanted to be a mom. Forget college and all those fancy jobs - I just want to be the best mom I can be. Well, I got to do that and then decided college wasn't so bad so I went back to school and pursued a career in Elementary Education. I still don't have a 'real job' in my field but my college courses prepared me for lots of obstacles I would face while being Cole's mom. So I'm thankful that I got the opportunity to go back to school, too. I am the only advocate Cole will have in his life (well, his dad and I are the only ones). I feel like I'm better prepared to do that now.

I'm also so thankful that a wonderful hospital existed in Memphis. This hospital took us in and treated us all really. They gave us a home for almost 9 months while treating Cole with radiation and chemotherapy. They loved on us - all of us, not just Cole. I'm thankful for all the friends we made while we were there. I'm thankful that so many of them are doing well today. I can't say I'm thankful for the ones that haven't made it, but I am thankful that they are in a better place and cancer free now.

I looked back at Cole's Caringbridge site just now and what we were doing 5 years ago. We had only been home about 8 weeks and were still adapting to our new life. Trying to reestablish friendships, jobs, school - all that stuff. Here's a little from my journal entry 5 years ago today:

"Cole has been walking so much lately - still holding on some and still walking with his arms out for balance. I know the PT wanted him walking more with his arms down - but it's all about baby steps and what he's comfortable with. I'd rather see him walk with his arms out, than fuss and not walk because I remind him to put his arms down. When we had Miss Kelly for PT she taught him how to get up off the floor by telling him "one leg up, other leg up and bum up" those were the steps he followed - and he did great. We still have to remind him once in a while to do that or he'll just reach for us to help him up. Over the weekend he was getting up out of the floor and said something I didn't hear so I said What Cole? and he said oh nothing, I was just saying Bum Up! He's so funny - talking himself through what he should do. He did it yesterday too - trying to walk to his room by himself and said Oh I'm keeping my balance. Then this morning at about 5:35 AM some little guy walks right into our room and says hey mommy, it's me Colie! Something woke him up and scared him so he came to our room - he hasn't done this since before surgery - he used to wake up about 6 every morning and come get in our bed or sit in our doorway singing or talking to himself until we woke up! It was great to see him standing there - even if it was 5:35 in the morning and something scared him. We ended up getting in his bed and he told me he walked all the way to our room with his balance! He was so proud. He's been doing great and getting braver and braver each day - walking more and more! I'm so proud of him. And hopefully once PT gets set up here - things will be going even better. I've called our insurance lady four times now and gotten no return call. I'll try again tomorrow. Hopefully we'll get things straight soon!"

I'm very thankful that Cole learned to walk again and without too many bumped heads in the process. I'm thankful that he had wonderful PT girls along his journey to help him in ways we couldn't. They gave him encouragement and he believed in them and trusted them. Yes, he believed and trusted us, too - but he learned things from them that we couldn't teach. They were all awesome!! I'm thankful that he never gave up. He got frustrated, he got aggravated. But he kept trying. I know, without a doubt, if an illness had me down, I would wallow in it a bit and feel sorry for myself and general hate the world. I'm sure of it. He never asked why, he never questioned why he was different. He still hasn't. I think his age at the time had a lot to do with that - but his personality and maturity level are a huge help, too. He still doesn't voice any concerns over being different in any way. He doesn't talk about not being able to do what others can do. Once in a while, he'll point out that 'righty' is fast and 'lefty' is slllllllloooooooooooow. Yes, he drags it out that way!! His right side will always be stronger than his left. His left side was effected by the surgery he went through and simply never caught up.

He's forgotten so much of what he went through. I'm thankful for that, as well. No child needs to remember having an IV in each arm and one in his foot. No child needs to remember not being able to walk or run or jump and play like he once could. No child needs to remember waking up after surgery and having all your hair gone, bandages all over and not have a clue where you even are. No child should have to remember to tell himself to get his 'bum up'.

I'm thankful he's alive and well and driving me crazy most days. I'm thankful that he still gets up way too early when we can sleep late and is able to walk into my room and wake me up. I'm thankful that I have to tell him to be careful when he's running around - simply because there was a time when we weren't sure he's ever walk or run again.

I'm so thankful that I've been blessed with such a fantastic kid. He's quirky and OCD and difficult at times and a little grumpy when he doesn't get McDonald's, and stubborn and doesn't forget anything you promise him.

I'm thankful for it all!

lisa

Decking the halls, or well, the walls.

2010-11-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

So, this week started off with my finding this:

I immediately wanted to make them. You can see the tutorial and such here and if you go here, you can see another version. I loved them.

After a trip to the Dollar Tree, I had what I needed to get started. But before I show you my ruffled trees - I wanted to show you the ones I made for the wall. YES, the wall. I was actually in the middle of making the trees like the ones above, I thought it would be cool if I could cut the tree in half and hang it on the wall. But then I thought about how I would attach it to the wall. I didn't want nails and didn't want to buy a ton of those 3M Command Strips either. What else could I do here? Changing gears, I started digging through my stash and found some good cardboard. I cut them into tree shapes and then started hot gluing ruffles down.

Here's the process - excuse the bad photos - I was on a roll and didn't want to go grab the real camera so I shot these with my phone. Here's the bones of the tree - just cut out cardboard.

Started adding a few ruffles:

And after a few more ruffles:

So, I kept going and going and ended up with this:

A teeny tree:

All burlap (and my favorite):

Second favorite:

I had the burlap from another project and the green fabric was from a shirt that Jason didn't want anymore!

So, aside from the tons of glue sticks I used - this was a super cheap project!

Thanks for looking and I'm linking up to Tatertots and Jello's Weekend Wrap Up Party! Go check it out, there are always tons and tons of ideas!! Oh, and you'll have to come back to see the ruffle trees I made!

Lisa

Getting ready for Christmas

2010-11-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

I'm hoping that we'll get the Christmas tree up this weekend! I can't wait. It's way past time for the decorations to be out! I love decorating for Christmas.

The last few years, we've moved a lot. We left Mobile and moved to an apartment in Hoover. We then moved to a house in Hoover. And then finally we bought our house here. So for the last three Christmas's I've had a new place to decorate. That's always fun. I love to find new places to put up my favorite things. This year is really no different. No, we didn't move again. We moved some rooms around though. A couple of months ago we decides to rearrange two of our rooms. To begin with, we had a living room, to the left of our foyer. Through the living room, was a dining area. Not a dedicated room, but a space that seemed to by okay for a dining room table. Then as you walk through the foyer, straight ahead is another area we used as a den for Cole. walking through it you get to the kitchen. The den and kitchen take up the same amount of space as the dining area and living room. The den area has some light fixtures that never really made sense in the layout of the rooms. They weren't centered and seemed to just be in the wrong places. We finally decided to put the dining room table in the den - and it seems to fit there better now. We moved the den furniture into the living room and now have a little more seating there.

I love it.

The real purpose of this was to have room for our Christmas trees. Yes, I said TREES!! We got new furniture earlier this year and had no room for a tree. With this new arrangement, we can put a tree in the living room sitting area, right in front of the window. That's where it should be, after all. We can also put a smaller tree in the dining room. I love love love it. I picked up a white Christmas tree last year after Christmas with the intentions of doing an all Alabama Tree. Yes, we are those fans. So now my dining room is sort of a Bama dining room. We have our collectible Bama pieces on my baker's rack, along with all my Bama serving pieces. I just love it.

I couldn't wait until Christmas to put up the Bama tree though. It's there already and ready to glow!! Check it out:

And my tree topper:

And a few favorite ornaments - A Mickey head, an Alabama A, and Houndstooth:

And my very favorite addition to the Bama room:

I would take a picture of the whole room so you could see things like this:

and this:

But I can't because of this:

I also have this but haven't found a spot for it:

So, there you have it - the Bama room - maybe later this weekend I can get an entire shot of the room!

Thanks for looking - I'm linking up to Tatertots and Jello - so go over there and check out all the great projects!!

Lisa

What a weekend...............

2010-11-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

This weekend was the By Hand Boutique that I've mentioned before. It was a lot of fun!! I just barely finished all the things I started and didn't actually start all the things I planned. But, that's okay! We set up our booths Friday afternoon and had a couple of hours of shoppers, some time to visit the other booths and to see friends, too. Saturday was a little busier than Friday night, but there was a little bit of downtime in my booth. I shared with someone else and she's a crocheter and knows a little about knitting, too. In our spare time, I got a little lesson on knitting. I've had the hardest time learning the purl stitch - well, I HAD the hardest time learning it. Now, I've got it!!

Jason went to the Bama game last night, so I watched the game at home and then snuggled with Cole. We actually even slept late this morning, which is rare!! He's usually awake by 6:15 on the weekend, even though he doesn't get up until 6:30 or so on a school day. So, when I woke up this morning and saw 8:30 on the clock, I was a little giddy. I've still been rather sleepy today though. I'm guessing it's just because the day was so dreary. I had plans to clean up my crafting mess and get a few things taken care of. Let's just say I didn't accomplish as much as I had hoped!

I'm so ready to get out the Christmas decorations. I have my eye on a few things I want to pick up to add to our decor. My Bama tree is finished so it's time to tackle another tree or two. I'm going to put up a small, skinny tree in the hall with all of Cole's Disney ornaments and then the regular tree, too. I love decorating for Christmas. I can't wait!

Now, I'm off to eat a few warm cookies from the over and watch Robin Hood with Jason!

Hope you have a wonderful week!
lisa

Handmade by Friends

2010-11-09T19:25:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone - my friend Andrea posted this awesome list of her friends that make stuff!! So - check it out!!

I have so many talented and crafty friends. And just like me, many of them are working hard to use their talents to help bring in a little extra income for their families. I wanted to share some of their business ventures and crafty products with you and ask that you give each of them a quick look. Some of these great gift ideas might be *just right* for someone on your shopping list this year!

Elizabeth Bailey / E.Bailey Photography
Elizabeth Bailey is a photographer who specializes in newborn, children, and family portraiture in the Birmingham, AL area. She is available for on location and studio sessions. She blends traditional and contemporary posing, by taking cues from the personality of each child. She wants each session to be fun and enjoyable for everyone involved. You will enjoy a gallery full of carefully edited images that are a reflection of your child's true personality. Elizabeth offers a variety of prints options, as well as albums, storyboards, custom cards, gallery wrapped canvases, and digital collections.
Join her on Facebook to get the latest information!

Andrea's Blog Special
For the month of November: Contact me and mention that you saw this post on Andrea's blog and you can purchase a gift certificate for a session fee and enjoy $50 in print credit. That is a $125 value for $75. Gift Certificate will be good through December 2011. Give as a gift or keep for yourself!
Contact Elizabeth to purchase your gift certificate or schedule a session:
elizabeth@ebaileyphotography.com, 205-276-7219

Brina Bujkovsky / The Younique Boutique, inc.
Brina makes all sorts of heirloom quality hand painted ceramics, photo gifts, personalized name prints and more!

Rebecca Falkins / Lia Sophia Jewelry Advisor

Rebecca is a Lia Sophia jewelry advisor and loves holding jewelry parties in ladies' homes! It is a fun night of games, trying on beautiful jewelry and eating yummy snacks. Lia Sophia jewelry is coated in rodium and gold so no allergies or tarnishing. All of their jewelry has a lifetime guarantee!

To book a party, just visit her website at www.liasophia.com/rebeccafalkins! We give so much to our hostesses as a thank-you for letting us enjoy your home.

Sara Lohse / Purpose Driven Creations
Sara makes Sanity Sacs. A "Sanity Sac" is a hands-on discovery pillow that has many little treasures hidden inside of it, making it a self-contained toy perfect for traveling, waiting at the doctor's office, church, etc. These 5" x 7" fleece pillows have a clear viewing window, allowing the child to see the items in the bag... they are hidden amongst small poly-pellets. A laminated reference tag is attached (which includes pictures & a list of the items to be found). Great for ages 3-103!

Libby Pritchett / Libby Pritchett Designs
Libby designs digital scrapbooking supplies that can be used to create layouts digitally or printed to make paper layouts or altered art. Her collection includes a range of products including papers, alphabets, element sets, templates, etc.

The calendar template shown on the left can be used with your choice of digital scrapbooking kits. This is perfect for month in review pages, monthly "to do" calendars, or even calendar Christmas gifts. The Advent Calendar on the right is pre-designed and can be simply printed and assembled!

Shirley Ross / Close to My Heart Consultant
Shirley is an Independent Consultant for Close To My Heart stamping and scrapbooking supplies - and loving it! She is a self-proclaimed addict to all things papercrafting and loves to share what she learns with others. Her favorite Close to My Heart project uses a bleaching technique with stamps:

Brittney Smith / Main Street Memories
Brittney makes and sells these cute personalized envelopes and notepads that make perfect gifts for teachers, friends, and family members.

Also, if you are thinking about a Walt Disney World Vacation or a Disney Cruise, she's an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner through Main Street Memories, and can help you book your vacation, make your reservations, plan your days, and give you some GREAT inside tips on how to make the MOST of your vacation! (No-Cost Service!)

Andrea Steed / Signs by Andrea
Andrea makes personalized, hand-painted, weathered, wooden signs. Each sign is made-to-order, so it can say and look however YOU want it to look. Popular choices are last names, monograms, and favorite quotes. - Gallery of Signs - Sign Ideas - Win a Free Sign!

* Also check out her "Crafter-for-Hire" page of other personalized crafty products!

Lisa Tanner / Etsy Shop
Lisa makes fun, glittery decorations for your tree, your front door, your mantel - where ever!!

By Hand Boutique
For those who are local in Alabama, you might want to check out the By Hand Boutique market next weekend - November 12 & 13th at Community Presbyterian Church in Moody, AL. Several of my favorite friend/artists are going to be showcasing their work and selling all kinds of fun goodies!

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

2010-11-07T06:07:00.001-07:00

So, we've got 47 days until Christmas!! Are you ready for the craziness that is the holiday season? I'm not!!

What I am ready for is the decorating and looking at pretty things part. That's always fun!! I've got a few gifts purchased already, a decent start I think. I've got a list of things I need to be on the look out for, too. I'm ready to make a larger dent in my list - that's for sure!

But while I've been thinking of all the things I'll need to do - I've been crafting for the By Hand Boutique. I've already shared my Alabama A's and my Countdown to Christmas calendar. I've also been making these:

They are so cute!! I'll have the ones pictures, along with trees, stockings, and ornaments, along with some circles in varying sizes. These were so fun to make. I can't wait to set up my booth and share all the stuff I've been working on!

I'm linking up to The CSI Project again - one of my fave places to visit, tons of inspiration - go check it out!!

Hope to see you there!!
Lisa

I'm the featured artist!

2010-10-30T06:13:00.000-07:00

Remember this:

Well, I'm the featured artist today on their blog - you can see it here! I'm so excited! Can't wait!!

Lisa

I know it's not Christmas yet, but..............

2010-10-29T07:51:00.000-07:00

I'm already thinking about Christmas decorations and projects and cards. I love to do photo cards for Christmas. I love that everyone gets to see a snapshot of our life and I love getting the same things from others! So, I've started looking around and trying to decide what cards I want to order. Of course, THIS is the first place I looked: Shutterfly

When I first went to the site, I realized I could have done some really cute Halloween cards! I'm putting this on my list for next year! Anyway, back to the Christmas cards! I can't decide between these:

It's too hard to pick just one - especially when you keep looking and see this one:

I just can't decide!

The good thing is Shutterfly is offering 20% off all holiday cards!! So that makes picking a little easier....

Until you see these:

I didn't know they did gift tags! Oh so cute!

Then, I saw these:

Address labels that match my gift tags??? Who knew that was even an option??

And after the holidays, I can use these:

Did you know they even have Thank You's to use after the holidays??

Now I'm thinking I see a trend in what I've really liked at Shutterfly? Did you notice, too?

Maybe the winning card will be this one:

So so cute!! Can't wait to mail them off!! It's still too early, right?? I love Christmas!!

Lisa

*a little disclaimer, I'm participating in the Shutterfly's 50 Free Holiday Card Promotion. These opinions are all mine though - I love Shutterfly and have ordered cards from them in the past and can't wait to get them again this year - and they NEVER disappoint me!!

Doing some crafting and avoiding housework.

2010-10-27T06:17:00.000-07:00

So, I have a booth in the By Hand Boutique. I posted about that here. I have big plans, too. I've come up with a dozen different ideas of things to make and offer in my booth. But in reality, I probably won't get even half of the dozen done. That's a bummer. But, I'm a procrastinator, so this is how I roll. And I'm okay with that. I work best under pressure!!

Here's the first thing I planned to sale:

This one is a little bigger than the ones I'll have in my booth, but they are still pretty big. I'll also have this one:

It's great for putting on top of a Christmas tree, if you are an obsessed Bama fan, like we are!! We actually have a whole Bama tree. You can also attach it to a wreath for your front door, or just prop it up somewhere in your house. I've done all of the above with mine!!

And then, I'll have these, too. "Our countdown to Christmas" is made to hang up anywhere you want, and comes with a matching clothes pin to mark how many days are left.

Not sure how many of my other projects will get finished, but I'm hoping for a few more!! I have some Christmas ornaments, too - some handpainted, some glitterey goodness like the A's above!! I can't wait!

lisa

Do you know about the By Hand Boutique?

2010-10-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited!! For a few years now, my friend Virginia has been involved in this and has always tried to talk me into doing it. This year, I'm all in!! You should be all in, too. If you live in the area, it's worth the trip. If you don't, well, it's still worth the trip! You should come check it out.

Here's the details:

So, go and follow their blog. Become their fan on Facebook. And then mapquest how to get there and come see me!!

I'll be back later this weekend with photos of what I'll be offering in my booth!

Disney World

2010-10-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

Wow, I'm not a good blogger at all. I've had the hardest time making this a priority. But, I'm trying to do better - so here's hoping I won't go a month again without blogging.

We just got back from a trip to Disney. It was wonderfull!! Of course, I'm not sure how anyone could go to Disney without have a wonderful time. We left super early last Thursday and made it there by late afternoon. We unloaded and settled in. We decided to head to Epcot that evening for a little while. We did Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, too. We skipped Animal Kingdom this time so we could go to Universal Studios.

We did all our favorites, tried some new places to eat, rode our favorite rides and Cole tried a few new things, too! He rode the Haunted Mansion with us (hated it), Mission Space with his dad, and a ton of things at Universal! I think the best part for me was watching the Block Party Bash and seeing Cole dance in the street with Mr. Potato Head!! We also watched the Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It street party. Cole did some dancing again with Jessie from Toy Story. It was wonderful to see him more outgoing and willing to take part in things that he used to just stand back and watch.

And we got to see Lotso Huggin' Bear from Toy Story 3. Cole was super excited to see him. I'm not sure he was excited to see us though. Jason joked around with him and told him he didn't want to be in the picture with a bad guy. Lotso took Jason by the arm and walked him over to the corner! Lotso put Jason in time out!!

We also saw these guys - we've never seen them before, so that was a nice surprise!

While at Epcot, we got to see this guy - the new character, Duffy, the Disney Bear:

I have tons of pictures, of course, and really you don't want to see them all - but here are two of my faves:

This is my favorite castle shot, I think. It actually matches the painting of the castle my aunt did!

And he's just so cute!!

I'll be back with more once I get them all uploaded and find the good ones!!

And I've got pictures from Hogwarts and let me tell you - the whole

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

was

FANTASTIC!!

ok - off to unpack more!

later!!

Some fall fun

2010-09-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share some fun fall things that I love having around the house this time of year. I'm just dying to get the fall/halloween stuff out, but have to wait until October 1st, at least!!

This trees are on their third Halloween and I can't wait to find somewhere to put this this year:

Last year, they were as pictured above. The year before, they were on a fireplace mantel in a different house. This year, that entertainment center has been moved, so I'm not sure where their home will be this year, but they will have a home for sure!!

This is another favorite and I think it can go out soon than the Halloween stuff:

And then these are really my favorite here:

And last but not least:

I can't wait to buy lots of teeny pumpkins again this year!

What are you ready to pull out for this time of year?

It's my favorite time of year and I love to decorate and enjoy the change of the season! I mean, first we have my birthday (which is Saturday), then we've already started Alabama Football (can I get a Roll Tide?) and then there's cooler weather, low humidity, which means better hair!! Whoop whoop!!

Okay - that's all I've got tonight - I'm linking up to the:

See ya later!

Playing Catch Up

2010-08-27T06:52:00.000-07:00

I've had a busy few weeks and haven't even thought about coming here to blog! Not that anyone is checking it everyday to see what new and exciting thing is going on in my life!! :D

Here's a few things I've been working on:

I'm planning on hanging this up in our window at Port Orleans French Quarter - which is where we'll be in 47 days.

Did this for a challenge during an online crop at the Noel Mignon website. Just a look at me at 19 and now.

I've got a few other layouts done but haven't photographed them yet.

Here's a rundown of our last few weeks - We just got back from Cole's latest check up at St. Jude. All was well. Cole's MRI was clear, he's been growing right along schedule. So, all good. School started a few weeks ago and we've been adjusting to the new schedule. We need some more tweaking to get it just right. Third grade is tough - more work, harder work!! Cole needs to go to bed a bit earlier and we need to work on homework a little harder - especially those spelling words!! I've subbed in his room twice (the last two days) and I'm still working for the eye doctor. It's great that he'll work with me and let me off to sub sometimes. Still applying for teaching jobs, still not getting any interviews, still depressed a little about that. I know, I know - all in His time. There's a room out there just for me - I've heard it all. I'm just tired of waiting!! I really would like to have a full time teaching job, doing what I love and having a steady income!!

One day!!

Ok - gotta run - off to get ready to meet my mom and walk at the track.

Lisa

Doing a little creating lately

2010-08-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

This week there is a fun crop going on at Noel Mignon. I've been playing along with some challenges. Wanna see what I made?

This challenge was just to scrapbook something about yourself - kind of an All About Me sort of thing. So, here it is:

I wanted to document my peppiness tendencies. I love preppy things, but rarely pull off the total preppy package!

This challenge was to document our summer and use at least 6 pictures. I printed out pictures from our trip to the beach!

And then this was a challenge to make your own flowers - I did three different flowers made three different ways - one I got from the fabulous Virginia Tillery. She made flowers from masking tape so I gave it a try. The other two are just made from shapes I cut out - leaves using me Slice and the circles using my punches.

This challenge was all about color - the colors that were suggested were muted greens, oranges, creams, yellow - no yellow here, but creams, greens, oranges and a dull black. I made the one above and the one below to hang in our window when we go to Disney in October.

Lots of Mickey heads there and a few more flowers. The top one I made from punching four Mickey heads out of paper and layering them so the ears looked like petals.

And lastly - this was a sketch challenge. I printed out the pictures I took this morning of Cole. Today was the first day of school!!

I've had a great time creating again. It's been a while. It was fun to just dig through supplies and pull things together. I'm cleaning out and getting ready for a yard sale at The Scrapbook Princess so it's a bit easier to find things now!

Thanks for looking -
lisa

How about a little Pay It Forward?

2010-08-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

I did this a long time ago on my blog - I mean two years probably. And I can't even remember where it started - but I know I commented on someone's blog and then posted it here - so I'm doing it again!

Here's how you play along. The first three people to comment will get something handmade by me. I've got 365 days to complete the item and mail it. You (if you are the first three) must post this on your blog, or Facebook, and do the same thing!!

So, leave me a comment and I'll make you something!! Then go do the same!

lisa

I'm a little giddy!!

2010-08-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

So, if you've read my blog for a while (or at least two months) you've seen me link up to the CSI Project several times. This past week I posted my pendants I've been making out of eye glass lenses. AND - are you ready for this - I was Beckie's Pick!! Look:

I was so excited!! So, if you missed the project, back up a post and you'll find it. Sorry, I'm too giddy to link it up!! :D

lisa

Trashcan Treasures

2010-07-29T07:31:00.001-07:00

So, I'm playing along with CSI Project again this week. Here's the info for the current challenge.

And I'm linking up here, too:

Most of the projects that are linked up seem to be using items that really were rescued from the roadside. Mine is a bit different, but still a rescue. I started working at an eye doctors office about 7 weeks ago. I'm always on the look out for something crafty - something I can make out of nothing, something that gets overlooked. So, I found these:

These are all the plastic lens we take out of the frames and replace with the patient's real lenses. These were just being trashed, which seems logical - I mean, what else would you do with them??? Well, here's what I did with them:

I used my trusty Dremel and drilled away at the sides until I got a good shape. Then I drilled a hole in the top for a jump ring. I used GLOO to glue the paper on to the back of the lens and then once that was really dry, I used another glue (Paper Glaze maybe) to cover the back of the paper. This just seals the back in a way, so the paper doesn't peal off. For the one above, I did our favorite college football team's colors (red and white), the houndstooth is a popular pattern for the team, too. I added a little charm I made last year with red, black and silver beads and a metal stamped L charm. Perfect for football season!! (35 days away, I believe).

And here are a few more:

This one is just black and white - pretty basic. I used one lens here, along with a Tim Holtz fragment and a broken earring. Here's the lens:

Here's another:

Another team pendent - the same broken earring works here, too. Here's just the lens - with my initial:

And one last one:

The one above was the toughest for me - it was really hard to make it round - took me forever and I made a big mess with the Dremel. The lens in the back is just etched, so it's sort of foggy. Just thought it was a nice touch.

I have a ton of lenses left, waiting for ideas. I'm going to keep playing and see what else I can come up with.

Thanks for looking!
lisa

Please don't!

2010-07-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

Been doing a lot of deep thinking lately. It's weird - not that I'm deep thinking, but the things I was thinking about. Are there things in life that just drive you nuts? Yes, of course there are. Here's a few of mine - just because I feel like sharing:
* Don't text me a long message and then add 'call me' because by the time you typed all that out, YOU could have called ME.

* Don't text me back in answer to my text to CALL ME and then not answer, or say "hey, can I call you back?"

* Don't just call me when you only want me to do things for you - actually pretend like you like me, or are concerned with how I am doing before you ask me to do something for you yet again!! You can even call when you don't NEED anything.

* Don't ride my butt on the interstate because you think me driving 80 MPH isn't fast enough. Maybe you should have left for work a bit earlier and then 80 would be fast enough for you!

* Don't talk on your phone in your car if you can't maintain a decent speed at the same time. Learn to multitask, or hang up the stinkin' phone!

* Don't pull out in front of me because you assume I'm about to turn. I mean, I don't have my blinker on, so what makes you think I'm turning?

* Don't let your cell phone continue to ring over and over, when you shouldn't be answering it anyway, just because you don't know how to turn your ringer off.

* You're at church - turn your ringer off - figure it out!!

* Don't say you don't have time for a hobby. If you want one bad enough, you make the time.

* Don't act like someone else has it easier than you - you don't know, you haven't been in their shoes.

* Don't talk while the pastor in your church is talking. Don't talk very loudly during the worship music. For some people - that time is just as special as saying a prayer. You wouldn't be gossiping about all you did all weekend in the middle of someone praying now would you? So, hush - you're at church - wait until it's over or get there a little earlier to visit. Just stop talking while I'm enjoying my worship time!!

So after you stop doing all those things - do these:

Appreciate what you have. You never know when it'll be gone.

Don't take advantage of people. It's just not nice.

If someone does for you, do for them, or someone else. Just pay it forward.

Be thankful for the blessing you receive from others - but remember it's just that - a blessing.

Remember that you have to take the good with the bad. You can't use people for what they can do for you and then get mad when you don't like all the other stuff that comes with them.

Everyone deserves the best you offer. I know we should all have people we can be "real" with, but don't always be so "real" that you are a "real" pain in the behind. You know the happy self you show others? Isn't everyone in your life deserving of that happy attitude?

Okay, that's all from me. I just had to get a few things off my chest! I'll be back in a little while with my Trashcan Treasure for the CSI Project this week!!

lisa

I love a challenge

2010-07-22T04:57:00.000-07:00

I spent a little time yesterday scrapbooking, when I should have been doing laundry!! I wanted to play along with this challenge from Noel Mignon - so here it is!

It's not nearly this dull in real life - I thought I was in pretty good light outside!

Thanks for looking - off to get Cole ready for the last day of Summer Learning Academy!
lisa

A little furniture makeover

2010-07-20T05:40:00.002-07:00

I did this project a while back and sadly have lost all my photos. We've had a rough few weeks when it comes to electronics. First, my laptop died - blue screen of death, kind of died! Second, my camera quit - just quit - no power, no nothing!! Third, the tv went out. The good news is the laptop is back, the camera should arrive today and we'll probably have a check by the end of the week for the tv (which means Jason will pick out a bigger one with the money!!).

So, anyway - I lost my before pictures, and my process photos - but I Googled and found a suitable substitute photo for a before!!

This is very close to what I started out with. My plan was to paint the chair to go in my kitchen. Just a spot to pile things really. Most of the time our lunchboxes sit there, along with random things I haven't managed to return to their home!!

I decided to paint it a shiny red and then I thought it would be cute to paint the ladder back with chalkboard paint so we can write on it. There are three planks across the back, which is nice for so many messages (Roll Tide Toll, God Bless America, Home Sweet Home, or our three names!!). I taped off the chair first - leaving just the ladder back bare. Covered the seat and bottom of the chair with plastic and sprayed the chalkboard paint. Once that was dry and ready to go, I pulled all the tape off and reversed it, the sprayed the chair red. I love how it turned out!

So here's an after shot:

And a closeup of the ladder back with the current message:

I love it - I love that I have a place to stack things that won't have to get unloaded for me to use it. This chair is just to stack my crap! lol Previously, this spot had an old step stool that belonged to my Granny. We used it all the time, so I would always have to dump off the pile of stuff to use it. Problem solved!!

Thanks for looking!! Go check out the CSI Project blog - even if you don't want to participate - go look at the posts where everyone links up their projects. There is so much inspiration - tons of great projects. Each week, I bookmark a ton of things I want to try!!

Next weeks challenge is "Roadside Rescue", which I'm going to call "Trashcan Treasure" since I didn't really rescue my stuff from the roadside - but from the trashcan at work!! Come back to check it out!!

Linked up to:

Lisa

Sharing a giveaway

2010-07-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

I have lots of creative friends - most I'm really jealous of because they make things that are so cute (but the good thing is they don't mind when I copy them!!)

So, I met Michelle a couple of years ago through a Scrap Etc Event (I called her Georgia Girl the whole event and she still liked me). She's been sewing like crazy lately - apparently - go check it out:

Me and My Scraps - her blog
24 Olive Street - her facebook page
24 Olive Street - Etsy shop

Okay - go check it out - hopefully I'll be back in the swing of posting soon - I'm a slacker in the summer!

lisa

One Last Project for this week

2010-06-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

Showing off another project for The CSI Project!

I mentioned to my dad that I wanted one of these chip clip displays and just like that, he found one on Ebay and bought it for me. I was going to use it to hang Cole's art work, but it didn't really leave enough room for too many pictures of his. They would overlap and he couldn't see all the details. That's why I used his closet doors instead. So, now this is used for hanging a few pictures.

We've had an abundance of babies born in the past year or so, so there's been lots of baby pictures sent my way. I also hung an older layout of Cole on the bottom - it's one of my favorites, so I like to keep it out where I can see it and be reminded of all he's gone through and how happy we are that he's here and ours!

(a close up)

Thanks for looking!

lisa

A place for Cole's art work

2010-06-24T06:23:00.000-07:00

Back again with another post for The CSI Project!

I've been trying to come up with a place for Cole's art work to hang. He loves to draw pictures and have them displayed somewhere. He usually wants them on the fridge, but I was quickly running out of room there. So, here's the solution:

I used a thin twine and crisscrossed it on the front sliding closet door. Then I simply hung the pictures with clothes pins (which need to be jazzed up a bit). The other door is the one that slides behind the picture door, so I can't hang anything there with tacks, or clothes pins. I took some of Cole's paper off our coloring roll and just taped it up with green masking tape. It peels off easily and won't hurt the door. I left Cole a note and made a list of the things we're doing this week, as well as a few tic-tac-toe spots. He loved it. He can draw a little, or a lot, and I can replace the paper whenever he needs more. OH, I also marked his height and measured to see how tall his is now. He's 4'2" - amazing!! For a kid that didn't grow for so long - that's amazing. He gets a shot of growth hormones every night and they work - they are really helping him to catch up!! I love it! He's only a foot shorter than me now!!

Okay, I've got one more project to share - I'll be back with that in a few.

Lisa

A little wall decor!

2010-06-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

So, you guys know I've been following along with The CSI Project and playing along when I can! This weeks challenge is about Frames, Art and Wall Decor. Check it out here:

So, here's my entry (at least, one of them, I'll be back later with other projects I've been working on and haven't shared yet). I posted this tutorial a while back and then I posted this where I re-did my wall and really liked the result. So here's the finished project with no more tweaking - it's done and I love it!

Go check out the challenge and the entries. They are always wonderful - so many talented people linking up! Go - hurry!!

Lisa

Have you seen this?

2010-06-21T19:31:00.000-07:00

OMGosh - check this out:

Tatertots and Jello - best giveaway ever - if you win, you must let me use your machine!!

Go check it out - and enter to win!!

I'll be back tomorrow with my CSI Project for the week!

lisa

Oh, another Dollar craft

2010-06-16T16:39:00.000-07:00

I got this idea from Virginia:

I thought it would be cute to write a message when people are coming over - like "Hey Holden" or "Morning G's" (the G's are my parents). Anyway, had company today for a little playdate and forgot to go change the message! Bummer! I just taped off the edges, although you could just paint the whole thing, I just liked the look of the silver frame around the chalkboard area. I punched holes in the top with my crop-a-dile for the ribbon and added some cute bright flowers and bling!

Thanks for looking!!
lisa

"Dollar Store" projects

2010-06-16T16:17:00.002-07:00

So, I've posted before about CSI Project, right? Well, if you haven't checked it out - you should - go there now, I can wait.....................

Ok, now back to the projects. This week's challenge is a Dollar Store Challenge. So, this one I finished up today:

This is our list of Summer Fun - the things we want to do during the summer. I took a wooden hanger from the Dollar Tree and added some patterned paper, bling and letters from my stash. Topped it off with a little bow and some ribbon to hold a sharpie (to check things off the list). Here's the top:

And here's the bottom - I added a border of green masking tape to the bottom, wrote a message for Cole, and then cut the tape into a scalloped border. This just helps to add weight to the bottom of the paper, since it's just one of those little rolls of thin coloring paper, which also came from the Dollar Spot at Target.

Here's the bottom:

We have about 40 things on our list and a few we've already checked off. Cole's hoping a few of them don't happen, but we're pushing him out of his comfort zone a little!!

Thanks for looking!
lisa

Some layouts and such

2010-06-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

I didn't realize I hadn't posted these layouts here - so here they are:

I tried to type above each picture but it won't let me for some reason! Blogger is being difficult!
Thanks for looking!

Lisa

The Real World

2010-06-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm talking about the Real World - no, not the MTV show that used to be good but turned trashy. No, not the Matchbox 20 song, although I do love it!

MY real world. I read this post this morning by Stephanie Howell - who I really admire and totally stalk via blog, Facebook and Twitter!! And then I read this one by Michelle. So, I figured - why not? I can be real, right?

Now, I know plenty of times I'm real about Cole and cancer and stuff like that. There are lots of things I'd love to vent about here and don't for fear someone would read it and take it the wrong way or get mad at me - even though it's my blog and I should be able to say what I want!

So, here's the real me - and yes, I'm beginning the same way Stephanie and Michelle did - because it's the truth!!

My bed is rarely ever made. I don't have time and when I do have time, I don't care that it's not made. Cole's bed is rarely made by me. He makes his own bed once in a while and lately is tired of making it so he sleeps under a blanket ON TOP OF his quilt so he doesn't mess it up. Not a bad idea, Buddy!!

There are usually dirty dishes in my sink and plenty of laundry to do. I have to clean up before anyone comes over because there is always a little mess somewhere. So, don't just drop by - I need 30 minutes notice please!

My van is also a little messy. There are usually at least four empty cups in the floor or cupholders at any given time.

I also love Facebook and my blog. I love getting comments. I love leaving comments on Facebook. I'm bummed when I think I write a great blog post and get no comments - BUT - I don't always comment on other blogs, so I get what I deserve there, huh?

I have low self esteem. I don't think I'm smart enough or pretty enough or nice enough or friendly enough or skinny enough or have good enough hair or good enough clothes or shoes, or purses, or scrap supplies. This could go on forever. In the end, none of that really matters. But I do wish I was more confident in my own abilities and just happy with what I have. Only certain people bring those feelings out in me though - it's not all the time but it is MY issue and I'm working on it.

During Cole's illness, life was rather easy. I didn't break down and cry often. Actually, I can remember maybe twice being on the verge of tears and one time, actually crying. First, I'm not much of a crier. I don't cry at funerals or weddings. I may get the little lump in my throat, but that's it - a little watery eyes - but that's it. I've been that way as long as I can remember. Ok, so back to Cole's illness. I didn't (and still don't) feel worthy of the grace I felt. Why did I feel like it was all ok and it would all be good? Why didn't I stress and worry each and every day? I know God was taking care of me, but I'm not sure what I did to deserve that. I wasn't very religious at the time - sure I believed in God, but I wasn't having a relationship with him daily. So, I wonder all the time why me? Why did He take that burden for me and carry it? I'm thankful each and everyday - I was able to focus on Cole 100% instead of worrying and stressing - but in the end.... still don't know what made me worthy of that grace!!

Okay - that's all I've got. I could probably go on and on - but those were the important things to me!!
Thanks for reading and for the love - leave me a comment!!

lisa

So much to do, so little time.

2010-05-31T13:02:00.000-07:00

I wish I could create all the things I want to create! Or at least get them all done in a timely manner!!

This is one of my favorite things I've made stuff out of. Have you seen this before:

This is insulation sheathing. It's pink at Home Depot and blue at Lowe's - so don't go to Lowe's and ask for 'pink' insulation sheathing. They'll sort of laugh at you and point out that theirs is blue. This comes in big 8x4 sheets and it's an inch thick. Lowe's has it for around $12.00. Pretty good deal considering you can make all of this from it:

The above is an A - an Alabama A for those of you who may not be fans of the University of Alabama! I actually made about five of these at once - a few to give away and two to keep. This one is usually in our living room - the only Alabama stuff in there. The other one is in Jason's office, with all the rest of the Bama stuff.

This rocket was on the wall in Cole's last room at our previous home. He had a whole Buzz Lightyear thing going on. He wanted one for his door, which I tried to make, but made it too big - so it wouldn't fit on the door! We topped it off with this:

I cut out lots of stars, too and painted them to match - they were on the ceiling and in a few places on the wall, around his room.

I think these are my second favorite creations (the Alabama A being the first). I cut out tons of triangles - long and skinny - painted them and covered them with glitter. This was the mantel at our last home (the same home with the rocket on the wall). I did a few circles, as well, just to have a different shape. Here's a close up:

Orange, black and silver - all gathered together with a purple feather boa - great Halloween colors, right?

Now this is what I'd like to make next:

I'd like to do some W's for my sister-in-laws wedding in October. They colors are blue and silver, so I thought it would be pretty to do W's for them and cover them in glitter. And I'd like to cut out a large C and paint it red for Cole's room. And I'd love to make a large T to hang on the front door - but I'd have to paint it and seal it somehow to protect it from the weather!

Okay - that's enough or I'll be running to Lowe's to get another sheet! Oh, and a tip for you - if you want to make anything out of this stuff - a friend (who I originally got this idea from) used a heated knife of some sort and it cut super easy. Her edges were super smooth. I didn't have one, so I used an X-acto knife. I made a mess - but it worked for me!

Lisa