A good saying...

I've got major nesting issuse going on here right now.  However, it's giving me overwhelming anxiety at the same time because I feel that I'm drowning over here in stuff.  Stuff everywhere I turn.  Stuff that I haven't made a decision so I put it in the dungeon because it's easy to ignore.  Do I have a yard sale?  Do I donate it all and get out of here right now?  Spinning my wheels folks.  Spin. Spin. Spin.

via Pinterest pin

Loved this saying I found on Pinterest (ya know, while ignoring the massive nesting list I made).  I know I need to work in babysteps.  It just gets extrememly frustrating you know.  So today, I'm starting (again) where I am and working in babysteps doing what I can.  Hopefully, I'll get to the "use what you have" part soon.

Domino Quick Fixes

I was super excited to read that they are coming out with a new special issue Domino magazine call Quick Fixes.

Domino Quick Fixes will be full of Domino's best home decorating stories, focusing on easy, often inexpensive changes that make a big difference — from quick spruce-ups of dowdy furniture to more involved DIY projects like painting stairs or reorganizing a home office.

 Domino Quick Fixes hits newstands this April.  You betcha that I'll be in line to grab and issue for myself!

Martha Stewart Paint FYI

Did you guys know that Martha's paint is being discontinued at Home Depot?  I stopped in there a few weeks ago and discovered that.  I quickly picked up another paint swatch since they said that they will still have the codes to make the colors.  This week, I stopped in quickly and found that the pre-made samples of paint that was in the display case for just 50 cents each.  These samples have a built in paint brush and are great colors which will be great crafting paint.  Hurry on over and see what you can get too! 

Christmas Eve

Wow!  It's amazing to me that it's already Christmas Eve!  I hope I'm all prepared.  I keep thinking and re-thinking what I have done to make sure.  I'm sure you are doing that too!

I got some last minute wrapping done.  Very simple with a beautiful red satin ribbon.  I think the packages turned out beautiful!

I added pom-poms to my banner.  (Hello neighbor washing your car.  Would you like to wash mine too?)

We got a darling package from my sister that included this little handmade pine cone elf and a delicious treat! It was a fun surprise!

The house is clean and I've got cookie dough thawing and dinner started.  I'm sure I'm missing something but I'm enjoying these few free minutes I have.

Wishing you and your family a very, Merry Christmas indeed! 

xoxo, 

Megan

Christmas Eve Eve

Today it's Christmas Eve Eve!  We are planning a sleepover in the front room under the glow of the Christmas tree with Christmas movies and treats.  It's our first year and I'm hoping to make it a tradition.  Let's see if I can handle the crazies.  They are extremely excited for it!  All except for my oldest who got sick yesterday and is really whiney sad about it.  It sounds like strep throat so we are headed to the doctor today.  It's strep throat again, oh my!  It wouldn't be Christmas if somebody wasn't sick.  It's a tradition that I don't enjoy.

I'm in the mode trying to remember who I'm forgetting and getting the last bits done.  I may be guilty of adding a little more here and a little more there.  It's hard for me to let some things be.

I never did share my Christmas banner with you.  It's been up for weeks!   I'm blessed to have a friend who gives me fabric and she chose a festive red and green color scheme.  I think it turned out cute!  I never added the pompoms to it.  Maybe I'll put them on today? (*Update:  Banner got pom-poms! )

Love the carolers...

And the flower is so fun and unexpected that I think it's probably my favorite.  Well, next to the poinsettia, and the carolers and the holly toile.

I got this gold wreath, that I love, from Home Goods.  I realized how nerdy I am when I tried to take a picture of it.  My son, however, is a little bit nerdier then me being that he kept opening the door and laughing at me.  My poor kid has strep throat and is pale with dark under eye circles, but he just can't stay down.  He may or may not be shooting me with darts right now.

We are super excited for Christmas to come!  We are all ready and I'm thrilled to give the kids their presents this year!  We will have a little time before church to enjoy them which I'm so happy about.  We usually go to Gram's house right after our Christmas morning for breakfast and a BIG present opening fest for the kids that makes them forget all about what they got from us.  Gram likes to spoil which is perfectly fine to do.  I'm sure I'll be the same way when I get grandchildren!

So, are you ready for Christmas?

Addict

A week ago, my computer got a virus that completely seized it up.  Fortunately, we could get it fixed and I'm grateful to have my computer back!  Sadly, I realized how much time I waste on this thing.  Blogs, Pinterest, Facebook, emails, bills, etc.  It's obviously time to stage an intervention and find a happy medium.  How does one do it though?  How to not get sucked into this abyss while enjoying the benefits of the world wide interwebs?  Any suggestions?

Star Wars Wallpaper

Are you kidding me?  Star Wars wallpaper.  My boys would die over this! 

Awesome

I have a feeling that my favorite-little- plastic-gun-toting-fanatics would get a BIG kick out this:

Want some ketchup?  Mustard?  Pew! Pew! Pew!!

Super Bowl Commercial Favorites

Last night, we all enjoyed watching the Super Bowl.  There were even some good plays that got this non-football watching gal impressed.  But, we all know that the Super Bowl is all about the commercials.  These were our favorites!

Number 1 for everyone: Darth Vader and VW Passat.
LOVE!


The the house sitting Dorito's commercial where he is supposed to be watering the plants and feeding the fish:


The Beetle commercial made Ryan laugh so hard!  He loves it when the beetle passes the praying mantises and love the music and when he launches off the rock.  So funny!



What were your favorites?

Black Nail Polish...Goth or Posh?

via google images

Yes, these are the things that I'm pondering today. (Obviously, my motivation is long gone.)  Today, instead of doing mounds of laundry or cleaning something (anything!),  I'm painting my nails glossy black.  Which brings me back to my question.  Is black nail polish goth or posh?  I think it goes either way.  Goth, yes.  Posh, yes.  I think it looks best on a nice, clean shorter nail.  Either way, I'm going to enjoy my new look for the next two days because eventually, I'm going to have to clean something and no amount of top coat can help my manicure stay fresh.

Wahoo!

I FINALLY got my holiday with matthew mead today! 

I can't wait to read it! 

I have to go work now. 

Boo.

But when I get home, wahoo!

Tell me, did you order one too??

I've conquered my fear!

I feel like shouting from the roof top because I finally conquered my fear of skinny jeans!!  This was a huge hurdle that I've jumped.  Just the term "skinny jeans" would send me running in the other direction.  Skinny jeans mean  you need to be linear and skinny.  I've got what is nicely refered to as curves;  curves all the way down to my (c)ankles.

This fall, I've been determined to find my skinny jeans that look good with my non-size skinny self.  It wasn't easy.  There were many a pair that looked like a was sporting mom-jeans or so tight, I couldn't even think about moving.  My trick was to find a pair that was just inbetween straight leg and skinny.  Don't be afraid to try on different sizes and if you've got hips and and a bootie, keep your skinnies dark with no extra details like whiskering or extra pockets at your hips. 

Here's what I found and like:

Target's Converse Skinny jeans - these are a little less skinny and little more straight.  They do have a little bit of wiskering detail, but it's not too noticable.  These were the most affordable option that worked for me.

Gap Always Skinny - these were the first pair of skinnies that worked!  I had heard the praise of these, but tried out all of my less expensive options first.  Also, as a former Gap employee, Gap's dark wash jeans stretch out a ton.  Always get the pair that feels too tight in the store because they will stretch and stay that way until you wash them.

AG Stevies Cords and jeans - LOVE these!  The cords are so soft and comfy and the jeans are cute.  Too bad that these were the most expensive option for me. 

I can't wear skinnies with just a t-shirt, layers are a must do.  But, it I did it!  I can now confidentally wear skinny jeans!  I like to wear my skinnies with flats but now that the weather is suddenly cold, I'm in need of some cute winter shoes.  Actually, I don't really have winter shoes unless you count my old Uggs or my dressy boots I wear for church.  So now I'm on a new quest to find something cute and warm to wear with my skinnies that are not Uggs.  Suggestions welcomed.  So how about you?  Do you rock the skinnies?

PS:  This is a good read about how to be a mama rockin' the skinnies.

Yummers!

I like this site. 
I like their recipes.
I want to eat some of those recipes right now.  
I want that potato soup. 
I make a mean broccoli soup that my kids adore.
And ask to eat the leftovers for breakfast.
It's not like their recipe but their's looks good too. 
But I am awesome because I make my own
and my kids love it.
That is all.

Etsy Favorites

I was just looking at my Etsy favorites and I had to laugh at myself.   You can really see my thoughts and my favorite colors. 



Can you see it??   What are my favorite colors?  What projects am I working on?

Hodgepodge

This week, my fab-o button that Jenna made me is being featured on Twelve Crafts Until Christmas.  Isn't that fun??  Still love the button she made.  Twelve Weeks is a new blog for me.  It's a great concept getting ready for a handmade Christmas all year.  I have good intentions with poor follow through.  I loved her mail carrier set that she made. 

*****************************************

Today, my sweet Dad is going in for another quadrouple by-pass surgery.  It's so stressful for us to see him go through it all again.  Nearly 2 1/2 years ago, he starting feeling tightness in his chest.  Heart problems didn't plague him like they do for my mom, but he thought he should have it checked out.  It was a good thing because he had major blockage and was scheduled for by-pass surgery.  No one knows why, but the surgery didn't take.  The whole bottom of his heart was not getting much oxygen.  They did stints, changed medications and everything that they do for these problems.  Nothing worked.  He started having major heart pain again and the doctor suggested another surgery.  Stints were more risky and most likely would not work.  It's been a waiting game.  The surgery was supposed to be last Thursday, got pushed to today at 7am, then just pushed back again and won't be until 2pm.  I can't imagine how my sweet Papa must feel having to wait and wait. 

Because of Papa's surgery 2 1/2 years ago, I started to make tassels.  I made them for my house, then family and friends, then neighbors and so forth.  Nervous energy needed to be channeled and before I knew it, I was making them by the dozens.  I don't make them as much anymore, but it's feeling like I need to do something to keep my mind and hands busy while I wait.

Speaking of crafting, I have a friend in the neighborhood that just was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  She is young and has two young daughters, just 4 and 2 years old.  She starts chemo on Thursday and desperately wants to make a wig out of her own hair.  A bunch of us in the neighborhood are going to have a fund raiser for her.  Donations are being accepted in any amount.  There will be haircuts, photography and crafty goods.  I want to make something for my Etsy shop that I can donate the proceeds to her.  If anyone is interested in helping the cause, please let me know.  Until then, it's time to worry some more.  Argh.  This is not fun.

What + what = ?

So this is how my yard looked most of last week.  Very springy yes?   Begining of Spring break no less. 

And this is what happened to my husband's car that first night of snowing. 

Spun right across the freeway after hitting a patch of ice.  Thankfully, he didn't hit anyone else and he was okay.  Scary yes?

Dreary weather + totalled car = less than enthused Me.

This next week offers a ray of sunshine though.  New tutorials and show and tell.  Wahoo!

Until then, have a great weekend!!

Liberty of London

Dear Liberty of London for Target,

How do I love thee? 

Love this wallet so much it came home with me.

I loved the tea pot, but it was gone. 

These plates were adorable too. 

Love this dress!

And of course the bikes. 

But dear L. of. L,  feeling proud that I resisted all of that lovely goodness, I rounded the corner to run smack dab into the girls clothing.  Ack!   So many things jumped into my cart.  How to choose?  I ended up with this dress and this swimsuit and wanted this, this and this and oh yes, this.  Just to name a few.

Dear L. of L., I think that you and I are going to have a nice time together.

xoxo,

Megan

A Mini Letter or Few

Dear Cordless Phone,
I know that you may feel used and abused, but really, you are loved and needed.  Please come home.  It's been 9 days and I'm really starting to think that you have left home for good. 
With all my heart,
Megan

Dear Cutie-Patootie Friends of Mine,
I can't WAIT for girls night tonight!
Wahoo!
Meg

Dear Craft Room,
Would it be too much to ask you to clean yourself?  I just cleaned you up not that long ago and now you are bursting from the seams again.  I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with me and my crazy crafting ways.
Hugs,
Meg

Dear Paint,
We have a hot date today.  I'm excited to get it done!
Loves, 
Meg

Dear Mother-in-law,
Thanks for watching the little garbage man today so I can have a hot date with my paint. 
Many hugs, 
Meg

Dear Sharmyn,
Thanks for the love packages.  I can't wait to come and see you!!
Loves, hugs, and kisses!
Meg

Dear Home Depot,
Thanks for carrying the Martha Stewart line of paint.  I was having issues when they took it out of Lowes but thanks to you, dear HD, I now have nearly every single paint swatch of your lovely hues.  I especially like your blues and grays.  Lovely!
Meg

Dear Teryn,
Happy Birthday to you!  Happy Birthday to you!!  Haaaaapppy Biiirrrrrthday dear Teeeeerrrryyyynn!!  Haaaaappppy Birthday tooooooo you!
LOVES!
Meg

*Mini letters idea found at Vintage Fern.

Knock Off Wood

Ever been to Knock off Wood?  This site rocks!  It makes me think that I might be able to make some furniture.  Like real, live good looking furniture.  From wood.

In other news,  I broke my non-crafting streak and made a Valentine's banner.  And it's super-fly.  I'm feeling my crafting mojo coming back!

The shortest day

Today welcomed the first day of Winter otherwise known as the shortest day of the year, or Winter Solstice.  I didn't notice it much because I spent most of my day in bed like I have for a nearly a week now.  My poor children are wild with bordom.  But, come to think of it, they would be wild with anything no matter what. 

So I have lost a week of time during the busiest holiday season.  I didn't get time to make a shirt for my little ones birthday.  I bearly made the cake.  I haven't finished Christmas shopping and no neighbor gifts have been made and handed out.  And I didn't find out if the library had this book so we could have a little honoring of Winter Solstice to help the children with their overexcitement as Christmas approaches.  I've been doing nothing but being sick. 

Stupid, stupid, stupid.  I haven't been this knocked out sick for years.  Thank you friends and family for your support.  For bring me dinner and vacuuming my kitchen.  For talking the kids into jammies and encouraging them to clean their rooms.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!  I have decided that tommorrow, I will not be sick.  Nope, not at all.  100% healed!  A Christmas miracle if you will.  I have lots to do and make up because  I'm pretty sure Santa is not going to accept my wish that Christmas will come a week late. 

I am, however, thrilled that tonight will be the longest night of the year.  Ahhh.....more time to sleep.