30 days in pictures.

Not sure if you’ve seen the 30 days in pictures thing going around. Some of my younger FB friends are doing it, they are also photo junkies. But it’s a great idea to get conversation going, and so I’m going to do it there and here.

Enough said. Here is day one…

“A PICTURE OF YOU AND 10 FACTS”

1. I am 5' 1/2"
2. My favorite color is Purple, but pink and turquoise are up there.
3. In my art room I have at LEAST 19 pairs of scissors.
3. I have two boxers. Both brindle, Maggie turning 8 next month. Sophie is 6.
4. I have two cats. Jordan, just 8 and Chloe who is 7.
5. Socially I enjoy staying IN. Too many social events in one week stress me out.
6. I've owned 12 different types of pets. Only 4 of those 12 being mammals.
7. The longest running job I've held is being a Independent Demonstrator for Stampin' Up! (rubber stamp and scrapbook company) for 6 years. Second longest job is being a Stay At Home Mom.
8. I drink Starbucks daily. But not from the store. I brew it here at home.
9. I've been married going on 10 years June 16th. ♥
10. Having children is the coolest thing. I have my own people.

Feisty

The Angry Mom

I went to bed at 10:02 pm. Pretty early, but good to get into the habit since I enjoy my morning silence.

Woke up at 5:23 just a few minutes before Spaghetti is off to work, earliest I’ve been up in a long time. Nice to see him before he leaves for work.

I lay back in bed and decide to flip around on tv, nothing much. Some infomercials, Full House, decided on Boy Meets World. Then at 6:08, Bagel is knocking on my door.

I’m not the old me. The old me, that would infuriatingly yell at her daughter to go back to bed. And leave me alone AT least till there is a 7 on the clock!

It was the newer me. The me who stops myself from yelling. But I still was grumbly. Telling her to give me a minute. My bad for thinking getting up at 5:30 was going to give me so much ‘me time’ I needed to go in the bathroom for a minute.

Sigh. Never mind.

We go down from the second floor, as Weaky sleeps in. (thankyouverymuch) I start the coffee, and start to eat a banana. Bagel comes in, and sits at the sliding glass door, looking out to the deck.

I then remember that today we are going to Kindergarten Round up, to register Bagel for school.

I sit on the floor rug next to her. Just me and her.

Normally there are two big boxers all in our face if we sit on the floor, or her brother wanting to sit too, some one is whining, someone is crying, a dog is barking, and SO much needs to be done, I don’t have the patience to sit there.

 

 

Today was different. Maybe it’s because my baby is going to Kindergarten. Her 5th birthday is right around the corner. I only see this girl. A 15 month old baby. But in reality I have this… a feisty big girl.

       

No longer a baby, sassy, mind of her own, and when I’m paying attention ONE creative chica.

She’s smart. She writes her name, draws pictures well. Sings, plays. Loves markers over crayons, but paint is her favorite. She’s a play-doh junkie. If I had to explain her in Disney terminology she would be a

Tink.

She’s silly, and cute like Tinkerbell. She’s got the feisty fire in her like a Tinkerbell. But my favorite part? She’s a Tinkerer.

My dad is, I am for sure, and so it’s only fit that my Mia is not as girly as she looks, she’s very hands on and I love it.

 

BUT she is a girl, and she loves to dress up, let’s not forget the Tinker part, so add in a bit of princess (but not to much) and you get Rapunzel. Part princess but barefoot, and strong minded. Open to explore, and enjoy adventures.

That is my Bagel.

And as I sat with her this morning, at the sliding glass door, I realized that my baby was getting big. And I need to stop being poor me, and take that quiet morning with my baby girl and enjoy every second, before she’s too cool to hang out with me, or to sit with me and talk about the melted snow.

As we sat in silence for a minute. She looks at me and says “Mom. I like you right now. Like that time I was in the tub and told you that your usually sad or mad. Not now. Now your nice and happy. Will you stay this way”

Sigh. I hope so Bagel. I hope the PTSD me, the PPD me, is gone. I will always look over my shoulder, knowing I won’t be the carefree me before kids, but trying to laugh more every day and do what one amazing mom once told me to do.

She said that ALL we need to do in this life is breathe. Just. Breathe. So I breathe.

I said to Bagel, I hope that I can stay this way. And instead of shooing her off to the tv room, so I can sit on the lap top, we finished the morning, with some marker art. She drew me flowers, and said “remember the other day when you showed me how to draw a flower with petals and leaves and the grass?! I did that and look! Just like you showed me”

She drew a lion blue, with orange fur. A map of how to get to bed. A page of hearts for how much she loves me. Her hand traced then rainbow colored in. And a family portrait with names by each of us.

We worked on a foam door hanger of a monkey and then she played with her play-doh ice cream maker. I taught her how to roll the doh in her hands to make a perfect ball. Then she played with her magnet dolls on the mini fridge.

A great morning of fun and some real one on one time. Note to self. Take the time, slow down, and enjoy your baby while she will still have you.

Feisty.

Peek-a-boo. From the insides of a purse

Alright SO here's my coffee buzz induced post. Enjoy wankers.

Let's talk about the picture first. Well because I'm sure your dying to know what form of crack I take to do the weird shit I do. That my dear friends is postpost partum, random coffee buzz, the fact that I was happy creating, and well who isn't a bit crazy to paint a WHOLE room purple accented with lime green!

See Art Room behind me! I do need to post some awesome shots of it too. Oh and the leapord head wrap? A rag bag purse I was working on, so before I sewed in the bottom I saw a photo op there.

Right. Moving on.

Blogger, has some new fun layouts (FINALLY) and since I like to change things constantly (I rearrange my living room monthly) I am thinking the old "Insanity at it's best" is great, and I love my 8crazy designs layout. BUT I love change

And since my layout I have changed blogs (once was Insanity at it's best, but because of shitty cousin's baby whore mommy trolling my site, and fucking with me. We had to reinvent so was the birth of "Spaghetti and Bagels" and all the secret names)

So what do you think, new look?

Next subject.

I think I need to trim my fingernails again. Seriously. Technology is not liking long nails! I can't text on my phone because of my nails, and I can't seem to type as fast on my new laptop either, it's like the keyboard is super thin and.... yes. I said NEW. LAP. TOP.

Shut the front door, people I got one. I have been asking for only Best B^y gift cards, and with them and my MIL who bought the rest (thankyouverymuch again) I got me a Toshiba. On clearence for newer Toshiba's.

Either way I am big pimpin' with my Window's 7 (old was XP) and it's amazing that I was able to check my email and all the websites I visit in 15 minutes. I mean with my old (9 years old with one overhaul) CPU I could bring up my email in15 minutes.

So today I wake up to see my pretty laptop, I was up super late setting it up, and enjoying a nice speedy web. And I was done SO fast. That may be bad because now I could do more house work. Hmrph. Maybe the MIL buying 1/2 a laptop was a hint I needed to clean more?

I do need to get me some wireless. I have the cable that went to the modem right to the laptop. I would LOVE to carry it around with me, or go to Starbux with it. OMG. I can't wait. But till then I enjoy having a computer that dosen't suck.

Alright, I'm off to blog surf. I do have some making up to do! Happy Thursday!

Feisty

Color Renovation

I completly blame the company I demonstrate for, I have been trapped in my art room. Why you ask? What could possible be SUCH a big deal that I go hide in my art room till 2 am for 2 days?!?

"Color Renovation" is what they are calling it.

Well maybe a bit of what I do will help you understand. I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator (I do classes in my home, or workshops at your home (think Pampered Chef) for a company that sells Rubber Stamps, Scrapbooking papers, supplies, accessories, die cutting system and dies.

I have been doing this for 5 1/2 years now, and love every minute of it. And when I was with the company for just a few months they took away 12 of their colors, and gave us 12 new ones (colors like Mint, and Mauve left, giving us Pumpkin Pie and Pixie Pink)

But now they are doing it again. BUT WAY BIGGER. SO big that we are going from 61 colors, to... 45.

That is HUGE.

As soon as I got the list, and had to wait ALL day for the kids to go to bed. I went straight to my art room, I had to reorganize and pull all the retiring colors, to make room for the 5 new colors, and find the 6 returning In Colors from previous years.

I had to pull, sort, and rearrange my...

Cardstock
Ink pads (both classic and craft)
Water Color Crayons
Markers

I still have to fix all my sponges (I have 1/4 wedges marked for each color) and my daubers (again OCD on marking for each color)

So this has caused me to completly rerarrange my art room. It is a mess, but a good one. Some people are planning on leaving the company for this big drastic change.

I find it refreshing and almost like getting a face lift on the old colors. Stampin' Up! prides itself on change and embracing the good it does for us as a company. So if you miss me so, be sure to tell SU! that they have driven an OCD girl like me insane!!

I know I don't usually do whole posts on my busniess, because this blog is more personal then anything, but this has definatly take over my life right now. Even Bagel was wondering why I was moving all my stuff around!!

And on a business note, if you are in any way shape or form interested in Stampin' Up! email me personally and I will give you my site info. Alright, enough business yadda yadda. Gots to go make this coffee buzz useful.

Miss me!

Bagel in pictures

What's new with my Bagel? Well let me tell you...

Art room

Bagel was freaking excited about her jumbo glue stick. At this point (3 1/2 yrs) she uses scissors, glue sticks, and my paper cutter (ITS SAFE, and I am ALWAYS around for it!) she uses crayons, and colored pencils, she has lost the freedome of markers, since she ALWAYS has an urge to draw a full beard, mustache, and uno brow with the darkest or brightest color marker.

She loves to stamp, and now that she uses my Big Shot (die cut machine with Stampin' Up! and Sizzix) she loves that too! She loves her playdough, and her paints, and her sticker books too.

This is bagel with glue stick, and her purple paper making valentines for everyone. She glued on die cut hearts and butterflies she die cut out with Gigi the other day.

Bagel also likes to play in my laundry when I am folding it. So instead of getting frusterated at her playing in my clean clothes I have her search for her stuff, and go put it in the right drawer, she thinks this is a big deal. So do I.

Bagel loves Starbucks as much as I do, she and I found on by the dentist, so we go eat sugary things before we go their (she's been getting fitted for an appliace, retainer like thing, so we've gone a few times this month already!) Nothing like a sparkly donut and an organic juice drink (looks like apple sauce in a green pouch)

She also loves to cheese really big for those mommy and Bagel shots!

She wasn't mad, just very chill at the dentist, no nap and the sugar buzz had worn off. I agree with Maternal Mirth, this is one of my favorite shots of her lately. (BTW, we call her dentist, Dr. Purple, this lady has a fetish with purple like Bagel and I do. She has a HUGE purple chair, purple stools, purple walls. But even better? She has purple spit cups, purple gloves and purple bibs to drool on! AND purple heart sunglasses to borrow when you sit in her chair. She is awesome!)

Bagel was bad. Bagel yelled at me to "Shut it up" I gave her a time out. Explained it was mean to say that to mommy. She appologized then wanted to call Queen to tell her. It's like her confessional. My mom loves it, and I like that she can go to the Queen for anything like that even at such a young age.

I had to stop by my dear friend D. Mudd Pimpster's house

(BTW, this is her "THIS NKOTB CONCERT REUNION IS BETTER THEN MY WEDDING DAY"

excited face. Your welcome D Mudd.)

for some WW papers. I brought along Bagel so she could meet D. Mudd's daughter, K Bug. She is just 2, but they played nice together for a bit. I was excited to see them together, and can't wait for more play dates in the future.

Bagel also said something cute last night, she was up late folding laundry with me, and I had a pile for Weaky's room, so I asked her to quietly put it in front of his door, I will put it away in the morning. She said she would "Tick Toe" to his room. Which was her shuffling her feet down the hall. Too funny!

And if you know of the "Tinkerbell" movie well since Bagel has declared her self Tinkerbell, it only seems fit that I am

Queen Clarion. Sure I was sad to not be Tinkerbell anymore, but with my old age (HA!) and being a mom, I like the promotion. On that note she also said that the Queen is...

Fairy Mary. To cute, looks alot like my mom!!

Hope you enjoyed another one of my rambling posts, I need to keep remembering to use my fancy signature I worked so hard on in paint (not the misspelled one either) look forward to a fun post by the cats. They are tired of seeing Sophie on here all the time.

Life Motto

Over at Mama Kat's she's got her promts up for the Writer's Workshop. Here's mine!



What is one of your life mottoes?

"Don't take life to seriously. No one get's out alive anyway."

My motto is that. To NOT be serious, to NOT be all grown up and stuffy, to NOT act my age.

I am a 31 year old who laughs, ALOT. I cry when I need to, I don't hold back hugs, I have lost WAY to many loved ones to tell them I love them another day.

I play with my children, and I clean house later. I lay in the grass and watch the clouds go by. I plant gardens and enjoy the little things in life.

I take naps. I dane to music when ever I can, I read SARK (and so should you) I love to grab a Shel Silverstein book (try Runny Babbit) for a smile.

I have an art room. It's purple and lime green. I often sit in there with my two cats (they have been banished there) and a cup of coffee. Just enjoying.

I talk to my dogs. Alot. Even before I was a SAHM looking for a mere conversation. I love to take the time with my animals.

I need to be inspired to do things. I read ALOT of fun magazines.

I take LOTS of pictures. Of everything. Everyday. Flowers, snails, you name it. Then I scrapbook it.

I scrapbook with LOTS of journaling. I want my story told. At least for my kids to have.

I think age is just a number. Who cares if I'm 31 or 21? The only thing I miss is my 21 year old body. That would be nice again. But we will save that for the big 2010 list of to do's.

I think kids are amazing. I like to watch them with out them knowing. I try to remember being a kid. my imagination running at full speed. Drawing, playing, inventing. I remember eating, playing, and sleeping as a kid. I want my kids to do the same.

I guess my motto is to life my life to the fullest, not to take shit off anyone, to just enjoy the moment I'm in, make the best of the situation, no matter how shitty it is. I TRY to be a optomistic person, it's hard with little or no money, but such is life.

So enjoy. Laugh. Create. Cry. Dance. And just be.

A shout out to SU!

Dear Stampin' Up!

I would just like to thank you for the publication of our Stampin' Success magazine that you send out to me each month. I just finished the December 2009 issue and it was just as wonderful as expected.

I must tell you I look forward to the end of each month, often getting my hopes up to see Stampin' Success in my mail box. When it arrives I am careful to corridianate my 3 year old daughter, and my 19 month old son's naps. Once I know they are asleep, I draw myself a warm bath, light a candle and soak with Stampin' Success in my hand, on the edge of my tub is my trusty water bottle, and a notepad and pen for quick notes and ideas.

Sounds surreal? As I am often telling other mom's whether they are a SAHM, or a working mom, we all get the same amount of hours in a day. What you chose to do with your 24 are up to you. I tell them you have to make the time. Sure there is always a HUGE load of laundry, or dishes, or cleaning to do. But in my life if I don't take an hour a day to just be me, what am I here for?

As I flip through the pages, well lets start with you covers! I mean the color choices, the projects, the ideas, the new product, and the revamping of old product alone could spark my creative self! I LOVE to read my little note from Shelli, the sneak peak pictures of what is to come in the index section, then you flip to see the art show project! Oh my! How can I hold back from bolting from my bath tub and streaking to my art room to start a creation? I just know there is more to come in the Stampin' Success, and this carefully scheduled nap time is set just for this December issue.

I love to see the Promotions page, I mean I was just on it last issue! How great to print my name for everyone to see how hard I worked! I am also thinking that after seeing the AWESOME ideas in the art contest winners section that I should be entering myself! Hello Build-A-Bear color match game? The simplicity in the two colors but the details for the Patisserie card!

Alright this takes us to the Live it Balance section. Where you feature stories from REAL demonstrators, from ALL different levels in the company, who are making sales, creating and hitting goals, and enjoying their craft all while making a living from it!

All right, after some great stories from other demonstrators, I get to the Artisan Awards section. Hello! Now let me tell you those of you reading this will notice their are NO pictures, well I would love to share the outstanding art work, but legaly I can't start copying and pasting so you will just have to sign up as a demonstrator under me (email me for details if your serious!) or you could just take my word that the challenge was taken and well achieved by these 10 winners! Not to mention the story to go with! I love to read about HOW a demonstrator, or any artist achieves their ending results!

Then there is a make it section this is where they feature a technique, I mean this one was the simple technique of masking. How old is that one? But I needed to be reminded to use it! Brilliant! Then the make it section features a scrapbooking section. This month was on creative journaling. LOVED. IT. I love to scrapbook and when I do, I JOURNAL! I mean I talk alot in real life, so I have LOTS to say about each picture, I have been hiding my journaling, like in the peek-a-boo journaling idea for months. A great way to create art, but still tell the story!

The Chinese New Year idea was great! I have a customer who is leaving soon to get their second child from China! How perfect to welcome her back to creating after a few months adjusting with a new addition with a Chinese New Year!

Clearly a winner? Do I need to say more?!? I have been in LOVE with wood stamps since I found them in St. Augustine Florida in a little stamp store while on vacation with my family as a child. My mom loved the hobby, and we quickly fell in love with the idea of creating cards, and projects! I thought the idea of clear stamps was genius but was wisely informed by Stampin' Up! that the product was not up to their standards. And with out being snobby, I must say that Stampin' Up! has standards on quality. They simply state that over the years the photopolymer (clear) stamps that are on the market today are not up to their standards.  The images lack crispness, and details. They are prone to discoloration and distortion, and they are apt to tear when they are repositioned.

AND so comes the best solution... clear mount stamps. Let me count the reasons I love this idea...
1. Clear blocks, I can see my project for placement of the image
2. Storage! The clear mount stamps will come in a DVD size box, with the full size image on the front of the case, and tiny images on the edge!
3. PRICE! Hello, these clear mount stamps are SO much cheaper then the wood mount ones.
4. I only need to buy one set of blocks and wala! Blocks for all my new stamps!

Now don't get me wrong. I still big puffy red heart my wood mount stamps. BUT this is the best ever! I mean the clear image of rubber stamps, the quality I love from Stampin' Up! AND with a clear block?
Best. ever.

Moving on. The share it section has tips, ideas and more sharing! There is the feature section that has amazing projects, that feature great idea's and with the demo it! logo on it, I know it would be great to show my customers!

There is a "smart purchasing" article that gives you tips on how to buy what you think will give back to your business. Instead of me buying only what I like, I try to buy what will appeall to a wide variety of people.

Also featured in the December issue is the details on Founder's Circle Retreat. This is a 4 day, 3 night retreat with Shelli herself. It is a trip to be earned, and I can only hope one day to earn this, but for now drooling over the details of the trip in the Stampin' Success will do!

Don't forget to end the feature section with a tip on CASEing. Stampin' Up! is a proud supporter in the idea of CASEing. Copy And Share Everything. Sure coming up with your own idea is great, but it takes ALOT of time from an artist point of view to create on your own. That is why we have wonderful things like the fan-freaking-tabulous Idea Book and Catalog, not only does this show you all of our great stamps, and accessories, one catalog holds over 300 different ideas! Our mini catalogs? More ideas! If your a demonstrator you get the Stampin' Success that I have been babbling on about and that has... MORE ideas! Our website? More ideas! My website? MORE IDEAS! (email me for the link to my site if you want!) I mean just getting a spark from one of these many ideas could cause you to create something that even your surprised that you could do!

And we come to an end with the FYI section telling you about upcoming contests, where to find supply lists for projects featured, idea's to do with your downline, or on your own, and the a'la card (a template for a card layout to inspire you!) Even the back cover has a great tip, sale or advice on it.

Phew. All this in one bath?! I can't wait for an evening with my family, but after the kids are off to bed, my husband will go to his t.v. room with the dogs, and I will go next door to my art room with my two cats to enjoy a night of creating, reading or just organizing my supplies!

Thanks again Stampin' Up! for all that you have given me to create!

MUAH!

Side eye like she wants to fight.

Chlo Berry was giving me the side eye like she wanted to fight the other day in the art room. Silly cat.


Any who this post has nothing to do with Chloe, or the art room. I am headed there in a minute, but I did wonder how your blogging style was.


I ask because I have a random way about my personal style of blogging.


Here is my style...


I tend to take pictures for a month, then upload them all.


I then store them in my picture software.


Then I LOVE to used the pictures to prompt a blog post.


Those are what I call "gimmes" posts.


Then there are the every day posts about funny stories & whats going on.


THEN there are the really good ones, the ones where I am usually prompted by other bloggers (I claim to be creative, but one's creativity can only be stretched so far, and writing is one I am new to)


I get excited when I have pictures, it makes it interesting and easier. So how bout you? Any style per say?


Alright, I do have real posts in the works, but I also have 100 Christmas cards to design (only 2 designs, 50 for me, and 50 for my IL's) and start to create. Plus I need to work on the ideas for the Tinkerbell, and ALL the characters I am going to draw then paint in Bagel's new "Pixie Hollow" room.






Happy Blogging!!

Mini Bloggers

Thanks for the push from D Mudd Pimpster, she reminded me that I hadn't blogged in a while, and once I started blogging I realized how much I missed it! Now I just have to get back to checking all my friends blogs, and enjoying them again!

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I smashed the Fnck out of my ring finger last night. Don't ask what the odds are that my finger found itseld between the garage and basement door knobs, can you say WTF?!?

Spaghetti's friends who all know there fair share of swear words, were enjoying the basketball game and hockey game, may have learned a few more swear words (I am known for making up some pretty fun words) I had to ice it, and it still stings to type today.

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I am sad that I am not with Queen and Pipe today.

They are off on a fun shopping day. But the budget right now does not have room for fun scrapbooking and shopping adventures today. (I have spent my allowance on No Doubt tickets, and P!nk tickets, my overnight Stampin' Up! event, Conventional, plus I will be attending the ever so fun Scrapbook Expo with Queen and Pipe in the fall!) So I can't complain!

Hope they have a nice day together, I will be seeing Aerial, later today. And then everyone will be back here for the 7 pm Stamp Camp!!

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On the scrapbooking note, I decided to play "Julie Cruise Director" as Pipe calls me, and set up a private crop over at my good friend's scrapbook store in town. We are all very excited!

This Saturday from 10 am - 10 pm for $10 is our crop. Since it is private, there are just 6 of us cropping together. So that means 2 to a table! (instead of the usual 4 to a table!) I can't wait!

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Purple is the color of the day! Well it's the color of the day everyday for me. I am the QUEEN of last minute. Procrastination award to me! I am talking about the fact that my art room that was just built last August, and was originally post-it note yellow. (because it was bright and fun) But I decided to change that it should be my favorite color (Queen inspired, since her art room is ALL pink)

I started painting is months ago. But I never finished, because I had to remove some wall mounted shelves, and brackets. So back to the reason I am the procrastination queen, I am having Stamp Camp tonight, I thought yesterday was a good day to tear apart my room and paint!

With the help of Bagel, (picture a 3 year old with purple hair and face) she did a great job, we finished the job. Now I just have the fun of putting the room back together again!

And it is fun. I love to tinker, and reorganize my art room, over and over again! I guess I should get to putting it back together again, I have just 6 1/2 hours to go!

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I have pictures out the yeeha to share with you. Bagel's Tinkerbell Extravaganza party, a fun day at the park, and our friends wedding we just attended... well I will give you the wedding picture now... (thanks to Doug for sharing on FB!)

Below is Spaghetti and me, at Justin and his new wife Mae's wedding, we were able to get almost all the collage friends together. (Tammy and Todd had to leave early, their little guy, Mason (2) was sick at home and left before we got this picture taken)

It was a great time. Always nice seeing Ed with his good friends, and all the guys were in our wedding (almost 8 years ago!)

(L to R, Patsy and Todd, Queen of Feisty, and Spaghetti, Mae, and Justin (tux) and Tim and Doug)

Manic Monday on Wednesday

If you were to name the most creative outlet that you have, what would it be?
This one is kinda easy, my beloved Art Room. The coolest room, all for me. Well I share it with my two little people. Spaghetti fears it. And I also share it with my fellow Creative Maniacs that come and attend my classes. LOVE IT!

What spot in your body would you say is the center of your emotional being?
So I had to think about this one.
Kinda weird. But after thinking it out, I would have to say my eyes.

Not my heart, not my head. But to me I talk to much. And that equals alot of stories, random thoughts, blah, blah, blah's... but if you look at my eyes, you can read my mood, my day and my story.

I have faked being friendly, and if you know how to look into peoples eyes and see what they are truly saying. It says alot.

What do you think is the secret to a tranquil soul?
"Do what makes you happy." I know with jobs, kids, vacations, I have to sacrifice alot. But I always make sure that I am happy. Sound greedy, but if you all want to have a good time, I had better be happy.

"There is only one of you." I learned this working in the casino's. When you have a ton of pissed up, broke ass people barking at you to hurry up, so they can dump more into the machines. It's overwhelming, and especially since I was only 19 when I started the business.
I was told take them one at a time. Pretend that they are the only one's there. Deal with them. Move on. If I see a cashier getting overwhelmed by a long line. I go up to them, and say, "There is only one of you, take them one at a time, you will be fine"

"Me Time" no seriously, the Crop nights, and weekends I take once a month, are the big get aways. My little day to day get aways? The art room with or with out the kids, a bath at night, a quick stop inside Starbucks for a drink and a flip through a magazine (the key there is to go inside. I do this when I am running errands. Maybe a quick 15 minutes is what I need) I take "me time" often, I have to.

"Never Grow Up" seriously. The people I hated most in school where the ones that were WAY older then they really were. I didn't care if you thought I was a dork for playing barbies till I was 13, I didn't care if my now husband saw my tent bed (yes I was 19) It made me happy and it was my room damn it. People grow up, and they suck. looking down on kids for being silly, or just enjoying life. Shit, adulthood is crap, and we have to spend WAY to much of our life in it, so enjoy the childhood as long as you can. I still refuse to grow up.

"Wear fun socks" this can pertain to any clothing you love. I personally will have a cute matchy matchy outfit, and bust out these striped toe socks. Why? Cuz it's fun, because my life is to short to wear serious socks. Maybe you do it with shoes, or purses, or coats. Whatever your thing is. Own it.

"Own it" not only with your fun socks. But everything you do. I really enjoy me. I enjoy the silly me, the serious me. Everything I do I "own it" It's all about being proud of being you. I walk in a room of pretty women, sure I am short, fat and have crazy hair. But I "own it" It's me, and if I don't own it, if I don't work what I have, if I don't have my head up, and shoulders back, then I am not owning me.

I have to say the first verse of Britney Spear's "Circus" is SO me...

There's only two types of people in the world
The ones that entertain, and the ones that observe
Well baby I'm a put-on-a-show kinda girl
Don't like the backseat, gotta be first
I'm like the ringleader I call the shots
I'm like a firecracker I make it hot

And well that is what makes for my tranquil soul.

Hope you enjoyed my Manic Monday on Wednesday!!

No. Thank you.

I am thankful for...

• Myself. No really. I like who I am, and for the most part where I am in my life. I like what I stand for and that I am a strong person.
• Spaghetti. Of coarse I must mention my other half. The half of me that supports me, and I love his values and love for his family.
• Bagel. Love her sassy attitude, her demanding, and charming ways. Her spirit and her energy. (it's alot like looking in a mirror)
• Spike. This little man, steals more and more of my heart every day. I love his smile, his hugs (yes I know a 7 month old doesn't really "hug" but there hugs to me) I love his babbling, and his love for a good 12 hour nights sleep.
• Ding and Dong. Lovem', can't live with out them. These two 70lb brindle boxer monkeys are my big babies. And I am thankful for there company and there endless love for me.
• Thing 1 and Thing 2. How can you not love cats? I mean of coarse they barf, and pee on things, and scratch and bite, but seriously. I love to sit on the couch at night, with both my girls fighting for my lap.
• Blogger. Yes may seem funny to most, but I am to assume the majority of my readers are bloggers themselves. Blogger is an escape, a place to empty my head, and just get it all out. And thanks to SITS, it's a place to meet other bloggers just like me, to make friends, and read that I am not going insane, that we are a lot more alike then we thought.
• Aerial. Yes my one friend. I have many friends, but Aerial is like a sister to me. She listens, and well go back and read her birthday post for more, but she fits the words "best friend" like a BFF should.
• Queen, Carrots and Frances. My family. Mom, Dad, and sister too. Love them, knowing that that was my original family of 4, I love to spend as much time with them as I can. Enjoying old memories as we create new ones.
• Gramma and Grampa Mc. Or otherwise know as my IL's. Awesome people, of coarse since the made my Spaghetti, they are giving and loving. And I thank them for it.
• Scuz. Surprised? You shouldn't be. She and I are kindred spirits, we are one in the same, finishing each others sentences. The fact that she is my favoritest cousin of all, but sadly the farthest away (not counting Maggie in Ireland) and as the economy eats through any airfare money either of us had. Visiting is hard. But I am Thankful for you Scuz. Muah.
• Old friends. Mudd D Pimp, and Maternal Chandler, I gots mad love for these two. We have been around each others lives, in and out at times, but for the greater part of the last 25 years. Thanks ladies.

That is who, I am thankful for. Now for some random other things I am thankful for...

• My Art room. My escape from reality, and my happy place. Yes my post-it note yellow basement.
• The t.v. room. Again a basement room, the other 1/2. Filled with two overstuffed, love seat recliners, a flat screen t.v. and my Ding and Dong. Spaghetti's happy place
• The loft. I love my loft, it is at the second floor, it is in between the kids rooms, over looking the front t.v. room, and open to the pool room in the back of the house. This room holds my dear computer, and is home to my cats Thing 1 and Thing 2.
• Scrapbooking, a newer hobby that I have learned that I love.
• Coffee. On which my sole survival on a day to day basis depends on.

I am sure there are a ton more. But that is all the time I have, I must go make stuffing, and head over to me Madre's house! Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope you have a happy and safe Holiday!

To the Queen!

Happy Birthday to the Queen!

Happy Birthday to a person who is funny, sarcastic, honest, sassy, and she is who she is. She will not change for you. And over the years I have learned that I hold every single one of those qualities. I have always been funny, sarcastic, honest, sassy and I am who I am. It took me until H.S. to learn that I can just be me, I don't have to try and change for different friends. There are people out there that will like me just for who I am.

And at one point I tried to tell my mom she should maybe change to be like certain people, not permanently but just sometimes when your around certain conservative people. Silly me. I should have know my mom, and known that she would not change herself. Not out of meanness towards me. Not out of hate for conservative people. But out of respect for herself.

Queen is a crafty Paris/Martha kinda person. Right there between trendy/crafty. She is always eager to learn a new craft. And has always had a spot for me and Frances in her craft room. This is what I am very excited to pass down to Bagel and Spike, and yes even though Spike is a boy, everyone can do art. I appreciate the Queen for always making the time for herself, but including us in it.

I love my mom's adventurism, to go off the path, and to find a new way to go. From driving a new way home, just to see what's out there. Or to try and get backstage, or just to meet or see someone famous. She's a go-getter type of person, with her "dumb as a fox" ways. She has taught me so much from this.

I have been told "I run to my mommy" well yes I do. Still at 30 years old. She is the first person I want to call and tell good news, bad news, gossip. My mom is one of my best friends, she still thinks that when the kids are in school, I will find "mommy friends" or "PTO mom friends" and I am sure I will. But will I always have time for my mom? Hell yeah.

The Queen raised me to be proud of my family, and "Family First" is the motto. We stick together, and that is what works for us. I appreciate my mom more then she knows. From the magazines she gives (with the articles circled that she thinks I should read) to coupons cut for me, and we can not forget the Mommy Store, which when she over buys I get the extras.

Spoiled? No way. Well not with things anyway. But with love and support? You bet your sweet Queen lovin' ass I am. My momma loves me and takes care of me. But that is what mom's do right?

I will leave you with a quote from Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot

"I is what I is, and what I am is like my mammy"

Thanks again Mom. You are my Queen.

Manic Monday #1

What is one thing you admire about each of your parents?
First off, I can not just do "one" thing on each, not possible!

I love the Queen because of all the amazing things that she has taught me. From cleaning and cooking tips. Shopping to family life. I have lived my life just wanting to be like her. I also love her personality (just like mine!) she is funny, witty, enjoys entertaining. And talks to everyone.

She is a major part of my life and one of my best friends. I think of her first when going away on girls weekends, and fun events. I can only hope Mia and me are as close.

Carrots, is truly a godsend. There are so many things that I love about my dad. As we all know he is a master Carpenter, and builds me just about anything I want. And since there are no boys, I was the "son" so I learned my dad's craft.

I love the fun times, laughing, watching bad voice over Karate movies. Then kung fu fighting on commercials. I think now that my dad is retired, I am able to talk to him more on the phone, and just talk about our day to day. I love that too.

Oh I could go on and on, about the amazing Mrs. Queen and Mr. Carrots. But enough about them, lets talk about me!

Which parts of your home do you like best?
I have to say I like most of our home... I have to say the Art room, if I could only pick one. Set up with mini fridge, more art supplies then a store, space for 8, and Bagels favorite room too.

Which would you prefer and why? To have every stoplight turn green upon your arrival for the rest of your life or to have one week of the best sex any person ever had?
Sex is SO over rated. And besides, if you only get it for one week? Bah, I would take the stoplights turning green for one hundred. Thanks.