A Must Read

I got this book for Christmas from a good friend of mine. Has taken me a while to get it finished but I have to say I'm totally in love with it.

I'm not normally a fan of Whoopi persay. However, this book is amazing! had to give it a shout out. Basically she talks about an assortment of things that just tick her off. haha I know who wants to read about someones rants and raves? But this book was like it was written by me. Talks about rude people using their cell phones anywhere and everywhere.. event he darn bathroom. Being rude to others at events, kids in places they shouldn't be, children not being independent, not going outside and playing but instead becoming overweight sitting inside doing nothing but glued to something that plugs in.

I just adore reading it. makes me feel like I'm not insane whenever I've been on my little soap box complaing about rude people and the lack of general manners amongst people.

If you enjoy reading and often find yourself asking what int he hell has happened to people or kids for that matter.. it's a must read piece.

BLAH

I have literally never felt as horrible and as sick to my stomach as I do at this very moment. Tonight I had to give some parents of mine (daycare parents) their 2 week notice. I can't get into the details but because I could no longer retain an aid.. well that's not completely true I just can't depend on them to show up and not be over on my numbers if they do not.

 Its soo complicated its nuts however basically the state is bulling me into having to let go of two kiddos I have had for 2.5 years. Their some of my favorites and I love their parents and all we've done for one another more than anything in this world. Not to mention the little kiddos I've grown soo attached to its crazy. Their kiddos are like my kids brother and sister.

Anyways, tonight I had to ask them to leave in two weeks. It boils down to not having an assistant anymore and needing to cut back on my numbers because I will no longer have an assistant. As well as if I care for these kiddos when they need it as of may.. until 7pm in the evening and on every other weekend. I can have no friends or family come over who have a past the state does not like. Which is like everyone in my family... lol.. and a ton of my friends. As, well there's very few people in this world whom have never been in trouble.

 Anyways, it very much so boils down to watching these kids or continuing to would mean the end of my life as I know it. I feel horrible. I feel like I have let them down.. good friends as well as their kids.

Everything about the state just pisses me off right now. They want to control my life even on non-daycare hours and who is or is not allowed in my home. Which makes no sense to me what so ever if I'm not operating at that time. This case is just different. I've never had to ask anyone to leave much less kiddos I loved and have had for so long.  Just rahter pissed off as a whole.

Snow Snow

So, all week I have had this great idea to spend all day today spring cleaning. I had it all mapped out, what I really need to get done, even made a list to add to throughout the week.

I wanted to steam my floors, clean the upstairs areas which is where all of the kids rooms are and then just general things around the house like cleaning the walls and such. I have been planning to do this spring cleanign for some time but never got the right days off or time or energy.

As luck would have it we would get inches of snow last night. Normally wouldn't be such an issue but after a weeks worth of decent spring is near weather...I foudn the snow I normally love a bit disheartening. I really wanted to open all the windows in the house and fill it with freah air...i have done this on decent days during the window as I hate the smell of a stuff house but its different. The snow is pretty but, just when the kids get used to being able to get out and about they can't again...lol...poor them....pooor me...lol

I spent the better part of the morning doing little things, but hoenstly can't bring myself to steam the floors when I can't open all the windows and air it all out...so I've piddled all day with laundry and general Saturday cleaning things.

This last week was spring break, I barrely saw Taylor as he was at sleep overs or having sleep overs nearly each night. Desi also spent quite a bit of time at freinds houses throughout the week. I'm ready for school to start back up though. I hired a new assistant of which I adore here. She's very much so like myself in many ways. Which could of been a complete disaster...but it's worked out wonderfully. This I am greatful for as looking for a new one was exuasting.

I plan on trying to get some new creations scrapped this afternoon. A good snowy day is a good day to craft...also considering a bit of inline shopping for some new CHA items that have been released. Other then that just plan on kinda hanging out today with hopefully minimal excitement for this weekend. I could use a calm weekend to just beathe.

Single Mom's Dating

Being newly single for the first time in like almost 6 years I've found myself at a point to where I don't have answers or even suggestions for myself. i try to think what my answers have been or would be to a friend and coming up blank...

Whats the rules for dating as a single mom.

Do the kids meet the guy? If so do they meet him as a friend as in he's over to hang out and watch movies or wait until there's something serious?

How do you handle over night stays when you have kids? Or are you even suppose to have them?

I know for each person its very different as to what their comfortable with and what their not but its confusing to say the least. Can you show affection in front of your children. I always thought it was healthy for children to see 2 adults share love and tid bits of love...I'm not talking about straddling a guy and going to town but what about little kisses...and hugs...acceptable or not?

There's alot of uncharted waters I'm walking in here lately and not too sure how to go about it all but just testing things out to see how they go. I was single when I met my X husband and only had Taylor but obviously the ways I went about things there were not the right way...lol

I'm interested to hear what the single moms out there have to say about this...how do you approach dating or sex for that matter....I'm just going to put that out there...cause I'm curious. So, whether your single or not I'm interested in your opions.

Odd tid-bits of this and that

The last few days have been filled with interesting things around my house. All interesting enough to make mention of right there but not necessarily write about it depth details. Going to make a few bullet notes to update all of u.

- To my dear Friend: your not a horrible mommy...kids do dumb things.....hahaha just think of all the dumb things u did as a child...lol...might not seem so bad then.

- The knot on my head is huge and sore...helpful note to others when falling on tiled floor covered in water in the bathroom grabbing the shower curtain is not the smartest of ideas...

This weekend was pretty uneventful for me personally. It's spring break for my son and with that comes the whines and moans of boredom...which I being a good mom saw coming a mile away. If the weather would pick up and be nice at least he'd have more options but its been pretty dreary here the last few days.

So, my father has ventured back out into the exclusive dating world. News to me this week when I find out the woman I just met last week he's been dating since November and going on a weeks vacation with. She's far to sweet for him...no offense to him but I see him corrupting her...none the less he's never stuck his nose into my dating world..however note to others when I begin dating someone he normally meets them when I think its serious...so I explored the idea that its not serious...but quickly disregarded that thought when he said their taking a weeks vacation together to Florida. He deserves it and i know he's been lonely...or not lonely per say but missing that part of his life for some time...that part of completion.

I've discovered this week that facebook is now the world connection point. Tell me when we entered a world to where we have to ask permission from another person for them to admit their family...hahahah much less someone ur in a relationship with. i being lame...just now found out where to add the family members on facebook and thought to myself I'm really sending a request for someone to admit their family...WOW...then my mind wondered into what if someone didn't want to admit they were family....hahaha a whole new way to offend others...lol. As my dear friend put it...it hasn't happened or doesn't exist unless facebook says it does. I've seen people get stressed, laugh, sad, and all out pissed from a simple sentence that someone puts in their status section...leaves so much room for interpretation.

Odd Note: my son is having a friend over to stay the night tonight...my way to salvage the fact that hes stuck here for a week with preschoolers...and the kid just walked in and says "so when is Taylor's mom getting home"...hmmm I just smile and say she should be here soon....Taylor blurts she is my mom and the poor kid turned bright red in embarrassment. while walking up stairs to play games I catch the tail end of a convo they are having to where my son says "so ya I'm teaching you to be cool." the kid replies back "ya, thanks i really need it." I have a moment to where I think I might say something...but decide against it.

I personally have been discovering alot about myself here lately which I'm grateful for. I feel like since matt and I split that somehow I have more time to focus on the things that I want and need and don't want or need at all. I love it.

Daylight savings time way today...which I might just say I think BLOWS....I love the extra day of light for me personally but makes it harder for kids to go to bed at night when they don't understand why they have to go to bed when it's still light out...and spent all day feeling like I was catching up on rest. I know I know its only an hour but feels like 5 was taken away...lol

As of yesterday my birthday is officially a month away. I must be honest only goign to be 26 but somehow I feel like im on the brink of 45...most days anyways. I'm not too excited about it...not sure why...normally I'm all about the birthdays even my own and I get way physced about about them but just not feeling it this year for some reason. I don't have anything I want or need for that matter so kinda just feels like another day...lol....maybe excitement will build as it gets closer....who knows...or maybe I really am just getting old to where the thought of my own birthday no longer excites me...in past years its like one of my fave days...even though I knew when with matt he'd forget to say happy birthday much less make an effort to get me something...lol

So, there are my little tic bits for today...might post something of usefulness tonight but just not feeling it at the moment...

Recent Creations

This past week I just had soo much time even with the prechool kiddos that I was able to devote to scrappin. I have been 1-4 pages a day done and I ove it and I have noticed that whie I have been scrappin it seems the flow of my day has been 100 percent better. Not that I dont have good days- cause I have great days! But, I noticed things havent seemed to bother me as much, it's as though I have a bit of a creation release. So, here are some pages done over the last 2 days. I'm not listing materials used but if you want to know them shoot me a comment and I'll spill it.

The above page was soo much fun to make. I loved the gear background paper but wanted to add some depth to it so I added some painted chipboard gears as well as some mini-brads and some metal gears- you can see them below more closely.

Heres just a close up of the gears and such.

The above layout was spun by this adorable paper!!! Im sure everyone has some of these pics lying around. You know the ones around Easter time where the kiddos put the baskets or bucket son their heads...lol...makes me augh just thinking about it. I also did a little something different for depth by vutting slits in pattern paper and rolling it for some great depth...and it takes no time at al for such a great affect.

Hopefully, I will start sharing more of my pieces as well as getting back to writing a bit more about actua things going on...as I do miss that and have soo much to share with you all!!!

Tuesday and Wednesday Creations

Here's a layout created as well. I just adore it. It took al day to complete due to drying tmes of things but I love the way it turned out!

Materials: Pattern paper and solid paper- My Minds Eye- 29th Street Collection (love the texture of this), Spinner Card and Bird, floral, compass Rub-ons- My Minds Eye, Flowers- Prima, Token and metal spinner and grundgeboard flower and butterfly- Tim Holtz, half pearls- Basic Grey, Title rub-on Creative Imaginations, Scrap works- Nails, Paint-Ranger, fibers, ribbons, vintage german glass glitter.

I flocked the stem of this grundgeboard flower and painted the top with lake mist color. I crisscrossed the ails and fibers. The prima flower was originally red- but I oved it's stye so I painted it to tone it down.

This rub-on was black which I felt was a bit too bold for the paper and accents so I ran the lake mist over it. I did this to the whole sheet of paper to tone down the stars a bit.

This is a spinner card by MME and spinner and grundgeboard butterfly by Tim Holtz. The card was a bit bare so I touched up the edges with paint and then put the MME compass rub-on in the center of it. The butterfly is adorned with vintage german glass gitter- which I adore!

I ran the lake mist paint over the entire page and rub-ons to tone them down the green folage was a bit to bright so by rubbing pant over it as well I got a great look. For the center I simple cut out a pointed oval shape free hand and then distressed it and heavily put paint on it. Then I placed a solid coordinating piece behind it where the hole was and ran paint across it as wel to lighten it up some.

Here is a really fun layout. Ironically the title I chose is also the collection of the papers...lol The Chipboard tree is inked to give it better definition and the die cut letters have epoxy on them that you can't see that well- but its great! I also cut out a litte fox from a scrap to use at the end of the title. Pattern papers and solid papers- Imaginisce- twitterpated collection, Chipboard bunnies- Sassafrass, die cut letters- Color Bok- Friendly forrest, Ribbon- SEI, Chipboard Tree- Maya Road, Super Mini brads in tree- Queen and Co., Epoxy, ink.

I just adore these great trees. They come in soo many shapes and sizes. I added little brads just for fun!

So, this week somehow I lucked out and have 4 kiddos on vacation at once....leaving me with a rather relaxed week with a more spare moments to play. I got one a day done...lol...not my best work or speediest but gad to be playing none the less.

Thanks for looking!

Some of my Latest Creations

Here are a few pages I have completed lately! Enjoy
Above is the cover to a paperbag abum I have been working on for a customer! I normally hate working with reds...but this is for a teens graduation and I think its turing out well!

Above is a layout of my son. Rather simple but I had fun with this one!

Above is a layout I created as a challenge for one of my groups. The halenge was to use packaging materials on a layout. I used cardboard stripped, masking tape and electrical tape. I also used more than 3 pattern papers which was another chalenge.

Above is a layout created for yet another challenge on my group of using a sketch and embellishming fowers. Youc an't see it but many flowers have pearls and rhinestones and gitter on them, the pink ribbon sike strips are painted masking tape and the heart was created with scrapers floss dipped in paint and then shaped to dry on wax paper.

Above is a ayout created trying to use up basic grey papers! Many used from diff. lines.

Some of my latest projects!! Snowy Day In KS shares!

Another coater album! Gosh how much I love these!!! They are soo great!!!

More pages from another album!

Another great coaster album...made a from recycled resteraunt coasters!! I love these albums...simply paint the coasters, punch some holes and go to town!!!

More pages!!!

more pages from another coaster album

another page

more coaster album pages

An album created soley from recycled resteraunt coasters...I love creating this fun abums.

more coaster abum pages

Coaster abum pages

More pages from coaster abum.

More pages from Coater album

A page of the funky rocker paperbag abum I created for someone to use kinda as a journal.

Custom paperbag album I created personally for some one.

A funky and fun all boy album. Created with chipboard and soo many fun and bright papers and embelishments!

Here is an album created with chipboard- a fun funky all girl album! It's very bold and eclectic and just adore it!

Hope this will inspire some of you and feel free to ask away if you have any questions!!!!!

Round 1000 In this Un-winable Boxing Match

OK, by now I think Iw ould have made myself quite clear. Not to sound off putting in any way...but how hard is it to be a grown up!!!! Remember when you were a kid...and how if you got into a tiff it was handled...pulling hair, ugly words or if you had broher or are a boy maybe with a good punch or wrestling match.

I kinda miss those days. Last night while taking my 10th trip to Wal-mart in the day...I was browsing some new crafting supplies for the kids Valentine's Day party.I have my three children and one of my night care children. They were behaving wonderfully....I was soo proud....granit they were somewhat bribed tobehave...I twas agreed on before we entered the store that there would be no homemade cookies made later if their behaviors were crazy... Anyway back to the point.....I'm shopping...A gal next to me asked if I had used something before and she seemed quite nice.....I gave her my experience with the product. Then comes the first blow...

"So, are these your children- they are soo well behaved"

"Thank you...but I can only take credit for 3 of them." Now in my head thats enough said....HA...you all know me all to well to know that was it.

"So, you babaysit?"

"I run a preschool by day and then take a few night care kids at night but the 2 and 3 yr olds and the nine yr old are mine." as I point to each child.

She gives me a quizical look...not really scanning my body but kinda scanning me as a while. Once of the kids was elbowing the other...so I went over nealt down and told them to cut it out.

I walk about 4 feet away from the cart....my back turned to the cart....The lady moves down the isle. I slightly turn to look at something...and out of the corner of my eye...I notice the gal bent down near my cart...now I'm an up front and honest person. I turn thinking maybe my cart is in her way.....hmm she's talking to my kids...nice enough and harmless.....so I go over and move the cart ahead so that she may have view of the lower shelf she was bent down in front of.

And I tell you I gotta love my 9 yr old. The lady continues to look and he blunrts out quite loudly. "Mom, why was that lady asking me if I was your son?" My jaw dropped and I knew she could hear him. I say "I dont know Taylor...what did she say." He looks at her ...with a kinda afraid of getting in trouble look...then says "she asked if you were my mom...and said if you weren't it was okay she would help me."

I'm sorry but I don't care if I'm a God fearing woman or not. I wanted--I wished--I desperatly wanted to be 8 again. I wanted to elbow her, and yell at her and tattle tale on her and go into an all out sister like fight, I imagine pulling her hair out..calling her names that I knew were in my head but normally aren't spoken. Luckily for her I have alot of patience. But, also in a situation like this...there's not alot you can do. I get this all the time as my long time readers know. But... for goodness sake...I wanted to take her by her hair and twirl her around 360 like you see inthe movies...lol. I had soo much anger I could feel my face filling with redness and begining to tingle. Only in my head I saw her fate to be anything but fun or happy. Gosh how much I miss being a kid.

I then looked over to her and said please do not speak to MY children again. I think what you just did was very inappropiate and uncalled for. She looked at me and says something to the effect of how young I look. I just took the kid and pushed the cart away. Nothing iriatates me more then peoples own stupidity.

Now ont he other hand I maybe ....ha...I said maybe right....can see where she was coming from. At least she had the balls to say something...as many children are kidnapped or locked in cars or horrriable things and no one says anything...but I mean come on it was pretty obvious...to me and hundreds of other I guess...LOL I feel like I should have to wear a shirt around that says. "I HAD A KID AT 15" then on the back a short essay about how I have a great job, 4 degrees a loving husband and well behaved great children that are well cared for in everyway possiable. Go figure I'd post this right after expectations.....ahhhhhhh people....get a clue...really. know I'm not the only person who looks 16 at 24...lol and I sure in the hell know I'm not the first or last to have a child ata a early age...

Ok ladies lets here it ....I want to hear when you most wanted to be a kid again...was it for the fun or for the stuff you could get away with, witht a time out or grounding or spanking.

Christian Finances and Marriage info-PLUS great books for You!

So, thought I would share this. I have been through both of these. The Love and respect series I have actually been through twice and host about 10 times for small group Bible studies. The Financial Peace University i have been through twice.....I strong advocate doing both of these...whether you are doing great in your marriage and finances or on your last leg....They are both truly life savers in more ways then you can imagine.....They are expensive...my husband and I bought both sets as we knew we would want to host them after going through them each...but another option is each have books ava. at your local bookstore and even wal-mart...but the videos are much better and to die for...if you attend church alot of times if you bring it to them...they will purchase it to use as a resource...both are highly praised. The financial Peace also offers alot of info on sight and free worksheets for your budgeting as well...when your purchase it you get a cd full of great resources to help with your budgeting. All are taken from a christian point of view.


Financial Peace University- if you get a chance you really ought to read up on dave ramsey...he knows what he's talking about and has been through alot! He also has a few radio shows.....he's just very wise and easy to listen to even for men. Esp. in this society...GO AND LOOK

http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/home/

Love and Respect - Owww I can't praise this enough...I still use things I learned in this and love helping other with things I know as well. Men also love listening and watching the videos because they are funny...you will truly be looking at youself going....wow thats me...or gosh that's how I sound when I do that......trust me this is great if your marriage is on its last leg or even just to freshen things up and learn some new things...I just love it and trust me ladies...this isnt one of those where you say..."now you come and listen or read this cause you need to...cause this is one of those to point the fingers both ways" Now you can look at the "learn" in the top and see some of the things....I will also be putting some of these things into my up-coming blogs for those of you who do want to learn more. But you can watch videos of it and read it on-line...trust me GO THERE NOW!! When you look at the learn section start at the crazy cycle...read and then do the mini video...and you'll see what I mean...but remember these are only a small part...he does conferences all over....go to one...it's worth the money!!! And once again he has a book...but the videos give you sooooooo much more!

http://www.loveandrespect.com/

ok below is where you can watch some video clips...very good stuff here gals and guys! Reember these just barely touch the surface of what he opens your eyes to...
http://www.loveandrespect.com/content/weekly_Movies.php?Category=1#

Ok this is also a great books I used it a few times to host some ladies book study groups. It's just great...and really sucks you in. But, ladies these are for you! You'll love them I promise...all are christian books but not preachy...promise.

"Captivating" by John Eldredge and Stasi Eldredge now her husband is the one who wrote the highly acclaimed "wild at heart" this is just great for the men...anyway this book ohh my..I just love it it really makes you feel like she's inside of you explaining things about you being a woman...wife...mother...

" The Power of a praying wife" by Stormie Omartian - now this book oh gosh it's much more than praying...and she also write many other...like the power of a praying mother, and her hubby does ones for the men and such...and I just can't praise it enough...gals I have all of these...ahhh even the men I have given this to actually read them and liked them because they are easy to read.

" And Then I Had Kids: Encouragement for Mothers of Young Children" - by Susan Alexander Yates - ow gals esp you sahms this is great...this woman had 5 kids...and she goes through her troubles and fun and stresses and soo much more......it's just crazy how she talks and can relate to you....

Okay so all of these books can be found on amazon and are like 7 bucks or less and well well worth it for sanity...trust me I have read them all and praise them all. If you have any questions please feel free to ask away.