Oh What Have I Started?

Ok, This "Little" Man that you see above is my life! I am madly in love with the bigger version of him, but this "small fry" version is my world. Along with his amazing "big sis" I pretty much live and breath the Jackson kids!
Now, the quilt you see above is a wonderful baby gift I was given from a dear friend, Connie. It has been a fixture and guide to our decorating of Cash's room from day 1!

This antique megaphone was found at Winnie Trade days because the colors BLEW me away! In fact, this picture does not do it justice and these are actually the colors Cash's wall and ceiling will be. Now, when I got home, Mr. This is Me,Then, said not "NO", but "Heck NO" that megaphone is not going in my son's bedroom. He's not a male cheerleader, he's not George W. Bush." HA! He had me rolling, he was so mad! (oh and we are Republicans, that was not a Bush knock).

While the fate of the megaphone is still unknown, I still have much work to be done.

Half of Cash's furniture is in his new room, half of Tay's is in her's. I completely switched their closets. Tay is still on our sun room couch, Cash is back in his bed. Our bedrooms look like World War II, my kitchen is no where close to being started! Why do I start new projects when others aren't complete? Oh, what have I started?

"School" Years Resolutions!

Look at this Awesome Chair I got at Winnie Trade Days! It said $40 but I got it for $30! It is supposed to be for my daughters room! But, I have taken it hostage!

Why do we only make resolutions once a year? I say we make them "twice" a year! I think the beginning of the school year is the best time to "start fresh". So here it goes!

• We will eat dinner at the dining table each night w/classical music playing in the back ground Monday-Thursday!
• We will have Sunday Dinners after church at our house with swimming and/or playing outside and being together! If it's bad weather we will have popcorn and watch a movie. If we are at the deer lease then we will really be hanging out together!
• Fridays and Saturdays will be family fun! Eating pizza in front of the TV or going out to eat as a family, or going to a football game!
• I will hold my tongue more with Taylor and be there for her as my "tween" becomes a "teen".
• I will spend as much quality time with Cash as possible even if we are vegging in front of the TV watching Thomas and he is telling me one of crazy stories! Spending money isn't time!
• I will run this house like a "well-oiled" machine so its safe, happy and stress free for my husband and children. That is my job, a mother, and no one can do it better than me!
• I will meal plan so my husband doesn't get off of work and stare at me as I say "I didn't feel like cooking", or "I forgot to put meat out". He and my children deserve more! Even if I pick up Popeyes! It will be ready and on the table! ;o)
• I will work on my tongue with Lance and remember that he is the leader of this house and I should respect him at all times, especially in front of the kids (I need to work on this one) and we can discuss it later behind closed doors.
• Words below I strive to live by.

Proverbs 31 Wife and Mother (some of my favorite parts)

A wife of a noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family.

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

My favorite and I really want to work on this one! She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

I am sure I will think of more later! But I would love to hear any and/or all of yours!

Now, I thought rakes were only for leaves!

I bought this gorgeous piece at Diva Night from a booth my friends had.

Their company is called Pieces and WOW! All I can say is WOW!

They find goodies like this old rake and turn them into treasures.

My Southern Living Glasses look amazing!

The top metal piece just completed the look!

More Finds Coming this Week!

For Sale!

Ok, I am now posting little odds and ends on the side of my blog if anyone wants to take a peek! I am slowly changing things around here and sadly, some of my treasures have to go!

Cut Your Hair, Lose Some Baggage!

I got 5 inches cut off my hair and it feels like a million! I think I cut the "summer" off, pool hair, pulling my hair out because the kids are driving me batty hair!
I attended a fundraiser last night called "Diva Night" and it was a blast and I had to wear a hat and I loved it on top of my new hair! This pic is of me and This Is Me, Then's Mother In Law (hubby's stepmom actually). Ain't she pretty!

*I have my camera back! New Blogs Every Day Next Week! Hint: One will involve an old rake and some wine glasses!

Frazzled and Feeling the Pressure!

Well, I am officially losing it today! My husband has had my camera since Monday, so no new blogs from me! My childrens bedrooms are a disaster zone and they have offically started camping out in my bedroom every night and I want my room back! I can't finish their rooms with them here, well, because I just can't. If school started one day after the 24th I might really go into a deep depression. Then I find out my son's MDO doesn't start until September 14th! WHAT! So, I had to get my mom to commit to watch him for two weeks while I start school August 31st. I caught my son washing my dining room table with a glass of milk and paper towels. Those of you that know me, know how I feel about my dining room table. I don't even use furniture polish on it. I can't seem to get two seconds to myself and I am so tired of running, but when I don't run they drive me crazier than if I do. I can't seem to make heads or tails of anything lately and I am just exhausted! I need and crave routine. I thrive on a schedule. This thing called "summer" is sickening! It shouldn't be this long. I need a break, I need school to start!

You don't know how long I've waited for you.

This is Me, Then, is pretty busy over here getting this house cleaned and the kids rooms emptied out so we can prime and paint this weekend! ;o)

I wanted to delight you on this fine Texas day with some Twilight fun! My friend Sarah and I are taking our hubbies and daughters to Twicon next summer in Vegas! Now, of course only the girls are going to Twicon and the hubbies are going to keep the slot machines and black jack tables busy, but we will have a blast taking a "bite out of Vegas".

I love the pic Sarah posted on her brand new blog and I want you guys to take a look at it!
www.lifeasatwilightmom.blogspot.com

Until we meet again!

Shrimp Tacos Anyone?

Is this not the coolest pantry ever? It's my friend Kelley's and I LOVE the idea of screened pantry doors!
We had a "shrimp fry" at our friends home on Sunday and I thought I would attempt to blog some of my recipes that, over the years, my family has asked for again and again!

Now, I am a VERY, semi-homemade, kind of girl! Anything I ever blog about is going to be easy, easy, easy!

*When you are going to get together with friends and family, or even just you and yours at your home, don't skimp on the small stuff! Serve things in pretty bowls (that's what dishwashers are for) and always go for something EXTRA special! I grabbed a Cilantro and Lime Salsa for an appetizer instead of the same old Picante sauce and it was a hit!

*My famous Guacamole Dip! (for a large crowd do this, if 6 people or less, cut it in half).

-peel 4 avocados and remove the center.

-add 2 packages of dry guacamole seasoning (found in most produce sections)

-add one small container or half of a large container of sour cream.

I then use a potato masher to mix it all up and squeeze 2 small or 1 large lime all over. Then serve! (better if put in the fridge one hour before serving).

*My fish/shrimp sauce for tacos.

-the other half of the sour cream or one small container.

-buy a small can of chipotle peppers in adobe sauce or in its sauce. (it will say on the can). Take out 1 pepper and dice it up and place in the sour cream and mix. Your sour cream will turn a pinkish color. Also scoop a bit of the sauce from the can and place it in the sour cream as well and stir.

-squeeze 2 small limes into the sauce.

Let the sauce sit for one hour in the fridge. You may think its not spicy enough. WAIT the hour. It becomes very spicy! Then serve on top of your fish or shrimp in a corn tortilla w/purple cabbage and cheese if you wish!

We fried and grilled the shrimp and used flour and corn tortillas! As you can see by this pic, the sauce was a success!

Then of course some freshly baked cookies for dessert!


I am new to blogging recipes and don't always remember to take pics! HA! I promise next time I will actually take pictures of the finished dishes! ;o)

Let the Blogging Begin!

I "should" have a new blog up every day this week! This is Me, Then, has been a busy gal this summer. School is around the corner for me and the kids. The house is a torn up mess but I do have some AWESOME reports!

*I think I have our countertops picked out (granite of course) but we are still torn on what cabinets need to be exactly what color! URGH! BJane Brewing's hubby came by and gave us some ideas but I am still lost! It will be done soon (maybe if I click my heals together 3 times it will come true)!

*I hit the motherload at the Winnie Trade Days Friday! Lots of blogs on those finds the next few weeks!

*The kids room switches and re-do's will be complete by Sunday, August 23! (I keep repeating this to myself).

*I also have an EXCITING announcement! I am running out of room over here at my little cottage and I keep coming across some AMAZING finds that I don't need but I just know someone else does! I always walk away feeling such sadness! Well, I am going to start selling this amazing deals to you guys! I have a paypal account and/or I take cash or a local check. You can just come and pick it up, save yourself the hassle of garage sale hopping and trade day walking! Now, you out of town gals, you won't be left out. If I am selling something you just have to have I will take the item to the shipping or post office and let you know the cost of shipping and it's yours! Example, this precious calendar you see in the picture was a great find at Home Goods for $4. Something like this I could have just picked up an extra one and sold it to you at the same price. By the time people ask me where I find things, it's too late, it's already gone from the store! Now, other things I will be painting or learning to restore and I can't wait to share them with you!

Watch for some upcoming deals!

Trade Days Are Waiting!

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Do I really need to say anything else?

Twilight Tuesdays!

Twicon 2009 in Dallas,Texas! My daughter and I had an AMAZING time!


This is the cast of www.thehillywoodshow.com!

More Twilight pics from our trip will come soon! I am trying to make sense out of all the pics I took with my camera and all the pics I took with my phone! We got to sit at a Q and A with the actors that play Dr. Cullen, Emmet, Jasper, Chief Swan, Angela, and Paul (a wolf pack member). We also got up close with a few and let's just say I think Dr. Cullen is "dreamy" in real life! ;o)