Don't Forget the Giveaway!

Don't Forget the Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY DAY!

$50 Hobby Lobby Gift Card is up for Grabs!

Whether you buy yourself something for your home or...

Make a craft or...

Spend it on something extra special for you, there is a catch!  Always a catch!

You must be a follower of my blog

(click on the follow button on the right side, takes 2 seconds to sign up) and if you win, you MUST, I repeat MUST, send me pictures of what you did with the $50 so I can feature you on my blog! The ideas are limitless at Hobby Lobby!

 Just follow the rules above and leave a comment below of what you plan to do with the money if you win

(minds change, just give us a sneak peak).

Please only leave one comment.

I will leave the giveaway open until Monday, February 1st at 10:00 A.M. HURRY! I can't wait to see what the winner does with their prize! 

31 Days of Just Me, Then!

I thought I would jump in here and make sure I answered these questions from my original post back in November.  I have answered some but not all. SO, my answers will be in blue!  ENJOY and don't forget tomorrow is GIVEAWAY TIME! 
Ok, you wanted it, you got it! Everyone is always saying, "How do you do it all" (I don't, there are really 5 of me running around!  Haven't you heard?), "Wow, you are so busy"(what you call busy, I call living), "Another party"(Ok, I have calmed down!  I did say yes to a FAITH party and Creative Memories when I REALLY knew I was overwhelmed and I cancelled them both. I also did not have my annual Reindeer Feed Party, or we did NOTHING for New Years! But see, here's my problem, when is someone ELSE going to take up the slack and have these parties so I don't feel like I have to?) , "How much school do you have left" (a million years, next question, please!), "You haven't graduated yet" (well no, or you would see my name in the paper as Teacher of the Year!), "Why do you like Twilight so much" (I don't have enough time or room to get into it here, but what the Twilight Saga does for me is 3 things, 1. It brings me closer to my daughter, 2. It awakened my love of reading that had long been gone and 3. It takes me to a place where I want to be, a special place where men actually treat women like princesses, take care of them, make decisions for them and wait for marriage. A fairytale place I am afraid!), "Are you really in a Twilight Sorority" (I was, but it broke up, nothing me or my friends did, but I am still a Twilight Mom and have a GREAT group of ladies here in the area that I do things with. One big giant book club), "Did you really go to two New Kids on the Block concerts last year (Heck yes and I touched Joey and I ALMOST touched Donnie), "Is Cash potty trained yet" (YES YES YES), "How do you make those fish tacos you are always talking about"(I promise that blog is coming soon!  I honestly forget to take pics), "I thought you would be at U of H by now"(When my son starts Kindergarten, I will start at U of H), "Do you really do all Lance's office work for him" (I do half or less and he does the most.  My mom helps on and off throughout the year as well. BUT, I do payroll every Friday!  Only I know how!), "Are you and Lance really that happy"(words can't express how blessed and lucky I am to have found him.  He's amazing!), and PLENTY more questions or comments!

What does all this mean? It means that over the next 31 days I am going to walk you through my day to day life. Some of its going to be boring, some of its going to be pretty darn exciting and some of it you are going to go, "WOW, that's her real life". I hope to post lots of pictures, and sometimes it will just be a description or timeline of my day. Some of it you will get tips and tricks for decorating or cooking, and other things you are going to go, "wow, they are kinda boring over there". HA!

Grab a seat, pour a cup of coffee AND click on the "Follow my Blog" button so you can check back daily or weekly on what I am doing. I won't be holding anything back, but remember, This is Me, Then. I change from day to day!

31st Day of Me, Then!

On this 31st Day of Me, Then I wanted to walk you through my crazy life, now.

• 
  
  I am taking 2 classes online this semester that I thought would be a piece of cake, well, more like a bowl of clam chowder. I HATE clam chowder!
  
  
  
• 
  
  My son is 101% potty trained and yes, he occasionally sneaks off outside to go #2.
  
  
  
• 
  
  My daughter is amazing, what can I say, well, amazing but still leaves every light, drawer, door, etc. on or open as she goes from room to room.  (MAKES ME CRAZY)
  
  
  
• 
  
  Oh, my son now says "sir and ma'm" to us!  WOOHOO!
  
  
  
• 
  
  I can't stand when parents allow their children to say "yah" or "huh".
  
  
  
• 
  
  My fish taco blog is coming, I promise!
  
  
  
• 
  
  We just lost an uncle on my husbands side to cancer. I am thankful for his peace now.
  
  
  
• 
  
  My husband and I have committed to date night once a month this year and already have our February one planned! 
  
  
  
• 
  
  I am still struggling with working out daily, its a constant battle and I need to overcome it soon and make time for my health.
  
  
  
• 
  
  I am flat out tired!  Ever just get like that? I need nice weather 7 days straight!  Is that so much to ask?
  
  
  

I want to leave you with a craft on this 31st day and remind you that tomorrow is

GIVEAWAY time!

So come back tomorrow!

Frame from the Dollar Tree!  Isn't it precious? and a chipboard letter J and some scrapbooking paper!

After I loaded this pic I went and wiped down those old cabinets!  HORRIBLE fingerprints and dirt!  YUCK!

My bathroom is white, blue and brown! 

This is Me, Then!

Give Away!

Take a Look!

Day 30 of Me, Then. We need a recipe!

This is going to be a "random" set of pics because I get so overwhelmed when I share recipes with you all that I forget to take pics!  HA!

I thought we needed a recipe!  It's been FREEZING in Texas this January so I wanted to try a "new" roast recipe! 

Meet the Cast:

• I can of Golden Mushroom Soup
• I can of French Onion Soup
• Sliced carrots, onions and celery (amount of your choice) as you can see I chose presliced!
• a roast of course (also of your choice)
• 5 red potatoes cut in half
• 1/2 cup of water

Place the cooker on high and put the potatoes in.

Then add the veggies.

Set that hunk of meat right on top!  I salt and peppered it!

Then in a seperate bowl stir together the two soups and 1/2 cup of water.

Pour the entire mixture over the top and leave it on high for 1 hour,

 place it on low for 6-7+ hours.

And here is my "random" recipe!  I forgot to take after pics!  But I will tell you this is from Southern Living's Busy Mom's Cookbook and it was to die for!  I made a pot of rice and my family dove in and never came up for air!  We loved it!

This is Me, Then!

Day 29 of Me, Then! XOXO's

I am a scrapper, a scrapbooker that is!  When I saw the "XOXO" over at

Tatertots and Jello

 I knew I had the perfect "This is Me, Then" take on her awesome idea!

The pictures don't do these guys justice!  I used scrapbooking paper and "glittered" chipboard!

They sparkle and look amazing in my dining room!  I am having some girlfriends over for a Valentine's Party the first week of February and I will show you ALL my Valentine decorations at once and "Bigger" pictures of the entire room they are in so you can see! 

Blogging is becoming a passion of mine!  I LOVE having an "online" journal and just knowing that maybe 1 person is touched or gets an idea from me makes me smile because I know that I get ALL my ideas from all of you! 

This is Me, Then!

Day 28 of Me, Then! Oh Sweet Valentine!

Ok, Let's Insert a Broken Record Here! 

I LOVE the blog

Tatertots and Jello

I was supposed to show you my XOXO craft but I am too excited about this craft, then WAIT, I am also excited about my new car organizer idea from B.Jane, oh WAIT I am also excited about my LOVE craft, WAIT, there is my Pioneer Woman Recipes Mom's Night Out in a few weeks, WAIT, there is my new antique chair and foot stool in my reading nook, WAIT, there is my daughter's new antique dressor and nightstand, WAIT, there is my new "Pottery Barn Eat Your Heart Out Mission Control" Station in my office, WAIT, there is my actual Pottery Barn Chalkboard on its way to my dining room wall, WAIT, there is, well, you are just going to have to WAIT!

This little thing above is another amazing craft I found over at Tatertots and Jello. I went to the Dollar Tree and bought a green foam ring, covered it in red ribbon (also from Dollar Tree) and used about 75 cupcake papers and hot glue!

I followed Jen's advice over at Tatertots and did it in sections to allow the glue to fully set

(which it does quickly).

To top it off I used some red ribbon and a scrapbooking brad to glue on a little bow!

I LOVED DOING THIS CRAFT!

I PROMISE tomorrow will bring the XOXO's and a look at another "Day in my life" as I start my online classes for this semester.  Also, if you aren't a follower now, please hit the follow button!  My 31 Days of Me, Then is about to wrap up and then it's GIVEAWAY TIME!

Day 27 of Me, Then! I am feeling Crafty!

I am feeling a bit Crafty lately!  I have so many blogs lined up I can't think straight!  HA! 

 

Let's first look at my inspiration!  Above is a craft from Tater Tots and Jello!  Between that Blog and B.Jane Brewing, my head just spins! 

(B.Jane, wait till you see my "take" on your car organizer. You know I don't sew). 

The above pic has inspired a few days worth of blogs, I will show you 2 things today!

Meet the cast:

First we have scrapbooking paper and scissors

black picture frames of any size you wish

red decorating beads (glass)

 tube of E-6000

ribbon

Make sure you leave the glass BEHIND your paper because you can reuse this frame for another craft or picture in the future.  If you don't place it behind, you may lose it or break it.

It takes time but it was SO much fun using the glue to put each bead in place. 

(LET IT DRY OVER NIGHT!)

Then my daughter HAD to have her initials for a bookshelf in her room!

PRETTY PRETTY PRETTY!

Now look at the finished product!

(Notice the positive reminder on my desk! These are scattered throughout my house)

Notice my daughter? She wouldn't get off the computer long enough for me to take my pics! 

ENJOY! and tomorrow I will show you the XOXO's I made! 

This is Me, Then!

Day 26 of Me, Then! It's On!

The pic above is a spread I put out a few weeks ago for the playgroup I am in!  The moms and some of the kids (ha, most of our kids are school-aged now, so just the moms play) and it was so much fun!

Ok, you may be wondering about the title!  Well, "It's On" for me this Spring.  I am taking two classes online and will not be attending school on campus again until the FALL!  WOOHOO! So, "It's On"! I plan to blog, organize, clean, de-clutter and spend time at home being a wife and mother, my two favorite things in the world!  I am looking forward to throwing my hair up in a ponytail, putting on a little gloss (gotta look good for my hubby) and doing a financial, spiritual and emotional overhaul on my fam every day this semester! 

With that said, check out what you can do with mason jars, my new favorite things!  I picked up 12 at my local supermarket for under $10.  So far I have used one as a measuring cup, one for some sugar scrub, one to bring over some of my hubby's gravy to a friend (let her keep the jar) and now my new FAVORITE thing to do with them! Store yummy baking friends in them!

(see above pic).

Don't tell me you have a more modern house, or those won't match your decor.  A. They match any kitchen decor, and B. use them in your bathroom cabinets, craft area, office, pantry, the skys the limit! I am also saving spaghetti, pickle jars and more. 

See the basket above? I purchased it at Goodwill for $1.99.  It can be used in many different ways.  I chose to display some of my cookbooks in it and beside it.

Another angle of my lovely basket! 

I plan to write something on the front w/a marker!

Tomorrow's Craft!  It's a good one!

Ice Cream Parlor Fun!

Take a look at this Ice Cream Party my son and daughter were able to attend!

FUN FUN FUN!

Parlor Fun

Giveaway! and new FAV blog!

Giveaway Link!

You MUST MUST MUST take a look at the new blog I came across that I know some have already been blessed to have found!  I have already been "craft" struck by a few of her past posts and plan to post a Valentine craft this week that she has inspired me to do as well. 

This Giveaway is for a book and bookmark but just look at those pillows she made! LOVE IT! She is one talented lady! Go now to Tater Tots and Jello!

This is Me, Then!

Day 25 of Me, Then! Dream Big!

I made a new collage of pics at my entry door this past season and "Dream Big" is what all my family and friends see as they enter and leave my home each and every day.  What positive reminders do you have in your home? I will be sharing more that I have throughout our house this week and some BIG news about my schooling future!

I am also going to share some pics of my Christmas Decorations this past year because, remember, I lost my camera cord and was unable to blog any new pics through holidays!  SO, I didn't want you to miss out on how our home looked this past season and that this year, was the FIRST year, I didn't decorate very much.  I actually took the time to learn to bake homemade cookies. 

Now, that is worth a million dollars in decorations!