It's about time!

Sorry for the delay! I'm just glad I'm not the only one who has been too busy to blog!!

We are still enjoying the throws of the Holidays! My two sister in laws and their families are still here and we are loving every minute of it! I have to tell you how much I adore these friends! Steph and I meet in High School and soon became close friends. WE then started dating brothers and fell in love with them and their family! WE have been together ever sence so I get together with my in laws it's like a reunion of family and best friends! Tiff, Steph and I have so much in common and fun it never seems like we have enough time together so this last week has been so wonderful! And then throw in an amazing Mother in law and you have a recipe for a great week!

We've spent every night playing games like Bubkiss, Bunco and Are you smarter then a 5th grader! And lets just say our own made up game of " If I roll a ... you have to do..." was a hit as well!We ended up having to serve Tiff Dinner, make out with our hubbies and do other humorous and embarrassing things! We craft and gab and eat yummy food! What more could you ask for! thanks to wonderful company this has been an amazing Holiday!

Here are some fun photos of the gathering!

How many more days?

does anyone else feel like they are weeks behind on all the stuff they need to have done? I sure do! Last night I slipped away by myself to get some shopping done and it was like an out of body experiance! I went to Wal Mart and it was a mad house. All the toys were picked over and the displays were a mess. I had intentions of making it a fast trip but there I was in a daze wondering the store looking for anything I could find! I felt like I was about to have a panic attack...I went with out a list, that was problem number one! I couldn't find any thing I needed and when it came time to grocery shop I was so spent I just wanted to leave and my mind went blank!I had no clue what i needed and I know I needed a lot. I ended up leaving with milk and bread and cinnamon. Trust me... I needed more the making of French Toast! So here I sit today after eating my toast with a huge question mark over my head... What on earth am i going to make for dinner for the rest of the week? Yep.. I'll have to go back to a grocery store and fix that dilemma!

Man I have so much to do and so little motivation to get it done! I just want to wake up and have been visited by the "get the job done" Fairy!

I still need to...

make neighbor gifts and pass them out
plan a weeks work of meals for my company
paint stools and chairs
hang pictures
wrap gifts
finish shopping for that matter
clean my house

It's really not that much but it seems daunting! It doesn't help that I stayed up till 1:30 last night watching the last two episodes of Survivor and the Finally of Kid Nation!!!! Shame on me!
I know half those things are unimportant to anyone but me but I would like to have them done!

Anyway.... Hats off to all of you who are on top of your game this Holiday Season! I can learn a lesson or two from you!

Blue Cricket Design Launch!!!!

Woo hoo!! Finally I had time to get my new online Boutique up and running!! Mind you it took three attempts ... Darn Blogger!!!

For your shopping pleasure... and for my much needed "get out of the hole fund!!, " please enjoy my latest creations! Tell your friends! Link my Boutique! Check back often! I will ( cross your fingers) be adding new inventory and taking custom orders so if you see something you like but need it in a different color just ask!!! Odds are I can do it!

Coming soon...

- vintage Aprons for Adults and kiddos
- custom journals
- cards
- play sugar cookies
- baby booties
and more!!!!!!

www.bluecricketdesign.blogspot.com

and on a weekend update note...

We FINALLY found couches and a table for down stairs!!!!! What a relief! AND we got the guest room painted and almost done decorated and I was able to color my hair!!!! Busy weekend huh!!!! And all while my broken butt ached!! ( see what I do for you my family coming into town!Yishk!!!) I'll post pics soon... I am so tired of Blogger!!!! No offense little guy... don't crap out on me now!!!

I think I broke my Butt!

For real! I know it sounds funny but I really think I broke it! I am in such pain and it's so lame how I hurt it! We were out last night looking at couches and I went to sit down on one but missed sort of and sat on the arm instead. Seriously I wanted to cry It hurt so bad! Mike laughed and I wanted to cry. All last night I was hurting and took some Tylenol and it still ached. So I think I really sprained and bruised it and I feel lame having a busted butt! Sleeping and sitting suck so I think I'll stand today... Too bad I have to drive to Provo today .

Wish my butt luck!

"Pow!!!"

I woke up this morning and felt and looked like I got punched in the face! Embarrassingly enough, I have two huge zits on my face. One on the Oh so favorite place, my chin, and the other on my lip line!Talk about painful!Seriously guys I look like I was in a fight! My lip is so swollen and ugly! I know everyone who had to lay eyes on me today was like " dude! I can't look at her! She'll think I'm staring at her zits!!!!" It has it's own heart beat!!!!

Sorry to gross you out but honestly that's all that's on my mind right now... that and the fact that we are quickly running out of time to furnish our basement before house guests arrive for Christmas! Ugg!!! let's see if we can fit 12 people on a twin size mattress acting like a couch! See what I mean!

Blue update...

Well after a few HORRIBLE nights and tempt reaching 104.2 (YIKES!!!) Blue is finally on the mend! As any mom would be, I am so glad she is feeling better! It's never fun to see a poor helpless struggling kiddo!!! But can I be selfish for a moment.... DUDE I need some space! She was so my shadow if I wasn't holding her and I swear I need an arm transplant!!!! Now I love a good snuggle like the rest of them but for sure there is a limit to the closeness and attachment a mom and sweet little girl can handle!!!

I think that's a hard part about having sick ones, not only to see them ill but the physical demanding part! Up all night, only wanting you, "hold me! hold me!!!" part of it!!!! Glad that's behind us...well sort of! She got a little too comfortable with all the attention and feels entitled to my undivided attention!!! " Oh no she di'en't!!" I for sure need to put a stop to that!!!!


It of course didn't make my weekend easy. I got a last minute email telling me a canceled Boutique was back on so I had all of 3 days to crank out some inventory!!!! SCARY!!!!! I was holding Blue practically the entire time I made Tutu's, clip boards and hair bands! I am surprised I got as much done as I did! Talk about being glad a weekend is behind you!

So look forward to seeing my New Online boutique soon to be re launched here after I pic up my left overs from this boutique! I have tons of fun girly stuff I'd love to share with all of you!!! I personally have my fingers crossed that I have little to bring home Wednesday but we'll see!!!!


Hope you all had a better weekend then I did! Mine was CRAZY!!!!

My poor poor Blue Bird!

Blue has been sick running a fever and so not herself. Last night she amazingly got a full uninterrupted nights sleep so we were thinking all was well. This morning she was just pitiful. Staring off and uninvolved. I had a feeling something was wrong. I assumed she had Strep so I made her an appointment.

Thankfully I listened to my gut. Poor little Blue has Scarlet Fever!! I know!!! Who knew that was still around. I seriously about burst into tears upon hearing her Doctor tell me that! I only knew that Laura, from Little House on the Prairies daughter died of it!!!!I was scared. I come to find it's not as bad as I had first thought! It's basically a really bad case of Strep with a horrible fever that is hard to break and a skin rash. Still not good but man was I relieved!

She is so no herself. So helpless and needy. It's always hard when your kids are sick but at this age when they just want their mom to hold them, it's so physically demanding on me and draining. I am not only worried for her but hello!!! That girl weighs a ton!!! My arm feels like it's about to fall off! I'd gladly snuggle her all day though knowing it gives her the only comfort she can get right now!

The Christmas Gift

Yesterday I had a fun filled day with my dear friend Regina. We had been dragging our kids to one store after the other and as nap time quickly came and went we felt like we had one more store in us, Deseret Industries. Now Regina and I are cut from the same mold, we both love a good find and restoring furniture is a hobby so a trip to D. I. is always fun...and the kids love it too! So there we were, two carts between us finding great deals and trying to keep the kids close. We were finally ready to check out so we split up in two lines.

I noticed this lady checking out two people ahead of me had this adorable children's chair in her cart and I made a comment to her telling her how cute it was and that , jokingly, if she changed her mind I'd gladly take it off her hands! She was so adorable and excitedly told me " I know!! Isn't it great! I found a matching one like this a month ago here and this one will complete my set!" I know exactly how she was feeling! I get almost explosive inside when I find exactly what I am looking for!!! We smiled and parted and I started checking out my own items. As she finished she walked past my register and showed the cashier her recite and goes on to tell her " I just bought this chair but I would like to give it to this sweet girl for a Christmas present!" I was shocked! I saw the joy in her eyes to be able to give it away knowing how much I admired it. I didn't even try not to accept it because I could see how happy she was to do it! I left my register and gave her the biggest hug! I was touched and moved to tears that she would sacrifice her great find! Regina looked at me and we both were just so surprised! I thanked her and thanked her again and she was out the door.


I was seriously so happy! It was only a $3 chair that I could have easily paid her for but the greater gift was that she put aside her excitement of finding the perfect chair to complete a set and so willingly just handed it over to me, a perfect stranger!

I learned so much from this sweet lady! What a reminder of charity and pure love of Christ. It may sound silly to you guys but that gift of that chair really made an impact on me. I was touched by the simple generosity of a stranger willing to make me happy, not knowing who I was or my circumstances. What if I had been furnishing my home and that was the only way I was able to afford to do so, by shopping second hand. Or what if I had been reminded of a childhood memory when I saw that sweet chair. She knew nothing about me. She didn't know that that gift easily made my day not because I now have a chair but because I am more excited to "Pay if forward" and return the favor to another unsuspecting stranger!

Isn't this the reason for the season! To be like Christ and serve our neighbor in his honor! I am so grateful for that lesson I witnessed yesterday. I hope I can make as big of an impact on someone else's heart as she did mine!

clean house!

well... I cleaned and organized my house all weekend!!!!that can only mean one thing....Yep! Mike and I got in a fight! I have this horrible habit of going on a binge of cleaning when I'm upset!!! I become this mad woman!I did every closet, drawer and cabinet up stairs and the girls room is as organized as it has ever been. Some times I swear he just gets under my skin because he knows I'll go cleaning crazy!!!

I'm the first to admit the weekends do a number on the house. It's much easier to let it slip when we have errands to run and kids to entertain. The argument all had to do with how messy the house was... Well I'll show you Mike! I'll just clean till I drop... guess he won huh!!!!!

Anyway... Lame argument but hey, I have a clean house... well sort of. Already it looks like I didn't spend hours on it. SEE!!!It's just an endless saga over here!!!!AHHHH!!!!! Stop the insanity!!!!!

And yes... Mike and I are friends again... That never lasts very long!!!!

Simple Pleasures...

It's way too easy for me sit here and list off all the things that annoy me or have been bothering me lately... That's what being home with sick kids will do to 'ya!!! But Yesterday while soaking in the tub ( one of my favorite things to do!) I was really aware at that moment of the wonderful blessing i have been giving and the small things that bring a smile to my face or a restful moment to my soul!

These are my simple pleasures I am grateful for lately...

- A pair of warm socks on cold tile! Need I say more!!!

- Finding Yoplait Yogurt on sale and reminding yourself that it really does taste better then the generic brand!


- My favorite recent find the Neutrogena Advanced Solutions At Home MicroDermabrasion System!!!! ( cue the singing angles and heavenly choir!) This was the best $33 bucks I have spent in months!I love love love this little guy! My skin feels amazing and I can tell my texture and look of my pores and skin tone have improved! It's like my own little spa get away each time I use it!!! But the hidden Simple Pleasure in this find is the fact that I gave in to a personal want and allowed myself to spend the money on myself. I rarely do that for pleasure items!

- Finding good shows on Demand!!! I love On Demand! I recently discovered that they have CBS shows like Survivor and Kid Nation... yes I like Kid Nation, on Demand!!!Whoo hoo... I always forget to set a recording and I have yet to master the set a series to record! Do you know how many Americas Next Top Models I have missed!!!! I love siting down for 40 min when the kids are asleep and watching a guilty pleasure with no commercials!


- Watching snow fall! One night we sat and ate dinner with all the shutters opened and just watched it snow! It was so beautiful and so relaxing! I forget about the pure beauty of fallen snow when I have to scrape it from my windshield!!! Seeing it fall and appreciating it's purpose is a reminder of Heavenly Fathers abilities to make beautiful things!

- A long phone call with a friend! I love almost more then anything my relationships with my girlfriends! I cherish friendships so much. I can rarely get off the phone with my SIL in under 45 min. And my sister and I talk multiple times a week and talk about nothing! That's the best!!! I recently talked to an old roommate from college for over an hour! Time stands still when I reunite with some one I love like that! Memories rush back and events are recalled that ignite happiness and nostalgia! If I can't be with my closest friends every day I'll gladly take a phone call as a plan B substitution!!!!

- Finishing a project! I seem to be neck deep in projects! I have things to do all over the house and yet I lack the motivation to just get it done! But on that special occasion I do find the desire to get started I sure do love the feeling of checking it off my list and getting a project completed!!!!

My life is a constant balancing act! Trying to balance the good with the bad, the enjoyable with the mundane! It's all what we signed up for! I just have to remind myself to not dwell on the bad and appreciate the good more! Life is a beautiful thing! We are so incredible blessed if we just take the time to realize the good that has been placed in our paths!

Christina is the Winner!!!!

Yeah for Christina!!!She was the only one who picked out "The what's not Becca here" item!!! It was the metal bird!!!! Many of you may know but some may not that I am so scared of feathered friends! I hate hate hate birds. I get frozen with fear at times over it! I can barely feed an aggressive group of ducks without tensing up and wanting fly the coop!!!

So hats off to Christina!!! In my defense..I love metal and this bird was too cute not to buy and it was so a bargain at $2.50! I do love distressed things and it fit three out of four criteria!!! Now if it was a metal distressed Double Double... now that would have been perfect!!!!

This ought to tide you over...

This preview will hopefully help the hate mail I'm getting!!!! he he he!!!! Here is a sneak peak of a few rooms progress!

Living room! This room is my favorite so far! I LOVE my red piano and have been able to sit down and play! The pictures on top still need to be hung but i love them. I change the Scrapbook paper out seasonally to display Holiday prints and then i have a few to compliment the room! It's a great way to swap out some decor... you all know I get really board with decor and have to change it often! BINGO!!!!



This frame will house my Heritage Photos! I have a beautiful collection of old black and white photos of Ancestors ! I can't wait to get this done!



Scale was a big deal in this room because it so small so I totally scored when I found these amazing chairs in the perfect color and perfect size!!! The lamp is my modern/ retro throw back. I love rooms that combined different styles and elements!




Here is the entry table that greets you when you first come in! It's from my all time favorite store I've found out here "Home Again!" I just had to have it and it works great right here! We take our shoes off in our house so this houses them perfectly so you don't trip all over them...If I need the storage at some point I'll add a shoe basket.




Moving on to the upstairs family room... here are the wall irons my dad helped me hang while he was in town. This is a large vaulted wall so it needed some weight on it and something substantial. The Apothecary Jars get changed out seasonally too!






And lastly the Basement...a.k.a. Mikes Domain!!!This is going to be a fun room once it's done. It will have vintage advertisements, tin colorful wall mounts and some original art done by yours truly. So far we've only been successful at getting the entertainment center filled with treasures. I love how this display turned out! It has all my favorite things! I LOVE Books! I love vintage things, That Urn was Mikes grandparents wedding gift, and I adore clocks!!!!! Can any of you pick out the one funny odd thing on display that isn't in character for me???? I still loved it when I saw it so I just had to buy it!






Ok... that's it for now! Don't get depressed!There is more to come in the next little while! Bedrooms, kitchen and more are still to come!

Gettin' the job done... Finally!

So we had a painter lined up that quoted us an awesome deal on painting 5 rooms in our house! He said he was really busy during the Holidays and we understood. It's been weeks since we last talked and he doesn't return my calls! Thankfully we never gave him any deposits. He came with great references and everything but I just can't wait any longer! Finally Mike and I just decided to start painting ourselves! We just finished the girls room this weekend and we love how it all turned out! I'll finish decorating it this week and post pictures.It went so fast and was so easy! We only had to do one coat... that's the advantages of buying good paint!!!! Boo, you'd be proud!... I know I am cheap when it comes to a lot of things! I have been using "oops" paint that usually takes coat after coat but we want to do it right inside the home so we spent the money!!!

We'll next tackle our bedroom, a guest room and maybe the kitchen! But finally I feel like the house, one room at time, is becoming a home! It's been so fun finding a piece here and there to add to a room that pulls it all together! I have fallen in love with decorating! It's fun to have items in our home reflect our personality and add charm to a space! Everything we add to our space means something to me. Be it a favorite color, a memory reminder or a style of furniture, it all means something to me! We have a very eclectic taste but the underlying theme should always reflect our personality and I think we are achieving that!

I'll have plenty to show off in the next week or so! I am busy with project after project and feel like I am under the gun to get it done before Christmas!!!! It's taken long enough!!!!!!

Here is the recipe for the creamed corn I'll be making... it's a favorite! One more reson why I love Kraft Food free magazine. There website also has the same incredible recipes as well!



2 oz. (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed
2 Tbsp. milk
1 can (14-3/4 oz.) cream-style corn
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen corn, thawed
1/2 cup KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1/3 cup sliced green onions

COOK cream cheese and milk in medium saucepan on medium heat until cream cheese is melted, stirring frequently.

ADD cream-style and thawed frozen corn; stir. Cook 4 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

SPOON into serving dish; sprinkle with Cheddar cheese and onions.



Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy all the wonderful time together with family and friends and food!!!! I am so grateful for all of you and the friendships we share! Hugs!

Monday Monday....

My morning started off with a sour toddler! All I am hearing is " Mommy mommy!!" in a whinny voice! She follows me around just miserable for no reason! It's most likely the aftermath of visitors! My kids are always at their worst behavior when we have company! they ignore rules, our instruction and just get crazy! The few days after are a recovery session for the kids and I HATE it!!!!

So are you guys looking forward to Thanksgiving! I am!!! I love this Holiday! WE are having Tiff and Josh and my Mom over for dinner! I can hardly wait! I am making my first Thanksgiving dinner. Here's the menu...

Turkey ( cross your fingers I know can figure this out!)
Mashed Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
Creamed Corn ( not what you think!)
Jello salad
Rolls
Salad


I'm hungry already! I just hope it all goes ok. I love Thanksgiving day. We sit around looking at ads for Black Friday!!! Any of you planning on venturing out to go shopping the day after?

Cleaning Day...

I have family coming into town this evening so today is cleaning day!!!! I have to be honest and tell you I really enjoy cleaning! I love spending an entire day on it and seeing the magnificent results! I am really good at keeping my home tidy so when it comes down to the nitty griddy it's just a huge deep clean and that's my favorite. I get tired of the daily pick up but I love a deep clean!

My favorite room to clean is the kitchen! I love having perfect counter tops and clear surfaces. My least favorite is cleaning the girls room basically because that's the room that will get destroyed the fastest the moment it's done!

I love to mop! And I hate putting away laundry! So I guess you can say me and my house have a love hate relationship!!!

What do you love and hate about cleaning? Do you have a schedule you follow when it comes to cleaning? I love to hear what others do!

My new love affair...

Don't you love it when you find a new yummy treat!!! These would make awesome Rice Crispy Treats I'm sure!!!!

What's your latest snack must have!?

I was right!!!!

Now I never , NEVER get this excited when I find out I was really RIGHT!!!! But last night I could barely control my excitement because those who were there tried so hard to disprove me ... and they did originally!!!

Let's rewind a month and I'll set the stage! We had just enjoyed a great weekend down in Prove hanging out with Josh and Tiffany and we ended up at their house just watching foot ball games. As we flipped back and forth from game to game I SWEAR I saw a one armed Player!I kept telling them for sure I saw one! They so didn't believe me! Mike kept saying " how can a guy play with one arm? Your nuts!!" No one believed me. Tiffany, trying to be supportive jumped on line to do some research and came up empty! We all left it at that!

THEN!!!!! last night BYU played TCU and there appears, clear as day, a one armed kicker!!!!!! I about jumped out of my skin I was so thrilled!!!! I was Right!!!!! I got on the phone right away and Tiff answers " The one armed kicker right!!!!" I was overly happy I admit but it was just too funny!!!!!

Thanks #58 Drew Combs from TCU!!!!! By the way you did a great job!!!

Good Morning!

How long does it take you to feel awake? I swear! I wake up nearly every day wishing I could sleep longer! I don't stay up too late but still I am such a horrible sleeper I toss and turn and wake up so often I never feel like I have a restful nights sleep! I don't feel right ( meaning happy, awake and pleasant to be around!) till well after I am up and have made the girls breakfast! Sad I know! Mike and I butt heads the most in the morning! I wish I knew how to fix that!

Yesterday, I am happy to report was a great potty day!Blue used the bathroom about 7 times! She as so adorable in her plastic training pants and we even made it out to the doctor and WalMart in panties with no accidents!!! Half the time she told me she had to go potty! So I feel like I am doing something right!

Tonight I have Bunko! I can't wait! I love this time for myself!

Here's a question for you.... What are you most looking forward to over the next two holidays?

I am most looking forward to having family visit! I miss Steph and Rob and the kids and can't wait to pull "Most nighters" with Steph and craft and gab and eat!

Can you believe there are already playing Christmas music!!!! Yikes!

Tagged by Shireen

First of all a little shout out love to Shireen!!!!! Miss you and love ya!!!!

Here are the rules:
A. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
B. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog, for these rules.

1. I love straws! I keep straws in my house and use them 90% of the time. I just love them. I have a box of multi colored bendy straws right now that I am about half way through. I think I drink faster with a straw and I like not having to get my teeth cold when I drink ice water! I also think they remind me of my Grandmother. She always had, and still to this day, a straw dispenser that as kids we always thought was the coolest!

2. I am addicted to paper! I love love love pads of paper. All shapes and sizes. I love making lists and writing where ever I go so I usually have paper on hand! I get excited when I get free advertising pads of paper from realitors, banks and insurance companies! I am not sure what I am addicted to more. Do I love paper because I love making lists or do I love making lists because I have so much paper? It's the " what came first? The Chicken or the egg" question!!!

3. I love this seasons Bachelor! No really I do... I think he is the best one yet! I secretly would love to go on that show to see how far I could get because I think we would make a great pair... minus the me being married part and the fact that he owns bars and I don't drink and never will...oh and there's the thing about me having kids... well you know what I mean! I think he is A. yummy!!! B. so genuine! and C. so fine to look at!!! It's my secret fantasy crush!!!! Come on... we all have one!

4. I love make up! I love the way it can make me feel! If I am ever feeling a little under the weather or a little gloomy make up can quickly help change my mood. I feel put together and alive when I wear it! Thankfully I feel blessed to have great eyelashes and fuller lips for my family so I just love enhancing them. I would love to learn how to wear it differently. I feel like I always look the same when I apply it! I would love to learn how to do a smoky eye and other fun date night looks. I'm not that kind of girl who can't go out with out make up. I am as average as the rest of us and can go shopping "naked" and not be embarrassed. I just love to put it on and feel put together. As a mom I use it as my reminder that I am not just mom. I can still be a fresh, together and up to date woman!

5. Books books books! I can get a sort of high when I walk into a book store! There is something about brand new shiny books all together that makes my mouth water almost! I am an avid reader! I set a goal last year to read between 25-40 books by the end of this year and I am so close to meeting my goal! I simply adore a good book. It's not just the reading part I love, it's the romantic notion that I can escape my day and become connected to a different place and time! I love words! I love characters and I love endings! I could spend hours in a book store. I love book covers and admit to picking up a book based on it's cover. I read books based on few things. They have to either make me laugh, think or teach me. My favorite book is "The greatest Salesman on earth" by Og Mandino. He is a favorite author. For comedic draw I adore Janet Evonovitch. I love WWII topics and church novels as well. I have a list of great reads if you ever want any recommendations!

6. I don't often wear perfume! I have yet to find a signature sent. I don't oppose perfume... I just haven't found something I can handle for a long time! I get headaches from smells and that always seems to be the black ball that counts scents out! I once bit the bullet, while single, and spent $90 on a bottle of perfume from Nordstrom's that I fell in love with at the store. When I wore it one night this guy asked the group who had b.o.? I was horrified that my it might have been my perfume and I stopped wearing it! I think I sold it at a garage sale for $5. So I don't have a good history with fragrances!


ok.. I tag Ranay, Jessica, Megan, Annie, Julie, and Boo!!!!

What a bust!

And I'm not talking about mine... because we all know that's disappointing! But speaking of disappointing... The post Halloween sales sucked so hard today! I came up empty and all I got out of it was crabby kids and a ticked off mom!!!!

What happened to all the 50-75% off sales I am used to? I went to Roberts-crap! Old Navy- ziltch! Walmart- junk and only 50% off a small selection. Tia Pan had 50% but no inventory. Children's Place had nothing but a princess wand. What's the deal? I swear I live for the day after sales and now I feel empty!

Don't they know I live for this sort of thing!!!!

Did you guys find any deals? I was hoping to get my kids costumes for next year!

Halloween is upon us!!!!

Can't you just smell the sugar in the air. Already today The kids have been over loaded with candy and it started at 8:30 this morning when I picked up my car at the shop. Then the DMV and Walmart added to the sabotaging of my day!

I love Halloween! I have always loved this holiday! I can remember back to wearing my costumes to school and having parties in my classroom! As a child it was such a guilty pleasure holiday!CANDY!!!!! All the candy you can possible eat! I remember as kids we all used to separate the candy when we got home. Snickers, butterfingers, 3 musketeers, crap candy and candy corn and the candy to trade or barter with! There was always a disapointment when you went to a door and left with a Hershey's miniature or hard butterscotch grandma treat! Remember how exciting it use to be to get a regular sized candy bar!!!That was the best! The best house in my neighborhood I can remember was the guy who handed out cold cans of soda!!! Without fail there was always a few duds... an apple, raisins or a few pennies! Gee thanks!

As we got older I was amazed at the ground we could cover on Halloween. I can't remember at what age but we all did it! We graduated from plastic pumpkin candy buckets to pillow cases! We were on a mission to score as much junk at record breaking speeds and hoard it in our rooms for as long as we could! I for one, always tried to make my candy last for months! We had trading going on between me and my siblings and I was always impressed at how much candy my brother always seemed to get. That's what trick or treating on roller blades will do for ya!

Now that I'm a mom Halloween has become something totally different! I love seeing the kids all dressed up and having a great time! At the end of the night when you look at all the junk they've collected I feel almost irresponsible letting them have all that so as a "responsible" parent I take it upon myself to eat their candy! It's my job right!

I hope all of you have a great night tonight! I look forward to seeing all the great photos of all the kids. If any of you dress up promise to take pictures!

Can someone please remind me...

How to breath! I seem to remember you're suppose to breath through two nostrils, am I right!? I remember it being almost effortless to maintain life through breathing! Gone are those days and foggy the memory of doing so.

this cold is kicking my butt! WE skipped church yesterday do to the fact that I care for the members and I was pretty sure they wouldn't want to see me looking like Quasimodo. Blue had snail trails all over her face and into her hair and Mace sounded like a boy. So home it was!

I slept on and off till 4 pm so the day seems more like a blur. I do remember having the greatest husband on the planet! We were all so taken care of! I just adore that guy! He looked after the kids and made a great dinner! I just sort of floated from room to room till I finally went to bed.

This morning bring a new day with the same old cold! Unfortunately Mike now has it! Poor guy!

Well I don't want this post to be all boo hoo and poor me. Good news is I just saved a whole lot on my car insurance by switching to Geico.


Just kidding.

Friday...

So talk about a bad nights sleep! I've had a cold all week so sleeping has been made all the more miserable. On top of having a horrible bed that causes me to toss and turn and wake up stiff and in pain every morning, I had to add that annoying stuffy nose on one side so you can only lay on one side and breath out of the other one thing going on. So not being able to toss and turn made for an even more memorable night! Oh well!

Today is sweet Blue Blues birthday!!!! Wahoooo!!!! She was so cute this morning! Macy woke her up saying to her " it's your birthday sister!!!" She opened her eyes and replied " My Birthday today!!!"

We made the celebratory Colored pancakes for breakfast and have a fun day all planed! We'll picnic at the park and head to the library for books and time on mommies lap. Then tonight we'll have a little cake and ice cream just the 4 of us!I love birthdays like this when you can get away with it being a little more simple!

Yesterday I had to get my car up to snuff to get it registered. I need about $400 worth of repairs for it to pass out here! LAME!!! I shouldn't complain. I have had absolutely zero problems with this car. In 6 years I have only had to pay for routine oil changes and one minor repair. It's been good to me! And the thing that needs to be fix isn't even the cars fault. Some low rider gangsta' before me who owned it tried to lower it illegally and now my fount spring thingies are no longer considered PASSING for the safety test. That one repair is going to cost the $400! CRAZY huh!! it's never been an issue before... guess in CA they are used to low riders!

None the less all is well. I feel much better once I get out of bed and get the day started! I'm excited for Blues special day! she is such a blessing and I simply adore that snuggle bug!Isn't it crazy to think that two years ago today I was giving birth!!!! I love thinking of it like that because I love giving birth!!!!

So Cal. Fires on my mind

It's hard not to ache for my beloved California right now. We have so many friends who are in danger of losing their homes or who have already lost them due to these endless fires. I am glued to the news.But in the back of my mind I am still hopeful and impressed with the resilient residence of CA. I have seen an amazing show of compassion, charity and love when anyone is interviewed. They are not without grateful hearts for their safety and their loved ones. Peoples true color shine in the mists of tragedy. I am proud to come from a state that pulls together and unites in crisis.

These events have also made me imagine what if I had to leave at a moments notice! What on earth would I try to save. It didn't take long to realize that my possessions mean the lest to me in times like that! I'd quickly gather up my family a few items of cloths and a box of photos and my hard drive. Every thing else is replaceable.

This has all put a lot of things into perspective. What's really important. What do we hold closest to our hearts and value greatest? It's not the piano I spent hours painting or the entry table I have fallen in love with. It's not the things that have caused me to wish I had for months and finally do have. It's all so superficial when you really think about it! I have really stopped and thought about my selfish nature over the past few months and I am grateful for that. It's important for me to see how blessed I really am and pull in the reigns a little. None the less I am humbled.

Natural disasters are a part of life. As destructive as they are I can see the necessity they may bring to humanity. To help us stop and see clearly. To be one with our emotions and help others on the way. To feel a connection with the things that are most important. It's sad that it takes something like this to make that happen.

My prayers and wishes go out to California.

Down for the count...but not out!

I'm sick for the first time in a long time! I have a cold! Yuck but it's not nearly as bad as I am used to. I have noticed a huge change in our health now that we are out of that mold infested apartment! Remember how often me and my girls were sick! It's for sure because of that mold we used to live in. It would make us sick more often and for a longer period of time! I already feel a ton better from yesterday and I'll be 100% in no time. But still it has to go down the chain of command in the family! Macy has a cough today! So we are home bound. Fine by me! I like taking it easy once in a while!

I hope the rest of the family that was in town doesn't get sick. We were all nursing the same sonic drinks all day Sunday! Oops! Sorry guys!

So yesterday while I had the entire day to do nothing but watch tv and rest i got hooked on Janice Dickensens Reality model agent show. It was so addicting. She is such a beast but I love it!!!

I can pretty much watch anything for an episode and get hooked! I love tv too much but when I am down like that that's all I can handle. I even saw an episode of Little house on the Prairie I had never seen! It was a good "bad" tv day yesterday! Maybe today I'll snap out of it and finally shower and get the ball rolling a little! My craft room still needs some help and surely my house is begging for some attention!

a little insight on ME...

- I get a little tired of looking at the same blog post so I post often.
- I secretly love getting compliments on my cooking but the compliments from my hubby mean the most!
- I sleep with a blanket that is falling apart. I have sewn it up a handful of times now and it's being held together now by a safety pin.
- I drive with my left foot tucked up under me.
- I have worst skin now then I ever did as a teenager.
- I love dreaming at night! Even scary dreams!
- I sing to myself all around the house till my kids tell me to stop.
- I eat at Denny's and love it!
- My closet is a disaster zone.
- I have to get out of bed EVERY night to check that the doors are locked, my closet door is shut and my blinds are tightly closed! OCD!!!!
- I love the smell of my baby in the morning... sleepy, bad breath and pee pee diaper!
- I alter almost every recipe I use
- I take short showers and long baths.
- It takes me on average over an hour to fall a sleep each night!
- I love EmergenC tangerine flavor
- I gave up soda and love sparkling water... I could drink three bottles a day if I bought that much. San Pelligrino is my favorite and lime is my favorite flavor otherwise.
-I am obsessed with clean ears!
- I put off folding laundry till it causes a fight!
- I guarantee I'll eat more Halloween candy then my kids!
- I've never been good at keeping my own secrets because secrets are funner to share!

Where does she get those curls?

Anyone who meets Molly Blue always asks that question.WEll...we usually tell them it comes from her fathers side. Mikes half Armenian and that may have something to do with it but after today I reminded myself that..."oh yeah! I have curly hair too!"





My hair has defiantly changed over the years! It gets curlier on the bottom and straighter on the top with each baby I have! today was defiantly a good curl day! I for sure don't have that wash and wear kind of hair I'd like. I HAVE to either blow dry it straight or wear it like this!

Here is what I use to help get this Molly blue look...



Products make all the difference! What products do you use in your hair to either get body, curls, or help get a straight look?

So tu tu in the house

Alisa and So Tu Tu are here and we had the privilege of baby sitting! Honestly... I have become the hugest fan of watching others kids. It totally is selfish but When I have other peoples kids over my kids are totally occupied the entire time. I was able to clean my house from top to bottom today!!!! Hooray!!!

Guess it was pretty boring for some little sweet heart...




Either that or she had a great time!!!! It was so fun having her over! WE miss sweet Addison!!!

I also forgot to post pics from when Michelle was in town. She and Sarah came over and gave me the sweetest house warming gift! A beautiful welcome sign!!! WE went to Gardner Village and just hung out and then headed to her in laws "museum"...well house! Talk about living large!!!! I love seeing my Michelle and Sarah!!! Thanks again Sarah for sitting in the back with the girls you poor thing!




Sorry about my poofy mom hair.YIKES! Scary!!!!

Tuesday oh Tuesday...

I sit here writing with the constant whine of a toddler at my heels. she's convinced herself life would be better with a baby bib on and wearing her shoes on the wrong feet! She must feel her birthday quickly approaching and this is her way of resisting!

But undeterred, here I write! ( it's become more of a song now! and now she's making carpet angels!)

Anyone else loving this weather...I almost think if I looked out the window I'd see Eore saunter by! Wouldn't that be cool! Gloomy skies and drizzly = the perfect cozy evening! I'm making beef stew and warm biscuits! mmmmm! A perfect fall meal!

I had a wonderful day today. I met up with two girlfriends for lunch and just loved the relaxed time we spent visiting. McDonald's play land is the best place for kids I am convinced! I'll be a regular once the weather keeps us indoors!

The girls had Macall and Kellie over for a short play date! We painted fall leaves and listened to silly music. It's times like these I can affectionately admire my daughters. Lost in the moments of childhood. Excited over the smallest of things! As innocent as they come! I was having one of those Norman Rockwell moments. I pictured this young set of friends growing up together and sharing all the memories little girls share! It was a moment I wish I could have captured forever for them when life was so easy and simple.

What is one of your fondest childhood memeories? I think we forget to recall them and why don't we? They always seem to bring a smile to our faces!


What pops into my head was a time when my girlfriends and I got into a lot of trouble! we must have been about 10. We found in the road huge chucks of blocked ice...they must have fallen out of someones truck.We're still not sure why they were there and who's great idea it was but anyway... We got the clever idea to paint them! I know!!!! There we were in front of Starlas house on the sidewalk painting ice in lime green paint we found in her garage! Well the Sun was doing it's job and so was ice and it proceeded to melt and in the end we ended up painting the side walk! Starlas Step dad came home and that's when it hit the fan as they say! We spent the rest of the evening scrubbing the paint off and it still didn't all disappear! I think the best part about that day was that we were all together... getting in trouble yes but there we were, the four best friends all in it together!

I am about to Explode!

I have so many ideas, projects and stories runny through my head! It keeps me up at night and lately I have felt like I am about to explode unless I get some of this creative energy out! So this is what happens when I let that happen!

Meet the latest addition to "Blue Cricket" Designs family....My baby booties! More to come!

Play Date

This last week we meet up with my BUNKO group for our first organized play group. We'll be getting together twice a week with the kids! I so love that!

This week we meet up at Jessica P.'s for cookie decorating and pumpkin decorating. First of all when has a beautiful home and didn't mind us sneakin' around admiring her awesome taste and second... talk about being prepared! She had everything you would need to create great Halloween treats! My girls were in heaven at the cookie station but that's a given!

I am really loving my girl time! I have to admit I never in my life have felt the need to be so involved in a girls group. I always had my one or two close friends that just got me and we were cool but I have fallen in love with the idea of being in a room full of women and you can barely hear yourself think! WE gab about everything! men, food, books, kids, fashion, politics even! It really is a great source of happiness I am discovering.

Thanks Jess for a great afternoon! I appreciate all the time and effort you put into making a great outing for us all!!!And congrats on the baby boy!!! By the time that little guy gets here I'll have perfected my booties and I'll have a custom pair ready for him!!!

A new day...

I just needed to post something new. I have a lot of things on my mind but need something positive to write about and change the mood around here!

I am excited for my In laws who will blessing their sweet baby girl this weekend in Oklahoma. I miss them so much and wish I could be there to meet my new niece but I send my love!

I'm STILL trying to finish Twilight. It only took till page 387 for it to get good for me! Sorry all you Stephanie Meyer fans... I just haven't caught the bug that so many of you are experiencing. But it's probably not you, it's me.I suffer from "get your hopes up" syndrome. I often build something up it tends to be the crash and burn reality I never want! I even hated Phantom of the Oprah when Mike took me to see the musical! oops! These books have been so talked about and raved about. Oh well. I'll finish it... maybe the fireworks I'm looking for are at the end!

I have tons to do today, things I just didn't do yesterday!I'm glad it's a new day. I 'm amazed at how a morning can change the darkest of moods and remind us that we have a new day to enjoy.

Horrible news

I was just told that a girl from my husbands home ward at home was murdered this week. She was my sister in laws long time childhood friend. The family is a pillar in the community and ward with the father serving as bishop right now. My heart is broken for her and the family! I feel so numb over the news. The boyfriend responsible is under custody and has confessed. I feel incredibly sad and worried for this family for the long drawn out process a trial will add to the already devastating state they must be in. This sweet girl was the oldest of 6 girls. I picture losing my sister and my world would simply stop. Oh I can not imagine.

I worry for my sister in law and just want her know how much I love her and wish I could take away her pain and sorrow. I too lost a best friend to murder at a very young age and so easily all those emotions flood me know as I know exactly what she is going through. Please remember these sweet friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Smells like...

CRAP!!!! So does anyone else think Parmesan Cheese smells like a diaper in desperate need of being changed and destroyed? Ugg! I swear i was going crazy! I changed Blues diaper and sent her on her Merry way! Latter I walked in to the living room and looked at her all suspicious as if she saved some more for me. I checked her...nothing. Thanks Blue! But then I smelled it again and again! That's not a smell you can easily ignore...trust me. I try all to often to "pretend" I 'm not noticing it as I finish a chapter or send off am email ... ok... or blog.... or watch the Bachelor....or get on MC! Yikes I know!

Anyway... It taunted me so I went on the hunt! Not the sort of hunt I enjoy! Now I'll be the first to hunt for a bargain or a cookie when I'm starving for a treat... but for the smelly crap culprit!!! Not on a regular day! I looked every where. No surprises!

Finally I found the source! Mace had spilled Parmesan Cheese on the table and left it there and when I passed it the small attacked me! So gross!!!! Sorry if I forever ruined the joys of a parme' sprinkle over pasta for ya!!!

Years ago I had to give up Rolled Gold Pretzels because they reminded me of the smell of the Elderly. I'll leave it at that with only the extra tid bit that I was a CNA at A Convalescent Hospital! Think of the absolute worst job a nurse has to do but you never see her doing them... oh yeah... that's because her CNA is stuck doing them. Te Da!!! No more Pretzels for me!

So... maybe just maybe today I ruined Parmesan as well. Darn it!

let the vacation begin!!!!

Not everyone is as excited as I am when their husbands go out of town but I have to admit I am pretty thrilled this time! Only because I had company all last week and my house is a sty and I have no intention of doing much about it over the next two days!!! Ok!! It's not that bad but you better believe I'm not going to scrub and polish for the next little while!Mikes gone till Wednesday so that to me says VACATION all over it! And perfect timing because I started the Stephanie Meyer Book Twilight and it keeps me up at night leaving my with little enthusiasm to do anything more then turn pages and try to figure out what all the fuss is all about with this series. To be honest I haven't figured it out yet and I'm 300 pages deep.

Another confession... Probably won't be cooking for the next few night! It's already started...This morning I threw frozen waffles at the kiddlets and they were happy to gnaw on their "frozen" yes still frozen breakfast. this isn't just an example of my poor parenting skills. This is how they usually request them when I give them the chose of cooked or frozen so hang up the phone in your attempt to call social services!

And ah... yes it's 11 am and my kids are still undressed and lovin it! The only reason I'm even showered and dressed is because my mom called and is planning a visit with my aunt from out of town! Darn her!!!Now I feel the pressure to clean a little! Arrrg!!!There goes my vacation. Oh well maybe if I do it now I can make it last a few days! NOT!!! Ok that was funny... Who uses the "NOT" come back any more!? I apologize!!!

Why is it that when My hubby is gone I get this incredible urge to go shopping? I have a few stores in Orem I am dying to visit so I think I"ll make the treck around the mountain and see what I can find!

I found two amazing pieces of furniture this weekend. My new favorite store Home Again opened shop closer to my house and I was there with bells on on opening day! I picked up an entry table and a kitchen " station' sort of piece that replaced that last table I got that arrived busted! Anyway... once I move it in the house I'll post pictures! We need to put some protective thing on the bottoms to protect the hard woods!

Ok... I have so rambled long enough!

A few answered questions!

Hi friends! Hope you all had a great weekend! I had a handful of you ask about my hair and how I got it to curl so well! Well first... here's a little secret that I know you all may have been guessing in the first place! Yes I had hair extensions in! I have clip in REAL hair that I wear to get lenght and volume! I never wear them out really but I wanted to for fun pictures! So I'm BUSTED!!! I WISH my hair looked that amazing all the time!

But the real trick is my amazing curling iron.



This is an Enzo Milano 25mm Barrel Curling iron that is well worth it's cost! It's like the CHI flat iron of curling irons! It curls the flatest ahir and holds it! I can go three days without washing and still get body. ( I never go three days but I could if I wanted to be gross! He he!!)

Here is the website if you want to check it out!!! http://www.enzomilano.com/25mm.htm

I also found this site that sells what claims to be the same iron for a fraction of the cost!http://www.worldsbestcurlingiron.com/

Check em out and compare! Mine cost $130. I know a hefty price but it was a gift ( thanks BOO) You all know me too well to think I would fork up that much dough but honestly knowing now how amazing it was I would defiantly pay that much. But hey... if you can get it $4o a that other site and they guarantee that it's the same, that's the way I would go!


Enough about hair!

I had the best weekend with my sister and Emmy! I just love that girl! We went shopping EVERY day! She could not get enough of the great shopping Utah has to offer! She wants to come out once every season to take advantage of the beautiful changing weather and the shopping of course!

This weekend we went to Park City and it was so beautiful! check out the Pictures we got on my family blog! Park city photos click here!!

Wheeler Farm Photos

I HEART my sister!!!! Thanks Boo for taking these. Hopefully this weekend we'll get some great family shots!

Boopers is the best!!!



I love you! I love you! I love you!!!!

Just a preview

WE went to Wheeler Farm yesterday and took some pictures. Don't worry Two out of the three camera batteries died so we didn't get as many shots as we wanted. We'll be going back this Weekend if it doesn't rain!!!! Here's just a sweet one of Blue and I. More to come!

" Pay it Forward" lunch!!!!

What a great day! With my sister in town and her being one of my Pay it forward winners I took Boo, Melissa and Caitlin to lunch! I could not have asked for a better afternoon! I was so glad we could all finally get together. Their kids are all to adorable and sorry again Olivia your lunch took so long!


Thanks again girls for coming! I had a blast!

And if you look to your right...

Hey guys...just doing a little construction work on the old blog and have added a cool new feature. I'll try to post my "What's for dinner" section each week with recipe links so check it out!

Don't know about you but coming up with dinner ideas can get to be challenging so I have to motivate myself to stay on top of it!!!

Feel free to send me a recipe and i'll feature it in the upcoming "Recipe of the Week" section!!!!

Happy eating!

something I've been meaning to do...

I've put this off mainly because there's been a lot to share but I can't put it off any longer! The majority of you all know that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saint! Many of you all share the same values and beliefs as I do.I have one very special friend who I love dearly who has known me for ever and visits my blog regularly that I have yet to share my feelings and my thoughts on being a member of this church I love!

Anie, I have felt the need to share my testimony, or my thoughts, with you lately for whatever reason, and it's just important to share with all of you as well because my religion and my beliefs are so important to me!! I hope you don't mind that I take this time to share my thought!

I strongly believe that we lived with a loving Heavenly Father before we came to this earth to live. I often refer to God as my Heavenly Father almost to reverence the name and draw attention to that fact that he is the Father. I believe that before I was born I knew all to well the challenges and trials I would be dealt but gladly signed up to take them on because of my faith in my Heavenly Fathers guidance and love to see me through the hardest of times!

I have been blessed to know that I am a daughter of God. I feel that he knows me personally and cares so strongly for me that he sent His son Jesus Christ to prepare a way for me to some day return to live with him again. Jesus Christ is my Savior! He bleed and died for me and lived a life that set the perfect example to follow. A charitable, loving and forgiving life.

I am never alone. I can always find guidance and strength from above as I pray and all to often I feel the loving arms of a Father in heaven as I pray for comfort or express my gratitude for all the many blessing I enjoy each day! I truly feel I have a relationship with God.

My membership in my church has given me so much. To often non members are only aware of the "limitations" of our church. One of the first and for most gospel principles taught to us is that WE have Free agency. We can chose rather to follow the teaching that have been given or not. I have only found that when I follow the teachings or guidelines I am blessed beyond measure! I do not see the "rules" of our church as limitations. I see them as growth promoting, healthy and a rewarding lifestyle to live by.

I believe that life here on earth is only a step in our progression. I know I will live in heaven with my Heavenly father again. I know that my earthly ties to family and loved ones will extend beyond the grave. We believe that we can be together for the eternities and the bonds of marriage don't last till death. To me that is the strongest comfort ... to know that my sweet family will me mine forever!

I feel unbelievably happy. I know that is largely to do with my relationship to my Heavenly father and Jesus Christ. I would never deny these feelings. I would gladly stand up for what I believe in only because I have prayerfully searched for this knowledge and felt the confirmation in my heart that I was looking for.

It's hard for me to separate myself and my beliefs. I never want anyone to question me and wonder.. "What does she stand for? Who is she?" I only hope That I live a life that draws questions like " Why does she do the things she does? Why is she happy?" Hopefully that is the life I am living.

I feel very vulnerable having shared this important part of me with you but I felt strongly that I needed to and even remind myself why I do what I do. It's not meant to convert anyone or to sound like I know everything. It was simply meant to explane a little bit more about who I am.

Anie, I have always felt like you have always loved your friends so unconditionally. You are the greatest example of love and dedication when it comes to friendships. You have shown me so much about yourself by keeping in touch and making the effort. I will forever be grateful for our friendship and I hope you don't me sharing my thoughts!

Tag I'm it!!! This ones good!!!

What I was doing 10 Years ago....

hmmm...I was 18 just starting my first year of college at Ricks! I was probably on the phone with Mike who was at BYU! I was loving college life, my roommates and being on my own. At this point I was still doing good in school...It was my second year I let my grades go down the toilet!!

What I was doing 5 years ago.....

I was living the fun newlywed life in our basement apartment in Provo only paying $330 a month can you believe it!!I was working at UCCU as a loan officer and Mike and I didn't have a tv which everyone things is so funny! We loved not having a tv!!!! WE spent do much more quality time together and I read and watched documentaries and biography's I would check out at the library. we did have a tv/vcr but it didn't get regular reception.

Our typical date nights would include working at the temple then going to dinner at Jacintos and going to the cheap movies!!! Ahhh!!!Those were the days!



What I was doing 1 year ago.......

Last year today I was making Macy here 3rd Birthday Castle cake! It was her birthday and we had a party with friends and neighbors!!!! We were living in Huntington beach loving our lives!


What I was doing yesterday.....
If you read my blog you know what I was doing yesterday... let's not relive that day can we?


5 places I'd rather be....

I don't think I'd rather be anywhere right now!


5 treats/snacks I love............

rice crispy treats!
donuts
jamba juice
Taco time Cherry Empanada
key lime pie

What I would do with 100 million dollars...
Save... probably finish decorating my house and save some more...But man would it be nice to just go shopping and not feel it for once!

5 favorite TV shows

Little House on the Prairie ... Don't laugh but I just love this show and tape it.
Office...Pam and Jim are bound to get together! If not I'm out!!!
Grays
Bachlore... yes new session!!! Woo Hoo!!!
Americas Next top Model!


5 people to tag....
I tag anyone that listed on my links! HaHa you are all victims of my madness!

AHHHHH!!!

If you see a post tomorrow with my hair pulled out you will understand why! They say pictures speak louder then words but in this case they may not becasue all I want to do is YELLLLL!!!! Here is what I have been dealing with all day...



Started this morning with me finding this in my bathroom along with my shower being graffitied! I was CLEANING my girls closet at the time!!!!

Then I found this lovely display if creativity!




Lovely huh? I couldn't bring myself to take a picture of the carpet that was also trying to fight plack and gingivitis! Let's just say I was fuming at this point! At least my bathroom won't have cavity's! Oh and please note I was making beds at this point!

Then less then an hour later while I am still cleaning I find my girls eating and mashing my crafting chalks on the carpet in the living room. I had no patients left at this point so the camera stayed put!

And this was what happened last week when Blue found a marker buried in the garbage...



That's what it looked like AFTER I cleaned it off! Fun Huh!

Did you all notice I was anxiously engaged in the good of my home while all this was happening!! Each time I came across one of these disasters I was in the middle of cleaning. AHHHH!!!How on earth am I going to make it through these years!!!! How and why do I clean! This is such a joke!!!!!!

Oh and to add insult to injury I still had to take the girls with me grocery shopping! Now doesn't that sound like a walk in the park! Just what I needed to finish an oh so lovely day already!!!!

So here I sit post child tornadoes, post grocery store nightmare and now we're off to dance! Will this day ever end!!!!!


Side note...

Thanks all you blog stalkers for coming out of the closet! I love having fun visitors like you! I apologize to some of you for not visiting you in return... Those of you I have known about and tried to jump on your blogs, I have found that they are private or I can't see them so sorry! Also feel free to comment whenever! Sadly you are sometimes my only Adult Conversation each day!!!!

For those of you wondering MC or mormonchic is a site that I frequent that has a message board! That's where I met many of my amazing blogging friends. It's a site that has wonderful tips on FHE, family, budgeting, crafts, and anything else that puts a smile on my face! Just so you know!!!!

And isn't it crazy how long I've known some of you!!!!! Totally cool!!!!

Who knows who...

.. and how do you know me?

I love how the blogging world has opened up the lines of communication to lost friends, and friends of a friends and I just found you from another blog friend! It's all gotten pretty cloudy to me on how and when we all got connected this way!

And do I have blog stalkers?... oh that sounds so funny... ok let me put it differently...Are there people out there that just check my blog out and never make themselves knows! That's cool too! I always wonder who's out there!

So come out come out where ever you are all my wall flower blog buddies and friends alike!

Tell me how I know you or how we became acquainted! I have a wide variety of friends!


Oh and how funny is it to link surf on someone else's blog and find old friends or people you know you know but can't remember from where!!!!

Bargain Shopping 101

So anyone who knows me pretty much is aware of my killer Bargain Shopping radar I have! I NEVER pay full price and I always am on the hunt. This mentality covers basically every aspect of life! I have picked up some amazing things at incredible prices based on this keen 6th sence I have!

Today I put my shopping to the test once again after being tipped off by a friend that Albertsons was to be my next target! They were having their 10 for $15 sale on cereals, oatmeals, bars and endless other items. The added bonus was when you buy 10 the price gets dropped to 10 for $10!

So there I was binding my way through the aisles.Post cereal was also marked to 5 for $7 with a free gallon of milk then upon check out they presented my with a $2 off coupon for my next Post purchase. So back I went for 5 more boxes and another free milk!

All in a good days work! Here's what I loaded up for $55...



There are a ton of great tips for shopping smart. I always get ask how I do it or what's my secret. First of all, I always share my finds like this because half the battle is knowing when and where to shop.

Also when deals like this come along I stock up. I didn't buy one thing we don't use and love! I feel into the habit of buying things, especially food, that I had a coupon for even if we never ate it before... chances were we never did eat it!!!!FREE is another story... I may on occasion get something if it's free...hence Walgreens trips!!!

Anyway... It helps to just keep your eyes and ears open to leads from others. Watch ads and make sure you have the space for the things you do buy!

I tend to buy more food when it's a deal more so then cloths, house hold stuff and other things that take up long term space. Food you consume, other items sit and take up room and stare at you with that tag still attached taunting you saying " ha ha!!! I don't even fit and now look at your closet!!!!!"

Know what you love and shop it out! Don't be afraid to take things back. Buyers remorse is a feeling we get for a reason... it's like a grace period for us to change our minds and give ourselves a reality check. Leave all the tags on and save all your receipts!Check return policy's and if you find that your item is damage complain or take it back. If it's something you can live with ask for a discount.

I'd love to hear some of your favorite shopping tips and deals you have gotten. I can't think of my best deal ever to share..I have a lot of good deal stories!!! Share some of yours!!!!!