Sadness in our Family

My father in law Anthony Bolin passed away on January 6th.  He fought a long hard battle and lived longer than many people thought he would.  Our home is filled with sadness that he is gone, relief that he is no longer suffering,  and happiness he has been a part of our lives over the past several years.  Thank you Tony for moving forward and forging a relationship with Travis.  Thank you for being a caring and loving grandpa to my girls.  We will all miss you.

Tuesday Thirteen

1.  The girls are still out of school.  The first week went by pretty quickly because we were still in Christmas prep and excitement mode.  Last week was a mixture, so days seem to drag on forever while others flew by.  This week I have a feeling is just going to drag.  They are done.  They are ready to go back and not be stuck with just each other all day.  It is going to take forever to get to Monday.

2.  Christmas decorations were taken down on Sunday.  Now once again everyone around the country is going through withdraws because the houses seem sooo empty.  Of course I don't want to put my same ol' stuff up again.  It has been the same for 2 years and I am ready for a change.  Sadly my budget isn't going to allow it so I am going to see what I can do with the stuff I currently have.  Maybe I can move stuff around and pull off a change...

3.  Cami got a hair cut.  A much needed hair cut.  I love how she looks when it is done but man I hate paying for it every 6 weeks!

4.  I am going to start calling my dog Julio.  If you can figure out why then I know you have the same guilty pleasure as me ;)

5.  I added some more flooring to my attic yesterday.  It is fantastic!  Less than 1 sheet of plywood made a world of difference.  I see more coming in the future.

6.  We have finally caught up to technology and got a Blue Ray player.  Well technically Travis got a Blue Ray...  is it bad that I don't notice that much of a difference.

7.  I spent the entire day cleaning my downstairs.... it still isn't finished.  I must say though I am happy to have my house back.  My decorations aren't what I want them to be right now but I am liking how clean my house seems without all the Christmas clutter.  I love the way Christmas decor and lights warm up the house.  Now that they are gone I am seriously ready for Spring to warm up my house.

8.  I am ready to do some serious spring cleaning!  I have cleaned out a couple of kitchen drawers and cabinets, and the drawers in my living room tables.  What a difference to open a beautiful, clean organized drawer!  Lots more to go.

9.  Called and sat on hold for 30 minutes today to find out why it is my Flex spending card company is questioning 2 charges from our account.  The first... Children's Heart, the second Murfreesboro Medical Clinic.  What?  Lady was super rude.  I have the statements and receipts for both; however, one of them doesn't have the patient name.  GRRR.  Now I have to go and get a copy to send in before they decide to cancel my Flex account.  I have 2 weeks.  Don't get me wrong it is plenty of time for me in my current situation.  If I were not lucky enough to be in my situation though.  I don't know, I just think it is wrong.

10.  I'm working on my bucket list.  Looking forward to crossing some things off that list.

11.  Winter breaking has been spoiling me.  I am not sure how I am going to go back to getting up so early again next week.  I haven't been waking up until after 8 this whole time!  Fantastic!

12.  Travis got an iPad for Christmas which means I get his hand me down Kindle.  It is on my list of things to do to figure out how to use it.  I never wanted one.  I love the feel of a book in my hands.  BUT, you can buy new releases cheaper on the kindle....  I guess I am going to give it a try.  It will not replace my love of a nice hard back book in my hands though.

13.  We are now down to a couple of days left for winter break.  I am trying to figure out what we are going to do to have fun the rest of the week.  Mykenzie's BFF is spending the night tonight and we are all going bowling in the morning.  I want to take the girls to see the new Narnia movie this week too.  Other than that I'm not sure, I am sure we can come up with something though.

Makin' It Monday

I am going to use another project from Mykenzie's room for this weeks Makin' It Monday post.

After flipping through a Pottery Barn Kids catalog I came across a message board that I knew would be perfect for Mykenzie's new room.  (it is no longer on their website)  They ran around $240 on sale when I was looking.  There was absolutely no freaking way I was paying that much!  Insanity.  Instead I picked out 2 fabrics, some cork 12x12 squares, a sheet of dry erase board cut into 12x12 squares, a quarter inch thick sheet of birch, and a couple pieces of molding.

I used spray adhesive to attach the fabric to the cork squares and I used velcro strip to attach each square to the birch incase we ever wanted to change it out.  I love how it turned out and now that she has had it in her room for 6 months, I have to say it was a good project cause she uses it all the time.  It was super easy to make and cost a LOT less than $240!  Thanks for the inspiration though Pottery Barn Kids

Product Endorsement Time

When the Magic Eraser came out, it changed my life.  I told everyone that would listen, including random strangers in the cleaning aisle.  I cannot imagine cleaning my bathtub or kitchen sink without it.  I use the magic eraser about every day.


Now I have another cleaning product that has made my life better and I must share it with you all.  I have had issues with my dishwasher leaving a nasty soapy film on my dishes.  I replaced my dishwasher because of this.  This led to fights with our Home Warranty company, the purchase of a new dishwasher which leaked and ruined my floor, and finally getting a new one that worked...for a while.  Now it is back, the hardwater build up on my dishes.  About 5 months ago I discovered a product that made me never have to worry again about my clean dishes being dirty.  Lemi Shine is the name of it.  It is about $3.50 and you can find it at Target and Publix so my guess it would be about anywhere.  Here are some photo's to show the difference.  The first I washed without Lemi Shine cause I ran out, the other I stuck them back in the dishwasher and rewashed using Lemi Shine.  Seriously a fantastic product.

1.1.11

The date makes it seem like it is a new beginning this new year.  We are starting back at one.  I for one am looking forward to the new year.  2010 has been a total roller coaster ride!  We have has some wonderful things come about this year but there were a lot of difficult decisions made and then of course the ups and downs with my father inlaw's health.  The new year is not going to start well for our family as my FIL is home again from another trip to the hospital where he has been since Christmas Eve, unfortunately he is not home alone, today hospice is there too.  The doctors are saying he has less than a month left here with us on earth.  This time will be difficult for our family.  Travis has accepted the situation and knows its coming but it will still be really hard.  No matter what you do or think I don't think anything can prepare a person for this.

We are hoping that since the year is gonna start really bad that it only can get better from there.  I would think that would be the worst thing that happens all year (knock on wood)
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We rang in the new year last night with new friends.  We had a really good time, it was the only time that we have been in town for New Year's Eve and away from the girls.  They love their babysitter though and had fun partying with her and probably getting away with much more than they would have with us.

Every year we make them and every year we break them but here is my list of resolutions for the year 2011

*  Take my medicine EVERY day.  I am going to do everything I can not to get sick again cause it sucks

*  Learn my camera.  I'm not going to be a pro photog but I want to be able to adjust it to get my school gym pics

*  Home Improvement projects.  I have a list of stuff I want to get done around this house.

*  Have some Ana White building days.  She has some cute things and I am gonna build them

*  Get the scrapbooks caught up

*  Figure out the damn sewing machine

*  Meet with a school advisor and make a plan

*  Set up an Etsy store with Chandra

*  Work a few craft shows

*  Build on my current relationships

*  Get a cleaning schedule going so it isn't so much work all at once

*  Finish transferring VHS to DVD's

*  Scan old photo's to hard drive and disks

There are definitely some repeats on this list, but I am going to do them.  This is my year.  Maybe with all this work I will lose a few inches off my ass too ;)

Sewing project

Yeah.  I know right?  A sewing project?  Well before you get too excited, no I did not learn how to use my sewing machine.  I tried.  I tried and tried, then right before I threw the damn thing out the window, I gave up.  Decided to hand sew instead since no one would be able to see the seams anyhow.

I searched online to find a cute camera bag for the new camera.  Um, yeah.  They are $100+  I almost broke down and ordered a cute one from a lady on etsy until I read the fine print that she wouldn't be making any of her orders until mid February.... whatever!  I am not leaving my camera stuck in the box till then.  I decided to take matters into my own hands for now.  I pulled out an old purse from the closet and went to town.  I just so happen to have material (that I technically bought to make some pillows for my bedroom) and some foam (that I technically bought for a baby doll bed mattress that I am planning to make in the future) so I made my own darn camera bag!

Old purse...

 Inside (wish it zipped shut but will do for now)

 Padded bottom and sides

 Padded spacers

 drawstring bag

To hold my second lens

The inside of my purse now.  There is still space to throw in my wallet and cell phone to just use one bag when needed :)  

Tuesday Thirteen~ Christmas edition *with photos*

  1.   Traditions:  Travis took Christmas Eve off this year which was great cause we got to do some of our traditions earlier in the day.  We continued our Gingerbread house tradition again this year but made it a gingerbread tree instead.  A tradition I have had since I was little is to make a gingerbread shaped sugar cookie.  Each one in our family had one, which we decorated and then ate on Christmas morning for breakfast.  We have cut out the eating it for breakfast part but the decorating of our own gingerbread man continues.

Mykenzie's gingerbread man

Kaylee's gingerbread man

Travis' gingerbread man

My gingerbread woman~ oh yeah, she is wearing heels

2.  Another tradition we have is to open gifts from family that have been mailed to us on Christmas eve.  It is a way to have the family get together even when we are 500 miles away.  

 These 2 pictures are of them opening the gift from their Grandpa Bolin.  It is a joint gift, babysitting Mama for the Wii.  They were pretty excited :)

3.  Right before bed we set out milk and cookies for Santa and read Twas the Night Before Christmas.  Before we know it Santa comes!

4.  Kaylee woke me up at 2:30 AM to let me know that Santa had come.  Sneaky Santa always leaves a Candy Cane on their bedroom door knobs to let them know he has been there.  After sending her back to bed I woke up again at 4:30 to giggling.  I go into Kaylee's room to find Travis and her chatting.  What!  I sent them both back to bed.  We finally got up about 7 to see what surprises Santa left.

5.  Both girls decided that they wanted American Girl dolls this year.  They decided to use the money their Uncle Mike and Grandma sent this year to buy them.  We ordered them on Tuesday night and Mykenzie's arrived in the mail on Friday (Christmas Eve)  Sadly Kaylee's is on backorder so she will get it mid January.  Gives her something to look forward too.

6.  They both wanted Monster High dolls this year too.  Between the 2 of them I think they have them all.  They have been asking for them since August!!

7.  Buying for Mykenzie this year was easy and hard at the same time.  Easy cause I knew what she wanted.  Hard cause everything she wanted cost a pretty penny.  It isn't the 3D tv she asked for but I think it will do ;)

8.  Kaylee's "big" gift that she wanted this year was a camera.  I'm not sure why exactly.  She does like to take pictures and does so all the time with her DSi or my camera ect.  I guess there has been too many other things to play with that the camera has been lost in the shuffle.  Look at that smile though, I think she will come around and be snapping pics again in no time.

9.  I am a hypocrite.  I know.  It is terrible.  But here we are, my 10 year old child now has her very own cell phone.  Yep.  I told you I was a hypocrite!  I swore she would not have one till she was 12.  In my defense...  It is really more for my benefit.  She goes off with her friends and I have no idea where she is and have no way to get ahold of her.  That is not cool.  The straw that broke the camel's back was when she went off with Grayson (her BFF) and was gone from 3:30 Saturday afternoon and I still hadn't heard from her on Sunday at 5.  Then I found out she was dropped off at the skating rink.  I am very much so not ok with that.  Hence the cell phone.  It is pay as you go and there are limitations on it.  She has not tried to use it yet other than to "test" it out and call me :)  She feels so grown up though!

10.  The girls are not the only ones that got cool new gadgets and toys this year.  The Man got  a Blue Ray player with a few movies (I can't work the damn thing to save my life).  He also got an iPad.  A pretty good day for him I'd say, especially since this year his stuff was actually a surprise, which is a small gift to me as well cause I never get to surprise him cause he can alway seem to figure his gifts out. 

11.  With our Christmas money we got a surround sound thingy for the living room.  (yeah, I can't work that either)  The Man is enjoying it though and for the past 2 nights we have watched movies using it and it makes him happy.

12.  What you want to know what I got for Christmas too?  Well I'm not going to lie, I feel kinda spoiled.  I totally LOVE my gifts though.  

 This my friends is my new camera.  I L. O. V. E.  love it!  I have a LOT to learn but right now I am happy and in love in auto focus!  It is so pretty!!  

This was my surprise.  I picked out my camera but didn't know I was getting this...

 Oh yeah!  It is a saw.  It is a saw that seems to be able to do anything.  January 10th it will be getting a workout as I have a project I have been putting off.  This is the perfect thing to get me motivated!  It's called a Blade Runner, google it :)

13.  I just went though a lot of stress and a call to customer support to get the photos taken with my new camera onto this computer...  what I should have been doing... cleaning my house, doing laundry, showering, making dinner, ect.  Instead all I did today was a project (see tomorrow's post), play with my camera, and this blog post.  Travis will be thrilled when he gets home tonight.  Ok, it doesn't look this bad anymore... but it isn't good either ;) 

Makin' It Monday

Christmas post will be coming soon.  Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas weekend!  Our family had a wonderful Christmas!  Have pics to share tomorrow.  Today is Monday though so I want to throw up a makin' it post.  Back in June I redecorated Mykenzie's bedroom.  A big part of the room for me was a new desk.  I had a really hard time finding one I wanted since I had something specific in mind.  Since I wasn't driving to Virginia this year I couldn't steal the one my mom has in her house.  I had to make due.  A guy Travis works with had this one

 Naturally I hated it.  It is awful!  Beggars can't be choosers though right?  I mean it was free after all and I couldn't find what I what I wanted so I chopped.  I wacked off the hutch to start.  Took off the door.  Sanded,puttied, primed and painted.  I built 2 drawers using my table saw and nail gun/air compressor.  Replaced the hardware... and presto chango...

Mykenzie has a new desk for her room.  It is not perfect but not too bad for my first go at "building" something.  I'm happy with it and feelin' mighty proud still 6 months later :)
More to come from Mykenzie's room makeover in another post!  Stay tuned

Whoa!

I think God has been trying to tell me to S L O W down.  I was sick for 2 weeks... I didn't slow down.  I have been super busy and trying to cram as much as possible into every day.  Tonight we were supposed to have a few girls from Mykenzie's class come over to spend the night and then tomorrow Barbara's kids were going to come hang out all day and then spend the night.  It would have been fun.  But once again God had held up his hand and told me to S L O W down.  Sadly this time it is poor little Kaylee.  Turns out she has the flu.  Luckily she doesn't seem to feel too bad.  She played all day with friends (yeah, I know that is a BIG fail on my part!  She had a stuffy nose, I never would have thought it was the flu)  but she seemed fine.  Now we have no choice.  I can't do anything now.  We are home and resting.  I guess we will be taking it slow for a couple of days.  Fingers crossed that no one else we have been around picked up her germs, including the other kiddo in this house.

Maybe since I have to stay put I will actually get my laundry done and my Christmas cookies made since the first batches are already stale.  Maybe.

Tuesday Thirteen

1.  FOUR days till Christmas!  I'm done with everything stressful, so now we are just enjoying all of the fun this time of year brings.

2.  I am starting to come up with some new year's resolutions... I think I have seen them on my list before?

3.  Knock on wood...  I have not been sick (for the most part) since last Thursday.  I am remembering to take my medicine and will hopefully continue.

4.  My second round of handmade gifts were handed out last night (the first being countdown blocks over Thanksgiving)  and they were a hit!  Yay for handmade gifts people love!!

5.  Despite the fact that Mykenzie is getting some pricey gifts this year, I am feeling good about Kaylee's stash.  Thought I'd have guilt, but I am good this year.

6.  My husband will NOT stop hounding me about what his gift this year is.  It is killing him cause I have had my poker face on and for once he really has no idea what he is getting.  I think this is the first year that will be a total surprise for him!

7.  Speaking of poker, Travis hosted what I am sure will be the first of many poker games on Friday.  From what I hear a good time was had by all, and Travis won some $$!  I high tailed it out of here and spent the night with my kids over at Chandra's.  Too much man in my house for me, I had to go

8.  Basketball is still going.  They split the team into 2 teams that alternate quarters.  The first quarter Mykenzie plays she acts like she is just there to watch and has no clue how to do anything involving basketball.  The second period she plays she actually plays.  She does good on defense, and this last game she even took the ball up the court and did really well keeping ahold of it and passing it.  Maybe there is hope she will get better?

9.  We had a really busy weekend!  Friday was a half day of school.  We had our annual Christmas playdate at Stacies, which is always a lot of fun.  This year Santa was in the hospital and couldn't make it to hand out the gifts so he sent his elves to drop them off.  Say a prayer for Mr. Mears he is a really good man and a fantastic Santa.

10.  Continuing with the weekend events, Friday night was the poker game mentioned above and the corresponding sleepover.  Saturday morning was basketball.  Saturday night was an ornament exchange at Tanya S' for the moms group I used to be a part of.  It was definitely strange being around some of the people with who I did not end our friendships on good terms, but it was really good to hang out with some of the people I hadn't seen in a while that I actually do like.  I had to cut out early to go celebrate Sylvia's 40th birthday.  It was so much fun!  I am really glad they included me in the celebration.  I would have to agree with everyone else there that night, she doesn't look a day over 49 ;-)
Sunday night was Travis' work party...  I wouldn't go as far as to say it was fun, but it was a good time.  We had some laughs and ate some really yummy food.  I will be returning to that place, even though the service sucked.

11. My dear friend Amy will not be coming to my house the week after Christmas like we had planned.  I'm bummed but understand.  Not sure what we are going to do for New Years now.  I have a sitter though if anyone has any ideas!

12.  I pulled a pair of jeans from my drawer today.  I am getting pretty low so it was a pair down from the depths.  I tried to put them on... they were a size 4!  Ha!  Time to get those bad boys out of the drawer cause that ain't happening.  Ahh, sweet memories

13.  I need to get off the computer and get ready for my day!  We have to be at Chandra's in a bit for cookie decorating with friends.  Then we need to come home and prepare for Mykenzie's sleepover tonight.  She even put it on her Christmas list to Santa, she wanted a Christmas sleepover.  Who knew when I did it last year it would become an annual event.  At least I can talk her into 3 people for a sleepover at a time.

Makin' It Monday

 I bought a ton of ornaments last year during after Christmas clearance and finally got around to making my wreaths.  I have one hanging on the back of my front door.  ( the 2 random ribbons you see in the pic are now covered in our Christmas cards from family and friends)

 This one is on my pantry door

This one... well it didn't end up hung anywhere :(

The Change is here!

No, not that change!  I'm only 30, geeze!  Though sadly I do appear to be getting more grey between colors.
The blog name has changed. It is done.  I have been contemplating the change for awhile now, but I didn't know what I wanted the new blog to be.  I struggled because while my life is by no means drama free I have shed a lot of it.  My girls are getting older and are no longer the complete drama queens that they once were.  I have removed people who brought drama into my life as well.   Not just that though, I just no longer want to feel like drama is such a central part of my life.  Not sure how to actually convey what I am feeling there.

My new name came to me one day when I was in my house literally covered in glitter and sawdust.  It struck me how much it represented my life, so much more so than mama2drama.  I like to craft, I like power tools and I love girly things and glitter.  Not only that but I see it as a representation of my personality.  I most certainly have a rough, dirty side, I can be a total bitch and I like to tell it how it is, oh and I cuss like a sailor.  BUT, I definitely have a softer, sparkly, sweeter side too.

 I like the new name.  I hope you all like it too.  (Though I am not sure if anyone actually checks this thing any more since I took such a long hiatus from posting.)  My plan is to keep with it again.  I really love this outlet.  I don't generally have anything interesting to say, but you know you love reading my horrible grammar and babble ;)

1st Dance

I just dropped Mykenzie off at her first school dance.  She is so excited.  I watched through the window for a minute.  I am not sure how much dancing they will actually be doing.  Looks like more of a stand around and talk to your friends ;)

fun pics of my decorations

Snowman on my kitchen counter :)

 book page wreath made on ACD.  

 My cotton!  One day I will tell you all the cotton story.  I <3 my cotton

 One of my tables.  I love it all

My fabulous B wine bottle that my even more fabulous friend gave me.  The lights in was another ACD project :)  So cute.  Christmas lights are not just for the Christmas tree :)

What! It's already Wednesday!

Life for everyone is insane right now.  Tis the season.  Time for last minute shopping, wrapping, baking, stamping, mailing, decorating and cleaning.  Time for school Christmas parties and visiting Santa.
I'm tired.  I have now been sick with my wretched Colitis which you may remember I have dubbed my old man disease (OMD).  It sucks.  Thank God I have been able to function during the day but once darkness falls it is another story.  I am so sick of this crap.  I know I should feel lucky it isn't something worse, and believe me I do feel that way; it doesn't make having to deal with this any easier though.  OK, enough of that.

My What! It's already Wednesday post will hold my weekly Monday and Tuesday posts since I missed them. :)

1.  I am done.  D.O.N.E.  done with my Christmas shopping!  Finally!  I have never been shopping still 10 days out.

2.  Just because I am done, it doesn't mean I am done :(  I have to pick up a couple of gifts for the girls still.  Not from us though,  from grandparents that have sent money for me to pick something up.

3.  My house is trashed!  Like really really trashed.  Cause I have been doing my last minute shopping and running during the day and then can't get off the couch at night thanks to OMD.

4.  Why is my house being trashed so worrisome?  Well the cable guy is coming in the morning.  That's not the main reason cause whatever, I'll never see him again.  However, Travis is hosting a poker night at our house Friday night.  lovely

5.  My car is in the shop.  Yep.  Again.  This time I am getting all the little things fixed that have been causing issues for awhile.  The final straw was the sliding power door stopped working.  Since this is the door the girls use to get in and out of the car in carpool line it was a big issue.  Good news though, it is all covered by extended warranty so I only have to pay $50!!!  Woot

6.  So, not only are my gifts bought, but the ones that needed mailed have all been sent off :)

7.  I have to go to the GS shop.  I don't have time.  No clue how I am going to make that happen

8.  We are going to see Santa on Friday!  Love our dear friend that continues to host the Santa playdate every year and continuing to invite us

9.  Mykenzie's dance is tomorrow night.  After many different ideas of what she wanted to wear we are finally all set.

10.  I currently have plans made for Friday night, 2 things on Saturday night (still trying to figure out how I am gonna pull it off), and Travis' work party on Sunday night (at Opryland Hotel)  I really want to do all the things I have planned.   I am worried; however, that my body is going to have other ideas in mind.  I could use a prayer or 2 that this OMD goes back into hiding.  Remission is much more fun.

11.  First round of Christmas cookies are made.  Still lots left to go.  Know what really sucks?  I can't eat them.

12.  I said I was gonna drop OMD talk.  I didn't.  It effin sucks and is ruining my Christmas joy.

Ok moving on (again)  This is the biggest pain in the butt craft I have ever made.  Too bad I ended up loving it and can't give it away.

This happened more than once :(

 Then I remembered this little trick Stacie told us about.  Didn't make it a walk in the park but most definitely help a LOT!

 Finished product.  Love it.  Thanks for the saying I stole from you Monica!