It's My Life

As most of you know I started this blog without a second thought. I had just gotten home from meeting with a wonderful ENT who told me I had cancer. I could not even say the word out loud. I practiced by calling my two best girlfriends and I really could not say, "I have cancer!" I was a ball of all mixed up emotions and I could not think straight. For whatever reason, I opened blogger up and just started typing. I had no idea the release I would feel just putting it out there.  So, maybe it is because writing helped me stay sane during that journey.  Or maybe I just really like writing. Or  maybe I am closet exhibitionist! {since reading Shades of Grey, I think we are all questioning our deviant side!} Whatever the reason, I am emotionally attached to this blog. In the days after being diagnosed and laying in bed recovering from a multitude of procedures, I poured a lot of energy into "decorating" my blog-world. I was about to lose my hair and I needed for ...

I am in rush mode. We are going on vacation soon. But before we leave, I absolutely have to show you a project I have been working on. A work friend of mine asked me to create a scrapbook for her beloved for Father's Day. I have never made something for someone else before. {Maybe I should clarify that. I have made things for other people. I have made it for them, with them in mind. This is the first time I have made something for someone else without knowing the person who is getting the gift.} I am about finished with the entire thing. Of course I keep tinkering with the album and will probably keep tinkering until the moment I pass it off. Overall, I am so pleased with how it turned out. I am excited to show it to you! The theme of the album is red, black, brown, and cream. It was a chipboard book we found at Hobby Lobby. Cover Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Pages 5 and 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 and 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page ...

                            Did you know that nearly 39,000 people a year commit suicide? It is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Directly and indirectly, my life has been touched by suicide three times.  The most recent has been this week. About three months ago, my professional path crossed with another persons. I had to make some professional judgement and stand by those which caused the other person to lose their job.  That other person recently chose to end their own life. They left behind family: mother, father, siblings, children. And of course they left behind other people who were in their circle of friendship. I feel a little selfish for feeling as distraught as I do. Selfish in the fact that I realize others are hurting way more than I am. Others have a right to be co...

In preparing for our Mother's Day/Post Dance Recital dinner, I thought I needed a new tablecloth. So, I went to Hobby Lobby and purchased myself some denim. Denim comes in different weights. Ironically, they all cost the same amount. I purchased the lightest weight they had. My thinking: I just needed the LOOK of denim and not the weight of it. Denim can be tough to sew through because it gets so thick. I was hoping to avoid some of that by working with a lighter weight material.  {I purchased 3 yards at $9.99 a yard but I used my 40% off coupon!} While at Hobby Lobby I also thought about the hem. Again, knowing denim gets difficult to sew the thicker it gets, I opted to use Single Fold Bias tape as my hem. Sewing that onto the edge of the denim was WAY easy! The crafty part: I went to a thrift store and I purchased three pairs of used blue jeans. {Cost, $1.99 a pair!!} I took my little seam ripper and I ripped those pockets right off the back of the jeans. Next I laid o...

I found this cake on  The Girl Who Ate Everything 's blog.  She called it a White Texas Sheet Cake. I pinned it and decided I would make it soon. This weekend  was my perfect opportunity: a dance recital after-party and early Mother's Day celebration. The review: This cake is pretty amazing! Thanks to the almond extract this cake taste like almonds. Everyone at the party last night loved it! To make this cake: Cake : 1 cup butter   1 cup water 2 cups all-purpose four 2 cups white sugar 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt FROSTING : 1/2 cup butter, cubed 1/4 cup milk 4 cups powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon almond extract Directions:   Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium saucepan bring butter and water to a boil. Meanwhile, in a large bowl add flour and sugar and mix. Then add in eggs, sour cream, extract, baking soda and salt. Slowly pour in the boiling butte...

With Mother's Day and Dance Recital just around the corner, I spent a few hours at Hobby Lobby the other day looking for ideas for gifts.  I came across one of those free fliers they strategically place next to merchandise. You know the kind: they make every project look super easy. They lure un-knowledgeable crafters in thinking, "Hey, I can do this!" Yep, sucked me right in!  So I loaded up on supplies: The Jewelry Shoppe brand square key chains, assorted scrapbooking papers, stickers, embellishments, and Magic-Glos.  The Jewelry Shoppe has lots of different mediums to work with. You can make key chains, pendents in many different sizes and shapes, earrings, rings, ect.  The Magic-Glos is the key to the whole project. There maybe other products out there like this, I am just not aware. It comes in a little bitty 1 ounce bottle with a $9.99 price tag stuck on it. I used my 40% off coupon and prayed one bottle wo...

Today is Cinco de Mayo! I remember living in Denver Colorado and watching the Hispanic community drive up and down Federal Boulevard in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. They proudly hung their Mexican flag from their souped up cars.  So much fun! Our celebration tonight will not be as grandiose at those on in Denver on Federal Boulevard but we will have sinfully wonderful food! I am bringing Mexican Brownies. These are super easy and I promise, you still have time to whip them up for your Cinco de Mayo celebration tonight. What you need: 1 box of brownie mix oil, eggs and water as directed on the box 3/4 teaspoon Chipotle Chili Pepper 1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon Prepare your brownie mix and add the Chipotle Chili Pepper and Ground Cinnamon to the batter. Pour into a prepared 13x9 inch baking dish. Bake as directed on the box. You can serve them with ice cream or plain. In the photo mine are topped with whipped topping and a drizzle of ch...

Ssshh, I have a secret! It is too big not to share! So I have to tell someone.  However, it is a surprise, so don't give it away!  We are taking her to Disney World!  She believes in Princesses and Princes. And Magic. It will be her first trip to Disney.  It is going to be amazing! Oh, all the wonders she is going to experience. Meeting Mickey and Minnie.  The Electric Parade.  Small World.  The Pirates of the Caribbean. Breakfast with the Princesses. Main Street! We are taking him too! He still gets excited to watch The Lion King. It will be his third trip to Disney. His first time he was her age.  Roller coaster rides! Thrills! Adventures!  I wonder if he will still gasp when he sees Captain Hook? Will she? Is it bad that I can't recall how many times I have been to Disney? It does not matter, every time is full of excitement. I can't wait to see it through her eyes this time.  We booked lodging this week....