Today is...January 13th

Hey Ya'll!  I am trying a new little blogging strategy that I snagged from Life in General, a fun blog that talks about, well, Life in General.  It is also the place where I got the best ideas for my 12 Months of Dates gift to hubby for Christmas this year (more on that later).

   Anywho, the goal is to just purge my ideas on what's going on in life today.  Here goes:

Outside my window . . .Actually, I am outside, in the backyard trying to catch some rays!  It's a sunny, beautiful 82 here in Florida!  :)
I am thinking . . .of all the stuff I have to do today: plan for work, get the house in order, iron, and get lunches for the week.  Also, that I am really HAPPY in spite of my to-do list!
I am thankful for . . .my husband.  I can't even imagine having to put up with myself as cooly as he does, lol.  Although I may get annoyed from time to time, he truly is an amazing guy, my best friend, and I'm lucky to have him in my life. 
From the kitchen . . .I had a bagel....I've been slacking on making things in the kitchen this week. That combined with a lack of goodies, well...here I am, with a bagel, lol  Hoping that some grocery shopping will remedy that issue.
I am creating . . . Christmas cards...yep, you read that right!  I made a pack of Christmas cards from a set that was Clearanced in Target.  I didn't have the time/energy to make cards this past year, and really thought I'd be okay with it.  Now, seeing all of the adorable cards, complete with babies, big kids, pets, etc, I know I want my own, hand-made cards around again next year. 
I am going . . .to work hard so that one of these blog entries, I can finally take that trip to Mexico!
I am reading . . .a book by Cathy Lamb, The Last Time I Was Me.  I love her work, it's interesting, funny, and she does a great job at involving you in the book, making you fall for the characters, and helping you feel their joy/hope/love/pain! This particular book takes you on a journey; Alzheimer's, WWII, past abuse, and the loss of parents/loved ones are all woven through.  It's the second time I'm reading it-excellent book!
I am hoping . . .that my very first Thirty-One Open House goes well this Friday!  That's right, I have taken the plunge! I decided to sign up to become a Thirty-One Independent Consultant!  I'm very excited, and ready to get the ball rolling...hey, maybe it could help me pay for that trip to Mexico ;)

I am hearing . . . the sound of the cars driving by.  Since I'm from the city, I hardly notice it, and it can be pretty relaxing.  There is also some country music playing...via Pandora :)
Around the house . . . urggghh, there are a few things to put together/install (Expedit, my kinda enemy, a Lack shelf, decorating, etc)
One of my favorite things . . . My new friend Henry!  I found him at Target!  I didn't buy him the first time I saw his little yarn covered self...but I just had to go back for him!  He hangs around the house, right now, he's on a shelf in the living room.  He's friendly, doens't talk back, takes himself to the bathroom when we aren't looking, and adds a bit of fun to the house.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .clean, clean, clean...get some yummies ready for Friday, and have and awesome time at the Thirty-One open house!
A picture to share . . .this shows the power of the Florida sun.  The tree has been out back for about a week (yes, I know, shame on us), just waiting to be cut down for yard waste.  In less than 7 days, it looks like this!

Been a While, Eh?

Wowzers have I been slacking! I'd like to explain it away as I've been living the glamorous life, but I'm an awful liar! There's no excuse except that I've been lazy...haha.  I changed positions at my job this year and I happen to be IN LOVE with my new position.  I know not too many people have the opportunity to say that, so I am incredibly appreciative. I'm going to try hard to get back on track with my blogging because I think it helps me stay connected with friends while also serving as a diary-slash-motivator.
   Anywho, I got to spend about a week or so back in PA/DE, my homeland, visiting friends and family.  What an amazing time!  Although it was COLD, Steve and I really enjoyed ourselves.  We had fun seeing everyone, catching up and getting to meet many of the precious babies who were born while we were away.  Here are some of my favorite pics from the trip.

Some of my old co-workers and I at Friday's for lunch.

Hubby and I on New Year's Eve.  I LOVE this picture!

Two of my best girlfriends, Moni and Nikki.

A real Hoagie...I am so ridiculous about the difference, lol.

Alrighty, now I'm back to business, I hope.  I've also warmed back up {mostly} after the downright COLD of back home. 

Gettin' Crafty Wit It

Na na na na na na na.....no...okay, so I was channeling my fellow Philly native, Will Smith as I was thinking about this post...he's obviously more talented, lol.  But, I was pretty proud of the craftiness I've been coming up with lately.  Some items are inspired from Pinterest....such as this Welcome sign:

     I made mine by just printing the letters onto white paper, using a Curvy Cutter to cut the circles, the black are from cardstock, and then laminating them.  Once I was finished, I added the purple ribbon.  I really wanted blue, but I have SOOOO MUCH of the purple, just couldn't be wasteful.  Maybe it will eventually get an update, you know, when the purple starts to fade....lol.  Here's the back side so you can see how the ribbon is woven through.

  One of my other recent crafty projects has been card making.  I have made cards for about 4 years now, I think.  I got so addicted to Stampin' Up products when a friend from work started to sell them.  I honestly had no idea I would love it so much.  I was such a scrapbooker!  But, the finished product of a card comes a lot faster!  It also feels really great to be able to sign something I made, from the heart.  Here are some of my recent creations!  Most of the stamps used are by Stampin' Up!
     

 

 

So Happy For You and Sweet Scoops Stamp Sets

     The second one has a mini-message on the front...it says and many more inside of the white tab!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birthday Whimsy Stamp Set

So, what kind of crafts have you been up to lately?  Leave me a comment, or link to your blog, and let me know!

The Dollar Tree is WHERE IT'S AT!!!

    Seriously! I so love a good bargain (ask my friends, I'm a cheapie! My husband even teases me b/c I always say, "I got it for cheap!" Who knew that wasn't a normal saying?) I can't believe the amazing deals I have gotten at that place!  I know there are probably others out there, but this "Dollar Store" is legit, none of that 'Dollar Store' mumbo jumbo, then you get inside and your facing 2, 3 and even 5 dollar items.  I know, how dare they!  Anyway, back to my Dollar Tree love!  The other day, I came away having purchased $32 (buckaroos, just cause it rhymes!) worth of stuff.  Here's some of my hoard....I mean haul....is that right?

• One of the first items I photographed happened to be a pain in my rear, lol  These rolls of Kraft gift wrap have so many uses I could think of (wrapping paper, scrapbook pages, modge podge projects, bulletin boards, etc) and therefore couldn't pass them up

Poor image from the Iphone, sowwy!

•  Next up, this wonky looking thing that leave much to be desired.  I shoulda (coulda, woulda) put some things inside to show you the functionality.  Alas, I always think up great ideas after the whole blogging process has started.  One day I'll get it, I promise!

It's a magnetic pen, marker, bills, etc holder!

• These little guys are full of functionality (and a little craftiness) all over pinterest!  Also, you could just use them as dry erase boards, lol!  They come with handy, dandy hanging systems (which I may recycle somewhere else!)

•  Last, we have my 'let's make this one look functional' items.  There are some cutesy, stackable tubs (it took us a few minutes to figure out the handles could be inverted to make them stackable), composition books (journaling, lists, crafty gifts, etc), dry erase markers and posties! (I know they aren't called that, but I prefer them that way)

Could make a cute Back to School Gift, too! 

    Well, that is my Dollar Tree Haul!  There was so much more I could buy, but my pennies are getting a little pinched!  What kinda goodies have you gotten lately?  The one thing I can't seem to find is white frames...for my fun, free kitchen printables...sad faces!

Round Two of the Bestie Train!!!

    Let me begin this by saying that I JUST DELETED THIS ENTIRE POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Uggghhh!!!  Now, back to our reguarly scheuled blog post.
    Just two days after Nikki and Moni left, I was spoiled with another of my bestest friends, Casey Leigh!  Casey and I have been friends since 4th grade!  She is seriously more like my sister!  We've been through so much together...happiness, sadness, true love, and loves lost!  A real friend is one who can make it through all of that, and still love ya!  lol.  I'm lucky to call her my friend. 

At my Bachelorette Party in AC

   She's been going through a lot of stress lately, so, this little Florida trip was definitely in order!  So, beings as she wanted to relax, what do I put on the agenda?  Disney, of course!  LOL!  We began our trip with Hollywood Studios, then went to Magic Kingdom, and finally back to Hollywood Studios for some yummy Italian cooking ala Mama Melrose's.  Yes, I had it twice....IN ONE WEEK!  That's how good it is!  (Disney, you can thank me later, lol)
  The following day, we did relax poolside and followed it up with a day at the beach!  Hopefully, the break was relaxing or at least distracting enough!  I totally understand though, why she had to return home.  A few times throughout the trip I had the pleasure of joining in on family chat time with her 2, almost 3 year old son, Ryan....Oh-Em-Gee, freaking cutest conversations! Not to mention, her new hubby probably missed her at home (<3)! 
   For whatever reason, we were pretty lax with the photos, as in, we only took two!  These were taken at Downtown Disney the night before she left! 

Normal

Goofin it up!

     I seriously don't know what I'm going to do after having so much fun with visitors!  I've been spoiled!  I love living here in Florida, but missing my friends and family stinks!  A trip home is definitely in order soon!

Thirty-One is in the House!

If you haven't yet been to a Thirty-One bag party, you are so missing out.  They have all the fun patterns, solids and styles you could ask for.  I especially love the Organizing Utility Tote for going to work.  Just pop in a Zipper Pouch and you're all set!  Anyways, I am in love with one of the newer prints, Black Parisian Pop, and decided it would look great in my scrap room and to help me organize all of my Stampin Up goodies! I love the way they turned out! 

My frequently used supplies!

A bunch of Stampin' Up sets

Amazing Surprise! Good Friends are Hard to Find!

     What an awesome weekend!  The first thing you should know is that I LOVE surprises!  It all began with one of our visitors....one of my best friends, Nikki, was coming down to visit for a quick girls weekend.  It's pretty ridiculous how much she and I are alike (right down to a dislike for tomatoes, an unhealthy ability to talk, and thinking of the same person although we are totally calling them by the wrong name..ala Marilyn Manson for Charles...amongst others) so, I was obviously pumped to spend the weekend with her.  When Steve and I met her at the airport, we were all giddy excited (Maybe not Steve as much, lol)!
     The best part though was that suddenly, during our giddiness, the passenger door to her rent a car pops open and out comes one of my other besties,  Moni (no blog for her though!)  This was probably one of the biggest surprises anyone has ever gotten over on me.  I had wishful thoughts that the third member of our trifecta would decide to come, but was more realistic.  Woooo hooooo for dreams coming true!  Seriously, I LOVE these girls! Even though I saw them a couple of days when I flew home to PA for a bridal shower and on another trip for my sister-friend's wedding, it was all a whirlwhind!  I was getting these girls to myself for 4 days!!!  (Imagine how excited my hubby was, lol!)
   Anyways, our time was awesome sauce, but way too short!  Our first night was super scandalous-we went to Bojangles (yummy bicuits!), Walmart and Winn-Dixie!  ha ha!  We did return home to have Mudslides, however!  I must say, I am a pretty good bartender!

Moni!  Plus, one of the many candy items purchased!

  The night ended with Nikki falling asleep during Bridesmaids!  When Moni and I woke her up, we thought she might kill us!  Seriously, if only we videotaped it, it coulda won some type of prize on America's Funniest Home Videos!
   The next day was a Disney marathon!  We started at Animal Kingdom.  If you've never been there, it is amazing!  The safari alone is worth a trip!   Here are a few  a bunch of shots

Moni getting ready for our two week journey

A Rare Shot! 

Lions are only active about 6 hours a day

Pretty cool beadwork to make this elephant!

   After Animal Kingdom, we headed over to Hollywood Studios, where I apparently took zero pictures!   The good news is that, we did eat at an amazing restaurant...Mama Melrose has to be my favorite place to eat at Disney.  It's Italian and the  Chicken Campanelle is to die for....it's like true love for your taste buds!  I highly suggest eating here on your next Disney trip.  Advance reservation recommended, it's a popular place! mmmm..... lol
  Our third leg of the Disney trip took us to Magic Kingdom for fireworks!  Their "Wishes" fireworks show is my favorite, though this is widely debated (some like Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios, others prefer Epcot's illuminations).  Maybe I'm a little jaded since Steve proposed at the castle following the fireworks and it was all dreamy...lol.  Anyways, we got some good shots after the show.  I also took a video of the fireworks, but that would spoil all the fun! 

   It was a great, very tiring day that wasn't over yet!  Moni lost her wallet in our travels!  Thankfully, it was found and we were able to pick it up the next day.  Otherwise, she'd just have to stay in Florida....fine with me, lol.  Anywho, the trip went by in a whirlwind, and ended too soon with me getting all teary as they drove off to the airport...until next time though gals! 
   So, I'm pretty proud of our three park wonderment, Disney is a pretty big place, lol!  Have you conquered four?  I just love that we were able to have a girls weekend!  It's amazing to have friends who love me! 

See you real soon!